RTHK: Queen Elizabeth suffers 'sprained back'

Queen Elizabeth II has a "sprained back", Buckingham Palace said, and had to miss Sunday's Remembrance service in London  her first planned public appearance since resting on medical advice.

The ceremony honouring fallen troops is close to the monarch's heart and her absence will deepen concerns over her health after she stepped back on medical advice at the end of last month and spent a night in hospital undergoing unspecified tests.

She then resumed "light duties", but pulled out of a scheduled attendance at the UN climate change summit in Glasgow after being advised to rest.

"The Queen, having sprained her back, has decided this morning with great regret that she will not be able to attend today's Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph," a palace statement said.

"Her Majesty is disappointed that she will miss the service."

Her son Prince Charles placed a wreath on her behalf, as in previous years.

It is only the seventh time she has missed the service in almost 70 years on the throne, with the previous six due to either pregnancy or foreign visits.

A two-day trip to Northern Ireland was also shelved as was her appearance Tuesday at the General Synod, the national assembly of the Church of England which she heads.

The 95-year-old was due to view Sunday's annual service in London from a balcony, as she has done since 2017, when she handed over some duties to younger members of the family.

Royal expert Penny Junor said it was "very sad for the Queen because this is the one event in the year that she really, really likes to be at.

"The public will be very sad and anxious to hear of yet another setback but clearly she must follow the advice and get herself well."

At a public event in Brixton, south London, on Thursday, her eldest son and heir was asked by one onlooker: "Prince Charles, how is your mother?"

"She's alright," he replied. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2021-11-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
by Paul Nguyen Hung

The fourth COVID-19 wave hasn't stopped Catholics in Bac Ninh from bringing the Good News to those who don't know Jesus. Eleven people were recently baptised. Lay missionaries provide answers that evoke the words of Jesus, said Brother Dominic Tran Van Tan.

Bac Ninh (AsiaNews)  Various Catholic organisations are promoting evangelisation missions in various parishes in the Diocese of Bac Ninh, not far from the capital Hanoi.

The Family of St Joseph, the Family of Our Lady of the Rosary, and the Dominican Fraternity are groups of lay missionaries who have decided to put into practice Pope Franciss message to spread the Word of Christ to marginalised communities.

This is the way to bring the good fruits of evangelisation to such places, wrote Brother Dominic Tran Van Tan on his website.

The mission takes on greater importance since the fourth COVID-19 wave hit Vietnam in April, complicating the material and spiritual life of this Buddhist majority country.

Yesterday, local authorities reported more than 8,000 new SARS-CoV-2 cases. Meanwhile, high unemployment remains, while schools are still shuttered.

Despite the situation, Catholics in the Diocese of Bac Ninh have not given up; instead, they are encouraging each other to bring the Good News to those who do not know the Lord.

Taking to city streets, lay missionaries establish contacts with the people they meet, welcomed sometimes in the homes of mostly poor people, of those who are lonely or senior citizens who live in marginalised areas of the cities.

It is strange to see that even though these amateur missionaries don't know much about the Bible, they often give answers that evoke the words of Jesus, Brother Dominic explained.

While Catholics are not always welcomed, they leave in such cases with a spirit of love and continue their missionary work with simplicity and joy, listening to others.

These missionaries are ordinary laity, some students in Bac Ninh told AsiaNews. Their lives are normal. But what is extraordinary is the desire to find souls for God.

Eleven people in the Cau am area were baptised recently, including a mother whose daughter runs a private pagoda.

An elderly lady from Xom Cho, who lives alone with few social interactions, was baptised yesterday. During the ceremony she expressed the joy of joining the Catholic community.
Norway to partner with Vietnam to "awaken" offshore wind power potential

Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Grete Lchen and Commercial Counsellor Arne-Kjetil Lian recently have handed over the 'Vietnam Supply Chain Study Report' to Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien.



The 70-page report provides an overview of the entire supply chain for Vietnams offshore wind industry, recommendations on what Vietnam can prioritise to stimulate the strong growth of a local supply chain to create jobs for skilled labourers, and export to offshore wind markets in the region and the world.

Illustrative image (Photo: vneconomy.vn)



The report also highlights opportunities that offshore wind will bring to Vietnamese suppliers, and areas where Norwegian and other foreign companies can collaborate with Vietnamese partners to promote offshore wind power projects.



Although challenges related to institutional framework and policy still need to be addressed in order to support the implementation of large-scale offshore wind power projects, many international developers and investors, including Norwegian companies have been preparing to tap these opportunities.



Technology is an important element in offshore wind power development and this is also the strength of Norwegian companies, Counsellor Lian stressed.



The Norwegian business community is ready to partner with Vietnamese companies, and share experience and technology to help Vietnam build a strong domestic supply chain, he added.



With over 3,000 km of coastlines, Vietnam boasts an abundant offshore wind resource and is an emerging market for offshore wind.



According to the World Bank, offshore wind is capable of meet 12 percent of Vietnams electricity demand by 2035. By gradually replacing coal-fired electricity, this could help reduce over 200 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions and add at least 50 billion USD to Vietnams economy from a strong local supply chain, more jobs, and exports./.
Hanoi exhibition to highlight Vietnam's cultural development

An exhibition, themed Culture lights the way for the nation to forge, will be held at the Vietnam Exhibition Centre for Culture and Arts in Hanoi from November 16-27, as part of activities to celebrate the 2021 National Cultural Conference.













President Ho Chi Minh and writers and artists. (File Photo)

The event also aims to implement the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress.



On display will be 320 photos and over 123 valuable artefacts divided into different areas: Vietnamese culture before 1930; President Ho Chi Minh and the cause of Vietnamese cultural development; Party and State leaders and cultural development; Vietnamese culture during the struggle for national liberation and reunification; Vietnamese culture during international integration and development; and the preservation and promotion of national cultural heritage.



President Ho Chi Minh always emphasised the important role of culture and attached importance to culture on a par with the economy, politics and society.



Depicting his thoughts on culture, the exhibition will feature photos, artefacts, documents and letters related to the great leader and artists, intellectuals and scientists as well as manuscripts and literary works on culture and the arts written by him.



Notably, several valuable artefacts highlighting President Ho Chi Minhs simple and noble lifestyle will be introduced to the public at the exhibition.



Visitors will have the chance to learn about the Partys documents and resolutions on culture over all Congresses as well as the contributions of culture and arts to the revolutionary cause.



The exhibits will be on display at the National Assembly House on Doc Lap street, Ba Dinh district on November 24. The online edition of the exhibition will take place via website http://trienlamvhnt.vn from November 16.
Optimism, pessimism, realism: What will new Cypriot talks bring?

Cyprus: Divided into Turkish and Greek Cypriot sectors since the Turkish invasion in the summer of 1974. Ever since, it has been a setting for tension and conflict. But now the UN sees a historic chance for a resolution when talks enter a potentially decisive round on Monday.

GALLERY

A typhoon aircraft departing for an Iraqi mission from the Royal Air Force Akrotiri station on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, 22 September 2016.

Geneva/Nicosia (dpa) - The New Year is starting with a silver lining on the horizon for Cyprus, the island-state that has been divided for more than 40 years. There are hopes that the conflict on the third-largest Mediterranean island can be resolved and that it can be reunified.On Monday, the two sides will be meeting for three days of talks at the United Nations in Geneva. New UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres says: "(The talks) offer an historic opportunity for a breakthrough."Such optimism runs in the face of past diplomatic experience. Countless rounds of talks over the past nearly 43 years came up empty-handed.The last such negotiations were in Geneva in November. Diplomats in Nicosia are voicing caution."There is a long road ahead of us," one official said. It would be regarded as a success if the new Geneva talks did not "fall through" and could be continued in the months ahead.The aim is to establish a federation of two states equally sharing political power: A Greek Cypriot state in the south and a Turkish Cypriot state in the north, under the dividing lines created by the Turkish military invasion in July 1974.The main reason for optimism at the UN is that the two political leaders on Cyprus, Greek Cypriot Nikos Anastasiades, and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, Mustafa Akinci, have already been negotiating for 20 months now and have moved closer together on numerous issues. For example, they appear to have largely agreed on ethnic Greeks and Turks having freedom of movement and residency in each others state.But a number of analysts and many diplomats are pessimistic. They say that the negotiations have now reached that point where the two parties must show their cards, including on the key issue of drawing up the final border between the two states.And this is where things get difficult. Akinci wants to have to resettle as few Turkish Cypriots as possible after the return of some territory to the Greek Cypriot side. Anastasiades, however, wants a deal under which as many Greek Cypriots as possible can return to those areas they or their ancestors fled from after the invasion of Turkish forces.This core issue and a number of secondary questions are to be discussed under UN auspices for three days starting on Monday. But then, on Thursday, the situation will get more complicated, when the two sides are joined by high-ranking diplomats from the guarantor powers of Turkey, Greece and Britain for a five-party conference. In addition, European Union Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will attend as an observer.The major problem that will need resolving then is the continued insistence by Ankara and the Turkish Cypriot side that Turkey will remain a guarantor power, the role it has had ever since the state of Cyprus was founded in 1960. They also want Turkish forces to remain stationed on Cyprus.For the Greek Cypriots and Athens, the guarantor power framework is an anachronism. In the European Union - which Cyprus joined in 2004 - there is no need for guarantor powers, above all not from third countries, such as Turkey, which is not an EU member.So how do the respective communities feel? Surveys show them greatly divided, with almost 90 per cent of Turkish Cypriots favouring Turkey remaining a guarantor power. Nearly the same number of Greek Cypriots think the opposite.The current indications are that a final resolution is not to be expected in this phase of talks. The Greek and Turkish foreign ministers, respectively Nikos Kotzias and Mevlut Cavusoglu, met late Friday in New York to discuss the Cyprus issues. Afterwards, Kotzias commented: "We have not come closer together."Moreover, even if the politicians should somehow reach agreement, the Cyprus issue would not yet be resolved. The two ethnic groups will first have to be informed of any - extremely complicated - agreement and new constitution, and then vote their approval or disapproval in separate referendums.A similar plan that the UN worked out in 2004 failed when Greek Cypriots rejected it. They were not convinced that Turkey, which maintains 35,000 soldiers in the north, would carry through on the plan.
Key CPC session provides guidance for China's greater development, inspires world

Xinhua) 09:06, November 14, 2021

The sixth plenary session of the 19th Communist Party of China Central Committee is held in Beijing, capital of China, from Nov. 8 to 11, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Foreign political party officials and experts have spoken highly of the sixth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), hailing it as a crucial meeting linking the past and the future.

The landmark resolution adopted by the four-day session on the major achievements and historical experience of the CPC's 100 years of endeavors revealed the reasons for the success of the CPC, and will provide guidance to the CPC to lead China to new development and prosperity, they said.

The CPC has made tremendous achievements in its 100 years of history and is ready to lead the Chinese people into the future, Gennady Zyuganov, chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, said in an interview with Xinhua.

The sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee that concluded on Thursday served as an opportunity for the CPC to look back, analyze its journey, evaluate what has been achieved, and set tasks for the future, he said.

"Why has the CPC, in just a quarter of a century, transformed from a small group of patriots into a powerful political force that led the country? The main secret is that the party set itself the goal of striving for people's happiness and the great rejuvenation of the nation," Zyuganov said.

Highlighting China's achievements including poverty reduction, the Russian communist leader said he was impressed that the CPC does not rest on its laurels or stand still, but is constantly and intensively working for greater successes.

While China is facing many challenges, Zyuganov believes that the CPC will emerge victorious from all the trials, just like how it has been successfully dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

An art performance titled "The Great Journey" is held in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, on the evening of June 28, 2021. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Luxman Siriwardena, managing director of Sri Lanka-based policy and advocacy group Veemansa Initiative, said the CPC held the plenum at a historical juncture.

He believes that the CPC will continue to promote socio-economic development in China and in many other places in the world as China is playing an increasingly significant global role.

Adhere Cavince, a Kenya-based international relations scholar, said the CPC has emerged as a strong unifying force in its 100-year history.

The party has guided the Chinese society with unflinching determination to improve people's socio-economic welfare, thereby consolidating national stability, cohesion and trust in government, he said.

The CPC has had unprecedented success in uplifting the Chinese people out of intractable challenges of conflict, poverty and international isolation. Today, China ranks as a strong member of the United Nations with active contributions to global solutions, he said.

Abdul Aziz Al-Shaabani, a Saudi expert on China, said the resolution adopted by the plenum is a comprehensive summary of the CPC's century-long struggle, and it is of great significance and will provide guidance for China's future development and promote greater achievements in its development.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji)
Europe forced to tighten restrictions as continent sinks back to pandemic epicenter

09:43, November 14, 2021 By Fu Yiming ( Xinhua

-- For the first week of November, Europe reported almost 2 million new COVID-19 infections, the largest weekly case count in the region since the start of the pandemic, while the region also registered almost 27,000 COVID-19-related deaths, more than half of all COVID-19 deaths globally, the WHO said on Friday.

-- Many experts pointed out that the insufficient vaccine roll-out in parts of the region and waning immunity among groups that vaccinated earlier is likely to have contributed to the recurrence. Thus, they called for a rapid booster roll-out, especially for senior citizens and other vulnerable groups.

-- The temporary slowing down of the pandemic over summer may have provided an illusion of safety for some European countries. An easing of social restrictions followed in hopes of boosting largely wounded economies, but infections soared instead.

STOCKHOLM, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- A rapid and steady increase of new COVID-19 cases and deaths all across Europe have dragged the continent back to the pandemic epicenter once again since its initial peak last April.

Last week alone, the continent accounted for about two-thirds of the world's 3.1 million newly reported cases and more than half of all COVID-19 deaths globally, World Health Organization (WHO) statistics showed, warning that Europe could face 500,000 more COVID-19 deaths in the next three months following loosened containment measures in the region.

In response to the rapid deterioration, some European countries are forced to announce new measures to push for more jabs and reimpose social restrictions, with more countries expected to follow as the Northern Hemisphere ushers in a darkened winter.

RETURN TO THE EPICENTER

For the first week of November, Europe reported almost 2 million new COVID-19 infections, the largest weekly case count in the region since the start of the pandemic, while the region also registered almost 27,000 COVID-19-related deaths, more than half of all COVID-19 deaths globally, the WHO said on Friday.

A medical worker treats COVID-19 patients in an ICU of the University Emergency Hospital in Bucharest, Romania, Nov. 4, 2021. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

While other regions showed decreasing trends, Europe is now "the only world region where both COVID-19 cases and deaths are steadily increasing," noted the WHO.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Friday pointed out an alarming sign that COVID-19 cases have been surging not only in countries with lower vaccination rates in Eastern Europe, but also in Western Europe, home to countries with some of the world's highest vaccination rates.

Meanwhile, the latest weekly surveillance report published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control on Thursday showed that the overall epidemiological situation last week in most European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) member states are of "high or very high concern."

Last week, the overall COVID-19 case notification rate and the 14-day COVID-19 death rate in the region both increased for five consecutive weeks, with "a high and rapidly increasing overall case notification rate and a low but slowly increasing death rate."

Among countries with some of the most registered daily cases in the region, Germany recorded 50,196 new infections on Thursday, the highest daily surge since the pandemic started, and recorded 48,640 new cases on Friday.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday "storm clouds gathering over Europe" could be seen in Britain, and urged people to take the booster jabs fast, as the country registered 39,325 new cases in the past 24 hours.

"We are at another critical point of pandemic resurgence. Europe is back at the epicentre of the pandemic, where we were one year ago," exclaimed WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge on Nov. 4, while urging Europe to speed up COVID-19 vaccine coverage and tighten public health and social measures, in response to the worsening situation.

VACCINATION RUSHES

Despite near-record COVID-19 cases in the region, new deaths and cases with severe symptoms are dramatically lower compared with previous peak levels, illustrating the crucial role vaccines play in fighting the disease. Yet despite plenty of doses to go around, vaccine uptake in the region has yet to reach a satisfactory level, while the vaccine rift between Eastern and Western Europe remains concerning.

Many experts pointed out that the insufficient vaccine roll-out in parts of the region and waning immunity among groups that vaccinated earlier is likely to have contributed to the recurrence. Thus, they called for a rapid booster roll-out, especially for senior citizens and other vulnerable groups.

The center for disease control showed that as of week 44, a cumulative uptake of at least one vaccine dose and full vaccination of the total population in the EU and the economic area is 69.5 percent and 64.8 percent respectively. Compared with western countries such as France, Germany and Portugal with vaccination rates well above the EU average, eastern countries such as Romania and Bulgaria are at the bottom, with less than 40 percent and 25 percent respectively.

A recipient gets registered for a COVID-19 booster vaccine at Santo Spirito hospital in Rome, Italy, Sept. 21, 2021. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)

"Most people hospitalized and dying from COVID-19 today are not fully vaccinated," Kluge said, calling for efforts to accelerate the pace of vaccination roll-outs.

In France, while calling on the 6 million non-vaccinated to get the jab to "be able to live normally," President Emmanuel Macron announced on Tuesday that people over 65 years old and vulnerable groups would have to get a booster shot in order to validate their health pass from Dec. 15.

Up north in Norway, with about 70 percent of the population fully vaccinated, the government announced on Friday an expansion of booster shots to those 18 years of age and older in response to the worsening situation in the country; previously only those 65 and older qualified.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin recently renewed calls for citizens to do their part to fight the pandemic in the interest of the country, saying the vaccination rate remains too low to lift restrictions as infections continue rising in Switzerland. "We need solidarity to put an end to this bizarre nightmare," he said.

RESTRICTIONS REIMPOSED

The temporary slowing down of the pandemic over summer may have provided an illusion of safety for some European countries. An easing of social restrictions followed in hopes of boosting largely wounded economies, but infections soared instead.

Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2021 shows a COVID-19 precaution notice asking people to keep 1.5-meter social distance at a shop in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. (Photo by Sylvia Lederer/Xinhua)

Kluge claimed "testing, contact tracing, ventilation in indoor spaces and physical distancing remain part of our arsenal of defences."

He emphasized that countries must change from passively reacting to the infection surges to "actively preventing them from happening in the first place," and that these "tried and tested measures that enable lives to continue while controlling the virus and avoiding widespread, damaging lockdowns."

The Netherlands, which registered 16,364 new cases on Thursday, the highest daily number since the pandemic began, announced a partial lockdown Friday night, with restaurants and grocery stores closed at 8 p.m., sporting events held with empty stands and people encouraged to work from home, making it the first western European country to impose a partial lockdown this winter.

In a dramatic twist, Denmark on Tuesday declared once again COVID-19 as a "socially critical disease" and reintroduced its vaccine passport from Friday on, after the country had declared the virus "no longer a critical threat to society" and lifted all remaining social restrictions only two months ago.

People wait to receive vaccines at a COVID-19 vaccination bus in Vienna, Austria, Nov. 10, 2021. (Xinhua/Guo Chen)

More governments are reportedly busy mulling social restriction measures recently and would probably follow suit, while indecision is seen in some other countries struggling to balance strict lockdowns with economic recovery.

What is happening in Europe despite the availability of vaccines is "a warning shot for the world," said Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO's Health Emergencies Program recently.

Noting the perception of a near end to the pandemic, Ryan stressed the need to "double down and recommit ourselves to doing everything we can to be the last person in the chain of transmission."

(Xinhua reporters Xing Jianqiao from Paris, Xue Dongmei from Vilnius, Liu Qu, Jiang Xuelan and Chen Binjie from Geneva, Zhang Zhang from Warsaw, Chen Zhanjie from Rome, Guo Shuang from London, Yu Tao from Vienna, Li Jizhi and Pan Geping from Brussels, Lin Jing from Copenhagen, Zhang Yuan from Berlin, Wang Xiangjiang from the Hague also contributed to the story.)

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji)
Over 84 million Chinese children vaccinated against COVID-19

Xinhua) 09:45, November 14, 2021

A child receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine in the Xueyuanlu subdistrict of Haidian District, Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 84.4 million children between 3 and 11 have been vaccinated against COVID-19 across China, and over 49.4 million among them have had booster shots, a health official said Saturday.

The health authorities will continue to promote vaccination in this age group, Wu Liangyou, an official with the National Health Commission (NHC), said at a press conference.

Wu added that all children between 3 and 11 without medical contraindications would likely complete vaccination by the end of this year.

Universities, middle schools, and primary schools are advancing vaccination based on unified deployment of the country, said Wang Dengfeng, an official with the Ministry of Education, noting that over 95 percent of Chinese students above 18 have received the COVID-19 vaccine.

More than 2.37 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered across China as of Friday, and nearly 1.074 billion people have completed vaccination, said the NHC.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji)
Xi's speech builds consensus for Asia-Pacific cooperation, injects impetus into global recovery

Xinhua) 09:51, November 14, 2021

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the 28th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting via video link, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2021. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

"Xi's proposal is of enlightening and historic significance to the future development and peaceful co-existence of the Asia-Pacific region."

BEIJING, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's proposals on deepening regional cooperation at the 28th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting build consensus to overcome difficulties, and inject impetus into global economic recovery, overseas experts have said.

Promoting the building of an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future is especially important, said Bambang Suryono, chairman of Asia Innovation Study Center, an Indonesian think tank.

For the Asia-Pacific region, Suryono said, the current top priority is to work together to fight the pandemic.

While China is doing its best to prevent and control the epidemic at home, it is actively providing assistance to countries in the Asia-Pacific region, said Suryono, adding that China's proposition is not only conducive to promoting economic recovery in the region, but will also promote prosperity and stability worldwide.

China has taken concrete actions to implement the vision of an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future, said the expert.

Upholding multilateralism to foster a more open Asia-Pacific economy is like an obvious choice, said Vo Dai Luoc, former head of the Hanoi-based Institute of World Economics and Politics under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.

Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the 28th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting via video link, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

"As China is now a major country in the world, and so far the most successful in containing COVID-19, developing countries are looking forward to China's help in both pandemic fighting and economic recovery," said the expert.

Noting that Xi proposed to promote innovation-driven development, Cen Zhiwei, economics professor at Kyoto Sangyo University, said "Xi's proposal is of enlightening and historic significance to the future development and peaceful co-existence of the Asia-Pacific region."

James Laurenceson, director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney, pointed out that the pandemic has driven the trend of digitalization of economy and e-commerce.

Visitors watch exhibits on 5G intelligence at the China International Big Data Industry Expo 2021 in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

China is becoming more important in the region, not only because it is one of the biggest traders in the region, but also because "China is by far the global leader in that trade (e-commerce)," said Laurenceson.

Gu Qingyang, an associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy of the National University of Singapore, agreed with Xi's speech on pursuing "inclusive and sustainable development," saying it is an important direction for global development.

China has made great efforts in green development, which is an important contribution to the global response to climate change and the promotion of green development, said Gu.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji)
China matching green words with eco deeds

Chinadaily.com.cn) 10:14, November 14, 2021

A wind-power plant in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province. [Photo by Yao Feng/For China Daily]

Experts say nation honors commitments, willing to 'walk the walk' in climate fight

China has matched its climate change mitigation commitments with a detailed road map and slew of concrete actions, and the nation has risen to the challenge of transitioning to green energy, officials and experts have said.

They commented in response to criticism from some Western nations as the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, or COP26, in Glasgow, Scotland drew to a close on Friday.

In his written statement to the COP26, President Xi Jinping reiterated the need to focus on concrete actions in response to the climate crisis, saying that China will foster a green, low-carbon, and circular economic system at a faster pace, press ahead with industrial structure adjustment, and rein in the irrational growth of energy-intensive and high-emissions projects.

"Visions will come true only when we act on them," he said. "We will speed up the transition to green and low-carbon energy, vigorously develop renewable energy, and plan and build large wind and photovoltaic power stations."

Analysts said the scale and depth of China's climate actions are unprecedented, even as the world's second-largest economy and largest developing country is faced with an equally urgent task to keep up economic growth and raise people's living standards.

"In a sense, China is still in its early youth in terms of economic growth. But the nation has already taken up the responsibility of a grown-up in its climate actions," said Zhang Yuquan, an associate professor at the China-UK Low-Carbon College at Shanghai Jiaotong University.

"The nation has risen up to the arduous challenges by rolling out a portfolio of policy measures, and involving both the public sector and the market to join the actions. China now has a clear pathway to a decarbonized future."

In the follow-up to his announcement last year that China will peak carbon emission before 2030 and attain carbon neutrality before 2060, Xi presided over several key meetings to lay out a policy framework for the climate response actions.

A meeting of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs, chaired by Xi in March, mapped out a host of measures to help the nation to honor its climate commitments.

A master working guideline was unveiled last month, aiming to elevate energy efficiency to an advanced international level, and lift non-fossil energy consumption to more than 80 percent of the whole by 2060.

The State Council, China's Cabinet, published a concrete action plan last month for peaking carbon emission before 2030, which includes specific targets for different sectors as the nation forges ahead to phase out coal consumption and increase renewable energy.

Together, the policy documents would form a 1+N policy system that would provide a road map the country needs to follow, including tasks for key sectors.

Xie Zhenhua, China's special climate envoy, said at a media briefing on the sidelines of COP26 that distant targets and slogans are far from enough, and clear road maps coupled with transformation in the economy and society, as well as innovation and cooperation, can truly solve the problems.

"China is not only talking the talk, but also walking the walk. We have not only set the targets, but also determined the corresponding policy measures, actions and investments," he said. "We have timetables and road maps. We honor every commitment we have made, and that can truly speak volumes for the level of actions."

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also underscored China's concrete actions in its climate fight, saying that China is not only a serious-minded and responsible participant in the process of tackling climate change, but also, more importantly, a doer that keeps feet on the ground.

In addition to policy initiatives already rolled out to support the climate actions, the nation is vigorously developing renewable energy, with 15 of the world's top 20 photovoltaic companies and all of the top five being Chinese, he told Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno in a meeting via video link last week.

He added that seven of the world's top 10 wind power companies are Chinese, and the nation has phased out 120 million kilowatts of installed coal-fired power generation capacity during the past decade, more than the United Kingdom's existing total installed capacity.

China has topped the global new-energy vehicle market since 2015, and the nation's forest coverage rose sharply, from a mere 8.6 percent in 1949 to 23.04 percent by the end of 2020, according to official statistics.

Wang stressed that going green will not happen overnight but should be planned scientifically and pursued in an orderly and progressive fashion.

The nation's challenges in transitioning to green energy were highlighted in a wide-ranging power shortage in September and last month, which even resulted in outages in residential communities and hospitals in parts of Northeast China.

He Yun, an associate professor at Hunan University, who has closely followed the climate crisis, said China has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality only 30 years after its carbon emissions peak  a much shorter span than the European Union, United States, and Japan.

"This would call for the world's fastest-growing economy to cut its economy from fossil fuels, and accelerate its clean-energy investments at a pace few had dared believe was possible," she said.

Other analysts said China's climate ambitions were fully demonstrated in its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), which stipulated that the nation must cut energy consumption per unit of GDP by 13.5 percent, and carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 18 percent, in the next five years.

"Six of the eight binding targets in the 14th Five-Year Plan are related to the environment. That shows a strong emphasis from the central government on the climate targets. It will also give people confidence in China's all-out efforts over reaching these goals," said Dimitri De Boer, chief representative for China of environmental law organization ClientEarth, and team leader of the EU-China Environment Project.

De Boer noted that China's economy has had a strong reliance on carbon-intensive sectors, and the nation's economy is now faced with downside pressure, which has brought about greater challenges to carbon reduction efforts.

"Despite the challenges, the nation has brought the approvals of programs with high energy consumption and high emissions under effective policy control, and the overall carbon emission appear to be reaching a plateau," he said.

He added that China's "1+N" climate action plan has set a strong, overarching policy framework for the peaking, and subsequent constant reductions, of carbon emissions, and the nation must prioritize efforts to bring all key stakeholders, including local governments, businesses, and the public, on board going forward.

"There is a need for greater public awareness of the climate crisis, so that the whole society can take part in the transformation," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji)
Wang, Blinken discuss bilateral ties in phone call

Chinadaily.com.cn) 10:17, November 14, 2021

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China and the United States should get ready for and ensure a smooth and successful virtual meeting between the two heads of state, and bring bilateral ties back to the track of sound and stable development.

Wang made the remarks in a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday, three days ahead of the much anticipated meeting between President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Joe Biden.

Noting their meeting will mark a major event not only in China-US relationship but also in international relations, Wang said that the two peoples and the international community hope that the meeting will yield results beneficial to the two countries as well as the world.

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Rome, Oct 31, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

The two heads of state play a key role in steering bilateral ties, Wang stressed.

Washington looks forward to sharing its views on bilateral relationship with China in the spirit of mutual respect and jointly sending a strong signal to the world, Blinken said.

Speaking of the wrong remarks and actions of the US regarding the Taiwan question, Wang urged Washington to stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces.

"Taiwan independence" forces are the biggest threat to cross-Straits peace and stability, any connivance and support for them will undermine tranquility in the area and will eventually bear the consequences.

If the US really wants to safeguard peace across the Taiwan Straits, it should clearly and firmly oppose any "Taiwan independence" activity, honor its commitment made in the three China-US joint communiques, and take actions to uphold the one-China principle, he said.

Wang and Blinken also exchanged views on issues including energy security, climate change, Iran nuclear issue, and agreed to maintain dialogue in order to address various global challenges.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji)
Italian firm eyes rapid growth in China's renewable energy sector

Xinhua) 10:52, November 14, 2021

Aerial photo taken on Nov. 3, 2021 shows electricity workers patrolling amid a photovoltaic and wind power generation project installed above the fishery waters in Sheyanghu Township of Baoying County of Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

"The potential in China is incredible," said Delta OHM's foreign trade manager Cristian Mazzero. "I think the market could represent 10 percent of our sales within five years and then keep growing after that."

ROME, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's renewable energy sector is the largest, and one of the fastest-growing in the world, and Italy's Delta OHM will be helping to boost its efficiency after attending the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10.

Delta OHM is based near the northern Italian city of Padova, and produces a wide range of equipment used to measure the efficiency of wind turbines and solar panels, allowing energy companies to rapidly identify technical glitches and other problems.

The company already has a presence in China, but this year was the first time Delta OHM participated in the CIIE, in order to help increase its commercial reach in the country.

"It was an important step for us to play a role at CIIE," Cristian Mazzero, the company's foreign trade manager, told Xinhua. "We think CIIE is helping us lay the groundwork for the future. We won't know the details about how effective the participation was for some time, but we know China represents a tremendous growth opportunity for the company."

Photo taken on Nov. 5, 2021 shows a solar power curtain wall at the Intelligent Industry & Information Technology Exhibition Area of the 4th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiansong)

Mazzero said the company's sales are divided, with about one-third in Italy and two-thirds outside Italy's borders. However, this could change dramatically in the coming years, as China's renewable energy sector rapidly grows.

According to data firm Statista, China had the world's largest renewable energy sector by far in 2020, with 895 gigawatts of installed capacity. That is three times larger than the equivalent sector in the United States, which had an installed capacity of 292 gigawatts. Brazil was next with 150 gigawatts, followed by India, with 134, and Germany, with 132. Italy, Delta OHM's home base, is further down the list with 55 gigawatts of installed capacity.

Mazzero said that China remains a relatively small part of Delta OHM's overall business, representing around 2 percent of total global sales, which are projected to be around 10 million euros (11.5 million U.S. dollars) this year.

However, with the help of smart business strategies, which rely in part on events like CIIE that can help build the company's reputation and lead to partnerships, Chinese sales will likely grow even faster than the company's overall sales increase.

"The potential in China is incredible," Mazzero said. "I think the market could represent 10 percent of our sales within five years and then keep growing after that."

Aerial photo taken on Nov. 3, 2021 shows a wind power field in Luduo Township of Baoying County of Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji)
China's latest COVID-19 resurgence spreads to 21 provinces

Xinhua) 13:51, November 14, 2021

A medical worker takes a swab sample from a citizen for nucleic acid test at a testing site in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province, Nov. 8, 2021. Xining started its second round of mass nucleic acid testing at 9 a.m. on Monday. As of Nov. 7, Xining finished the first round of testing, and all swab samples from 1,448,000 citizens came back negative. (Xinhua/Wu Gang)

BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The latest COVID-19 resurgence in China had spread to 21 provincial-level regions as of Saturday, where new locally transmitted cases or asymptomatic carriers were reported during the past few days, a health official said Saturday.

With the number of COVID-19 cases surpassing 250 million worldwide, the country is facing greater challenges of preventing inbound cases, said Mi Feng, a spokesperson for the National Health Commission (NHC), at a press conference.

The country is also facing the risk of infectious respiratory illnesses brought about by low temperature, noted Mi, adding that risks are doubled under such circumstances.

Despite the complex situation caused by the resurgence, Wu Liangyou, an official with the NHC, told the press conference that the epidemic situation has generally stabilized across the country.

Multiple provincial-level regions previously hit by COVID-19 have effectively cut the spread of the virus and brought the epidemic under control, Wu said.

Though still in a critical stage, the recent COVID-19 outbreak in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, has been contained within the city, Wu added.

China will stick to the target of clearing any COVID-19 infection in a timely manner, and prevent both imported cases and domestic resurgences, Mi said, demanding early detection, swift response, targeted containment, and effective treatment of COVID-19 patients.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji)
China raises environmental awareness among young students

Xinhua) 14:41, November 14, 2021

BEIJING, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- What are the best ways to educate children about environmental protection? For Gunter Pauli, the answer is through fables.

An economist and ecological activist known for his book "The Blue Economy," Pauli has written more than 200 fables inspired by what is happening in nature for Chinese children.

At a launching ceremony of a national competition for young Chinese students on environmental protection innovations, Pauli was invited as an online speaker to share his pedagogy of learning with the arts.

"The best way of expressing something for a child would be through the arts, be it a dance, drawing, or a song, but we need to have this unique capability to express ourselves through art," said Pauli.

The competition, co-organized by the Center for Environmental Education and Communications (CEEC) of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and the Beijing Huanding Environmental Big Data Institute, encourages Chinese youngsters to express their ideas on environmental protection via drawings, poems, videos, and inventions.

"Schools play an important role in raising the society's environmental awareness, equipping people with the knowledge and skills to better participate in environmental protection deeds," said Jia Feng, director of the CEEC.

China has been carrying out nationwide campaigns to raise environmental awareness among its citizens as part of broader efforts to advance green development and meet its grand goal of peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060.

In an action plan released in February by the MEE and other five government departments, China clarified the role of different entities in the society to realize a "beautiful China."

Enterprises should fulfill their environmental and social responsibilities while exploring innovative and sustainable business models, the plan said, adding that the country will step up support for non-profits conducive to the country's environmental governance.

As a non-profit, the Beijing Huanding Environmental Big Data Institute applies advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, for environmental purposes and guides the younger generation to participate in environmental actions.

The competition the institute initiated has seen many outstanding works by elementary school students across the country, including drawings and poems addressing the heated topics of climate change and biodiversity losses.

Hu Qing, a professor with the Southern University of Science and Technology and head of the institute, said that the competition is also open to international students, as exchanges among the youngsters are crucial for the future of global environmental governance.

"By 2030, these Chinese youngsters will grow into the pillars of society. Their actions will guide their schools, community, and the whole society to contribute to the low-carbon goals," Hu said.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji)
Turkey, China look to boost cooperation in digital technologies

Xinhua) 14:52, November 14, 2021

ISTANBUL, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Turkey and China are moving to bolster collaboration in the field of digital technologies, as seen at an international fair held in Turkey's financial and cultural hub Istanbul.

The 2nd Mobilefest Digital Technologies Fair and Conference was launched on Thursday under the motto "Strengthening Technological Ties Between China and Turkey," to mark the 50th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations this year.

China is the honored country of the fair.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, Mehmet Fatih Kacir, Turkey's deputy minister of industry and Technology, said Chinese companies have recently accelerated investment in Turkey, especially in digital areas.

"We are very pleased with that," he said, expressing his hope that Chinese firms "contribute to Turkey's research and development studies and innovation efforts to a greater extent."

Furkan Karayaka, vice president of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey Investment Office, said Turkey is one of the important countries for the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, in which Turkey expects to attract more investment from China-based companies in the near future.

"The existence of Turkey's qualified and educated young population constitutes an important means behind this draw," he noted.

Chinese Ambassador to Turkey Liu Shaobin said that China's digital economy reached 39.2 trillion yuan (about 6.2 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2020, accounting for 38.6 percent of its gross domestic product, becoming a key driving force for stable economic growth with a rapid growth rate of 9.7 percent.

"In recent years, with the development of the relations between China and Turkey ... more and more outstanding Chinese companies have entered the Turkish market, becoming an important force in promoting the development of digital technology in Turkey," the ambassador said, joining the opening ceremony online.

According to Zhou Yanquan, leader of the Chamber of Commerce for Chinese Enterprises in Turkey, there are more than 30 Chinese digital companies with investment or partners in Turkey's market.

The Chinese tech giant Huawei's research and development center in Istanbul is its largest overseas, he said, noting that the ZTE Corporation, a Chinese telecommunication company, has become a shareholder of Turkish systems integration provider Netas.

Several Chinese mobile phone manufacturers, such as Xiaomi, OPPO, Vivo, and Tecno Mobile, have also established production facilities in Istanbul recently.

"Digital technologies have brought thousands of job opportunities to the Turkish local market while the companies paid a significant amount of taxes to the Turkish government," Zhou said.

Dogukan Cavdar, ZTE wireless product marketing manager, told Xinhua at the fair that his company would help mobile operators introduce 5G technology in Turkey within two years.

"We aim to bring the know-how and the technology from overseas, from China to the Turkish market," he said.

The fair, which runs until Saturday, is expected to draw more than 10,000 visitors both online and in person, including local and global corporate buyers and industry professionals, according to the organizers.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji)
CPC poised to lead China into future, says Russian communist party leader

Xinhua) 14:56, November 14, 2021

MOSCOW, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) has made tremendous achievements in its 100 years of history and is ready to lead the Chinese people into the future, Russia's communist party leader Gennady Zyuganov has said.

The CPC's 100th anniversary is "a glorious milestone" in its development, Zyuganov, chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee that concluded on Thursday served as an opportunity for the CPC to look back, analyze its journey, evaluate what has been achieved, and set tasks for the future, he said.

"Why has the CPC, in just a quarter of a century, transformed from a small group of patriots into a powerful political force that led the country? The main secret is that the party set the goal of striving for people's happiness and the great rejuvenation of the nation," Zyuganov said.

China's success in eradicating absolute poverty by the CPC's 100th anniversary "clearly confirms that people have made the right choice," he noted.

The Russian communist leader said he was impressed by the CPC's unremitting efforts to achieve greater success, instead of resting on its laurels.

Noting that China is facing many challenges, Zyuganov said the CPC will emerge victorious, just like how it has been successfully dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

He praised China's concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Guided by the concept, China is helping other countries combat the pandemic through providing medical expertise, medicines and vaccines, he said, noting that dozens of countries have benefited from the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative to recover from the economic fallout of the pandemic.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji)
China-U.S. cooperation critical to future climate progress: WEF president

Xinhua) 15:04, November 14, 2021

BEIJING, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Future cooperation between China and the United States, two largest economies in the world, be it in the area of climate change, biodiversity, trade, or technology, is critical, said World Economic Forum (WEF) President Borge Brende.

The two countries account for more than 40 percent of the global economy, said Brende in a recent interview with China News Service, highlighting the importance of China-U.S. cooperation in implementing the Paris Agreement.

He deemed China's commitment of striving to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060 "ambitious" and "realistic" goals, and emphasized that the transition to a low-carbon economy for China and the rest of the world will have to take place in the years to come.

Hailing China's achievements in poverty alleviation, Brende said it is now important to find ways to continue inclusive growth and secure development, but also "decouple" the economic growth from an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

"I'm sure that China will be able to deal with this dilemma as well as this decoupling, as the country has been able to deal with other challenges in its past," Brende said.

Apart from tackling climate change, he also called for strengthening global cooperation in the fields of pollution treatment, biodiversity protection and trade, noting that "the only way moving forward is to realize that we are in the same boat and we have to collaborate."

In regards to trade, Brende urged efforts to change the situation of insufficient investments in ports, railways and roads, and strengthen the negotiating arm of the World Trade Organization moving forward.

"I think China and the United States will play a very important role in breaking the impasse we have seen on the trade front during the past years," said Brende.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji)
The top diplomats from China and the United States have exchanged stern warnings over the flashpoint issue of Taiwan, ahead of Monday's hotly awaited meeting between their leaders.

The virtual meeting of presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping comes against a backdrop of rising tensions -- in part over Taiwan, a self-ruling democracy claimed by Beijing, but also over trade, human rights and other issues.

In a phone call Friday with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss preparations for the meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised concerns over Beijing's "military, diplomatic, and economic pressure" on Taiwan. Wang warned of the dangers of US actions that might seem supportive of "Taiwan independence."

Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, but an act of Congress passed that year requires the United States to provide weapons to Taiwan for self-defense.

The U.S. government is careful not to show it recognizes Taiwan but it enjoys broad, bipartisan support in Congress, with a group of lawmakers visiting the island this month -- angering Beijing.

"Any connivance of and support for the 'Taiwan independence' forces undermines peace across the Taiwan Strait and would only boomerang in the end," Wang told Blinken, according to a readout of the call released by China on Saturday.

China has ramped up military activities near Taiwan in recent years, with a record number of planes intruding into the island's air defense identification zone in early October. Washington has repeatedly signaled its support for Taiwan in the face of what it has described as Chinese aggression.
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Press Release

November 14, 2021 Hontiveros on World Day of the Poor: Listen to and act on the poor's plight Senator Risa Hontiveros on Sunday underscores the need to listen to and act on the plight of many Filipinos who are experiencing poverty due to the continued economic effects of the pandemic. "We must always heed the call of the poor. Sa panahon ng resesyon at pagkagutom, hindi natin dapat talikuran ang mga kababayan nating nangangailangan. We must listen to and act on their plight," she said in lieu of the celebration of the fifth World Day of the Poor. Last year, Hontiveros filed Proposed Senate Resolution No. 550 urging the Senate and the public to support the observance of and celebration of the World Day of the Poor. Pope Francis led the observance of the first 'World Day of the Poor' in 2017 and has since been observed annually all over the world. Hontiveros reiterates her call to put forward legislation that will ultimately put forward the welfare of the marginalized and underserved sectors. As a legislator herself, her laws have been anchored on reducing social inequalities, bringing about human and people-centered legislation such as Universal Health Care Law, Anti-Hospital Deposit Law, Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage for all PWDs, Expanded Maternity Leave Law, 4Ps Act, among others. "Ang araw na ito ay nagpapaalala sa atin na dapat manatiling bukas ang ating tenga, isip, puso at palad para sa mga maralita. At bilang pagtalima sa mensahe ng paggunita ngayong taon, patuloy tayong bumabalangkas at nagpapasa ng mga batas para umunlad ang kanilang buhay," she said. Just recently, the Senator launched her advocacy campaign, 'Healthy buhay at hanapbuhay' which serves as a blueprint of her programs and policies addressing aspects that have negatively affected by the pandemic and pushing more people to poverty: health and jobs. Hontiveros, through the rollout of the Healthy Pinas Mobile Clinic, provides free medical services to indigent patients all over the country. Among the pro-poor legislation authored by Hontiveros are the Universal Social Pension Act, Free Dialysis for Senior Citizens Act of 2021, Balik-Trabahong Ligtas Bill,. Hontiveros expressed her commitment to relentlessly look after the needs of the poor and called on the public to do the same, even in their own, small ways. "Hindi ang isa't isa ang ating kalaban, kundi ang kahirapan. Tayo ay dapat magkaisa na ito ay labanan. Tulungan nating iangat ang buhay, kalusugan at kabuhayan ng bawat isa. Enriching the lives of the poor enriches the whole nation," Hontiveros concluded.
Lacson Favors Creation of Negros Island Region If It Improves People's Lot

More at: https://pinglacson.net/article/lacson-favors-creation-of-negros-island-region-if-it-improves-peoples-lot

BACOLOD CITY - Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson favors the creation of a Negros Island Region, especially if it will improve the lot of the residents in the provinces there.

"Kung ma-improve ang lot ng buhay dito (If it will improve the lot of the people here), why not? I'm always for the development of local government entities," Lacson, the Partido Reporma standard bearer, said in an interview on RMN Bacolod (DYHB).

"Whatever it takes to uplift the lives of our people in Negros or anywhere else, why not?" he added.

The NIR was implemented from 2015 to 2017. It aims to unite Negros Occidental, which is in Western Visayas; and Negros Oriental, which is in Central Visayas.

Lacson also noted that if the people in Negros Island are in favor of the NIR, there is no reason the government should not allow it.

"We should follow the will of the people, especially if the measure concerned has been studied thoroughly," he said after being informed by anchor Serge Santillan that the people are overwhelmingly for it.

Lacson and Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, who is running for Vice President under the Nationalist People's Coalition, received a warm welcome from residents upon their arrival here. With them were Partido Reporma senatorial bets Minguita Padilla and Monsour del Rosario.
Press Release

November 14, 2021 Lacson Has High Expectations for Eleazar in Senate More at: https://pinglacson.net/article/lacson-has-high-expectations-for-eleazar-in-senate BACOLOD CITY - Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson has high expectations for retired Philippine National Police chief Guillermo Eleazar if he wins a Senate seat in 2022. Lacson said Saturday that Eleazar is willing to continue his public service even after his retirement as PNP chief upon reaching his 56th birthday. "Mukhang gusto niya. Siya na rin ang nakakaalam. Sa ngayon pagkakaalam ko gusto niya patuloy na pagsilbi sa ibang larangan (He wants to continue serving the nation. As far as I know he wants to continue his public service in a different field)," he said in an interview with DYHB radio here. Lacson, who restored the PNP's glory days when he headed it from 1999 to 2001, said Eleazar had been considering a Senate run for some time. He said that when he and Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III asked Eleazar what his post-retirement plans were during the deliberation of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) last Thursday, Eleazar had plans to run for an elective post. At the time, he said Eleazar had informed DILG Secretary Eduardo Ano of his decision, but had not yet told his family. Lacson said Eleazar shares the ideals and qualities of Partido Reporma in terms of tough and trustworthy leadership in public service. "Eleazar's addition to the Partido Reporma senatorial slate reinforces the Lacson-Sotto campaign's edge in integrity, experience and courage in public service, as they expect the former PNP Chief to bring his toughness on crime and police abuse to the Senate with respect to legislation relevant to peace and order," he said. Lacson also thanked Paolo "Powee" Capino, who had decided to withdraw from the senatorial race Friday, for joining the Lacson-Sotto tandem and Partido Reporma in this quest for good governance even for a short period of time. "You would have represented well the PWD sector in the Senate. Nevertheless, Tito Sotto and I sincerely respect your decision. Good luck!" Lacson said on his Twitter account. Lacson is running for President under Partido Reporma, while Sotto is running for Vice President under the Nationalist People's Coalition. The tandem, along with senatoriables Monsour del Rosario and Minguita Padilla, received a warm welcome from residents upon their arrival here.
Lacson Pushes Digitalization to Curb Sugar Smuggling

More at: https://pinglacson.net/article/lacson-pushes-digitalization-to-curb-sugar-smuggling

BACOLOD CITY - Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson on Saturday pushed for the digitalization of government processes to curb the smuggling of sugar and other agricultural products.

Lacson said only a full automation of processes in government agencies can address smuggling, one of the most serious plagues of the sugar industry in this province.

"Ang kalaban ng sugar industry, simple lang - smuggling. Yan ang No. 1 na kalaban. Kasama sa program natin ang full digitalization (The sugar industry's biggest enemy is smuggling. It can be solved with full digitalization of government processes, which is part of our program)," he said in an interview with DYHB radio.

Lacson said part of his platform of government is the full digitalization and automation of government agencies, to minimize if not eliminate the chances of corruption.

He said that if the system is automated, it would be difficult if not impossible for smugglers to bribe computers and machines.

"If they deal with 'human' officials, there is a chance of corruption. But not as much, if at all, if they have to deal only with automated processes," he said.

Lacson and Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III received a warm welcome when they arrived here Saturday for a Kumustahan with residents. Lacson is running for President under Partido Reporma while Sotto is running for Vice President under the Nationalist People's Coalition.

With them were Partido Reporma senatorial candidates Minguita Padilla and Monsour del Rosario.
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According to information published on the "Naval Defence" website on November 9, 2021, the Dutch shipyard Damen has submitted a proposal to respond to the corvette program of the Hellenic Navy with its SIGMA 10514 frigate design which is already in service with Indonesian and Mexican navies.

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Sigma 10514 frigate for the Indonesian Navy. (Picture source Navy Recognition)

The Dutch shipyard Damen could offer its Sigma 10514 to the Hellenic Navy with armament similar to the French proposal that includes Exocet MM40 Block3c anti-ship missiles and VL-MICA NG air defense missiles.

The Dutch Shipyard Damen proposes a 3,000 tons light frigate armed with 16 MICA NGs and 8 Exocet MM40 Block3c, RAM, Leonardo Super Rapid cannon, and two remote-controlled weapon stations. The ship will be equipped with THALES NS110 radar and CAPTAS-2 Variable Depth Sonar and the latest version of the Thales TACTICOS naval combat management system. The onboard TACTICOS combat management system designed by Thales integrates the ships sensors, weapons, and other equipment to provide real-time situational awareness.

The SIGMA 10514 is a guided-missile frigate that was jointly built by Damen Shipyard and PT PAL from Indonesia for the Indonesian Navy. This frigate was designed to conduct different types of missions including the patrol of economic zone, deterrence, maritime security, search-and-rescue, anti-surface, and electronic and anti-air warfare.

The Sigma 10514 has a length of 105.11 m, a wide of 14.2 m and a and has a displacement of approximately 2,365t. The ship has a crew of 100 people. The ship features a helicopter hangar and an aft flight deck with astern fueling capabilities to hold and operate a 10t helicopter day and night. It can carry two rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) for patrol and transport operations.

The Sigma is powered by a combined diesel or electric (CODOE) propulsion system including two 10,000kW maximum continuous ratings (MCR) diesel engines, two 1,300kW electric motors, two double input / single output gearboxes, and two 3.55m controllable pitch propellers. She can reach a top speed of 28 knots (52 km/h) with a maximum cruising speed of 3,600 nautical miles (6,700 km) at 18 knots (33 km/h).
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Team members of NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) have filled the spacecraft with fuel, have performed many of the final tests, and are running rehearsals as they approach DART's scheduled launch on Nov. 23.

DART will be the world's first planetary defense test mission, heading for the small moonlet asteroid Dimorphos, which orbits a larger companion asteroid called Didymos, and intentionally crashing into the asteroid to slightly change its orbit. While neither asteroid poses a threat to Earth, DART's kinetic impact will prove that a spacecraft can autonomously navigate to a target asteroid and kinetically impact it. Then, using Earth-based telescopes to measure the effects of the impact on the asteroid system, the mission will enhance modeling and predictive capabilities to help us better prepare for an actual asteroid threat should one ever be discovered.

"DART will be the first demonstration of the 'kinetic impactor' technique in which a spacecraft deliberately collides with a known asteroid at high speed to change the asteroid's motion in space," said Lindley Johnson, NASA's Planetary Defense Officer. "This technique is thought to be the most technologically mature approach for mitigating a potentially hazardous asteroid, and it will help planetary defense experts refine asteroid kinetic impactor computer models, giving insight into how we could deflect potentially dangerous near-Earth objects in the future."

Over the last year and a half, while following pandemic health and safety protocols, engineers built DART from a collection of parts to a fully assembled spacecraft. Engineers outfitted the spacecraft with the various technologies that the mission will test, including NASA's NEXT-C ion propulsion system that was designed to improve performance and fuel efficiency for deep-space missions, and a flat, slotted high-gain antenna for efficient communication between Earth and the spacecraft.

During the summer and early September, engineers installed the spacecraft's onboard camera DRACO (its only instrument), its two roll-out solar arrays that each unfurl to 28 feet, and the Italian Space Agency's miniature satellite LICIACube that is designed to capture images of DART's kinetic impact and its immediate aftereffects.

"It's a miracle what this team has accomplished, with all of the obstacles in the way like COVID and the development of so many new technologies," said Elena Adams, DART mission systems engineer at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland. "But the reason why we succeeded so far is because our team is excited, extremely sharp, and they genuinely want to show that if an asteroid was coming toward Earth, we could prevent a catastrophe."

The spacecraft arrived at Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) near Lompoc, California, in early October after a cross-country drive. DART team members have since been preparing the spacecraft for flight, testing the spacecraft's mechanisms and electrical system, wrapping the final parts in multilayer insulation blankets, and practicing the launch sequence from both the launch site and the mission operations center at APL.

DART headed to the SpaceX Payload Processing Facility on VSFB on Oct. 26. Two days later, the team received the green light to fill DART's fuel tank with roughly 110 pounds (50 kilograms) of hydrazine propellant for spacecraft maneuvers and attitude control. DART also carries about 130 pounds (60 kilograms) of xenon for the NEXT-C ion engine. Engineers loaded the xenon before the spacecraft left APL in early October.

Starting on Nov. 10, engineers will "mate" the spacecraft to the adapter that stacks on top of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. A day before launch, the rocket will roll out of the hangar and onto the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E), where it will propel the spacecraft into space and kick off DART's journey to the Didymos system.

"I'm both amazed and grateful that DART has gone from a twinkle in the eye to a spacecraft in final preparation for launch within 11 years," said Andy Cheng, DART investigation team lead at APL and the one who came up with the idea of DART. "What made it possible was a great team that overcame all the challenges of building a spacecraft to do something never done before."

DART's first launch opportunity is scheduled for Nov. 23 at 10:20 p.m. PST. If weather or other issues prevent a launch on the first night, the team will have an additional opportunity to launch the next day. If necessary, subsequent launch attempts can take place through February 2022.

Johns Hopkins APL has been directed to manage the DART mission for NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office as a project of the agency's Planetary Missions Program Office. The agency provides support for the mission from several centers, including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, Johnson Space Center in Houston, Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, and Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. The launch is managed by NASA's Launch Services Program, based at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

To learn more about the DART mission, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/planetarydefense/dart and dart.jhuapl.edu

Members of the media and general public can visit the DART press kit webpage at: https://dart.jhuapl.edu/Press-Kit/

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The final card of 2021 at Northside Downs was contested on Saturday (Nov. 13) with the training and driving titles coming down to the final two dashes.

Only one win separated Robert MacNeil and Harold Leblanc on the training leaderboard, with MacNeil holding a 13-12 edge heading into the final feature of the meet, the $1,800 Winners Over Pace. Southwind Leblanc's Southwind Ricardo needed to knock off the MacNeil-trained duo of Gentry Seelster and Kiss Me Im Irish plus three other rivals to put Leblanc on even terms.

The Big Chase (Harold LeBlanc Jr.) tried to do all the heavy lifting on the engine over a track listed as four seconds off, but he wasn't given any breathers during that front-end mission. Favoured Red Rum She Wrote (Barry Bates) pressured the pacesetter through panels of :29.2, 1:00.2 and 1:31.

Gentry Seelster sat the pocket throughout the first three quarters for driver Adam Lynk, and managed to find a seam to tip into the three path around the final turn as Southwind Ricardo (Greg Sparling) started to gap his second-over tow. It appeared as though Gentry Seelster would be able to capitalize on that battle, and he did. But Southwind Ricardo found another gear late once the field hit the stretch and, after being angled to the four path by Sparling and shown clear sailing, got his nose on the line first in a four-horse photo, with the mile timed in 2:02.2. Gentry Seelster was just back of the winner in second, with Red Rum She Wrote a gutsy third.

Now a 47-time career winner, Southwind Ricardo ($9.40) is trained by Harold Le Blanc, and he co-owns the eight-year-old gelded son of Dragon Again - Southwind Rio with Joel Le Blanc of Victoria Mines, William Seymour and Bernie Gillis of Glace Bay, N.S. The winner's share of the purse gives Southwind Ricardo $117,967 in earnings.

The victory also nudged Leblanc onto equal footing with MacNeil, and both trainers ended the meet with 13 victories to top the standings.

In the final dash of the meet, driver Mark Pezzarello picked up his second win of the day courtesy Sandra O'Donnell's veteran Wildcat Jet ($10.30), and that lifted Pezzarello into a tie with the idle Ryan Campbell to finish in a tie atop the drivers' standings with 27 wins apiece.

Harness racing is set to return to Northside Downs in May 2022.

To view the results for the Saturday card of harness racing from Cape Breton, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom have discussed the mutual strategic relations between the two countries in the energy field, along with other areas.

The discussion took place during the meeting between Azerbaijan's Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov with a delegation led by the head of the UK-Azerbaijan inter-parliamentary friendship group, member of the UK House of Commons Bob Blackman.

Speaking about BP's activities in Azerbaijan as a long-term strategic partner in the oil and gas sector, the parties noted that the completion of the Southern Gas Corridor project is the result of joint efforts and cooperation in this direction will continue successfully.

The sides also discussed the opportunities created as a result of cooperation with the company in the direction of decarbonisation of energy and transport systems in Azerbaijan for the implementation of renewable energy projects.

Moreover, recover and reconstruction of liberated territories, measures taken to attract foreign investment and joint cooperation with BP in these areas in the field of renewable energy were discussed.

The parties expressed confidence that the planned solar power plant project will contribute significantly to the cooperation in the field of green energy in Jabrayil region.

During the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest arising from the memorandum of cooperation between the two countries in the field of transition to clean energy.

Azerbaijan and the UK are cooperating in different spheres of the economy. There are already 30 years of successful cooperation between the two countries in the oil and gas sector, which entered a new stage of development in line with the challenges of the global energy sector. The energy sector accounts for $ 28.8 billion out of $ 30.6 billion of the UK investments in Azerbaijan's economy. The UK is also the biggest investor in Azerbaijan.

It should be noted that the trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $550.6 in January-September 2021. Of the total turnover, Azerbaijani exports to the UK amounted to $336.7million while import was $213.9 million. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the UK resulted in $454.4 million in 2020.
By Trend

Turkish Halkbank is interested in operating in Azerbaijan as a financial organization, Chairman of Halkbank Suleyman Ozdil told Trend on Nov. 14.

According to Ozdil, Halkbank may establish cooperation with Azerbaijani financial organizations and invest in the creation of new financial products in the country.

"We can offer our products to Azerbaijani banks, as well as provide financial assistance in their implementation," Ozdil said.

He added that Halkbank does not plan to function as a banking organization in Azerbaijan in the near future.
By Trend

The 25th International Business Forum (IBF, to be held in Azerbaijans Baku city on Nov. 15, will contribute to the process of increasing the export opportunities between Azerbaijan and Turkey, Chairman of the Board of the Association of Independent Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkey (MUSIAD) Mahmut Asmali told Trend .

Asmali expressed hope that the three-day visit to Azerbaijan will create new opportunities in this sphere.

More than 500 businessmen arrived in Azerbaijan yesterday and today to participate in the 25th International Business Forum in Baku, chairman of board added. We always say that the Azerbaijani and Turkish people have fraternal relations.

We are one nation, two states, Asmali said. I hope that we will sign many joint projects thanks to this brotherhood. The forum to be launched tomorrow will be an opportunity to discuss many new projects and to exchange views on cooperation prospects.

The chairman of board said that the trade volume between Turkey and Azerbaijan is $5 billion.

We are working to increase this volume up to $10 billion at the first stage and then up to $15 billion, Asmali said. Both sides have such an intention.

The chairman of board said that such economic forums and events provide great opportunities to increase export opportunities.

I hope that the three-day visit to Azerbaijan will open up great opportunities in this sphere, Asmali said. Azerbaijan and Turkey have historical ties.

The chairman of board expressed hope that no one will be able to separate this nation because people of both countries were fighting together in the Azerbaijani lands.

There will be always fraternal relations between the countries, Asmali said.

Trend news agency, Day.Az and the TURKIC.World media project are the official media partners of the IBF.
By Trend

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov left for Brussels on a working visit on November 14, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry told Trend .

During the visit, Bayramov will attend the Eastern Partnership Foreign Ministers meeting.

At the same time, the foreign minister will hold bilateral meetings with officials of the EU, NATO and the World Customs Organization.
By Trend

The eighth Summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (Turkic Council) is being held in Turkeys Istanbul city.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban are participating in the summit.

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is also participating in the summit for the first time as an observer.

The leaders of the countries are discussing many important issues, including the issues that determine the future of the Turkic Council at the Eighth Summit under the theme of "Green Technologies and Smart Cities in the Digital Age" in Democracy and Freedoms Island.

The important decisions on the activity and future of the Turkic Council are expected to be made at the summit. The Turkic Council is expected to be renamed the Organization of Turkic States.

The issues related to the further development of cooperation with friendly and fraternal countries in all fields are being discussed at the summit, in which chairmanship will be handed over from Azerbaijan to Turkey.

Head of the South Caucasus Political Analysts Club Ilgar Valizade told Trend that the Turkic Council is currently experiencing its most active period.

"Many important issues are expected to be discussed and documents are expected to be adopted at the summit," Valizade said. "The chairmanship of Azerbaijan in the Turkic Council coincided with both COVID-19 pandemic and the 44-day Second Karabakh War. Taking into account both points, I think that at such a sensitive period, Azerbaijan has successfully implemented activity during its presidency."

Valizade also said that new realities and new opportunities are opening for the Turkic Council.

"The commissioning of the Fuzuli International Airport, the large-scale construction, and restoration of the Zangazur corridor in Karabakh region are important for the Turkic Council and Turkic cooperation," the head of the South Caucasus Political Analysts Club added.

"Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly stated that Azerbaijan invites friendly and fraternal countries to join these processes because they will be able to benefit from this," Valizade said. "The opening of new communications also unites the Turkic states and strengthens ties."

Azerbaijani political analyst Jeyhun Ahmadli said that the development of cooperation among the Turkic-speaking countries is one of the priorities of Azerbaijan's foreign policy.

"The Turkic-speaking countries are united by common ancestry, history, culture and national values, which play a fundamental role in the mutually beneficial activity and cooperation of our countries," Ahmadli said.

"Azerbaijan has always been a supporter of a strong political organization among the Turkic-speaking countries and has played a leading role in this process," the political analyst said.

"A newly established format of cooperation among the Turkic-speaking countries was established in October 2009 at the Nakhchivan Summit of Turkic-speaking states," Ahmadli said.

Azerbaijani political analyst said that in other words, a new way of development in the Turkic Council's activity was launched at the Nakhchivan summit.

Ahmadli said that the fundamental views expressed by President Ilham Aliyev at that summit are today the main outlines of the development strategy of the Turkic Council.

The political analyst said that Azerbaijan has successfully chaired the Turkic Council for two years.

"During Azerbaijans chairmanship, the country made a great contribution to strengthening the activity of the Turkic Council, friendship, brotherhood, and cooperation among Turkic-speaking countries and peoples," Ahmadli said.

"After the seventh Summit of the Turkic Council in Baku on October 15, 2019, Azerbaijan took over the chairmanship," the political analyst said.

Ahmadli added that despite Azerbaijan's presidency coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, the country made efforts to further strengthen friendly ties and cooperation among the Turkic-speaking countries at both bilateral and multilateral levels, as well as to increase the prestige of the Turkic Council in the world.

"Azerbaijan's chairmanship in the Turkic Council coincides with a very historic period for our country," the political analyst said.

Ahmadli added that Azerbaijan has restored its territorial integrity by winning the 44-day Second Karabakh War.

"During the war, the peoples of the Turkic-speaking countries also expressed their support for the Azerbaijani people," the political analyst said.

"We can say with confidence that Azerbaijans victory has played an important role in further strengthening the unity and solidarity in the Turkic world," Ahmadli added.

The political analyst said that Azerbaijan's position based on international law and justice has been unequivocally supported by the Secretariat of the Turkic Council.

"The resolutions condemning the provocation committed by Armenia in the direction of Tovuz district along the state border with Azerbaijan in July 2020, supporting Azerbaijan during the 44-day second Karabakh war and condemning the missile attacks in the direction of Azerbaijans Ganja and Barda cities by Armenia were adopted," Ahmadli said.

"It is noteworthy that the delegation of the Turkic Council visited Ganja city, which was subjected to Armenias missile attacks on October 20, 2020," the political analyst said.

Ahmadli added that representatives of the Turkic Council, TURKSOY, and the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation visited Azerbaijan's Aghdam and Fuzuli districts in January 2021 liberated from the Armenian occupation and reviewed the results of acts of barbarism committed by the Armenian armed forces in the occupied Azerbaijani territories.

The political analyst said that the Turkic Council has initiated declaring of Shusha, the cultural capital of Azerbaijan, as the cultural capital of the Turkic world in 2023.

Ahmadli also stressed that about 160 million people currently live in the member-states of the Turkic Council and this is a very big market.

"International and regional projects contribute to the connection among our countries, but after the opening of the Zangazur corridor, this connection will increase, give a new impetus to our cooperation and have a positive impact on the volume of freight and passenger transportation among member-states," Ahmadli said.

"At the same time, integration processes and mechanisms will intensify contacts among people," Ahmadli added.
The Azerbaijani army positions came under Armenian fire near the liberated Kalbajar region, the Defense Ministry has reported.

"Starting from the evening of November 13 to the morning of November 14, the Armenian armed forces units from the positions in the Yukhari Shorja, Zarkand, Azizli, and Jermuk settlements of the Basarkechar region using sniper rifles, grenade launchers, and various caliber weapons periodically and unreasonably subjected to intensive fire the Azerbaijan Army positions in the Zeylik, Yellija and Istisu settlements of the Kalbajar region," the statement reads.

The ministry noted that at the same time, illegal Armenian armed detachments in the territory of Azerbaijan, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily deployed, from the Mukhtarkend settlement using various caliber weapons periodically and unreasonably subjected to intensive fire the positions of the Azerbaijan Army Units.

It is emphasized that the Azerbaijan Army Units have taken adequate measures to suppress provocations of the opposing side, as well as engineering works carried out by them to strengthen combat positions.

"There are no losses among the personnel and military equipment of the Azerbaijan Army. The Azerbaijan Army Units control the operational situation," the ministry notes.

It should be noted that Baku repeatedly made all the necessary proposals to Yerevan with regard to normalizing the post-war regional situation. Namely - to sign a peace treaty, to recognize each other's territorial integrity and to begin the delimitation and demarcation of borders.

About 2,000 Russian peacekeepers have been deployed for five years in Karabakh under the trilateral cease-fire deal signed by Baku, Moscow and Yerevan on 10 November 2020. The signed agreement brought an end to six weeks of fighting between Armenia.

The peace agreement stipulated the return of Azerbaijan's Armenian-occupied Kalbajar, Aghdam and Lachin regions and urged Armenia to withdraw its troops from the Azerbaijani lands that it has occupied since the early 1990s.

Armenia still fails to withdraw all its troops from Azerbaijan under the ceasefire deal. Before the signing of the deal, the Azerbaijani army had liberated around 300 villages, settlements, city centers, and historic Shusha city.
By Trend

President of the International Business Forum (IBF) Erol Yarar, Chairman of the Board of the Association of Independent Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkey (MUSIAD) Mahmut Asmali and the representatives of the delegation who are on a visit to Azerbaijan visited the Alley of Martyrs, Trend reports.

The guests first laid flowers at the graves of Azerbaijanis killed during the January 20 events, as well as revered the memory of the martyrs of the first Karabakh War.

Afterwards, the delegation members visited the Turkish Martyrs' Cemetery. The Quran was recited and prayers were made for the souls of the Caucasian Islamic Army fighters who died for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and the liberation of Baku, the martyrs of January 20 events and Karabakh war.

The 25th International Business Forum (IBF) will be held in Baku on Nov. 15. Some 550 businessmen arrived from Turkey to participate in the forum. The prospects of the Azerbaijani economy, process of making investments and other issues will be discussed during the forum.

Trend news agency, Day.Az and the TURKIC.World media project are the official media partners of the IBF.
The Dubai Securities and Exchange Higher Committee has announced its intention to list Salik, Dubai's road toll system that operates without toll booths or barriers, on Dubai Financial Market (DFM).



The move comes upon the directives of Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, reported state news agency WAM.



The intended listing on DFM is part of the Dubai Securities and Exchange Higher Committees strategy to increase the size of the stock market in the Emirate to AED3 trillion in the coming period.



The Salik toll system is one of Dubais premier infrastructure assets, with robust traffic volumes. The system, introduced by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in 2007, utilises the latest technologies to facilitate smooth traffic flows.



The eight Salik toll gates, Al Barsha, Al Garhoud, Al Maktoum, Al Mamzar South, Al Mamzar North, Al Safa, Airport Tunnel and Jebel Ali, aim to reduce traffic congestion, encourage the use of public transportation and the use of alternative roads.



The number of vehicles registered in the Salik toll system is 3 million, out of which 1.8 million are registered in Dubai.



The Securities and Exchange Higher Committees strategy seeks to list government and state-owned companies on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) as part of accelerating new listings in various sectors including energy, logistics and retail, in addition to adopting innovative financial tools and instruments that can respond to the current needs of investors.
Gulf International Bank (GIB), a pan GCC universal bank, has posted a net profit of $21.2 million attributable to shareholders in the third quarter of 2021 compared to a loss of $59.9 million in the same quarter last year.



The increase is driven by stronger performance across all revenue categories. Net interest income of $64.3 million represented growth of 11%, whilst fee and commission income of $15.4 million represented growth of 8%. Trading income of $8.5 million was the result of a 15% increase driven by favourable market conditions, and foreign exchange income of $6.2 million represented a 72% increase in foreign exchange income.



Other income of $16.5 million, almost 3x higher was the result of proactive measures taken in relation to asset recoveries and lower third quarter provision charge of $14.2 million compared to a $94.7 million in the same quarter last year.



The basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to the Shareholders of the Bank amounted to US 0.85 cents during the third quarter of 2021, compared to a loss of US 2.40 cents for the same period last year. Total comprehensive income attributable to the Shareholders of the Bank during the quarter of $24.1 million compared to a loss of $70.8 million reported for the same period last year, driven by the execution of the Banks strategy, resulting in significantly improved performance and positive revaluation gains.



For the period ended September 20, 2021, GIB reported a net profit of $38.9 million attributable to the Shareholders of the Bank compared to a loss of $145.3 million in the same period last year. This was achieved through remarkable growth of 26% in revenues, whilst operating expenses remained flat. The Groups net income for the period ended 30th September 2021 amounted to $52.5 million compared to a loss of $174.6 million for the same period last year.



In line with the Banks strategic focus on revenue diversification, a $54.8 million increase in non-interest income compared to a $5.6 million increase in net interest income. Fee and commission income of $48.7 million was 19% up on the previous year, reflecting the success of the banks strategic initiatives with higher revenue from asset management, corporate advisory, trade-related and global transaction-banking. Both foreign exchange income at $16.3 million and trading income of $28.6 million were significantly higher than 2020. The trading revenues were reflective of the strong market rebound on portfolios managed by the banks Saudi-Arabian (GIB Capital) and London-based (GIB UK) subsidiaries.



Total expenses of $200.1 million for the period were in line with prior year period. The provision charge for the period of $36.1 million compared to a $210.0 million in the same period last year, a year in which the bank prudently increased provisions against its legacy portfolio given the elevated risk brought about by the pandemic.



Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to the Shareholders of the Bank were US 1.56 cents compared to a loss of $5.81 cents per share in the same period last year. Total comprehensive income attributable to the Shareholders of the Bank reached $61.7 million compared to a $164.0 million loss in the same period last year.



The banks funding profile remained robust for the period ended 30 September 2021 with customer deposits amounting to $23.3 billion, and comprising the majority of total deposits. GIBs strong funding position demonstrates the confidence of the banks customers and counterparties based on its strong ownership and financial strength. The banks liquidity coverage ratio of 140.7%, net stable funding ratio of 144.6% and capital adequacy ratio of 16.3% are all significantly above regulatory limits.



GIB has successfully closed a $625.0 million sustainability-linked syndicated loan (SLL), making GIB the first Bahrain-headquartered bank and the first majority Saudi-owned bank to close such a facility.  TradeArabia News Service
Saudi National Housing Company has signed five partnership agreements for the construction of over 2,000 residential units in Riyadh, said a report.

These units will be distributed in the suburb of Aljwan and the Almashriqiya project, at prices starting at SR400,000 ($106,655), reported Arab News.

NHC is currently working to develop seven major residential suburbs with an area of more than 53 million sq m and provide more than 134,000 housing units that meet Sakani Program beneficiaries' aspirations, it stated.

More homes are set to be built in Riyadh, with a total of 147,000 units planned in order to meet the targets of the housing program, the report added.
GFH Properties, a Bahrain-based developer of premium projects, has signed up as strategic sponsor for the third edition of the Gulf Property Show at the Avenues, the mall edition of the Northern Gulf's leading boutique showcase for real estate sector.

Utilising the Gulf Property Shows platform GFH Properties will be showcasing their developments considered the first residential buildings at the Bahrains Financial Harbour District  The Harbour Row and Harbour Heights, said the event organiser Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE).

A division within the Al Hilal Group, HCE has evolved out of Hilals established expertise as an exhibition organiser. The Group, which previously managed the Kuwait International Trade Fair and Gulf Construction Exhibition, has now established a dedicated conferences and exhibitions division.

"The Harbour Row and Harbour Heights will take centre stage of our presence at the Gulf Property Show," stated said Khalfan, the Head of Marketing at GFH Properties.

"We are a leading developer not only in the kingdom but globally and take pride in our projects. We believe in developments that deliver the highest levels of comfort and luxury living. Our prime projects; The Harbour Row and Harbour Heights projects deliver on that and are located in close proximity to Bahrains prime leisure and business destinations, providing ease of access and ensuring a quiet and secure living environment," stated Khalfan.

The Harbour Row and Harbour Heights developments have been hailed as one of the most visionary and ambitious projects located at the Bahrain Financial Harbour district.

"The waterfront towers will be a landmark that will shape Bahrains skyline and will provide luxurious facilities, stunning sea and city views, and will feature exciting new retail and dining outlets," he added.

On the upcoming show, HCE Managing Director Jubran Abdulrahman said: "GFH Properties are major players in Bahrains real estate market and we are delighted to welcome them as our shows strategic sponsors, they bring urban living to new heights."

"Those looking to invest in property at Bahrains upcoming urban 24-hour community should pay a visit to GFH Properties booth at the Gulf Property show in the Avenues. It will be located at the Harbour Gate from November 24 to 27 during mall timings," he added.

The Gulf Property Show also carries the strategic sponsorship of Edamah, Gold sponsorship with Naseej and the organizational support of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority of Bahrain (Rera).-TradeArabia News Service
HRH Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Mohammed bin Salman Misk Foundation, today (November 14) announced the launch of the first non-profit city in the world.

The Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Non Profit City will be a model for the development of the non-profit sector globally and an incubator for youth and volunteer groups as well as local and international non-profit institutions.

It will come up on a land dedicated by Prince Mohammed in Irqah neighborhood, adjacent to Wadi Hanifa, on an area of around 3.4 sq km.

The city's masterplan embodies a human-centered, advanced digital metropolis designed to be sustainable, pedestrian-friendly, and will allocate more than 44 per cent of the total area for green open spaces to promoting sustainable development.

Announcing the project, Prince Mohammed said: "This will be the first non-profit city of its kind which will contribute to achieving the goals of Mohammed bin Salman Misk Foundation in supporting innovation, entrepreneurship and qualifying future leaders by defining non-profit work in its internal operational concept and in terms of opportunities and youth training programmes it will provide."

"In addition, the project will provide services that contribute to creating an attractive environment for all beneficiaries of the citys offerings," he stated.

"Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Non Profit City which implements the Digital Twin model, will host academies, colleges, Misk Schools, a conference center, a science museum, a creative centre offering a space to support the ambitions of innovators in sciences and new generation technology such as AI, IOT and Robotics," he added.

According to him, the new city will feature an arts academy and arts gallery, performing art theatre, play area, cooking academy and an integrated residential complex.

In addition, it will also host venture capital firms and investors to support and incubate innovative enterprises to drive community contributions from around the world, he added.

The announcement of Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Non Profit City is led by the goal of creating a vibrant Saudi youth talent system to shape the future of the kingdom and the world, by encouraging learning and developing leadership skills among youth, said the Mohammed bin Salman Misk Foundation.

Details surrounding development phases and progress of the new City will be announced in the coming months, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
EDGE Group entity, GAL, a leading provider of aircraft sustainment solutions, has been awarded an exclusive AED11 billion ($3 billion) performance-based logistics (PBL) contract to supply the UAE Air Force and Air Defence (AFAD) with maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and specialised support services.



For the first time in the companys history, the three-year PBL contract will see GAL support the AFAD with their operational readiness while providing comprehensive safety and flexibility. The agreement solidifies GALs position as one of the Middle Easts leading providers of aviation MRO services and will also streamline AFADs processes, align synergies and optimise manpower.



Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman, GAL, said: Being awarded the PBL services contract by the UAE Air Force and Air Defence is a real honour. It underscores our performance excellence and reliability as one of the regions leading MRO service providers. With the combined strength of our team, we will leverage our cutting-edge capabilities to service AFADs fleet and ensure optimised operational readiness, safety, and self-reliance.



He added: We are confident that this collaboration will provide strong foundations for future growth and enable us to continue fulfilling our longstanding vision of addressing customer needs with agility and precision.



Khalid Al Breiki, President - Mission Support, EDGE, and Managing Director of GAL said: This agreement is testament to GALs continued growth and overarching goal of delivering innovative solutions to meet complex MRO and supply chain requirements. At a time when safety and security are of the utmost importance, it is a privilege to serve our nation and to contribute to the mission readiness of its air force. In line with this priority, across EDGE, we are building our capabilities to enable a secure future for the UAE and beyond.



Signing this contract represents the trust our team has built with the UAE Air Force and Air Defence, allowing us to further grow our workforce of UAE nationals, and, most importantly, providing world-class support to our customers growing fleet. I am very proud of GALs progress in working with the UAE Armed Forces and partners to integrate global best practices towards ensuring aircraft readiness and deployability, he added.



The PBL arrangement allows military customers to seek aviation MRO services organised under a cost per flight hour model, and also facilitates ongoing improvements.



In partnership with the worlds largest original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) service providers; GAL helps its clients achieve exceptional fleet readiness.



GAL is part of the Mission Support cluster at EDGE, an advanced technology group which ranks among the top 25 military suppliers in the world.- TradeArabia News Service
Edge Group entity, GAL, a leading regional provider of integrated aircraft sustainment solutions, has opened the first regional distribution hub for aircraft logistics in Abu Dhabi. This is in partnership with Chinese state-backed defence contractor, China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (Catic).

The new Middle East & Africa Distribution Centre (MEADC) will significantly improve the availability of aircraft spare parts in the UAE and the wider Mena region.

Khalid Al Breiki, President of Mission Support at Edge and Managing Director of GAL, and Li Pei, Vice President of Catic, made the announcement together at the Dubai Airshow 2021, which is underway until November 18 at Dubai World Central (DWC).

Accompanying the announcement, the two organisations performed a signing ceremony to mark the occasion.

The establishment of the MEADC was announced at the Dubai Airshow in November 2019 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of GAL, and Liu Yu, Chairman of Catic.

Speaking at the signing, Al Breiki said: This collaboration is a testament to GALs competitive efforts to expand our presence and provide streamlined solutions to complex supply chain and MRO requirements. As a leading regional MRO services provider, we understand the challenges posed by spare parts distribution in the Mena region. The MEADC will significantly improve access to these essential elements, as well as increase productivity and reduce complicated logistics which arise when coordinating with international vendors. We look forward to assisting our customers needs through the MEADC, ensuring they are fit to fly.

Li said: We are excited to see how the first regional aviation distribution hub will benefit the UAE and feel this endeavour has solidified our place in the Mena region. Catic will continuously work together with GAL to explore more possibilities in the future.

Now operational, the 1,440-square-metre facility, located in ADAFZ near Abu Dhabi International Airport, is expected to reduce the aircraft spares delivery period from weeks to fewer than 48 hours.

Catic is Chinas premier defence contractor with a core focus on aviation products and technology. The company is the exclusive representative of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) in the global market.

GAL helps its clients achieve exceptional fleet readiness in partnership with the worlds largest original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) as well as maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) service providers, such as AAR, Airbus Helicopters, Bell and Boeing.

The company is part of the Mission Support cluster of Edge, an advanced technology group that ranks among the top 25 military suppliers in the world.-- TradeArabia News Service
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba)s Chief Executive Officer, Ali Al Baqali has received a prominent recognition as the winner of People First Leader Award during the GCC GOV HR Awarding Ceremony 2021 that was held on October 26, 2021 at InterContinental Dubai Festival City in Dubai, UAE.

This Award recognised Al Baqali for his creative initiatives, since his appointment as the CEO in August 2019, towards the development of Albas national workforce which include Al Jisr Programme for Building Supervisory Skills  a unique programme to develop high-potential non-supervisory employees and prepare them for leadership positions; Training Programmes to initiate new recruits; Business Engagement Plan to utilise the knowledge of Alba-sponsored MBA graduates and the Master Training Plan devised for every employee across the plant.

On his win of the coveted People First Leader Award, CEO Ali Al Baqali said: Success doesnt come by accident; it is the product of hard work and persistence. Alba can only be strong thanks to its people and our future is tied up to investing in our people.

I would like to thank our Executive Management and the Human Resources & Training Department for their dedicated efforts in ensuring the continuity of all training programmes especially amidst Covid-19.

Our vision is to be the number one aluminium supplier for the generations to come and this can only be achieved by our people.

Alba boasts one of the largest national workforces in the Kingdom of Bahrain with around 3,200 employees of whom 84% are Bahraini nationals.TradeArabia News Service
Circular Computing, a UK remanufacturer of used laptops, continues to flourish in Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zones (RAKEZ) ecosystem, expanding its state-of-the-art production facility to a total of 27,460 sq m with an investment of AED 8 million ($2.17 million).

The facility will have a production rate of 50,000 rebuilt laptops per month within two years, which will create around 300 new jobs in Ras Al Khaimah, according to a statement by the company.

In addition to the expansion, Circular Computing recently became the worlds first company to receive a BSI Kitemark Certification for its circular production process, in which pre-used laptops are remanufactured to be equal to or better than new in terms of appearance and function. BSI Kitemark Certification is a prestigious UK product and service quality certification mark, which demonstrates that a product or service has gone beyond the normal requirements to achieve the highest standards.

Circular Computings distinctive remanufacturing process creates a sizeable environmental impact through sustainable savings of 316 kgs of CO2, 1,200 kgs of resource preservation and 190,000 litres of water. The companys products are also 100% carbon neutral, and it plants trees for every laptop sold. So far, Circular Computing has already planted nearly 200,000 trees, which should absorb nearly 120 million kgs of CO2 from the atmosphere.

This is about sustainability without compromise, said Rod Neale, Founder of Circular Computing. In 2015, we decided to build the worlds first factory dedicated to bringing professionalism, legitimacy, purpose and scale to the re-use of laptop products and we have spent the time from then to today learning and earning our skills. Today is a defining step in that journey. The BSI Kitemark certification confirms the end of one journey, to develop the technology and skills to be able to deliver a product that is defined as as new, and the beginning of a new journey, which is to make the buying of pre-used tech that has been remanufactured to an as new state a normality.

A re-opening ceremony was conducted at Circular Computings newly expanded facility, which was attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Managing Director of RAKEZ, and Her Majestys Consul General Simon Penny from the British Embassy in Dubai.

Congratulating Circular Computing on its back-to-back achievements, Ramy Jallad, Group CEO of RAKEZ, said: It is very rewarding for us to see our clients achieve milestones and embark on expansions that are aligned with their vision. We are happy to be part of Circular Computings impactful and sustainable journey and we aim to see more success stories in our ecosystem.

Our main goal is to provide innovative and customisable business solutions that help support our clients in becoming world-leaders in their fields.

Circular Computing is a great British company demonstrating the circular economy in action. Old laptops are saved from landfill and sustainably remanufactured, supporting communities, education providers and businesses in adopting sustainable IT and working towards being carbon neutral, said Penny. I was delighted to present the team at Circular Computing with the first ever BSI Kitemark in Circular Remanufacturing. Congratulations to RAKEZ for supporting Circular Computing in their growth and contribution to sustainable manufacturing.-TradeArabia News Service
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has signed a MoU with Volga-Dnepr Group, a Russian airline holding company, to provide logistics services and air cargo solutions for the UAE satellite programme.

Headquartered in Moscow, Volga-Dnepr is a world leader in the global market for the movement of oversize, unique and heavy air cargo. Its core business activities are charter cargo operations using Antonov An-124 and IL-76TD-90VD heavy transporters and scheduled cargo operations using Boeing 747 and Boeing 737 freighters.

The deal was signed by Salem AlMarri, Deputy Director General, MBRSC and Artemiy Ivanovskiy, General Manager, Volga-Dnepr Group, Dubai Office in the presence of Yousuf Hamad AlShaibani, Director General, MBRSC at the Dubai Airshow 2021.

Founded in 2006, MBRSC is home to the UAE National Space Programme. The Centre builds and operates earth observation satellites, offering imaging and data analysis services.
The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has signed an agreement with Cruise Saudi and Globe Group to build a new cruise terminal at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, as well as develop four berths at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam and Yanbu Commercial Port.

The move comes as part of Mawanis ongoing efforts to empower the kingdoms tourism sector through support for cruises along the coastlines of the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea, in line with the goals of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.

"We are pleased to support the National Transport and Logistics Strategy with the development of a cruise terminal and deeper berths to accommodate international cruise liners, said Omar bin Talal Hariri, the President of Mawani; after signing the deal with Engineer Fawaz Farooqui, Managing Director of Cruise Saudi; and Maad Abduljawad, the CEO of Globe Group.

This agreement further elevates Saudi Arabias position as a leader in the cruise industry and enhances the visitor experience for guests in the kingdom, stated Talal Hariri.

"We will continue to work together with our partners to develop a sustainable, thriving marine transport ecosystem that contributes to the competitiveness of Saudi Arabias ports, supports the kingdoms socio-economic aspirations, and helps to achieve the ambitions of Vision 2030," he added.

Earlier this year, Mawani and Cruise Saudi announced the opening of the first cruise terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port, from which the MSC Bellissima set sail on its maiden voyage to destinations across the region in July.

A series of training programmes for Saudi professionals was also announced within various maritime industries in collaboration with MSC Cruises, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
Etisalat has partnered with travel technology company kitmytrip to promote Etisalat's Visitor SIMs to incoming tourists via KMT partners across the globe and various local partners at multiple international destinations.



The partnership offers international tourists visiting the UAE a seamless service to book, collect and enjoy the complete suite of Etisalat tourist services. Etisalat and kitmytrip will make it possible for guests coming to the UAE to pre-book their preferred Etisalat tourist SIMs from a wide range of international travel agencies, travel websites or travel agents using kitmytrips Infinity platform.



On their arrival in the UAE, they can collect their SIM from any of the Etisalat retail stores across the country.



Mohamed Zakariya Al Hammadi, Director, Modern Trade, signed the agreement on behalf of Etisalat; and Saurabh Bhatnagar, Co-Founder, signed on behalf of kitmytrip, in the presence of senior officials from both parties.



Mohamed Zakariya Al Hammadi, Director, Modern Trade, Etisalat, said: We are pleased to tie up with kitmytrip in a bid to enhance our services by increasing our presence in travel and tourism along with international airport destinations. This is ideal during Expo 2020as millions of tourists are expected to travel to the UAE and would need a local mobile connection.



Saurabh Bhatnagar, Co-Founder, kitmytrip, said: Under the partnership, kitmytrip will link its international network of travel partners with Etisalat's countrywide retail network. kitmytrip will enable the sale of Etisalat offerings across its international network, and will do SIM pre-bookings to be fulfilled through Etisalats retail network.  TradeArabia News Service
Dubais Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched a trial run of two electric buses, branded Volvo 7900 and fitted with Opportunity Charging (OC) technology, which is experimented with for the first time in Dubai.



The two buses will shuttle on a specific path in both directions between La Mer South, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Street and Al Sufouh Tram Station, reported state news agency WAM.

The launch is coordinated with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), Volvo Bus Company, Meraas Real Estate, and ABB Group, leader in the electric bus charging industry. The step reflects the RTAs efforts to provide sustainable and environmentally friendly mass transit means.



A standing electric charger is supplied by ABB Group Buses at La Mer South to charge the buses. Al Quoz Bus Depot provides a night electric charger to run the night charging when the two buses are out of service. Therefore, buses can be electrically charged either through Pantograph using a standing arm under which the bus is parked at La Mer, or cables connecting direct and alternate currents (DC and AC).



Each bus is equipped with modern batteries that enable it to travel 200 km when fully charged. The length of the distance travelled depends on several factors such as the terrain, temperature, and the operation of air conditioners. Each bus has 38 seats in addition to three foldable seats, a place for People of Determination, and an interactive display screen.



During the trial period, which will continue until March 2022, the RTA will measure the operational efficiency of the two electric buses and experiment with the charging of electric buses using the charger at La Mer and the overnight charger at the Al Quoz Bus Depot. It will train drivers on the electric bus and familiarise them with the bus system. It will also train controllers on monitoring the bus and the charging unit. The RTA will work with project partners to ensure the readiness of buses, charging units, and the charging station.



"The project is a unique example of integrated efforts of government departments as well as Public-Private Partnership (PPP). It illustrates the integrated efforts of RTA, DEWA, Volvo Bus Co, Meraas Real Estate and ABB Group aimed to promote sustainable transport in Dubai and reduce carbon emissions of the transport sector," said Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the RTA.



"The success of deploying and operating electric buses and vehicles as part of the RTAs mass transit fleet hinges largely on the availability and reliability of the charging technology, and whether it supports the continuous operation of buses without stopping or having to return to the charging stations.



"The RTA attaches top priority to environmental conservation and power-saving policies and sets safety and environmental sustainability as one of its strategic goals. It, therefore, seeks to keep pace with the latest technologies of manufacturing buses, electric batteries, and various charging systems. It underscores the intention to add electric buses to the fleet to ensure the operation of safe, smooth, and sustainable mass transit means. It is recalled that the RTA had launched a series of projects and initiatives to leverage sustainable transport including the trial run of electric buses and the operation of hydrogen or water-powered taxis," Al Tayer concluded.



Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Managing Director and CEO of Dewa, said: Dubais Green Mobility Initiative 2030 aims to stimulate the use of sustainable transit means and align them with the strategic goals of the emirate in terms of sustainability, air quality and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.



"The incentives package launched by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy of which DEWA is part has encouraged green mobility and increased the number of electric cars in Dubai. This particularly fits with the spread of green charging stations of DEWA, which now exceed 300 stations offering 530 charging points across Dubai.



Manish Sahi, Vice President, Volvo Bus Corporation, stated, "This trial of Volvo Electric buses is a coming together of RTA Dubai; Volvo Buses; ABB, and our exclusive local partner for Volvo Buses in Dubai, Al Futtaim Auto and Machinery Company (FAMCO). We are excited about the possibilities electric buses will open up for cities like Dubai. Without emissions and noise, you can even build bus stops indoors.



"Volvo Electric buses will enhance travelling experience not only for passengers but also drivers and other road users, making cities more attractive for their inhabitants," he added.



The RTA converted 50 percent of the total Dubai Taxi fleet into environmentally-friendly hybrid vehicles in 2020. It intends to convert the entire taxi fleet to hybrid and electric vehicles by 2027. In December 2019, it launched the trial run of the first hydrogen taxi in the Middle East and deployed it as a limo service at the Dubai International Airport.
Over 30 of the worlds leading energy chief executives will gather in Abu Dhabi today (November 14) to discuss key issues impacting the energy landscape and the outcomes of the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), at the 7th Abu Dhabi CEO Roundtable hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc).



The industry leaders have been invited to the roundtable by Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Adnoc Managing Director and Group CEO. This invitation-only gathering will be held under Chatham House rules and will provide an important opportunity for the chief executives to share views on a wide range of issues including mitigating a supply crunch and the energy transition.



Dr Al Jaber said: Coming immediately after the COP26 conference in Glasgow, the Abu Dhabi CEO Roundtable provides a timely opportunity for global energy leaders to convene and exchange views on how our industry can effectively contribute to addressing the outcomes of COP26. Our discussions will focus on how through partnership and collaborative working, we can continue to responsibly provide the worlds energy needs and drive investments in carbon-efficient fuels to ensure global energy security and economic prosperity as we embrace the energy transition.



The high-level participation in the Abu Dhabi CEO Roundtable reinforces Abu Dhabis leadership role in shaping the global energy dialogue. The roundtable will take place on the eve of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) 2021 and follows the recent announcement that Abu Dhabi will host COP28 in 2023.



Commenting on the roundtable, Vicki Hollub, President and CEO of Occidental, said: This seventh edition of the Abu Dhabi CEO Roundtable provides a timely platform, following COP26, to exchange views on the key issues affecting our industry as we focus on achieving global climate goals. I am grateful for Abu Dhabis and Adnocs leadership in convening this important roundtable and I look forward to joining my peers to discuss strategies to move our industry forward and ensure we can continue to sustainably meet the worlds energy needs.



Bernard Looney, bp CEO, said: ADIPEC is one of our industrys truly great annual events and Im honoured to be joining the Abu Dhabi CEO Roundtable. There has never been a more important moment for our sector to come together, with the world deep in conversation about climate change. At bp, we share the view of His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber and Adnoc that companies like ours have an important part to play in the transition to net zero, and that it is also a great business opportunity. I look forward to discussing ways to maximise the potential we see.



The Abu Dhabi CEO Roundtable will be moderated by Dr. Daniel Yergin, Vice Chairman of IHS Markit and author of The New Map.



Dr Yergin said: The Abu Dhabi CEO Roundtable will provide a unique opportunity to discuss the agenda coming out of Glasgow for net-zero and low carbon and the practical questions that need to be addressed to move it forward. It will also bring together perspectives from around the world on the major technological options for advancing the agenda, the state of the technologies, and the likely time frames for bringing them forward.  TradeArabia News Service
The Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Conference (Adipec), from November 15, is expected to host over 100,000 attendees, 2,000 plus exhibiting companies from 26 international pavilions across the globe.

The Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (Adnec) has announced it has finalised its preparations to host the event till November 18, which will see 51 national and international oil companies, along with over 1,000 speakers from around the world participate in more than 160 strategic conference sessions, a WAM report said.

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nayhan, President of the UAE, Adipec is one of the worlds largest, and most influential meeting points for oil and gas professionals, industry stakeholders and experts.

The event further cements Adnecs ongoing efforts to showcase its expertise in business tourism while highlighting its ability to attract and to successfully host leading international exhibitions and conferences.

The event also further displays Adnecs world-class infrastructure and ability to host mega events with the use of indoor and outdoor spaces.

Hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), Adipec provides an ideal platform for industry people from within the petroleum industry to meet and to make key decisions.-- TradeArabia News Service
A major international group in the construction engineering and mobility services sectors, Egis has been awarded the ambitious Ras Al Khaimah International Airport expansion contract at the Dubai Airshow.

Egis responsibility is two-fold with the initial design of the expanded terminal as well as concept design study of a new terminal that is expected to accommodate close to 2 million passengers in the next 10 years.

The expansion plan comes after the surge in passenger traffic at the emirates international airport and the need to accommodate the increased passenger traffic in line with the International Air Transport Association guidelines.

Ras Al Khaimah has quickly become more of an economic and touristic hub in the last couple of years and we are extremely proud of the growth weve seen.

The expansion of our international airport reinforces this ambitious outlook and we look forward to welcoming passengers from all over the world, said Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Ras Al Khaimah, Eng Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi.

Egis has been awarded several aviation projects in the Middle East and beyond. Some of the most notable projects include Riyadh Airport where Egis was the project manager for design review, construction management and supervision of the new airside infrastructure, Amaala airport, where Egis is working on the design and development of a greenfield airport to serve a new ultra-luxury resort located along Saudi Arabias northwest coast by the Red Sea and Abha International Airport where Egis developed the master plan provided design and construction services for the new terminal building as well as the necessary annex buildings and infrastructure.

We are delighted to be working on the expansion of Ras Al Khaimah International airport as aviation is one of our strengths. Egis has been awarded several aviation projects, and our experience and knowledge surpasses design as we are able to take on both the role of engineer, as well as airport operators as we plan ahead. Our goal is to provide the best possible solution to improve the passenger experience throughout their airport journey and our vast aviation experience in the Middle East and beyond will help us achieve that, said Alaa Abusiam, CEO Egis Middle East.

CEO of Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, Atanasios Titonis said: In order to keep up with this demand of passenger traffic, and welcome more and more airline partners, our immediate focus is on working to enhance our existing terminal at the earliest, and simultaneously work on designing a brand new terminal with international standards and innovative facilities and we are confident that our partnership with Egis will help us achieve this.-- TradeArabia News Service
By Liu Xiaohong and Xiao Liming

NANJING, Nov. 12 -- The Eighth International Army Cadets Week was held on November 9 in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu Province. Cadets from foreign military academies of 12 countries, namely Brazil, Cambodia, Egypt, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Romania, Serbia, Singapore and Thailand, and more than 10 Chinese military academies carried out three-day study and exchange activities via video link.

This year's International Army Cadets Week was organized by the Army Engineering University of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). With the theme of "capabilities and cultivation of army officers in joint operations", the event aimed to build an international exchange platform and promote mutual learning among cadets from various countries.

During the activities, Chinese and foreign cadets participated in keynote reports, guest forums, special seminars, tabletop demonstrations of United Nations peacekeeping operations, experiential activities on traditional Chinese culture, among others.

Senior Colonel Wang Chuanjing, a senior instructor at the Peacekeeping Affairs Center under China's Ministry of National Defense, was invited to give a keynote report on the military command in UN peacekeeping operations. The report took the operations conducted by theater commands of the UN peacekeeping missions as an example and introduced military command methods and requirements for officers' capability in the context of multinational joint operations.

Its learnt that the International Army Cadets Week has been successfully held for seven sessions since 2005. According to Major General Wang Jinlong, president of the PLA Army Engineering University, the event centers on the transformation and construction of the Army, promotes practical international exchanges, and gives full play to the educating effect of the international exchange platform. It enhances the mutual trust between Chinese and foreign academies and consolidates the inter-academy cooperation mechanism.
A draft of the document circulating ahead of the Nov. 15-18 meeting in Baltimore breaks little new ground, though its language could be toughened during the gathering. The draft mentions abortion only once and doesnt name Biden or other politicians, though it says at one point, Lay people who exercise some form of public authority have a special responsibility to embody Church teaching.
Violence in our community will not be tolerated, and any violence against law enforcement deserves the full weight of our justice system, said Howard County States Attorney Rich Gibson in a statement. I hope that todays sentence, handed down by the court, will act as a deterrent to anyone who thinks this kind of lawlessness will be permitted in this space.
Roy Free has been charged with four counts of possession of child pornography and four counts of distribution of child pornography, in addition to charges related to the theft of a motor vehicle.
The driver of a CityLink Pink bus, operated by the Maryland Transit Administration, rear-ended a vehicle around 6:15 p.m. at Bethlehem Boulevard and Peninsula Expressway in Sparrows Point, according to a spokesman for the Maryland Department of Transportation.
In An Introduction to the Detective Story, Professor Panek examined the stories of highwaymen and William Godwins The Adventures of Caleb Williams, and The Murders in the Rue Morgue, and Wilkie Collins The Woman in White and The Moonstone. He also examined Charles Dickens mystery stories such as The Mystery of Edwin Drood, as well as the hard-boiled and police procedurals of the 20th century, many of which became background for noir pictures of the 1930s, 1940s and early 1950s.
Around this time last year, the Carroll public schools saw enrollment drop by nearly 800 students, compared to the 2019-2020 school year. Enrollment totaled to 24,568 students in 2020-2021. McCabe said school officials do not have the official enrollment numbers for this school year, but it looks like the gap has closed from a loss of 777 students last school year to about 300 this year, compared to 2019-2020.
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The Chicago company is led by soprano Ana Maria Martinez, who works, valiantly, to dramatize the journey and make sense of La Grimaldis challenging, sometimes oddly motivated vocal leaps. As the young maybe-lovers, tenor Mario Rojas (Arcadio) and especially soprano Gabriella Reyes (Rosalba) are treated to the most Puccini-y of the duets. This is a score indebted to three major influences: Italian Romanticism in the Puccini and Verdi vein; Benjamin Brittens sea-and-spray titans Peter Grimes and Billy Budd; and to what might be called Hollywood Water Voyage Music, from Korngold to Herrmann. Catan was no snob about the movies, and like most operatic composers (though not only operatic, in his case), he worked like a far-flung magpie, pulling ideas from all over and making something new or new-ish in return.
Months later, the Tribune launched the "Norman Malone's Quest" series and its dedicated website with text, videos and photo galleries (www.chicagotribune.com/normanmalone). Letters immediately began pouring in from around the world, and social media lit up with the terrifying story Malone never had told his friends, colleagues or students: Attacked by his father when he was 10 years old, Malone was left partially paralyzed on his right side, but he persevered to become a beloved teacher in the Chicago Public Schools and, in the privacy of his home, an expert in the left-hand piano repertoire.
Its very sad for the queen, because this is the one event in the year that she really, really likes to be at, she said. Were so used to seeing her out and about and looking years younger than she is that I think weve been lulled into thinking she can go on at this kind of pace forever. Clearly she cant.
When the short video was publicly released, Watkins turned himself in to the police station, said Wolf, who suggested his client acted in self defense and in defense of others after the victim was doing something exceptionally physical and threatening, when brandishing the wine bottle.
The notice also reminded officers that the use of elective time, also known as personal time off from work, is still restricted and will require approval from a deputy chief or higher rank to be used. The notice does not specify an end date for the day-off cancellation.
With more than a month to go until the end of the year, the numbers seem to be trending in the right direction, following a peak in 2019, when two troopers were killed in the line of duty and 27 squad cars were hit by a motorist disobeying Scotts Law.
On behalf of my family and our city, our hearts and prayers go out to every person who was affected by todays violent act outside of Sts. Monica and Luke Church, Prince said in a statement. We do not have many details, as this is an active, ongoing investigation, but the Gary Police Department and supporting law enforcement agencies will get to the bottom of this incident. We will do our best to provide timely updates on this incident after the police department has completed its investigation.
You are here: China

The Chinese mainland on Saturday reported 70 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, the National Health Commission said in its daily report on Sunday.



Of the new local cases, 60 were reported in Liaoning, three in Hebei, two each in Heilongjiang, Jiangxi, and Yunnan, as well as one in Sichuan.

Also reported were 19 new imported cases, according to the commission.

No new suspected cases or no new deaths related to COVID-19 were reported on Saturday, said the commission.
The latest COVID-19 resurgence in China had spread to 21 provincial-level regions as of Saturday, where new locally transmitted cases or asymptomatic carriers were reported during the past few days, a health official said Saturday.



With the number of COVID-19 cases surpassing 250 million worldwide, the country is facing greater challenges of preventing inbound cases, said Mi Feng, a spokesperson for the National Health Commission (NHC), at a press conference.

The country is also facing the risk of infectious respiratory illnesses brought about by low temperature, noted Mi, adding that risks are doubled under such circumstances.

Despite the complex situation caused by the resurgence, Wu Liangyou, an official with the NHC, told the press conference that the epidemic situation has generally stabilized across the country.

Multiple provincial-level regions previously hit by COVID-19 have effectively cut the spread of the virus and brought the epidemic under control, Wu said.

Though still in a critical stage, the recent COVID-19 outbreak in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, has been contained within the city, Wu added.

China will stick to the target of clearing any COVID-19 infection in a timely manner, and prevent both imported cases and domestic resurgences, Mi said, demanding early detection, swift response, targeted containment, and effective treatment of COVID-19 patients.
A total of 26,925 people had taken the booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines in Hong Kong as of 7:00 p.m. local time Friday, according to the latest official data.

Beginning from Thursday, a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccines has been made available to eligible groups in Hong Kong. People with weak immunity and high risks of infection with the virus can receive their third dose.

Secretary for Food and Health of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government Sophia Chan said on Saturday that vaccination or promoting vaccination is one of the key measures in epidemic control.

"Not only can vaccine keep people safe, it can also protect people from infecting as well as protecting people from having less severe symptoms and also protect people from dying when they contract the virus," Chan said.

Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection (CHP) on Saturday reported two new imported cases of COVID-19, taking the total tally to 12,380.

One of the cases involved a mutant strain while the mutation test result of the remaining case is pending. A total of 36 cases have been reported in the past 14 days and all of them are imported, according to the CHP.

Hong Kong's vaccination drive is making steady progress. Since the launch of the government inoculation program in late February, more than 4.66 million people, or 69.3 percent of the eligible population, have taken at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccines, while around 4.46 million people, or 66.3 percent, are fully vaccinated.
You are here: World

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It is the Western countries themselves who caused current migrant crisis on the borders between Belarus and the European Union (EU), Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday.

The Western countries fought many years in Iraq and Afghanistan, and economically, high social benefits are attracting migrants to the EU countries, Putin said in an interview with a Russian TV program.

He stressed that Russia has nothing to do with the crisis and Russian airlines did not fly the migrants there.

Since earlier this month, thousands of refugees from the Middle East and Asia have arrived at the Belarusian side of the border in an attempt to enter Poland and then Germany to seek asylum.

Poland has put troops on high alert along the border.

Similar tensions also appear on the Belarus-Latvia and Belarus-Lithuania borders.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has threatened to cut off the Yamal-Europe natural gas pipeline if the EU countries close the borders with Belarus.


 Flash

Foreign political party officials and experts have spoken highly of the sixth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), hailing it as a crucial meeting linking the past and the future.

The landmark resolution adopted by the four-day session on the major achievements and historical experience of the CPC's 100 years of endeavors revealed the reasons for the success of the CPC, and will provide guidance to the CPC to lead China to new development and prosperity, they said.

The CPC has made tremendous achievements in its 100 years of history and is ready to lead the Chinese people into the future, Gennady Zyuganov, chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, said in an interview with Xinhua.

The sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee that concluded on Thursday served as an opportunity for the CPC to look back, analyze its journey, evaluate what has been achieved, and set tasks for the future, he said.

"Why has the CPC, in just a quarter of a century, transformed from a small group of patriots into a powerful political force that led the country? The main secret is that the party set itself the goal of striving for people's happiness and the great rejuvenation of the nation," Zyuganov said.

Highlighting China's achievements including poverty reduction, the Russian communist leader said he was impressed that the CPC does not rest on its laurels or stand still, but is constantly and intensively working for greater successes.

While China is facing many challenges, Zyuganov believes that the CPC will emerge victorious from all the trials, just like how it has been successfully dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Luxman Siriwardena, managing director of Sri Lanka-based policy and advocacy group Veemansa Initiative, said the CPC held the plenum at a historical juncture.

He believes that the CPC will continue to promote socio-economic development in China and in many other places in the world as China is playing an increasingly significant global role.

Adhere Cavince, a Kenya-based international relations scholar, said the CPC has emerged as a strong unifying force in its 100-year history.

The party has guided the Chinese society with unflinching determination to improve people's socio-economic welfare, thereby consolidating national stability, cohesion and trust in government, he said.

The CPC has had unprecedented success in uplifting the Chinese people out of intractable challenges of conflict, poverty and international isolation. Today, China ranks as a strong member of the United Nations with active contributions to global solutions, he said.

Abdul Aziz Al-Shaabani, a Saudi expert on China, said the resolution adopted by the plenum is a comprehensive summary of the CPC's century-long struggle, and it is of great significance and will provide guidance for China's future development and promote greater achievements in its development.
The Episcopal Church lost a little over 61,000 members in 2020 and saw a decline in worship attendance even before the pandemic lockdowns occurred, according to data released by the denomination.

The Episcopal Church's General Convention posted reports this week on the liberal mainline denomination's 2020 statistics and how they compared to previous years.

Baptized Episcopal Church membership declined from approximately 1.798 million in 2019 to approximately 1.736 million in 2020  a loss of about 61,760 people.

The total for 2020 is approximately 350,000 less than the 2.096 million members reported in 2011 and is less than half of the 3.6 million members reported in 1966.

Another report shows that the total of "active baptized members" is even lower. In 2020, there were just over 1.5 million active baptized members of the Episcopal Church, compared to over 1.6 million in 2019.

Unlike past years, the denomination calculated average Sunday attendance by using the numbers reported from Jan. 1 to Mar. 1, 2020, as COVID-19 pandemic-related cancellations of worship began in March.

Even before government lockdowns compelled Episcopal congregations to suspend worship for months on end, the average Sunday attendance in 2020 dropped considerably compared to past years.

Sunday attendance declined from approximately 547,000 in 2019 to 483,000 in 2020, about 210,000 fewer average Sunday attendees than the roughly 698,000 reported in 2011.

Jeff Walton of the theologically conservative think tank Institute on Religion & Democracy, an expert on Anglican and Episcopal church politics, wrote Wednesday that the Episcopal Church "took a major hit in the year 2020."

"These numbers indicate a doubling in the rate of membership decline and a tripling in the rate of attendance decline over the previous year," wrote Walton.

"From 20192020, weddings across the denomination dropped from 6,484 to 3,530, down 46% (an additional 309 weddings were reported conducted online in virtual services). Children's baptisms dropped from 19,716 to 7,286, down 67%. Adult baptisms dropped from 3,866 to 1,649, down 57%."

Multiple factors have often been attributed to the decline in membership and attendance in Episcopal Church, which traces its origins back to the 18th century and is a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

These include an aging demographic and the overall decline in religious affiliation in the United States. Additionally, the increasing theologically liberal direction of the Episcopal Church has prompted considerable numbers of conservatives to leave.

In February 2020, Kristine Stache, interim president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America-affiliated Wartburg Theological Seminary, told the Episcopal Church's Executive Council that, at the current rate of decline, worship attendance may effectively cease to exist by the year 2050.

"[Data] depicts a church that appears to be dying," said Stache, according to the Episcopal News Service.

Last November, similar thoughts were echoed by Episcopal priest Rev. Dwight Zscheile, an associate professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.

"The overall picture is dire," Zscheile was quoted as saying, according to ChurchLeaders. "Not one of decline as much as demise within the next generation unless trends change significantly."

Courtesy of The Christian Post


Space News space history and artifacts articles Messages space history discussion forums Sightings worldwide astronaut appearances Resources selected space history documents





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Astronaut Hall of Fame adds three astronauts still making history



November 13, 2021  Typically, the space explorers inducted annually into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame do not add significantly to their records between the time when they are announced and when they are enshrined. This year's class, though, was anything but typical.



Celebrated at a public ceremony held at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on Saturday (Nov. 13), Michael Lopez-Alegria, Pamela Melroy and Scott Kelly became the 100th, 101st and 102nd astronauts to enter the hall. The celebration, delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, came almost two years after they were chosen for the honor.



"Our three inductees were selected in 2020, however, their induction ceremony has been postponed until now to allow us to safely honor their achievement with their friends and families," said emcee John Zarella, a journalist and former CNN space correspondent. "Thankfully, patience and perseverance are prerequisites for an astronaut career."



Chosen for their already impressive list of accomplishments achieved both in space and on Earth, the 2020-21 inductees spent the additional time raising the profile of the U.S. space program, returning to work for NASA and, in one case, preparing to return to space on a first-of-its-kind commercial mission.



"We honor these three astronauts today for their extraordinary achievements in space, but let's also learn from their aspirations," said former Senator Bill Nelson, now NASA Administrator and a former space shuttle payload specialist. "Each of these individuals has a unique story."





Astronaut Hall of Fame induction. Click to enlarge video in a pop-up window. (NASA) Members of consecutive astronaut classes in 1992, 1994 and 1996 respectively, Lopez-Alegria, Melroy and Kelly had overlapping NASA careers.



Lopez-Alegria flew four times to space, logging more than 257 days off the planet and retains the record for the most cumulative time on spacewalks by an American at 67 hours and 40 minutes. He is also tied with former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson for the most extravehicular activities by an American at ten.



Melroy flew the first of her three space shuttle missions with Lopez-Alegria as a crewmate. She was only the second U.S. woman to pilot and then command a space mission.



Kelly currently holds the title for the longest single space mission by a U.S. astronaut, a record that was once held by Lopez-Alegria. A veteran of four spaceflights, including the first year-long mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Kelly also shares the distinction with his brother, Mark, of being the first identical twins to both become astronauts.



"Since its first induction in 1990, Astronaut Hall of Fame inductees have sort of mirrored the evolution of human spaceflight in America," said Lopez-Alegria, recounting how the classes progressed from the original Mercury astronauts through the Gemini and Apollo crew members up through the space shuttle beginning in 2001. "Up to today, of all the missions flown by the 98 previous inductees, only 18 are to the ISS."



"Today, my fellow inductees and I have, of the 11 flights that we've flown together, eight of them were to the ISS, so we are entering the International Space Station era," he said.



At the same time, though, the activities that the three honorees have undertaken since being announced in January 2020 suggest another transition may soon be underway.



Lopez-Alegria is now within months of becoming the first former NASA astronaut to return to the space station.



"He's not done yet," said Nelson. "He will return to low Earth orbit, this time as commander of the Axiom private astronaut mission-one [Ax-1] to the ISS. And there he has a real job because he's going to be the caretaker of some private astronauts."



Melroy followed up her induction announcement by returning to work at NASA.



"This has been a pretty amazing year for me. I am very honored to be the deputy to Administrator Bill Nelson," Melroy said. "We are humbled and excited to lead NASA into the future."



"We're poised to return to the moon. We are truly at an inflection point," she said. "We are building a program to achieve a series of objectives that will provide the blueprint to how we maintain a human presence as we explore the solar system and then the universe."



For Kelly, the change has been less about his own actions as it has been NASA moving forward. His U.S. record of 340 days on a single mission will be broken next year by NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei, who is currently aboard the space station.



"My professional life at NASA has really been the highlight of my life," said Kelly. "What I've learned in my career and in life is that making giant leaps require small, manageable steps and the help of a lot of people along the way."



Saturday's ceremony, which was held under the visitor complex's display of the space shuttle Atlantis, was attended by 24 astronauts, including 17 Hall of Fame inductees. Brian Duffy, Susan Helms and Bob Cabana were chosen to formally induct Lopez-Alegria, Helms and Kelly, respectively.



As in past years, the class of 2020 was selected by a panel of Astronaut Hall of Fame members, flight controllers, historians and journalists. To be eligible, the nominees needed to be U.S. citizens trained by NASA who first orbited Earth at least 17 years ago.



U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame inductees Michael Lopez-Alegria; Pam Melroy, who currently serves as NASA deputy administrator; and Scott Kelly at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. (NASA/Kim Shiflett)





Michael Lopez-Alegria, Pam Melroy and Scott Kelly pose with their now fellow U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame inductees at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Nov. 13, 2021. (NASA/Kim Shiflett)





The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, as featured in Heroes & Legends at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. (KSCVC)





U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame class of 2020 inductees Pam Melroy (at top left) and Michael Lopez-Alegria (at top right) on board the shuttle Discovery with their STS-92 crewmates, including previous Hall of Fame honoree Brian Duffy (at center bottom). (NASA)





Michael Lopez-Alegria, Pam Melroy and Scott Kelly were the 100th, 101st and 102nd U.S. Astronaut Hall fo Fame inductees. (NASA)



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Senate Bill 884 is strong; under this bill, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and DEEP must spend at least 50% of these investments on communities that DOT and DEEP determine to be overburdened and underserved, which are predominantly populated by people of color. But I believe that it needs to be stronger. The fact is that many cities in Connecticut have a very high level of households without car ownership, such as Hartford (31%), New Haven (30%), Bridgeport (21%), and Waterbury (20%). TCI already promises to invest in public transportation as well as roads. But, in my opinion, I believe it needs to go one step further. I think that this piece of legislation needs to provide assistance with the procurement of hybrid and EV cars. I believe that this can be done by providing low-interest loans from where the funds are being collected and providing grants to anyone interested in trading in older cars for newer fuel-efficient or electric vehicles. Dealerships that take the older vehicles in exchange for fuel-efficient vehicles can be offered tax credit incentives. Although residents account for the least of the pollution, this would get more transportation options on the table for households without cars.
The way weve done things for the past 20 or 30 years has been vastly inefficient and has [created] some of the financial burdens weve found ourselves facing as a town, Osmanu said. In order to right those wrongs and create a more equitable and diverse Hamden that were all proud of, we need to change course. We need to think about new ways to do things and bring in a different outlook.
And while the book is centered on John, Wally and Shannon, its themes are far broader than one plants closing, ranging from the union movement to the manufacturing economy to trade deals and globalization. Stockman notes that NAFTA resulted in a net loss of American jobs, and the greatest job losses were blue-collar workers, resulting in the anger that led many of those workers to vote for Trump after he promised to save their jobs. (In Indianapolis, Rexnord workers earned $25 an hour, plus benefits; In Mexico, $3 an hour and no benefits, the union president told The Los Angeles Times.)
The reason we were able to come through all of this was because of the faith of the people, said Sharon Callahan, building committee chair and trustee. I really do believe God did intervene because we had some challenges that I didnt know how they were going to move out of the way, but it seems like around every corner something would happen to move the roadblocks.
The three worst fights Ive ever witnessed in my entire life happened on my hall within the past four weeks, Connell said. We have kids that are losing family members to COVID, kids that are dealing with death and all kinds of issues. That is playing itself out in our schools.
In October, short filmmaker and a digital marketer from Hyderabad, Sarath Chandra Sasubillis film Domestic Peace won the International Emmy Award in the 1-min-video category called JCS International Young Creatives Award.

Sarath has been sending 1-min videos to the jury every year since 2017, which is when the new category came into existence. The award is designed to discover and foster young talent from around the world while creating a global conversation around peace. In 2021, in his fourth attempt, Saraths short was selected from around 27,000 entries worldwide.

Sarath first got the news after The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences updated it on the website on 01 October. When I saw Emmys official website, I was thrilled, knowing this is an incredible achievement. I was literally speechless and in tears, he adds.

Three people have been selected along with Sarath in the category  Sandra Vazquez from Mexico and Yintao Gong from China. One of the winners of the JCS Young Creatives Competition, Sarath has been invited to attend the 49th International Emmy Awards and Member Events to be held in New York on 21 and 22 November. However, Saraths delight has hit a roadblock because hes been having trouble in getting his visa processed.

Roadblocks ahead

Since the pandemic brought the world to a halt for one-and-half years, the recently reopened US Consulate has been facing an unprecedented surge in requests for visa. And the American Embassy has stopped new emergency visa requests. Unfortunately, my visa is also on hold. I need a B1 (Expedited Visa) Visa for attending such global awards ceremonies, says the disheartened 26-year-old arts and B.Tech graduate from Andhra University, Vizag.

All my documents are clear and all my visa payments are done. My entire trip is planned and booked. This is not a holiday trip, and winning such an award like Emmy will happen only once in a lifetime. And I feel thats being snatched away from me.

With less than a week left for the Emmy award ceremony, the award winner has been pleading with the concerned authorities to process and grant him an Expedite Visa.

Government antipathy

Now, however, Sarath has run out of energy and is exhausted. I made all the calls to the Delhi embassy and got in touch with several others. But Ive not heard from them, so I dont know my fate, laments Sarath. I believe the coming two days are very crucial in my life and I dont want to miss out on something that Ive earned.

Not surprisingly, Sarath is heartbroken as the US had stopped issuing business visas, focusing on work and student visas instead. My hard work has earned me an international award and an opportunity to represent my country, and I feel that the governments are standing between me and my achievement. I havent found any support from my people either. I dont know what to do. Ive called on all government offices, but have got no response from them, he adds. hoping that he will get a Visa soon.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sushmita Sen and Vir Das are other Indians attending the International Emmy Award ceremony for their web series and stand-up comedy show nominations.

THE JCS INTERNATIONAL YOUNG CREATIVES AWARD

The Jury of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences will finalise the top 100 entries through public voting. After that, a jury comprising Hollywood actors and technicians selected three winners.

While anyone can send their short films for being nominated for the awards, this year (2021) the competition, whose theme was Stand Up for Peace  Women & Men United for Change, opened on 30 June 2021 and closed on 08 September 2021.

Sarath decided to approach the theme practically. He believes that if society had to be changed, the change should start at home. So I shot a video showing how children are affected when they see parents fighting at home. Its not only a very embarrassing moment for kids but also a mortifying one for parents when fighting in front of their kids, explains Sarath.

So if parents change, automatically theres peace at home; subsequently, the society is peaceful at large because after all, society is a union of homes.

For the film, Sai Vamsi was the cameraman, while Mohan Kumar and Sanghavi played the roles of the parents.

I never expected my film to get selected but Ive been constantly making films since it is my passion. Ive been sending videos hoping that someday my film might make it to the cut. And here I am, finally, says the spirited youngster who is all ecstatic to go to the US but now has to wait to see what destiny has in store for him.
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai called on former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa amid the opposition allegations that the BJP government was not doing enough to probe the alleged Bitcoin scam.

The two leaders reportedly had a discussion for about 30 minutes late on Friday, sources close to Bommai said.

After his meeting with Yediyurappa, Bommai went to the BJP state headquarters and was closeted with the BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel for more than an hour.

The meetings assume significance as Bommai had recently visited Delhi and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior party leaders, including BJP national president J P Nadda. Soon after the meeting, he told reporters that Modi had asked him not to worry and to work with loyalty and boldness in the interest of the people "and rest everything will be fine." Bommai had paid a two day visit to national capital on Thursday and discussed in detail many issues, especially related to the administrative steps taken in the last 100 days since he took over as Chief Minister of Karnataka.

He had termed his visit to the national capital as successful,saying the Prime Minister was all praise for some of his initiatives during this period.

Soon after his return, senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar rushed to Delhi, which gave rise to speculation.

These meetings were held amid Congress mounting an attack on the Chief Minister for "not initiating proper action" in the alleged Bitcoin scam involving a hacker. Congress leaders have alleged that 'influential politicians' are involved in the scam after officials seized bitcoins worth Rs nine crore from a city based hacker, Srikrishna alias Sriki, who is also accused of hacking into government portals, sourcing drugs through the dark net and paying for it through cryptocurrency.

The party has alleged that the size of the scam could be much bigger because just on two days on December 1, 2020 and April 14, 2021 illegal transactions worth Rs 5,240 crore took place.

The Congress has also wondered why Sriki, has been in custody for more than 100 days on "one pretext or the other", while no proper action was taken against him.

It also demanded to know why the RBI was not informed and assistance of Interpol was not sought.

The party has also demanded a Supreme Court monitored probe as it has international ramifications.
After delivery of vaccines at Haragadde, the drone returned to Chandapura PHC, NAL said adding, the entire mission has covered distance of about 14 km in 20 minutes including delivery of vaccines. (Representational Photo:AFP)

Bengaluru: In a unique demonstration of technological prowess with a human touch, the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) air delivered COVID-19 vaccines through their drone called 'Octacopter' at a primary health centre here on the city outskirts on Saturday.

The Octacopter successfully delivered 50 vials of Covid-19 vaccines along with syringes in a special container from Chandapura PHC to Haragadde PHC, NAL said in a statement.

"CSIR-NAL's octacopter took off at 9.43 am from Chandapura PHC carrying COVID-19 vaccines and delivered it to Haragadde PHC at 9.53 am.

Octacopter flew at an altitude of 300m AGL at a speed of 10 metres per sec and covered an aerial distance of about 7 kms in about 10 minutes," the NAL, a constituent of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), said.

After delivery of vaccines at Haragadde, the drone returned to Chandapura PHC, NAL said adding, the entire mission has covered distance of about 14 km in 20 minutes including delivery of vaccines.

"It usually takes about 30 to 40 minutes to deliver vaccines to Haragadde from Chandapura by road.

The Doctors at PHCs were delighted to witness the demonstration of the fast and safe aerial delivery of vaccines," Dr Manisha of the Karnataka Health Department was quoted as saying.

The medical officers expressed happiness and complimented CSIR-NAL for their societal cause and assured support to continue the joint initiative to remote places in the coming days.

Dr P V Satyanaraya Murthy, Head of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle division, at CSIR-NAL congratulated his team and said the Octacopter was the need of the hour for delivery of vaccines in the remote areas.

"NAL Octacopter is perfectly designed for such a mission which is easy to operate by unskilled operators. NAL has already tied up with private firms for drone manufacturing and offering operational services," NAL quoted Murthy as saying.

It said the Octacopter is an indigenously developed medium class BVLOS multi-copter UAV.

The UAV is made out of light weight carbon fiber foldable structure for ease of transportation and has unique features like autonomous guidance through dual redundant MEMS based digital Autopilot with advanced flight instrumentation systems, the NAL said.

It further said that the Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted conditional permission to CSIR-NAL for conducting BVLOS flight trials on Saturday.

The Octacopter can carry a payload of 15 kg with hovering endurance of 40 minutes. It can fly at an operational altitude of 500 m AGL and at maximum flying speed of 36 kmph.

"Its regulatory compliance includes DGCA-NPNT, Geo fencing and digital sky with 360 degree Collision avoidance making it one of the best UAV in its class. Octacopter developed by NAL can be used for variety of BVLOS applications for last mile delivery like medicines, vaccines, food, postal packets, human organ's etc," the NAL said.
Kolkata: Remembrance Day, originally known as Armistice Day which commemorates the signing of the peace agreement that ended World War I at 11am on 11 November 1918, was observed in Kolkata on Sunday.

A wreath laying ceremony followed by a two-minute silence at 11 am was held at the Cenotaph at the Maidan to pay tribute to the sacrifices of those who had laid down their lives at the war. The solemn event was organised by the British Deputy High Commission.

It was attended by British Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata Nick Low along with officials of the West Bengal government, the Indian Armed Forces, West Bengal and Kolkata Police, Ex-Services Associations, consular corps and War Graves Commission.

Mr Low said, They say a picture can say more than a thousand words. Sometimes a short anecdote can do the same. A few years ago I was organising an overseas visit for a group of British Members of Parliament. The host country had offered an excellent programme in the second week of November. Remembrance Sunday is the second Sunday in November. The leader of the group looked at the programme and the date and shook his head. Nick, its a smashing programme. But thats the one day of the year that all of us must be in our constituencies.

He added in a tweet, We have among us those who have given themselves to the service of their nation. We thank them and we salute them, as we salute those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
The solicitor general was grilled by the court when he told the judges about the bio decomposer machine developed by Indian Council for Agricultural Research, popularly known as Pusa Institute. (PTI)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Saturday directed the Central government to take steps on a war-footing to ensure that the alarming air-pollution in the national capital, heading towards emergency levels, is brought down to breathable level from the prevailing 500-plus points to 200 points while cautioning it to refrain from giving political colour to the issue and blaming stubble burning by farmers for the aggravation in the situation.

At the outset of the hearing as solicitor general Tushar Mehta pointed to the impact of stubble burning on air pollution in Delhi and said that Punjab needs to buckle up, Chief Justice N.V. Ramana, heading a bench also comprising Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice Surya Kant, said, Your contention is that (stubble burning) by the farmers is responsible for pollution in Delhi. Where is the mechanism to curb pollution due to the bursting of the firecrackers, vehicle emission and other factors?

Noting other factors that contribute to the pollution in the national capital, Justice Surya Kant pointed out that they have restricted the bursting of crackers but what was happening in the last seven to eight days. What are the police doing?

We want something to happen and things should improve in two to three days. Call a meeting, take emergency measures to reduce the pollution level. You have to deal with the issue beyond politics and the state governments, Chief Justice Ramana told Mr Mehta and suggested that as a measure some vehicles could be kept off the road, a reminder of the odd-even scheme that was introduced in 2018 and 2019 to bring down the alarming rise in pollution.

What steps can be taken so that pollution comes down from 500 points to 200 points, the court said pointing to the emergency situation and added that the meeting scheduled later in the day on the issue should include chief secretaries of Punjab and Haryana.

On the gravity of the situation, CJI Ramana said, We have been forced to wear masks at home also, the situation is very serious and suggested if Punjab and Haryana could be asked to prohibit stubble burning for two to three days.

Feeling the heat of the courts observations, Mr Mehta in a clarification said that We are not suggesting farmers that the farmers are responsible for pollution and there was no question of giving a political colour to the issue of pollution.

The colour of the political party (in power) does not matter and should not matter but the implementation (of the steps to curb pollution) has to be at the State level, Mr Mehta assured the court and said that the Centre was not looking at the issue with a jaundiced eye.

Besides the Centre, the Kejriwal government too came for a drubbing with Justice Chandrachud questioning the opening of schools and exposing the lungs and lives of little children to air pollution which is on the verge of entering emergency levels. He referred to All India Institute of Medical Sciences director Dr Randeep Guleria saying that first it was Covid, then dengue and now pollution and the schools have been opened.

The solicitor general was grilled by the court when he told the judges about the bio decomposer machine developed by Indian Council for Agricultural Research, popularly known as Pusa Institute. He said that over two lakh such machines are available and can mix stubble with soil which in turn would act as a soil nutrient. He said that the machine is available to the farmers at a subsidised rate.

Justice Chandrachud sought the total capital cost of the machine in four districts in Punjab and Haryana.

Identifying himself and Chief Justice Ramana as people with rural roots, Justice Kant said that the farmers in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh are poor and cant purchase machines. "The land holding is not more than three acres, he said.

On Mr Mehtas submission that stubble can be used for fuel in boilers, thermal power plants (11 thermal power plants have been asked to use stubble as fuel), extraction of oil and fodder for goat and sheep in Rajasthan, the court said that where is a machinery at the ground level to implement it.

On the availability of apparatus to collect stubble on the ground and referring to the late monsoon this year, Justice Chandrachud said that the farmer has a narrow window of 15 days to harvest paddy, remove stubble, plough the fields and sow wheat. He said that the policy framework that has been put in place has to be matched with machinery on the ground to assist the farmers.

Assuring the court that the government will come back with a response to every question, Mr Mehta sought adjournment and the posting of the matter for hearing on Monday (November 15), which the court agreed.
The dialysis centres perform close to 500 sessions per day at a nominal fee of Rs 300 per session, a majority of which benefit BPL families. Representational Image. (DC Image)

HYDERABAD: Minister for health T Harish Rao on Saturday said that the state government would always welcome charitable activities.

He was speaking at an event organised by Bhagwan Mahavir Jain Relief Foundation Trust commemorating its milestone of delivering one million dialysis sessions across their centres in the city. The minister said absence of safe drinking water was a key reason for the rise in kidney-related ailments.

Acknowledging the Covid relief measures extended by the trust, the minister commended the efforts in performing one million dialysis sessions.

It is primarily the governments responsibility to treat kidney patients. But to extend such services is a historic achievement for the trust he said.

P.C. Parikh, chairman of the trust, said the contributions of dialysis centres amounted to saving Rs 125 crore overall. He urged the government to expedite Arogyasri payments.

Earlier, it would take just a months time for the government to disburse funds. Now, we are being made to wait for close to eight months for the same, he added.

Pointing out that Arogyasri costs for various treatments were not revised in ten years, he exhorted the minister to look into the issue.

In his response, Rao assured that the issue would be addressed and resolved soon.

There was a huge demand for dialysis treatment before the formation of Telangana state. From having just three government-run dialysis centres before 2014, we now run 43 centres serving 12,000 kidney patients in the state, he said.

The dialysis centres perform close to 500 sessions per day at a nominal fee of Rs 300 per session, a majority of which benefit BPL families.
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This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices.
Joe Biden is tackling China on several issues like nuclear weapons and even reached an agreement with Xi Jinping, one of the wiliest world leaders today. The past US administration had a difficult time dealing with China, even with the trustworthy wisdom of the former leader.

Many are not so concerned about the White House, but what can Beijing be doing at the negotiation tables so unexpectedly. Many theorists say that the Chinese delegation had outclassed the US in Alaska.

Former President Trump began the conversations with the Communist party, and Beijing was wary of Trump that is not the case now.

Xi sees the wisdom of the Biden administration's policies

Katherine Tai, the US Trade Representative, informed the press that China has allowed concessions to lessen the trade war initiated by the 45th president, Donald Trump, reports the Express UK.

Proponents of the Biden administration are spinning that the People's Republic of China (PRC) is pressured by stopping trade with US producers; Beijing needs the US to enhance its economy based on US sources.

One claim is that Xi Jinping has agreed with Joe Biden's policies from carbon emissions and the ballooning US deficit. Until, this the Chinese leader has allegedly been quiet, cited the Telegraph UK.

Unfortunately, the meeting between the two is raging hot online at Twitter though most would agree that the US leader is not because of confidence by the opposite instead.

Read Also: Joe Biden has Dropped it in Afghanistan; Allies Fear US Fail Against China in the Future

The question remains whether the meeting is worth it when doubt over their sincerity remains. Furthermore, the bluster of Joe Biden is lost because China is needed more, not the opposite. Lastly, bullying China failed, so Washington is back to square one.

China plays significant part in the US economy

Chinese President Xi Jinping, via teleconference of Asian Pacific leaders, told them they should avoid joining any alliance with foreign powers. However, he did not mention Washington explicitly, the AP News reports.

Richard Cobden spurred Britain to go free trade as the way to world peace during the 1830s. According to Norman Angell's idea, mutual trade lessens war as the great illusion until 1914, to the golden era" of Anglo-Chinese relations ten years ago.

Also, free trade is not costly for the UK's security and political policies.

The USSR, during the initial cold war, was only exporting raw materials. China decides on making goods and e-commerce hardware.

Almost 27% of the manufactured goods for sale in America are all Chinese exports, and it is feared that the stoppage of products in ports will last until Thanksgiving's "Black Friday" sales to Christmas. Fears of losing stocks of products will cause a shortage in high-demand goods sold from Walmart or Amazon.

Administration officials are assuring the goods will be plentiful, but no one trusts the White House and is hearing alarms.

This scenario is where Beijing has the advantage and is the real winner despite the spin by the Biden team. For them, it is a make or the White House break. They need to have stuff for Americans to buy because the midterms may be looming dark.

Joe Biden is tackling China, but the communist country is more robust than the US economy, and Washington needs a good as the world opinion has sunk, or one big win if he can convince Xi to stand down on nukes.

Related Article: Political Commentator Criticizes Joe Biden for Leaving Billions of Military Hardware to the Taliban Which is Unfathomably Foreboding for the West

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Experts are says Russia is probing the reaction of the EU as the migrant crisis is testing how far the bloc will go about resolving it. This dilemma added to the energy crisis of EU members and the North Ireland Protocols, and the US hovering over everything.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin is accused of engineering the spiraling situation that targets the bloc, similar to the ongoing natural gas crisis. But this time, he allegedly conspired with Belarusian Dictator Alexander Lukashenko.

According to Professor Richard Butterwick-Pawlikowski, who spoke to a media outlet, the furor over the migrants passing Belarus to reach the Polish border is not getting better, cites the Politico.

Russia found a weak spot, probes the reaction to manipulate the EU

Butterwick-Pawlikowski stressed it was all engineered and also how the Belarus-Poland border crisis is playing out. He added it is all about finding holes to weaken NATO and Europe, reported the Express UK.

Opponents claim that Belarus and Poland are fighting over the actions of Lukashenko, blamed for weaponizing migrants and sending them to overload the Polish border.

Crazy situation on Belarus- #Poland border: Lukashenko Gov. escorted ~ 1000 Middle Eastern refugees today to Polish border to make forced entry into EU.



Theyre now trapped, in frigid temp., with children & military standoff continues: pic.twitter.com/jRB2ASwepC  Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) November 8, 2021

The professor added that the Belarus leader might be more than a tool in causing the chaos at the border engulfing the EU.

He and Putin always had a grudge against the bloc, with the Kremlin's help, he has found a window of opportunity.

Furthermore, sanctions against the dictator made him reliant on the Russian leader, which led the Kremlin to jab the EU more to see what comes next. Russia is probing the reaction of the EU to spot its weak point, and he'll keep on pushing to weaken Brussels.

Read Also: Movement of Russian Armor and Troops to the North Ukraine Border A Reminder to NATO Putin is not Playing Games

EU borders are volatile and Russian gas is a lethal weapon

AFP News Editor Dave Clark spoke to France 24 and said the Brussel shot its own foot, with no shared border policy with member states, that would have managed the border crisis easier.

He added that the team-up would pick away at Brussels, slowly seeing no unity in the EU.

Clark stated the bloc is getting together now, and all blame is on them for this crisis, which Russia and Belarus just saw an opening and dove in.

The bloc underestimated Putin and Lukashenko, to their dismay, relying on natural gas from Russia, and Belarus has put the ball in their hands. He panned that a decade passed without developing an EU border policy that is obvious.

Both Putin and Lukashenko will be bolder as they know borders are exploitable, this is just the start of what enemies can do. It depends on Brussels how to deal with the existing gap and the subsequent push to hamper the union.

It is clear the EU has a border management problem, and it's obvious no mechanism exists to cope with it. Also, gas supplies from non-allies like Russia will starve energy from the bloc if needed.

There is chaos at the Belarus-Poland border, which is how Russia is probing the reaction of the EU, then seeing the weak spots and nibbles at Brussels slowly. The result could render the bloc helpless.

Related Article: Belarus Tells the EU To Shut Up, or Their Gas Supplies Will be Cut Over Accusations About Border Crisis

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Joe Biden's abandonment of Britain in negotiations with the EU takes an abrupt turn by advising UK PM Boris Johnson to reconsider actions regarding the North Ireland Protocol. Once again, the US leader's intervention is another appeasement that has affected one of its closest allies in Europe.

Recently Washington said that the AUKUS deal had caused more trouble in the G20 and COP 26 that placed Aussie PM Scott Morrison on bad terms with France and other EU nations.

Macron was also supported in the fishing dispute with the UK, capping off several times US allies were figuratively thrown on the wayside to make good points allegedly.

EU at odds with Brexit over Northern Ireland

Washington's interference with Brexit shows that its meddling is a grave mistake, saying it can cause instability in the negotiations over North Ireland. An expert says that it is not impossible Downing Street will not tolerate Biden's attitude towards Britain, according to Express UK.

The US Government's Foreign Affairs Committee website released a statement that was not favorable to London. It read that the UK's warning to suspend the agreement with the EU concerning North Ireland.

The US Foreign committee added that the UK should not negate the protocol while in the Brexit negotiation. A case in point is Washington expressly siding with the EU on the matter, and all called the UK disruptive to the island of Ireland, cites iNews.

The Good Friday Agreement

This deal and the broader peace process was a lengthy exercise that built up between the US and the island of Northern Ireland, the UK, Ireland, and other players to implement it. It reflects Joe Biden's abandonment of Britain and favoring the EU in the North Ireland Protocol.

Read Also: Does the Special Relationship Still Hold Between the US President, UK PM After No Agreements Reached in Several Meetings?

Washington bluntly said the United Kingdom could not activate Article 16 of the Irish protocol, and they are against it. And forcing PM Johnson to commit to the agreement with the EU even if hesitant. Biden was criticized earlier for intervening in purely Brexit and EU affairs when he lost Afghanistan, which also bred dissension via the AUKUS deal.

Professor Rob Singh from the University of London at Birkbeck, who knows US foreign policy and politics, said Northern Ireland is important to the US administration.

He alleged that Biden is not against the Britons, mentioning that as a senator, he was on the UK's side during the Falklands wars circa 1982.

Several US politicians favor the Good Friday Agreement that includes both Democrats and Republicans in the upper and lower houses. They will not allow Downing Street to do otherwise.

Lord David Frost, Brexit secretary, has given a prior warning to the EU that Article 16 could be enacted if the talks would slow down further. In this case, the US has not agreed to activate the initiative. He spoke to the House of Lords and asked the European Union's representatives not to blow things out of proportion.

"The protocol is not working."



Brexit Minister Lord Frost says the Northern Ireland protocol is "not doing the thing it was set up to do, to protect the Belfast Good Friday Agreement", adding that it "has to change".



Latest: https://t.co/EpJKmEwo6r pic.twitter.com/bpmIOmu5m8  Sky News (@SkyNews) October 12, 2021

This move got Chancellor Rishi Sunak's backing and stressed it's just a safety mechanism to avoid a trade war with the EU.

A report by the Independent recalled the EU was thinking of ending the North Ireland Protocol when Commissioner Vice-President Maros Sefcovic said the UK might trigger Article 16 and renegotiate.

Washington supported the North Ireland dispute, said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, against the enactment of Article 16.

This would leave PM Boris Johnson shut out and Joe Biden's abandonment of Britain regarding the North Ireland Protocol. It is another low point of the supposed special relationship that might affect the two countries' future.

Related Article: Brexit Minister Tells Joe Biden To Stay Out of Northern Ireland Protocol; Says POTUS Got Own Problems to Solve

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Three dozen legislators are urging the federal government to demand confirmation of complete immunization or a negative coronavirus test to board domestic flights as the Christmas travel season approaches.

Lawmakers are Urging To Have Additional Travel Restrictions

In a letter submitted to President Joe Biden, the new travel limitations would ensure Americans can travel safely to see their loved ones over the holidays while also reducing the household introduction and spread of COVID-19 from visiting family and friends, according to a recently published article in Newsweek.

The drive for stricter regulations comes less than a week after the U.S. amended its international air travel admission rules. Most foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, must be completely vaccinated as of Monday. All passengers aged two and older who have not recently recovered from COVID-19 must demonstrate a negative coronavirus test to enter.

The Democratic lawmakers said that expanding vaccination and testing rules to domestic air travel would strengthen Americans' trust in travel and promote the recovery of the country's tourism and hospitality sectors, as well as benefit public health by forcing more people to get vaccinated, according to a published report in USA Today.

Read Also: Biden Announces New COVID-19 Travel Requirements With Vaccine Mandates for Foreign Visitors, Restrictions for Unvaccinated Americans

Letter Cited a Result of a Poll

The letter cites research from the Kaiser Family Foundation, which revealed that nearly four out of ten persons who stated they wanted to wait and see how the vaccine worked for other people before being vaccinated themselves were more likely to obtain the dose needed to travel on an airline.

The letter, dated Thursday but released Friday, also requests that train and other forms of public transportation safety regulations be modified to reflect new information on how to stop the virus from spreading, according to Press From.

This isn't the first time legislators have attempted to tighten safety regulations for domestic flights. Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, whose name appears on the letter, sponsored the legislation in September that would require all domestic aircraft passengers to be completely vaccinated, fully recovered, or test negative for the coronavirus before boarding.

Some Tourism Industry Chastised the Proposal

Some have questioned vaccination requirements for travelers in the tourist sector. In a statement released on September 13, Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes of the United States Travel Association noted that requiring vaccinations would be "unfair" to families with children who are not eligible for the vaccine.

In a published article in World Fish News, Barnes said, "The science-including studies from the Harvard School of Public Health and the U.S. Department of Defense-overwhelmingly points to the safety of air travel as long as masks are worn. And with the federal mask mandate for all forms of public transportation and U.S. airports extended through January 2022, proper tools are already in place to enable safe air travel for Americans."

Meanwhile, Gypsyamber D'Souza, an epidemiology professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told a news outlet that she expects an increase in cases in the coming months but that widespread vaccination will keep the outbreak from being as serious as it was in 2020.

Related Article: U.S. To Ease Travel Restrictions For Fully Vaccinated Passengers From Selected Countries

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Cryptocurrencies have reached record-highs this month, owing to rising interest among mainstream investors.

Bitcoin, the world's largest cryptocurrency, skyrocketed to its new all-time high of about $70,000 per coin the past week. It has soared around 125 percent this year, showing immense might as more investors get into the crypto craze without having bought the coins outright.

Ethereum, on the other hand, also hit a record $4,851 over the week, rising 560 per.cent year-on-year, due to its expanding use cases from smart contracts to non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Analysts Bullish About Crypto Market Through 2022

Because of this, many analysts are bullish about these leading digital tokens and the crypto market in general, which they emphasize will continue its rapid growth towards the end of 2021.

Read Also: Biggest Cryptocurrencies Drop, Shiba Inu Bulls: Paris Bistro Accepting This New Meme Coin

But for Blockchain.com founder Peter Smith told Yahoo! Finance that this incredible growth will continue through 2022, where more competition in the industry is set to emerge.

Next year, Smith said, will see the crypto space "get into a harder, more competitive environment," which is "going to be net good for the market" as this would allow investors to separate "the good from the bad."

Smith said the market is expected to gravitate towards cryptos experiencing the highest growth from a usage point of view than merely an investment perspective. This would allow investors to differentiate "momentum machines" from crypto assets with "real technical value."

Smith also cited that institutions are starting to look beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum in their investment decisions. He noted that volume and flow among institutional business at present seem to reach beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. This happened at a faster pace than expected - a trend that would "impact prices."

Other Cryptocurrencies to Invest in 2022 Aside from Bitcoin and Ethereum

With Ethereum's surge due to rising decentralized finance (DeFi) apps, other players carrying DeFi in their blockchains are also steadily soaring. A good option to invest is in Solana, which has also skyrocketed in value since the start of 2021. The coin had once been considered as an "Ethereum killer" but achieving that seems unlikely. Yet, Solana is among the top cryptocurrencies by market capitalization due to its usability.

Similar tokens that have been in the green recently and are also seen to achieve surges next year are smart-contract giants Cardano and Polkadot. Cardano has gone up 1,000 percent this year, particularly with its similar usability and sustainability as a digital token, Analytics Insight noted. It also unleashed a smart contract feature that led to its lofty $3 price recently. Polkadot is another good option next year having rallied immensely in recent days with its parachains assuring interoperability, scalability, and security. Use cases include transactions and finance, file storage, and identity verification, Business Insider reported.

Binance Coin is also a wise investment choice next year, being the largest cryptocurrency by volume traded, Investing Cube posted. With a cap of 200 million BNB tokens, they are "burned" to reduce supply and stabilize value over time. It has also achieved a surge the past week due to mainly its strong ecosystem growth, leading investors to become increasingly bullish in the coming year.

Related Article: What Does the Future Hold for the World of Cryptocurrency?
gettyimagesbank



By Yoon Ja-young



Getting rid of precarious, irregular jobs was one of the key pledges of President Moon Jae-in to address social inequality in the form of dualism in the labor market  the gap between high-paid, well-protected regular employees, and low-paid, irregular ones with unstable working conditions.



Starting from pressuring state-run companies to give contract workers regular positions, despite fairness issues, the administration has kept "zero irregular workers" at the top of its employment agenda. As of June, a total of 196,000 irregular workers in the public sector had gained regular status.



With only a few months left before Moon leaves office, however, the number of irregular employees  including temporary, contract, part-time and outsourced workers  has surged to a record high, as experts say the government's short-sighted employment policy has brought about the completely opposite outcome to the promised results  just as its housing policy did.



Record-high number of irregular workers



According to the latest data released by Statistics Korea, there were 8.07 million irregular workers this year, up 640,000 from 2020. This is the first time for the number to surpass the 8 million mark since 2003 when the government started compiling this type of employment data, though the agency says figures prior to 2019 are not directly comparable because they were compiled differently.



Now, four out of 10 salaried workers here are classified as having irregular jobs. However, the government says the situation is not as bad as it seems, stressing that major indices related to working conditions, such as average monthly wage and social insurance coverage, have improved for irregular workers.



Still, it is undeniable that the administration's "zero irregular jobs" initiative has failed. Under Moon's leadership, the portion of irregular workers in Korea grew to be the second-highest among OECD member nations; only trailing Colombia as of 2020. In 2017, Korea was ranked eighth.



The government has explained that COVID-19 is one of the reasons for surging irregular employment, alongside population aging as senior citizens tend to only seek short-term or part-time jobs.



But some experts have other explanations.



"The government would of course blame COVID-19, but fundamentally, it is a failure of the administration's economic and employment policies," said Rep. Yoo Gyeong-joon of main opposition People Power Party, who previously headed Statistics Korea.



He said the problem started with the administration's "income-led growth" strategy, in which the minimum wage was raised to theoretically trigger consumption, thus pulling up economic growth.



"In 2019, the economy was not in good shape due to the conflict with China over the deployment of a U.S. THAAD missile battery, as well as the restructuring of the manufacturing and shipbuilding sectors. The minimum hourly wage, however, was de facto pulled up to above 10,000 won when including weekly holiday allowances, which was unsustainable for the economy. It ended up decreasing decent [regular] jobs while increasing irregular jobs," he said.



Unsustainable policy




Containers of urea solution arrive at a filling station in Busan, Nov. 11. Yonhap



Truck driver Kim Jeong-seok had never imagined that urea solution, normally a cheap and easy-to-buy item used in his diesel vehicle, would slip out of his reach, creating a scarcity that has threatened his livelihood and exposed vulnerabilities in South Korea's supply chain.



The shortage of urea solution  the first of its kind in South Korea  has prompted truck drivers to queue up at gas stations in many parts of the country to buy the diesel exhaust fluid used to reduce emissions in diesel vehicles.



"I am running out of the fluid, but even finding some at the current price level is far from easy," Kim complained. "I and many of my colleagues are on the verge of stopping our trucks. My everything, including my three children, hangs on this."



The situation highlighted supply chain vulnerabilities in South Korea, which has long relied heavily on China for urea and other key industrial materials.



South Korea said 97.6 percent of its urea imports came from China in the first nine months of this year, up from 88 percent in 2020.



China has not yet lifted restrictions imposed on urea since mid-October, as a short supply of coal, from which urea is extracted, has led to an energy crisis. Beijing recently said it will go ahead with inspection processes on 18,700 tons of urea for export to South Korea.



China has suffered shortages of coal since it banned imports of Australian coal in 2020 in retaliation for Australia's joining of the Quad, the U.S.-led regional forum largely seen as an anti-China grouping.



Another truck driver, surnamed Lee, said he bought urea solution after waiting for about three hours.



"I am quite relieved now," he said. "But the amount is still for two weeks of use. If I am forced to stop my car and fail to keep up monthly installation for my truck, it will be seized and put up for auction."



South Korea airlifted 27,000 liters of urea solution from Australia on Thursday in a series of frantic efforts to avert a logistics crisis.



The government said it plans to also import urea and its solution from Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and other nations, a move that will double South Korea's current two-and-a half month inventory to a more than five-month stockpile.



Last year, South Korea imported 80,000 tons of urea, an amount sufficient to produce around 240 million liters of urea solution for diesel cars. The country needs 600,000 liters of urea solution per day.



South Korea has also placed emergency controls on production and provisions of urea solution while cutting import tariffs.









Experts have warned that the supply crunch could not only deal a blow to the logistics industry but have far-reaching implications on the economic recovery from the pandemic.



A recent poll conducted by the Korea Confederation of Trade Unions showed 32.4 percent of 253 construction workers said that they have not been able to operate their equipment due to supply shortage of urea solution.



The agricultural sector has also experienced shortages of urea-based fertilizers and the solution for agricultural machinery amid soaring prices.



The import unit price of agriculture-use urea more than tripled to over $1,000 per ton this month from the end of last year, according to the country's fertilizer association.



"Any logistics disruptions will affect overall manufacturing and production sectors, which could deal a further blow to exports. If such a shortage continues, it could also push up prices and hurt consumer confidence," Jung Kyu-Chul, an official of the state-run Korea Development Institute, said.



Adding to the woes is the reality that urea is not the only item that has a single-source supply chain, and there have been ample warning signs of shortages.



South Korea imported more than 3,900 out of 12,586 products, or 31 percent of its total import items, from a handful of countries, such as the United States, Japan and Germany, in the first nine months of this year, according to data by the Korea International Trade Association.



South Korea relied on China for imports of 1,850 out of 3,900 items, including several key industrial-use materials, such as magnesium, lithium hydroxide and rare earth elements.



"As we've already experienced through Japan's export restrictions, heavy dependence on specific nations can make our economy quite vulnerable. Even natural disasters or a pandemic in certain regions could cause supply disruptions and affect our industry as a whole," Yeon Won-ho, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, said.





President Moon Jae-in
Ruling Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, right, shakes hands with U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff during their meeting at the party's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Friday. Joint Press Corps



Lee stresses pragmatism; Yoon highlights stronger ties with US



By Nam Hyun-woo



The rival presidential candidates of the nation's two major parties have made their first diplomatic moves, dropping hints of their foreign policies concerning the deepening U.S.-China competition and soured Korea-Japan relations.



Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) showcased his idea of developing the current Moon Jae-in administration's balancing act between Washington and Beijing. On the other hand, Yoon Seok-youl of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) showed a stance leaning toward the U.S., stressing the need for Korea to join U.S.-led forums which are believed to be aimed at containing China.



During his meeting with U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, Friday, Lee said that Korea was annexed by Japan because the U.S. approved it through the Taft-Katsura agreement and, "In the end, it is an undeniable fact that Korea, which was the victim of the war (World War II), was divided, not Japan. And this later became the cause of the Korean War."



The Taft-Katsura agreement is a 1905 pact in which the U.S. condoned Japanese rule over Korea, while Japan acknowledged the U.S. governing over the Philippines.



But Lee also said that South Korea was able emerge from the Korean War to become an economically developed nation due to support from the U.S., adding that "Behind this huge, great castle, there may be some small shadows."



DPK lawmaker Rep. Kim Han-jung, an aide to Lee, later explained that Lee mentioned the agreement because Ossoff is known to have a keen interest in the history between Korea and Japan, but the remark faced criticism from the PPP that Lee's diplomacy will "worsen Korea's diplomatic relations and cause a serious rift in the South Korea-U.S. alliance."



On Friday, Lee also met U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink and Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming, and demonstrated a balancing act between the two.



During the meeting with Kritenbrink, Lee said that he believes the South Korea-U.S. alliance should be "elevated and developed reasonably" to become "an economic alliance and global partnership."



While meeting with Xing, Lee focused on the two countries' trade partnership, saying that the economic cooperation and reliance that the two countries have on each other will deepen and expand in the future. He added that peace on the Korean Peninsula and the North Korean nuclear program are "complex issues in which everyone has a common interest," and thus, the two countries should cooperate to find rational solutions.









The move is interpreted as Lee maintaining President Moon's diplomatic strategy of seeking closer ties with the U.S. for national security while partnering with China for economic benefits. Lee's camp describes this method as "pragmatic diplomacy," with Lee saying that there is no need for Korea to limit its diplomatic leeway by picking only one side.





Main opposition People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Seok-youl speaks during a press conference hosted by the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul, Friday. Joint Press Corps
Lee Jae-myung, left, presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a town hall meeting at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering on Geoje Island in South Gyeongsang Province, Sunday. Yonhap



By Kwon Mee-yoo



The ruling Democratic Party of Korea is moving to woo minor left-wing opposition parties, apparently seeking a potential "liberal big tent" for a single candidate in next March's presidential election.



Its move reflects the DPKs urgent need for a breakthrough, as recent public opinion polls show its candidate Lee Jae-myung trailing behind the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) candidate Yoon Seok-youl and the public support gap between them is widening.



One such move is Lee's suggestion to revise the law to prevent parties from creating "satellite parties" to win more seats in general elections, which caused a stir in the latest legislative elections in April last year.



In late 2019, the DPK partnered with four minor parties and passed the new electoral system which was aimed at giving underrepresented smaller parties more chances to win in the proportional representation vote. But the two major parties  the United Future Party, a predecessor of the PPP, and the DPK  created "paper parties," and these satellite parties took about three quarters of the proportional representation seats and later merged with the major parties. This dealt a severe blow to the "real" minor parties including the progressive Justice Party and the liberal Open Minjoo Party.



According to the DPK's election committee spokesperson Park Chan-dae, Lee apologized on behalf of the ruling party for creating satellite parties at the time, saying their creation failed to live up to the purpose of the new electoral system.









"The DPK, which claims to advocate reform, joined the satellite party creation move to get several more National Assembly seats, taking away chances for minor parties and thus failing to reflect diverse political opinions of the public," Lee was quoted as saying by Park.



Lee's move to embrace minor parties comes as he was neck and neck with the PPP candidate, and has been more recently losing to Yoon. According to the latest poll by Korea Society Opinion Institute, Friday, Yoon took the lead with a 43 percent support rate over Lee's 31.2 percent.



Lee has to join hands with minor liberal parties to form a "liberal big tent" to win the presidential election, and the satellite party prevention law is a conciliatory gesture to the minor parties.





Rep. Sim Sang-jeung, presidential candidate of the Justice Party, briefs on a roadmap to the four-day workweek and the new labor law at the Chun Tae-il Foundation in central Seoul, Friday, commemorating the 51st anniversary of the labor activist Chun's death. Yonhap
By Kim Ae-ran





"Hodie mihi, cras tibi!" It is a catchphrase written in front of a cemetery in Rome. It means that "Today me, tomorrow you!" This catchphrase reminds us of "Memento mori!" which means "Remember that you have to die!"



We are not alone at all. We are all related to one another. The past is led to the present and further to the future. In many ways, we are linked to one another without end. COVID-19 also reveals that all of us in the world are closely connected to one another.



Every year, Catholics celebrate the first day of November as "All Saints Day" and the second day as "All Souls Day." Saints and the faithfully departed are people of the past, but they are still in our memory beyond time and space.



Thus, we pray for the eternal peace of all death, especially for the purification of those who are suffering in purgatory. Praying for one another is such a beautiful and meaningful thing to do.



As autumn reveals the signs of departure, separation, initiation and death as in the colorful fallen leaves, we regard November as the month of the dead. In front of impending death, we are inspired much by the lives of those departed, especially by the lives of the saints.



The most inspiring wisdom from them would be about true happiness. Struggling and facing challenges in the midst of the limits of our present lives, we sincerely aspire to be happy while constantly looking for happiness.



What is happiness and how can we find it? What does it mean to be happy? What is the secret of happiness? How can we live by the blessed words of God in our daily lives? These are some of the questions we put forward to be truly happy in spite of hardship and crisis due to natural disasters.



"The Saints' Guide to Happiness: Everyday Wisdom from the Lives of the Saints" by Robert Ellsberg was first published in 2005 to give an answer to our questions on happiness. The Korean translation was introduced by Korea's Pauline order in 2007.



Reading the lives of the biblical figures such as Abraham and Paul, the lives of the Saints such as Augustine, Francis of Assisi, Teresa of Avila, Teresa of Lisieux, and Mother Teresa of Calcutta, as well as some of the figures of wisdom such as Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, and Dorothy Day, Ellsberg draws out useful, practical, and inspiring lessons from their lives. By weaving scriptural passages into his narrative description of how saints lived their lives and what they said about it, he tries to connect scripture to life.



Saints share with us that human misery (tragedy or crisis) is not an obstacle to happiness but a bridge to reach out the helping hand of God. Thus, saints help us to know how to be awakened, how to let go of things, how to work, how to remain in calmness, how to love, how to endure suffering, how to see, and how to die.



The key point of the lives of the saints is that the life and the condition given to us here and now are ultimately the way to happiness and holiness, no matter how painful the present life is. Heaven is not something far away from us. Heaven is here and now.





The author is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul (fsp.pauline.or.kr.) living and giving the Good News to the world by means of social communication.


By Kim Sung-woo





Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) principle is one of the most popular buzz phrases in South Korea these days. Various topics including not only the environment, energy and social responsibility issues that represent the traditional "E" and "S" factors, but also any and all issues related to sustainable business, such as ethical management, impact investing, creating shared value (CSV), human rights and safety issues appear to have been absorbed into the vast black hole of ESG.



Certain companies are even changing their organization and project names to include ESG in them. The wide popularity of ESG, however, raises a concern that its essence may get overlooked.



The essence of ESG is to secure sustainability in response to various stakeholders' demands. Investors (or other stakeholders) evaluate target companies and demand improvement. The nonfinancial aspect of this evaluation-and-demand process is what constitutes the ESG principles.



The demand is made in various forms and shapes: from exercising voting rights as shareholders, to sending an annual letter to the company's board to take more aggressive measures such as litigations, and to the withdrawal of investment.



As of last September, about 4,500 multinational corporations declared their efforts to achieve carbon neutrality along with the UN. One of the backgrounds of the companies undertaking such an initiative was the ESG demand from Climate Action 100+, an association formed by 617 global investors who operate $60 trillion worldwide. With respect to 167 companies, the association called for (i) setting a target related to climate change, (ii) transparent disclosure of how they incorporate climate change into their business, and (iii) the particular roles of their boards of directors.



On May 26, 2021, a major U.S. petroleum company elected at its shareholders' meeting three outside directors who were recommended by Engine No. 1, an activist hedge fund in the U.S. The hedge fund recommended the outside directors to the company for the purpose of enhancing the company's response to climate change.



This case demonstrates an example where a company responded to minor shareholders' demand to implement a more rigorous target to reduce greenhouse gas and pursue a transition to a business model that suits a low-carbon emission society.



Why would an investor care about ESG principles? It's because fulfilling ESG values brings profits that are sustainable in the long term. To illustrate, if companies are required to reduce their carbon emissions, pursuant to the 2015 Paris Agreement participated in by 195 countries, one-third of petroleum companies' oil reserves must stay underground.



As oil companies' value directly correlates to their oil reserves, this situation means that about one-fifth of their total market cap will disappear. Investing in a so-called "stranded asset" is detrimental to an investor's bottom line. Having seen more than a 70-percent plunge in the valuation of coal companies over the past ten years, investors around the world are concerned about such phenomenon spreading to other industries.



Blackrock, one of the largest asset management companies in the world, began to make specific demands with respect to the companies in its portfolio to consider environmental issues. Last year, Blackrock announced that it would stop investing (directly and indirectly) in companies raising more than 25 percent of their revenue from power generation based on fossil fuels and the coal industry and called for the disclosure of this figure, aligned with the framework proposed by the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD).



Early this year, Blackrock made an even more ambitious demand to companies in its portfolio: to disclose a detailed plan on how they will make their business model compatible to a decarbonized economy by 2050.



Companies will increasingly receive ESG-related demands. First of all, they will be asked to make transparent disclosures of ESG-related information. If a company does not make the proper disclosure, stakeholders may stumble on information produced by a third party and make an investment decision in a way that is not intended by the company.



Next, companies will be asked to monitor whether the information they disclosed reflects how they are actually run and accounts for any discrepancies between the two. (Stakeholders are paying particular attention to so-called "greenwashing" problems.) Lastly, the final decision-makers of the company, such as the CEO or board of directors, will be asked to take the lead in integrating ESG standards into the company's business model.



This is because ESG criteria cover a broad array of issues that cannot be handled by a single department, and it is natural that the top management, who are responsible for the internal management of the company, take control in deciding how to distribute resources within the company to ensure the fulfillment of ESG management practices and enhance the sustainability of the business.



About a year ago, I spoke about ESG at the Asian Leadership Conference. The conference, after sharing various insights with experts from around the world, reached the conclusion that the "nonfinancial is more financial." While ESG is garnering so much popularity these days, it is equally crucial to think about what its essence is. Responding to the demand for ESG practices  which are nonfinancial in nature  could be in fact even more financially beneficial and enhance business sustainability.





Kim Sung-woo is head of the Environment & Energy Research Institute at law firm Kim & Chang.


Nations compromise over climate change



The U.N. climate summit came to a close with a compromise deal to curb global warming Saturday after more than two weeks of intense negotiations in Glasgow, Scotland. Yet the deal fell short of meeting high expectations about prompt and decisive action against climate change.



The outcome of the summit, officially called the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), is the Glasgow Climate Pact which was adopted by almost 200 nations. The deal has reconfirmed their commitment to limit the Earth's warming to within 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels as was set in the 2015 Paris Agreement. The pact is meaningful, given that it has managed to keep alive hopes of saving our planet from catastrophic climate change.



Negotiators have made some progress on key issues, including the agreed rules for carbon markets. But they have failed to make the summit a success due to wide differences over each country's emissions reduction targets and who will pay the bill. Developing countries called for more financial assistance from developed countries. Yet, the U.S. and other industrialized countries were still reluctant to shoulder the burden.



The tone of the deal was well reflected in remarks by COP26 President Alok Sharma. He said, "I think today we can say with credibility that we've kept 1.5 (degrees Celsius) within reach. But its pulse is weak, and we will only survive if we keep our promises." In a word, the Glasgow pact is not good enough to tackle climate change effectively.



For that reason, it is natural to express disappointment at the results of the summit. World leaders should keep in mind that kicking the can down the road cannot not be a solution to the looming climate crisis. Some may say that having an insufficient deal is better than nothing at all. But a failure to take urgent and decisive action now could speed up global warming and thus end up losing the last chance to avert catastrophe.



One of many disappointing developments was India's strong opposition to a draft provision to "phase out" coal, the single biggest source of carbon emissions. The expression was changed to "phase down" in the final agreement. The change seemed inevitable to save the deal. But it could undermine international efforts to cut emissions drastically and achieve carbon neutrality sooner than later.



It is also regrettable that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend the summit. More seriously, China, the world's largest emitter, presented a plan to realize a net-zero goal by 2060, a decade later than many other countries' target year of 2050. Russia even delayed it to 2070.



Nevertheless, the world should not give up its fight against climate change. The Glasgow deal is only the start of the implementation of emissions reduction commitments. All the countries, developing and developed, need to overcome pessimism and iron out differences to make joint efforts to save the Earth. Now is the time to take action  much bolder and more concrete action  before it is too late.


Courtesy of Elif Ayiter



By David A. Tizzard




gettyimagesbank



This article is the 22nd in a series about Koreans adopted abroad. Apparently, many Koreans never expected that the children who were sent away via adoption would return as adults with questions demanding to be answered. However, thousands of adoptees visit Korea each year. Once they rediscover this country, it becomes a turning point in their lives. We should embrace the dialogue with adoptees to discover the path to recovering our collective humanity.  ED.



By Kate Powers








Lee Jae-yong, the de facto chief of Samsung Group, embarked on a business trip to North America on Sunday reportedly aimed at finalizing a project to build a new U.S. chip plant and holding talks over COVID-19 vaccines with Moderna Inc.







According to industry sources, Lee is scheduled to first visit Samsung's artificial intelligence (AI) research center in Toronto and then travel to the U.S. to finalize the company's 20 trillion won (US$17 billion) project to build its new semiconductor plant.







Samsung has been weighing the cities of Taylor and Austin, Texas, for its chip plant site.







Lee is also expected to meet with leading figures in the U.S. semiconductor and information technology sectors as part of efforts to strengthen Samsung's global network.







He also plans to visit Boston to meet with executives at Moderna, the U.S. pharmaceutical company that has partnered with Samsung Biologics Co. to manufacture COVID-19 vaccines in South Korea, to discuss vaccine supply issues.







Before his departure from Seoul Gimpo Business Aviation Center, the vice chairman told reporters that he "plans to meet with various U.S. partners" when asked of his plans related to Samsung's foundry investment decision.







Lee sidestepped questions on whether he plans to deliver the company's opinion to U.S. officials in connection to the Department of Commerce's request that major chipmakers "voluntarily" submit business information to "increase supply chain transparency."







It marks Lee's first international trip since his release on parole in August. He was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison on Jan. 18 in a retrial of a bribery case involving former President Park Geun-hye.







It also represents Lee's first U.S. trip in five years and his first international one since visiting Vietnam in October last year. (Yonhap)


Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong listens to a reporter's question at Gimpo International Airport in Seoul before his scheduled trip to Canada and the United States, Sunday. Yonhap



By Kim Yoo-chul



Samsung Electronics chief Lee Jae-yong flew to the U.S., Sunday, shortly after partially complying with a data request by the U.S. Department of Commerce to help ease the global semiconductor shortage. Lee will also visit Samsung's research facility in Canada, but spend most of his time in the United States.



The central question is how Lee will respond to the U.S. request for increased semiconductor supply, as Washington officials are anxious to get supply chains moving again. As a result, the U.S. could see an early recovery of its service-driven economy. However, an increased semiconductor supply could drag down Samsung's profits.



The U.S. Department of Commerce is focused on increasing semiconductor production, given the continued lack of products installed with chips, including vehicles and medical equipment. The Samsung chief is set to be briefed over the details of the situation and pressed to explore the best possible ways to work closely with Washington officials to jointly resolve the supply shortage issue, said officials.



Within the context and Washington's sense of urgency to get its manufacturing sector back on normal track, Samsung Electronics is set to finalize its planned $17 billion semiconductor investment plan in the U.S. state of Texas before Lee returns to Korea.



"Samsung's scheduled investment plan in Texas is aimed at ramping up its production of foundry (contract-based) chips. However, because the U.S. government wants to see visible improvement from next year in the semiconductor supply chain, Samsung's soon-to-be-finalized investment plan could include its temporary plans to produce chips vital to the U.S. manufacturing and service industries and an early start of the new factory," a senior executive involved with the matter said by telephone.





U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo listens as President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Nov. 12. AP-Yonhap
A truck in Seoul carries a message, May 14, urging punishment for Coupang that allegedly killed its worker from overworking. Korea Times file



By Kim Jae-heun



Profitability has been a major concern for Coupang since its New York listing, as Wall Street investors have been dissatisfied by its snowballing debt caused by a rapid expansion in operations.



Coupang's core business model looks appealing, because it is positioned to benefit from the "network effect," in which the value of a product or platform increases due to the rising number of customers which causes the network itself to grow.



At the time of its New York listing, Coupang's stock price surpassed $60 briefly. However, the shares have been trading below $30 in recent months. That shows its focus on maximizing its market share and corporate size, rather than net income and operating margins, has been ineffective at least in the eyes of investors.



Some industry insiders even advised Coupang to rethink its growth-focused business strategy and pay more attention to improving profitability. They recommended that Coupang stop building new warehouses at major logistics spots.



Coupang's rapid expansion even led to forecasts that it could compete with existing retail giants, such as Lotte and Shinsegae, after its New York listing in March of this year.



However, what's more of a concern is that Coupang has been grappling with labor issues. Seven Coupang employees and two from its subcontractors have died of cardiovascular ailments, according to news reports. The Committee for Coupang Workers' Human Rights and Health alleged that five of the nine workplace fatalities were due to overworking.





Firefighters walk out of Coupang's fulfillment center in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, where a fire broke out in June. Yonhap
Smoke rises from a coal-powered steel plant at Hehal village near Ranchi in eastern state of Jharkhand, India, Sept. 26. AP-Yonhap



Almost 200 nations accepted a compromise deal Saturday aimed at keeping a key global warming target alive, but it contained a last-minute change that watered down crucial language about coal.



Several countries, including small island states, said they were deeply disappointed by the change promoted by India to ''phase down,'' rather than ''phase out'' coal power, the single biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions.



''Our fragile planet is hanging by a thread,'' United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement. ''We are still knocking on the door of climate catastrophe.''



Nation after nation had complained after two weeks of U.N. climate talks in Glasgow, Scotland, about how the deal did not go far or fast enough. But they said it was better than nothing and provided incremental progress, if not success.



In the end, the summit broke ground by singling out coal, however weakly, by setting the rules for international trading of carbon credits, and by telling big polluters to come back next year with improved pledges for cutting emissions.



But domestic priorities both political and economic again kept nations from committing to the fast, big cuts that scientists say are needed to keep warming below dangerous levels which would produce extreme weather and rising seas capable of erasing some island nations.





In this Nov. 11 file photo, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres speaks during an plenary session at the COP26 U.N. Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland. AFP-Yonhap



Ahead of the Glasgow talks, the United Nations had set three criteria for success, and none of them were achieved. The U.N.'s criteria included pledges to cut carbon dioxide emissions in half by 2030, $100 billion in financial aid from rich nations to poor, and ensuring that half of that money went to helping the developing world adapt to the worst effects of climate change.



''We did not achieve these goals at this conference,'' Guterres said. ''But we have some building blocks for progress.''



Swiss environment minister Simonetta Sommaruga said the change will make it harder to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial times  the more stringent threshold set in the 2015 Paris Agreement.



U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said governments had no choice but to accept India's coal language change: ''If we hadn't done that we wouldn't have had an agreement.''



But he insisted the deal was good news for the world.



''We are in fact closer than we have ever been before to avoiding climate chaos and securing cleaning air, safer water and healthier planet,'' he said later at a news conference.





Indian minister for Environment and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav attends a stocktaking plenary session at the COP26 U.N. Climate Summit in Glasgow, Scotland, Nov. 13. AP-Yonhap



Many other nations and climate campaigners criticized India for making demands that weakened the final agreement.



''India's last-minute change to the language to phase down but not phase out coal is quite shocking,'' said Australian climate scientist Bill Hare, who tracks world emission pledges for the science-based Climate Action Tracker. ''India has long been a blocker on climate action, but I have never seen it done so publicly.''



Others approached the deal from a more positive perspective. In addition to the revised coal language, the Glasgow Climate Pact included enough financial incentives to almost satisfy poorer nations and solved a long-standing problem to pave the way for carbon trading.



The agreement also says big carbon polluting nations have to come back and submit stronger emission cutting pledges by the end of 2022.



Negotiators said the deal preserved, albeit barely, the overarching goal of limiting Earth's warming by the end of the century to 1.5 degrees. The planet has already warmed 1.1 degrees Celsius (2 degrees Fahrenheit) compared to preindustrial times.



Governments used the word ''progress'' more than 20 times Saturday, but rarely used the word ''success'' and then mostly in that they've reached a conclusion, not about the details in the agreement. Conference President Alok Sharma said the deal drives ''progress on coal, cars, cash and trees'' and is ''something meaningful for our people and our planet.''





Delegates from different countries pose on stage in the plenary room at the COP26 U.N. Climate Summit in Glasgow, Scotland, Nov. 13. AP-Yonhap



Environmental activists were measured in their not-quite-glowing assessments, issued before India's last minute change.



''It's meek, it's weak and the 1.5 C goal is only just alive, but a signal has been sent that the era of coal is ending. And that matters,'' said Greenpeace International Executive Director Jennifer Morgan, a veteran of the U.N. climate talks known as the Conferences of Parties.



Former Irish President Mary Robinson, speaking for a group of retired leaders called The Elders, said the pact represents : the pact represents ''some progress, but nowhere near enough to avoid climate disaster....People will see this as a historically shameful dereliction of duty.''



Indian Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav argued against a provision on phasing out coal, saying that developing countries were ''entitled to the responsible use of fossil fuels.''



Yadav blamed ''unsustainable lifestyles and wasteful consumption patterns'' in rich countries for causing global warming.



After Yadav first raised the specter of changing the coal language, a frustrated European Union Vice President Frans Timmermans, the 27-nation EU's climate envoy, begged negotiators to be united for future generations.



''For heaven's sake, don't kill this moment,'' Timmermans pleaded. ''Please embrace this text so that we bring hope to the hearts of our children and grandchildren.''



Helen Mountford, vice president of the World Resources Institute think tank, said India's demand may not matter as much as feared because the economics of cheaper, renewable fuel is making coal increasingly obsolete.



''Coal is dead. Coal is being phased out,'' Mountford said. ''It's a shame that they watered it down.''



Kerry and several other negotiators said that good compromises leave everyone slightly unsatisfied and that countries had more work ahead of them over the coming years.



''Paris built the arena and Glasgow starts the race,'' the veteran U.S. diplomat said. ''And tonight the starting gun was fired.''





An excavator loads coal onto a train in Pingdingshan, Henan province, China, Nov. 4. Reuters-Yonhap
Security forces arrive to Litoral Penitentiary the morning after riots broke out inside the prison in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Nov. 13. AP-Yonhap



A prolonged gunbattle between rival gangs inside Ecuador's largest prison killed at least 68 inmates and wounded 25 on Saturday, while authorities said it took most of the day to regain control at the Litoral Penitentiary, which recently saw the country's worst prison bloodbath.



The killing erupted before dawn at the prison in the coastal city of Guayaquil in what officials said was the latest outbreak of fighting among prison gangs linked to international drug cartels. Videos circulating on social media showed bodies, some burned, lying on the ground inside the prison.



The shooting lasted around eight hours, officials said, and then new clashes were reported in part of the prison in the afternoon.



Presidential spokesman Carlos Jijon finally announced after nightfall that ''the situation is controlled throughout the penitentiary.'' He said about 900 police officers had taken control of the situation.



In the initial fighting, inmates ''tried to dynamite a wall to get into Pavilion 2 to carry out a massacre. They also burned mattresses to try to to drown (their rivals) in smoke,'' said the governor of Guayas province, Pablo Arosemena.



''We are fighting against drug trafficking,'' Arosemena said. ''It is very hard.''





An ambulance leaves the Litoral penitentiary the morning after riots broke out inside the prison in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Nov. 13. AP-Yonhap



The bloodshed came less than two months after fighting among gangs killed 119 people at the prison, which houses more than 8,000 inmates.



Police commander Gen. Tanya Varela said early in the day that drones flown over the chaos revealed that inmates in three pavilions were armed with guns and explosives. Authorities have said that weapons and ammunition are smuggled into prisoners through vehicles that deliver supplies and sometimes by drones.



The prison violence comes amid a national state of emergency decreed by President Guillermo Lasso in October that empowers security forces to fight drug trafficking and other crimes.



On Saturday, Lasso tweeted that ''the first right that we should guarantee should be the right to life and liberty, which isn't possible if security forces can't act to protect.'' He was referring the Constitutional Court's recent refusal to allow the military into prisons despite the state of emergency. Soldiers are currently outside the Litoral.



Ecuador's penitentiaries are seeing a wave of brutal violence.



The bloody fighting inside Litoral prison that killed 119 inmates in late September was described by authorities as the South American country's worst ever prison massacre. Officials said at least five of the dead were beheaded. Last February, 79 inmates were killed in simultaneous riots in various prisons. So far this year, more than 300 prisoners have died in clashes in penitentiaries across Ecuador.





People react outside the judicial police station after prisoners were killed and injured in overnight violence at Penitenciaria del Litoral prison, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Nov. 13. Reuters-Yonhap




Medical research software mogul Glen de Vries, who flew to space last month with actor William Shatner aboard a rocketship operated by Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, died in a small plane crash in New Jersey, state police said on Friday.







The plane crashed on Thursday in Sussex County, New Jersey, just northwest of New York City, police said, adding that De Vries, 49, and another man aboard the aircraft, Thomas Fischer, 54, were killed.







The aircraft, a single-engine Cessna 172, went down in a wooded area of a state park near Lake Kemah, New Jersey, about 40 minutes before sunset, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating the crash.







No other official details surrounding the circumstances of the accident were immediately available.







"Such a tragic loss. Warm and full of life, Glen made us laugh and lit up the room. He was a visionary, and an innovator  a true leader," Bezos, Blue Origin's founder and executive chairman of online retail giant Amazon.com, said on Twitter, adding he was "heartbroken".







De Vries, an instrument-rated private pilot and founder of the clinical research company Medidata Solutions, soared to space last month in a suborbital joyride aboard the New Shepard rocketship of astro-tourism venture Blue Origin, riding along with three other civilian crew members.







The most notable of the four New Shepard passengers was Shatner, the 90-year-old actor best known for his role as Captain James T. Kirk on the original 1960s television show "Star Trek." The Oct. 13 launch made Shatner the oldest person ever to fly into space.







The two other crewmates for that flight were former NASA engineer Chris Boshuizen and Blue Origin Vice President Audrey Powers.







Medidata Solutions, formed by de Vries in 1999, ranks as the world's most used clinical research platform, according to a career profile of de Vries that Blue Origin posted when he was chosen as one of the four New Shepard passengers.







He was vice chair of life sciences and healthcare at the French software company Dassault Systemes, which acquired Medidata in 2019. He also served as a trustee of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. (Reuters)


This combination of file pictures shows Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and U.S. President Joe Biden / AFP-Yonhap



The top diplomats from China and the United States have exchanged stern warnings over the flashpoint issue of Taiwan, ahead of Monday's hotly awaited summit between their leaders.



The virtual meeting of presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping comes against a backdrop of rising tensions  in part over Taiwan, a self-ruling democracy claimed by Beijing, but also over trade, human rights and other issues.



In a phone call Friday with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss preparations for the summit, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised concerns over Beijing's "military, diplomatic, and economic pressure" on Taiwan.



Wang warned of the dangers of US actions that might seem supportive of "Taiwan independence."



Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, but an act of Congress passed that year requires the United States to provide weapons to Taiwan for self-defense.



The US government is careful not to show it recognizes Taiwan but it enjoys broad, bipartisan support in Congress, with a group of lawmakers visiting the island this month  angering Beijing.



"Any connivance of and support for the 'Taiwan independence' forces undermines peace across the Taiwan Strait and would only boomerang in the end," Wang told Blinken, according to a readout of the call released by China on Saturday.



China has ramped up military activities near Taiwan in recent years, with a record number of planes intruding into the island's air defense identification zone in early October.



Washington has repeatedly signaled its support for Taiwan in the face of what it has described as Chinese aggression.





This Oct. 20, 2018, picture shows a demonstrator holding a placard in support of Taiwan independence during a rally ahead of an identity referendum in Taipei. AFP-Yonhap
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, Patron, leaves after attending a Service of Thanksgiving to mark the Centenary of the Royal British Legion at Westminster Abbey in London, Oct. 12. AFP-Yonhap



Queen Elizabeth II has sprained her back and will not attend the Remembrance Sunday service in central London to remember Britain's war dead, Buckingham Palace said Sunday.



The service, one of the most important on the 95-year-old monarch's calendar, was widely expected to be her first public appearance after canceling events in recent weeks on doctors' advice.



"The Queen, having sprained her back, has decided this morning with great regret that she will not be able to attend today's Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph," officials said in a statement. "Her Majesty is disappointed that she will miss the service."



"As in previous years, a wreath will be laid on Her Majesty's behalf by The Prince of Wales," the statement added. Other members of the royal family will be present as planned.



The queen spent a night in a London hospital last month after being admitted for medical tests. It was her first such stay in eight years. On Oct. 29, the palace said she had been told by doctors to rest for two weeks and only take on light duties.



She canceled plans to attend the U.N. climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, but sent a video message.



But officials said at the time that "it remains the queen's firm intention" to be present for the national Remembrance Sunday service. On Thursday, Buckingham Palace said that the monarch planned to watch the ceremony at the Cenotaph memorial in central London from a balcony, as she has for several years.



The queen served in World War II as an army driver and mechanic, and attaches great importance to Remembrance Sunday, a solemn ceremony to remember the sacrifices made by fallen servicemen and women. The national service, which follows Armistice Day on Nov. 11, is traditionally marked by the wearing of poppies and a two-minute silence observed at 11 a.m.



The queen has continued to work from home, doing desk-based duties, during her period of rest. She has spent most of the time at Windsor Castle, west of London, and made a weekend visit to Sandringham, the royal family's eastern England estate.



Britain's longest-lived and longest-reigning monarch, Elizabeth is due to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee _ 70 years on the throne _ next year. (AP)




Japan's former Princess Mako Komuro, center, the elder daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, and her husband Kei Komuro, second right, walk to their departure gate for their flight to New York at Tokyo's Haneda international airport, Nov. 14. AFP-Yonhap



Japan's ex-princess Mako, the emperor's niece, departed the country with her new husband on Sunday to start a new life in the United States.



Known as Mako Komuro after giving up her royal title to marry college sweetheart Kei Komuro last month, the former royal and her husband, both 30, walked past waiting journalists at Tokyo's Haneda International Airport before boarding an ANA flight for New York.



Well-wishers waved from the terminal as the plane left the gate.





Japan's former Princess Mako Komuro, the elder daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, walks to the departure gate for her flight to New York with her husband Kei Komuro at Tokyo's Haneda international airport, Nov. 14. AFP-Yonhap




Salary $45,801.60 - $89,772.80 Annually Location Arlington "METRO-accessible", VA Job Type Full-Time Department Police Department Job Number 4414-22A-POL-TT Closing 11/25/2021 11:59 PM Eastern Position Information

Arlington County's Police Department is recruiting for an experienced Budget and Finance Specialist to assist the Fiscal Management Unit in the development of the unit's annual budget. The work of this position will include accounting, financial analysis, and internal and external reporting. This employee will also oversee the Department's purchase card, travel advances, and reimbursements programs.



Specific duties: Researching and referencing problems and questions related to processing, reporting budget and accounting information to appropriate resources within the Department of Management and Finance, and the Treasurer's Office;

Analyzing trends or anomalies in budget, accounting, and PRISM transactions and identifying their potential impact;

Preparing financial reports and conducting analysis of budget and financial transactions;

Overseeing the purchase process including initiating purchase requisitions, creating purchase orders, coding purchases, and monitoring available funding;

Preparing travel advances and reimbursements;

Maintaining proper accounting records including reviewing invoices, processing accounts receivables and payables, responding to payment inquiries, researching discrepancies, and referring questions to appropriate resources; and

Assisting in the development, maintenance, revision and reconciliation of new or existing accounts. The ideal candidate for this position will work well on multi-disciplinary teams as well as independently; take initiative, understand and follow policies and procedures, and have knowledge of technical budget, accounting, and financial analysis concepts.

Selection Criteria

Minimum: Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, or a related field that includes at least 12 course hours in budget, accounting, or procurement, and at least one years' experience in budget, accounting, procurement, or auditing related work.



Substitution: Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.



Desirable: Preference may be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following: Accounts receivable/payable;

Knowledge of computerized financial systems; and/or

Working with Oracle-based enterprise resource planning software systems.

Special Requirements

Candidates may be asked to provide documentation supporting completed academic coursework.



A background check will be conducted on all candidates who are finalists for the position. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit check and may require signing a release authorizing the County to obtain this information. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record and criminal history. Due to the sensitive nature of this position, candidates receiving consideration will be required to undergo a pre-employment polygraph examination and a character/background investigation conducted by the Police Department.

Additional Information

Work Hours: 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday with core work hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.



Each section of the application must be completed. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for the completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Arlington County Government employee benefits depend on whether a position is permanent, the number of hours worked, and the number of months the position is scheduled.



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



Permanent, Full-Time Appointments

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Permanent, Part-Time Appointments:

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



Limited Term Appointments:

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



Temporary Regular Appointments:

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



Temporary Seasonal and Occasional Appointments:

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


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With millions of product SKUs from various categories and a strategic partnership with Bollore Logistics, one of the biggest transport and logistics business in Africa, with more than 5,000 employees on the continent, Kiwi Pay Group is ready to launch the biggest online marketplace in Sub Saharan Africa.

Now Singapore-based fintech firm Kiwi Pay Group has been building its newest mobile application in stealth mode for the last few months, and is about to launch it in Cameroon first with a strategic partnership with the french group Bollore Logistics, allowing them to offer millions of products from European retailers to the African market, with affordable price, local payment methods including credit cards and mobile money, and 4 to 5 days shipping by air to various delivery collection points in the country.

Customers in Cameroon will be allowed to purchase products like books, DVDs, computers, cosmetics, games, appliances and millions of other SKUs through this strategic partnership and thanks to their mobile application in the weeks to come.

Kiwi Pay Group, Bollore Logistics and the Customs Bureau of Cameroon signed a strategic agreement on Wednesday 4th November 2021 in Douala to officialise their agreement. Before then, Kiwi Pay Group has been signing strategic agreements with different economic zones on the African continent like CEMAC, GIM-UEMOA and others, allowing them to offer transactions in the local currency, FCFA.

This strategic partnership with Bollore Logistics and the Customs in Cameroon is allowing us to benefit from the strong growth of the ecommerce in the country, while leveraging from decades of experience from our partners to ensure a trustworthy experience for the customers and compliance with the local tax system declares FONGOD NUVAGA Edwin, Director General of Customs in Cameroon.

Serge AGNERO, regional manager for Bollore Transport & Logistics states We are thrilled to initiate this strategic partnership in Cameroon and the region with an experienced player such as Kiwi Pay Group, to allow millions of local customers to benefit from attractive prices from retailers in Europe, and be able to order quickly and securely the products they are looking for, delivered at their place within a few days with our smooth service.

Earlier this year, Kiwi Pay Group also launched its token KGO, that will be used as a way to reward users of the app, on all sides, vendors, drivers and customers, to allow them to hold it and use it later on for benefits on their ecommerce platform. The company plans to push the token rewarding process as soon as they launch their ecommerce platform in Cameroon and other markets in the upcoming few months.

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There has not been a month where we dont get new clients, she said. Weve never had a distribution day and been like, Oh, we didnt have to hand out any new applications. Sometimes Ill print them out and think [volunteers] have more than enough for the entire month. And theyll be like, Oh, we used them all today.
It is a beautiful story. Its a personal story. Its one that means a lot to me. Weve got a lot of Bibles, but that one held a special place for me.; it was my special companion. This is a very special Bible, but it doesnt belong to me. Im glad that its gone back to where it needs to be, he said.
Im going to miss my daily dozen or so emails from McAuliffe, his wife, Dorothy, and all his other supporters including Stacey Abrams, the former Georgia House of Representatives Democratic leader. Abrams still refuses to accept she lost the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial election. We call her insistence the little lie, to distinguish it from the much better known big lie.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-13 21:18:06|Editor: huaxia

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Afghan farmers harvest pine nuts in Mehtarlam, capital of Laghman province, Afghanistan, Nov. 12, 2021. Afghanistan resumed pine nuts export to China in late October via air corridor and the first flight carried 45 tons of the seeds to the neighboring country, marking the first export from Afghanistan to China since Taliban's takeover of the country. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

MEHTARLAM, Afghanistan, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- "The resumed pine nuts export to China has encouraged local traders to further invest in the profitable seeds to increase their income and to create job opportunities for others," Afghan trader Noor Mohammad said.

"I have hired about 120 people to collect and clean pine nuts for me every day," Mohammad, a resident of Afghanistan's eastern Laghman province, told Xinhua.

Mohammad, 42, described China as a good market for Afghan pine nuts and welcomed the resumption of export of the profitable seeds via air corridor to the neighboring country.

"The export of pine nuts to China leads to the increase of the price of the seeds, otherwise the price would drop and the pine nut traders would subsequently suffer," the local businessman said.

The air corridor between Afghanistan and China was launched in November 2018 aimed at boosting trade and economic relations, but it was suspended after the collapse of the U.S.-backed Afghan administration to the Taliban in mid-August this year.

Afghanistan resumed pine nuts export to China in late October via air corridor and the first flight carried 45 tons of the seeds to the neighboring country, marking the first export from Afghanistan to China since Taliban's takeover of the country.

"More exports of pine nuts to China would further serve our economic benefit at home," Mohammad said, adding that with the increase in pine nuts export to China, the price of the seeds would go up and more local traders would be encouraged to invest in the field.

Another Afghan trader, 38-year-old Rahimullah said the country is at a critical stage where poverty, unemployment and uncertainty have added to the suffering of war-weary Afghans, many of whom are living under the poverty line.

After the withdrawal of U.S.-led foreign forces and the establishment of the Taliban caretaker government, Afghanistan is facing multi-faceted economic woes including asset being frozen in the United States and bank activities being restricted at home.

More than 22 million out of Afghanistan's some 35 million population would face food shortage in the coming winter, according to the World Food Program (WFP).

"Pine nuts export to China has raised hope among local traders to invest in the profitable seeds and that is why I have hired about 150 daily wagers to work for me every day to clean the fruit," Rahimullah told Xinhua.

"It is my earnest wish to see the increase in the export of pine nuts to China as more exports and more profits would eventually improve our economic situation and living conditions," he said.

Pine nut trees are largely grown in the eastern Laghman, Nangarhar, Kunar, Kapisa, Nuristan, Khost, Paktia and Paktika provinces where thousands of people including women are directly and indirectly engaged in the business.

"Since pine nuts are profitable seeds, no doubt the investment in the fruit helps many people make profits directly and indirectly, and bring change to their livelihood," said Badam, who leased a jungle of pine nuts in Nuristan province.

"The populous China could be a good market for Afghan pine nuts," said Badam. Enditem

Afghan farmers harvest pine nuts in Mehtarlam, capital of Laghman province, Afghanistan, Nov. 12, 2021. Afghanistan resumed pine nuts export to China in late October via air corridor and the first flight carried 45 tons of the seeds to the neighboring country, marking the first export from Afghanistan to China since Taliban's takeover of the country. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

An Afghan farmer harvests pine nuts in Mehtarlam, capital of Laghman province, Afghanistan, Nov. 12, 2021. Afghanistan resumed pine nuts export to China in late October via air corridor and the first flight carried 45 tons of the seeds to the neighboring country, marking the first export from Afghanistan to China since Taliban's takeover of the country. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Photo taken on Nov. 12, 2021 shows harvested pine nuts in Mehtarlam, capital of Laghman province, Afghanistan. Afghanistan resumed pine nuts export to China in late October via air corridor and the first flight carried 45 tons of the seeds to the neighboring country, marking the first export from Afghanistan to China since Taliban's takeover of the country. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Afghan farmers harvest pine nuts in Mehtarlam, capital of Laghman province, Afghanistan, Nov. 12, 2021. Afghanistan resumed pine nuts export to China in late October via air corridor and the first flight carried 45 tons of the seeds to the neighboring country, marking the first export from Afghanistan to China since Taliban's takeover of the country. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Photo taken on Nov. 12, 2021 shows harvested pine nuts in Mehtarlam, capital of Laghman province, Afghanistan. Afghanistan resumed pine nuts export to China in late October via air corridor and the first flight carried 45 tons of the seeds to the neighboring country, marking the first export from Afghanistan to China since Taliban's takeover of the country. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Afghan farmers pack pine nuts in Mehtarlam, capital of Laghman province, Afghanistan, Nov. 12, 2021. Afghanistan resumed pine nuts export to China in late October via air corridor and the first flight carried 45 tons of the seeds to the neighboring country, marking the first export from Afghanistan to China since Taliban's takeover of the country. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Photo taken on Nov. 12, 2021 shows harvested pine nuts in Mehtarlam, capital of Laghman province, Afghanistan. Afghanistan resumed pine nuts export to China in late October via air corridor and the first flight carried 45 tons of the seeds to the neighboring country, marking the first export from Afghanistan to China since Taliban's takeover of the country. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Afghan farmers harvest pine nuts in Mehtarlam, capital of Laghman province, Afghanistan, Nov. 12, 2021. Afghanistan resumed pine nuts export to China in late October via air corridor and the first flight carried 45 tons of the seeds to the neighboring country, marking the first export from Afghanistan to China since Taliban's takeover of the country. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-14 00:31:04|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on Nov. 14, 2021 shows massive fire at an oil refinery tank in Cilacap, Central Java, Indonesia. An oil refinery tank in Indonesia's Central Java province caught fire on Saturday night, and residents living around the facility would be evacuated as firefighters were battling the blaze, the country's state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina said. The Cilacap refinery is one of PT Pertamina's six refineries. The refinery comprises 200 tanks for crude to be processed as well as oil and gas from crude oil processing. (Photo by Anang Firmansyah/Xinhua)

JAKARTA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- An oil refinery tank in Indonesia's Central Java province caught fire on Saturday night, and residents living around the facility would be evacuated as firefighters were battling the blaze, the country's state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina said.

The company ensured in a statement that the supplies of oil and liquefied petroleum gas for buyers were not disturbed by the accident.

The fire broke out at an oil refinery tank in Cilacap district at about 7:20 p.m. Jakarta time (1220 GMT), the statement said.

Earlier the company's spokesman Ifki Sukarya said the fire started at about 7:30 p.m. Jakarta time (1230 GMT).

"The efforts to extinguish the fire are intensively being carried out, using high capacity foam monitors at the burned tank, and for the tanks located around it, water sprinkles are being used to cool them in a bid to prevent further spread of the fire," the statement said.

"Residents living around the fire site will be evacuated to safer grounds," it said.

The Cilacap refinery is one of PT Pertamina's six refineries. The refinery comprises 200 tanks for crude to be processed as well as oil and gas from crude oil processing. Enditem

Thick smoke and massive fire rise from an oil refinery tank in Cilacap, Central Java, Indonesia, Nov. 14, 2021. An oil refinery tank in Indonesia's Central Java province caught fire on Saturday night, and residents living around the facility would be evacuated as firefighters were battling the blaze, the country's state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina said. The Cilacap refinery is one of PT Pertamina's six refineries. The refinery comprises 200 tanks for crude to be processed as well as oil and gas from crude oil processing. (Photo by Anang Firmansyah/Xinhua)

Thick smoke caused by a fire at an oil refinery tank are seen in Cilacap, Central Java, Indonesia, Nov. 14, 2021. An oil refinery tank in Indonesia's Central Java province caught fire on Saturday night, and residents living around the facility would be evacuated as firefighters were battling the blaze, the country's state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina said. The Cilacap refinery is one of PT Pertamina's six refineries. The refinery comprises 200 tanks for crude to be processed as well as oil and gas from crude oil processing. (Photo by Anang Firmansyah/Xinhua)

Thick smoke and massive fire rise from an oil refinery tank in Cilacap, Central Java, Indonesia, Nov. 14, 2021. An oil refinery tank in Indonesia's Central Java province caught fire on Saturday night, and residents living around the facility would be evacuated as firefighters were battling the blaze, the country's state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina said. The Cilacap refinery is one of PT Pertamina's six refineries. The refinery comprises 200 tanks for crude to be processed as well as oil and gas from crude oil processing. (Photo by Anang Firmansyah/Xinhua)

Thick smoke and massive fire rise from an oil refinery tank in Cilacap, Central Java, Indonesia, Nov. 14, 2021. An oil refinery tank in Indonesia's Central Java province caught fire on Saturday night, and residents living around the facility would be evacuated as firefighters were battling the blaze, the country's state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina said. The Cilacap refinery is one of PT Pertamina's six refineries. The refinery comprises 200 tanks for crude to be processed as well as oil and gas from crude oil processing. (Photo by Anang Firmansyah/Xinhua)

Thick smoke and massive fire rise from an oil refinery tank in Cilacap, Central Java, Indonesia, Nov. 14, 2021. An oil refinery tank in Indonesia's Central Java province caught fire on Saturday night, and residents living around the facility would be evacuated as firefighters were battling the blaze, the country's state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina said. The Cilacap refinery is one of PT Pertamina's six refineries. The refinery comprises 200 tanks for crude to be processed as well as oil and gas from crude oil processing. (Photo by Anang Firmansyah/Xinhua)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-14 06:54:24|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on Nov. 9, 2021 shows a view at the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow, Scotland, the United Kingdom. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

Agreement was finally reached on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which relates to carbon market mechanisms, paving the way for effective implementation of the Paris deal to cut emissions through market-based approaches.



Negotiators also agreed to phase down coal, the dominant source of carbon dioxide emissions in the process of electricity generation.



GLASGOW, Britain, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations climate change conference concluded here Saturday after a one-day extension, with negotiators agreeing on a new global pact to tackle climate change.

Nearly 200 participating countries adopted the Glasgow Climate Pact at the end of 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Some encouraging progress was made. Agreement was finally reached on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which relates to carbon market mechanisms, paving the way for effective implementation of the Paris deal to cut emissions through market-based approaches.

Negotiators also agreed to phase down coal, the dominant source of carbon dioxide emissions in the process of electricity generation. It is the first explicit mention of fossil fuels in a COP agreement.

During COP26, more than 100 countries have promised to end deforestation by 2030.

Photo taken on Oct. 31, 2021 shows a general view of the opening ceremony for COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, the United Kingdom. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

In the final days of the conference, China and the United States issued a joint declaration on enhancing actions on climate change in the 2020s, which are widely welcomed and believed to galvanize global collective actions.

The two countries agreed to establish a working group on enhancing climate action this decade to promote cooperation on climate change between the two countries as well as multilateral processes.

As COP26 wrapped up, however, some stubborn issues, notably climate funding, remain uncertain.

There were commitments to significantly increase financial support through the Adaptation Fund as developed countries were urged to double their support to developing countries by 2025.

However, it remains to be seen whether developed countries, whose development is responsible for most of today's climate change impacts, will heed the set timeframe.

In 2009, wealthy countries pledged 100 billion U.S. dollars a year to help lower-income nations by 2020. However, they still have not made good on the pledge and recent reports indicate that this goal could slip to 2023.

COP26, which kicked off on Oct. 31, is the first climate change conference after the five-year review cycle under the Paris Agreement inked in 2015. The Egyptian city of Sharm El Sheikh will host COP27 in 2022.

A man films at the opening ceremony for COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, the United Kingdom on Oct. 31, 2021. (Xinhua/Han Yan)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-14 07:29:56|Editor: huaxia

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Aerial photo shows villagers clearing snow in Kulun Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 13, 2021. Tongliao City in north China's Inner Mongolia has been walloped by the strongest snowstorm ever recorded. Faced with the recent cold weather and snowstorms, the local authorities have launched an emergency program to ensure transportation safety, power supply as well as agricultural and husbandry production, guaranteeing people's normal life. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

A villager clears snow in Kulun Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 13, 2021. Tongliao City in north China's Inner Mongolia has been walloped by the strongest snowstorm ever recorded. Faced with the recent cold weather and snowstorms, the local authorities have launched an emergency program to ensure transportation safety, power supply as well as agricultural and husbandry production, guaranteeing people's normal life. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

Aerial photo shows villagers clearing snow in Kulun Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 12, 2021. Tongliao City in north China's Inner Mongolia has been walloped by the strongest snowstorm ever recorded. Faced with the recent cold weather and snowstorms, the local authorities have launched an emergency program to ensure transportation safety, power supply as well as agricultural and husbandry production, guaranteeing people's normal life. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

A villager feeds his cows in Kulun Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 12, 2021. Tongliao City in north China's Inner Mongolia has been walloped by the strongest snowstorm ever recorded. Faced with the recent cold weather and snowstorms, the local authorities have launched an emergency program to ensure transportation safety, power supply as well as agricultural and husbandry production, guaranteeing people's normal life. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

Aerial photo shows a villager clearing snow in Kulun Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 13, 2021. Tongliao City in north China's Inner Mongolia has been walloped by the strongest snowstorm ever recorded. Faced with the recent cold weather and snowstorms, the local authorities have launched an emergency program to ensure transportation safety, power supply as well as agricultural and husbandry production, guaranteeing people's normal life. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

A villager clears snow in Kulun Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 13, 2021. Tongliao City in north China's Inner Mongolia has been walloped by the strongest snowstorm ever recorded. Faced with the recent cold weather and snowstorms, the local authorities have launched an emergency program to ensure transportation safety, power supply as well as agricultural and husbandry production, guaranteeing people's normal life. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

Villagers clear snow in Kulun Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 13, 2021. Tongliao City in north China's Inner Mongolia has been walloped by the strongest snowstorm ever recorded. Faced with the recent cold weather and snowstorms, the local authorities have launched an emergency program to ensure transportation safety, power supply as well as agricultural and husbandry production, guaranteeing people's normal life. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

Villagers clear snow in Kulun Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 12, 2021. Tongliao City in north China's Inner Mongolia has been walloped by the strongest snowstorm ever recorded. Faced with the recent cold weather and snowstorms, the local authorities have launched an emergency program to ensure transportation safety, power supply as well as agricultural and husbandry production, guaranteeing people's normal life. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

Aerial photo shows a villager clearing snow in Kulun Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 12, 2021. Tongliao City in north China's Inner Mongolia has been walloped by the strongest snowstorm ever recorded. Faced with the recent cold weather and snowstorms, the local authorities have launched an emergency program to ensure transportation safety, power supply as well as agricultural and husbandry production, guaranteeing people's normal life. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

Aerial photo shows a snow-coverd village in Kulun Banner of Tongliao, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 13, 2021. Tongliao City in north China's Inner Mongolia has been walloped by the strongest snowstorm ever recorded. Faced with the recent cold weather and snowstorms, the local authorities have launched an emergency program to ensure transportation safety, power supply as well as agricultural and husbandry production, guaranteeing people's normal life. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-14 07:48:46|Editor: huaxia

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Police officers stand guard outside the Litoral Penitentiary after clashes occurred in the prison in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Nov. 13, 2021. The death toll from the clashes at the Litoral Penitentiary in the Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil has risen to 68, the State Attorney General's Office reported on Saturday. The clashes occurred on Friday night and early on Saturday and left an initial balance of 58 dead and 12 injured, according to a previous report from the police and the Guayas provincial government. The police said that the clashes were the result of a power struggle between groups linked to drug trafficking. (Photo by Marcos Pin/Xinhua)

QUITO, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the clashes at the Litoral Penitentiary in the Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil has risen to 68, the State Attorney General's Office reported on Saturday.

The clashes occurred on Friday night and early on Saturday and left an initial balance of 58 dead and 12 injured, according to a previous report from the police and the Guayas provincial government.

The incident took place in pavilion 2 of the prison, which houses some 700 inmates and included explosions, the use of knives, and the burning of mattresses.

The police said that the clashes were the result of a power struggle between groups linked to drug trafficking.

Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso reported on Twitter that he has convened a security committee to analyze the situation.

Clashes between rival gangs are frequent in Ecuadorian prisons and have caused more than 300 deaths so far this year, according to police reports.

The Litoral Penitentiary in Guayaquil was the scene of another revolt on Sept. 29 in which 118 prisoners died. It is considered the worst prison riot to have occurred in the country's history. This event led the president to decree a state of emergency for 60 days in the country's prison system to stop the wave of violence. Enditem

Police officers stand guard outside the Litoral Penitentiary after clashes occurred in the prison in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Nov. 13, 2021. The death toll from the clashes at the Litoral Penitentiary in the Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil has risen to 68, the State Attorney General's Office reported on Saturday. The clashes occurred on Friday night and early on Saturday and left an initial balance of 58 dead and 12 injured, according to a previous report from the police and the Guayas provincial government. The police said that the clashes were the result of a power struggle between groups linked to drug trafficking. (Photo by Marcos Pin/Xinhua)

People wait outside the Litoral Penitentiary to receive information about their relatives after clashes occurred in the prison in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Nov. 13, 2021. The death toll from the clashes at the Litoral Penitentiary in the Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil has risen to 68, the State Attorney General's Office reported on Saturday. The clashes occurred on Friday night and early on Saturday and left an initial balance of 58 dead and 12 injured, according to a previous report from the police and the Guayas provincial government. The police said that the clashes were the result of a power struggle between groups linked to drug trafficking. (Photo by Marcos Pin/Xinhua)

People wait outside the Litoral Penitentiary to receive information about their relatives after clashes occurred in the prison in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Nov. 13, 2021. The death toll from the clashes at the Litoral Penitentiary in the Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil has risen to 68, the State Attorney General's Office reported on Saturday. The clashes occurred on Friday night and early on Saturday and left an initial balance of 58 dead and 12 injured, according to a previous report from the police and the Guayas provincial government. The police said that the clashes were the result of a power struggle between groups linked to drug trafficking. (Photo by Marcos Pin/Xinhua)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-14 09:09:23|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the 28th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting via video link, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2021. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

"Xi's proposal is of enlightening and historic significance to the future development and peaceful co-existence of the Asia-Pacific region."

BEIJING, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's proposals on deepening regional cooperation at the 28th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting build consensus to overcome difficulties, and inject impetus into global economic recovery, overseas experts have said.

Promoting the building of an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future is especially important, said Bambang Suryono, chairman of Asia Innovation Study Center, an Indonesian think tank.

For the Asia-Pacific region, Suryono said, the current top priority is to work together to fight the pandemic.

While China is doing its best to prevent and control the epidemic at home, it is actively providing assistance to countries in the Asia-Pacific region, said Suryono, adding that China's proposition is not only conducive to promoting economic recovery in the region, but will also promote prosperity and stability worldwide.

China has taken concrete actions to implement the vision of an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future, said the expert.

Upholding multilateralism to foster a more open Asia-Pacific economy is like an obvious choice, said Vo Dai Luoc, former head of the Hanoi-based Institute of World Economics and Politics under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.

Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the 28th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting via video link, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

"As China is now a major country in the world, and so far the most successful in containing COVID-19, developing countries are looking forward to China's help in both pandemic fighting and economic recovery," said the expert.

Noting that Xi proposed to promote innovation-driven development, Cen Zhiwei, economics professor at Kyoto Sangyo University, said "Xi's proposal is of enlightening and historic significance to the future development and peaceful co-existence of the Asia-Pacific region."

James Laurenceson, director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney, pointed out that the pandemic has driven the trend of digitalization of economy and e-commerce.

Visitors watch exhibits on 5G intelligence at the China International Big Data Industry Expo 2021 in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, May 26, 2021. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

China is becoming more important in the region, not only because it is one of the biggest traders in the region, but also because "China is by far the global leader in that trade (e-commerce)," said Laurenceson.

Gu Qingyang, an associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy of the National University of Singapore, agreed with Xi's speech on pursuing "inclusive and sustainable development," saying it is an important direction for global development.

China has made great efforts in green development, which is an important contribution to the global response to climate change and the promotion of green development, said Gu. 
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-14 09:21:30|Editor: huaxia

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Parents and their children are seen as they arrive to receive COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site in Haidian District of Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

BEIJING, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland on Saturday reported 70 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, the National Health Commission said in its daily report on Sunday.

Of the new local cases, 60 were reported in Liaoning, three in Hebei, two each in Heilongjiang, Jiangxi, and Yunnan, as well as one in Sichuan.

Also reported were 19 new imported cases, according to the commission.

No new suspected cases or no new deaths related to COVID-19 were reported on Saturday, said the commission. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-14 10:36:47|Editor: huaxia

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COP26 President Alok Sharma (L) reacts during the closing plenary of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow, the United Kingdom, Nov. 13, 2021. The United Nations climate change conference concluded here Saturday after a one-day extension, with negotiators agreeing on a new global pact to tackle climate change. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

GLASGOW, Britain, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations climate change conference concluded Saturday after a one-day extension, with negotiators agreeing on a new global pact to tackle climate change.

Nearly 200 participating countries adopted the Glasgow Climate Pact at the end of 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Some encouraging progress was made as agreement was finally reached on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which relates to carbon market mechanisms, paving the way for effective implementation of the Paris deal to cut emissions through market-based approaches.

Negotiators also agreed to phase down coal, the dominant source of carbon dioxide emissions in the process of electricity generation. It is the first explicit mention of fossil fuels in a COP agreement.

During COP26, more than 100 countries have promised to end deforestation by 2030.

In the final days of the conference, China and the United States issued a joint declaration on enhancing climate change actions in the 2020s, which is widely welcomed and believed can galvanize global collective actions.

The two countries agreed to establish a working group on enhancing climate action this decade to promote cooperation on climate change between the two countries as well as multilateral processes.

The Glasgow Climate Pact "will help kick-start a new journey of global efforts to tackle climate change," Zhao Yingmin, head of the Chinese delegation to COP26, told Xinhua.

"The new global deal, especially the close of the rulebook of Paris Agreement, bears great significance for defending multilateralism and the implementation of the Paris Agreement," said Zhao, who is China's vice minister of ecology and environment.

However, some stubborn issues, notably climate funding, remain uncertain.

There were commitments to significantly increasing financial support through the Adaptation Fund as developed countries were urged to double their support to developing countries by 2025.

Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether developed countries, whose industrialization is responsible for most of today's climate change impacts, will follow the set timeframe.

In 2009, wealthy countries pledged 100 billion U.S. dollars a year to help lower-income nations by 2020. However, they still have not made good on the pledge and recent reports indicate that this goal could slip to 2023.

"There is some progress. However, it still falls short of expectations. There are still lots of regrets. The developed nations have failed to well address the core concerns of developing countries over such issues as adaptation, finance and technological support," Zhao said.

"It is hoped that the developed countries can make further efforts to honor their commitments, enhance support for developing countries, instead of merely urging other parties to raise their ambitions," he added.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also urged developed countries to honor their climate finance commitment to restore political trust. "No more IOUs," he said.

COP26, which kicked off on Oct. 31, is the first climate change conference after the five-year review cycle under the Paris Agreement inked in 2015. The Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh will host COP27 in 2022. Enditem

Photo taken on Nov. 13, 2021 shows the closing plenary of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow, the United Kingdom. The United Nations climate change conference concluded here Saturday after a one-day extension, with negotiators agreeing on a new global pact to tackle climate change. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry(C) speaks during the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow, the United Kingdom, Nov. 13, 2021. The United Nations climate change conference concluded here Saturday after a one-day extension, with negotiators agreeing on a new global pact to tackle climate change. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

COP26 President Alok Sharma speaks at a press conference after the closing plenary of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow, the United Kingdom, Nov. 13, 2021. The United Nations climate change conference concluded here Saturday after a one-day extension, with negotiators agreeing on a new global pact to tackle climate change. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

Xie Zhenhua (C), China's special envoy for climate change, speaks with John Kerry (R), U.S. special presidential envoy for climate, during the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow, the United Kingdom, Nov. 13, 2021. The United Nations climate change conference concluded here Saturday after a one-day extension, with negotiators agreeing on a new global pact to tackle climate change. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

COP26 President Alok Sharma speaks during the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow, the United Kingdom, Nov. 13, 2021. The United Nations climate change conference concluded here Saturday after a one-day extension, with negotiators agreeing on a new global pact to tackle climate change. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

Xie Zhenhua (C), China's special envoy for climate change, shakes hands with a delegate from Chile during the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow, the United Kingdom, Nov. 13, 2021. The United Nations climate change conference concluded here Saturday after a one-day extension, with negotiators agreeing on a new global pact to tackle climate change. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

Two delegates embrace each other during the closing plenary of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow, the United Kingdom, Nov. 13, 2021. The United Nations climate change conference concluded here Saturday after a one-day extension, with negotiators agreeing on a new global pact to tackle climate change. (Xinhua/Han Yan)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-14 21:56:17|Editor: huaxia

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ABUJA, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian troops have killed several militants of the Islamic State West Africa Province(ISWAP) in an encounter with the extremist group in Nigeria's northeastern state of Borno on Saturday, the army said on Sunday.

A senior officer of the army and three soldiers were also killed in the Saturday gunfight in the Askira Uba local government area of Borno, said Onyema Nwachukwu, a spokesman for the army, in a statement reaching Xinhua on Sunday.

The troops, supported by fighter jets of the air force, killed several militants and destroyed nine gun trucks and other equipment of the militants during the encounter, said Nwachukwu.

"The deceased officer and the soldiers exhibited a rare display of gallantry, as they provided reinforcement in a counter-offensive against the terrorists and successfully defended the location," he said, adding the troops continued in the ferocious counter-offensive and hot pursuit to eliminate the remnant of the fleeing terrorists.

In a statement mourning the deceased officer and soldiers, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari described their loss in the gunfight as "devastating".

"Nigeria has lost brave soldiers. I salute their courage. May their souls rest in peace," Buhari said.

ISWAP has been collaborating with its sister group Boko Haram to establish an Islamist state in northeast Nigeria. The terror groups have also extended their attacks to other countries in the Lake Chad Basin. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-14 22:20:20|Editor: huaxia

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LAGOS, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government has described the allegation by a U.S.-based non-profit organization that the government is a sponsor of terrorism as a "disgusting distraction" orchestrated by those seeking to weaken the ongoing massive onslaught against terrorism and banditry in the west African country.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed said the so-called Global Advocates for Terrorism Eradication(GATE) is a pesky irritant that should be ignored, especially because it is as confusing as it is irresponsible.

According to media reports, the GATE petitioned on Friday the office of the U.S. Secretary of State, demanding that the U.S. government should designate some Nigerian government officials as sponsors of terrorism, alleging that "from all available indices, what is happening in Nigeria is state-sponsored terrorism."

"This organization called GATE is not even worth the ink with which its name is written. How can a serious organization accuse a government that is tackling the twin evils of terrorism and banditry with an uncommon determination of sponsoring terrorism," Mohammed said.

The minister said this organization has chosen this time when terrorists are surrendering in droves or running helter-skelter as a result of a renewed offensive against them by the military to "orchestrate a distraction...to weaken the fight against terror and banditry."

Mohammed said the fact that GATE, in making its absurd allegation, relied on the words of a thoroughly discredited, fake-news-peddling former Nigerian navy intelligence officer shows the hollowness of its allegation.

"In the fight against terrorism, Nigeria has availed itself creditably by tackling home-grown terrorists with links to global terrorist organizations," the minister said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-14 09:16:09|Editor: huaxia

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SYDNEY, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Australian state of Queensland is set to reach its first major, 70 percent, vaccination milestone for over-16 population on Monday, almost one week earlier than previously expected.

Queensland's Health Minister Yvette D'Ath announced the state's double vaccination rate at 69.94 on Sunday. She said the state is guaranteed to hit the 70 percent milestone on Monday.

"This 70 percent target is just the start, we are absolutely on our way to not just meet our 80 percent target, but getting to that 90 percent target," said D'Ath.

She said 81.66 percent of the state's over-16 population had received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Once the state reaches the milestone, fully vaccinated Australians living in designated hotspots would be allowed to fly into Queensland but would still be required to undergo 14 days of home quarantine.

Once the state reaches 80 percent of the vaccination rate, quarantine would not be required for fully-vaccinated individuals.

Queensland has consistently managed to keep out the spread of the delta variant of COVID-19, and the state reported no new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday after recording case numbers in the single-digits throughout the week.

Meanwhile, outbreaks in Australia's New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria have continued to simmer down.

NSW reported 195 new locally acquired cases and one death in the 24 hours to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, a drop from daily reports of over 200 cases in nearly one week.

And, after more than a week of daily case numbers in the 4-digits, Victoria reported 905 new locally acquired cases and four deaths in the 24 hours to midnight Saturday. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-14 16:06:37|Editor: huaxia

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JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Security personnel have rescued a child from the clutch of kidnappers in the eastern Nangarhar province and arrested six alleged kidnappers, head of the provincial office of the General Directorate of Intelligence Mohammad Bashir said Sunday.

A group of kidnappers, said the official, abducted the child from Daka village in Momandara district of Nangarhar province months ago, and finally the security personnel were able to rescue the child and arrested six kidnappers.

The rescued child has returned to her family safe and sound recently, the official added.

Bashir also noted that the security forces will continue to crack down on criminals to ensure law and order in the province.

In another development, personnel of the intelligence agency rescued a young man from kidnappers in the capital city Kabul on Wednesday. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-14 16:52:06|Editor: huaxia

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CANBERRA, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Australia has reported its fewest daily COVID-19 cases in recent weeks as the country continues to battle the third wave of infections.

There were 1,115 new locally-acquired cases and five deaths from the pandemic reported across Australia on Sunday morning.

The majority of new cases were in Victoria, the country's second-most populous state with Melbourne as the capital city, where 905 cases and four deaths were reported.

As of Saturday 90.4 percent of Australians aged 16 and over had received one COVID-19 vaccine dose and 83 percent were fully inoculated, according to the Department of Health.

More than 250,000 Australians have had a third booster shot.

As the booster rollout accelerates Health Minister Greg Hunt on Sunday said the government would not change its definition of "fully vaccinated".

"The advice at this stage of Professor Brendan Murphy's Scientific and Technical Advisory Group is that you're regarded as fully vaccinated with two doses," he told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) television. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-14 19:04:39|Editor: huaxia

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Models present creations during Colombo Fashion Week in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Nov. 13, 2021. The two-day Colombo Fashion Week this year in Sri Lanka was concluded with the last-day show held Saturday night at the marina of the Colombo Port City. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua)

COLOMBO, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- The two-day Colombo Fashion Week this year in Sri Lanka was concluded with the last-day show held Saturday night at the marina of the Colombo Port City.

Organizers of the fashion event scheduled for Nov. 12 and 13 said this was the first time that the Colombo Port City was selected as a venue to host the popular fashion show, with a backdrop of the Indian Ocean.

The fashion week was launched in 2003.

Founder and Managing Director of the fashion week Ajai Vir Singh said they partnered with the Colombo Port City this year to show the world that Colombo has re-opened and is ready for resuming business activities after lifting the COVID-19 lockdown.

The Colombo Port City being built is expected to attract billions of U.S. dollars in investment and generate at least 80,000 jobs, the Sri Lankan government has said.

The project, under the framework of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, is the first of its kind in the South Asian country.

At the fashion week this year, 11 local designers showcased their latest collections as the country is trying to revive economic sectors including the apparel and fashion industry following the lifting of lockdown.

According to officials, the port city is expected to host more events in the future in a bid to promote Sri Lanka's tourism and economic development.

They said hosting such events like fashion week will also allow more Sri Lankan people to experience the charm of the port city, which is being constructed in reclaimed land from the sea. Enditem

Models present creations during Colombo Fashion Week in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Nov. 13, 2021. The two-day Colombo Fashion Week this year in Sri Lanka was concluded with the last-day show held Saturday night at the marina of the Colombo Port City. (Xinhua/Tang Lu)

Models present creations during Colombo Fashion Week in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Nov. 13, 2021. The two-day Colombo Fashion Week this year in Sri Lanka was concluded with the last-day show held Saturday night at the marina of the Colombo Port City. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-14 21:49:43|Editor: huaxia

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KATHMANDU, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Nepali government started vaccinating its population aged below 18 with COVID-19 vaccines on Sunday, said a senior official from the Ministry of Health and Population.

"We have started vaccinating people aged 12 and above with the Pfizer vaccine starting from Sunday," Sagar Dahal, chief of the National Immunization Program under the ministry, told Xinhua. "It is for the first time that we vaccinate people aged under 18."

He made it clear that only those with morbid health conditions like heart disease and diabetes would be administered with the Pfizer vaccine in the first phase.

After receiving 100,640 doses of the Pfizer vaccine last month under the global COVAX initiative, the Nepali government started vaccinating the younger population with the U.S.-made jabs.

Dahal said the government is planning to vaccinate 40,000-45,000 people with the available vaccine. "The second dose of the vaccine will be provided in a month," he added.

According to the Health Ministry, the vaccination drive is being run in 24 hospitals across the country and will last till Nov. 20.

By Sunday afternoon, 8.82 million of Nepal's 30 million population have received first dose of the COVID-19 vaccines, while 7.55 million have been fully vaccinated, the ministry said.

The Nepali government aims to vaccinate all the population by mid-April next year. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-14 22:08:03|Editor: huaxia

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DHAKA, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Speakers at a webinar have said Bangladesh should target China to expand its market share for a smooth LDC (least developed country) graduation.

They made this observation at the webinar titled "Prospects of Bangladeshi Products in Chinese Market: How to Realize the Potential of Preferential Treatment" jointly organized by the Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI) and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) on Saturday in capital Dhaka, national news agency BSS reported.

"If Bangladesh can achieve a 1 percent share of the Chinese market, export earnings from China alone could be in the range of 20 billion (U.S.) dollars-25 billion dollars," said Abu Eusuf, a Dhaka University professor.

Nazneen Ahmed, UNDP Bangladesh economist, said Bangladesh should focus on the Chinese investment and export market equally for a smooth graduation from the LDC.

In his speech, Bangladesh Ambassador to China Mahbub Uz Zaman said Bangladesh should focus on diversifying the export basket to materialize the given duty free access from China.

The government is also working for setting up a permanent exhibition center in Shanghai in eastern China to display Bangladeshi products.

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies Director Mahfuz Kabir said China has granted duty-free access of 97 percent Bangladeshi products effective from July 1, 2020, which is expected to bring a new opportunity for Bangladeshi exporters and businesses. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-14 23:54:43|Editor: huaxia

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PHNOM PENH, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Sunday announced quarantine-free travel for all fully vaccinated inbound passengers after most of the country's population have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

The quarantine-free travel will take effect from next Monday, he said in a special audio message released publicly.

"As almost 88 percent of our total population have received COVID-19 vaccines, so quarantine requirements are not needed anymore," Hun Sen said.

"Both Cambodians and foreigners traveling to Cambodia will be no longer required to go into a quarantine, but those, who have not been inoculated with COVID-19 vaccine, will be required to undergo a full 14-day quarantine," he added.

However, all inbound passengers' samples will be taken for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests upon their arrival in the kingdom, and they can wait for the results at their own residences or the homes of their friends or relatives, he said.

"When the results show that he/she is negative for COVID-19, he/she has right to travel to wherever he/she wants to," he said.

The prime minister said the fully vaccinated passengers, who are currently undergoing quarantine at various centers, will be allowed to leave their facilities beginning on Monday.

The latest move came after the Southeast Asian nation has administered at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccines to 14.05 million people, or 87.8 percent of its 16-million population, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH).

Of them, 13.2 million, or 82.5 percent, have been fully inoculated with both required shots, and 2.02 million, or 12.6 percent, have received a third dose or a booster dose, the MoH said.

Lim Heng, vice-president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the quarantine-free policy, saying that it would encourage investors and tourists, especially from China, to come to Cambodia.

"It's a good opportunity to attract both foreign investors and tourists to our country, as some countries still impose travel restrictions, and I believe that foreign tourists, who are boring during the COVID-19 era, will come to Cambodia for leisure," he told Xinhua.

"This full reopening for vaccinated inbound travelers clearly shows the Cambodian government's great success in its vaccinations against COVID-19, with China being the key vaccine supplier," Heng said.

Chhay Sivlin, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, said the move would give a big boost to the tourism industry, which had been hit hard by the pandemic.

"It's exciting news for tour and travel operators as well as for other tourism-related businesses, and we're confident that this quarantine-free policy will reboot our tourism growth after a slump for nearly two years," she told Xinhua.

She attributed Cambodia's success in fighting against COVID-19 to "the Cambodian government's wise leadership and China's timely and regular supplies of vaccines."

Meanwhile, Cambodia reported 55 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, pushing the national total caseload to 119,536, the MoH said, adding that six new fatalities were confirmed, bringing the overall death toll to 2,867.

An additional 62 patients have recovered, taking the total number of recoveries to 115,924, the MoH said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-15 06:32:49|Editor: huaxia

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People take a bus in Vilnius, Lithuania, Nov. 15, 2021. The Lithuanian government approved the Health Ministry's proposal that medical masks or respirators are required indoor to cover both mouth and nose. This will come into effect on Nov. 15, the Lithuanian National Television and Radio reported. (Xinhua/Xue Dongmei)



Vilnius, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Lithuanian government approved the Health Ministry's proposal that medical masks or respirators are required indoor to cover both mouth and nose. This will come into effect on Nov. 15, the Lithuanian National Television and Radio reported.

Lithuania has registered 1,433 new coronavirus infections and 19 deaths from COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, and 16 of 19 fatalities were either not vaccinated or only partially vaccinated, the country's statistics office said on Sunday morning.

The 14-day infection rate reached 1,233.2 per 100,000 people over the past 24 hours.

Starting from Oct. 1, people in Lithuania must wear masks in all indoor public places. Until Nov. 10, fabric masks were also allowed, but now they have to be replaced with medical masks or respirators. Enditem

A woman goes indoors in Vilnius, Lithuania, Nov. 15, 2021. The Lithuanian government approved the Health Ministry's proposal that medical masks or respirators are required indoor to cover both mouth and nose. This will come into effect on Nov. 15, the Lithuanian National Television and Radio reported. (Xinhua/Xue Dongmei)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-14 08:52:35|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United States has lagged behind China in terms of economic performance in the Asia-Pacific region, according to a recent Bloomberg report.

The article, entitled "Biden's 'America First' Trade Policy Gives China an Opportunity," was published by the Bloomberg on Wednesday.

The Joe Biden administration failed to articulate its economic vision for the Asia-Pacific region, nearly five years after former U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the report said.

China, instead, has officially filed an application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in September this year.

It also pledged to provide profitable business opportunities for each CPTPP member to access the Chinese market and strive for growth in bilateral trade and investment.

"You have an administration again that is putting 'America First' using different language," Deborah Elms, founder of the Singapore-based Asian Trade Center, was quoted by the report as saying. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-14 10:48:39|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- People in the United States are living with gun violence, as shootings across the country continue to rise, according to American Broadcasting Company (ABC).

In Philadelphia, there were 1,500 people shot through October this year, with nearly 400 people killed, a recent ABC story reported, citing data from the city's Office of the Controller.

"The environment is a hostile environment," Joshua Corneilius, a 17-year-old senior at a north Philadelphia school, told ABC News. "It's a real war zone."

Gun violence is not unique to Philadelphia, the ABC report said, adding that homicides have been on the rise this year in cities all over the country.

During just one week in July, there were 430 deaths and over a 1,000 people shot, according to data collected from the Gun Violence Archive.

So far this year, there have been 17,723 deaths due to gun violence, not including suicides. There were more than 19,400 shooting deaths in 2020, and 15,400 in 2019. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-14 11:05:19|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- The United States falls into a dilemma as it tries to achieve its climate goals while banning imports of solar-power equipment from China, a U.S.-listed company told Bloomberg Television recently.

The bans "create pressure on the ability of utilities to get modules or to get them at the right price," Ronen Faier, chief financial officer of the SolarEdge Technologies Inc, was quoted as saying.

SolarEdge, headquartered in Israel, is a producer of equipment including inverters, which are needed to transfer power from panels to electricity grids. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-11-15 06:20:46|Editor: huaxia

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LOS ANGELES. Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- California's latest unemployment rate in September released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics was the nation's highest, but the number may vastly understate the state's true economic distress, according to a report on Sunday from CalMatters, a Sacramento-based nonpartisan and nonprofit journalism venture.

The latest number revealed that in September, 1.4 million among just over 19 million Californians who were in the labor force were jobless, meaning unemployment rate in the most populous state in the United States was at about 7.5 percent.

While a 7.5 percent unemployment rate was dismal, it may also understate the true nature of the job situation in California, which contributed the most out of any state to the country's GDP in 2020 with 3.09 trillion U.S. dollars, the report said, noting it didn't count the half-million or so Californians who left the labor force over the past 20 months.

They are unemployed currently but were not counted as such, the report said.

Moreover, the report explained that the Bureau of Labor Statistics actually calculated employment, unemployment and underemployment in six different ways, and the number most commonly cited, known as U-3, was the simplest, just the percentage of the labor force currently not working.

"It assumes that those working even the most menial, even part-time, jobs - as little as one hour each week - are employed," according to the report.

The most nuanced calculation, called U-6, adjusts for underemployment by counting unemployed workers, part-time workers who want to work full time and some who are ambivalent about working.

"California's current U-6 rate, calculated for the past year, was 14 percent and was the nation's third highest behind Nevada's 15.6 percent and Hawaii's 14.8 percent." the report said. "It tells us that too many California workers are not fully employed, but rather are getting by as best they can with parttime work."

However, the unemployment rate released by the Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity, a think tank devoted to employment issues, drew a more distress picture of the situation in the state and the nation.

Ludwig's methodology counts those unemployed, working part-time involuntarily and/or earning less than 20,000 U.S. dollars a year as "functionally unemployed."

When applied to California, the formula determined the "True Rate of Unemployment" defined by Ludwig to be 25.7 percent of the workforce, the report said.

Nationwide, the Ludwig's rate of unemployment was 23.9 percent in September, almost five times than the data (4.8 percent) published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enditem


Harare-based SAHTC  The Hospitality School, on Thursday held a send-off lunch for 24 trainee chefs, who are travelling to the United States for a one-year internship at two luxury properties.

Of the 24 trainees, 13 will be at the Montage Deer Valley Resort in Salt Lake City while 11 are going to the Broadmoor Resort in Colorado.

This group of trainees includes four from Mozambique and Namibia, who are also studying International Hospitality Management Diploma with the school.

Today we are sending off 24 trainees who will be doing two luxury properties in the USA, director of the school Michael Farrell said.

Eleven of the 24 trainees are joining The Broadmoor Resort in Colorado. These are Food and Beverage Service trainees, who are joining the other 23 Commis chefs who are already at The Broadmoor Resort.

The other 13 trainees are off to the luxurious Montage Deer Valley Resort in Salt Lake City, Utah. This group comprises seven Commis chefs and six food and beverage service trainees. This is the maiden group joining this prestigious resort.

We are pleased to have the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority [ZTA] present to send off our trainees who are going to represent brand Zimbabwe in the USA.

Angella Mahureva (marketing executive America) and her colleague Ronald Kutukwa represented ZTA at the send-off ceremony.

Over the years, SAHTC  The Hospitality School has enrolled scores of trainees and has also established very strong liaisons with some of the tourism and hospitality industry players both local and abroad, Farrell said.

We have also established ties with several embassies in Harare particularly The embassy of Italy in Zimbabwe, which we have worked with in enhancing the Hospitality and Culinary Arts Education in Zimbabwe.

This year alone the institution has sent 64 trainees to the US while another batch of 13 students are also set to go in December.

The hospitality school offers several programmes including International Hospitality Management, Chefs on Stage Food Preparation and Culinary Arts Programme and Professional Cookery. Standard
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday said dialogue remained the only solution to rescue Zimbabwe from its deep socio-economic crisis and put the country on a recovery path.

Chamisa said it was time for Zanu PF to stop being selfish and agree to genuine dialogue to allow Zimbabweans to rebuild their lives after years of suffering.

Its no longer time for insults, Chamisa told The Standard. We cannot be experts in trading insults while other countries are experts in trading commodities. We need real surplus and not a surplus of anger and hatred.

We need total change in communities, in government, in our economy and social fabric.

We have no time for games, we have no time for partisan goal scoring and we need a national game plan.

Chamisa said anger was simmering in the country due to growing and widespread poverty, hence focus must now be directed at addressing the challenges.

We cannot be sloganeering and electioneering all the time, he said. Nobody is happy even in Zanu PF, the MDC Alliance and all the other parties. Nobody can be happy when the pockets are not happy, when the stomach is not happy.

The only solution for Zimbabwe is to think straight and stop being selfish. The only way is to make sure we have a common denominator, a back to each other moment.

But the MDC Alliance leader insisted that though dialogue was the only solution to end the crisis in Zimbabwe, he would never join the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) platform set up by President Emmerson Mnangagwa after the 2018 harmonised elections.

That (Polad) is part of the problem. You cannot try to score cheap political points like that. The only solution is dialogue and you cannot run away from it.

We can run away from it now, in five years or in 10 years but it is the solution that can build our country. It is time to take back our beloved country.

Nobody is in charge. We only have poverty in charge and suffering. We cant allow that. There is hurt and violence all over and we need a humane government.

Chamisa had earlier taken to microblogging site Twitter to declare his readiness to govern and bring total change to the long suffering Zimbabweans.

Total change: We must turn things around. We just dont have the luxury to be general.

We cant just be ordinary. To whom much is given much is expected. Good to go and ready. I will not disappoint, he tweeted.

Chamisa has been meeting MDC Alliance grassroots structures across the country as his party gears for the 2023 elections.

This week he is expected to tour Matabeleland North. Standard
THE Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) has engaged the Higher and Tertiary Education ministry over allegations that female staffers at Lupane State University are being sexually harassed by some top executives at the institution.

ZGC chief executive officer Virginia Muwanigwa said the commission was seized with the matter after receiving a report from one female staffer.

We indeed received the complaint, Muwanigwa said. We made contact with the LSU and they responded to us.

We are currently engaging the ministry of Higher Education. The Commission is seized with the issue of sexual harassment in the world of work.

We are currently monitoring the legislative processes aimed at combating sexual harassment, the anti-sexual harassment law, the gender equality law and the domestication of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment in the Workplace.

The legislative processes were by and large triggered by our investigations on sexual harassment in other institutions.

Last week, some women stormed the university campus protesting against the alleged abuses.

A top LSU official is accused of routinely abusing a string of women at the institution who included students and staff.

Sexual harassment is said to be rife at Zimbabwes tertiary institutions with lecturers accused of taking advantage of desperate students.

In most cases female students are reportedly forced to have sexual relationships with the lecturers in return for favourable marks for their assignments.

A 2015 baseline study by the Female Students Network Trust, a non-profit, membership-based organisation working with young women at tertiary institutions revealed that 97% of female students said they had experienced sexual harassment.

The survey was conducted at universities, polytechnics and teachers colleges where an overwhelming majority of students said they had experienced some sort of sexual harassment from lecturers and non-teaching staff. Standard
The allegations involve at least one EMS lieutenant, the sources said. The cards were being offered to anyone willing to buy them  not just city workers, said the sources.
They maneuvered their victims to stand up against a storefront, then took a gold chain from Pena, cops said. But when one of the victims tried to flee, swinging open a nearby door, the robbers opened fire, hitting the older man in the buttocks and Pena in the chest.
David Gooden, 46, began the spree in the mezzanine of the Whitehall St. station in the Financial District on Nov. 3 when he grabbed a 32-year-old woman around 10:15 a.m. and threatened to kill her if she didnt give up her MetroCard, cops said.
Not only did he serve as an officer with the Town of Big Stone Gap Police Department, but also as a volunteer with the Big Stone Gap Fire Department. Please keep his family in your prayers tonight, as this should have been a day to celebrate his 29th birthday  not a day to mourn his passing.
I just recently lost my mother to cancer but I was blessed with the chance to say goodbye and I was processing it privately. We never got to say goodbye to our precious Hannah and its another huge hit to our family, he wrote on Instagram.
Bray was removing groceries from her car at her Clarkston, Ga., apartment at about 1 a.m. on Wednesday when someone got into the SUV and drove away with Blaise in his car seat, she told officials.
As the town did not have a jail, authorities say they brought Descheenie to the Shiprock Police Department, where they planned to find someone to release him to. While still in the police car outside the station, Descheenie threw up and an officer brought him to the rear step of a transport van parked next to the police vehicle, according to police.
The 32-year-old Jackson had already boarded the flight to New Yorks LaGuardia Airport when she got into a disagreement with a staff member and was told to leave the plane, police said.
The town has not put a price tag on its repair plans, but officials cautioned it will be significant. Bay Head will seek first-round funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a more detailed study, and the mayor said he envisioned the town might be able to finance some of the work, like the earthen dam around the lake, on its own.
I view this as an early test of whether our democracy was recovering. If our law is to mean anything, it has to be applied equally. And so Im very glad the Justice Department has moved forward in this fashion, Schiff said.
These concepts arent and never have been irreconcilable, and Adams is right to call for some judicial discretion in determining where a particular defendant falls on this axis. While the 2020 bail reform of the 2019 bail reform added a degree of flexibility to deem that a defendant might be, for example, a flight risk, judges are still prevented from even considering whether a totality of the circumstances warrants a finding that someone is too dangerous or unstable to immediately let go.
This response reveals our nations unwillingness to come to grips with our past. Nikole Hannah-Jones is blamed for undermining our ideals when it is clearly our past actions that have undermined the principles laid out by our Founding Fathers. In Just Above My Head, James Baldwin stated, Responsibility cannot be lost, it can only be abdicated. We have abdicated responsibility for our crimes against Black America for centuries, but the crimes are still real and, as Prof. Eddie Glaude Jr. asserts, our willingness to tell the truth about them is the only way to begin again.
Cannabis legalization is fast becoming the next wedge issue that Democrats could use with success against Republicans, which is exactly why votes on marijuana law reform will never happen in the current Congress. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will do everything in his power to prevent his conference from taking a vote that would divide it in ways that Democrats could use to their advantage in the next election.
Q. Im booked on an MSC Divina cruise ship, which departs at 11 a.m. on a Sunday from Miami. They told me I need a COVID-19 test two days in advance, which would make that a Friday test. I have checked with all the people that give tests and they are telling me it takes three days, sometimes up to five days, to obtain your e-mail results and all labs are closed on Sundays! I have spoken to the representatives of MSC cruise lines and theyre telling me that is their policy. Im willing to follow their policy but if I dont get my results, Im standing on the dock ready to board the ship without results of my test. I have received my two vaccines plus my booster shot and I have my documentation to verify that. We are four people trying to get an answer. Do we lose all our money because we didnt follow their rules and regulations?  Jerry, Tamarac
The shop, located across the street from Exploria Stadium on the corner of Church Street and Parramore Avenue, suffered moderate fire damage, Papagni added. The door and windows were boarded up by Saturday, with glass strewn across the front entrance.
Its always been for me a matter of thinking about why we do this stuff, and it comes down to one thing  freedom, Trask said. If theres anything worth dying for, thats it. Coming out today is a good feeling to know that Im not the only one who feels this way. It moves me.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The point of contention of the presidential election is Article 12 of the law for the election of the president, requires a period of three months off work for any state official desirous of filing his nomination
News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
The East Carolinian has created a forum that centers around topics within the community where readers can express their experiences and concerns. With November being Native American Heritage Month, do you think East Carolina University has increased its efforts to recognize and honor Native and Indigenous cultures and students, faculty and staff on campus.

Survey
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Budget 2022 has signalled policy continuity in terms of maintaining mainstream corporate tax rates and investment incentives continuing from end 2019, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce noted in the press release.

According to the press statement issued by the CCC, The Chamber welcomes the focus on digitization, development of the hub concept, infrastructure development in investment promotion zones/SME development zones, removal of registration fees for Start-ups, green economy and targeted relief for vulnerable sections of the public impacted by the pandemic. While welcoming the several steps announced to improve the financial management of public sector institutions, the Chamber is concerned that these may be negated by the proposals to increase the retirement age to 65 years and the cadre by 50,000 new recruits. The recognition of the need to reform state owned enterprises and optimise the use of underutilized state assets is noteworthy and the Chamber looks forward to more opportunities being created in the near future for private sector participation in this process.

The Chamber in its Pre-Budget proposals highlighted the importance of the Government maintaining the current tax laws and rates while maintaining macro stability and focusing on developing key areas of the economy. We are pleased to note the alignment of policies with our budget submissions and past recommendations related to Tax administration, Trade Facilitation (in particular, implementation of the National Single Window), improving the Ease of doing business by specific export facilitation, improving backward linkages in the apparel sector, reskilling of workforce, acceleration of e-government and improving of land usage.

The private sector understands the need to identify new revenue measures to bridge the budget deficit given the impact of the pandemic on the economy. However, the imposition of the one-off Surcharge tax would dampen investor confidence given the retrospective implications of such taxes. The proposed Social Security Contribution will also have an adverse impact on low margin businesses, including those subject to price controls and financial intermediaries while also having a cascading impact. As such, we recommend to consider sourcing this revenue through established measures such as VAT or the previously abolished Nation Building Tax. The proposed multiple taxes could place a heavy burden on the Banking sector, which is supporting the post-pandemic recovery of most sectors, potentially weakening the financial system in the country.

There are clarifications needed on some of the new tax measures such as the implementation of the Social Security Contribution, Surcharge Tax and penalty on vehicles meeting with accidents. While there are laudable proposals such as expenditure allocations for irrigation, development of organic fertilizer, simplification of trade taxes to name a few, these lack adequate details at this stage to assess the desired impact. Therefore, the CCC would recommend that policymakers consult with relevant stakeholders who would be willing to contribute to the development of specific strategies to achieve the desired outcomes.

While the budget recognized the need for fiscal consolidation and the rebuilding of Sri Lankas foreign exchange reserves, it fell short on addressing the key macroeconomic challenges of managing the shortage of foreign exchange in the market and refinancing of debt in the short to medium term. The budget would have been an ideal opportunity to reassure investors, provide clarity and build confidence while further complimenting some of the measures outlined in the Central Banks Six-month Roadmap. Similarly, the Government could have used the opportunity to signal its commitment to phase out the currently prevailing import restrictions that are not sustainable in the long term.

Recent actions by the Government to move away from price controls on several essential products is greatly appreciated by the Chamber as it has helped to overcome shortages and improve availability. The Budget could have also signaled the policy shift towards establishing a market driven pricing formula for commodities like fuel and gas as well as other essential commodities which were previously under price control. This would assist the Government in raising revenue while managing the foreign exchange situation.

The Ceylon Chamber in its capacity as the premier representative of the private sector, looks forward to an ongoing engagement with the Government, and for the opportunity to play a meaningful role alongside the private sector at large, with respect to the implementation of the budget proposals.
In this case, Major General Sallay, has sought Rs. 1 billion as damages from South Africa-based human rights lawyer and activist Yasmin Sooka, the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) and a website operator for false, malicious, defamatory statements made against him.

The Colombo District Court has again issued summons against Yasmin Sooka and two other United-Kingdom-based respondents, including a website operator, to be present in court in February 2022, when it took up a civil defamation case filed by State Intelligence Chief Suresh Sallay, a Colombo based weekly, The Sunday Times has reported.

Additional District Judge A.D. Chathurika de Silva ordered that summons be reissued when it was brought to her notice that the defendants were not represented in court.

Sooka: Trading Human Rights at the cost of innocent lives?

In this case, Major General Sallay, has sought Rs. 1 billion as damages from South Africa-based human rights lawyer and activist Yasmin Sooka, the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) and a website operator for false, malicious, defamatory statements made against him.

The statements accused the plaintiff of forcing a government doctor in custody, to give false evidence by denying him medical treatment and threatening him.

It states that the doctor who is now in USA alleged he was asked to give false evidence in a staged news conference by the plaintiff.

In the plaint, the SIS chief, has stated that he is a decorated military officer (RWP, RSP, USP, NDC, PSC, MDEFS) with an illustrious career, currently holding the rank of Major General.

He has also pointed out that he joined the Sri Lanka Army in 1987 and has been granted several promotions. He has been serving as the Director of the State Intelligence Service. Maj. Gen. Sallay is also a member of the task force for the eradication of Covid-19.

He complains that on June 1, 2020, the first defendant Ms. Sooka, referring to him, had made statements that were published by the 2nd defendant in Sinhala, English and Tamil in the website he operates.

He says the 2nd and 3rd defendants had published and caused to be published on the website statements which he described as false, malicious and defamatory.

Maj.Gen. Sallay has accordingly pleaded that he has suffered loss and damage which he estimates at Rs. one billion or its equivalent in US dollars.

Counsel Hiran de Alwis with Attorneys-at-law Pasan Weerasinghe and Medani Navoda instructed by Attorney-at-law Lakshika Bakmiwewa appeared for Maj. Gen. Sallay.

The case will be taken up again on February 22 next year.
The United States government disbursed $150 million in financing to DFCC Bank on November 12 to support sustainable development of Sri Lankan community-based businesses, a press statement issued by US Embassy in Colombo said.

This is the largest loan disbursement by the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) for Sri Lanka, and it is part of a $265 million commitment designed to support the local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector, especially women-led enterprises in Sri Lanka, the embassy asserted.

The rest of the statement reads further as follows;

Through this partnership, DFCC Bank will provide lending solutions in priority sectors and support Sri Lankas commitment to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly enhancing the countrys efforts to promote women entrepreneurship. A portion of the DFC loan will be directed towards MSMEs owned or led by Sri Lankan women to tackle one of the biggest issues faced by women entrepreneurs: limited access to finance.

Disbursing the funds, U.S. Charge dAffaires to Sri Lanka and Maldives Martin Kelly said: "Gender equity and equality are key aspects of the bold new global infrastructure initiative Build Back Better World (B3W) that President Biden and G7 partners launched earlier this year. We look forward to seeing this funding make a difference for Sri Lankan communities, for small and medium business, and for women entrepreneurs as we all recover from the pandemic.

The U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is the development finance institution of the United States government, primarily responsible for providing and facilitating the financing of private development projects in countries around the world. This assistance is part of DFCs 2X Womens Initiative which has mobilized USD 7 billion in private sector investment toward womens economic empowerment and aims to provide an additional USD 12 billion by 2025 to advance gender equity in emerging markets worldwide.
Divide and rule policy of conquerors played no less role. However, all said and done, though we do not usually encounter major religious strife, we are not much aware of each others religion as well

by Pradip Kumar Dutta

We, in Bangladesh, often boost of being an anti-communal Nation. It is not untrue. Most of our people are of the same stock if we go back long in history and have converted into different religions due to different political, social, economic, racial and professional reasons. So, a workable racial harmony has mostly existed in the land through ages. Of course, we cannot deny sporadic riots in the sub-continent from time to time due to political greed of leaders and utilising religious sentiments of general mostly uneducated people to gain political head.

Divide and rule policy of conquerors played no less role. However, all said and done, though we do not usually encounter major religious strife, we are not much aware of each others religion as well. Reasons are multifarious and many a reader may not agree to my above statement altogether. I admit that there are many people in our society who are very very secular and are very tolerant to other faiths. Unfortunately, there are some others to the contrary and when these fanatics go into action, albeit limited, the greater section of the people who are secular prefer to indulge in inaction for some strange reasons. This phenomenon we have witnessed during recent inhuman communal disturbances during and after the Durga puja, the biggest Hindu festival of the region.

Fortunately, our present Government and the Head of State is very serious on this issue and is bent to deal with fanatic miscreants with all the Government's might. She has promised exemplary punishment for wrong doers to set example before others so that similar disturbances in the name of religion to take other political/economical/social benefits does not occur in future. We know that the Honourable Prime Minister is true to her words and from now on better days are ahead.

Now, after a quite long introduction, let us settle to the point that we would like to deal in today.

Rajban Vihara is the most revered Buddhist Temple in Rangamati in Bangladesh and is respected by Chakmas, all other Buddhists and people of other faith as well. It was the seat of Banabhantey, the high priest of the Vihara and the Chakma Royal Family. We will come back to him in details later.

Now, what is Kathin Chibor Daan? In simple words, it is to gift the monks with the special type of attire they wear.

The simple attire that the monks are supposed to wear consists of four parts - spun, woven dyed and stitched from raw cotton within an unimaginable span of 24 hours. This practice has its origin from the days of Lord Buddha. During the three months of rainy season, the followers of Lord Buddha used to seclude them in a particular temple or place and stayed put there learning, teaching and researching on religion and life. This was and still is named Varshabash. At the end of one such Varshabash, the pious lady Bishakha found the ascetics and monks in torn, forlorn and unhealthy attire. She sought and received the permission of the Lord to provide all of them with simple and clean attire of particular religious colours (red, yellow, pastel, etc.) within shortest possible time. She assembled devoted ladies to the cause of Dhamma and performed the miraculous job within the specified time. This attire is known as Chibar and the practice spread across the countries of Theravada Buddhism in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Kampuchea, Laos, etc.

Strict time frame however was lost with time, but Gift of Chibar was always considered amongst the Buddhists as the best Gift possible on God's earth. To glorify this activity of Chibar Daan big and small festivals are arranged all over Buddhist dominated area for one long month. These functions include apart from Gift of Chibar (the main feat) also Dharmadeshana (religious directives towards leading simple and truthful life) by high priests and monks, religious seminars signifying Lord Buddha's teachings, Interfaith sessions, feeding the religious gurus, bhanteys, monks ascetics and religious leaders, chanting from religious scriptures like Tripitaka, religious concerts, releasing air baloons with fire lamp, illuminating religious campuses and cleaning/decorating the premises.

Kathin Chibar Daan lasts for one month from Prabarana Poornima (on conclusion of Varshbash usually in October) till Kartiki poornima usually in November. The temples distribute the dates amongst themselves mutually. There are two interpretations of the word Kathin. One would easily agree that to prepare attires for the monks from the scratch with raw cotton within only 24 hours is Kathin or very very difficult to say the least. There is another origin of the word from South-east Asia where the use a wooden frame for weaving the Chibar. Its made of a hard wood called Kathien.

Kathin Chibar Daan has become the most venerable religious festival participated by Buddhists of all the places including Bangladesh and today the 12th November, 2021, we are observing it in Rangamati Rajban Vihar the most celebrated temple in the Chittagong hills and is considered as the Royal Temple of Chakma kingship. In this particular Vihara, the old tradition of making the Chibar within the timeframe of 24 hours was reintroduced according to old tradition by His Grace the Banabhantey Sadhanananda Mahasthabir in the early part of 70s of the previous century when upon repeated requests, he took up the leadership of constructing this temple as the center of Buddhist learning in the region.

Now that we have covered two of the main topics of our discussion today: the Kathin Chibor Daan and Rajban Bihar (a few pictures will be attached). Lets now throw some light on the great Religious leader, the supreme propagator of the Great Lord Buddha's thought of Ahimsa and also live and let live. He is none other than the Banabhantey as he is popularly known.

The great man was born as Rathindra Lal Chakma in a middle class family of a small place named Maghban,not too far from Rangamati. He was the eldest of 6 siblings and at his 23rd year of age, his father expired leaving the responsibility of running the family on his shoulders. Till then, he had only received middle English school education. To face the challenge of life, he took up business to run his family, but material life never attracted him. He often got engrossed in thoughts of valueless material life, Dhamma, ultimate fate of mankind as shown by Lord Buddha and Ahimsa. That did the business no good. His brothers took over running the business and at the age of 29 years, Rathindra was introduced to HG Dipankar Srigyan Mahasthabir, the chief of Chittagong Nandankanan Bouddha Dhatu Vihara.

After being blessed by the Head of the Institution Sri Dipankar Srigyan he became a Sraman, stayed in the temple for some time and then set out in search of enlightenment and Dhamma with the Giru's blessings. He stayed in Betagi and Chitmorom temples for certain period and learned and practised religion with the inmates and teachers there. All those places were dangerously hilly, infested with wildlife of different sorts, shortage of food and means of living. But that never deterred the soul seekers. Our Sraman was looking for still difficult life which he found in a place called Dhanpata, deep in the forest. Wildlife was more common there than humans. He started his life meditating, studying and occasionally preaching to a chance visitor. He spent 12 long years in this remote forest when he is said to have performed various miraculous acts but lets not get involved in that.

When Kaptai dam was put for Hydel power by the then Pakistan government, about 500 square km of the Hill tracts area was inundated and that has become beautiful Kaptai-Rangamati lake of today. Many sweat and tear is hidden behind this beauty. Anyway, the Bhikkhu lost his meditation cottage to the lake and was forced to shift. Some of his disciples of Dighinala brought him there. After spending some time there he shifted to Langadu area and finally started staying in Tintilla cottage, a meagre place to stay for him and a few of his disciples. Tintilla is near Langadu. The elders invited him to Langadu area (Fang: official invitation) for starting Kathin Chibar Daan.

During this period 1960-1970 his fame spread far and near and many important people of the area and from outside used to come to him for advice on Dhamma and worldly affairs. By 1970 his disciples were receiving Upasampada. Some of them became monks of highest order, experts on Pali and Tripitaka. Some went to Akyab and other places of higher Burmese learning to learn more. When Banabhantey attained the status of a Buddhist preacher, his name was given as Sadhanananda ultimately becoming a Mahashabir in 1981. But since he spent most of his productive and learning time in the forests and his popular name became Banabhantey.

By the beginning of the 70s of previous century, Banabhantey was very very well known. His reintroduction of the century old Kathin Chibar preparation within a 24-hour span made him very renowned and respected. It also opened up a slot for local hill tribes to prepare their own clothings and earning money by promoting local traditional textiles. Rangamati now is full of such local products that is very popular among Bangladeshi and foreign tourists alike.

In 1974 for the first time the Chakma Raj family sent a Fang to him through a high powered delegation led by Kumar Kokonadaksha Roy who was accompanied by several respected citizens. At first, the Reverend did not agree to leave behind his modest forest life style and mode of devotion. The delegation was very very disheartened. But Banabhantey's main disciple in those days was Nandapal. He was somehow convinced by the good intention of the Royal and Civil society and convinced the Reverend Banavantey to accept the proposal of establishing a Headquarters for learning, teaching and preaching Lord Buddha's ideals.

First, Nandapal was sent for the construction of the first modest ashram and had his first Barshabash there. Finally, the Banabhanyey shifted to Rajbanbihar from Tintilla and by 1980 Rajbanvihar was finally fully functional. Rajmata Arati Devi first donated 27 acres of land near the Royal palace for the grand Temple. Subsequently Rajmata Benita Roy and Raja Devashish also played their parts along with the Bangladesh Government and others of the civil society belonging to all religions. Day by day the Vihara is gaining elegance by edition of new facilities with the initiative of the Executive Committee, civil and government agencies, foreign donation and help of expatriate Bangladeshi Buddhists. Today this huge organisation can boast of 57 branches in Bangladesh and 20 in India including at Bodhgaya, Arunachal, Mizoram and Agartala.

Our great Sadhanananda Mahasthabir left his mortal form to eternity in 2012. With the help of Thai technology and active support from Thai masters, his body is mummified and still lies in the same look and shape as original as if he is sleeping. It is kept for audience of public to show respect to his soul, deeds and ideals. Strict timing and rules are to be followed.

Today is the day that the highest Daan (Gift) to a Buddhist Monk namely Kathin Chibar Daan is being performed in Rajbanvihara at Rangamati in presence of high Bangladeshi Civil and Government leaders and foreign dignitaries.

We wish all success to the event. Let us all remember Lord Buddha's teachings:

Live and let live

Ahimsha (no hatred to anyone).

Killing any living being is a sin.

Love each other.

Let all living creatures on earth be Happy.

Long live Lord Buddha's teachings.





-The End-

The writer is a columnist based in Dhaka, Bangladesh
As Immanuel Kant said every human being is an end and not a means. This philosophy is based on a sense of duty to human dignity and that the duty should be performed with kindness.





by Dr. Ruwantissa Abeyratne in Montreal





Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.  Plato





13th November every year is World Kindness Day.





Hindustan Times of 12 November 2021 says: The history of the World Kindness Day dates back to 1997 when World Kindness Movement hosted the first conference in Tokyo, Japan to bring together like-minded organizations from across the world. It is observed in many countries like Canada, Australia, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates. It was in 1998, that the day became an annual observance. The kindness movement started gaining acceptance across the globe with each passing year. In 2005, the UK kindness movement began while in 2009 Singapore too joined the initiative. From UK (2010), Australia (2012), France (2015), USA (2018), by 2019 the World Kindness Movement had reached 27 countries. After its long journey of decades, the World Kindness Movement was finally recognized as an official NGO in Switzerland.









The same newspaper makes some useful practical suggestions for each of us individuals to celebrate and respect World Kindness Day: send a motivating text to your friend or family member; go out of the way to make someone smile; talk to a friend or family member you haven't spoken to in a long time; give someone a genuine compliment; surprise your neighbor with some freshly cooked snacks or meal; write recommendation for your friend on LinkedIn; treat your dog or cat buddies in an animal shelter; be a good listener; be kind to yourself and take a day off.





All this is good stuff. But being burdened with a legal education, I am reminded of the maxim Expressio Unius est exclusion alterus which I learned when mucking up the subject Interpretation of Statutes. This Latin phrase literally means express mention of one thing excludes all others. Looking at the nomenclature of World Kindness Day one cannot be held deficient of an intellectual vacancy in wondering whether this means kindness to the world or kindness among individuals wherever one might be in the world, particularly when World Environment Day relates to environment of the world and World Autism Day means consideration of autism as a disability affecting the world, without relegating the term to the ignominy of banality in relations between one another.





Of course, individual kindness should be a valid consideration and the aforementioned laudable acts suggested by Hindustan Times should be followed by the word regularly. This is what would make us decent human beings who could get on well with the serious business of living. But it goes further in irony and beyond global hypocrisy. For instance, as I write, the world is plagued by the helpless plight of the immigrant/refugee. On the border between Poland and Belarus, there are thousands of immigrants (whether legal or immigrant it matters not) - all humans who deserve human dignity according to Article 15 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which says if they are frightened of being badly treated in their own country, they all have the right to run away to another country to be safe; and Article 5 which says that nobody has any right to hurt them or to torture them. Above all Article 22 of the Declaration says that they have the right to a home, to have enough money to live on and medical help if they are ill. They should all be allowed to enjoy music, art, craft, sport and to make use of their skills.





World Socialist Website reports: [T]housands of refugees, including women and small children, are trapped without food, drink or medical care in the forests and swamps of Belarus border region. Many do not even have tents and blankets and are exposed to the freezing cold and rain. At least ten have died so far. The mayor of a town near the border estimated the true death toll at 70 to 200. Refugees have repeatedly reported discovering corpses in the forest or in rivers. CNN says similarly: Polish authorities said seven migrants have been found dead on Poland's side of the border, with reports of more deaths in Belarus.





Humanitarian groups also accuse Poland's ruling nationalists of violating the international right to asylum by pushing migrants back into Belarus instead of accepting their applications for protection. Poland says its actions are legal.





In another part of the world, as reported in the CIPHER Report: Thousands of refugees encountered harrowing conditions as they streamed across Turkey and toward Greece, only to be met by fierce resistance from Greek border authorities. Greece has suspended asylum claims at its borders. In one highly disturbing video circulating on social media, Greek coast guard members are seen firing shots at a makeshift rubber dinghy as it bobs slowly in the Aegean Sea, teeming with desperate refugees, including young children. Residents of the Greek island of Lesbos gathered near the shore to shout at refugees and urge them to turn around, yelling go away and making derogatory remarks. A journalist covering the events was assaulted by an angry mob, pummeled and stomped as he lay writhing on the ground.





In yet another corner, as Asia Times says: The Rohingya have been subjected to persecution, discrimination and torture for decades in Myanmar. In 2017, almost a million of them had to leave their homeland because of fierce human-rights abuses. Consequently, Bangladesh welcomed them. However, three years down the line, the Rohingya are still suffering, still not able to speak up for their rights and still marginalized.





These re just three stories of many and I wouldnt even mention those in Afghanistan.





As Immanuel Kant said every human being is an end and not a means. This philosophy is based on a sense of duty to human dignity and that the duty should be performed with kindness. This is what made Adolf Eichmanns assertion before the Nuremberg Court tenuous  that he did everything with a sense of duty. Kant also said that one should judge a person not on how they acted when times were good, or when they felt like being kind or caring and that the true measure of kindness in a person was in how they behaved when they didnt want to, and when there was nothing to be personally gained for them.

One wonders how Nelson Mandela - the epitome of Kants ideal and Nietzsches Uber mensch - would have treated refugees or immigrants in todays context. It has been said of Mandela: Mandela was an amazing leader and example of love, forgiveness, and kindness and one of the things that made him so remarkable is that upon his release in 1990, not only did he not express anger, or hatred towards his jailers, he actually befriended them. In fact, he invited one of them to attend his 1994 presidential inauguration and to the 20th anniversary celebration of his release from prison. Both James Gregory, and Cristo Brand, Mandelas jailers spoke of the deep respect they had for this man. Brand went from being pro-apartheid as a young man to someone who stood with Mandela against racial segregation, and oppression.





This is beyond sending messages of motivation or baking cookies. So much for World Kindness Day.
By the time the officers found him, he was already deceased, Leamon said. He was found shot in the parking area behind the businesses at that location. No arrests have been made at this time. The investigation is ongoing.
The vision for Bella Vista, which has been built in phases, has morphed through the years. Rental apartments replaced the vision of condos. But city officials said its still a nice mix of rental and purchase options. The citys mayor said its mostly leased.
Miami Beach elevated 14th street by about two feet in 2014 while the state raised Alton Road, and the improved flood pump station was one of several built under emergency no-bid contracts. None of the flood pump stations built in that time period had generators on them because of concerns from residents that the diesel belching machines were loud and unsightly. Since then, generators have been more common in pump projects.
Questions are many. Is there a real need to transport passengers to the beach? How many will use it? Where are the beachgoers going when they get there? They will all be dropped off at the same place, so is the beach being widened? Who maintains the tunnel, and who owns it, a private venture or the city? Does this questionable project warrant the cost, disruption and possible danger? I hope Mayor Dean Trantalis is open to these questions. But when safety was raised, he asked rhetorically, What happens if Mars hits Earth? How is that relevant? Such a response is inappropriate when being interviewed by a reporter.
From a big picture perspective, the only way to solve the affordability crisis in South Florida is to have more supply, said Albert Milo, President of Related Urban Development Group. You need to be able to produce more units on an annual basis at a certain price point that can serve the different income levels that are finding it very hard to find housing that is affordable to them.
Poison Rage

Written by: William Blackwell

Available In: eBook|Paperback

Author Website: http://www.wblackwell.com/

This spine-chilling horror charts the macabre path of a strung-out team of paranormal investigators as they near the truth surrounding deadly rage-filled attacks in the unassuming small town of Montague, PEI. A riveting and shocking ride that will careen you to the edge of a frightening precipice.
By Mira Diamond-Berman

diamondb@grinnell.edu

Six students from the 2020 tutorial The Art of Craft joined their crocheting creations to yarnbomb three lampposts and a tree between Noyce Science Center and the Humanities and Social Studies Center.

Yarnbombing is a display of fiber art that brightens up a public space by covering an object with a crochet or knit artifact. Yarnbombing can be used as a form of protest or to bring awareness to the surrounding environment.

Yarnbombing is a form of craftivism, which is frequently defined as a form of gentle protest as it takes something that is traditionally domestic or traditionally feminine and turns it into a subversive means, said Phil Tyne `24 who was in The Art of Craft last year. [Its] not always protesting something but generally [brings] awareness to certain things or just changing the layout of an environment so that people pay attention.

The students from the tutorial hoped that their crocheted squares would bring more color and character to the Grinnell campus.

Our hope is more that it makes people happy because its quirky and cute to have little sweaters on the lamppost and just in general make people feel that theyre in a location that is tended to and cared for rather than just a manufactured lawn, said Tyne.

The yarnbomb patterns were created during the tutorial last year and now that all the students are finally back together on campus they decided to hang up their creations.

Dr. Snook, who was our professor, she bought this yarn and during the tutorial she sent it out to us. And we crocheted the squares during F1 when we had our tutorial. said Tyne

Jax Seiler `22, who started knitting as a kid and is the President of the Fiber Arts Club on campus, was not involved with this yarnbombing event but is well aware of the purposes of yarnbombing.

Ive seen some as activism, which is super cool. Ive seen the version  theyre like on a chain linked fence doing essentially a cross stitch to spell things out, said Seiler.

Seiler has also seen yarn bombing used as an alternative to graffiti.

[It] brighten[s] things up, said Seiler. [It] brings color in a fun way that is a little easier to remove than traditional graffiti

This yarnbombing wasnt as graffiti-like and independent as the students of The Art of Craft wanted. Rather than being surprising and unsolicited like other forms of street art, the students had to confer with Facilities Management (FM) before putting up their art.

[The] whole thing of like getting permission from FM and a lot of stuff like that, which in a way ruins the spirit of yarnbombing because a lot of yarnbombing is anti-capitalist  anti-authority. But it sort of takes away the meaning of putting something up spontaneously if you have to get approval from someone, so that they dont cut it down immediately, said Tyne.

They dont have plans to remove their yarnbombing from the tree and lampposts any time soon, but the removal may not be up to them.

We dont have rain forecasts in the future so I dont think it should get wet or anything. Its really up to if FM decides to cut it down, said Tyne. Hopefully they dont because if they do I would want some of that back.
The 2nd Annual Mentorship Forum Middle East welcomed more than 400 regional and international attendees both virtually and in person at the Gulf Hotel, Bahrain to highlight mentorship in a new post-Covid working order.



The Forum, focusing on Prioritising Mentorship in a New World, was opened by Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, Bahrains Minister of Finance and National Economy, who shared his insight and views on the importance of human capital development and the significant role that mentorship plays in supporting talent development and career progression, particularly for the next generation of business leaders.



Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa highlighted that Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, with the support of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, demonstrates the value of teamwork in achieving national development excellence.



HE Shaikh Salman noted the Kingdoms commitment to further invest in key areas that support the national workforce, underpinned by programs and initiatives that promote sustainable economic growth.



Shaikh Salman emphasised the importance of leveraging all available opportunities to strengthen mentorship and talent development, and to ensure the next generation of business leaders are able to further advance economic progress.



Interactive panel sessions were also held on related themes exploring the use and benefits of mentorship as well as a workshop, presented by Qodwa, the mentorship arm of the CFA Society Bahrain, called Mentorship Mastermind, which aimed to help participants develop and launch their own dynamic mentorship schemes.



National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), the Forums Lead Partner, used the Forum to launch the second cohort of its own internal mentorship programme, Inspire, which it first unveiled at Mentorship Middle Easts inaugural event in November 2019. NBBs second cohort, which brings senior leaders and up-and-coming professionals together, is formed for all NBBs employees and the programme will span a year of interaction and knowledge sharing in support of talent acceleration.



Among the themes explored over the course of the day were Mentorship and Meeting Talent Development Gaps in the Hybrid Workplace, Mentorship for Boards, Cross Mentorship and the Leveraging of Diverse Talent Pools, Technology-Focused Mentoring, Mentorship for Entrepreneurs and SMEs and Speed Mentoring.



Zahraa Taher, Managing Director of FinMark Communications, the Forums Founder and Organiser, said: We couldnt be more delighted with the exceptional turn out and high calibre of speakers, panellists and participants that joined the 2nd Annual Mentorship Forum Middle East, making it an outstanding success for everyone involved.



Mentorship is become universally accepted as one of the most valuable and powerful tools for accelerating human capital development and were very pleased to see the support it is receiving in the region from leaders across the private and public sectors. Were extremely gratefully for the support of HE Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, Bahrains Minister of Finance and National Economy for opening the Forum, and to our partners, in particular our Lead Partner NBB and Mr. Jean-Christophe Durand, CEO of the Bank, who for a second consecutive year has lent his full support and that of the NBB team to making the Forum such a great success.



Were also very grateful to our other strategic partners and the fantastic line up of speakers and panellists who joined us from Bahrain, the region and globally. We will continue to build on the momentum gained today and plan to launch a series of mentorship workshops across the GCC in January 2022 building up to the 3rd Annual Forum, which will be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the end of next year, she added.  TradeArabia News Service
Aluminum Bahrain (Alba), the world's largest aluminium smelter ex-China, is driving future efforts to diversify energy sources and implement clean energy generating technologies, following the kingdom's 2030 economic strategies and objectives for clean and renewable energy, according to an industry expert.

Alba had recently announced an integrated action plan that would help the company achieve its desired goals following Bahrain's ambitious goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.

The companies in the aluminum sector and allied industries in Bahrain are motivated by Alba's pioneering trends in preserving and developing the environment, stated Ammar Awachi, CEO of Taha International Corporation.

Awachi lauded the company's efforts in this field, particularly the development of Alba Solar Park, which will encompass an area of more than 37,000 sq m, spread over operational sites, parking lots, and the Alba Club, with a capacity of more than 5 MW.

"Taha is working within the framework of its environmental strategy, to adopt the most up-to-date solutions in climate change issues such as clean energy, environmental protection, waste management, among other aspects, following Bahrain's national directions to be an active participant in regional and global climate and environmental challenges."

Awachi pointed out that explained that the company operates on its patented technology that has been registered in its name all over the world.

"Through this technology, Tahas aluminium dross process is a radical innovation whose process consumes less energy and produces no toxic salt cake, while keeping the carbon emission at its minimum limits close to zero," he explained.

Citing a recent study conducted by Ernst & Young, the Netherlands in collaboration with the renowned Austrian Montan University, Awachi said it had concluded that the carbon footprint of Taha's method vastly outperforms the conventional method otherwise available in Bahrain and most parts of the world, showing a reduction of more than 81% GHG emissions.

"Everyone at Taha is extremely proud that its patented technology was conceived and refined in the kingdom, thus making it a Bahraini technology, that is now adopted by a growing number of aluminum plants worldwide.-TradeArabia News Service
Some of the speakers at the forum

A high-level forum will explore the opportunities the Bahrain-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) can offer Indian companies seeking access to the US markets by leveraging investment, operations and partnerships in Bahrain.

The hybrid forum is set to take place on November 15, 2021 organised by The American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain (AmCham) and the Bahrain Indian Society (BIS).

The event, which will be held with the support of the Bahrain Economic Development Board and FinMark Communications, will highlight the benefits provided by the FTA since its signing 15 years ago.

Specifically, it will look at how Bahraini and US firms have benefited, including a tripling of two-way merchandise trade, and the significantly expanded bilateral trade which has resulted, supporting economic diversification, job creation and investment in both countries.

Similarly, the forum will also highlight similar and new opportunities that can be garnered by third party countries and investors, such as Indian companies, using Bahrain and its many business friendly policies and platforms, like the FTA, as a gateway.

Discussions will focus on tactics for helping Indian manufactures and business leaders establish a presence and partnerships in the kingdom through which they can benefit from duty free access to the US market for FTA eligible goods.

Addressing the forum, will be a top line up of public and private sector leaders and trade and investment experts including:

Embassy of US in Bahrain - ChargedAffaires, Maggie Nardi;

Embassy of India in Bahrain - Second Secretary, Ihjas Aslam Sheik;

Bahrain Indian Society  Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed Juma;

AmCham Bahrain  President, Qays Zubi;

Moderator -- Hesham AlAbbar, CEO Mueller Middle East & AmCham Board Member;

Bahrain EDB -- Dalal Buhejji, Executive Director - Investment Origination;

JBF Bahrain, SPC -- Kunjan Choksi, Vice President;

Micro Tech Global Foundation -- Dr P Sekhar, Chairman; and

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) -- Pranav Kumar, Principal- International Trade Policy.

Together, speakers and panelists will share experience of the FTA and examples that show its strong and active use by businesses across most industries in Bahrain as well as hearing from a leading Indian company, JBF Bahrain SPC, on its successful leveraging of the FTA to expand into the US market.

Dalal Buhejji, Executive Director  Investment Origination at the Economic Development Board commented: Bahrain recently announced an economic recovery programme based on five pillars. A key pillar facilitates commercial procedures to enhance the business environment, furthering investment opportunities. Bahrain already offers investors a number of competitive advantages, including our forward-thinking regulation, the regions best value operating costs, and highly skilled workforce.

The kingdom is ideally situated at the heart of the Gulf, with easy access to the largest market in the region, Saudi Arabia. Moreover, Bahrains Free Trade Agreement, which marked its 15th anniversary in 2021, is a significant milestone in the relationship between the US and Bahrain. It offers a unique opportunity for companies based out of the kingdom to access one of the largest markets in the world by eliminating barriers to entry, reducing the cost of export, and enhancing the competitiveness of Bahraini products.

The event is part of AmChams ongoing efforts to support business growth and development in the kingdom and promote the use of the Bahrain-US FTA as part of a broader set of initiatives aimed at achieving improved trade, investment and other economic activities between the two countries.

-- TradeArabia News Service
The biggest edition of Dubai Airshow since it began in 1989 is set for launch today (November 14) featuring over 370 new exhibitors and representatives from almost 150 countries and is expected to welcome more than 85,000 visitors.



The Airshow will run until November 18, bringing the aviation, aerospace, space and defence industries together for what promises to be the most extraordinary experience in the history of air shows.



There will be civil and military delegations from more than 140 countries and the event will feature 20 country pavilions, including new additions from the Czech Republic, Belgium, Brazil, Israel, and Slovakia.



The event feature world-class products, solutions, technologies, and services from market leaders and disruptors, enhanced networking opportunities and state-of-art aircraft display along with major industry announcements.



Timothy Hawes, Managing Director at Tarsus Middle East, organisers of Dubai Airshow 2021 said: The Dubai Airshow 2021 will be like no other  it is the first opportunity since the pandemic for industry professionals to come together again to share significant updates, game-changing initiatives, cutting-edge technologies and sustainable solutions set to revolutionise aviation. We stand at a unique moment in time after many aerospace businesses rapidly pivoted operations and invested in new technology to drive a new sustainable era for the industry.



The future for aerospace is optimistic and were pleased to be able to welcome exhibitors, delegates, representatives, and visitors from all over the world to showcase this re-energised enthusiasm, innovation and resilience during the show. We truly believe that Dubai Airshow 2021 will play a vital role in taking forward major projects and initiatives that are key for transforming the industry, Hawes added.



Aircraft Display - one of the biggest highlights of the show will be the static park and flying display, which will feature more than 175 of the worlds most advanced aircraft on ground and in the air. The Airshow will feature aerobatic displays from the UAE Air Forces Fursan, the Russian Knights, the Saudi Hawks, Surya Kiran from India and the Sarang Team of the Indian Air Force. Checkmate, the next generation Sukhoi fighter jet will make its first international debut for the next generation Sukhoi fighter jet. The Boeing 777X and the Leonardo AW609 will also make debuts at this years Airshow.



This year, Dubai Airshow has introduced a host of free-to-attend conferences featuring more than 250 industry experts, who will be providing more than 50 hours of invaluable insights and trends across nine tracks including cargo, sustainability, technology, and space among others.



VISTA-Aerospace startups will take part in the brand new startup hub where they will have the opportunity to showcase their breakthrough solutions, take part in pitch competitions with major local and global aerospace entities such as Etihad Airways, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Boeing Applied Innovation. Entrepreneurs will also have the chance to get involved in mentorship programmes, workshops, and high-level networking with leading investors and accelerators.



There will be new aircraft demos from Bellwether Industries presenting the Antelope, an urban vertical take-off and landing vehicle with hidden propellers as well as Manta Aircrafts ANN2, a two-seat model for personal air mobility with wide regional range at high speed.



Tech Zone  Dubai Airshow 2021 will have a major focus on technology, providing a dedicated platform for showcasing the latest emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G, cybersecurity and automation.



Dubai Airshow mobile application - A brand new feature for the show this year is the Dubai Airshow application, which harnesses the power of AI to facilitate business matchmaking based on profile and interest.



To be held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, Dubai Airshow 2021 will take place at Dubai World Central (DWC), Dubai Airshow Site.  TradeArabia News Service
Within the framework of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change COP26, the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the Government of Panama and the business group NOAH agreed to work together for the implementation of the United Nations Fund for Climate Neutrality of Tourism.

The Fund represents an innovative financing instrument promoted by UNWTO to respond to threats posed by the climate emergency.

In recognition of the existential threat posed by the climate emergency, UNWTO, the government of Panama and NOAH (Network of Ocean Ambassadors Headquarters) will support the creation of a Capital Fund that will make possible the UN Fund for the Climate Neutrality of Tourism and the creation of a Smart Carbon Exchange Market, according to a UNWTO statement.

Led by NOAH together with UNWTO, this market aims to promote the exchange of carbon credits in the most efficient way.

With this agreement, Panama ratifies its climate leadership and its efforts to conserve and regenerate nature and, at the same time, unleash economic growth through tourism that benefits local communities. Panama is one of only three carbon negative countries in the world - that is, it absorbs more greenhouse gases than it emits.

Panama's Minister of Tourism Ivan Eskildsen highlighted the role of UNWTO in bringing together a leader in climate response like Panama, firmly committed to tourism as a pillar for the future of people and the planet, and NOAH that will contribute technological and financial solutions to mobilise the necessary resources for a sustainable future for the benefit of all.

UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili added: "These projects reflect UNWTO's commitment to transform the tourism sector to accelerate the decarbonisation of the sector." He stressed that this is an example of success based on co-operation between the UN system, international organisations, UNWTO member states and the private sector in general.

With Panama serving as a pilot country for these initiatives, NOAH will prepare a study in co-ordination with the Ministry of the Environment to estimate the 'blue carbon' reserves in mangroves and seagrasses in protected areas of the country, as well as the reserves of carbon in wetlands.

For his part, NOAH Founder Frederic Degret confirmed that to articulate this great project, Panama will host the international headquarters of an Intelligent Carbon Exchange Market, as we have agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding signed between UNWTO and NOAH.

The UNWTO, NOAH and Panama ensure the transition to a tourism sector with net zero emissions and focused on improving peoples lives.-TradeArabia News Service
Bahrains Gulf Air and Dubais Emirates have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a deeper commercial cooperation between both carriers.

The MoU will set the framework between both carriers to establish a potential codeshare cooperation across the networks of each airline, extending reciprocal loyalty benefits on Gulf Airs Falconflyer and Emirates Skywards, and discussions are also underway to initiate cargo cooperation.

Signed on the first day of the Dubai Airshow, the MoU will mark the beginning of closer ties between the two airlines. The MoU was signed by Gulf Airs Acting Chief Executive Officer Captain Waleed AlAlawi and Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline.

The signing ceremony was also attended by members of each airlines executive management teams.

Customers travelling on Emirates and Gulf Airs operated flights can book single-ticket travel with competitive fares, and one-stop baggage check-in to their final destinations. Emirates will initially place its EK marketed code on Gulf Air operated flights between Bahrain and Dubai, and reciprocally, Gulf Air will add its GF marketed code to Emirates routes.

Captain AlAlawi commented: This will be a remarkable partnership between one of the first airlines in the Gulf region and one of the biggest carriers in the world. Were proud to explore opportunities with Emirates to expand our reach and at the same time extend our boutique services to Emirates passengers when flying on our network. Gulf Air and Emirates operate multiple flights between Bahrain and Dubai and this agreement will provide passengers with more choices beyond our hubs.

Sir Tim said: We are pleased to partner with Gulf Air on developing this codeshare agreement, which will give customers significantly enhanced choices, convenient schedules and flexibility to connect between Dubai and Bahrain, and beyond to cities in our extensive long-haul network. We believe that our new partnership will bring real benefits to our customers and business, and todays agreement is a positive step in our cooperation, and we are on the way to further strengthening our relationship in the future.

Once the codeshare is activated, customers will be able to book their travel with both airlines on emirates.com and gulfair.com, through online travel agencies as well as with local travel agents.-- TradeArabia News Service
Punjab: High alert in two border districts after grenade blast 22 Nov 2021 | 1:41 PM Pathankot, Nov 22 (UNI) Punjab Police have sounded alert in two border districts of Punjab after a low-intensity hand grenade blast was reported near an army camp, here on Sunday night. see more..

Srinagar witnesses coldest night of season 22 Nov 2021 | 1:21 PM Srinagar, Nov 22 (UNI) Srinagar on Monday witnessed the coldest night of the season as the mercury dipped to minus 1.6 degrees Celsius and cold condition continued unabated across the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh union territories disrupting normal life. see more..

Security heightened in J&K's Kathua after Pathankot blast in Punjab 22 Nov 2021 | 1:05 PM Jammu, Nov 22 (UNI) A high alert was sounded and security stepped up in the bordering belt of Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir after a mysterious grenade blast outside an Army Cantonment in Pathankot district of Punjab. see more..

BJP leader's brother dies in firing in Mirzapur 22 Nov 2021 | 12:55 PM Mirzapur, Nov 22 (UNI) The brother of the city president of the BJP was killed in the firing during a wedding ceremony in the Katra Kotwali area in the district of Mirzapur. see more..
Taipei, Nov 14 (UNI) Taiwan on Sunday thanked US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for expressing concerns on China's continuous military, diplomatic and economic pressure against Taipei during recent talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

"We sincerely thank @SecBlinken for expressing concern regarding China's continued military, diplomatic & economic pressure against #Taiwan, as well as emphasizing long-standing #US interest in peace & stability across the Taiwan Strait," Ministry of Foreign, ROC (Taiwan) tweeted.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday at the latter's request.
Kabul, Nov 14 (UNI) The Afghan Taliban does not want conflict with any country, including India, and the conversation with the representative from New Delhi during the Moscow Format last month was positive, Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has said.

In an interview with BBC News Urdu, and reported by Dawn, Muttaqi, to a question about relations with New Delhi, said that Afghanistan did not want conflict with any country, including India.

"We do not want Afghanistan to have a conflict with any other country or to have challenges arise that could affect our nation, therefore, we will continue to work on this issue," Muttaqi said.

Asked whether there was a reaction from China or Pakistan on Afghanistan's close ties with India, he referred to the recent meetings held in Moscow.

"When we participated in the Moscow conference, the representatives of India, Pakistan and several other countries were also present. We had a positive conversation and will hopefully not oppose any country, he said.

On October 20, on the sidelines of the Moscow Format talks in the Russian capital, a Taliban delegation led by Maulvi Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met with JP Singh, Joint Secretary in India's Ministry of External Affairs, in Indias first high-level contact with the Taliban regime in Kabul.

Separately, Muttaqi, during a meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad on Friday, urged the Pakistani leadership to allow Indian trucks carrying wheat into Afghanistan. Imran Khan gave the go-ahead. Imran told the delegation led by Muttaqi that Islamabad would favourably consider the request by the Afghan Taliban to allow trucks carrying Indian wheat through Pakistan on exceptional basis.

In his interview to BBC Urdu, Muttaqi also said that the Afghan Taliban are mediating between Pakistan and the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) but no agreement has been reached so far.

Muttaqi said the Afghan Taliban were acting as mediators on the desire of both the parties in Pakistan.

Muttaqi said the two sides had not yet reached an agreement, but the process has had a "good" start, leading to the announcement of a month-long ceasefire.

Muttaqi hoped that relations between the government and the TTP would improve.

He told the BBC journalists, in what the publication said was his first interview with a female journalist, that the Daesh (the terrorist Islamic State group) was a threat to Afghanistan.

He claimed that the Taliban government has eliminated it from a major part of the country.

Isolated incidents can take place anywhere in the world. Previously, 70 per cent of Afghanistan was under the control of the Islamic Emirate. Now, the Taliban have purged these areas of the presence of Daesh," he claimed, adding that they were present in areas ruled by the former Kabul government.

After the Taliban took over, Daesh started surfacing in these areas but the Taliban government took effective measures to "control" them and confine them to certain pockets, he said.

"Isolated (terrorist) incidents occur at some places such as mosques, which can also take place anywhere in the world, he said.

The Afghan official also sought to dispel the impression that women were being excluded from different fields.

"Women have 100 per cent inclusion in the health sector. They are also teaching in the education sector. [...] They are working in each and every one of those sectors where they are required," he claimed.

"We have no such policy to deny women of their rights in any field, he remarked. He said that the Taliban government had not fired any female official who had worked under the previous government.

"Their salaries as well as opportunities for education and employment were also not affected," he said.

However, Muttaqi conceded that educational institutions in some areas of Afghanistan remain closed, citing the Covid-19 pandemic as the reason.

"Educational institutes are closed in no province. Educational institutes are open across the country," he said, adding that schools had been divided into three categories.

"All of the boys schools throughout the country are open while girl's schools are open till class six," he said. The Afghan minister stated that higher education institutes were open in some provinces, but not all.

So far, 75 percent of schools have been opened, he said, adding that officials were continuously making progress in this regard.

On the issue of forming an inclusive government, Muttaqi said the Taliban government had fulfilled the international community's demand for an inclusive government, which represented all stakeholders in Afghan society.

Asked what the group's future course of action would be if the world did not recognise the Taliban, he said that the group was moving forward in its relations with the world and hoped that those ties would strengthen in the future.

He claimed that since the Afghan government consisted of representation from all areas and ethnicities, the world should recognise it.

The incumbent Afghan government comprises staff and workers from the previous set-up that come up to approximately 500,000 people. If the world had recognised the previous government as an inclusive government, then why don't they do the same with us, he asked.

If they mean a cabinet representing all areas, then we have a minister from Panjshir. People from Badakhshan, Faryab, Kandahar, Nangahar and Kabul are also present [in the cabinet]. Therefore, every country has its own definition of an inclusive government," he said.

He said that the Taliban will continue to make efforts to make the government even more inclusive and grant the people their rights.

UNI/RN
Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-17 09:48:11|Editor: huaxia

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LUANDA, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Angola and Portugal signed agreements on visa facilitation, investment, and education here on Friday.

The Angolan Minister of Foreign Affairs Tete Antonio and the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs Augusto Santos Silva signed a Protocol for the Facilitation of National Visas.

Speaking to the press, Antonio said that the protocol will make "life easier" for people who intend to travel for reasons of health, work and study for a short period.

Both countries have also signed an Agreement for the Reciprocal Protection of Investments.

Moreover, Antonio witnessed the signing of a partnership agreement between the Angolan Ministry of Education and the Portuguese Institute for Cooperation and Language, called "Saber Mais," which means "Know More" in English.

Regarding the agreement on the education sector, Antonio said that it will provide young people with quality knowledge.

The five-year "Saber Mais" agreement, valued at around 4 million euros (some 4.7 million U.S. dollars), aims to help Angola train teachers in fields such as mathematics, Portuguese, pre-school education, and special educational needs. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-03-19 00:31:39|Editor: huaxia

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RIGA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- For the past couple of months, Latvia's COVID-19 incidence has been gradually dropping, with the most significant decrease recorded last week, but at the start of this week infections spiked again, causing fears of a third coronavirus wave.

Commenting on the signs of a resurgence, Latvia's chief infectious disease specialist Uga Dumpis noted on public television Thursday that a worrying increase in COVID-19 cases was recorded on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"We are concerned about what is going to happen in the next few days and the next week," the health expert said, warning that the infection rate will most likely increase.

The speed at which the third wave will hit Latvia largely depends on the spread of the more transmissible virus strain identified in Britain, which is now found in around 25 percent of all sequenced samples. Another mutated coronavirus strain, first found in Uganda, has been detected in Latvia's southwestern city Liepaja.

Asked about possibilities to adjust or loosen some COVID-19 restrictions, Dumpis ruled out any relaxation and stressed that at this point, "we can only talk about tightening restrictions."

Professor Girts Brigis, head of the Public Health and Epidemiology Department at Riga Stradins University (RSU), agreed that in the current situation, any discussions about easing restrictions have to be put off.

"Only a big optimist could believe that Latvia might avoid Europe's scenario," Brigis said, pointing to the spread of the new, more contagious coronavirus variants.

Latvia therefore must be prepared for a fresh increase in COVID-19 incidence and "restrictions on any movement," Brigis said, adding that only vaccination and reduction of face-to-face contacts could help improve the situation.

As the world is struggling to contain the pandemic, vaccination is underway in an increasing number of countries with already-authorized coronavirus vaccines.

Meanwhile, 264 candidate vaccines are still being developed worldwide -- 82 of them in clinical trials -- in countries including Germany, China, Russia, Britain, and the United States, according to information released by the World Health Organization on Tuesday. Enditem
El jefe de Estado, @PedroCastilloTe, acompanado por el titular del @midagriperu, llego a la region Junin para participar en la Cumbre Macro Regional Amazonica, que se realizara en el distrito de Perene.#IIReformaAgraria pic.twitter.com/3QtIm4vm3r
Presidente Pedro Castillo, sostuvo hoy una reunion con la Secretaria de Estado Adjunta de los Estados Unidos, Sra. Wendy Sherman, con quien intercambio puntos de vista acerca de la relacion bilateral y las acciones conjuntas para continuar fortaleciendola.https://t.co/SgUQejG7OY
" " The Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) is endangered in Australia, the only place it exists on Earth, with land clearing, car strikes, pigs and dogs the main threats to their survival. Henry Cook/Getty Images

This massive, flightless emu-like creature has been called "the most dangerous bird in the world." The reason is that this exotic bird can seriously injure or kill a human or dog in an instant with its deadly claws. In fact, cassowaries are listed as Class II animals (along with alligators and wild cats) in Florida due to the risk they pose, which means anyone who wishes to own one must pass numerous tests and get a special permit from local authorities. And even then, tragedies still can occur, as happened to the 75-year-old Florida man a cassowary killed. He was attacked by at least one of the birds he rears on his properties and later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. They're quick too, cassowaries have adapted those powerful legs to run fast at about 31 miles per hour through dense forest underbrush.

So, what exactly is a cassowary? Like their cousins the emu, they are ratites, or birds that have flat breastbones and are unable to fly, native to tropical forests of Australia and Southeast Asia. As far as this striking bird's appearance, it boasts bristly feathers, a vivid blue face, two red wattles hanging from its neck and a prominent helmet (or casque) atop its head. Although size varies across the three different species of cassowaries  the Southern, Northern and Dwarf  they can stand up to 6 feet, 6 inches (2 meters) tall and weigh as much as 132 pounds (60 kilograms). For a comparison, you can think of one as being the equivalent of six swans.

" " The claw on the inner toe is particularly frightening, reaching lengths of 5 in! Marianne Purdie / Getty Images

The portion of their body that makes them so dangerous? Muscular legs with three claw-tipped toes that can pack a pretty powerful punch, including lethal wounds to internal organs and severe bleeding. "The claw on the inner toe of each foot is what is so impressive," says Rick Schwartz, a global ambassador for California's San Diego Zoo, which currently houses several Southern cassowaries in its Safari Park, in an email interview. "Between the three species, that claw is very sharp, and can range from 3 to 5 inches (7 to 12 centimeters) long. The cassowary will use these sharp claws and their powerful kick to defend themselves. It is often stated that they can eviscerate a human in a single kick, though there is no record of this happening."

The good news, according to Guinness World Records, is that you're far more likely to suffer a snake bite or even an infection transmitted by a dog than you are injury by one of these birds. In fact, the most dangerous animal of all is no bigger than a thumb nail. By transmitting disease-causing pathogens, mosquitoes are estimated to be responsible for between 725,000 and 1 million human deaths per year, making them far and away the most lethal animal on Earth.

Now that you know you probably shouldn't provoke a cassowary  or a mosquito, for that matter  here are 10 other interesting facts about this unusual bird.

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1. They Are Not Emus

While a cassowary is not an emu, both emus and cassowaries can be considered related in taxonomy (the science of classification of living and extinct species), according to Schwartz. "They share the same scientific order [Casuariiformes]," he explains. "But, within that order, they are in different scientific families."

2. They Are Quite Hefty

"Cassowaries are the heaviest bird in Australia, and the Southern cassowary is the second-heaviest in the world (the world's heaviest bird is the ostrich)," says Schwartz. "With that in mind, they also have very small wings. When stretched out, their wings extend less than a foot (0.3 meters) from their body." According to Schwartz, female Southern cassowary's can weigh up to 170 pounds (79 kilograms) and males up to 125 pounds (56 kilograms); Northern females can weigh up to 128 pounds (58 kilograms) and males up to 80 pounds (36 kilograms); and Dwarf females can weigh up to 55 pounds (24 kilograms) and males up to 40 pounds (18 kilograms). Making them some of the largest flightless bird species in the world.

3. Their Feathers Are Not Suitable for Flight

A cassowary has dense, black feathers that are long and thin compared with the wide and shapely feathers of a flighted bird, according to Schwartz. "From a distance, some people even say the feathers of the cassowary look more like hair," he adds. "The cassowary's feathers are not suitable for flight, but they work very well for a ground-dwelling bird living in a forest ecosystem. The longer, thinner feathers help direct water away from the body, and also protect the bird's body from low branches, sharp twigs and thorns."

" " Close-up of a Southern Cassowary in Daintree, North Queensland, Australia. Artie Photography (Artie Ng)/Getty Images

4. That Thing Atop Their Head Is Called a Casque

It's made of keratin, the same protein that the bird's feathers, nails and beak are made of, according to Schwartz. "The outer covering is thick and hard, but the inside is very porous. The purpose of the casque is not completely understood, but several theories exist  including that it can help amplify vocalizations, serve as head protection as the bird pushes headfirst through the dense forest, or it may be another way for the birds to display age and vitality."

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5. Their Wattles Serve a Purpose

"Of the three species of cassowaries, only the Northern and Southern cassowaries have wattles," says Schwartz. As with the casque, there are a few theories on the purpose of the brightly colored wattles, he adds. Among them: "It is thought that they can help communicate the bird's current demeanor; indicate an individual bird's vitality to other cassowaries; or give other cues and communications only known by cassowaries at this time," says Schwartz.

6. They Are Frugivores

That means they feed on fruits, which makes them very important to their surrounding ecosystem, according to Schwartz. "As they eat fruit, they walk around and pass the seeds through their digestive tract," he explains. "Thus, their droppings deposit seeds that are surrounded in natural fertilizer, helping to spread the diversity of plants in their region." They are considered a key-stone species as they play an important role in spreading fruit seeds far and wide. Due to their large size they are able to spread larger seeds than most birds like those of the rare Australian rainforest tree Ryparosa. Those claws help them dig deep in the leaf litter for fallen fruit other species might miss.

7. You'll Probably Never Encounter One in the Wild

Searching the dense rainforest you will likely not hear them as their bird calls are right at the edge of human hearing. "With their excellent hearing, they will hear you coming long before you even know they are there, and they will most likely disappear into the forest to avoid you," says Schwartz. "However, should you ever come across one in the wild, it is best to give them plenty of room and not approach them or try to feed them."

" " Cassowary Adult with Cassowary Chick Martin Harvey / Getty Images

" " Female Lays Bright Green Cassowary Egg in Nesting Material PansLaos / Getty Images

8. The Males Care for the Young

In several species of animals, the male participates in incubation and care for the young cassowary chicks after the eggs are laid. So the female cassowaries only lay eggs but do not take part in the upbringing, according to Schwartz. "The female returns to her solitary life, and does not participate in incubating the eggs or caring for the young," he says. "This may be a way to allow her to have several clutches of eggs in one breeding season with different males, thus diversifying her genetics into the next generation."

9. Cassowaries Make a Variety of Sounds

The most impressive, according to Schwartz? "A deep, low-frequency booming sound," he says. "It's the lowest known call of any bird, and it's so low that it borders on being inaudible to the human ear. If you are nearby when it does this call, you can feel the vibrations in your chest."

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10. Their Population Is Dwindling

Per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species (the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species), all three species are listed as either Vulnerable or Near Threatened. "Like many species, their biggest challenges are the loss of habitat due human population growth; roads being built (causing car strikes); and human-introduced species of animals raiding nests," says Schwartz. "The good news is that the governments of the countries cassowaries call home are stepping up their conservation efforts." Man's best friend the dog is a big threat to young cassowaries. Young birds were also captured and sold for meat and their stunning feathers which many are working to eradicate today.

There are less than 1,000 cassowaries left in the wild, according to Rainforest Rescue. With the Northern cassowary, also known as the dwarf cassowary or Bennett's cassowary, in New Guinea being the most threatened. Toward that end, the Australian-based group works to protect and restore the cassowary's habitat, as well as to create safe passage for these and other rainforest creatures via strategic buy-back of rainforest properties and regenerating damaged rainforest.

Now That's Interesting Cassowaries are direct descendants of the dinosaurs. As noted by Save the Cassowary, modern birds descended from dinosaurs, and cassowaries belong to one of the most ancient lineages of living birds. The casque of the cassowary may serve a similar function to that of the helmet of the lambeosaurus (a duck-billed dinosaur). Similarities in the feet and respiratory system also exist between cassowaries and theropod dinosaurs. Finally, their breeding behavior also shares commonalities with some groups of dinosaurs.

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Originally Published: May 14, 2020
Migrants wait to disembark from a Spanish coast guard vessel, in the port of Arguineguin

By Borja Suarez

ARGUINEGUIN, Spain (Reuters) - Spanish coastguards found the bodies of eight African migrants in a boat which was drifting in the sea off Spain's Gran Canaria island on Sunday, the Canary Islands government said.

Sixty-two migrants, all of them men except a 12-year-old boy, were rescued by coastguards.

Three people who were critically ill were flown by helicopter to a hospital in Gran Canaria. Nine others were treated by the Spanish coastguard as they were taken to the island.

The boat carrying the migrants had been drifting in the Atlantic about 40 miles to the south of Gran Canaria for about a week, the Canary Islands emergency services said on Sunday.

Coastguards also intercepted another migrant boat on Sunday carrying 35 men and one woman, a few miles off the Spanish island.

More than 13,100 migrants have made the perilous journey from West Africa to the Canaries archipelago between January and Sept. 30 this year, according to Spanish government data, more than double the number in the equivalent period in 2020.

(Reporting by Graham Keeley; Additional reporting Borja Suarez, Elena Rodriguez; Editing by Alex Richardson)
The editor of a state-run Chinese tabloid has issued a sinister warning to Australia after Peter Dutton's remarks it would be "inconceivable" Australia wouldn't join forces with the US to defend Taiwan.

Speaking with The Australian, the Defence Minister acknowledged the thought of Australia could compete with China was "nonsense", but didn't rule out joining forces with the US.

"It would be inconceivable that we wouldnt support the US in an action if the US chose to take that action," he said.

The Global Times editor-in-chief has issued a blunt warning to Australia after Peter Dutton's remarks over the weekend. Source: Getty Images/AAP

The remarks come amid growing tensions between China and Taiwan, and Mr Dutton's comments didn't go unnoticed by the editor-in-chief of the Global Times.

"If Australian troops come to fight in the Taiwan Straits, it is unimaginable that China wont carry out a heavy attack on them and the Australian military facilities that support them," Hu Xijin tweeted, along with a link to an article detailing Mr Dutton's comments.

"So Australia better be prepared to sacrifice for Taiwan island and the US."

The Global Times is a renowned mouthpiece for Beijing and this isn't the first time Hu has taken aim at Australia.

He previously labelled Australia "the unfriendliest country to China besides the United States" when he met with Australia's ambassador to China Graham Fletcher last year.

If Australian troops come to fight in the Taiwan Straits, it is unimaginable that China wont carry out a heavy attack on them and the Australian military facilities that support them. So Australia better be prepared to sacrifice for Taiwan island and the US https://t.co/98XUaRlvwL  Hu Xijin  (@HuXijin_GT) November 13, 2021

Biden and Xi to hold virtual summit

Story continues

US President Joe Biden will hold a virtual meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the White House says, talks Washington hopes will create some stability amid increased tensions between the world's two largest economies.

It is expected to be the leaders' most extensive meeting under the Biden administration and will follow on from a telephone call between the two on September 9.

Washington and Beijing have been sparring on issues from the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic to China's expanding nuclear arsenal.

US officials believe direct engagement with Mr Xi is the best way to prevent ties spiralling toward conflict.

"The two leaders will discuss ways to responsibly manage the competition... as well as ways to work together where our interests align," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement.

Beijing is also keen to avoid confrontation as Mr Xi faces a crucial year ahead with China's hosting of the Winter Olympic Games and a key Communist Party Congress where he looks to secure an unprecedented third term.

Joe Biden and Xi Jinping will meet virtually to discuss relations between the US and China. Source: EPA

China's foreign ministry said on Saturday the leaders would exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of common interests in the summit, which will take place on Tuesday morning in Asia.

Mr Biden and Mr Xi outlined competing visions at meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum this week, with the US president stressing his country's commitment to a "free and open Indo-Pacific", which Washington says faces increasing Chinese "coercion".

Meanwhile Mr Xi warned against a return to Cold War tensions.

The superpowers have clashed increasingly over self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own and that Washington is required to provide with the means to defend itself.

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How do we care for Gods creation in order to leave it better than we found it? Do you recycle? Reuse? Drive an efficient vehicle? Use public transportation when possible? Have you had an energy audit done on your home? Do you eat sustainably produced food? This months Green Corner will share ways we, in central New York, can address cleaning our environment and become a climate champion.

 Greening USA (greeningusa.org) is a Syracuse-based organization that promotes 12 Steps to Sustainable Communities. Visit their website to learn about the ways we can become better stewards of Gods creation.

 There is much talk about reducing our carbon footprint. You are encouraged to determine your own carbon footprint with a carbon footprint calculator at carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx.

 Have you considered getting a free energy audit on your home? Visit energysaverscny.com/get-a-grant. Or do your own audit at energy.gov/energysaver/home-energy-assessments.

 HeatSmart CNY is a campaign in CNY offering homeowners the possibility of saving energy and money by installing new revolutionary state-of-the-art electric heat pump technologies. For more information, visit nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Clean-Heating-and-Cooling-Communities/Campaigns/HeatSmart-CNY.

 A surprising way to reduce carbon in the atmosphere is by regenerative farming. Regenerative farming actually sequesters carbon in the soil, increases the nutrients of topsoil, prevents runoff of topsoil, reduces or eliminates chemicals in farming that poison our waterways and lakes, and provides healthier food for animals and humans. For more information, visit regenerationinternational.org/why-regenerative-agriculture. Two local regenerative farms are Tap Root Fields in Skaneateles (taprootfields.com/why-everyone-is-buzzing-about-regenerative-farming) and Elderberry Pond in Sennett (elderberrypond.com/id2.html).

Finally, it is imperative that we divest from fossil fuels, which our government still irresponsibly subsidizes. To understand this problem, visit https://polluters.exposed.

Or consider signing the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty at fossilfueltreaty.org.

Or consider environmental, social and governance investing. Divest your own investments from fossil fuels. CNY company Hansen Associates (hansensadvisory.com) can help you with that decision.

To learn more about the 12 Steps to Sustainable Communities and many of the suggestions here, listen to the Creation Care talks from the Episcopal Diocesan website at cnyepiscopal.org/2021/10/recording-caring-for-gods-creation-creating-sustainable-communities.

Kip Coerper is organist and choirmaster at St. James Episcopal Church in Skaneateles and music director of the MasterWorks Chorale of CNY. At St. James he also coordinates EarthWorks, St. James eco ministry. In that capacity he is offering some monthly reflections on how people can address climate change, save money, be more energy efficient, and simply care for our beautiful creation.

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ELBRIDGE  The construction of a manure storage lagoon that can hold 6 million gallons of waste has prompted concern from Elbridge neighbors who feel they weren't adequately informed about the venture.

Such projects on large farms are overseen by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Neighbors argue they have no say in the process, but a farmer involved in the project said state-regulated measures mitigate smell and environmental concerns, and the undertaking has been signed off on in various ways by state, county and local authorities.

The manure storage structures are becoming more common on New York state farms as part of an effort to better manage the environmental impact of waste. Large farms can use them to store waste for longer periods of time and avoid having to spread it on fields at times that could lead to harmful nutrient runoff in watersheds.

But they are also causing tensions in areas where residential neighborhoods are nearby. A waste storage structure built in 2018 in Mentz generated similar concerns from nearby residents.

At an Elbridge Town Board meeting Oct. 28, around 30 people were crowded into a room at the town hall. Resident Tim Burns gave a presentation to the board and the crowd, holding up a laptop. Burns said he has property that borders the dairy farm, now operating as Half Full Dairy but commonly known as the Hourigan dairy, on 878 Gorham Road, where the manure storage lagoon is being made. Adding that he doesn't live on that adjacent property, Burns said at the meeting that he became aware of the lagoon project only about two weeks prior.

Since then, he has learned about manure lagoons and various processes involved. Burns said there are no laws saying he had to be directly informed as an adjacent property owner.

Neighbors have pointed out there are residential properties about a third of a mile away from the lagoon site, a village subdivision about a half mile away and an elementary school about three quarters of a miles from it.

"There's no oversight from the town. We have no laws here in our town that suggest that they can interfere with what's happening," Burns said. "And for what it's worth, these are being built because there are laws that have been put in the books that are forcing farmers to do this, for a good reason, for environmental reasons."

DEC's involvement



The DEC press office said in an email to The Citizen that public notices are not required for manure storage construction. Under New York's Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations General Permit, which the farm in Elbridge holds, farms must inform the DEC of construction of new manure storage with a capacity of 1 million gallons or more.

The DEC said the CAFO permit requires that manure storage be designed and certified to meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation service standard. The Elbridge project was funded by a state grant administered through the Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District. The DEC also noted that the conservation district notified the town of Elbridge, in writing, that the project would be happening.

Half Full Dairy informed DEC about the project, the agency said. As of Nov. 2, the DEC had last inspected the project on Oct. 27, and added that the project was in compliance with regulations.

"The project ... will enable the farm to comply with manure spreading requirements included in the CAFO general permit," DEC said. "The structure will allow the farm to store manure and help avoid land application during weather conditions with high runoff risk."

When construction work is done, the project engineer must certify that the storage structure  an earthen lagoon with an impermeable polyethylene membrane liner, a concrete bottom and a leak detection system  meets the federal standards.

The DEC also noted that the Onondaga County SWCD reviewed the design and is overseeing project construction. One of the project features for reducing odors is a fill port that allows manure to enter the bottom of the lagoon.

During Burns' presentation at the Elbridge meeting Oct. 28, he pointed out that the state grant process for the project started in 2017, and he was upset about the fact that neighbors didn't have to be informed of this undertaking near his property.

"We're almost four years into this now, and I as a neighbor had no clue this was going to happen or we as a community," Burns said. "That might be the law, but I don't think the law's right."

He also said taxpayer money is partially paying for the storage facility and "we don't have an opportunity to know about that four years in advance."

During the public comment portion of the meeting, the board and members of the public discussed the project for about an hour. Town board member Doug Blumer, a dairy farmer himself who had to put in a manure storage facility, also answered people's questions about these projects.

People in the crowd expressed concerns about not hearing about the project, the potential smell, how their property values could be impacted, how community members could be informed about future projects and more.

The board mentioned during the meeting that a legal notice was published in the Syracuse Post-Standard newspaper in April asking for bidders for constructing the project, which was one of the steps the farm's operator and conservation district pointed to when asked about concerns over lack of notice to neighbors.

Jennifer Schrader, one of the people who spoke at the meeting and who has property on Gorham Road, said after the meeting that she had concerns about the process.

"The fact that an industrial farm that size can just go in and decide that they're going to do this wherever without considering anyone, it's not being a good neighbor," she said.

After the meeting, Vern Richardson, Elbridge town supervisor, said he didn't become aware of the project going up until September.

A "significant investment"

AJ Wormuth, owner of Half Full Dairy, spoke about the project with The Citizen earlier this month. Wormuth said the project is taking place on land owned by Hourigan's Dairy Farm but Half Full is leasing the land, has the CAFO permit and owns the cows. He noted Gemini Farms, the farm listed on the legal notice, is the crop entity owned by the Hourigans.

"That's who made the application for the grant, but in the interim then we had bought the cows" after the grant was received, Wormuth said.

When asked if anyone from the Hourigan's reached out to neighbors about the project, Wormuth said that wasn't required. In terms of concerns about smell, he said the storage is a bottom-fill lagoon, which he believes should address smell concerns. That said, he said it will smell over certain parts of the year "when we're agitating it, when we're spreading" the manure, but added "it's going on an existing farmstead, so we already smell."

Wormuth said the project was signed off by various authorities. In addition to the April 6 notice in the Syracuse Post-Standard, the Elbridge code enforcement officer, Howard Tanner, signed a document April 12 that describes the storage facility as a "six-month capacity rectangular earthen manure storage with concrete floor 430' long by 190' wide" and said the project doesn't require town or county permits.

The process for the storage facility is heavily regulated, Wormuth said, with farms subject to financial penalties if they don't follow the specifications of the DEC.

"This is only one part of this process, but how we manage the nutrients out of this is highly regulated. This will help us do a better job of being able to protect water quality," he continued.

Wormuth said the state grant for the project is for around $300,000.

In response to a FOIL request to the Onondaga conservation district in regards to what notifications the district sent to the town of Elbridge regarding the storage lagoon, Mark Burger, executive director of the conservation district, provided documents that he said shows the farm has informed local officials about the project four different times since April. Those include the legal notice about the project bids, the sign-off by Tanner in April, another letter from Tanner to the Hourigan farm dated Oct. 18 in which he refers to a conversation they had that day about the project and a letter dated Oct. 28 that Wormuth sent Richardson describing the project and inviting the town board to see it.

Manure storage strategy

Peter Wright, an agricultural engineer with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University, spoke about the environmental impacts of these sorts of projects in an interview with The Citizen Nov. 9.

Wright, who had been an agricultural engineer with the USDA and worked with Pro-Dairy within the Cornell Cooperative Extension, said he had spoken with Wormuth because citizens have been upset about the storage facility in recent weeks and he looked it up on Google Earth, but that was the extent of his experience with the project. The facility is "a tool to help the farm recycle the nutrients (in manure) in a more appropriate way," he said. He noted that more nutrients put out increases the likelihood of such nutrients getting into "water systems," so these endeavors help with water quality.

These facilities are not intended to be landfills where manure sits permanently but are meant to have manure available for spreading into crop fields, he said. This reduces farms' need for artificial manure.

Wright said these projects also entail a nutrient management plan, "which tells you based on the nutrients that are in the manure, how much you can apply to meet the crop needs without over-applying (manure)."

In addition to the regulations for the facilities and the nutrient management plan, Wright said, there is an operation and maintenance requirement. If factors such as management and upkeep are not held to DEC standards, farms would be in violation of their permits.

As a downside to such projects, these facilities, in warmer temperatures, can create greenhouse gases, adding to global warming, Wright said.

Overall, Wright believes the DEC's regulations are adequate. While saying he can't speak to the public notice concerns of the neighbors in Elbridge, he believes there is generally "a misunderstanding of what is involved and what it all means and how it is there to protect the environment" with the public.

Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau.

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Additional candidates are lining up to challenge four-term Republican Rep. John Katko in not only the general election next year but also in the primaries.

The latest Republican to jump into New York's 24th Congressional District race is Tim Ko, a neurosurgical physician assistant from Fayetteville.

His campaign website indicates he is reaching out to Republicans and Conservatives frustrated by what some see as Katko's abandonment of more conservative fiscal and social issues.

A first generation Korean American who attended Syracuse University, Ko's "pro-America first" platform includes being anti-abortion, pro second amendment, and an advocate for lower spending, lower taxes, stronger border security and additional training and funding for military and police.

"For too long he has watched politicians like John Katko make promises to their communities to uphold their constitutional values, fight for their freedoms and their tax dollars, and protect their jobs and businesses, only to break those promises the minute they enter the halls of Congress," his campaign literature says.

"Katko has supported a laundry list of Democrat priorities, including the recent trillion dollar infrastructure bill and the PRO-Act which would kill thousands of independent contractor jobs in the state of New York."

John Murtari, a software engineer and Air Force veteran from Lyons, has also filed paperwork to challenge Katko for the Republican nomination in 2022.

The latest Democrat to join the race is Sarah Klee Hood, who was elected Nov. 2 to the DeWitt Town Board.

Her "back to the basics" campaign says that her goals are "to fix sidewalks and roads, our economy and healthcare. And to repair the foundations in our community that have been crumbling these last few years because of the politics of fear."

According to her campaign website, she earned an MBA at Syracuse University and worked as a program manager leading a team of engineers to develop and implement software systems to make airports more efficient.

She was involved locally with Leadership Greater Syracuse to support local startup businesses that are developing solutions in clean technology and teaching entrepreneurship to local students.

"I've spent my career taking action and putting people first," Klee Hood's campaign website reads. "I'm ready to get to work rebuilding the middle class here in Central New York."

Two other Democrats previously announced their intentions to run.

Francis Conole, a U.S. Navy veteran from Syracuse, and Steven Holden, an Army veteran from Camillus, are both seeking the support of Democrats to challenge Katko next fall.

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Nov. 14, 1996

MENTZ  Fresh from a two-week hunting "vacation" in which he avoided an arrest warrant, Mentz Supervisor Bill Jones defended himself at last night's town meeting.

After the meeting, one of the causes of his disappearance was solved when two highway employees received paychecks they were owed for over a month.

The highway workers, Rodney Filkins and Mike Hendershot, signed vouchers and were paid last night after the board met in an executive session.

Bearing a tomahawk in place of his trademark gavel, Jones took control of the meeting from the beginning. He cut off town councilors, asking them to hold all their thoughts until he finished explaining his two-week absence and reasons for not paying the two highway employees.

The workers had gone unpaid since Oct. 6 because Jones previously refused to authorize payment to the workers in lieu of uncertified time sheets or vouchers.

That's what led to his trouble with the law. An arrest warrant was issued for Jones Oct. 25, charging him with official misconduct.

 Compiled by David Wilcox

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ROCHESTER  Police in Rochester are investigating a string of fatal shootings that came just hours after Mayor Lovely Warren declared a local state of emergency to combat rising gun violence.

The recent killings, including three within a 12-hour period, brought the city's annual tally of homicides to 74  the most since 70 people were slain in 1993, the Democrat & Chronicle reports.

The outbreak in violence included a shootout in a parking lot late Friday that killed one man and left another with serious injuries. Police said almost two dozen shots were fired.

Warren's emergency declaration clears the way for Rochester to petition state officials for more resources to combat the violence, including more state troopers.

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German luxury car brands Audi and BMW are reportedly aiming to purchase the British supercar brand McLaren Automotive Ltd. While BMW is aiming at the supercar business, Audi is aiming at the McLaren's Formula One racing unit, reports Automobilwoche.

(Also Read: Aston Martin completes its first unit of Valkyrie hypercar)

Similar Cars

However, the publication didn't specify the source of this report. As it claims, BMW will hold talks with Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat, which has a controlling stake in the British supercar company. The discussion is expected to take place sometime next month, claims the report.

However, BMW and Audi are tight-lipped about this report, as claimed by Bloomberg.

The British luxury car marquee has been attempting to restructure its finances following the impact of the devastating Covid-19 pandemic. The company has raised funds in the last one year through several attempts. However, in case it lands under the umbrella of the BMW or Volkswagen AG, the automaker would help the German brands in their quest for hyper electric mobility. This in turn might help the BMW and Audi as well.

Meanwhile, McLaren like many other brands is working on electric powertrain technology. As part of the strategy, the British company has stepped into the world of E-racing with its all-electric SUV Odyssey 21, which was unveiled during the United Nations Change Conference or COP26.

Painted in Aston Martin's signature papaya Orange and inked decorations, the Odyssey comes as an all-electric off-road vehicle tha5t seems ready to go anywhere in the world. The vehicle has been conceptualised keeping the capability of high-powered electric off-road races in remote terrains in focus. The concept also showcases the British firm's technological prowess.
Throughout October, Knoles Elementary held its annual sock donation drive to benefit local organizations. This years Socktober, as its known, was the largest yet, with the school community donating over 2000 pairs of socks.

Socktober at Knoles started as a collaborative project between two grades, inspired by the Kid President YouTube channel, said second grade teacher Mandy Newgard, who helped start the project. It has since expanded to include the entire school.

Newgard said the project has continued to grow over its six years.

We were just tickled to have a couple hundred pairs and it was about that, the first time around; we had no idea. But we have had a goal and weve surpassed our goal every single year, she said.

Knoles families donated a total of 2,098 pairs of socks this year for people in need of all ages and genders. The initial goal for the year was 1,200 pairs. Last year, the school held a drive-through version of the event, collecting around 600 pairs. The previous highest year had slightly over 1,000 pairs donated.

Music teacher Joe Rauschenbach said 2021 was a banner year for the fundraiser.

It pretty much doubled in a pandemic, he said. Thats pretty amazing.

The socks are being donated to Sunshine Rescue Mission and Hope Cottage as well as the Fourth World Foundation in Flagstaff.

Socks are one of the most needed items for homeless people because they only give out new [pairs] for hygiene reasons. Theyre in high demand, but theyre not a very highly donated item, so we want to do a sock collection to help the organizations out, Newgard said.

Rauschenbach said the project was similar to service learning and had a goal of helping students understand that giving back [is] how you receive.

Both he and Newgard said their students were excited to participate in the sock drive.

Its so easy to get caught in the notion that since were a school, were only here for ourselves, Rauschenbach said. The goal is to keep reaching out and looking beyond these walls and saying at some point, Im going to be part of the wider Flagstaff community.

"Were training [students] so they can look beyond whatever they choose to do...We are being a service to our community, whether its food or socks. Its vital that our next generation have this experience.

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Lowell Observatory will hold off on pursuing congressional legislation that would alter federal restrictions on more than 600 acres of property just west of Lowell Observatory.

That was the message Lowell sent to interest groups and members of the public this week after the Flagstaff City Council, under intense public pressure, decided against supporting the observatorys efforts to lobby Congress.

Lowell had hoped to remove federal restrictions on how the area known as Section 17 could be used, instead placing it under the oversight of the City of Flagstaff. Officials with Lowell said after overcoming that obstacle, they could then work with the community and city to develop a master plan to determine the future of the area.

But those efforts had been opposed by several local groups including Friends of Flagstaffs Future and the Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club, as well as residents of the nearby Townsite neighborhood.

Some members of the public said they wanted to see a master plan before the observatory seeks the elimination of federal restrictions.

Observatory director Jeff Hall said they hoped they could begin developing the master plan with the community alongside the legislative effort as both were intrinsically linked to the success of the effort.

Its going to take time to develop the plan. I think even a year is an incredibly optimistic time scale given the degree of vetting and public participation that is going to be required. Doing the bill and the development agreement right together is not an attempt to ramrod things, Hall said. They are parts of a whole; one really cant exist without the other.

But this week, Flagstaff City Council disagreed, voting 5 to 2 not to send a letter to Congress supporting Lowells efforts. Only councilmembers Regina Salas and Adam Shimoni voted in support of the observatory.

This is an unprecedented opportunity for the entire community to be partners, and the City of Flagstaff to be a proactive partner in pursuing a vision for Lowells Section 17, Salas said of her support.

Councilmember Jim McCarthy was perhaps the most adamantly opposed to the observatorys request. McCarthy told the Arizona Daily Sun he didnt understand the argument that the land restrictions Congress passed in 1910 should be changed in the first place.

Section 17 encompasses 640 acres of former U.S. Forest Service property that was granted to the observatory by Congress in 1910. But the land came with restrictions set by Congress, namely that it be used for observatory purposes, or revert back to Forest Service ownership.

However, it is not clear what an observatory purpose allows for, an issue that the observatory has encountered repeatedly as it has sought to use the property. The most recent proposed legislation would have stripped the land of the observatory purpose restriction, instead placing it under city oversight.

Several other councilmembers said that while they supported the observatorys efforts overall, they believed the process needed to be slowed down in order to ensure community groups had a seat at the table.

We need to tap the brakes, take a deep breath on both sides, we need to be sitting down at a table and hashing this out right. Voting on a letter of support can wait, said Councilmember Austin Aslan.

Both Aslan and Mayor Paul Deasy said they would like to see the development of a master plan before legislation is perused.

And in the wake of the meeting, it appears Lowell Observatory will be ending efforts to change restrictions on the land for now.

We do not want to introduce legislation affecting Flagstaff that is at odds with the opinion of our Council, so we feel it is best to withdraw the bill and continue to manage Section 17 under the original language of the 1910 Act, Hall wrote in an email to interested parties following the meeting.

As Lowell has begun lobbying for changes to the restrictions on their property, tensions between the observatory and several community groups have intensified.

Members of the public have accused Lowell officials of trying to work in the darkness without public input, while officials have accused opposing community groups of spreading misinformation regarding the issue.

In the aftermath of the councils decision, the long-term future of Section 17 remains somewhat uncertain. While the topic of Section 17 is sure to come up again, at least for now it appears any efforts to begin a master planning effort may have died with the councils vote.

Without the assurances offered by that legislation, the observatory is not about to go through the trouble and expend the money associated with a master plan process that could simply end in failure.

And as was pointed out by Aslan, no councilmembers have jumped at the opportunity to organize those public forums themselves.

The councils decision also represents just one more scuffle in a larger community conversation over development within Flagstaff.

The most recent decision may not bode well for efforts to encourage other kinds of development within the city, namely affordable housing, an issue that has only gained attention as housing prices and rents increase.

With a longtime community organization such as Lowell Observatory receiving such public backlash to the possibility of development and expansion, the chances may be reduced for other projects that find themselves targeted by community groups and homeowners.

Adrian Skabelund can be reached by phone at (928) 556-2261, by email at askabelund@azdailysun.com or on Twitter at @AdrianSkabelund.

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I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to the editors at the Arizona Daily Sun. Randy Wilson was a fabulous editor for years. I had the opportunity to meet him during one of his summer morning meetings with his readers. His passing was a real loss to the Flagstaff community and to the Daily Sun. Chris Etling has stepped in admirably and has allowed the paper to continue its comprehensive coverage of local, state and national affairs. They have been fair and consistent with their decisions to publish letters.

I began to write letters to the White Mountain Independent in Show Low just before the 2020 election after moving to Whiteriver. I was able to get to know the editor, James Headley. He was new to the job, having been hired in July 2020. My letters were being published using a similarly thoughtful process.

Two weeks ago, I received an email from Mr. Headley requesting I call him. We had spoken on the phone a few times over the past year. During our conversation he informed me that the publisher, Brian Kramer from Casa Grande, had decided to no longer print any of my letters. I asked Mr. Headley why and he did not give a specific answer. He insinuated that the advertisers had expressed some displeasure with the content of my letters. My last letter printed was critical of the conspiracy theories concerning COVID-19 vaccinations. I encouraged people to dismiss the misinformation online and elsewhere and urged everyone to get vaccinated. I also stated that we should get the booster if eligible and get a flu shot.

It is a sad state of affairs when publishers of local papers decide to silence the voices of their constituents. This is a dangerous path to follow. Now is the time to speak out against publishers and politicians who want to limit our access to differing opinions. Let them know we will not be silenced.

GREGORY JARRIN, MD

Whiteriver

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On a balmy summer night, we are sitting on the balcony of our Oia vacation house, nibbling on pita, grilled meats, and a Greek salad  the first of many Greek meals to come. Our plane landed in Santorini just a couple of hours ago. Settled in our cute cave house, were ready to soak in the beautiful surroundings.



A couple of months ago, you helped pick this adorable cave house out of the dozen options I presented you. We both love the traditional Cycladic style  half-cylindrical roof, chalk-white walls with splashes of bright blue. The best part of the house is when you step out on the terrace  the most resplendent sunset views against the ancient windmills over the sparkling sea.



Santorini is one of those places that you build up in your mind as being nothing short of magical. Its plastered on glossy mags, on every list of most beautiful this and that, and airbrushed to perfection on instagram. The other day I saw you show your brother an instagram picture of breakfast over the caldera view, Lucas, this could be us!



Technically, youve been here. Daddy and I had our babymoon here when I was 5 months pregnant with you. Santorini was already becoming popular back then. But 16 years ago, there were no over-photoshopped pictures / no instagram / no social media. I fear Santorini has been varnished to a very high gloss, and instagram might have ruined it for you.



But here we are, sitting and taking in the quiet air and mesmerizing beauty of the caldera. I wonder if Santorini lives up to your expectations. Or will you find it overrated? Even its so-called most beautiful sunset of the world underwhelming in reality?



And now we watch the drama unfold. As the sun dips lower, ribbons of color  pink, crimson, yellow, orange, purple  dance across the sky. And then the golden sun gets caught in the giant pinwheel of the windmill! An Old Testament verse comes to mind: A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a silver basket.

Finally, the orange orb slides behind the horizon, draping the caldera in a shimmery twilight.



We put our dinner away and head for the crumbling fortress at the edge of town.



Meandering up and down on the cobbled streets, I find Oia even more picturesque than I remember. Stretched before us is an expansive bay framed by dark volcanic cliffs. Large clusters of pristine white houses cling to the cliffs. From a distance, they look like snow-capped mountains. Blue domed churches and windmills with pointy thatched roofs punctuate the skyline. Far below, a few lonely sailboats head for the harbor.



We arrive at the ruined castle. Across the bay, the cliffhanging whitewashed buildings look like hundreds of sugar cubes that have frozen while tumbling down the bluffs edge. I point out our babymoon hotel to you and your brother. I remember the pool, the patio, the donkey that carried our luggage to the hotel; and along with that, the joy and excitement when I felt your kicks and moves. How would I have ever dreamt that youd become such a gorgeous, sweet, cheerful young lady? The loveliest person, the kindest soul. Your eyes are transfixed by the spectacular painting in front of us, the brilliant white and blue against a kaleidoscope of pink and orange in the sky. As dusk settles over town, one by one, like fireflies, lights begin to twinkle, and soft, warm rays emanate from the creamy walls. The houses begin to glow like illuminated facets of a prism. The entire setting is impossibly dreamy. An immense sense of peace and serenity overcomes my spirit.



Wow, says your bother.

Wow, you say.

Wow, we say together.



Its even more beautiful than the pictures, you say.



Im thankful for the miracles of the world, for the blessings of being here, for our shared version of Santorini. Its serene, intimate, respectful, and soulful.


















































In 2020, in response to COVID-19, the parole board approved the highest number of parole applications in the last four years when they paroled 1,504 of the 2,410 applications. In 2019, the board approved less than half as many at 664 of the total 1,028 applications.

Like many criminal justice agencies, the DOC has a workload and turnover problem. In a workforce report in 2019, probation and parole officers in Billings carried an average of 67 cases. The states highest caseload that year was nearby in Hardin, where one parole officer at the time supervised 182 inmates. The same report also highlighted that parole officers had an attrition rate of 25%.

Stretched thin

Corrections is not the only criminal justice agency in Billings stretched thin by rising crime. Twitos County Attorney's office is overworked and turnover has hindered his ability to pursue cases as well. He said his prosecutors were juggling over 130 cases each. Clearances on cases can sometimes take more than a year.

We are in the last quarter of 2021, I can tell you we are not going to increase our [felony] filings, Twito said. I dont have enough prosecutors to get to all the cases that are coming on. Were having to prioritize the violent offenses, the dangerous offenses, the burglaries and things that demand immediate attention.
Bioavailability

The contamination in Anaconda is from smelter dust, which is more absorbable due to process and finer particulate size, while the contamination in Butte is from mine waste  that has been the EPAs line on bioavailability, and theres a heap of research behind it.

But attic abatements started in Butte in the early 2000s. RMAP crews have found that 95% of the hundreds of homes assessed were hot for lead in attic dust, and 57% for both lead and arsenic.

So where did that dust come from?

I would say, in all likelihood, the majority probably is coming from an aerial deposition scenario. And the major aerial deposition scenario would probably be smelter releases. But there is some wind-blown component as well, Partridge said.

In an email exchange between the EPAs Greene and Hutchins, Greene explained that roasting and smelting in Butte declined significantly in the early 1900s with construction of smelters in Anaconda and Great Falls.

The Washoe Smelter in Anaconda ran until 1980. Could the dust that contaminates nearly every Butte attic be from that smelter? Could that same more bioavailable dust be in Butte soils?
On Monday morning, Johnston pushed a white button at the Glen site. A metal-grated lid lowered, then clamped over a dumpster. It was filled nearly to the brim with trash bags, carcass parts and other scraps.

We sent letters out to local residents to let them know why (the lids) are here and what their purpose is, she said. Were ensuring that people understand why its important to keep the lids closed.

Finding funding for conflict-prevention tools like hydraulic lids can be tricky, but the key is getting people together, according to Johnston. A lot of people do want to find solutions and help out if they can, she said.

People and Carnivores partnered with Beaverhead County and Beaverhead County Solid Waste on the Keeping Grizzlies out of Garbage project, and they got some funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, according to Johnston.

In Madison County, the group installed hydraulic lids at a refuse site outside of Virginia City, and staff are working on getting more installed at a site by Pony. A black bear was recently caught rummaging through garbage at that site, she said.
A South Carolina man pleaded guilty Friday to human and drug trafficking charges that spanned multiple states, including Montana, and involved coercing women and girls into prostitution.

Louis Gregory Venning, 41, faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years to life in prison and a $250,000 fine for sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, sex trafficking of a minor, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. The charges stemmed from federal indictments filed in 2019 and 2020, which alleged Venning recruited and coerced at least 15 women and girls over a period of about eight years.

A grand jury indicted Venning on multiple counts of sex and drug trafficking following his arrest in May 2020. He had previously pleaded guilty to charges involving commercial sex in Missouri and Tennessee, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.

Prosecutors alleged that Venning used violence or the threat of violence, along with drugs, to force women and girls into commercial sex in Billings and other Montana towns. He transported one survivor from Montana to Missouri and Georgia for prostitution in 2012, court documents say. In August 2018, he coerced a girl in Billings under the age of 18 into prostitution and allegedly assaulted another survivor in 2019 who he recruited in Missoula.
Regarding concerns about loss of institutional knowledge, Arntzen said education has changed over the past decade. Theres a new Congress and new federal education law, she said, referencing the 2015 Every Student Succeeds Act, as well as new regulations and flexibilities adopted by the Montana Legislature and the Board of Public Education. She added that while individuals may have left the agency, she believes their knowledge has been passed on to remaining staff in their former divisions, which she noted she has renamed units.

Units didnt walk out, individuals did, Arntzen said. But that knowledge was embraced there within that unit and what was left.

Tammy Lacey told MTFP that the Montana Board of Public Education, which she chairs, has been aware of concerns about staffing levels at OPI for several years. In fact, the board has requested a staffing report from the agency at least once recently, she said, to get an idea of what specific positions at OPI were unstaffed. Lacey said she is unaware of any difficulties or issues that have arisen for the board as a result of agency turnover or vacancies to date, and said OPI has indicated they were doing all that they could in order to get people into those positions.
Before Smith departed, students rallied outside of Main Hall and called for the university to fire Smith or for him to resign. Hand-designed signs displayed slogans of fire Rob Smith and when will justice be served?

But firing public employees, which include those at UM, for speech is a complicated process.

The First Amendment protects the state from squashing peoples free speech rights, thats why were different from private employers, said Lucy France, legal counsel for UM. With that being said, a public employer is still an employer and we retain the ability to restrict what employees say and do when it relates to their particular jobs in the workplace.

Hate speech is protected by the First Amendment. Though there is no legal definition of hate speech, the American Library Association says that it is any form of expression in which speakers intend to vilify, humiliate or incite hatred against a group or class of people based on race, religion, skin color, gender or sexual identity, ethnicity, disability or national origin.
Sometimes he wrote about the tropical weather patterns and sometimes he wrote about the monotonous existence of a drafted soldier. Some letters had thoughts on both.

The rain has been starting each day about noon and is then on and off again all day. Come morning the sun is back up and it starts all over again  Payday just came. Dont know if Ill send any money home this month or not, a few things I may get such as a camera. So probably will wait and see how things go  and I also want to buy a tape recorder.

The last month has really been quiet around here as of now. Charlie is supposed to be understrength manpower-wise though we are wary of perhaps a summer offense such as they had last year (Tet Offensive) ... It has really been hard to write lately. In fact, at this moment, I dont really feel like doing so except out of responsibility. I dont know. Its just such a dismal situation, dismal place, its hard to be able to say anything in words. I very seldom think about anything in relation to the world. There just isnt anything here that can be related to the world.
Montanas Board of Regents claimed serious harm would occur without an injunction blocking the states new campus carry law. They claimed, no harm comes from staying implementation. A Helena-based judge granted them a temporary injunction, and any week now he is likely to make a ruling on the case.

One wonders how professors and students ever find it safe to go off campus. After all, 7.2% of Montanans have a concealed handgun permit. Now that Montana has joined the 19 other Constitutional Carry states, even more people can legally carry. Professors and students must think it is dangerous to go to restaurants, movie theaters, and grocery stores as it is very likely that someone next to them is legally carrying a gun.

Yet, somehow students and facility manage to leave campus.

Gun control advocates dont understand that criminals seek out targets where victims cant defend themselves, that gun-free zones make targets more attractive to criminals.

Starting June 1st, Montanans were supposed to be able to carry concealed handguns on college campuses. Faculty and staff worry that students who are angry about grades would shoot professors. People would be afraid to openly discuss issues for fear of harm, so it will be difficult to hire faculty, and students will be scared away.
Our health care system has been pushed to the brink over the last year and a half. From the height of COVID in 2020 when hospital beds were full across the country and non-emergency treatment was being postponed nationwide, to where we are now with vaccines widely available and the most serious impacts of this disease prevented by shots, the health care system has been working in overdrive for 18 straight months.

Unfortunately, some disappointing information about health care in this country was made evidently clear when our health care system was put under a microscope during the pandemic. Chief among them being that not every individual in the United States has the same fair shot at accessing the high-quality, affordable health insurance that is needed for overall health and wellbeing.
Montana voters passed recreational marijuana, making it legal to grow and possess marijuana in Billings city limits. But, the Billings City Council successfully banned state-licensed, legal and regulated dispensaries from Billings city limits. Now that there is a market for legal recreational marijuana  and Steve Zabawa's Safe Montana wants recreational marijuana dispensaries banned from Yellowstone County  who will supply to the 200,000 people in our region? The main purpose of HB701 was to "curtail illegal drug activity and provide a safe and regulated product to the citizens of Montana."

What are Billings City Council members and Yellowstone County Commissioners planning in order to keep citizens safe from drug traffickers, violence and untested or unregulated products that are allowed by state law? There will be a major influx of illegal marijuana on Jan. 1 for the market created by the actions of Billings City Council. But, it will also come with no tax revenue, and a cost to taxpayers, the courts, police officers, wasting resources and time on something that could be regulated and be a revenue.
Active cases of COVID-19 in North Dakota on Wednesday surpassed 300 for the first time in more than six weeks, continuing a steady recent rise.

Meanwhile, several North Dakota counties including Burleigh -- home to Bismarck and state government -- fell under new federal guidance regarding masking. However, that will not result in any changes for state employees "at this time," Gov. Doug Burgum said.

The statewide active case level of 353 was a jump of 61 from Tuesday and nearly double the level two weeks ago. It's still well below the pandemic high of 11,656 active cases reported Nov. 11, but health officials worry the new fast-spreading delta variant of the coronavirus could lead to another pandemic spike.

COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths are trending upward across the country, a rise health experts attribute to delta and to vaccine holdouts. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending that even vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in areas where virus transmission is "substantial" or "high."

Nine North Dakota counties including Burleigh fall into those categories, according to the CDC's COVID-19 data tracker website. The others are Divide, Dunn, Logan, McLean, Mountrail, Oliver, Sheridan and Ward.

Logan, Mountrail and McLean are in the "high" transmission category; the other counties are under "substantial." Morton County is in the "moderate" category, as are other North Dakota counties with large cities: Cass, Grand Forks, Stark, Ward and Williams. More than half of the state's 53 counties remain in the "low" category.

Active COVID-19 cases in Burleigh-Morton on Wednesday totaled 94, the highest level since 100 reported June 10. Active cases in the two counties were as low as 29 just two weeks ago.

Burgum on Wednesday issued a statement saying the state will not recommend masks for state employees based on the new CDC guidance.

North Dakotas statewide COVID-19 emergency ended April 30. Local entities are best suited to consider CDC guidelines based on local conditions, including case rates, positivity rates and available hospital capacity," he said.

The governor added that "North Dakota has relied on personal responsibility throughout the pandemic. Residents are encouraged to educate themselves on the differences of the delta variant, be aware of the level of spread in their area and utilize well-known COVID-19 etiquette and mitigation measures as appropriate."

Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health encourages members of the public to follow CDC recommendations, including masking in public indoor settings since the county is in an area of substantial virus spread, Director Renae Moch said in a statement to the Tribune.

"Layered prevention strategies continue to be important to stop the spread of the Delta variant which is twice as contagious and has 1,000 times the viral load of the original COVID-19 variant," she said. "It is more urgent than ever to get vaccinated if you have not done so already. Virtually all hospitalizations and deaths continue to be among those that are not vaccinated."

More daily data

The Health Department on its coronavirus dashboard Wednesday confirmed 81 new cases of COVID-19 from 2,465 tests processed Sunday. It was the highest daily total in two months.

State officials calculated a positivity rate of 3.37%, and a 14-day rolling average test positivity rate of 2.49%. That's within the target range of less than 5%, but the 14-day average has been climbing steadily since a recent low of 1.05% on July 5.

The newly confirmed virus cases brought North Dakota's pandemic total to 111,411, with 109,520 recoveries, 1,538 deaths and 4,391 hospitalizations. No new deaths were reported Wednesday. Eighteen COVID-19 patients remained in a hospital; that figure has been relatively stable this week.

Health officials are urging people who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 to get a shot.

"Getting vaccinated is the way out of this pandemic," Moch said.

More than 643,500 total doses of the three available COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in North Dakota, with about 94,700 doses in Burleigh-Morton counties, according to the state's vaccine dashboard. It shows 49.3% of eligible North Dakota adults are considered fully vaccinated; 18.7% of adolescents in the 12-18 age group are considered fully vaccinated.

More information

A list of free COVID-19 testing offered by local public health units is at health.nd.gov/covidtesting. People can go to health.nd.gov/covidvaccinelocator or call 866-207-2880 to see where COVID-19 vaccine is available near them. For more detailed information on coronavirus in North Dakota, go to www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus.

Reach Blake Nicholson at 701-250-8266 or blake.nicholson@bismarcktribune.com.

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North Dakota wildlife officials are monitoring an outbreak of disease in white-tailed deer for a second straight year.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease -- commonly called EHD -- is a viral disease transmitted by biting gnats. North Dakota's Game and Fish Department last year offered license refunds to more than 9,000 deer hunters after documenting "moderate to significant" deer losses.

We see a low level of EHD activity most years, but every so often, environmental factors line up to make for a bad season," Game and Fish Wildlife Veterinarian Charlie Bahnson said Friday. "Last year, southwest North Dakota was hit relatively hard by EHD. Right now, it appears that the virus is picking up where it left off, with most cases coming from locations on the edge of 2020s heavily affected areas.

"The hardest-hit area appears to be a 20-mile radius of the Bismarck-Mandan area, but we are also tracking smaller, localized outbreaks elsewhere in the state, Bahnson said.

Game and Fish is asking people to report any sick or dead deer, with photos if possible, through an online system at gf.nd.gov/mortality-report, to help wildlife officials gauge the extent of this year's outbreak.

In some cases, we may need to collect samples off fresh carcasses, so please notify the department as soon as possible, Bahnson said.

The gnats can become a problem if wet conditions early in the year create mud flats that dry out later in the year and create perfect breeding areas for the insects. Outbreaks end only after a hard freeze kills off the gnats.

EHD has been present in North Dakota for decades. It impacts white-tailed deer more than mule deer, due to the makeup of the animals. Its not considered a danger to people.

Compiling hard data on case numbers isn't an exact science because most of the evidence is word-of-mouth from landowners. If there appears to be a large number of cases in an area, state wildlife officials will then sometimes investigate themselves.

"Most reports are singles or maybe two deer. At this point we're well over 50 reports," Bahnson said. "That volume of reports is pretty high."

Game and Fish last year monitored the outbreak for about two weeks before deciding whether to offer license refunds, and Bahnson said that likely will be the scenario this year.

"It's certainly an option that we'll consider," he said. "We're not at the point where we're going to pull that lever right yet."

Deer hunting is immensely popular in North Dakota, and only about 400 hunters last year cashed in their license. There also was an outbreak in 2011, and only about 300 of 13,000 possible hunters requested a refund.

This year's deer gun season is Nov. 5-21.

Reach Blake Nicholson at 701-250-8266 or blake.nicholson@bismarcktribune.com.

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The last full month of data  October  showed worry signs for Western New York. On rates based on per 100,000 people, confirmed case rates were in the single digits in October 2020. Last month, the per 100,000 positive test rates in Western New York were at least double and on many days triple or even more compared with the same period a year ago, according to state Health Department tracking data.

A recent Newsday analysis showed more people died over the past four months during the pandemics Delta variant stage in upstate than on Long Island and New York City  even though upstate is home to nearly 3 million fewer people.

Many health officials point to a mostly singular reason: vaccinations. In Nassau County on Long Island and Queens in New York City last week, 96% of people over the age of 18 had gotten at least one vaccine dose. In Erie, it was 80%, according to the state, though the county put the level at 74%. In Cattaraugus County: just 60%. And there were lower counties elsewhere upstate.

Niagara County Public Health Director Daniel Stapleton said few issues in public health come down to a simple solution. Covid is the exception.

We dont need to shut things down; we need people to get vaccinated," Stapleton said of people who have moved from vaccine hesitant to vaccine resistant.
The 2021 Climate Summit held this year in Glasgow just concluded. A major rift there is the ongoing one between the worlds youth activists and the heads of state over the level and pace of action being taken to combat climate change. The urgency to transition from fossil fuels to green energy has been punctuated by the increasing weather-related catastrophes around the globe.

Nov. 15 marks the 125th anniversary of the worlds first long-distance alternating current transmission, from Niagara Falls to Buffalo, which took place in 1896. The Westinghouse Corp. won the bid in 1893 to install its AC system at the Edward Dean Adams Power Plant at the Falls. The electric grid originating in Western New York expanded rapidly across the state to New York City and eventually the entire planet.

The primary technology that made this clean energy revolution possible at the end of the 19th century sprang from the polymathic mind of the inventor Nikola Tesla.

The Serbian-born electrical engineer immigrated by steamship to the United States in the spring of 1884. Because his stowed luggage was lost, he arrived with nothing but the clothes on his back, a volume of beloved poetry and 4 cents in his pocket.
Stay in your lane. We hear it a lot these days, mostly as a rebuke to those who have overstepped their bounds of authority or expertise, or to shut down conversation from outsiders. Its been said to LGBTQ artists venturing outside of their niche. It was said to LeBron James when he encouraged turnout among Black voters in last years presidential election. It has been said to scientists advocating for an appropriate global climate strategy.

Until recently, scientists have preferred not to get involved in policy, seeing agnosticism toward decision-making a necessary condition for their work. They provide the data then step back. But now the phrase is being slung at organizations  like the FDA  charged with protecting the health and well-being of society and those of us who take that responsibility seriously.

This past week, an FDA advisory panel made the decision to approve the available Covid-19 vaccines for children, following the recommendation of boosters for older and at-risk individuals. The decision was based on data showing that the Covid vaccines continue to provide good protection from severe disease and death even as Delta rampages in some areas.
Heres why the just-approved infrastructure bill is so important. In a nutshell, the United States had done little to modernize itself in recent decades, while other parts of the world have been on the march. We have fallen behind and that has its own cost.

Not only have other nations built newer roads and faster trains but, as The New York Times reported, they have better high-speed internet access, less expensive cellphone service and more easily accessed airports. In relative terms, David Leonhardt reported, American infrastructure is decrepit. Like other areas, Buffalo and Western New York have paid a price for that inattention.

Thats not just embarrassing or frustrating. It comes with costs: to individuals, to the economy, even to national security. Thats the price of an unwillingness to spend where it is necessary. Its the outgrowth of giving too much weight to governmental austerity and too little to the nations ability to compete with the rest of the world.
Oh no, watch your keppie! I exclaimed, as our new puppy, Annabelle, stuck her head inside the open refrigerator as the door was closing. I grabbed the door, then her, before any damage occurred. My husband called out, is her head OK?

Because Ive slowly morphed into my mother as the years pass, he is accustomed to hearing her Yiddish idioms issuing from my mouth and no longer has to ask what Im talking about. Keppie means head, in this linguistic conglomeration of German and Hebrew, along with a smattering of other languages. My Jewish relatives brought Yiddish with them from Eastern Europe, and employed it generously as I was growing up.

I was accustomed to hearing a lot of phrases unfamiliar to most, although more and more Yiddish terminology has crept into the vernacular. Theres the well-known oy vey (oh no) and the ever popular tuchus (buttocks). I knew what a tuchus was long before I understood buttocks, because I had to ask an older cousin once what buttocks meant when I encountered it while reading.

Umm, its your tuchus he answered, mildly amused. He mustve mentioned this to my mother, because she later checked the books title and almost plotzed when she saw Love Story. (Plotz, in this context, is pretty self-explanatory).
Gregor Townsend is targeting a third win from four (Steve Welsh/PA) (PA Wire)

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend aims to use the lessons of Saturdays defeat by South Africa to deliver their best autumn performance against Japan.

Townsends team threatened to follow up impressive victories over Tonga and Australia by downing the world champions as they led 10-8 at half-time.

Scotland matched the Springboks for tries thanks to Stuart Hoggs double, which took the captain to joint top of the all-time try-scorers list for his country with 24.

But a 15-9 penalty count told for the visitors, who kicked themselves out of sight in the final quarter to win 30-15.

Scotland round off the Autumn Nations Series next Saturday against Japan, who suffered a 60-5 defeat against Ireland earlier this month.

Japan will be a tough opponent, Townsend said. We wont look too much at their result against Ireland.

They came close to beating Australia and they obviously beat us two years ago so we know what a difficult team Japan are and if you give them ball they will cause you problems.

So that will be a very tough game for us and it will show the resilience of the group if we can bounce back after a painful defeat and put what we learned on Saturday and what we have learned over the last few weeks into our best performance of this Autumn Nations Series.

Thats all we are working towards. We thought we would get it out on Saturday and we would have needed our very best performance to beat the world champions.

Unfortunately that wasnt the case. We will work again to do that next weekend.

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A sombre looking Prince Charles has laid a wreath for the Queen at the Cenotaph.

The Prince of Wales, who turns 73 today, led royals and politicians in laying wreaths of poppies at the war memorial.

Buckingham Palace earlier said the Queen would not be attending the service due to a sprained back.

Veterans have also gathered for the first time since 2019 after being told to stay away last year due to the pandemic.

Scroll down for the latest updates.

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Members of the public gather to watch the Remembrance Service at the Guildhall Square in Portsmouth

12:53 , Sami Quadri

(PA)

Thousands march in Manchester

12:50 , Sami Quadri

Crowds return as Manchester honours war dead in poignant Remembrance Sunday service https://t.co/uYqEtNp9o3  Manchester News MEN (@MENnewsdesk) November 14, 2021

Nicola Sturgeon lays a wreath during the Remembrance Sunday service in Edinburgh

12:43 , Sami Quadri

(PA)

Chief Executive of Fighting With Pride Craig Jones MBE poses with wreath

12:39 , Sami Quadri

(Getty Images)

Fighting with Pride are the first-ever LGBT+ group to march in the Remembrance Sunday parade at the Cenotaph.

The charity supports the mental health and wellbeing of LGBT+ veterans.

LGBT+ people were banned from serving in the armed forces until 2000.

It follows the Ministry of Defence's decision to return medals to veterans who had them stripped as a result of their sexual orientation or gender identity ahead of this Remembrance Sunday.

One of Britains last surviving D-Day veterans Harry Billinge says he will never forget fallen comrades

12:30 , Sami Quadri

Sacrifice is so powerful.



We will never forget them.



We will never forget men like Harry Billinge.#RemembranceSunday pic.twitter.com/dgP5QYHaZO  Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) November 14, 2021

Young boy marches with veterans

Story continues

12:22 , Sami Quadri

(PA)

Boris Johnson pictured alongside Labour leader Keir Starmer and former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown

12:20 , Sami Quadri

(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The Queen has missed Remembrance Sunday just six times in 69 years

12:16 , Sami Quadri

The Queen has missed Remembrance Sunday just six times in her 69 year reign (2 for pregnancy, 4 being abroad on Tour)

Full story on todays announcement from Buckingham Palace of her great regret at having to pull out of todays service at the Cenotaph.https://t.co/zqREvgOnm0  Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) November 14, 2021

Veterans begin marching

12:14 , Sami Quadri

Some 8,000 military veterans begin their march past the Cenotaph after the departure of the royal party. pic.twitter.com/J1cYzQnFZx  Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) November 14, 2021

An emotional Duchess of Cornwall wipes a tear away

12:03 , Tammy Hughes

(AP)

11:47 , Sami Quadri

The oldest and youngest people marching at the Remembrance Sunday parade at the Cenotaph have a gap of 90 years between them.

Veteran Roy Farmiloe, 98, is the oldest person at the parade while Evie Hebden was one of a number of eight-year-olds marching with the new youth column, christened Column Y.

Evie's father Royal Marine Ralph Hebden, 32, fell from a foggy cliff while going for a run near their home in Arbroath, Scotland in 2013.

The tragic accident occurred days before Evie's birth, The Liverpool Echo reported at the time.

Ralph was described at the inquest into his death as a "proud" marine who had served five tours of duty.

Prime Minister calls for us to come together to remember those who sacrificed everything in service of our country".

11:28 , Sami Quadri

(PA)

The Duke of Cambridge lays a wreath

11:18 , Sami Quadri

(PA)

Prince Charles has laid a wreath for the Queen at the Cenotaph

11:15 , Sami Quadri

(PA)

Queen will not be seen much in public as she enters new phase in her reign, says royal commentator

11:07 , Sami Quadri

Penny Junor has suggested Elizabeth II is entering a new phase of her reign in which she will not be seen as much in public.

Ms Junor said: "It's very sad for the Queen because this is the one event in the year that she really, really likes to be at.

"Remembering the war dead is a very, very important part for her annual calendar.

"The public will be very sad and anxious to hear of yet another setback but clearly she must follow the advice and get herself well."

She added: "It's not surprising because she is 95 years old.

"We're so used to seeing her out and about and looking years younger than she is that I think we've been lulled into thinking she can go on at this kind of pace forever.

"Clearly she can't. There comes a time in everybody's life when they have to admit that they are getting older and can't do the things that they perhaps want to do."

A member of the Household Cavalry appears to have fainted

11:03 , Tammy Hughes

(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

D-Day veteran Joe Cattini, 98, pictured at the Horse Guards Parade

11:02 , Sami Quadri

(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Veterans from the Chelsea Pensioners

10:50 , Tammy Hughes

(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Queen will be disappointed to miss service

10:46 , Tammy Hughes

The Queen, who is head of the Armed Forces, lived through the Second World War as a teenager and attaches great importance to the poignant service and to commemorating the sacrifices made by fallen servicemen and women.

If she had attended todays service it would have been her first in-person appearance since a reception for business leaders at Windsor Castle on October 19, after which she cancelled a trip to Northern Ireland on medical advice and spent a night in hospital.

Well-wishes for Queen

10:42 , Tammy Hughes

Service personnel attending the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph wished the Queen well after learning that she was unable to attend.

Lance Corporal May Percival said: My heart goes out to her and her family. I wish her well and the best.

RAF Nurse Officer Stephen Andor said: I wish her well. The Queen has very strong links to the military. She is the head of the armed forces.

I think that every single member of the military wishes her well.

Boris Johnson leaves Downing Street

10:39 , Tammy Hughes

(PA)

Military veterans line up ahead of the march past for the Remembrance Sunday service

10:36 , Tammy Hughes

(PA)

Concerns that car journey would make sprain worse

10:34 , Tammy Hughes

It is understood the sprain is recent and there were concerns over the impact of a car journey and a period of standing on her recovery.

The Queen is said to be deeply disappointed over her absence and she will remain at Windsor Castle.

Buckingham Palace statement in full

10:31 , Tammy Hughes

The Queen, having sprained her back, has decided this morning with great regret that she will not be able to attend todays Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph. Her Majesty is disappointed that she will miss the service.

As in previous years, a wreath will be laid on Her Majestys behalf by The Prince of Wales.

His Royal Highness, along with the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra will be present at the Cenotaph today as planned.

Queen has not received hospital treatment for her back

10:27 , Tammy Hughes

It is understood the Queen has not received hospital treatment for her back and the injury is unrelated to recent medical advice for her to rest.

The Queen is said to regard the Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph as one of the most significant engagements of the year.

It is also understood she plans to continue with her schedule of light duties over the coming week.
A dog that went missing Friday from a Mazomanie home has been returned safely after police arrested a woman suspected of stealing him.

Jackson, a 13-year-old German short haired pointer, was reported missing from a residence on Wall Court some time between 6 a.m. and 2:40 p.m. Thursday, according to the Dane County Sheriffs Office.

There were no signs of forced entry and nothing else missing from the home, according to the sheriffs office.

On Saturday, a deputy received a call from someone claiming to have Jackson. The deputy responded to the callers residence early Sunday morning and found the dog, who was returned to his family.

The woman, who has not been identified, was arrested on suspicion of burglary and theft of a domestic animal.

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Police are investigating a shooting that injured at least one person outside a notorious strip club early Sunday.

Sheriffs deputies responded around 12:20 a.m. to a report of gunfire in the parking lot of Club Bristol, about six miles north of Sun Prairie in the town of Bristol, according to the Dane County Sheriffs Office.

Callers reported a large crowd gathered just before the shots were fired, and many vehicles left the area before deputies arrived. According to the Sheriffs Office, police found numerous shell casings in the parking lot and suspect at least one unknown person was injured.

Officers from the Madison and Sun Prairie police departments also responded, along with the Columbia County Sheriffs Department and State Patrol.

The owners have two years to find a new location.

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 14)  Following the withdrawal of PDP-Laban's two top bets, the faction of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi called on party mates to "toe the line." He said "nothing has changed" in the ruling party's objectives for the upcoming elections.

Cusi, PDP-Laban president, said on Sunday fellow members of the party must remain steadfast, a day after Sen. Bong Go revised his bid from the vice presidency to the presidency under a new political group, while Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa withdrew his candidacy for president.

"We assure you that nothing has changed, our objective remains the same  victory in the coming national and local elections," he said.

Cusi added that party chair President Rodrigo Duterte "will personally lead our campaign and is committed to support our candidates."

He noted that the party will hold a national council meeting before the year ends.

The PDP-Laban is now left with no official presidential and vice-presidential bets following the withdrawal of the Go-Dela Rosa tandem. Go filed his candidacy to become the standard bearer of Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS) and substitute for party member Grepor Belgica, presidential adviser for religious affairs.

Belgica's son Greco, who chairs the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, founded PDDS which supported the candidacy of Go for senator in the 2019 elections. The party previously forged alliance with Cusi's PDP-Laban last September.

The latest changes in the PDP-Laban slate came after Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte filed her candidacy for vice president and substituted for Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats' Lyle Uy.

Meanwhile, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said that President Duterte might return to the Comelec on Monday to file his candidacy for vice president and compete with his own daughter.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 14)  The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) disclosed on Sunday its Twitter account was hacked and used to post tweets unrelated to the agency's functions.

In a statement, the OCD said the security breach occurred on Saturday night and asked for the publics understanding while it worked to recover its page.

This is the reason why unusual tweets referring to matters not related to the Philippines' disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) system had been appearing today, the OCD wrote.

Around Saturday midnight, a number of business-related tweets were published in the agencys Twitter, all either in response to posts by business magnate Elon Musk or his aerospace company SpaceX. The account name was also changed to . and its photo removed.

The OCD apologized for any inconvenience the incident may have caused but assured its DRRM-related services continue, along with its usual information campaigns against hazards and disasters.
(CNN)  The funeral for one of the youngest victims of last week's Astroworld Festival was held Saturday morning in Houston, as families and friends remember loved ones who died a week ago at the high-energy music event that turned into a nightmare.

Brianna Rodriguez, 16, was one of the nine people who died as a result of a crowd crush at rapper Travis Scott's music festival in Houston on November 5.

Concertgoers were crushed and trampled and struggled to breathe as the packed crowd surged toward an outdoor stage when Scott started performing, and injuries continued as the performance went on for more than an hour, witnesses and authorities said.

The ages of those who died ranged from 14 to 27.

At a Houston funeral home Saturday, Rodriguez, a junior at Heights High School in Houston, was remembered by relatives and friends in part as someone who had a passion and talent for dancing, US Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee said.

"We don't know what her career, her future, would have been, but her dancing just got everyone's attention," Jackson Lee, who attended the service, told reporters outside afterward. "It was natural, of course, but also you were touched by this warm and loving family."

"You can see the genuine affection and the genuine leadership that Brianna gave," Jackson Lee, whose district includes much of central Houston, said.

Concertgoers have described the crowd crush to be as terrifying as a "death trap," many thinking they would not make it out alive. The attendees began to push toward the stage as Scott came on, they said.

"This was not a concert; this was a fight for survival," attendee Jeffrey Schmidt told CNN.

Authorities have not released the causes of death for the victims and said that could take weeks. In the meantime, the investigation into how the deadly crush unfolded remains underway.

With about 50,000 people attending, the event's safety measures have come under scrutiny. A slew of lawsuits have been filed against Scott, the festival organizer and others involved by the families of the victims and the survivors.

On Friday, attorney Ben Crump, along with a coalition of Houston lawyers, announced they represent more than 200 victims who attended the festival and have filed more than 90 lawsuits in Harris County Civil Court against promoter Live Nation and others involved in the fatal event.

"Some of these victims have been catastrophically injured," said Crump, asking for continued prayers for his 9-year-old client, who remains in a coma.

Live Nation said November 6 it was "heartbroken" over Astroworld and is cooperating with authorities as they investigate why the event turned deadly. On Monday, the company said it was "working on ways to support attendees, the families of victims, and staff" by providing mental health counseling and will help with hospital costs.

Houston officials have pointed to the artist and others involved in the event as responsible for the chaos that unfolded that night.

Scott has said he was not aware of what was happening in the crowd during his set -- disputing city officials' account of his responsibility in the tragic events.

New details emerge

Although multiple accounts say the worst of the crowd surge occurred around 9 p.m. CT November 5, red flags were seen much earlier in the day.

Shortly after the 9 a.m. start of the festival, spectators had already breached the main gate, according to the handwritten logs obtained by CNN on Friday.

At least eight more breaches would be reported throughout the day, with 3,000 to 5,000 concertgoers that were "not scanned" entering the venue by 5:05 p.m., the logs show.

The logs demonstrate that multiple attendees were injured and brought to the hospital in the morning and afternoon. And shortly before 5 p.m., the Houston Police Department reported "dangerous crowd conditions" at one stage.

Eight minutes before Scott took the stage at 9 p.m., more than 260 people had already been treated, according to the logs, which did not specify the type of treatment. And a 9:18 p.m. entry noted a "crush injury."

Less than half an hour into Scott's performance, the log states: "This is when it all got real."

"Multiple people trampled, passed out at front of stage" at 9:33 p.m, police reported. Shortly after, a police operator reported five 911 calls about "unconscious persons in crowd. Report of possible CPR."

A mass casualty incident was reported at 9:52 p.m., the logs show. From 10 p.m. to about 11:40 p.m., 17 people had been sent to hospitals, including at least six people in cardiac arrest.

Lawyer says Scott did not know of mass casualty declaration

It is unclear what Scott saw from the stage and whether he was aware of the crowd conditions, but he continued to perform until about 10:10 p.m.

Scott did not know of the mass casualty declaration, or the full scope of what had occurred, until the following morning, his lawyer said Friday.

"That (mass casualty declaration) never got to Travis, that never got to Travis's crew," attorney Ed McPherson told ABC's "Good Morning America."

"He's up there trying to perform. He does not have any ability to know what's going on down below."

Scott was "on a riser at one point and he sees one boy down... stops the show, [and] he asked security to get to that person," McPherson told ABC.

"Understand that when he's up on the stage, and he has flash pots going off around him and he has an ear monitor that has music blasting through it and his own voice -- he can't hear anything, he can't see anything," McPherson added.

Funeral services planned for the victims

Scott has said he was devastated by the tragedy, adding that he will cover all funeral costs for the victims as well as help fund mental health support for those affected.

At least two funerals were held before Saturday, and more are scheduled over the next week, according to family members and notices posted by various funeral homes.

The funeral for Danish Baig, 27, who died trying to save his fiancee, was held November 7 in Colleyville, Texas, his brother, Basil Baig, told CNN.

Another brother, Mirza Ammar Baig, said that Danish had planned to buy a house for their parents by the end of the month.

"It's unbearable. It's unspeakable," he said of his brother's death. "I'm the older brother, but he was the older brother to me. He led this family in a direction that I couldn't have done in any other way. ... To wake up and not be able to hear his voice, to touch him, to kiss him, to tell him how much we love him, it's not going to happen anymore. And the way he left this world, it's not just."

On Friday, the funeral for Rodolfo Pena, a 23-year-old who studying at Laredo College, was held Friday in Laredo, according to the funeral home.

"Although Rudy had many positive attributes, the one attribute that stands out above all the rest was his contagious, warming, sincere smile," his obituary reads.

This story was first published on CNN.com 'Funeral services underway for Astroworld Festival victims as dozens of lawsuits are filed over the tragedy'
(CNN)  Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, visited a military base Thursday where they met Afghan refugees who had made it to the United States.

The couple spoke with women recently arrived at Task Force Liberty, on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, which is home to more than 10,000 Afghan refugees, a spokesperson for them said. The royals asked to spend time with young children who were in daily schooling and stopped by a classroom of children learning conversational English.

Harry and Meghan talked with the kids, many of them practicing their English by saying phrases like, "Nice to meet you," the spokesperson said. The couple asked staff about common terms in Dari -- Persian dialects spoken in Afghanistan -- and left every interaction with children and adults saying "Tashakur," or "thank you."

The teachers had been leading the song "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes," the spokesperson added. The Duke and Duchess "happily" led the children in singing the song, and said it's a favorite of their son, Archie.

They thanked the teachers for their efforts, and reminded them to take care of themselves and their own mental health.

Harry and Meghan are known for speaking openly about their mental health and for encouraging others to do the same.

According to the US Air Force Expeditionary Center website, "Task Force Liberty initiated in August in line with the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. Active duty, guard and reserve service members from across the force came together with outside agencies to create a space that could provide support to over 10,000 Afghan guests as they immigrated into the United States."

This story was first published on CNN.com 'Harry and Meghan visit Afghan refugees at Task Force Liberty'
The descendants of those being honored and the campus community will see the residence hall and gateway officially renamed in a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Saturday outside East College, 50 N. West St. in Carlisle.

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place in Weiss Center for the Arts, 240 W. High St.

Cooper Hall, a residence hall named for a scientist who taught briefly at the college before becoming a pro-slavery leader in South Carolina, is being renamed Spradley-Young Hall. The change honors Henry Spradley and Robert Young, two formerly enslaved men and longtime college employees who helped integrate the Dickinson campus in the 19th century.

Spradley was so beloved by the college community that the school closed for a day in his honor when he died in 1897.

East College Gate will be renamed Pinkney Gate, honoring Carrie and Noah Pinkney, who were popular African American food sellers on campus for decades in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Dozens of descendants of the facilities new namesakes and other 19th century Black Dickinson employees are expected to attend the renaming ceremonies, according to a news release from Dickinson College announcing the event. They will be traveling from as far away as California, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada and South Carolina.

The name changes were recommended to the Board of Trustees in the Dickinson & Slavery report issued in 2019 from the House Divided project. The report came out of a multiyear research project that explored the colleges complex ties to slavery.

After the report was endorsed by the presidents Commission on Inclusivity in October 2019, an ad hoc committee on renaming was formed and charged with finalizing proposals for building renaming and other possible revisions to names of scholarships, endowed chairs, lectureships and other honorifics.

Moving forward, the college will explore other potential name changes for additional buildings with considerations related to recognizing more diverse historic contributions to the school and nation.

This is an important step toward more accurately reflecting the history of the college and embracing the people who have contributed to it, said Dickinson interim President John E. Jones III in the news release. This effort involved input from people across the campus and is a testament to the thoughtfulness of our students, faculty and staff and the leadership and vision of the House Divided Project.

When we started the Dickinson & Slavery initiative, we wanted to get the community talking about the colleges ties to both slavery and the anti-slavery movement, said Professor of History Matthew Pinsker, director of the House Divided Project and lead researcher of the Dickinson & Slavery initiative. In addition to publishing the report, weve opened a museum exhibit and created a self-guided campus walking tour to share this important history with our broader community.

The museum exhibit will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. at the House Divided studio, 61 N. West St., following the ceremonies. Student interns will also lead walking tours around the new Dickinson & Slavery wayside markers installed on campus last spring.

Prize-winning military historian and 1983 Dickinson graduate Eric Wittenberg will deliver the second annual J. Howard Wert keynote address at 7 p.m. that evening in the Anita Tuvin Schlechter Auditorium, 360 W. Louther St.

Wittenberg, who is the author of 22 books on the Civil War, will speak from the lectern that was on the speakers platform during Lincolns Gettysburg Address in November 1863. In his speech, Wittenberg will explore enduring myths about the Battle of Gettysburg.

The event is free and open to the public, with doors opening at 6 p.m. for those who would like to view the lectern and artifacts from the Gettysburg battlefield. A book signing will follow the conclusion of the lecture.

Email Tammie at tgitt@cumberlink.com. Follow her on Twitter @TammieGitt.

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RADCLIFF, Ky. (AP)  Donald Hohman, who was among the Americans held hostage in Iran for 444 days between 1979 and 1981, was laid to rest along with his wife in a veterans' cemetery in Kentucky.

The couple, both 79, lived in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and died within several days of each other this fall after contracting COVID-19, their daughter-in-law, Jocelyn Hohman, told the Lexington Herald-Leader. They were married for 52 years.

American Legion Post 113 in Hardin County helped arrange to have a color guard and a bagpiper for the services on Friday, she said.

Donald Hohman, a retired chief warrant officer two, died Sept. 22, according to an obituary. Anna Hohman died Oct. 1, her obituary stated.

Jocelyn Hohman credited her father-in-laws stubbornness with helping him survive the ordeal. She said he went on hunger strikes and spent time in solitary confinement because of it.

Instead of being scared over there, he was angry, Jocelyn Hohman said. He gave them a run for their money.

The hostages were released the day President Ronald Reagan took office, Jan. 20, 1981.

Hohman was later awarded the Soldiers Medal, Purple Heart, Legion of Merit and other military honors, media outlets reported.

In the years after the hostage crisis, Donald Hohman rarely talked about his time in captivity, his daughter-in-law said.

He kept it close to his chest, for the most part, she said. He had a lot of psychological trauma from that.

She described Anna Hohman as a little powerhouse who kept the family together.

They were quite a team, said Jocelyn Hohman, who is married to the couples son Yuri and lives in Elizabethtown.

Jocelyn Hohman said the family moved to Kentucky in 1998.

After retiring from a 25-year career in the military, Donald Hohman continued to work as a civilian at Fort Knoxs Ireland Hospital until 2005, his obituary stated.

Donald Hohman had been vaccinated for the coronavirus, and Anna Hohman was very careful in her interactions with others during the pandemic, their daughter-in-law said.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
An Albany man reportedly running across Interstate 5 was struck and killed by a semi-truck on Saturday night near Albany.

According to a news release from the Oregon State Police, Daniel Montoya, 39, was observed laying down on the northbound side of I-5. He then began running across the northbound and southbound lanes of the interstate.

As Montoya crossed the southbound lanes of travel, he ran in front of a passenger car that swerved and avoided hitting him. A 2021 Mack semi-truck driven by Alan Steven, 26 of British Columbia, was southbound in the slow lane of I-5 and could not avoid colliding with Montoya, the news release states.

The crash was reported at about 7:09 p.m. Saturday near the overpass near Pacific Boulevard and Knox Butte Road in Albany.

Montoya was pronounced deceased at the scene. OSP was assisted at the scene by the Albany Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Transportation. The southbound lanes of I-5 were temporarily closed during the investigation.
A Lebanon woman has died after being struck by a vehicle on Interstate-5.

According to a news release from Oregon State Police, emergency personnel responded to a vehicle-pedestrian collision on Friday, Nov. 12 at around 9:18 p.m. on I-5 southbound near milepost 254 in Salem.

The news release states Christina June Klug, 26, exited her boyfriends car that was parked in the median on I-5. She then reportedly walked out into the lane of travel where she was hit by a southbound vehicle operated by Maria Guzman-Coria, 24, of Salem.

Klug was pronounced dead at the scene. Guzman-Coria stayed at the scene following the collision and is cooperating with law enforcement.

OSP was aided by Salem Fire and Medics as well as Oregon Department of Transportation. The case is an ongoing investigation.
Higher_education

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Legislature approves $200 million for TWU health sciences center in Denton, UNT research site

Jeff Woo/DRC file photo TWU regents, provosts and staff break ground during a groundbreaking ceremony at Texas Womans University in February 2019. The Science & Technology Learning Center building, at the intersection of Bell Avenue and Texas Street, opened in late 2020.

The 87th Texas Legislature has approved hundreds of millions of dollars in tuition revenue bonds for massive new projects at the University of North Texas and Texas Womans University campuses in Denton.

Tuition revenue bonds are construction bonds that universities can sell to fund future building projects on their campuses.

The state approved $113.4 million in tuition revenue bonds for UNT, which will build a 167,700-square-foot research building that will serve students and faculty in biological, physical and material research.

The state also approved $100 million in tuition revenue bonds for TWU, which will build a health sciences center on the Denton campus. Kevin Cruser, the TWU director of legislative affairs, said the university initially asked for about $108 million during a board of regents meeting on Friday. He credited state District 64 Rep. Lynn Stucky, R-Denton, for advocating for the approval.

TWU Chancellor Carine Feyten told the regents that the approval was a watershed moment for TWU.

A lot of universities had to cut back the amount they wanted by half, she said. We asked for $108 million, and we got $100 million. This is amazing.

Feyten added that the state had approved the bonds for only five public universities in Texas. Two of those universities are located in Denton. Her remarks earned applause from the attendees at the regents meeting.

Stucky said he worked on both tuition revenue bond approvals, and that the team put in hundreds of hours to get those bonds secured for the schools.

Without higher education, I wouldnt be in the position Im in, and my wife is a Texas Womans masters graduate, Stucky said. Im happy the regents at TWU understand how much work we put into that. TWU is not only the biggest woman-focused independent university in Texas, its the largest in the country  and part of the work we did in the session was to make sure it doesnt get eaten up by another system and keeps its independence.

Stucky said the health sciences center will give more students, most of them women, more chances to earn a degree in much-needed health care specialties. Stucky said the center also will offer more opportunity to women who want to earn a degree but face financial constraints.

Its also going to be something that brings jobs to the area, he said. Im just glad to see we were successful in doing good work for the district.

UNT President Neal Smatresk said the bond approval is also a major win for UNT. The money will fund construction of a building that will be state of the art for students and faculty in the universitys research division.

UNT has made tremendous progress in growing its research enterprise in the last decade, Smatresk said in a statement. For our university to continue this incredible momentum, we must provide a more modern space to accommodate the cutting-edge research taking place at UNT. Adding this new facility will ensure we are able to meet our growing demands so our faculty can continue their research collaborations to help move society forward.

Smatresk said Friday that there isnt a site selected for the future Science and Technology Research Building, and that the university has a lot to consider before dropping a pin on the campus map for construction.

The research the students and faculty are doing is intended to solve real-world problems, Smatresk said. He pointed to the work UNT professor Richard Dixon is doing with students to take a small plant from China and turn it into a fuel source.

Think about flying a jet that is burning plant fuel, Smatresk said. Thats the kind of research were talking about. The students and faculty are working on research that is meant to solve a problem out there in the real world.

While building plans have yet to be drawn up, he said the building will be a flexible space for students and faculty to work on small- and large-scale projects. But the building also will signal to the marketplace that UNT is serious about deepening its standing as a Carnegie-ranked Tier 1 public research university.

This kind of facility can really attract top-quality faculty, Smatresk said. Were highly compressed [for physical space] right now. When we increase our space, that means were better able to attract the faculty we want and need to grow our programs. And were rapidly rising among our competition.

New buildings can mean more than instruction space. New buildings can give universities more opportunities to connect with their surrounding communities. Cruser said the TWU health sciences center will have a focus on student and faculty, but with implications beyond campus.

The tuition revenue bond authorization for the health sciences center will definitely have a positive effect on the local economy and improve access to health care in the Denton community, he said. The center will be focused on training for our allied health care fields such as nursing, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, and provide clinical training to Texas Womans students on the Denton campus. There will be a focus on training students to serve in rural health care settings in particular and as a part of that training, clinical health care services will be provided to the community.

The new building also will contribute to the most recent growth on campus after the Science & Technology Learning Center opened late last year. Cruser said the newest center will play a key role in meeting the fast-growing demand for health care workers, a field that was experiencing more demand even before the pandemic.

Having this facility in Denton County will allow Texas Womans to graduate more nursing, physical therapy and occupational therapy students, meeting an increasing demand for these health care professionals, who, as we know, are more likely to stay and work in the community where they completed their degrees, he said.
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Daddy said that day, exactly 77 years ago, wouldve been even better had his brother, Ed, been in Dothan, instead of in a plain wooden casket somewhere in Europe waiting to go home 
JACKSON COUNTY  A Marianna teenager was killed and another was critically injured Sunday in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Peacock Bridge Road and State Road 71. The names of the two were not listed in a Florida Highway Patrol press release about the crash. At about 11:26 a.m., a 2002 gray Toyota Camry occupied by the two Marianna teenagers was attempting to make a left turn, to travel north on State Road 71, from Peacock Bridge Road. The other vehicle, a 2007 red Prevost passenger bus driven by a 55-year-old man from Panama City, was traveling south, in the southbound lane of State Road 71 approaching the intersection of Peacock Bridge Road. The driver of the Camry, a 19-year-old female, entered into the path of the other vehicle, attempting to make her left turn. The driver of the bus attempted hard braking in an attempt to avoid a crash but was unsuccessful. The front right of the bus collided with the left side of the Camry. Both vehicles came to final rest on the west shoulder of State Road 71, just south of the intersection of Peacock Bridge Road. The driver of the Camry was pronounced dead at the scene and the 18-year-old male passenger was transported by AirHeart for his injuries. The driver of the bus was not injured. The Florida Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by Jackson County Fire Rescue.
A crane moves sand from a ship on the Mekong river in Hau Giang Province in Vietnam, December 19, 2018. Photo by Reuters

Anthropogenic drivers in the Mekong Delta will limit opportunities to adapt to climate change even as it dominates threats to the region in coming years, a new report warns.

The Mekong Delta has long historical experience of dealing with water- and climate-related factors which can threaten agricultural production and livelihoods.

However, the increasing impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activities challenge the sustainability of existing approaches, and call for new adaptation and mitigation measures, according to the "Climate Change in Vietnam: Impacts and Adaptation" report which sought to assess the socio-economic impacts of climate change in Vietnam by 2050.

Vietnam's Mekong Delta is the third largest delta on earth, and currently home to 17 million people, whose livelihoods depend mainly on agricultural and aquacultural production. The region supplies more than half of Vietnam's rice production, 90 percent of which is exported, and is thus crucial for both national and international food security.

The report said the delta is already under pressure, which leaves local people with a limited window of opportunity for adaptation.

"The Mekong Delta is subject to various drivers of change, of which anthropogenic drivers, namely hydropower dams, sand mining and groundwater extractions, pose the greatest threats in this first half of the century," Etienne Espagne, a senior economist with the French Development Agency (AFD) who led the study, said at a press briefing this week.

First among the major challenges facing the delta is the pressure on water resources from rapid urbanization and intensified food production. For example, within the aquaculture sector, demand for quality fresh/brackish water has significantly increased in the past decades. Groundwater extraction has been growing rapidly, with a five-fold increase over the last 20 years. Current extracted volume is 2.5 million m3 per day, with an annual increase of 4 percent.

Groundwater over-extraction is the main driver of land subsidence in the delta (as high as 5 cm a year in some places), which is not currently compensated by new sediment deposits. As a result, the delta is experiencing rapid elevation loss.

In the coming decades, the relative sea level rise will predominantly be determined by the amount of subsidence, which for a large part depends on groundwater extraction. Should the rate of extraction remain at present-day levels, the average cumulative subsidence could be over 80 cm by 2100, which, combined with global sea level rise and lack of sedimentation on the floodplains, would cause the majority of the delta to fall below sea level, the report forecasts.

Total sediment transported by the Mekong River was estimated at nearly 160 million tonnes per year, but recent estimates show a 40-90 percent reduction in fluvial sediment supply to the Mekong Delta due to sediment trapping by upstream dams. This presents the second major challenge.

In addition, current sand mining within the delta is estimated at 4050 million tonnes per year, which, when added to sand mining in Cambodia and Laos, is likely to represent over 100 percent of the remaining total fluvial sediment supply.

The most important impact of sediment starvation is the high erosion rates of riverbed levels (1015 cm/year) in the delta, which have triggered tidal amplification in the range of nearly two cm per year.

Anthropogenic riverbed level incision will remain the main driver of salinization of the region and, depending on future rates of sand mining, could increase the extension of land impacted by saline water intrusions by an additional 25 percent by 2050, according to the report.

The increase in saline water intrusion during the dry season observed over the last decades is also strongly driven by the declining freshwater supply from the Tonle Sap Lake, which is itself caused predominantly by mainstream hydropower development.

Additional uncertainty

The research team, including Vietnamese experts, stress that the delta is strongly influenced by the water governance of the whole Mekong basin, or lack thereof.

They say climate change adds a layer of uncertainty to the already complex water management problems. The current regional structure of governance and management for transboundary resources in the Mekong region is made up of a web of organizations, including different partners inside and outside the region.

"This scattered institutional architecture still needs to be fully aligned with the mitigation and adaptation objectives of the Paris Agreement, while acknowledging the full scope of local anthropogenic environmental dynamics," the report says.

It notes that the current rate of global sea level rise is nearly 3.3 mm per year, and is projected to accelerate during the 21st century. Depending on the climate scenario, the total projected rise ranges from 43 cm to 84 cm by the end of the century, but large uncertainties remain and higher values cannot be ruled out.

The Mekong Delta has an extremely low-lying delta plain, with an average elevation of approximately 80 cm, the report said, estimating that nearly 30 percent of the region could find itself at elevations below sea level with a relative sea level rise of 50 cm.

The Basin Development Strategy 20212030 of the Mekong River Commission recently called for "proactive regional planning". Such planning could play an integrative role, via joint mitigation investment projects and adaptation measures between different countries, actors, and sectors under the general principle that water is a basic need and right of every Mekong inhabitant. This would potentially transform Mekong water into a common pool resource.

Espagne chose to remain optimistic amid a bleak scenario, saying the good news was that humans could take actions to limit negative impacts in the Mekong Delta. The Vietnamese government is aware of the situation and has been issuing legal frameworks for responses, he noted.

"The matter now is how to bring them into reality."
Drug users are transported to a rehabilitation center in Ho Chi Minh City in 2014. Photo by VnExpress/Duy Tran

Over 28,500 people in HCMC are drug addicts, a 4.3 percent increase from late 2020, according to the municipal People's Committee.

A document regarding narcotic control sent by Deputy Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Ngo Minh Chau to the Ministry of Public Security revealed the southern metropolis now has around 12,600 drug addicts at home, 13,260 in rehab and over 1,600 imprisoned or detained for criminal activities.

Vietnamese law requires addicted adults who have failed with rehab at home to enter mandatory rehab facilities as decided by local People's Committees.

Earlier this year, the HCMC Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs proposed to expand two social centers to receive 600-1,000 homeless drug addicts: one in Hoc Mon District and the other in Cu Chi District.

HCMC is a frequent location for drug-related crimes, owing to its socio-economic development status and high population. Most narcotics arrive here via the Golden Triangle, an intersection of China, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar and the world's second largest drug producing area behind the Golden Crescent in South Asia..

Drug trafficking and consumption have persisted and worsened in Vietnam though it has some of the worlds toughest laws.

For instance, those convicted of possessing or smuggling more than 600 grams of heroin face the death penalty.
Many businesses in Saigons tourist hotspots that relied heavily on foreign tourists in pre-pandemic times are pinning hopes on the city reopening international tourism with a no-quarantine policy.

Its 9:30 a.m. and Le Thi Huong, manager of a bar on Bui Vien Street, once the city's busiest night-time hotspot for foreign tourists, arranges tables and chairs to prepare for a new day.

Her bar has switched to selling com tam (broken rice with grilled pork, pig skin, egg and fish sauce) in the morning and serving snail dishes at night as HCMC has not yet allowed bars, karaoke parlors and beer clubs to resume operations.

"Only a few customers visit my shop these days and we have to close it by 9 p.m. as a pandemic prevention measure," she said.

"The rents are very high and income from selling food is not enough to make a profit but we still have to open for business to cover daily expenses and pay staff salaries."

The plan to welcome foreign tourists back to the city without mandatory quarantine from December has lit up Huongs hopes after two years of pandemic-enforced border closure.

"The arrival of foreign tourists would give us a chance to revive business and escape the current nightmare," Huong said.

"Most tourism related businesses in Bui Vien have accepted to pay high rent and invested a lot of money in their business mainly to cater to foreign tourists. Without them, all of us are close to complete exhaustion."

A bar on Bui Vien Street, HCMC, in November 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Phong

Linh Trang, owner of a homestay inside a small alley on Do Quang Dau Street, said all foreign guests staying at her place have returned home and her five rooms are vacant. She struggles to pay electricity and water bills every month.

The last guest at her homestay left in April as Vietnam grappled with the fourth Covid-19 wave that has infected over 986,000 people and killed over 22,000.

HCMCs tourist precinct, made up of Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao, De Tham and Do Quang Dau streets in District 1, used to be one of the citys busiest places, teeming with foreign visitors day and night.

Trang said that before the pandemic, her rooms were always full, with the rent ranging from VND300,000 to VND600,000 a night.

"Having done this business for nearly eight years and welcomed foreign tourists every day, I am like an unemployed person now," she said.

"I hope foreign tourists will return to HCMC soon, so that those of us dependent on providing services to them can manage to earn a living," she said.

Huynh Thi Thu Hoa, who sells clothes and decorative items inside the Ben Thanh Market, an iconic landmark in HCMC, said she has never experienced such poor business in more than 20 years.

"Even on the busiest day, the turnover is only VND200,000. Some days I sit here all day without any customer. Meanwhile, the rent remains quite high."

Hoa said foreign visitors had become a major portion of customers in the market before the pandemic, because most locals went to traditional markets.

"For the last two years, vendors inside the market like me have struggled to keep our business going, hoping to see the return of foreign tourists soon.

"I felt happy and excited as I read in newspapers that the city wants to allow foreign tourists back. I hope this becomes true soon."

The citys Department of Tourism has drafted a three-phase vaccine passport plan to welcome tourists from Europe, Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, Australia, North America and the Middle East.

In the first phase starting in December, tourists will book tour packages with approved travel agencies, arrive on flights or cruise ships and stay at designated hotels and resorts.

They will be exempt from mandatory quarantine requirements if they possess Covid-19 vaccine passports.

The city received over 8.6 million foreign visitors in 2019.

In the first nine months of this year, it has received 7.7 million domestic visitors.
ADRIAN, Ore. (AP)  An Oregon school district has been fined $11,000 for failing to uphold the state indoor mask mandate and other violations.

The current state mandate requires students to wear masks indoors to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The Adrian School District, near the Idaho border, is a small district that includes an elementary and high school with about 300 students total.

Aaron Corvin with OSHA told KGW-TV an inspection was done in response to three complaints about a lack of mask usage.

OSHA inspectors said they found two COVID-19 violations and two unrelated violations.

Two of those violations were marked as serious at $420 each. Another citation is defined as other than serious at $100 and a willful violation related to mask-wearing garnered the bulk of the fine at $10,500.

It certainly is the largest penalty weve issued over COVID requirements to a school district, Corvin said.

In August, Adrian School District superintendent Kevin Purnell was fired after the school board wanted him to defy the governors mask mandate but he wouldnt. A new superintendent started this week.

The school districts website does include a safe return to school plan saying students and staff are required to wear face coverings. School officials said they filed an appeal and requested a hearing for three of the four violations, including the one for $10,500.
In the United States, Nevada is among 10 states that have mandated the wearing of masks in schools for even the youngest kindergartners.

By contrast, 32 states leave masking decisions to local school districts and parents, while eight states prohibit local school districts from requiring school masking at all.

Beginning with his original COVID-19 Declaration of Emergency in March, 2020, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak has imposed Draconian lockdown orders and masking mandates with devastating impact on non-essential businesses.

In April 2020, Nevada recorded an unemployment rate of 30.1%, the highest ever recorded by a state and exceeding the Great Depression.

The destructive impact on the economy persists into 2021. Nevada recorded the highest unemployment rate in the nation in July, August and September (tied with California).

Sisolaks onerous mask mandates in traditionally libertarian Nevada contributed to angry recall efforts against him in 2020.

His current policy requires indoor masking for everyone regardless of vaccination status. Critics note that even Californias Gavin Newsom has a more limited indoor masking policy. It applies only to the unvaccinated.

In May, Sisolak issued an emergency directive automatically making any guidance offered from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention binding law in Nevada, despite the fact that its only a recommendation from the federal agency.

On July 27, Sisolak issued a directive that mandated masks for all teachers, staff and students in Nevadas 17 school districts.

This directive mirrored CDC guidance that masks should be worn at all times, by all people in school facilities, including all classrooms settings and non-classroom settings, including hallways, school offices, restrooms, gyms, auditoriums, etc.

With parental backlash and pressure from school superintendents in all Nevada counties, a week later Sisolak retreated from his all student mask mandate. His amended directive gave 15 rural school districts, those outside Clark and Washoe, some flexibility to determine their own student masking rules.

The CDCs mask guidance is not based exclusively on science. Theres been political meddling from the nations two largest teachers unions whose top officials have been in constant contact with CDC leaders. They shaped the agencys supposedly politics-free decisions.

Emails reveal the CDC taking direction not just from scientists or other qualified professionals but also from American Federation of Teachers and National Education Association officials. The CDC has done exactly what has been demanded by the teacher unions on school opening guidelines and mask mandates.

In Europe, the masking policy for children is completely different.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) does not recommend that children under 12 wear masks in school. The ECDC guidance notes that children under 12 may have a lower tolerance to wearing masks for extended periods of time, and may fail to use the mask properly.

If the CDCs masking guidance is based on science free from political meddling then why did the ECDC reach a different conclusion? Is science different in Europe?

In Las Vegas, a parental lawsuit challenges the school mask mandates. The case claims Sisolaks directives are unconstitutional because they violate parental rights and due process.

It contends the current policy requiring masks in schools regardless of vaccination status is causing psychological distress and emotional harm to students who must wear masks 6-8 hours a day.

The effectiveness of masks is also challenged in the lawsuit.

As Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace discovered in an interview with Brown University Public Health Dean, Dr. Ashish Jha, standard cloth masks do very little to stop the spread of COVID-19. Cloth masks are only 10-20 percent effective against the delta variant, Dr. Jha reported.

Nevadas children have endured 20 months of learning disruption.

How much longer will students be required to wear face masks? Will there ever be parental discretion or will Governor Sisolak continue to make arbitrary health decisions for parents?

Jim Hartman is an attorney residing in Genoa, Nevada. Email him at lawdocman1@aol.com.

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This Veteran's Day has significance because of the end of the War in Afghanistan. While there are still active military members stationed all over the world, none of fighting in a formal war.

Under US law, a veteran is defined as a "person who served in the active military, naval, air, or space service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable. With this definition, those who are actively serving in the military do not fall under the category of a veteran.

According to Pew Research, in 2021, there were around 19 million veterans in the US. This figure represents around ten percent of the population. The greatest share of these veterans, forty-one percent, served in the Gulf War.

In the statement released by the White House proclaiming Monday 11 November as Veteran's Day, the President highlighted how these courageous men and women, "represent the highest ideals of our country."

President Biden continued saying that "While we can never fully repay the debt we owe these heroes, we will honor their service and provide them the care and support they deserve. We also salute and show gratitude for all who ensure our Armed Forces remain strong, united, and unmatched."

How many active military members are there in the United States?

In 2020, the United States spent $778 billion on its military, representing around thirty-nine percent of total military spending globally. From 2019 to 2020, the US increased its military spending by 6.2 percent.

Which countries spend the most on their militaries? United States -- $778 billion China -- $252 billion India -- $72.9 billion Russia -- $61.7 billion Saudi Arabia -- $57.5 billion Source:Visual Capitalist

China spends the second most in the world and by comparison, only allocated $252 billion dollars.

One of the main costs of military spending in the US is salaries. Of the total budget, around $268 billion are spent to pay for military salaries and benefits. The US has more than 1.4 million military members stationed around the world. Around fourteen percent of these members are women.

How many foreign military bases are there in the world?

Another cost is the maintenance of military bases. The United States has around 750 military bases across eighty countries. With 120 bases, Japan has the highest number of bases within its borders. According to the Congressional Budget Office in 2016, the US spent around $25 billion to maintain its network of bases.
In September a lucky Powerball player in California scooped the seventh-largest lottery win in United States history, picking up nearly $700 million dollars after matching all six numbers.

Powerball is the most popular lottery in the US and draws huge numbers of entrants for every draw, despite the fact that winning a Powerball prize comes with odds of roughly 1 in 25 million. Powerball is offered as an additional number in conjunction with state-wide lotteries across the country.

In total, 44 states plus Washington DC, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are involved in the Powerball and history has suggested that some areas tend to fare better than other. Indiana is responsible for the most with 39 Powerball winners, more than 10% of all jackpots claimed.

But while the vast majority of states run their own lotteries, there are some who do not and whose residents are therefore not able to enter into the Powerball. The six states without state lotteries are Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada and Utah.

Why dont some states have lotteries?

Laws on gambling and lotteries are largely decided at a state level meaning that there are very different rules on and perceptions of the practices across the country. The six states who do not have lotteries have decided to abstain for a variety of reasons.

Hawaii, for example, is thought to be reluctant to encourage gambling for fear that it might damage the states lucrative tourism industry. In a similar vein, the strong religious sentiment in Alabama and Utah could well explain why state legislators are reluctant to allow a lottery.

At the other end of the scale, the likes of Mississippi and Nevada are clearly very open to the practice of gambling but still choose not to have a state lottery. This could well be because the local casino industry is so valuable that the introduction of a potential rival could affect their revenues.

"[Casinos] say the more money people are spending on lotteries, the less they have to spend in casinos," reports the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "The casinos position on a state lottery has been so unwavering that its entirely unsurprising when a lottery proposal is rejected by the state legislature."

Finally, Alaska is also yet to introduce a state lottery but there seems little chance of one emerging in the near future. The states tax revenue is swelled with the local oil industry to such an extent that there is little need to search for additional money streams.
Headlines

- Over 4m workers left their jobs in September, according to study

- Nearly 1mGolden State stimulus checksgo out in the latest batch

- Unemployment rate in the United States drops for a sixth straight week

- Low-earning American households are missing out on the Child Tax Credit

- Ongoing calls for a fourth stimulus check beforeDecember

- Senior Citizens League among those urging Congress to approve new direct payment

Useful information & Links

Child Tax Credit

-Next batch of monthly Child Tax Credit payments is scheduled to be distributed on Monday15 November

- Non-filers have until 15 November to register for the CTC

Stimulus checks

- Could a fourth stimulus check happen in November 2021?

Medicare

-Open enrollment continues through 7 December

- Medicare Part C and D premiums for 2022 confirmed

- Opting out of Medicare at the age of 65 can come at a major cost

Social Security

- What will be the monthly amount for Social Security disability?

- At what age is Social Security no longer taxed in the US?

- 2022 COLA for Veteran benefits announced
LA PALMA ERUPTION

La Palma eruption: Cumbre Vieja volcano claims life of volunteer

Almost two months after it first erupted, the Cumbre Vieja volcano on La Palma has claimed its first victim. According to reports from Spanish news wire EFE, a 70-year-old man was killed while working as a volunteer cleaning up volcanic ash when the roof of the building he was on collapsed. The vast amounts of ash  which consists of fragments of volcanic rock and glass  being emitted from Cumbre Vieja has been carpeting buildings across La Palma, leading the Spanish government to mobilize military personnel to help with the clean-up.

The volunteer, who had the necessary authorization from the Island Council of La Palma to carry out the work on other properties, was on the roof of his own home in the neighbourhood of Corazoncillo on Friday when the accident occurred.

Full story
Some states are continuing with payments for those in and out of work this year. There has already been three proper stimulus checks sent out in the 18 months, and only really California can afford to keep up a similar plan.

These are not all stimulus checks in the way the previous three were, but represent payments sent by state governments to its citizens. Many of them are related to the resumption of in-school teaching, or they are extra support for people rejoining the workforce. Stimulus in terms of stimulating the return to the workplace after the confinements and tribulations of the pandemic.

While many states are doing their own sort of repayments, such as extra money for teachers or enhanced tax breaks, these can't strictly be called stimulus checks. A list for them can be found here, but we will mainly be focusing on one state that is truly giving out more checks, California.

Golden State Stimulus

California is one of the few states that have started their own true stimulus checks. Now on their second edition, Golden State Stimulus II, residents can receive a $600 payment if they are making less than $75,000 a year. In February, the governor signed a law that allowed for the sending of $600 checks to low-income individuals and non-citizens who were unable to receive federal stimulus checks.

A media liaison at the tax agency told the Orange County Register that the state has sent out 5.7 million payments so far. Those payments represent around $4.1 billion of the $12 billion slated for the scheme that Governor Newsom touted as the largest state tax rebate in American history. With checks going to roughly two thirds of households in the state, or around 15.2 million taxpayers, there are still approximately 8.7 million payments to go.

New Mexico

In August, New Mexicos state government announced that low-income residents, who were unable to receive federal stimulus checks, would be eligible for a $750 direct payment. When making the announcement, the Human Services Department said that the payments would go out to 4,000 residents and cost around $5 million.

What about other states?

Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas all have some form of payments, mainly aimed at teaching staff. For example, teachers in Florida are expected to receive a $1,000 check. This was at the expense of a permanent pay rise, however.
In total, 44 states plus Washington DC, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are involved in the Powerball and history has suggested that some areas tend to fare better than other. Indiana is responsible for the most with 39 Powerball winners, more than 10% of all jackpots claimed.

In September, a lucky Powerball player in California scooped the seventh-largest lottery win in United States history, picking up nearly $700 million dollars after matching all six numbers. However, if all this money is claimed at once, then it is subject to big taxes and the full figure cannot be claimed. Spacing out payments over a longer-term means a less up front win, but more money overall.

How much can be won and in what timeframe?

Taking the lump sum will mean you will be in the highest band of tax income. As of 2020, this means you'll likely owe the IRS at least 37% in taxes. However, the option of an annuity plan means the winnings are spread out over 30 years, meaning you may not be in the highest tax bracket each year, depending on the size of your prize and your other income.

All winnings over $5,000 are subject to tax withholding by lottery agencies at the rate of 25%. For example, if you won a $1.5 billion jackpot then you would receive $930 million if you took a lump sum. The money you haven't yet received is invested, taking you up to the $1.5 billion jackpot.

What chance is there of winning?

The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338, so youre more likely to win at a slot machine than the grand prize.

To put that into context, there is a 1 in 500,000 chance of being struck by lightning, according to the CDC. That means you will be struck by lightning a whopping 584 times before you win the lottery. There is a much greater chance of being born with an extra toe or finger.
Foreign political party officials and experts have spoken highly of the sixth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), hailing it as a crucial meeting linking the past and the future.

The landmark resolution adopted by the four-day session on the major achievements and historical experience of the CPC's 100 years of endeavors revealed the reasons for the success of the CPC, and will provide guidance to the CPC to lead China to new development and prosperity, they said.

The CPC has made tremendous achievements in its 100 years of history and is ready to lead the Chinese people into the future, Gennady Zyuganov, chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, said in an interview with Xinhua.

The sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee that concluded on Thursday served as an opportunity for the CPC to look back, analyze its journey, evaluate what has been achieved, and set tasks for the future, he said.

"Why has the CPC, in just a quarter of a century, transformed from a small group of patriots into a powerful political force that led the country? The main secret is that the party set itself the goal of striving for people's happiness and the great rejuvenation of the nation," Zyuganov said.

Highlighting China's achievements including poverty reduction, the Russian communist leader said he was impressed that the CPC does not rest on its laurels or stand still, but is constantly and intensively working for greater successes.

While China is facing many challenges, Zyuganov believes that the CPC will emerge victorious from all the trials, just like how it has been successfully dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Luxman Siriwardena, managing director of Sri Lanka-based policy and advocacy group Veemansa Initiative, said the CPC held the plenum at a historical juncture.

He believes that the CPC will continue to promote socio-economic development in China and in many other places in the world as China is playing an increasingly significant global role.

Adhere Cavince, a Kenya-based international relations scholar, said the CPC has emerged as a strong unifying force in its 100-year history.

The party has guided the Chinese society with unflinching determination to improve people's socio-economic welfare, thereby consolidating national stability, cohesion and trust in government, he said.

The CPC has had unprecedented success in uplifting the Chinese people out of intractable challenges of conflict, poverty and international isolation. Today, China ranks as a strong member of the United Nations with active contributions to global solutions, he said.

Abdul Aziz Al-Shaabani, a Saudi expert on China, said the resolution adopted by the plenum is a comprehensive summary of the CPC's century-long struggle, and it is of great significance and will provide guidance for China's future development and promote greater achievements in its development.
Experts say nation honors commitments, willing to 'walk the walk' in climate fight

China has matched its climate change mitigation commitments with a detailed road map and slew of concrete actions, and the nation has risen to the challenge of transitioning to green energy, officials and experts have said.

They commented in response to criticism from some Western nations as the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, or COP26, in Glasgow, Scotland drew to a close on Friday.

In his written statement to the COP26, President Xi Jinping reiterated the need to focus on concrete actions in response to the climate crisis, saying that China will foster a green, low-carbon, and circular economic system at a faster pace, press ahead with industrial structure adjustment, and rein in the irrational growth of energy-intensive and high-emissions projects.

"Visions will come true only when we act on them," he said. "We will speed up the transition to green and low-carbon energy, vigorously develop renewable energy, and plan and build large wind and photovoltaic power stations."

Analysts said the scale and depth of China's climate actions are unprecedented, even as the world's second-largest economy and largest developing country is faced with an equally urgent task to keep up economic growth and raise people's living standards.

"In a sense, China is still in its early youth in terms of economic growth. But the nation has already taken up the responsibility of a grown-up in its climate actions," said Zhang Yuquan, an associate professor at the China-UK Low-Carbon College at Shanghai Jiaotong University.

"The nation has risen up to the arduous challenges by rolling out a portfolio of policy measures, and involving both the public sector and the market to join the actions. China now has a clear pathway to a decarbonized future."

In the follow-up to his announcement last year that China will peak carbon emission before 2030 and attain carbon neutrality before 2060, Xi presided over several key meetings to lay out a policy framework for the climate response actions.

A meeting of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs, chaired by Xi in March, mapped out a host of measures to help the nation to honor its climate commitments.

A master working guideline was unveiled last month, aiming to elevate energy efficiency to an advanced international level, and lift non-fossil energy consumption to more than 80 percent of the whole by 2060.

The State Council, China's Cabinet, published a concrete action plan last month for peaking carbon emission before 2030, which includes specific targets for different sectors as the nation forges ahead to phase out coal consumption and increase renewable energy.

Together, the policy documents would form a 1+N policy system that would provide a road map the country needs to follow, including tasks for key sectors.

Xie Zhenhua, China's special climate envoy, said at a media briefing on the sidelines of COP26 that distant targets and slogans are far from enough, and clear road maps coupled with transformation in the economy and society, as well as innovation and cooperation, can truly solve the problems.

"China is not only talking the talk, but also walking the walk. We have not only set the targets, but also determined the corresponding policy measures, actions and investments," he said. "We have timetables and road maps. We honor every commitment we have made, and that can truly speak volumes for the level of actions."

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also underscored China's concrete actions in its climate fight, saying that China is not only a serious-minded and responsible participant in the process of tackling climate change, but also, more importantly, a doer that keeps feet on the ground.

In addition to policy initiatives already rolled out to support the climate actions, the nation is vigorously developing renewable energy, with 15 of the world's top 20 photovoltaic companies and all of the top five being Chinese, he told Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno in a meeting via video link last week.

He added that seven of the world's top 10 wind power companies are Chinese, and the nation has phased out 120 million kilowatts of installed coal-fired power generation capacity during the past decade, more than the United Kingdom's existing total installed capacity.

China has topped the global new-energy vehicle market since 2015, and the nation's forest coverage rose sharply, from a mere 8.6 percent in 1949 to 23.04 percent by the end of 2020, according to official statistics.

Wang stressed that going green will not happen overnight but should be planned scientifically and pursued in an orderly and progressive fashion.

The nation's challenges in transitioning to green energy were highlighted in a wide-ranging power shortage in September and last month, which even resulted in outages in residential communities and hospitals in parts of Northeast China.

He Yun, an associate professor at Hunan University, who has closely followed the climate crisis, said China has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality only 30 years after its carbon emissions peak  a much shorter span than the European Union, United States, and Japan.

"This would call for the world's fastest-growing economy to cut its economy from fossil fuels, and accelerate its clean-energy investments at a pace few had dared believe was possible," she said.

Other analysts said China's climate ambitions were fully demonstrated in its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), which stipulated that the nation must cut energy consumption per unit of GDP by 13.5 percent, and carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 18 percent, in the next five years.

"Six of the eight binding targets in the 14th Five-Year Plan are related to the environment. That shows a strong emphasis from the central government on the climate targets. It will also give people confidence in China's all-out efforts over reaching these goals," said Dimitri De Boer, chief representative for China of environmental law organization ClientEarth, and team leader of the EU-China Environment Project.

De Boer noted that China's economy has had a strong reliance on carbon-intensive sectors, and the nation's economy is now faced with downside pressure, which has brought about greater challenges to carbon reduction efforts.

"Despite the challenges, the nation has brought the approvals of programs with high energy consumption and high emissions under effective policy control, and the overall carbon emission appear to be reaching a plateau," he said.

He added that China's "1+N" climate action plan has set a strong, overarching policy framework for the peaking, and subsequent constant reductions, of carbon emissions, and the nation must prioritize efforts to bring all key stakeholders, including local governments, businesses, and the public, on board going forward.

"There is a need for greater public awareness of the climate crisis, so that the whole society can take part in the transformation," he said.
The Communist Party of China (CPC) has made tremendous achievements in its 100 years of history and is ready to lead the Chinese people into the future, Russia's communist party leader Gennady Zyuganov has said.

The CPC's 100th anniversary is "a glorious milestone" in its development, Zyuganov, chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee that concluded on Thursday served as an opportunity for the CPC to look back, analyze its journey, evaluate what has been achieved, and set tasks for the future, he said.

"Why has the CPC, in just a quarter of a century, transformed from a small group of patriots into a powerful political force that led the country? The main secret is that the party set the goal of striving for people's happiness and the great rejuvenation of the nation," Zyuganov said.

China's success in eradicating absolute poverty by the CPC's 100th anniversary "clearly confirms that people have made the right choice," he noted.

The Russian communist leader said he was impressed by the CPC's unremitting efforts to achieve greater success, instead of resting on its laurels.

Noting that China is facing many challenges, Zyuganov said the CPC will emerge victorious, just like how it has been successfully dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

He praised China's concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Guided by the concept, China is helping other countries combat the pandemic through providing medical expertise, medicines and vaccines, he said, noting that dozens of countries have benefited from the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative to recover from the economic fallout of the pandemic.
On Monday, November 15, at 10.30, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host press conference entitled "Green Energy investors don't get paid again?" Participants include ex-Head of the state-run enterprise Guaranteed Buyer Kostiantyn Petrykovets; Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association Andriy Konechenkov; Director of the European-Ukrainian Energy Agency Oleksandra Humeniuk; Managing Director of Vindkraft Ukraine Carl Sturen; Director of Guris LLC Loic Lerminiaux; Director of DTEK VDE Maris Kunitskis (8/5a Reitarska Street). The broadcast will be available on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine. Due to quarantine restrictions, the number of places in the press center is limited, the presence of a PCR test or a certificate of vaccination is required. Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot. Details by phone: (066) 271 7395.
KYODO NEWS - Nov 14, 2021 - 14:05 | Arts, All, Japan, World

Despite the fate of ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi remaining uncertain after she was detained during a coup earlier this year, craftsmen in Japan have continued painstaking work to restore a Japanese sword belonging to her in hope it can one day be returned.

Before Suu Kyi was taken into custody during the February coup, she approached Japan's ambassador to Myanmar, Ichiro Maruyama, about repairing the katana-style sword. Maruyama asked Nippon Foundation executive director Yuji Mori, who was knowledgeable about swords, to help get it fixed.

After Suu Kyi learned about Mori, she asked if he would be willing to help get it repaired, and the sword was later restored in a workshop in the city of Setouchi in Okayama Prefecture, western Japan.

Because craftsmen there have not heard from Suu Kyi since her February arrest, they are understandably concerned. "I want her to be safe," one of the workers was quoted as saying.

According to the foundation, the sword was a gift from the president of a major Japanese newspaper, the Asahi Shimbun, during World War II in 1942 to army lieutenant general Shojiro Iida, who had been appointed commander of Japanese forces that occupied the country then known as Burma.

The sword's whereabouts became unknown in the following years, but it eventually came into the possession of Gen. Aung San, who was a hero of Myanmar's independence movement fighting first against British rule and later the Japanese occupation. He was also Suu Kyi's father.

The general, who was assassinated in 1947, told his daughter it was "a gift from a Japanese soldier."

In February last year, Mori met with a minister and close aide to Suu Kyi in Myanmar about repairing the blade, which had become badly rusted, and brought it back to Japan. The foundation, which was entrusted with the sword, subsequently arranged for a workshop in the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum in Setouchi, an area famed for its sword craftsmanship, to handle the restoration.

Swordsmith Tomonobu Yokoyama, 49, and his apprentices began work on the sword in October 2020.

The weapon was created by the late swordsmith Sadatsugu Takahashi, who was certified a "living national treasure" by the Japanese government.

The sword's condition had deteriorated significantly due to it being stored improperly, with rust having penetrated deep into the metal. The blade itself was also damaged.

Once the blade was restored, it then took three other craftsmen to work on repairing the handle. When he polished the sword, Yokoyama said the "hamon" blade patterns that its creator Takahashi was famed for emerged in the steel.

But Yokoyama was careful not to polish the sword too vigorously -- leaving a little rust behind -- so its shape would not be altered.

Yokoyama's grandfather fought in WWII and died in combat in Burma in 1945. "I felt a strange connection (to this sword)," said Yokoyama, who kept working on the weapon despite his worries after learning of the coup.

"I worried if I could ever get it back (to Suu Kyi)," he said.

The sword was handed back to the Nippon Foundation by the workshop at a ceremony in Setouchi on Nov. 6.

"I'm astonished. The sword has regained its brilliance as though it was just made," said Mori, 68. "(This sword) is an important record that shows the history between Japan and Myanmar."

Uncertain of the situation in Myanmar, Mori said that the foundation will safeguard the sword for the time being.
KYODO NEWS - Nov 14, 2021 - 15:06 | All, Japan

Former princess Mako Komuro and her husband left Japan on Sunday to start a new life in the United States, less than a month after tying the knot amid controversy over a financial dispute involving his mother and her former fiance.

The couple, both 30, departed from Tokyo's Haneda airport for New York where Kei Komuro works as a law clerk at a legal firm. Their departure follows an apparent settlement of the dispute, with the former fiance reportedly agreeing to receive "settlement money" in a meeting with Kei Komuro on Friday night.

Some 100 reporters had gathered at the airport to get a glimpse of the couple, who looked stern-faced as they walked through the departure lobby. But the newlyweds smiled at each other when they reached near the boarding gate.

In an unprecedented step for an imperial marriage, the niece of Emperor Naruhito skipped the usual traditional rites and turned down a lump-sum payment of about 150 million yen ($1.3 million) in taxpayers' money, amid public unease over the dispute.

The 1947 Imperial House Law, which limits heirs to the imperial throne to males with an emperor in the paternal line, requires female royals to give up their imperial status when they marry commoners.

When the couple spoke before members of the press on Oct. 26, the day they registered their marriage, Mako Komuro revealed it was her who had asked Kei Komuro to move forward his plans to study abroad and "set up a base (for living) overseas."

Kei Komuro graduated from the law school of Fordham University in New York with a Juris Doctor degree in May and the Komuros have already secured a place to live in the U.S. city, according to sources familiar with the matter.

He returned to Japan from the United States in late September for the first time in more than three years. Following the marriage, the couple lived in a Tokyo condominium, with Kei Komuro sleeping during the day and remote-working at night -- or daytime in New York -- for the legal firm, the sources said.

He took the New York state bar examination in July but failed. The result, which became known immediately after their marriage, was met with surprise in Japan, with a senior Imperial Household Agency official saying it was "unexpected."

He is expected to retake the exam in February. The official, who asked to be anonymous, expressed hope that Kei Komuro "concentrates on preparations for the exam, even if that means he has to take some time off from work," as whether or not he becomes a lawyer will greatly affect the couple's livelihood in New York.

With the couple and their families having become fodder for tabloids and TV talk shows for years, the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito also said during the press event she was "horrified, scared and saddened by the fact that false information has been taken as fact and that unfounded stories have spread."

She has been diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder caused by what she described as psychological abuse the couple and their families received, the agency recently said.

Related coverage:

Former princess Mako, husband to travel to U.S. Nov. 14: source

Japan Crown Princess Kiko's father Tatsuhiko Kawashima dies at 81

Husband of Japanese former princess fails N.Y. bar exam: source
New Delhi:

The Indian Air Force is all set to receive its first Rafale combat aircraft in its "Golden Arrows" 17 Squadron which was commanded by Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa during the Kargil war in 1999. "The first unit to receive the Rafale combat aircraft would be the 17 Squadron which was earlier located in Bhatinda in Punjab and will now be shifted to Ambala in Haryana," IAF sources told ANI.

The other squadron of the fighter aircraft would be based out of Hashimara in Bengal to tackle the front facing China, sources added. The 17 Squadron used to operate the MiG-21s earlier and is ''number-plated'' at the moment.

The first Rafale is expected to be handed over to the Indian Air Force in September 2019 but it would be required to undergo intensive 1,500 hours of testing to validate the India Specific Enhancements on it. So, the first batch of the four planes is likely to arrive at Ambala around May 2020.

The other squadron that will receive the fighter aircraft West Bengals Hashimara to guard our border with China, while the one is Ambala will secure north against Pakistan. Earlier, 17 Squadron operated light combat aircraft MiG-21.

In September 2016, India signed a deal with the French government and Dassault Aviation to acquire 36 Rafale fighter jets for over Euro 7.8 billion to arrest the fall of combat squadrons and meet urgent requirements on the eastern and western fronts. The plan to deploy one squadron of the planes at the Saraswat air base in Uttar Pradesh did not work out due to land acquisition issues.

Ambala base has been housing Jaguar aircraft squadrons mainly looking after the Pakistan front but due to rapid deployment capabilities, the planes can be utilised on both the fronts in case of requirement.

When Rafale comes in, it will ensure that the deterrence of our air defence will increase manifold and they (Pakistan) will not come anywhere near our Line of Control or border. That kind of capability we will possess, for which, presently they (Pakistan) dont have an answer, the Air Chief Marshal had said.

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Srinagar:

A Kashmiri youth, who allegedly joined the ISIS, has been arrested by the US allied forces in Syria and his parents have approached state authorities for intervening and bringing him back, officials said here on Wednesday.

The youth identified as Adil Ahmad is believed to have joined the banned terror group in 2013, officials said.

After migrating to ISIS-controlled Syria, ostensibility on the pretext of working for an NGO, he married a Dutch woman who had also joined the terror group.

Having completed his MBA from Queensland in Australia, Adil left for Turkey via Jordan on June 21, 2013 on an Indian passport after he allegedly got in touch with some radical groups based in Australia.

His family had been claiming that Adil was working in Syria and neighbouring countries, till his father received a message from his Dutch wife that she and their son were in custody of the US-allied forces.

The wife, according to the officials, was given access to the International Committee of Red Cross which facilitated contact with her husband's family.

"I have now approached the state authorities seeking help to bring back my son," says Fayaz Ahmed, father of Adil, said, adding "I have been informed that a formal process will start only after the new government assumes office in New Delhi."

He said that the couple lost their five-year-old son while fighting was raging in Syria.

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New Delhi:

An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmirs Shopian district on Tuesday. The area has been cordoned off by the security forces.

Earlier this month, two terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Shopian district. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Hindsitapur area of Shopian district in south Kashmir following specific information about the presence of militants there.

As the forces were conducting the search operations, the terrorists fired upon them, which led to a gun battle in which the two militants were killed. Weapons and other materials have been seized from the site of the encounter, the official added.

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New Delhi:

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the plea filed by former Union Minister P Chidambarams son Karti Chidambaram for returning his security deposit of a10 crore. Pay attention to your constituency," a vacation bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Aniruddha Bose told Junior Chidambaram. He had deposited the money before traveling abroad. This is a huge setback to Chidambaram junior, who has been embroiled in the INX Media case. Karti Chidambaram has won the Lok Sabha Elections from Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga with a majority number of votes. You can go wherever you want to, you can do whatever you want, but don't play around law. If there is an iota of non-cooperation, will come down heavily, the Chief Justice of India told Karti Chidambaram in pervious hearing.

Earlier on January 28, a Delhi court had extended the interim protection from arrest granted to former Union minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti from arrest in the Aircel-Maxis scam till February 18. Special CBI Judge OP Saini extended the relief to Chidambaram noting that he will not be available on February 1 for which the matter was earlier listed.

The case relates to alleged irregularities in grant of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval in the Aircel-Maxis deal. In the previous hearing on January 11, CBI had informed the court that the Centre has granted sanction to prosecute five people, including serving and former bureaucrats, accused in the Aircel-Maxis case including the Chidambarams.

The CBI had on November 16 last year informed the court that similar nod was procured for Chidambaram. There are 18 accused in the case. Chidambaram and Karti were named in the chargesheet filed by the CBI in the case on July 19 last year.

The CBI is probing how Chidambaram, who was the Union finance minister in 2006, granted FIPB approval to a foreign firm, when only the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) was empowered to do it.

The CBI and ED, in their replies to the anticipatory bail pleas of Chidambarams, had recently told the court that custodial interrogation of both the accused was required. The father-son has denied the allegations of both the agencies. The senior Congress leader and his son have come under the scanner of investigating agencies in the Rs 3,500-crore Aircel-Maxis deal and the INX Media case involving Rs 305 crore. In its chargesheet filed earlier in the present case against former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi Maran and others, the CBI alleged that P Chidambaram granted FIPB approval in March 2006 to Mauritius-based Global Communication Services Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of Maxis.

Karti Chidambaram has won the Lok Sabha Elections from Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga with a majority number of votes.

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New Delhi:

An alert citizen called the cops to give a tip-off about bombers. After hour-long search, the Mumbai Police did manage arrest the suspected terrorists. But in the end, it turn out to be a wild goose chase. After detailed probe, the police realised that the terrorists were actually movie extras. Now, the police is saying that the men created panic and a case has been registered against them. We got a phone call from a security guard that two people dressed as terrorists were roaming in Palghar area, a police official was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

During interrogation, they informed us that they are part of a shooting crew and they had taken permission for a movie's shooting from Nagar Palika. They were asked not to leave the premises in that dress but they did, so we have taken action," the official added.

The citizen, who gave the tip-off, has been identified as one Anil Mahajan. The watchman working at a local bank, who is also a former Border Security Force soldier, had on May 27 informed the police about spotting two people dressed as "bombers" roaming in Palghar near Mumbai. Besides the actors, the movie's production unit in-charge has also been booked by the police.

The two bombers have also been identified. They are 23-year-old Balram Ginwala and 20-year-old Arbaaz Khan. They were dressed like bombers with bullet vests around them, an India Today report said.

Twitter had a field day mocking the police and the system. A local channel had posted the photo of the terrorists. The police has praised the watchman for his alertness and also felicitated him.

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New Delhi:

UPA chairperson and senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Narerndra Modi as Prime Minister scheduled to take place on Thursday (May 30), according to a report. Sonia Gandhi will be among a number of Opposition leaders who will attend the event.

The report came hours after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday decided not to attend the swearing-in ceremony, citing 'untrue" claims by the BJP that 54 of the party workers were murdered in political violence in Bengal.

On Tuesday, Mamata Banerjee and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said they will attend the oath-taking ceremony. I have spoken to other chief ministers also. Since it is a ceremonial programme, we thought of attending it. Yes, I will go, Banerjee had said.

"Congratulations, new Prime Minister, Narendra Modiji. It was my plan to accept the "constitutional invitation" and attend the oath taking ceremony. However, in last one year, I am seeing media reports that the BJP are claiming 54 people have been murdered in political violence in Bengal. This is completely untrue. There have been no political murders in Bengal. These deaths may have occurred due to personal enemity, family quarrels and other disputes, nothing related to politics. There is no such record with us," Banerjee said in a tweet on Wednesday.

"So I am sorry, Narendra Modi ji, this has compelled me not to attend the ceremony. The ceremony is an august occasion to celebrate democracy, not one that should be devalued by any political party which uses it as an opportunity to score political points. Please excuse me," she wrote on Twitter.

The just concluded Lok Sabha polls witnessed a heated verbal duel between Modi and Banerjee who spearheaded the campaigns of their parties in West Bengal.

Besides winning 303 Lok Sabha seats on his own (the NDA tally being 352), the BJP came up with a surprising poll show in West Bengal by bagging 18 of the state's 42 seats, only four less than the TMC's 22. The saffron party leapt from two seats in the state in 2014 to 18, while the TMC slided to 22 from 34.

An Indian government statement on Monday said the leaders of Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, and Bhutan - all members, with India, of the little-known Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) - have been invited to Modis swearing-in.

This is in line with Governments focus on its Neighbourhood First policy, a government spokesman said. The leaders of Kyrgyzstan and Mauritius have also been invited, but two sources in Indians foreign ministry said Pakistan will not be on the list, without providing further information.

For the swearing-in ceremony for Modis first term in 2014, all nations from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), that includes Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Maldives, were invited.In 2014 Pakistans then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attended the ceremony.

India, however, will not invite Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to Thursdays swearing-in ceremony. In 2014 Pakistans then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attended the ceremony.

Modi and Khan both claimed their air forces carried out air strikes in enemy territory in March, to the alarm of world powers. Modi, who was widely believed to have benefited politically from the stand-off, won a second term with an increased majority in a general election whose results were declared last week.

Khan called Modi on Sunday to congratulate him on his win.

Modi could still meet Khan at a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kyrgyzstan next month, that both leaders may attend.

(With PTI inputs)






New York:

Boeing will tailor its compensation to airlines for the 737 MAX grounding around customer preference, and they could be paid back in services instead of cash, Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg has said. After two deadly crashes grounded the top-selling plane, Muilenburg acknowledged on Wednesday that the MAX crisis had shaken public confidence in the company and inconvenienced key customers, but the company is unlikely to take a big financial hit.

We know weve impacted the summer schedules for many of them, and its difficult, its painful, he said, speaking at a New York investor conference.

I dont see this as an additional material event for us, but its something thats going to require individual attention customer by customer. Compensation could include tweaking plane delivery schedules, or offering additional training or services, as well as cash in some cases, he said.

Muilenburg, who was set to appear in his first broadcast interview on the crisis later Wednesday on CBS, called the crisis a defining moment after crashes of a Lion Air flight in October and Ethiopian Airlines in March claimed 346 lives.

Muilenburg, in excerpts of the interview released by CBS, repeated his apology over lives lost and pledged to be absolutely resolute in what were going to do on safety going forward. The efforts to return the plane to the skies has taken longer than expected, so the timeframe for resuming flights on the troubled planes appears to be slipping further.

Alexandre de Juniac, head of the International Air Transport Association, said Wednesday the plane will remain grounded at least 10 to 12 weeks while regulators review Boeings proposed fix to a software problem that has been linked to both crashes.

A note from CFRA Research characterized the timeframe for the 737 MAX resumption as worse than expected, but said Boeing was still well positioned once it exits the crisis.

Our thesis on Boeing is based on long term commercial aerospace demand, a strong order book and the likelihood that Boeing will not lose significant orders as long as the plane resumes service safely, CFRA said.

We expect continued volatility in the shares until the issues hanging over Boeing move closer to being resolved, CFRA added.

Muilenburg described last weeks meeting of international regulators as a key event in returning the plane to service, but acknowledged that it may take more time before global regulators are ready to approve the planes return.

He said the company continued to cooperate with US Federal Aviation Administration information requests.

Our hope is that well have a broad international alignment with the FAA, he said at the conference.

But there may be some international authorities that will operate on a different schedule. So well have to tailor our plans, depending on the regulatory approval to get the airplane back up and flying.

The FAA will be the first regulator to clear the plane for service, but aviation analysts say the agency wants at least some other countries to approve the plane soon after.

Muilenburg said Boeing was prepared to be flexible as more customers get the green light.

Boeing has cut it production schedule of the 737 MAX and halted new deliveries, necessitating additional storage capacity in Washington and Texas, he said.

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Jeddah:

Saudi Arabiaas foreign minister has called on Islamic nations to reject its arch-rival Iranas ainterferencea in the affairs of other countries, amid a spike in regional tensions. aTehranas support for Huthi rebels in Yemen is proof of Iranian interference in other nationsa affairs and this is something that... Islamic countries should reject,a minister Ibrahim al-Assaf told a gathering of foreign ministers of the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah city on Wednesday.

Assaf was speaking on the eve of emergency Arab and Gulf summits called by Saudi Arabia at the weekend as tensions between Iran and the US raise fears of military escalation.

The summits in Mecca, Islamas holiest city, allow US ally Riyadh the chance to present unified Islamic, Arab and Gulf fronts against its arch-rival Tehran.

A representative of Iran attended Wednesdayas gathering of OIC, of which it is a member, an AFP reporter saw. But Iranas foreign minister was not present.

Regional tensions have spiked since President Donald Trumpas administration reimposed sanctions against Iran after Washington unilaterally pulled out of a multilateral 2015 nuclear accord signed with the Islamic republic.

Two Saudi oil tankers, among four vessels, were the targets of mysterious acts of sabotage off the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this month, and Iran-aligned Yemeni rebels have stepped up drone attacks on the kingdomaone of which resulted in the temporary shutdown of a major oil pipeline.

US National Security Advisor John Bolton said Wednesday that Iran was almost certainly behind oil tanker attacks that sent Gulf tensions soaringaan accusation Tehran dismissed as "laughable".

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Mumbai:

The rupee depreciated by 15 paise to 69.84 against the US dollar in early trade Wednesday on weak opening in domestic equities and foreign fund outflows. The rupee opened weak at 69.77 at the interbank forex market and then fell further to 69.84, down 15 paise over its last close. The local currency however pared the initial loss and was trading at 69.77 at 0947 hours.

The rupee had settled at 69.69 against the US dollar Tuesday.

Besides, strength in dollar against some major rival currencies, foreign fund outflows and heavy selling in domestic equities also kept pressure on the Indian rupee, dealers said.

However, easing crude oil prices supported the rupee and restricted the downfall.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, fell 0.68 per cent to $69.63 per barrel.

On the global front, the Trump administration on Tuesday removed India from its currency monitoring list of major trading partners, citing certain developments and steps being taken by New Delhi which address some of its major concerns.

Switzerland is the other nation that has been removed by the US from its currency monitoring list which among others include China, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Meanwhile, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) pulled out Rs 501.11 crore on a net basis Tuesday, provisional data showed.

Domestic bourses opened on a negative note Wednesday with benchmark indices Sensex trading 89.75 points down at 39,659.98 and Nifty down 14.80 points at 11,931.95.

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New Delhi:

National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, NEET 2019 Result is expected to be declared by the second week of June. Meanwhile, before the declaration of results and answer keys, NTA has activated the Correction Link on the official website ntaneet.nic.in. NTA has opened the facility to make corrections in the application forms of the candidates. This facility is the last chance given to students to correct the information provided before the results are declared.

Steps to follow while correcting particulars in NEET Application Form 2019:

Step 1: Visit the official website i.e., ntaneet.nic.in.

Step 2: Click on the link ''candidate login'' available under the current events section.

Step 3: The NEET (UG)-2019-Candidate Login page will open in the next tab.

Step 4: Enter your NEET Application Number 2019 and password.

Step 5: Now, click on the login button.



Step 6: After this, the NEET Application form will be open.

Step 7: Now, do necessary changes (if any) in the application form.

Step 8: After carefully checking your changes, click on the submit button.



As per the official update, the candidates are allowed to make corrections Students can correct their Fathers Name, Mothers Name, Date of Birth, Gender and Category, if any, latest by 31 May, 2019 by 5 pm.
New Delhi:

After Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee, now Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy confirmed that he will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister on Thursday. HD Kumaraswamy has been invited for the ceremony and he will attend it, as confirmed by the officer on special duty to the chief minister.

On Tuesday, Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal said they will attend the oath-taking ceremony. I have spoken to other chief ministers also. Since it is a ceremonial programme, we thought of attending it. Yes, I will go, Banerjee had said.

An Indian government statement on Monday said the leaders of Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, and Bhutan - all members, with India, of the little-known Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) - have been invited to Modis swearing-in.

This is in line with Governments focus on its Neighbourhood First policy, a government spokesman said. The leaders of Kyrgyzstan and Mauritius have also been invited, but two sources in Indians foreign ministry said Pakistan will not be on the list, without providing further information.

For the swearing-in ceremony for Modis first term in 2014, all nations from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), that includes Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Maldives, were invited.In 2014 Pakistans then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attended the ceremony.

India, however, will not invite Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to Thursdays swearing-in ceremony. In 2014 Pakistans then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attended the ceremony.

Modi and Khan both claimed their air forces carried out air strikes in enemy territory in March, to the alarm of world powers. Modi, who was widely believed to have benefited politically from the stand-off, won a second term with an increased majority in a general election whose results were declared last week.

Khan called Modi on Sunday to congratulate him on his win.

Modi could still meet Khan at a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kyrgyzstan next month, that both leaders may attend.

(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi:

The DRDO on Monday successfully test fired the Akash-1S surface-to-air-defence missile system. This was the second successful test of the missile in last two days. This is a new version of the missile fitted with an indigenous seeker.

DRDO today successfully test fired the Akash-1S surface to air defence missile system. This is the second successful test of the missile in last two days. This is a new version of the missile fitted with an indigenous seeker. pic.twitter.com/KK6Ig8XoK7 a ANI (@ANI) May 27, 2019

on Friday, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test fired an indigenously-developed 500 kg class guided bomb from a Sukhoi combat jet at Pokhran in Rajasthan. The defence ministry said the guided bomb achieved the desired range and hit the target with high precision.

The ministry said all the mission objectives have been met during the test firing of the bomb, adding it is capable of carrying different warheads.

This is a breaking news story. More details will be added soon. Please refresh the page for the updated version.

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New Delhi:

Amid reports forecasting deficit rainfall, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced allocation of Rs 30 crore for cloud seeding during this year's monsoon season. As per the earlier reports, theA cloud seeding programme is expected to be undertaken in Vidarbha and Marathwada as the rainfall is expected to be poor this year in these regions.A The amount of Rs 30 crore will be spent on procuring aircraft and radar system for the proposed programme, according to aA statement released by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

"Maharashtra Government allocates Rs 30 crore for cloud seeding during this year's monsoon," the news agency ANI reported.

Maharashtra Government allocates Rs 30 crore for cloud seeding during this year's monsoon. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/cFlnpxqOeC a ANI (@ANI) May 28, 2019

As part of cloud seeding, moisture-laden clouds are sprayed with chemicals to increase condensation that then falls to the ground as rain. Experts suggest that the process should be carried out during early stages of the monsoon, especially between July and August, in order to get the best possible output. The Devendra Fadnavis government had first carried out cloud seeding in 2015 during drought, but the results were mixed as the exercise was carried out in the latter half of the monsoon.

This year, the monsoon is likely to be delayed as its arrival expected on June 6, five days after its normal onset date, according to the India Meteorological Department.A The IMD and private weather agency Skymet were unanimous on the prediction of the late arrival of monsoon this year. If the monsoon arrives late, it will be third such instance since 2014 when it arrived on June 5, followed by June 6 in 2015 and June 8 in 2016.

The decision to undertake the cloud seeding programme in Maharashtra was taken at a state Cabinet meeting held in Mumbai this afternoon. Besides, the Cabinet also decided to set up a honey collection centre to give a boost to honey production as a supplementary business for agriculture. The scheme will be implemented through the Khadi Gram Udyog Mandal.

Similarly, the Cabinet gave a go ahead for extending the power tariff waiver in Vidarbha and Marathwada for another five years. The decision, which will cost the state exchequer Rs 600 crore, will boost industrial investment in the two backward regions.

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New Delhi:

With Amit Shah all set to join the Cabinet of the new Narendra Modi government, Union Health Minister JP Nadda is most likely to succeed him as BJP national president, according to reports. According to news agency IANS, Nadda is expected to work closely with Shah even after the latter demits office for the election whirligig simply doesn't end.

Nadda will have to oversee the election campaign strategy. Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir may go to assembly polls later this year. Early next year, his battle will Delhi, where the BJP is eyeing to make a comeback.

Nadda, 59, is a Brahmin and a Rajya Sabha member and keeps a low profile. He is also the parliamentary board secretary of the BJP. He is known as a master strategist in his party. The party had given him charge of Uttar Pradesh in the recently concluded hustings. The party bagged 62 out of 80 Lok Sabha seats. The Apna Dal bagged two against a caste calculus driven combine of the BSP and the SP.

During his first visit to Lucknow after being appointed the BJP's election in-charge for the state, Nadda exuded confidence that the BJP will win 74 Lok Sabha seats out of 80 in Uttar Pradesh and downplayed the SP-BSP alliance in the state for the general elections.

Shah was declared elected from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat by a margin of 5.57 lakh votes against his nearest Congress rival CJ Chavda in the Lok Sabha elections 2019. Shah polled 8.94 lakh votes, while Chavda secured 3.37 lakh votes.

In the 2014 general elections, BJP veteran LK Advani, 91, had won the seat.
New Delhi:

Uttarakhand Board Result 2019: Uttarakhand Board of School Education (UBSE) has declared the Uttarakhand Board Class 10th and Class 12th result 2019 today. This year, the class 12 exams were held from March 1 to 26, while the class 10 exams were held from March 2 to 25. The students can check the results through the official websites from 11 am. Soon after the formal announcement of results, students can check their scores on the official website of the UBSE i.e. ubse.uk.gov.in. Alternatively, we here at News Nation will be providing a direct link below once the results are out.

CLICK HERE FOR UTTARAKHAND BOARD CLASS 10 RESULT 2019

CLICK HERE FOR UTTARAKHAND BOARD CLASS 12 RESULT 2019

LIVE UPDATES:

11.06 am: A total of 76.43 per cent students cleared the Class 10 examination successfully.

11.04 am: Satakshi Tiwari has topped in Class 12 Exam, while Anita Saklani hjas topped in Class 10 with 99% marks.

10.55 am: The total pass percentage stood at 80.13%.

10.43 am: The students can check the results through the official websites from 11 am.

10. 37 am: UBSE Class 10, 12 Results will be announced in a few minutes.

10.25 am: This year, 1,49,927 students have appeared for the Class 10 / High School Board Exam 2019. While 1,24,867 students have appeared for the Class 12 / Higher Secondary Board Exam 2019.

10.17 am: The UK Board 10th and 12th Result 2019 will be formally declared in a press meet to be held at 10:30 AM at the Nainital / Ramnagar office of the Board.

10.11 am: The pass percentage was 74.57 per cent for class 10.

09.53 am: In 2018, UBSE had released result for Classes 10 and 12 classes on 26 May.

09.42 am: Soon after the official announcement, students can visit the official website of Uttarakhand Board i.e. ubse.uk.gov.in to download their UK Board 10th and 12th Results 2019.

09.36 am: A total of 2.76 lakh students had taken the Uttarakhand Board examinations for Class 10, 12 this year.

09.28 am: UBSE Class 10 and UBSE Class 12 Results will be declared todat at 10.30 am.

Heres how to check Uttarakhand Board Results 2019:

Step 1: Click on english.newsnationtv.com/board-results or scroll to the top of the page

Step 2: Enter required credentials in the allocated space

Step 3: Verify and click on the 'submit' button

Step 4: Finally, view and download Uttarakhand Board Class 10 or 12 Result 2019.

Step 5: Take a print out of the same for future reference

About Uttarakhand Board of School Education

The Uttarakhand Board of School Education (UBSE), which was established back in 2001, regulates the secondary level education in the state. Before its formulation, the Uttaranchal Shiksha Evam Pariksha Parishad used to conduct the board level examinations in the state. However, the Parishad was later renamed Uttarakhand Board of School Education (UBSE) in the year 2008. Currently, the UBSE has more than 10000 affiliated schools and every year over 1 lakh students participate in the UK Board 10th Examination.
Itanagar:

Senior BJP leader Pema Khandu took oath as the 10th chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday. State Governor Brig (Retd) B D Mishra administered the oath of office and secrecy to Khandu at a function organised at the Dorjee Khandu Convention Centre in Itanagar.

Eleven Cabinet ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, were also administered oath along with Khandu. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, his deputy Y Patton, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb and Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh along with BJP general secretary Ram Madhav were among others who attended the swearing-in ceremony.

Six sitting cabinet ministers, including Chowna Mein, Wangki Lowang, Honchun Ngandam, Kamlung Mossang, Alo Libang and Bamang Felix, have been included in the new ministry. Deputy speaker Tumke Bagra and two sitting MLAs Mama Natung and Tage Taki also found berth in the cabinet.

Two newcomers -- Taba Tedir and Nakap Nalo -- were also inducted in the new ministry with cabinet rank. Khandu, talking to reporters after the swearing-in ceremony, thanked the people of the state on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah for voting the BJP to power in the Himalayan state.

"It is a historic day for the state as the BJP could install a government on its own," Khandu said and asserted that his government would be clean, transparent and corruption-free. The chief minister announced that the priority areas would be improvement in law and order, health and education sectors.

"Our government will explore every possible avenue to provide employment opportunities to the unemployed youths and will invite outside investors to invest in state's potential sectors for gainful employment of local youths," Khandu said. Khandu along with his cabinet colleagues will go to New Delhi to attend Modi's swearing in as the prime minister for the second consecutive term.

The BJP led by Khandu won 41 seats in the 60-member House, in the assembly polls held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha election on April 11 in the northeastern state bordering China.

While the opposition Congress could win only four seats, the Janata Dal United in its maiden entry in the state's political scene won seven seats.

Another new entrant National People's Party (NPP) bagged five seats.

While one seat went to the lone regional outfit of the state People's Party of Arunachal (PPA), two seats were won by Independents.
New Delhi:

Twitter trends mostly are based on a current events but at time they are something that is un-thought of, something that is out of the blue and can take precedence over regular, important events. Tamil twitter has yet gain set the trends for two days as a hashtag began trending since Wednesday afternoon with thousands of tweets geneerated in hours and journalists, politicians tweeting on the trend.

The hashtag Pray_for_Neasamani requested people on social media to pray for someone called Neasamani and quickly gathered traction and now it is the no 1 trend on Twitter.

Who is Neasamani?

For the uninitiated, Neasamani is a comic icon borrowed from a cult Tamil movie. Neasamani is a character played by comedian Vadivelu in the Tamil film Friends in 2001. This film, a remake of a Malayalam film by the same name starred Vijay, Suriya, Devayani and others in the star cast.A

Played by Vadivelu, Neasamani is a painting contractor from the film Friends, directed by Siddique. In the film, Neasamani and his team of painters work in a palace to give a facelift to the building. But two of his apprentices played by Vijay and Suriya bring him trouble and jeopardise the whole contract.

How #Pray_for_Neasamani started?

A Pakistan-based meme page Civil Engineering Learners posed a question, aWhat is the name of the tool in your country?a by posting a photo of a hammer.

It all started here YY#Pray_For_Nesamani

Guys what happened to u..

This was just a joke

Our people trend irrelevant things on twitter

Film character ah yenda ipdi trend panreenga

Onnumey illadha vishiyatha yenda ipdi trend panreenga

YYYYYY

Kadavuley YYY pic.twitter.com/9i885sXbEI a Sri Durga (@Sdk_2503) May 29, 2019

A

An overenthusiastic Vadivelu fan was quick to connect the hammer with a scene from Friends, in which Contractor Neasamani ends up with an injury after one of his employees (Ramesh Kanna) drops a hammer on his head on failing to follow the simplest of instructions. Although a tragic scene, but made humourous withA TheA the poker-faced expressions of Vijay and Suriya, who play second fiddle to Vadivelu.A

After the user connected the hammer to Neasamani, another Tamil Facebook user, mockingly wrote, aIs he ok?a As fans of the forgotten comic character had a trip down the memory lane soon after #Pray_for_Neasamani snowballed into a major Twitter trend with memes and funny responses.

Memes of US President Trump expressing his concern over Neasamani, Thor being held as the suspect, potshots at political parties and Apollo Hospital supposedly revealing the current condition of Neasamani through a fake press release stole the show.

#Pray_for_Neasamani

Apollo hospitals has issued press release about Contractor Nesamani's pic.twitter.com/og8woG1w7d a aaaYaaYaaaaaa aaaaaaa (@Syed_Jigathi) May 29, 2019

The only man who could've saved Contractor Nesamani with his Epic Reaction Time is now in England! #Thala #Yellove #Pray_for_Neasamani YY PC: @BCCI pic.twitter.com/oJMWWBlCfu a Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 29, 2019

Shri Modiji consoles Thiru OPS who broke down after visiting Nesamani at the hospital. #Pray_for_Neasamani pic.twitter.com/WsWukp7jjl a Navmi (@navmikrishna) May 29, 2019

For all the Latest Offbeat News News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Kathmandu, November 14

Nine people sustained minor injuries in their efforts to avoid an avalanche in the Kobang region of the Mustang district of western Nepal on Sunday.

DSP Ram Kumar Dani, the chief of the District Police Office, says nine persons were injured as they ran in efforts to avoid being hit by the avalanche from the Manapathi peak.

The injured are students and teachers of local Jana Adarsha Secondary School in Thasang rural municipality-2 of the district.

They have been taken to the District Hospital for needful treatment.

It is not immediately known if the incident caused any other loss.

The incident site is 25 km away from the district headquarters, Jomsom, and details are awaited, according to him.
Home  Just In  Diabetes, once an elderly disease, is attacking Nepali youth too

Aashish Chhetri (name changed), a native of Kailali, went to Australia in his late teens for his further studies. Chhetri was hopeful that his time in the island country would be fantastic, but it did not.

I lost about 10 kg with a few months, Chhetri, 22 now, says, My family and friends in Nepal suspected I was into drugs because the weight loss was so sudden.

Chhetris family immediately asked him to return to Nepal and he did so. Later, during a random medical checkup, the doctors told him that his sugar level was quite high.

Now, he does not consume any sugary food but only items with fibres. He exercises daily. Due to this, my sugar level is somehow in balance now. I visit the hospital at least every three months.

The cases of type-2 diabetes in people of Chhetris age were not common in the past as it used to be considered a problem of people above 40 years. But, the cases as of Chhetri has made public health experts concerned about the rising cases of diabetes in youth and adolescents in Nepal.

Rising risk

Endocrinologist Dr Anshumali Joshi says that there has been an alarming rise in the number of type-2 diabetic patients of young age. Generally, this type of diabetes, which is also the most common form of diabetes, is seen in people aged 40 and above.

However, the case has changed now as young as teenagers are affected by the problem these days, according to Joshi. Globally, a three-year-old girl from the US was the youngest person to date to be diagnosed with type-2 diabetes.

Another consultant endocrinologist Dr Priya Darshini Yonzon also confirms the diagnosis of type-2 diabetes among the youth has increased dramatically over the past years with increasing incidences reported in China and India.

Yonzon informs, There are many cases of youth with type-2 diabetes that visit my clinic on a daily basis.

The presence of type-2 diabetes can begin at any age, but the risk mainly peaks at puberty. Puberty is associated with a transient reduction in insulin sensitivity by about 50% in children as they go into puberty. Hence, it is a high-risk time for diabetes development in adolescents, according to Yonzon.

Photo: Pixabay

Dr Jyoti Bhattarai, a consultant endocrinologist at Metro Kathmandu Hospital says not only the number of young patients with type-2 diabetes has increased, but the prevalence of type-1 and genetic type of diabetes has also risen.

The youngest patient with type-2 diabetes that I diagnosed was 13 years old, she informs.

A 2016 study found that eight per cent of Nepali adults have age-standardised diabetes. And, the burden of this non-communicable disease has been rising more rapidly in low and middle-income countries like Nepal than in high-income countries.

The WHO statistics show 436,000 people in Nepal have diabetes and this is likely to rise to 1,328,000 by 2030. And, more than 95% of people diagnosed with diabetes have type 2.

Sedentary lifestyle to blame

Joshi, Yonzon and Bhattarai blame the modern-day sedentary lifestyle and resultant obesity for this rise.

Children and youth using phones for long hours. Online classes and online gaming have further aggravated this problem, Joshi explains, They rarely exercise or play outdoor games like a child used to play before the cellphone took over all the humans. Also, in the urban areas, there are rarely any spaces to play for the children.

File image

Corroborating Joshis argument, Bhattarai says, The increasing incidence of diabetes in youth is also related to traffic pollution, hectic lifestyle and stress. Also, about 80% of adolescents are physically inactive.

The eating habits of people have worsened as most people consume processed fatty food that is high in calories, sugar and salt content, as per Joshi.

Besides, a strong family history of type-2 diabetes is also a major risk factor for the development of type-2 diabetes in young adults, adds Yonzon.

Time to transform lifestyle

In order to prevent this, Dr Joshi suggests families should play a major role. One should encourage consuming healthy fibrous vegetables and fruits and avoid eating too much red meat, sugar and fast food.

Children should be told about the negative impact of obesity and made aware of diabetes, its causes and preventive measures. Regular exercise for at least an hour and constraining the screen time also help, he adds.

This is what an individual can do. Talking about the policymakers, it is very significant to cater awareness on its rise, causes and preventive measures, Joshi suggests.

File image

Banning the sales of soft drinks, chips and other junk food in and around school areas and promoting our local healthy food and further incorporating diabetes education in the curriculum can also be very productive in decreasing the risk of developing type-2 diabetes in the youth, recommends Bhattarai.

Moreover, the sugar tax should be enforced. The government should also heed managing open spaces such as parks and playgrounds for the children and all to play and exercise, suggest both Joshi and Bhattarai.

Yonzon views making physical activity mandatory in schools, teaching about mindfulness and learning to manage stress are some of the lifestyle changes that can be helpful.
Home  Just In  The tale of a Nepali woman who was smuggled, raped and left in the lurch by a Nepali man abroad

Shreya Khatri, 26, (name changed) was born into a middle-class family in Nepal. This Nepali woman had gone to Dubai immediately after the 2015 earthquake. She returned home within two years after getting the news that her father was ill.

As she was just literate, she did not see any possibility of good employment in Nepal. Hence, she thought of going abroad again.

She, then, flew to Turkey in the second week of August 2018 through a recruitment agency in Kathmandu, spending Rs 300,000. In Turkey, Khatri was offered a monthly salary of USD500 for her housekeeping job.

But, not everything went as planned. She did not get the salary she was promised.

I got only 1,200 Turkish lira (approximately Rs 15,000). Then, I contacted the recruitment agency, to complain a frustrated Khatri says, After hearing my complaint, the agent blocked my calls.

Still, she worked in Ankara for six months. A lot of work, very little income, and nominal savings, yet, Khatri did not give up hope. Weaving a new dream, she arrived in Istanbul. She worked there for a year. But, after the Covid-19 pandemic, she lost her job.

Yet, that could not crumble her hope and she continued her journey with new hope, a dream of Europe. But, little did she know it was also the beginning of another sad chapter of her life.

Unexpected betrayal

Representational image

She had to make a new journey. She was prepared for the perilous trip from Turkey to France via Greece, Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy. She was mentally prepared for the months-long walk through the jungles.

We have to live with whats written for our lives, she says, We went to Greece, taking out additional loans from home, hoping that no matter how miserable it would be, we would reach the place.

To move beyond Greece, one had to rely on Pakistani or Afghan agents. Luckily, Khatri got to meet fellow Nepali, Abhishek KC, 27, in Greece (the name used in the refugee camps, but he has another name mentioned in his passport).

After meeting a fellow Nepali in a foreign land, my hope for support escalated.

From time to time, KC kept urging Khatri to leave Greece. But, she says she was thinking of moving forward only if she got other Nepali women to accompany her. Khatri says, He had promised that he would settle down in Portugal and take me to France. When I asked, he said that there were 12-15 other Nepalis and I wont be alone.

He used to bring and take people from Greece to Bosnia. As an agent, KC often helped Bangladeshis move from one place to another.

Trusting his words, I continued on the journey calmly, says Khatri.

The three-day trek from Greece got over. Still, Khatri did not meet any other Nepalis and realised she is all alone. She says, I asked him why he lied. He told me that others were caught by the police, so they could not come.

After being alone, she decided to return to Greece. Then, KC reminded her, You have already spent so much money on it. Winter is also coming. When it gets cold, you cant walk on the snow.

I again trusted him and moved on with him. From time to time, he would say that he loved me, says Khatri, He even raped me one day during the journey and I was helpless. I cant explain how I felt then.

Khatri, who had come abroad to reduce the burden of debt, was now forced to carry another burden. I went mad at that time, she says with a sigh, I got sick. I couldnt walk. Little did I know that I was pregnant.

Alone in the foreign land

It took her a month to reach Bosnia on foot crossing many villages and forests. She finally arrived in Sarajevo, Bosnia. There, she was apprehended by the police.

I was not even in the state to speak. I was sick. But, he (the agent) said we are husband and wife; he told the police that his wife was ill.

We were in quarantine for nine days at the camp. Then, we were moved from there to another place. We met Nepalis there. In the camp, there were also some other people, she shares, He reminded me not to tell them I was raped. He used to say that he loved me; he said he was married before but divorced because he had no children.

Therefore, Khatri did not express her grief in front of other Nepalis. She decided to move on. After a 16-day trek to Slovenia, she was apprehended by the police again and returned to Bosnia. Winter was about to begin. Snow and rain also began. There was no way to move forward. Then, I settled in Bosnia, says Khatri, At that time, a five-month-old baby was growing in my womb.

By that time, KC had left Khatri and returned to Greece with a promise to return to her soon. She says, He took all the money I had, saying he had to bring people to Bosnia.  That became their last meeting. Then, he did not come to see her although they remained in contact via phone.

A relationship against her will and the child growing in her womb, all made her worried. Finally, she gave birth to a daughter on July 2, 2021. Strange place, settlement in a camp, on top of that, she was alone in the hospital. The doctors themselves named the daughter.

Even after coming to Bosnia from Greece, Abhishek did not come to visit us, shares Khatri,  We had a daughter. Where are you? When will you come? I used to ask that and he used to say he was on his way. 

A promise not kept

Even two months after the birth of his daughter, KC always said, I am coming. But, he never came.

Later, he blocked her on WhatsApp, the only means of communication. She has not received any message from him since July 5.

The maternity state, the newborn baby, the refugee camp, and then an unending wait for KC made her even more anxious.

She then contacted KCs nephew. His nephew told me that he was going to Italy. He had reached Italy on August 21. She says, What should I do now? I cant even die now, I have a daughter to look after.

She travelled from Bosnia to Italy with the help of an Afghan family. It took two months. She arrived in Italy in the second week of October last month, carrying a baby on her back, crossing the jungle, enduring rain and winter for two long months.

What next?

My daughter got sick when she arrived in Italy, says Khatri, Thats when I realised my love for my child.

Khatris family also knows about her struggle. Her sisters console her over the phone. I havent talked to my mother yet, but have shared everything with my father. He told me to take care of the baby and do something for my daughters future.

Not only Khatris family, but KCs family are also aware of all these happenings, says KC.

It took 13 months for her to travel from Turkey to Italy. She was single when she started this journey. Now, she has her daughter and has taken refuge in a camp in Italy.

He played with my life, she says, If he hadnt forced me, I wouldnt be here in this condition today.

I can and will raise my child. I have come here suffering so much. I will live here, she says, I have borrowed millions from Nepal when I came here. On top of that, the responsibility of my child has also been added. I want to fight harder for my babys future.

She had never imagined that this would happen to Nepalis abroad. Remembering her pain, Khatri says, I wish no other woman would have to go through what I suffered. I dare to speak in order to disclose his misdeed.

She wants action against KC. This man is missing. He has taken all my money, says Khatri, He ruined my life. I am in debt. A Nepali left me to die, but Afghans saved me from dying.
(Writes through)

By Alexander Cornwell

DUBAI, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabian Airlines is in talks with Airbus and Boeing for a wide-body jet order, with a decision expected next year, its chief executive said on Sunday.

The state-owned carrier, also known as Saudia, is planning to expand rapidly over the next eight years as part of a government strategy to transform the kingdom into a transport hub.

"It's a good size fleet order that will have to be placed," Chief Executive Ibrahim Koshy told Reuters at the Dubai Airshow, without disclosing how many aircraft it would order.

"It's something that will take place. Definitely in 2022."

The order would help fuel network expansion to 135 mostly international destinations by 2030, up from 90 in 2019 which included 28 destinations in Saudi Arabia, he said.

It would later post orders to replace older aircraft and expand its narrow body fleet, while some aircraft types will be removed to simplify the fleet, Koshy said.

Saudia is expanding ahead of a planned launch of a new state-owned airline to based in the capital, Riyadh.

"The growth that is taking place in the country actually justifies a second carrier coming in as a full service airline."

Koshy said Saudia would focus on developing a hub in Jeddah once the new airline starts operations, and would see it operate to 200 combined destinations with its low-cost unit by 2030.

Saudia has forecast significant expansion in Asia Pacific and the Americas, carrying a combined 85 million passengers a year with its unit by 2030, up from 35 million in 2019, he said.

Saudia, one of the Middle Easts oldest airlines, could return to profitability by 2024, at which time it expects to return to pre-pandemic passenger traffic, Koshy said. (Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle and Nick Macfie)
PARIS, Nov. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Following its recent press release of November 9, 2021 with CEO/Founder Thierry Ehrmann, Artprice by Artmarket will publish a global press release on PRNewswire Global General News (54 countries + multilingual) + ActusNews.com on Thursday November 18, 2021 (after market)

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Reminder of the November 9, 2021 press release:

#ArtMarket by #ARTPRICE $PRC #NFT #CryptoArt #metaverse #DigitalArt #NFTs #MarketPlace #BTC #ETH #CBI $ALCBI #OpenSeaNFT #raribleNFT #Ethereum

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[https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2021/11/NFT-bill.jpg]

In accordance with the regulations, the multilingual press release PRNewswire Global General News / Cision will be preceded by a press release by the ActusNews.com platform approved by France's Financial Markets Authority, the AMF.

Copyright 1987-2021 thierry Ehrmann www.artprice.com - www.artmarket.com

Don't hesitate to c ontact our E conometrics D epartment for your requirements regarding statistics and personalized studies: econometrics@artprice.com

Try our services (free demo): https://www.artprice.com/demo

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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.

Story continues

Artprice by Artmarket, the world leader in information on the art market, has set itself the ambition through its Global Standardized Marketplace to be the world's leading Fine Art NFT platform.

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.

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KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Canada has paused imports from Malaysian glove maker Supermax Corp as it awaits the results of an audit, weeks after the United States barred the firm over allegations the company uses forced labour.

Malaysian factories making everything from medical gloves to palm oil have increasingly come under scrutiny over allegations they abuse foreign workers, who form a significant part of the manufacturing workforce.

After the United States suspended Supermax imports last month, Canada's Public Services and Procurement department said on Wednesday it was holding Supermax deliveries as it awaits a report expected mid-month from Supermax Healthcare Canada.

"In light of the current situation, Canada has engaged with the company to seek assurances that Supermax Corp is not engaging in forced labour practices," the department said in a statement.

Supermax did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a "Withhold Release Order" on Oct 21 that prohibits imports from Supermax based on reasonable information that indicates the use of forced labour in its manufacturing operations.

Supermax has said it was in contact with the U.S. agency to obtain more clarity and that it had commissioned an independent consulting firm to conduct an audit into the status of foreign workers at its factories.

Canada said it will determine its next steps after reviewing the report from Supermax's Canadian unit.

"The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that it does not do business with companies that employ unethical practices, either directly or within their supply chains," it added.

(Reporting by Mei Mei Chu; Editing by William Mallard)
It's no surprise that Katie Haun is a major proponent of NFTs, or non-fungible tokens. The former federal prosecutor who today co-leads the powerful crypto practice of Andreessen Horowitz, has been a student of the technology since at least 2018, when a16z first backed Dapper Labs, which is now quite valuable.

At the time, Vancouver-based Dapper Labs was known for a collectible digital cat game called CryptoKitties that baffled those outside the crypto community. This year, Dapper broke out thanks to another offering on its blockchain called NBA Top Shot that allows sports fans to buy and sell collectible highlight clips -- yet even that is a use case that will seem minor in the grand scheme of things, Haun suggested Thursday night at a StrictlyVC event hosted by this editor.

During our wide-ranging sit-down, she explained why she thinks NFTs' somewhat concentrated user base is about to explode, and she shot down the idea that a relatively small number of creators who turn to NFTs for income will benefit from them. She also explained an innovation that a16z introduced that allows the heavyweight firm to nab a 20% discount on the tokens that now make up 75% of its crypto bets, and she discussed with us whether all venture firms will or should become registered investment advisers as a16z did in 2019. Excerpts from that conversation follow, edited for length. You can also check out the full interview below.

TC: On what a16z tells its investors about its various bets on NFTs, and what the unifying thread is:

Katie Haun: I think fundamentally NFTs are going to dramatically change the business model for the internet for consumers and content creators  Why is it important for consumers? [For example] right now, if you buy a "Fortnite" skin, what if the game goes under?  [Now consider that] you're a gamer and you can take your good to another platform; you can use it anywhere. That's really powerful for consumers. It's putting power directly back in [their] hands.

It's also great for content creators because they can program these tokens, these digitally scarce goods, to get financial upside in all future transactions [and cut out middlemen who take 30% today in the process]. Imagine what that does for the creator economy. [People are focused today on digital art but] I think next year at this time, we'll be talking about music and what barriers can come down in the music world.

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Haun went on to say that she's actually quite focused on music-related NFTs right now and used singer-songwriter Billie Eilish to highlight what could be possible (and is already happening, in some cases) with musicians and NFTs:

[Eilish] was kind of discovered on the internet by a group of fans. Yet did those early adopters, her really true fans who made her famous, did they share in her stardom? Not a bit. In fact, not only did they not share in her stardom, their experience was worse as she blew up. Ticket prices went up. The lines got longer at stadiums, and concert venues are sold out for her. Now imagine if the people who discovered her and made her what she was in the early days  what if through an NFT or a smart contract they could have held something that related to Billie Eilish's success? [It could] be that she records a song to Spotify but then creates a companion smart contract NFT that entitles fans to special access to shows forever, or to tour with her, or perhaps entitles them to future portions of her royalty streams. Now all of a sudden, these fans share in the economic upside, instead of just record labels and lawyers and middlemen.

On whether the economics will ultimately look much the same for creators as today, with a small number reaping most of the financial rewards as has happened, for example, with Twitch, where a data leak showed that 1% of streamers see half of all revenue:

Katie Haun, speaking at a StrictlyVC event on November 11, 2021. Image Credits: Dani Padgett

It's still very early days for these business models  [But] one thing about crypto architecture distributed systems is that you can make a living, and we've seen this with NFTs already. You don't have to be Beeple and get really rich to make a living. I own a couple of NFTs [including by a] female artist who quit her job and who programs digital art that I bought on OpenSea. She has programmed a smart contract that if I sell [these NFTs] to you, she would get a portion of that sale, and if you then turned around and sold them to an audience member and maybe if it appreciated in price, she would get royalties off that sale, whereas right now she gets nothing if it's physical art.

We talked about the widespread perception that NFTs are taking off fueled by a small subset of moneyed buyers with cash to burn, even as most Americans struggle to pay their bills. On this front Haun said that she understands why people might view NFTs as an indulgence for the rich but noted that it's early days for the technology.

I think it's really important with NFTs not to judge the current state of innovation by the end state of innovation. I completely understand what you're saying. I've seen it myself. Yet I also see [parallels], in terms of status symbols, in the physical world, where many Americans are struggling, [while] others can afford luxury vehicles and Rolexes, so I think the digital world is no different. And like there are luxury physical goods, there are also basic goods that people want to own in the real world that aren't ostentatious, [and] I think you'll start to see more of those [more basic goods] developed digitally.

At some point, we switched gears to discuss a16z's deal flow. Here, Haun suggested that two of her board seats, with Coinbase and OpenSea, enable her to see a lot of what, and who, is on the rise in the crypto world.

I think we're very privileged to sit right at the center; we have a front row seat in the ecosystem and that's because both Chris Dixon and myself have been on the board of Coinbase for many years now  and they have Coinbase Ventures  and there are only a few crypto projects out there that don't pitch Coinbase Ventures. OpenSea is another board that I'm on right now and they've done these record volumes and they're the largest NFT marketplace in the world and they're also doing venture investing, so right there, just through our connections to these kind of giants in the space, we have deal flow because they're seeing deals [and] we're seeing deals.

Of course, crypto is very global [and at this point] we are truly global. I would say at least 50% of our investments in this last crypto fund have been international, so we have to not sit back and rest on our laurels of "Oh, we're on the board of Coinbase and OpenSea." We have to be really open-minded about different projects in different countries  [where many founders have] never heard of Andreessen Horowitz. I think we take that for granted just being here, but [elsewhere in the world] they've never heard of [us]. They don't know our value.

It requires us to go get on a plane [in some cases]. [We've also] pioneered a delegate program where we delegate our stake in proof-of-stake systems to participants worldwide, whether that's NGOs like Kiva and Mercy Corps, [or] companies like Deutsche Telekom, or whether it's universities like Stanford and Berkeley and many other universities around the world [including] Technion University in Israel  we're not resting on our laurels [in the expectation that] because we've had great deal flow, it will continue. The marketplace for crypto investors is widening for sure.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9hcWgL3k7k?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent&w=640&h=360]

We also talked about why the firm is investing so much in tokens, including directly over the counter. We wondered if a16z gets any kind of preferred status in those deals. We also wondered what has driven the firm's shift away from more traditional equity deals like Coinbase and OpenSea, and whether it was crypto founders themselves who began pushing back against these arrangements. Said Haun (who, by the way, noted that equity deals have not gone away entirely but that they've escalated in price as more VCs have begun to compete for them):

If you know an over-the-counter desk that will give me preferred rates, let me know because I haven't found one. [No,] with over the counter, we're just buying it spot; we get no special treatment. If anything  we're very conscious of not moving the market where it's a true over-the-counter [investment] and the founder of a protocol might not even know we're an investor.

In other cases, sometimes protocols will want a particular venture capital investor, although that is changing rapidly and we need to be nimble and account for that. But what we've done in some of those cases, where a protocol founder really wanted us to be involved is, early on, call it three years ago in the token environment, they would give us a discount. But that became very unpopular in the crypto ecosystem. [People wondered] why should VC investors get a discount over the community?

One of the things we did [to address that concern] is [say], "Give us a lock up then. We're 7- to 10-year patient investors; we're not running a crypto hedge fund." So if we want to lower price -- call it a 20% discount -- in exchange, we can be locked up for four years or, in some cases for years, even longer and sometimes shorter. That's one innovation that we brought to different token deals. So we have received discounts sometimes, but the thing is that we've also done a lot of work for some of those protocols where we received a discount in exchange for lockup.

Though Haun has been asked this before, we also inquired about her seats on the both the boards of OpenSea and Coinbase, two companies that appear to be a collision course, given that OpenSea is an NFT marketplace and Coinbase, the cryptocurrency exchange, more recently announced plans to also create a kind of NFT marketplace. In fact, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong said during an earnings call last week that he thinks the market for NFTs could rival or even be larger than Coinbase's cryptocurrency business.

We wondered how she navigated this tricky terrain, and even whether Coinbase might acquire OpenSea. She dismissed the last question with a head shake. As for the two colliding, she had this to say:

That's a pessimistic view. I actually don't agree that they're on a collision course. First of all, I'll say that what Coinbase's plans are they haven't even announced yet. They only announced that they're exploring doing something in the NFT space, but we don't even know what yet it will be.

One thing that I remember Brian Armstrong said years ago, when we started seeing competitors come into the exchange space  he said "This is actually great." And I thought to myself, What am I missing? And he said, "This just means the pie is growing. This just validates our whole thesis. This is a huge opportunity, and others see it."

[Similarly] the NFT space is so massive that I think there's absolutely room for many players and I feel very fortunate to be on the boards of two really cutting-edge companies that will play in this space. I don't agree that they're on a collision course. Certainly, if it played out that way, if the ecosystem evolves that way, that will be something I'd have to address, as a former federal prosecutor.

As for whether more venture firms may need to become registered investment advisers if they want to be taken seriously by crypto founders, Haun declined to say so outright but she suggested it would make sense.

Look, every single crypto dedicated fund is is registered as an RIA. There are now many of them out there, and they've all registered as RIAs. It seems like a prudent thing to do where the regulatory status is so uncertain if you want to hold tokens.
NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / November 13, 2021 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, the former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have only until November 15, 2021 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Waterdrop Inc. (NYSE:WDH), if they purchased the Company's American Depository Shares ("ADS") issued in connection with its May 2021 initial public stock offering (the "IPO"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

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What You May Do

If you purchased ADS of Waterdrop as above and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-wdh/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action by overseeing lead counsel with the goal of obtaining a fair and just resolution, you must request this position by application to the Court by November 15, 2021 .

Waterdrop and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information in its IPO Registration Statement and Prospectus, violating federal securities laws.

On September 8, 2021, the Company disclosed operating losses for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 totaling RMB815.4 million (US$126.3 million), compared with an operating profit of RMB7.2 million for the same period of 2020 due to the Company's operating costs and expenses during the quarter increasing by RMB1,081.1 million, or 160.5% year over year, to RMB1,754.7 million (US$271.8 million) from RMB673.6 million for the same period of 2020.

The case is Sandoz v. Waterdrop Inc., et al, 21-cv-7683.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

Story continues

KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking to recover investment losses due to corporate fraud and malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California and Louisiana.

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.



Contact:

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner

lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com

1-877-515-1850

1100 Poydras St., Suite 3200

New Orleans, LA 70163

SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC





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Dark, inventive and complex, the novel transcends simple whodunit status as RaderDay focuses as much on the fears, deprivations, losses and uncertainties of war as she does on mystery. And her rich portrayal of Bridey, who suffered the loss of her mother and siblings from a German bomb, adds another affecting layer of depth to her work.

Inspired by yesteryear but enriched by RaderDays talent, Death at Greenway showcases a superior example of historical crime fiction.

SURVIVAL AND SACRIFICE

One was a maid convicted of murder; the other, a French Resistance fighter and journalist whose name would become synonymous with mystery novels.

Kirsty Manning tells the tale of Margot Bisset and Josephine Murant in The French Gift (William Morrow, $16.99, 336 pages), her third novel.

Shortly before the start of World War II in 1939, shallow British socialite Mathilda Tilly Munro persuades Margot to take an innocent part in a faux murder game to surprise the guests at a party on the Cote dAzur. But when American heiress Peggy Schramsburg falls dead, Margot is taken into custody.
On Friday, Courtland district representative Rabih Abuismail said his comment that hed like to see books like 33 Snowfisha book by playwright and Pulitzer Prize finalist Adam Rapp about homeless teens attempting to escape from sexual abuse and drug addictionthrown on a fire was said out of frustration.

I should not have said it, he said. I want to be forthcoming with the notion that I misspoke. Anybody I offended, I want them to know it was unintentional.

Abuismail, who at 24 is one of the youngest School Board members ever elected in Virginia, said his concerns about books like 33 Snowfish and Call Me By Your Namethe second book that the parent of a Riverbend High School mentioned by name in a complaint about books in the librarydo not come from the fact that they depict LGBTQ characters, but that their subject matter includes pedophilia.

We shouldnt remove the books because they have a gay character, he said. But any books that have pornographic material or pedophilia in them do not belong in the school system.

Abuismail said it should be very clear what books are too sexually explicit to be in school libraries. He said there is a place for that material in public libraries.
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For Frank Frey, general manager of Epicentral Coworking in downtown Colorado Springs, the business is all about nurturing a sense of community.

"I think the thing that makes us special as a coworking space," he says, "why we've had members who keep coming back and why we keep growing, is because of the community we create and our ability to bring people together, getting people connected."

Coworking brings the self-employed, remote workers and others together into a shared workspace where they can bounce ideas off one another, build friendships and engage in some water cooler talk minus the office politics. The age of COVID, with its social distancing and mask mandates and stay-at-home orders, hasn't exactly been conducive to that concept. But as the pandemic eases, the future of coworking is seen as a bright one. A 2020 report by Colliers, a professional services and investment management company, estimated coworking spaces in the U.S. were likely to double or triple in the next five years. A study by Coworking Resources, an industry publication, estimates nearly 5 million people will be working from coworking spaces by 2024, an increase of $158% from 2020.

That comes as some people will never return to the traditional office setting or may settle into a hybrid schedule, with some days at the office and some days working remotely  whether at home or a coffee shop or a coworking facility. Some companies that have emptied their offices are paying for their employees to work out of facilities such as Epicentral.

"It's only booming at this point," says Ryan Cross, founder of The Enclave, which opened in the summer of 2010 as the Springs' first coworking space. "I feel like we're only going to need more and more spaces, and different types of coworking spaces that cater to different types of people."

The beginnings

Software engineer Brad Neuberg is believed to have launched the first official coworking space in the U.S. in 2005; the seeds for coworking appear to have been planted in the 1990s with the first "hackerspace" in Berlin, which brought computer enthusiasts together to share knowledge and facilities

The Enclave came about, Cross says, as "really just kind of me getting tired of doing the solo coffee shop circuit in the day as a solo contractor." He and other remote workers got to know each other from working on their laptops at one coffee shop or another. Seeking to foster that budding community, he first arranged a Meetup at a downtown shop, then decided to look for a coworking space. Others quickly jumped on board, he says, "so that was the beginning."

The Enclave, located off of Academy Boulevard on the east side of the Springs, was still the only coworking space in town when Lisa Tessarowicz and Hannah Parsons opened Epicentral in early 2012. They saw a specific need for a coworking facility downtown. "We wanted to give more people an opportunity to have an office downtown without having to make a huge investment," Tessarowicz says.

Within two years, Epicentral had outgrown its space and moved next door to its current location, 415 N. Tejon St., in a building that Tessarrowicz, now Epicentral's sole owner, purchased; in 2019, Epicentral opened a second location on the fifth floor of The Carlton, 13 S. Tejon. (An earlier attempt at a second location at the Ivywild School didn't work out; among other things, the space just wasn't right, Tessarowicz says.)

The Enclave and Epicentral are both membership-based. Memberships at Epicentral can be part or full time and range from "hot desking"  using whatever space is available  to having a dedicated desk or even a private office. Epicentral Main also has meeting rooms, phone booths, a kitchen, 24/7 access and a downstairs lounge.

Ethan Dirks, a freelance game developer and art director, joined Epicentral early this year; he was a newcomer to town, having moved to the Springs from Los Angeles. He was looking for a coworking site and was hooked by Epicentral's online reviews and its downtown location, in walking distance to restaurants and bars.

"It's nice to be around other people who are working and getting stuff done," he says. "It kind of makes you feel like more things are happening. You don't get stuck in your head; time actually passes. And you make friends. It's really hard to make friends as an adult."

Dealing with COVID

Elizabeth Bruce, a book editor at a ghostwriting and editorial firm, joined Epicentral as a member in August. With the "solitary and immersive nature" of her work, she said via email, "I have always been more productive when working in proximity to other people: I find it harder to take breaks and pull out of my head when WFH (working from home) and also harder to find a flow state, for whatever reason."

Like Dirks, she was new to town  she moved here from New York  and was looking for a way to connect with people.

And she found that at Epicentral, she says.

"This is by far the most collaborative and collegial coworking environment I've ever been a part of, and in ways that go beyond sharing ideas and small talk. The people here are really invested in each other as, well, people, which has also made it a more comfortable work environment during the pandemic. (I was initially on the fence about whether or not I wanted to join a coworking space at all due to delta.) But, because there is such a strong community element, no one's going to show up sick or if they know they've been exposed to COVID."

Like other "nonessential" businesses, Epicentral had to shut down for a time in the early stages of the pandemic. Memberships were suspended, Frey said, so that people weren't paying for a membership they couldn't use.

"The pandemic was really hard," Tessarowicz said. "We went from like 95% capacity to nothing." And with restrictions lifted in stages, and with so much uncertainty concerning the virus, business was slow in returning. Help in the form of PPP loans and grants from the county kept Epicentral from sinking, though, she said. And now the private offices at Epicentral Main are fully occupied and the rest of the space is close to pre-pandemic levels, she said  even as some of that uncertainty remains.

Early on, Tessarowicz said, "We expected there would be a clear day when it's over, but we're still going through it."

Adam Morley opened The Wolf Den, warehouse-style shared space in the shadow of the old Gazette building just east of downtown, in mid-2020, with the pandemic already underway. The Wolf Den served as offices for Morley's marketing agency, Wolf & Key. When he shifted from full-time employees to contract work, he began renting the resulting available space to others in need of a place to work and hang out.

"It takes a specific type of person who likes being here," he says. "This is what I call true coworking. There's no option to go to a private room; if you're in here, you're hanging out with everyone." (There is, however, a private conference room.)

Morley fits in as that "type of person."

"I'm definitely an extrovert," he says. "If you thrive off being around people, then coworking is definitely the way to go. When the pandemic hit, I worked for home for four days. I set up an office in a spare bedroom and I thought it'd be great, After two days, I was like, I hate this. .... It really reminded me that I've got to be around people to get the creative energy I need and the motivation; I need someone to bounce ideas off."

Morley is among those who expect further growth in coworking as the traditional idea of office life continues to evolve. Not everyone can or wants to work at home, he says, "and going to a coffee shop doesn't cut it all the time."
The pandemic has hardly been conducive to the shared workspace and sense of community that coworking is known for in Colorado Springs and elsewhere. But with traditional office life undergoing a transformation, the future of coworking could be a bright one.
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Its not as simple as just ferreting out overt racism, because  if its that overt, we already have checks in place to deal with it, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar policy coordinator Tristan Gorman said. Its the implicit biases that are really more insidious  and again, thats not about intent, its about biases that we all have that we may not even be aware of, that are influencing what were doing and saying in the courtroom.
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Empty Stocking Fund benefits 20 health and human service agencies in the Pikes Peak region who serve over 350,000 neighbors in need from birth to end of life. One donation. 20 agencies. A whole community served.

Give now at EmptyStockingFundCO.org, or call 719-476-1673 to make a credit card or stock donation. Make checks payable to Empty Stocking Fund and mail to P.O. Box 910942, Denver, CO 80291-0942.
Reporter

Stephanie Earls is a news reporter and columnist at The Gazette. Before moving to Colorado Springs in 2012, she worked for newspapers in upstate NY, WA, OR and at her hometown weekly in Berkeley Springs, WV, where she got her start in journalism.
A Gazette investigation shows an increasing number of soldiers, including wounded combat veterans, are being kicked out of the service for misconduct, often with no benefits, as the Army downsizes after a decade of war.
For investigators digging into the arson that killed five members of a family in a Green Valley Ranch home in August 2020, the break came when they decided to get a warrant for Google searches of that address spanning to a few weeks before the fire.
Michael Flynn: US should have 'one religion under God'
FILE PHOTO: A view shows a new S-400 "Triumph" surface-to-air missile system after its deployment at a military base outside the town of Gvardeysk near Kaliningrad, Russia March 11, 2019. REUTERS/Vitaly Nevar/File Photo
Jon Caldara is president of the Independence Institute in Denver and hosts "The Devil's Advocate with Jon Caldara" on Colorado Public Television Channel 12. His column appears Sundays in Colorado Politics.
Gov. Jared Polis doubled down on his plea for residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine and his refusal to issue a mask mandate Sunday during an appearance on the national CBS news program Face the Nation.

Though Colorado is nearing its worst peak of the pandemic, Polis said the states high vaccination rate protects it from requiring the drastic measures taken last year. As of Friday, 79.56% of eligible Coloradans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to state data.

Right now, if you're vaccinated, your risk is one-tenth or one-twelfth what it was during the highest peak before, Polis said. This is like the endemic state of what this virus will always be. It's no longer a pandemic for you. If you're unvaccinated, this is the most dangerous time for you, no matter where you live in the country or in the world.

On Wednesday, state epidemiologist Rachel Herlihy said Colorado could surpass its hospital capacity and mark its worst peak of the pandemic by the end of the year. Herlihy said the state is projected to hit 2,258 hospitalizations by Jan. 1, compared to the 1,841-patient peak in 2020.

Currently, there are about 1,500 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Colorado and nearly 95% of ICU beds are occupied. Of those patients, 81% are unvaccinated, Polis said Sunday.

Of the 19% that are vaccinated, we can reduce that, come close to eliminating it, with the booster, Polis said. "I've been very frustrated with the convoluted messaging out of the CDC and the FDA. Everybody should get the booster after six months. The data is incredibly clear that it increases your personal protection level.

Polis issued an executive order Thursday to allow all adult Coloradans to receive the COVID-19 booster shots, going against federal guidance to limit the shots to high-risk individuals. In the order, Polis said all of Colorado is at high risk of infection.

However, even if 75% of eligible Coloradans receive the booster, hospitalizations are still projected to hit 2,082 by Christmas Eve, Herlihy said.

Despite this projection, Polis has shown no interest in reissuing a statewide mask mandate. During Sundays interview, he avoided questions about implementing a mask mandate by pointing to vaccine mandates at Colorado universities and ski resorts.

We were largely spared the Delta spike in summer and late summer. But we're getting it now, Polis said. (The Delta variant) is incredibly effective, like a heat-seeking missile, at seeking out the unvaccinated.  The most important thing you can do is get vaccinated. But if you continue to be unvaccinated, please be careful, wear a mask and don't gather in large indoor areas around others.
A parade of protesters in vehicles drive past like-minded protesters in April to put pressure on Gov. Jared Polis to end stay-at-home orders in Colorado.
Brian Puerta told police he was bedded down at a truck stop in rural Huerfano County, snuggled up in a sleeping bag in the front passenger seat of his blue Buick when a stranger banged on the passenger window in the middle of the day and demanded that Puerta follow him.

The stranger, whom Puerta later described as looking like Charles Manson, with several dogs in tow, aimed a handgun at Puerta, who reached for his cellphone to call 911. Four shots rang out, blasting through the window and into Puertas right wrist, right hip, abdomen and cellphone.

An air ambulance flew Puerta, who was homeless, to Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo that March 30 day. Puerta woke later from anesthesia to find surgical staples embedded across his stomach. The surgeons had removed part of Puertas lower intestine, but they recovered one of the bullets that had torn into Puerta, 3 inches below his belly button.

When authorities apprehended a suspect later that day after a high-speed chase, they thought they had a lock on a conviction and lengthy prison sentence. Puerta picked out the suspect from a photo lineup. Police had seized a Sig Sauer .22 caliber handgun from the suspect's car. Prosecutors waited for the ballistics report that would match the bullet found deep in Puerta's gut with the handgun seized from the suspect's car  the final piece of evidence they felt they needed to persuade a jury to convict the suspect of attempted murder.

But that ballistics report would never come. And the suspect John William Wilson, now 40, might never see a day in prison.

The Huerfano County Sheriffs Department was not timely enough in sending the gun that was seized from Wilsons car, or the bullet recovered from Puerta's body, to the Colorado Bureau of Investigations crime lab, emails from prosecutors to the Sheriffs Office and crime lab show. By the time the crime lab was ready to process the evidence, discovery deadlines had passed, the emails show.

The lack of a timely ballistics report isnt an isolated incident in Huerfano County, according to a lawsuit filed on June 22 by the top prosecutor there, Third Judicial District Attorney Henry Solano. Solano, who was the top federal prosecutor in Colorado when he was U.S. attorney from 1994 to 1995 and has taught at Harvard Universitys John F. Kennedy School of Government, is asking a judge to fix what he calls persistent failures in basic law enforcement by the Huerfano County Sheriffs Office and Sheriff Bruce Newman. The lawsuit lists 43 felony cases and 20 misdemeanor cases in the past three years, including Puertas shooting, that Solano alleges the Sheriffs Office provided no discovery or failed to provide timely discovery.

In court documents Solano has filed in connection with that lawsuit, he alleges that Newman and the Sheriffs Office only provided timely evidence to the District Attorneys Office in 62.6% of the cases they initiated in the past three years.

In elementary school that is a D grade, Solanos court filing stated. It might just barely be passing in elementary school, but that is clearly not acceptable here where we are dealing with due process protections to a defendant and the need to support prosecutions for the protection of the public. Remedial action is necessary.

The problems have become so severe, according to Solanos lawsuit, that prosecutors had to dismiss at least 30 felony cases because of the failure by the Sheriffs Office to preserve or send evidence for testing.

In one case, 27 grams of heroin were not sent for crime lab processing, causing the dismissal of drug distribution charges pending against a habitual offender who faced up to 32 years in prison, the lawsuit contends. In another, prosecutors could not proceed with criminal charges against an inmate accused of assaulting a sheriffs deputy because surveillance footage was not preserved, according to the lawsuit.

In a homicide case, the sentencing judge remarked on the troubled history of evidentiary and discovery problems in Huerfano County.

Its been made clear to me in the four plus years that this case has been going on that theres been a lot of problems with the evidence procurement initially by law enforcement, a transcript attached as an exhibit to the lawsuit shows the judge said at the sentencing hearing. The lawsuit contends the prosecution of that homicide case was saved only by the intervention of the Colorado Attorney Generals Office and the work of investigators there.

Solano wants a judge to order Newman and the Sheriffs Office to start complying with evidentiary and discovery deadlines. Prosecutors are required to provide critical information about their cases to defense lawyers within 21 days after a defendant's first appearance in court, according to the rules of evidence guiding criminal cases.

Additional information must be provided to the defense 35 days prior to trial, according to those rules. Typically, most law enforcement agencies forward the information to the defense within 48 hours of an arrest.

Providing evidence in a timely manner to the defense is a core tenet of the judicial system, meant to ensure defendants can prepare and receive a fair trial. Violations of those evidentiary rules can lead to dismissals of cases, which Solano said has regularly happened in Huerfano County.

Solano said that if he succeeds in getting a judicial order against the sheriff, hell be able to seek contempt of court against the sheriff if the violations continue, which he said could lead to monetary penalties and even jail time.

It would give them added incentive to do their jobs, which they shouldnt have to have, Solano said.

Sheriff Newman said hes not to blame and that he welcomes Solanos lawsuit and believes he and his office will be absolved of wrongdoing.

He blames everyone else for his problems, Newman said. Mr. Solano points fingers at everybody. Court filings filed on behalf of the sheriff further assert the litigation is a waste of time. "This litigation has consumed the time and resources of this court, the District Attorney's Office, including District Attorney staff, in addition to the District Attorney himself, and one Assistant District Attorney, the Sheriff's Office, including the Sheriff himself and the Sheriff's Office staff, in addition to the time and resources of the county in order to provide four days of testimony," that filing states.

The case against Wilson, accused of randomly shooting a homeless man, wasnt dismissed, but Solano said a lack of timely evidence processing by the Sheriffs Office still compromised the case. Wilson originally faced six felony charges, the most serious of which was attempted murder, which carried up to 28 years in prison. He pleaded to a lesser charge that could allow him to escape prison.

Solano said the lack of timely processing of the evidence by the Sheriffs Office eventually left the prosecution with nothing but Puertas eyewitness account and circumstantial evidence.

We could not use that evidence to definitively establish that the defendant had used and shot the firearm in an attempt to kill or injure the victim, Solano said.

In this case, critical, important information  that is, the firearm alleged to be used and the projectile recovered from the victim  was not immediately sent to the crime lab and not sent after several emails from the prosecution. When it was sent, it was sent too late to use in trial. The defense counsel was going to be able to exclude all of the evidence related to the firearm in the case.

Puerta said he's left bewildered as he wonders how what he thought was a solid case could develop evidentiary issues. He said he was relieved to learn the authorities had a suspect when he woke after his surgery. Pueblo County deputies had confronted the suspect, Wilson, about an hour after Puertas shooting when they responded to a complaint of shots fired at an abandoned building near where Puerta had been shot.

Wilson fled, speeding away in a green car, the same color of car Puerta reported seeing his assailant flee in. After a high-speed chase, Wilson wrecked the car, ramming it through a barbed wire fence. He surrendered after a standoff with deputies on a dirt road.

Puerta, now 47, expected an open and shut case. In addition to Wilson's photo lineup identification, police also had other solid indications of Wilson's complicity. They found inside the Hyundai that Wilson had been driving four German Shepherd-type dogs, closely matching Puertas description of what he had seen. And they seized from the crashed vehicle a Sig Sauer .22 caliber handgun. At the abandoned building where Wilson had been shooting, they found an air rifle.

I cant do better as a victim, Puerta said. It has got to be impossible to prevent a guy who is going around shooting people randomly. Once you catch a guy shooting people randomly, youve got to keep him, and you cant just let him back out on the street. I am very upset about it.

Sheriff Newman defended his offices handling of the evidence. He said that once his office finally did send the gun and bullets off to the state crime lab for testing, Solanos office asked that the evidence not be processed.

But emails from the Third Judicial District Attorneys Office confirm that the Huerfano Sheriffs Office was slow to act.

Rex Delmas, then a prosecutor working for Solano, in emails on Aug. 25 and Aug. 31, asked Huerfano County sheriffs officer Roman Hijar and his superiors, Undersheriff Milan Rapo and Captain Craig Lessar, to send the gun seized from the defendants car and the round found in Puertas body to the crime lab for prints, DNA testing and to see if the bullet matched the gun.

It needs to go ASAP with a rush request to CBI, he said in the Aug. 31 email.

Stefanie Trahey, lab director of the state crime lab in Pueblo, in an email to the prosecutor on Oct. 15 said the crime lab had received the evidence on Sept. 30  six months after Puerta's shooting. She wanted to know if a trial continuance was possible to allow for processing of the crucial evidence. The trial at that point was scheduled for Nov. 8. The crime lab still had not received prints from the suspect or swabs of DNA from the suspect for comparison on the gun.

It is doubtful we can get a continuance, Delmas said in an email back to the crime lab director. Frankly, the deadline for discovery passed on [Oct. 6] .

Solano said he had to extend a plea agreement due to the evidentiary concerns. In exchange for dismissal of the more serious felony charges, including attempted murder, Wilson agreed to plead guilty to the lesser charge of vehicular eluding. Wilsons defense lawyer did not return telephone messages seeking comment.

Hijar, the Huerfano County Sheriff's officer who responded to Puerta's shooting, declined comment and referred questions to the sheriff. Investigators with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation who assisted in taking a statement from Puerta declined comment.

When hes sentenced Jan. 6, Wilson could get probation, allowing him to escape prison. If the judge opts for a prison sentence, it could be as little as six months.

Puerta is left with scars across his abdomen. A bullet remains lodged in his right wrist.

Puerta predicted his alleged assailant will turn violent when he's out on the streets.

Hes going to get back out there, and hes going to shoot someone else, Puerta said. Theres no doubt in my mind.
Scientists, state health officials and our governor cant seem to tell us why Colorado is the third worst place in the United States suddenly for increased rates of COVID infections. A couple weeks ago we even made it briefly to No. 1.

What the hell happened?

Strangely, I think Game of Thrones, which explains so much of the weirdness of life right now, can explain this best, too: Winter is Coming.

Take a look at the states with the worst rates of infection right now, according to the New York Times tracker of cases per 100,000 people:

Alaska, North Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming, Vermont, Utah, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Arizona, Michigan.

Compare that to the list of the coldest states in the U.S., according to World Population Review: Alaska, North Dakota, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming, Vermont, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Idaho, Michigan, Colorado.

In other words, 10 of the 12 coldest states in the country are exactly the states with the highest rates of infection per 100,000 people right now.

Thats the best explanation Ive seen of this new spike: Were going back inside, gathering together again in close quarters and breathing stagnant air.

"Coronaviruses tend to thrive in winter months and colder weather," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky said in a White House COVID-19 briefing last week. "Right now is not the time, as cases are coming down, to become complacent because we do know colder weather is ahead of us."

Colorados spike is a worrisome sign that a fifth pandemic wave could be ahead this winter across the United States. The cold belt may be the canary in the coal mine.

Im simplifying by saying cold weather is the main reason for Colorados spike, since there are several contributing factors, listed below. (Thats what journalists do, try to separate the wheat from the chaff of overwhelming information  and disinformation  out there and tell you what is most important.)

And Ive heard a lot of complaints that the media is hyping how bad it is right now, and unduly alarming folks in Colorado.

But the numbers straight from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are undeniable: Colorado is reporting more than 3,000 new cases per day on average, putting it in the top 10 of all states when adjusted for population, according to data tracked and analyzed by The Washington Post. The states rate of new cases is higher than it has been in nearly a year.

In response, Gov. Jared Polis last week did something no other state in the country has done, clearing the way for anyone over 18 years old to get a booster shot.

His unique and unilateral move puts Colorado at odds with the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations current booster guidance, which advises boosters for only those 65 and older and people who have underlying medical conditions or live or work in high-risk areas. Polis has been one of the most outspoken governors in the country in expressing frustration with foot-dragging at the FDA in approving boosters for everyone and vaccines for children. Hes also paving the way for rationing of healthcare for the first time in the state if hospital capacity is overwhelmed this winter.

In addition to the cold, the Colorado COVID-19 Modeling Group has enumerated four other contributing reasons why Colorado is spiking when much of the rest of the country isnt. The modeling group is made up of experts from the Colorado School of Public Health, the University of Colorado-Boulder Department of Applied Mathematics, the University of Colorado Denver, and the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Here are those reasons direct from the team's latest report:

1. Because the governor has left COVID policies up to local municipalities in the last year, we have a lot of pockets of unvaccinated populations. Much of Colorado is remote and rural, and a lot of remote/rural areas are not vaccinated at the rates urban areas are.

With 62% percent of the population fully vaccinated, Colorado is above the national average of 58 percent, according to the modeling team. But unlike some states that have fairly consistent vaccination rates throughout, the percent of the population in Colorado vaccinated varies widely across the state, according to the team, from 36% of the population vaccinated in the southeast region to 66% of the population vaccinated in the central mountains. About 15 counties are vaccinating 50% or less of their eligible population.

2. Waning immunity is likely significant for Colorado, where a third of infections now are among the vaccinated. Colorado had a "relatively early start with vaccinations," which, in turn, means that immunity here may have waned at an earlier point than elsewhere, Glen Mays of the public health school told our reporter Seth Klamann. Colorados case rate peaks have historically been ahead of the U.S. average. During the fall wave of 2020, Colorados case rate peaked roughly two months before the countrys. This is one reason why Polis is eager to do boosters ahead of the rest of the country.

3. More mobility of people is a factor: more people are coming into Colorado now and were all moving about the state more, people are no longer social distancing and schools have reopened. The modeling team measures how mobile people are, and this fall we have returned to population movement and mixing that is at or beyond pre-pandemic levels. The start of the spike in hospitalizations in Colorado coincides with school openings, but the return to school, which began about three months ago, does not explain the recent sharp rise in hospitalizations, cautions the report. Additionally, patterns of school re-opening across the country do not align with the current pattern of rising and falling epidemic curves across the states.

4. In contrast to prior waves, the use of nonpharmaceutical interventions such as masks, social distancing and remote work is more limited now, which has likely contributed to increased infection rates.

However, the team examined mask-wearing patterns using public survey data, and found that there has not been a sharp downturn in reported use of masks coincident with the timing of the surge."

In fact, the team has tracked a gradual increase in mask wearing lately, which youve probably seen in your own workplace or city. We do not see evidence that a decrease in mask wearing is driving the current surge, the team concluded, so dont expect any new mask mandates coming from Polis.

And at this point in the pandemic, there just isnt any political will to go back to restrictive measures like mask mandates and social distancing and school closings.

The problem is: Were done with COVID prevention, but COVID is not done with us.

And winter is coming.
Campus testbeds pilot smart city solutions to climate threats

The recent uptick of natural disasters in the Pacific Northwest is pushing researchers at Portland State Universitys Digital City Testbed Center (DCTC) to explore ways to raise the publics awareness about environmental threats. However, between communities that are distrustful of urban digital technologies and startups innovations that never gain traction, many tech-based solutions for increasing awareness of local and global problems are never deployed.

The analogy that we've been drawing is with the COVID-19 vaccine, DCTC Director Jonathan Fink said. You have this miraculous technology, but it's not able to realize its potential because so many people have concerns about it and are reluctant to use it, he said. There's a similar issue in terms of climate change, particularly in cities where there are technologies that can help mitigate some of the effects.

To make it easier to evaluate smart city technology, DCTC is building a network of campus testbeds where promising applications can be piloted to evaluate their reception and effectiveness. The campuses offer the advantage of being similar to, but smaller than, municipalities, enabling them to make faster decisions than cities. The testbeds give researchers the opportunity to study various applications, their interoperability and data privacy and governance issues.

Aside from Portland State, other testbeds in the network include the University of Washington, the University of British Columbia, Portland International Airport and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry,

Some of the technologies to be evaluated include:

Energy conservation. DCTC is working with Cisco and Sensible Building Science to reduce energy consumption in parts of buildings with few occupants. The system identifies the number of Wi-Fi-enabled devices in operation to calculate occupancy and links the information directly to building management systems that then can reduce the use of energy in unoccupied spaces.

Pedestrian safety. Researchers are tracking curb level activing including the number of pedestrians and the behaviors of travelers and objects in streets, using Numias light pole-mounted sensor. The system combines a camera and computer vision to meticulously count cyclists and pedestrians. Through a native application programming interfaces, the company provides street-level metrics that developers and city planners can access in real time over any cell phone network.

Public transportation. Downtown.AIs software-as-a-service platform will help researchers analyze data for transportation planning. It optimizes bus and train schedules by evaluating forecasts, human movement maps and the impact of current infrastructure for insights into the routes and modes of transportation used by students and staff.

Community engagement. To educate, engage and collect responses to embedded questions, DCTC is working with Hello Lamppost to provide conversations from urban infrastructure such as streetlight, benches, elevators and parking meters. Users scan a QR code to get answers to questions or chat about issues on campus. Participation in the narratives serves as informal survey instrument, giving researchers feedback from students and visitors on campus on issues from parking to environmental conditions.

New technologies developed by large tech firms and startup companies can help people anticipate and deal with climate-related extreme weather events in a variety of ways, including, for example, improving air quality inside homes during wildfire events, Fink said.

The DCTC will work with local community groups and city officials to determine which solutions can best address both local and global problems. It plans to use a $150,000 National Science Foundation grant to explore why some communities  including people of color, those with disabilities and those with low income -- are often hesitant to use digital technologies that could better prepare them for negative impacts of climate change.
With a younger age group  those 5 to 11 years old  now eligible for shots, parents have asked the health department where a child may be vaccinated.

The local department has some Pfizer supplies  a smaller dose is used for very young children  they are sharing with pediatricians and pharmacies as requested, Spillmann said.

We also can vaccinate in the local health departments if needed, he said Friday. Our efforts are to ensure that providers well known to families and children have the vaccine to administer for the best experiences.

On Saturday, the health departments mobile event in Ringgold will allow children as young as 5 to receive a vaccine. From 8 a.m. to noon at Cherrystone Missionary Baptist, all three versions of vaccine will be available to the public for first, second and booster doses as needed.

While walk-ins are welcome, officials suggest those interested should register in advance at vase.vdh.virginia.gov. If anyone encounters issues registering online, they should call 877-VAX-IN-VA, Crawford said. Those under 18 must have a parent or guardian with them.
Also, Buckners brief points out that Norton and Norhurst agreed to concealment of the buyers identity.

In Wilkins & Co. Realtys brief, it argues that Nortons claims against it fail because Norton lacks standing to sue in his individual capacity. He was not a party to the contract to sell the property to Walker, the brief states.

The only way he might have standing to enforce the rights or any duties owed under the contract as if he were a party is to allege that he was an intended third-party beneficiary of the contract, the brief states.

Petersen said there will be law showing just that.

He [Norton] was the intended beneficiary, Petersen told the Danville Register & Bee.

Norton and Norhurst were aware of the need for confidentiality concerning the buyers identity, and Norton signed a non-disclosure agreement as requested by Buckner, the brief states.

In addition, the breach of fiduciary duty claim is based on the concept that Wilkins & Co. Realty is vicariously liable for misrepresentations made by its agent, Buckner, the brief states.
Dreams to develop Westmoreland Park are a step closer to reality after clearing a fundraising hurdle, a resident-led group announced last week.

The Friends of Westmoreland Park  made up of the Westmoreland Neighborhood Organization and other community members  hopes to break ground on the new park in winter or early spring.

The space  the site of the former Westmoreland School  has historical and emotional implications for neighborhood residents, a news release stated.

The school was created in the late 1800s as an African American facility for children in the neighborhood, the groups website reports.

After it closed, it was repurposed as Community Improvement Councils Head Start and the surrounding land served as a public space, the group said.

After the project started in 2017, residents crafted a master plan to help guide the redevelopment, thanks to funding from the Danville Regional Foundation.

The goal is to increase opportunities for safe recreation, arts, and events while also enhancing social connections and daily community life, the release stated.
David Willis works on God's Pit Crew rebuild project in Chattanooga, Tenn. He's logged 34,948 volunteer hours in 12 years.

A volunteer with Danville-based Gods Pit Crew is on track to break a Guinness World Record.

David Willis, who was honored Thursday night with the organizations Eternal Service Award, has logged 34,948 volunteer hours in 12 years, the disaster relief organization reported.

The world record is held by Viola Cocran, who volunteered 77,019 hours at a Louisiana hospital over a 53-year span, according to the Guinness website.

In just 12 years, David has attained half the number of hours Viola did, Suzanne Honeycutt, a spokesperson for Gods Pit Crew, told the Register & Bee. So, if he continues  and we pray he will!  hes on track to break the existing record in about half the time it took the current holder to do it.

In reality, Willis, a resident of Danville, has volunteered far more hours than officially logged. Thats because even though hes helped for 22 years, the nonprofit didnt start recording volunteer time until about a dozen years ago.

David has been volunteering for us since 1999, for 22 years, so he may have already exceeded the existing record, or be very close to it, Honeycutt said. We of course are only going by what we have tracked.
On the fifth try, Barson nodded yes.

Moskal said the question of whether Barson gave free and voluntary consent meant the evidence about methamphetamine would never make it to a jury.

Lacking probable cause, troopers released Barson. He returned home to Kingman, Arizona, where he admitted during an interview four days later that he consumed meth around 4 p.m. the day before the crash.

Barson told troopers he did not sleep well but set out the following morning on his regular work route between Las Vegas, the Colorado River town of Bullhead City, Arizona, and Kingman.

Two weeks after Barsons blood results came back, a Nevada Highway Patrol drug recognition expert filed a report based on what she saw in the trooper videos.

She said it was clear to her Barson was under the influence of a stimulant. However, no trooper with current training as a drug recognition expert responded to the scene.

Tom Trauger's widow, Donna, pointed to the two counts of DUI resulting in death that Barson pleaded guilty to. One named three bicyclists as victims. One named two.
PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP)  Kosovo's governing party suffered a heavy blow Sunday by losing the capital's mayoral post in runoff municipal elections held in almost two-thirds of the country after center-right opposition parties dominated in the first round.

About 1.26 million voters in the small Balkan nation were eligible to cast ballots in the second round to elect mayors in 21 out of 38 municipalities. Preliminary turnout was 38% Sunday.

The voting was peaceful. Police reported minor incidents not affecting the vote.

The governing left-wing Self-Determination Party, or Vetevendosje!, of Prime Minister Albin Kurti lost the race in Pristina where it had nominated its former health minister, Arben Vitia. It won in four other communes, one more than 2017.

The center-right Democratic League of Kosovo won in Pristina. The league, the center-right opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo of former independence fighters and the Alliance for Kosovos Future together won 21 mayoral seats.

The Srpska List party of Kosovos ethnic Serb minority, which is close to the Serbian government in Belgrade, won one more mayoral post, adding to nine it won in the first round in the northern Kosovo districts.
BETHANY COMMUNITY  It was in the formal entryway of the old Bethany School building that former Principal Van Moore realized the need for cultivating gratitude amongst his students for the communitys local military servicemen and women.

It was 1990 and several students had asked about two young veterans featured in a photo in the schools main entrance at the original campus at the intersection of Bethany Road and NC 65.

And he realized students needed to understand the crucial role the young soldiers played in securing their freedoms, Moore said.

Student discussions about veterans increased over the next couple of years, and by 1992 Moore created the schools first Veterans Day program, now an annual tradition.

Marking its 29th year this week, Bethany Elementarys salute has honored several thousand veterans. Since its beginning, students have served meals, recognized veterans and performed numerous patriotic songs to honor those in the military.

Last year was the first time the school had to cancel the Veterans Day program due to COVID-19. So students were especially eager this year to prepare for their beloved local veterans to return to campus at 271 Bethany Road for a celebration.
Civility, which once was a fundamental virtue that guided our countrys earliest beginnings, seems to have all but vanished from public discourse.

The virtue of civility is rarely exhibited in our homes or churches and is certainly absent in our public forums of engagement.

Unfortunately, not only have we lost colloquial practice of civility, weve witnessed decay in our behavior as individuals and the erosion of our countrys reputation as a defender of freedom.

Civility is not an innate virtue and therefore must be cultivated to nurture the skills of diplomacy and avoid divisive and unseemly behavior in our culture. Sadly, the absence of civility and the ramifications of its deterioration is evident at the highest levels of leadership.

As a country free of any foreign war on our soil since our incipiency, will our defiantly ignoring a founding virtue be our demise?

Guinness said it well
RALEIGH  Few North Carolina parents had their children vaccinated in the first days COVID-19 shots were available for kids age 5 to 11, according to the latest data collected by the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Dr. Mandy Cohen, the states top public health official, said in a Wednesday news conference that more than 24,000 kids in the age group got the vaccine within the first five days it was administered. Though more numbers are still coming in, this represents less than 3% of the almost 900,000 children eligible in the group.

She encourages parents to talk to their childs pediatrician about concerns they may have and noted her 7- and 9-year-old daughters were vaccinated within days of the kid-sized Pfizer vaccine being made available.

Im not just talking the talk, Cohen said. Were walking the walk in our family because its so important to protect our kids. I want the best for them. I want them to be healthy and safe. I hope with other families seeing what we are doing with our family, that will give them more comfort.

North Carolina will soon have received more than 468,000 vaccines aimed for children 5 to 11, and doses are already widely available throughout the state.
RALEIGH  Approaching a potential constitutional confrontation, Democratic legislators and some lawyers say theres little choice left but for a North Carolina judge this week to take the extraordinary step of ordering $1.7 billion be spent on addressing inequities in public education.

Superior Court Judge David Lee scheduled a Wednesday hearing in which he could direct state government to move money from its flush accounts  without General Assembly approval  to agencies that would carry out two years of a remedial spending plan he endorsed. Republicans controlling the legislature said he cant do that because only lawmakers can appropriate taxpayer dollars.

Lee, whos been tasked with monitoring the states response to Supreme Court Leandro rulings, has suggested he has the authority when lawmakers have failed to act. In a 2004 ruling in the Leandro case, justices found that although North Carolinas children have a fundamental right to the opportunity to receive a sound basic education under the state constitution, the state had not lived up to that mandate.
RALEIGH

Although some pundits and grifters may claim otherwise, theres nothing new about populism. It comes in waves, often but not always in response to sharp economic downturns, and is driven by outrage against the mistakes or misdeeds of political elites.

Sometimes that populist outrage is well-earned and its consequences beneficial. At other times, though, the flames of populism serve as little more than propulsion for demagogues seeking to make themselves new political elites in place of the old ones. George Orwell had their number, which he counted as legs. So did Pete Townshend of The Who, who invited listeners to meet the new boss  same as the old boss.

If you go looking for clear definitions of the policy content of populism, youll come away disappointed. But theres a common rhetorical denominator: populists tend to say things like the People have spoken even though they are actually in the minority and the People have done no such thing.
We have seen a steady growth of the Hispanic demographic over the past couple of decades, as we have seen in our two most recent census statistics, she said. As a matter of fact, Winston-Salem has had one of the largest concentrations of Hispanic populations in the state for the past several years.

The citys overall rate of growth was much slower than the 24% increase Winston-Salem saw between 2000 and 2010, although a major annexation during that decade skewed the numbers.

In 2020, non-Hispanic whites in Winston-Salem were still the citys largest population group at 44% of the total, while non-Hispanic Blacks made up 32% of the population. Hispanics made up 17% of the total, up from 15% in 2010. People of Asian descent, who made up 2% of the citys total in 2010, grew to 2.5% of the total in 2020.

The Census Bureau and others who work with population numbers say folks should use caution when comparing racial and ethnic numbers from 2010 and 2020.

For the 2020 census, the Census Bureau revised the questions it uses to gauge race and ethnicity. The bureau says the revision means that the census does a better job of picking up the various racial and ethnic combinations that people really claim, but which were not picked up well in former census counts.
There will be no changes to the employment status or benefits of current employees, and no assets are exchanged under the joint operating agreement thats awaiting further approval.

The new integrated entity will be able to operate more efficiently under a shared leadership and governance structure, reduce costs and use available clinical staff, regardless of who employs them.

ECU Health will also use Vidants and the universitys strengths to advance the research and education infrastructure and coordinate philanthropy.

Our mission has not and will not change. How we execute the mission is what is at issue, executive dean Higginson said in a statement. We are going to be looking at areas where efficiencies can be built into our process and where value can be added to what were doing to improve the final outcome.

The UNC System Board of Governors meets Wednesday and Thursday in Raleigh, where they are expected to discuss the agreement. The deal also still needs approval from the Vidant Health Board of Directors, Vidant Medical Center Board of Trustees and the Pitt County Board of Commissioners.
To think that North Carolina Republicans could reinvent state government along S.C. lines without consequences is a variant of wishful thinking to which I myself have fallen victim. Surely, the legacy built by 100 years of North Carolina Democrats can outlast a decade or two of GOP regression. But the reality is that we are well on our way to resembling what South Carolina has been throughout its modern existence. The numbers are clear. Population growth: down. Poverty: up. Education: declining. National reputation: gutter-bound.

By the end of the NCGOP era, which will come someday but perhaps not someday soon, North Carolina will bear striking resemblance to South Carolina today. We will be a stagnant backwater to which few people want to move, which attracts people to beaches we owe to nature rather than to man, and has one or two successful metropolitan areas in the midst of a general backwardness. In South Carolina, thats Charleston. In North Carolina, itll be Charlotte and perhaps the Triangle, though R.T.P. will increasingly fall behind other tech clusters that are not burdened by Luddite politicians.

Its a sad thought. To think that one fluke election followed up by years of gerrymandering could change the very character of a state is stark testimony to the power of political leadership, and to fate. This has happened before in North Carolina, when the 1898 white supremacy campaign allowed racists (then Democrats) to rewrite the parameters of state government for three quarters of a century. Weve had one regression-inspiring election. One hundred years from now, who knows what theyll call 2010.

Alexander Jones is an origina l contributor to PoliticsNC.
In 1954, Armistice Day became Veterans Day. The former commemorated the end of a great war, and thereby honored peace. The latter recognizes ex-warriors, and thereby honors war. The change seems to reflect our national preference.

The creation of the American armed forces predates the establishment of our nation. During its two and a half centuries, the U.S. military has become an institution that most citizens accept without question. But just because something has existed for a long time, doesnt necessarily mean its beyond challenge. The world is constantly changing. What was once useful, necessary and effective may no longer be so. Institutions and their methods and practices should be reviewed from time to time, and changed or abandoned as needed.

The problem is that the American military has long been held sacrosanct. To raise questions about it makes a citizens patriotism suspect and an office-holders reelection all but impossible. Yet the military was created by humans, not divinely inspired, so we would greatly benefit from a performance review. And given the topics in the news recently, now is a very good time to raise questions about the American military institution.
And the sources of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that ISIS mercenaries attacked sites of the Damascus government forces and the groups loyal to it, during the past hours, in the vicinity of Palmyra in the eastern desert of Homs, where clashes took place between the two parties, without information about casualties until now.

The mercenaries also kidnapped two shepherds in the Al-Talila area, more than 25 km east of Palmyra, in addition to stealing dozens of livestock heads as well.

Yesterday, the Syrian Observatory documented killing of 13 members of "Asoud al-Sharqiya al-Shaitat" loyal to the Damascus government, in addition to the injuring others, in an ambush by ISIS mercenaries in the Al-Masrib desert in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor.

A

ANHA
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, SOHR, reported that Turkish mercenaries targeted sites of the Damascus government forces in the town of Kafr Batikh in the eastern countryside of Idlib, no causalities have been reported.

Meanwhile, the Damascus government forces bombed the contact axes with the mercenaries in Jabal al-Zawiya in the southern countryside of Idlib, as part of the daily mutual targeting between the two parties within the so-called "De-escalation" zone.

Yesterday, SOHR, indicated that clashes with medium and heavy weapons erupted between the forces of the Damascus government on the one hand, and the mercenaries on the other, on the axes of Kafr Amma, the 46th Regiment and Urm al-Soghra, and the Damascus government forces bombed with laser-guided artillery shells "Krasnopol", the vicinity of the town of Taftanaz. east of Idlib city.

Fires that were extinguished yesterday broke out as a result of the fall of shells on Jabal al-Turkman in the countryside of Lattakia, the source of which was the forces of the Damascus government stationed in the hills and military observatories.

T/S

ANHA
Steven Young Lee, resident artist director at the Archie Bray Foundation for Ceramic Arts in Helena, will be transitioning into a new position as director emeritus and special projects manager at the Bray.

The Bray, which has earned international renown as a ceramics art center, will begin a search this month for its new executive director, working with Arts Consulting Group.

As director of the Bray the past 15 years, Lee has guided it through a period of exceptional growth and evolution.

In 2021 he successfully completed a $6 million capital campaign to support a new education and research facility, administrative offices, sales gallery and visiting artist housing.

He also increased by 60% applications to the Brays artist-in-residence program and introduced several new community outreach programs, including some exciting partnerships with such high profile artists as Theaster Gates, Cannupa Hanska Luger, Raven Halfmoon and organizations like the innovative Manchester Craftsmens Guild created by Bill Strickland.

Lee increased direct financial support for residents and visiting artists, with funds raised specifically to support artists of color at the Bray; and he is overseeing the organizations rebranding efforts that began this month. He also maintained the organizations financial stability during the throes of the pandemic.

Lee, an internationally recognized ceramic artist, also helped develop a new strategic plan for the Bray that includes an increased focus on diversity, equity and inclusion at the Bray and in the international ceramics community.

Lee approached the Bray board with the idea of the new position about six months ago, said Board Chair Sue Tirrell. It was an exciting idea. He was ready to move on, but wanted to make sure the Bray wouldnt suffer.

I was just taking stock of my time here and my artistic career, Lee said. Ive been here 15 years. He arrived in September 2006 during the Brays 55th anniversary. This year is its 70th, (although theres been no big celebration due to COVID). It just seemed the timing was right.

Being director of the Bray was my dream job from when I was a resident in the late 90s, coming to the Bray in 1998 at age 23.

When he came back in 2006 as the resident artist director, he was 31. Hes now 46 and in the past few months he knew he was ready for a change.

As an artist, the past 18 months I havent been able to make much art. It reinforces for me how important it is to have an active artistic practice.

For any artist, the dream is to pursue being an artist full time.

I just felt it was time to hand over day-to-day operations to someone (else).

It just presented an opportunity to come to this very creative solution that will benefit the Bray and help me transition out.

The Bray went through some tough months when COVID first hit. There was some general staff turnover, but also furloughs and layoffs in the education staff because they couldnt hold in-person classes. We very much prioritized safety of all individuals, he said. They hope to start classes again early next year.

Luckily, the Bray had a lot of supporters both from the community and nationally step up, and it was also able to access government relief funds.

Recently, they hired a lot of new staff, he said. We hired a great team of people who have good vision, good energy and excitement for the future.

This is a good time for new leadership to come in and keep everything moving forward.

Steve's impact during his time leading the Bray is immeasurable, said Tirrell. It is felt in every corner of our organization, from his mentorship of fellow artists, to his commitment to increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in the international ceramics community, to his steady hand in navigating our organization through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Bray is deeply grateful for all Steve has contributed to the tremendous growth and stability that the organization is experiencing now, and were thrilled that he will continue to play a key role as the Bray works to foster excellence in the ceramic arts.

Lee will transition into his new job, which is expected to last two years, once a new director is hired this spring.

As director emeritus, Lee will be there if the director asks for help, he said, but the new director will be in charge of the Bray.

Lee will also help with transitioning the relationships hes built with donors and members over the years.

In his role as special projects manager, Lee will build on partnerships and projects hes already set in motion.

One new partner is Theaster Gates. Hes quite a phenomenon. Hes an amazing person, an amazing artist and an amazing activist. Hes done a lot to amplify the voices of makers of color.

Gates has earned a national reputation for his socially engaged art, which includes revitalizing a neighborhood in Chicago and is a Smithsonian Innovation Award winner.

Lee and Gates are talking about how to provide opportunities for more young artists who dont typically come to Montana.

Another partner is Cannupa Hanska Luger, a Native American artist whos provided exposure for other indigenous artists and communities.

Were planning on the construction of an earth lodge that would be dedicated toward education around indigenous practices, Lee said.

He noted that Bray artists and the ceramics field in general tend to have artists from more privileged backgrounds.

We are trying to change the structure of the field. Hopefully we can work with youth from communities that dont often have access to artistic opportunities.

Lees developing relationships with communities in the region but also across the country, because the Brays resident artists come from all over the country.

Another collaboration is with Bill Strickland, who started the Manchester Craftsmens Guild in Pittsburgh. Hes an incredibly inspiring guy.

Art turned around Stricklands life when he was a youth headed in the wrong direction. Now he uses art to help disadvantaged youth in Pittsburgh by busing them into his center, where they take music and art classes taught by top artists from around the country.

This past summer, MCG sent out a group of students to the Bray who were taught by Bray resident artists.

The students loved it, Lee said, and the resident artists had a really good time.

It went so well, theyre planning to formalize the program and offer it again.

And soon Lee will be able to focus on his own art.

A master ceramicist, hes particularly known for some stunningly beautiful porcelain works, and has studied ceramics both in the United States at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, but also in China and Korea.

He not only makes beautiful pots, but has taken the basic pot shapes into new, creative directions -- exploring the clays tendency to crack, collapse or to blow apart. The result is innovative, unique sculptural works.

His ceramic art has been featured by the Smithsonian Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Portland Art Museum.

He was recently awarded the 2021 Smithsonian Womens Delphi Award and received a Montana Arts Council 2015 Artists Innovation Award.

I think its fairly unusual to have this kind of transitional opportunity, Lee said. I love the Bray. Ive invested so much of my life into this place. Im not intending to walk away. I really want to support the future evolution of it.

At the same time, my career as an artist is something I want to prioritize and my family, adding that hes the father of a 7- and a 9-year-old.

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Kim Johnston is trying to get ahead of grizzly bears before they start showing up in new places around the High Divide, like in Glen, a town north of Dillon.

Just last fall, a trail camera caught footage of a grizzly roaming through the Browns Gulch drainage not far away from Glens formerly open dump site, according to Johnston. The sighting was emblematic of a larger pattern.

Thanks in part to successful conservation efforts, grizzly populations in and around Glacier and Yellowstone national parks are rebounding. Increasingly, the federally protected bears are wandering away from recovery zones that were designated for their protection decades ago.

Grizzlies on the fringes of Glacier National Park are largely moving south, and grizzlies on the fringes of Yellowstone National Park are largely moving north. The two populations are meeting in the High Divide region in between.

Thats why Johnston has focused the bulk of her work in small towns around the area, which stretches southwest of Butte toward the Montana-Idaho border. As field project manager for the group People and Carnivores, she helps area residents get access to the tools and resources they need to avoid conflicts with large carnivores.

Its really important to be proactive to prevent conflicts from happening in the first place, she said. We want grizzly bears to survive and expand between these core ecosystems instead of coming down into valley bottoms and learning to access unnatural food sources.

Lately, Johnston has worked on securing garbage at transfer sites around Beaverhead County, including the site north of Glen. The project is called Keeping Grizzlies out of Garbage and its aimed at putting in infrastructure to keep grizzlies away from attractants.

The Glen site lies in between the Bitterroot, Greater Yellowstone and Northern Continental Divide ecosystems. Its an area where People and Carnivores staff expect bear populations will eventually meet. Like much of rural Montana, its also an area where dumpsters have historically been left open for the public.

People who live in rural areas often dont have access to garbage pickup services, so they drive their trash to county transfer sites, Johnston said. Containers at these sites are left open to make the process easier for area residents.

Lids over the containers at the Glen site could open and close, but county employees only closed them once or twice a week when trucks came to haul garbage to a landfill, Johnston said.

There was no method for the public to close the lids on their own, and predators and scavengers started causing problems, she said. Animals began dragging carcasses and trash bags into the brush, and nearby ranchers worried about attacks on livestock.

Staff with People and Carnivores approached Beaverhead County with the idea of securing the countys dumpsters a few years ago, and now anyone can open or close metal-grated lids over containers at sites near Glen and Wise River.

On Monday morning, Johnston pushed a white button at the Glen site. A metal-grated lid lowered, then clamped over a dumpster. It was filled nearly to the brim with trash bags, carcass parts and other scraps.

We sent letters out to local residents to let them know why (the lids) are here and what their purpose is, she said. Were ensuring that people understand why its important to keep the lids closed.

Finding funding for conflict-prevention tools like hydraulic lids can be tricky, but the key is getting people together, according to Johnston. A lot of people do want to find solutions and help out if they can, she said.

People and Carnivores partnered with Beaverhead County and Beaverhead County Solid Waste on the Keeping Grizzlies out of Garbage project, and they got some funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, according to Johnston.

In Madison County, the group installed hydraulic lids at a refuse site outside of Virginia City, and staff are working on getting more installed at a site by Pony. A black bear was recently caught rummaging through garbage at that site, she said.

Virginia Citys hydraulic lid system has worked well, so the town started looking for more solutions, according to Johnston. People and Carnivores helped officials there secure a grant from the Fish and Wildlife Service so they could purchase steel, bear resistant canisters for the town.

Now, the town is at the heart of a region-wide Bear Smart Community Program modeled after a similar initiative in British Columbia. The program addresses attractants at all levels of a community, from landfills to garbage at a residential level, Johnston said.

While the program is still in development, Virginia Citys town office now offers bear resistant canisters to all area residents, and the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee has agreed to be the entity that recognizes communities like Virginia City as Bear Smart.

The goal of this whole program is for it to be very flexible and customizable, but its a community developing a program that will work for them, Johnston said. Its not any outside group like us or anyone else coming in and telling them what they need to do and what rules they need to follow.

The importance of securing attractants came to the forefront in mid-October, when two sub-adult grizzly bears were spotted raiding dumpsters at a refuse site by Chico over in Park County. Wildlife managers attempted to trap the food-conditioned bears, but they eluded capture.

To Johnston, the situation showed that resources arent keeping pace with an expanding grizzly bear population, and bears are learning to get food rewards.

People and Carnivores has focused mostly on the High Divide area, but the group has been coordinating with Park County and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks following the recent incident, according to Johnston.

Park County found a way to close lids at the Chico dump site at night, but it is still working on finding longer-term solutions, she said.

People arent sure what to expect as grizzlies are returning to these areas ... but bears really do want to avoid humans, Johnston said. Bears will really learn to navigate through these areas without coming into conflict if we can learn to secure or remove those attractants.

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DECATUR  Some nine months after a handgun was found pinned under the roof of a car that had flipped over in a crash, a Decatur man was arrested by police on a weapons charge.

The 20-year-old man was one of four people riding in the vehicle when it crashed on March 5 at the intersection of North Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and East Center Street.

A sworn affidavit from Decatur Police said DNA evidence submitted to the Illinois State Police Crime Lab came back in September with a positive link between the suspect and the Sig Sauer 9mm handgun; police found and arrested the man Nov. 5. Decatur Police Officer Jacob Stewart, who signed the affidavit, said the odds in favor of the mans DNA being linked to the gun worked out to a ratio of one in 480 sextillion, or a trillion billion.

The man was booked on a preliminary charge of the aggravated unlawful use of a firearm.

All preliminary charges are subject to review by the state's attorneys office.

Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid

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A top adviser to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot resigned in August while raising concerns about the citys ability to keep moving the ball forward on its violence prevention efforts and Police Department consent decree implementation, records obtained by the Tribune show.

Lightfoots one-time deputy mayor for public safety, Susan Lee, left that post in fall 2020 but remained involved at City Hall as an unpaid consultant on public safety issues, according to a contract between Lee and the city.

Part of her adviser role included consent decree implementation, according to the agreement.

Lee sent Lightfoot chief of staff Sybil Madison and current Deputy Mayor for Public Safety John OMalley an email on Aug. 2 seeking to clarify her role as senior adviser. In the email, on which she also copied Lightfoot, Lee said shed been trying to connect with the mayor for weeks but had been unsuccessful.

Lee also noted that she was being blocked from attending consent decree meetings by OMalley, despite it being a key item in her contract.

I have been told by Public Safety staff who was directed by John that I should no longer attend weekly reform meetings between mayors office and CPD, Lee wrote.

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Lightfoot replied two minutes later that she would call Lee. A day later, Lee submitted a resignation letter to corporation counsel Celia Meza where Lee noted several initiatives shed spent time on, including a violence reduction program in West Garfield Park and the consent decree.

As I leave these streams of work behind, I worry that mayors public safety team does not have enough capacity to keep moving the ball forward, Lee wrote in the email, which the Tribune obtained through a public records request.

OMalley is a former U.S. marshal and Chicago Police Board member whose time on the citys police disciplinary panel included siding with officers accused of misconduct in some high-profile cases, including one involved in the alleged cover-up of the police killing of Laquan McDonald.

Lees resignation came one week before Chad Williams, the former civilian commanding officer of the Chicago Police Departments audit division, wrote Lightfoot to say he had been proud to lead the unit but had become disillusioned and was resigning his post.

Unfortunately, my disappointment with the inability of this departments top leadership to even feign interest in pursuing reform in a meaningful manner has made it impossible for me to remain involved, Williams wrote in the email, as previously reported by the Tribune. Even more unfortunate is that my experience is far from unique. Many well-meaning and talented civilians have signed up to help improve the nations (second largest) police department, only to find themselves steadily thwarted by its perverse incentive structures until they inevitably depart due to demoralization.

The two resignations do not appear to be connected but illustrate high-level concerns within city government about the consent decree, a court order aimed at overhauling policy, training and discipline in a department with a decadeslong record of misconduct and excessive force against minorities.

The mayor and police Superintendent David Brown often speak about the importance of the consent decree, which they say is critical for restoring trust in police by Chicago residents, especially Black and brown citizens.

Lightfoots office declined to comment on Lees resignation and letter.

The Mayors Office of Public Safety works regularly with the Chicago Police Department and a variety of other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the CPDs compliance with the consent decree remains on track and moving forward with all deliberate speed, a spokesman said in a statement. The Public Safety team also works tirelessly to ensure that the Chicago Police Department and all other public safety departments operate successfully and in line with the goals and values of this administration. This hard work is reflected in the significant improvements in consent decree compliance as reflected in the most recent reports by the independent monitor.

In response to a request for comment, Lee told the Tribune Lightfoot did not call her after she said she would. Asked if shes still concerned about violence reduction and the consent decree, Lee said in an email that Chicagos mayor has a lean staff on all fronts and has a capacity challenge even in the best of times.

With the citys violence in 2021 surpassing the unprecedented spike in 2020, we are all working hard but stretched thin to reverse this trend, Lee wrote. I, as every other Chicagoan I am sure, hope that we will see progress on the violence reduction front as well as meaningful CPD reform including but not limited to consent decree implementation.

Since leaving her post as City Hall adviser, Lee has publicly raised concerns about Chicagos street violence.

A month after Lee resigned, she co-wrote an article with Southwest Side Ald. Matt OShea in which they declared Chicago a city in crisis.

It is hard to look at the number of shootings and homicides in Chicago over the last 20 months and find a silver lining, Lee and OShea wrote in the column, published by the Sun-Times. By every measure, our city is in crisis and our efforts to keep our communities and our police safe are simply falling short.

City statistics show the number of shooting victims is up year-to-date through Nov. 7, from 3,528 in 2020 to 3,852 in 2021. Homicides are also up, from 677 in 2020 to 698.

Lightfoot ran for mayor as a police reform advocate and vowed during the campaign that she would ensure full and swift compliance with the court order, though her administration has been criticized repeatedly by activists for failing to meet deadlines set by a court-appointed monitor and ensure true reform.

Williams email and Lees resignation demonstrate that the concern has also been shared within the administration.

A department spokeswoman previously said CPD has been making significant progress in its reform efforts, citing the most recent monitor reports recent determination that CPD reached some level of compliance in 266 areas of reform, which the decree refers to as paragraphs.

This is the highest amount of paragraphs achieving some level of compliance after the two-year mark compared to any other American city that has undergone a consent decree, the spokeswoman said. During this period, we also received preliminary compliance in our full suite of use of force policies for the first time. Weve also increased the number of mandatory annual training hours for in-service officers from 0 prior to the consent decree, to 40 hours in 2021.

Police Department leaders have sought to deflect criticism of their pace of meeting consent decree reforms and touted a report by an independent court-appointed monitor that noted increased compliance.

But that nearly 1,000-page report also underscored problems related to foot pursuit data and policy during a period that included the March police killing of 13-year-old Adam Toledo after a foot pursuit.

Throughout this reporting period, the (independent monitor) repeatedly requested the city and the CPD provide an explanation regarding what transpired with the foot pursuit dashboard data, including what led to the data issues, the report read. To date, we still do not have many of these answers, and have only received partial explanations regarding the scope of the data issues and plans ahead.

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CHICAGO - Amy Mui, a 63-year-old Bridgeport resident, said she doesnt know much about her current alderman, Patrick Daley Thompson. But she does know that she is increasingly worried about recent crime in the neighborhood and reports of anti-Asian attacks throughout the U.S.

You feel unsafe here and then you feel nobody care about the Chinese society, and then we want to say something, Mui said. We need somebody to represent us.

Thats why Mui attended a Saturday afternoon rally with Asian American community leaders in Chicago demanding the next map drafted by the City Council include the citys first-ever Asian majority ward, one that would encompass her neighborhood.

At least 150 people attended the event, at Chinatown Square, 2154 S. Archer Ave.

Organizing groups, which say such a ward is decades overdue and put forward the proposed map, include Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community, Chinese American Service League, Pui Tak Center and Midwest Asian Health Association.

These Chinatown leaders say the storied cultural hub deserves its own ward amid City Councils decennial redistricting process. Advocates argue the needs of the areas residents are underrepresented in City Hall, where there has only been one Asian American alderman: Ameya Pawar, who represented the majority-white North Side 47th Ward for two terms.

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As a result, they say, the largely immigrant population that mainly speaks Mandarin and Cantonese is struggling to be heard.

Currently, Chinatown is split between the 25th ward of Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez and the 11th ward of indicted Ald. Daley Thompson. The latter ward also includes Bridgeport and chunks of McKinley Park, home to a fast-growing population of Asian Americans.

All three of those neighborhoods would unify under a proposal by the Asian community groups. Its triangular map shows the south branch of the Chicago river bounding the ward on the northwest, with a jagged southern border that stretches as far as West Pershing Road from South California Avenue to the Dan Ryan Expressway.

The demographics of the potential ward would be 51% Asian, 24% Latino, 20% white and 3% Black. Supporters say such a ward is long overdue, especially after the 2020 Census found Asians were the fasting growing population in Chicago, making up 7% of the population. They also now make up the largest racial group in Bridgeport, according to a 2021 analysis by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.

The City Council is the body tasked with trying to pass a new map. If fewer than 41 aldermen agree on a single version, then any 10 aldermen can try to force a ballot referendum by backing a different proposal.

The head of the Latino caucus has signaled support for an Asian-majority ward in his remap proposals. Chairman Ald. Gilbert Villegas on Friday said the caucus would update its map proposal to make the 11th Ward that stretches from Bridgeport into Chinatown an Asian-majority ward in the remap.

I felt it would be hypocritical of us, as we try to get fair representation, to not also fight for a group that has grown and has done its part for the city of Chicago to get its fair representation as well, said Villegas, 36th.

And Black Caucus Chairman Ald. Jason Ervin said Saturday that his caucus is fully on board with making the 11th Ward an Asian-majority ward including Chinatown. The Black Caucus has not yet released its full remap proposal.

An independent group has also put out The Peoples Map that includes Chinatown in its own ward. For that to be viable, at least 10 aldermen would need to support that version after voting against the official remap plan presented by aldermen to City Council, triggering a referendum.

At Saturdays event, several leaders in Chicagos Chinese American communities spoke out against currently having no Asian American representation in City Council. They chanted in Mandarin and English, We want representation. We want rights. ... We do not want to be second-class citizens.

The last time we had a rally here in March, we were fighting against anti-Asian hate, Grace Chan McKibben, executive director of CBCAC, said. This time ... we have the opportunity to stand up for ourselves in a different way. We have the opportunity to unite the Chinese American community.

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But domestic priorities both political and economic again kept nations from committing to the fast, big cuts that scientists say are needed to keep warming below dangerous levels which would produce extreme weather and rising seas capable of erasing some island nations.

Ahead of the Glasgow talks, the United Nations had set three criteria for success, and none of them were achieved. The U.N.s criteria included pledges to cut carbon dioxide emissions in half by 2030, $100 billion in financial aid from rich nations to poor, and ensuring that half of that money went to helping the developing world adapt to the worst effects of climate change.

We did not achieve these goals at this conference, Guterres said. But we have some building blocks for progress.

Swiss environment minister Simonetta Sommaruga said the change will make it harder to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial times - the more stringent threshold set in the 2015 Paris Agreement.

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said governments had no choice but to accept Indias coal language change: If we hadnt done that we wouldnt have had an agreement.

But he insisted the deal was good news for the world.
The year-over-year increase in the U.S. murder rate in 2020 was the highest since at least 1905  and possibly ever, according to provisional data from the CDC. There were 7.8 homicides for every 100,000 people in the United States in 2020, up from six homicides per 100,000 people the year before, according to the Pew Research Center. The rise in the nations murder rate last year far exceeded the 20% increase measured in 2001, which was driven by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

It is not yet clear why murders rose so dramatically in 2020 nationally or locally.

Experts have pointed to a variety of potential causes, including the economic and societal changes brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and the tensions that surfaced after the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota last year. But the exact reasons remain unclear.

Locally, officials like Washington County Sheriff Blake Andis, point to the drug epidemic that has plagued the region. Methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, opioids and other drugs have affected the region.

Other forms of violent crime also went up nationally and locally, data shows.
Racially motivated packing results in a terrible misrepresentation of the growing diversity of this state, it is bad public policy, and it is flatly illegal. It should be thoroughly rejected, Democrats in legislative leadership said in a statement.

Senate Republican Leader James Settelmeyer dismissed the accusation. All I know is this, he said,  ... when you have a large group of individuals that represent a particular community of interest, they should be left together.

Districting experts warn against maps that disempower minority voters by packing them in single districts or cracking them and dispersing them across multiple. Fighting underway in Nevada illustrates how the concepts can be partisan fodder for both sides.

The majority plan takes individuals that live in Hispanic areas away from their district and takes ones that are left and combines them with wealthy areas. So I dont understand how they can say our maps are problematic, Settelmyer said.

Emily Persaud-Zamora, the director of the voting rights advocacy group Silver State Voices, said the Nevadans Count coalition was concerned about drawing districts that don't disempower the Latino community, not about the partisan implications.
Update:

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information regarding a shooting in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, that left a police officer seriously injured.

Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler conducted a welfare check at a vacant home on Orr Street Saturday morning when he was shot. Officials said a Wise County deputy found him unconcious in a ditch along the driveway.

Chandler was taken to Norton Community Hospital and was later transported to Johnson City Medical Center for treatment of life-threatening injuries.

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the location and apprehension of the person who shot Officer Chandler.

If anyone has any information related to this incident, contact the Virginia State Police at 276-228-3131 or at questions@vsp.virginia.gov.

A Big Stone Gap police officer was shot in the line of duty early Saturday, officials said.
VILLA DEL ROSARIO, Colombia. (AP)  Xiomara Ruiz woke up before dawn and boarded a bus with her son to make a one-hour trip to the bridge connecting Venezuela to Colombia, which they crossed on foot. Their goal: to get the 8-year-old vaccinated against the coronavirus.

By 7 a.m. the 27-year-old nurse and the boy were lining up at a vaccination center in Villa del Rosario, a Colombian town on the border with Venezuela.

About two dozen Venezuelans also stood in line for the shots, while an aid worker in a khaki vest yelled out instructions on a megaphone and told the crowd to keep a safe distance from each other as they waited for the vaccination center to open.

In the town where I live there are still no vaccines for children, said Ruiz, who traveled to Colombia from the border state of Tachira. She was concerned by a recent announcement by Venezuelas government that children under 12 will be vaccinated with Soberana, a coronavirus vaccine developed in Cuba.

That one is not approved by the World Health Organization, Ruiz said. Its better to make the trip here.

Hundreds of Venezuelans have been traveling to Colombia recently for coronavirus shots, as Venezuela struggles to get enough doses for its people.
The book burners are back.

Rising from the primordial ooze like a periodic plague of locusts, they spend a season making incessant noise about books containing ideas that dont match their narrow perspectives about race or sex. Its never violence or misogyny they protest. Its always race and sex that pushes their buttons.

They come to strip the leaves of ideas off the trees of our society with a mission to reduce everyones vision to match their narrow perspective on the universe. The thing is  they never win. Their efforts are 0-forever. Stopping the advancement of ideas is like stopping a river. You may slow it. You may dam it for a while, but it will break free.

This season, the book burners are banning books from school libraries in Spotsylvania and Henrico counties in Virginia. They are also hard at work in Texas and even Burbank, California.

They are not all of one political party or philosophy. Conservatives in Houston want to ban books from school libraries with same-sex encounters. In California, liberals have moved to ban the classics To Kill a Mockingbird and Of Mice and Men due to how race is portrayed in the books.
COVID outbreaks rage on, spread largely among and by the unvaccinated, jamming hospitals, delaying recovery and creating chaos in schools and workplaces. But Congressman Morgan Griffith remains silent on the COVID vaccine campaign, choosing instead to champion the rights of the vaccine resisters.

Hes made it clear that if folks want to refuse the cure for the COVID pandemic  the free, proven, effective, and abundant vaccine  thats OK with him  not his business, I guess.

But we all pay for the lagging vaccination rates  those that are vaccinated, and those that are not. Some pay with sickness and death, many more lose our freedom to work, play, go to school, travel freely and be with friends. And all of us pay with the inconvenience of living a closed-in life for so long. Why? So the refusers can have their freedom to believe the misdirection, to embrace the fake science, to rail against the socialist take-over scare.

Freedom  Morgan Griffith is your champion  a freedom fighter, indeed.
Hamp said he called the public health department and told them he needed a QR code, and they provided it, he stated. The QR code had to be uploaded to the VeriFLY app.

Hamp said that until a few weeks ago, a very recent negative test result was required before departing the U.S. bound for certain other countries. Such is no longer required, but within two days of arriving in London, Hamp continued, you must get a test. Thats what Hamp and David had to do in order to board the Regal Princess. The cruise line provided COVID testing at their cost, and when Hamps and Davids returned negative, they went aboard.

Should a test come back positive, well, oh dear, no cruising for you.

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Hamp didnt want to take the chance of this happening. He took it upon himself to be tested at CVS before leaving U.S. soil. So CVS has my test online as negative, he said. When he and Kathleen traveled in October, such pre-flight testing was required. For the current trip, it was not, but Hamp wanted to check anyway before getting on the plane to London. It didnt guarantee he wouldnt get the virus from someone during the flight, of course, but a positive result would have prevented him from going all the way to the cruise ship only to be turned away.
HICKORY  Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry announces the Great American Smokeout," an event aiming to reduce the use of tobacco products in both Catawba and Alexander counties.

The event will be held at the Dr. John and Carol de Perczel Whole Life Center (206 First Ave., SE, Hickory) and Hickory Soup Kitchen on Thursday, Nov. 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Whole Life Center (WLC) is a next step ministry that journeys with its neighbors to provide pathways from poverty to independence. The WLC provides resources such as a computer lab, which offers computer literacy tutoring and assistance with NCWorks, nutrition and healthy cooking classes, diabetes education classes, a diabetes support group, and more. The goal of the WLC is to provide a wholistic health approach which focuses on the whole needs of a person to provide a balanced approach to living.
" " Mary Edwards Walker was a surgeon with the Union Army during the Civil War. She is to date, the only female to ever be receive the Medal of Honor. She wore her medal every day for the rest of her life. Corbis via Getty Images

In case you needed any more ammunition in future arguments for feminism, consider this. In the 159-year history of the Medal of Honor  the United States' highest military award for valor in combat  more than 3,500 people have received the prestigious prize; only one of them so far has been a woman: Mary Edwards Walker.

Born in Oswego, New York, in 1832, Walker has achieved legendary status as a pioneering surgeon, women's rights advocate and abolitionist who was the first female U.S. Army surgeon during the Civil War. Walker was the fifth daughter born to Dr. Alvah and Vesta Whitcomb Walker, abolitionists who encouraged their girls to be freethinkers.

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Walker Eschewed the Norm

Rather than conform to the societal and style norms of the era, Walker eschewed skirts and corsets and preferred "bloomer" pants. But her independent ideas weren't confined to fashion (although later media reports couldn't seem to stop obsessing about her wardrobe).

Despite the fact that women were discouraged from entering the traditionally male medical field, Walker knew she wanted to be a doctor and enrolled at Syracuse Medical College (now Upstate Medical University), graduating in 1855 with a Doctor of Medicine degree (she was only the second woman to ever graduate from the school after Elizabeth Blackwell). Walker soon started a private practice in Columbus, Ohio, before returning to New York where she married fellow physician Albert Miller. A few years later, the Civil War erupted.

Soon after the war broke out in 1861, Walker tried to join the Union's efforts as a surgeon in Washington, D.C., but was turned away because of her sex. She wasn't deterred, taking an unpaid position as the only female volunteer surgeon in the U.S. Patent Office Hospital. She found time in 1862 to earn a degree from the New York Hygeio-Therapeutic College and when she returned to volunteering, she worked on the battlefield in tent hospitals in Warrenton and Fredericksburg, Virginia. The following fall, Walker was appointed assistant surgeon in the Army of the Cumberland in Tennessee.

In April 1864, Walker was captured as a spy by Confederate troops after she'd crossed battle lines to help a Confederate doctor with surgery. "Mary was imprisoned at Richmond's Castle Thunder, which was a prison primarily for Richmond's own  unruly civilians, prostitutes, Unionists and deserters," Kelly R. Hancock, public programs manager at the American Civil War Museum, writes via email. "Since Mary Walker was a woman and Castle Thunder had one of its warehouses designated for women prisoners, Mary was kept there for four months from April 21 to Aug. 12, when she was released in a prisoner of war exchange."

According to Hancock, Richmond's prisons were anything but pleasant. "They were crowded, poorly ventilated and disease ridden," she says. "In a city, in which their own citizens were having trouble putting food on the table, prisons received scant rations."

" " In April 1864, Walker was captured as a spy by Confederate troops and was imprisoned at Richmond's Castle Thunder (seen here), a prison for unruly civilians, prostitutes, Unionists and deserters. Library of Congress

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Her Critics Were Ruthless

Hancock says newspapers later described Walker as being "worse for wear" when she was released. "What strikes me most about her time in Richmond is that every time she is mentioned in the newspapers, the press comments on her appearance  especially on her dress," Hancock says. "The fact that she was dressed like a man or in 'man's attire' was extremely shocking. Mary refuted the claims that she was wearing male clothing because she was not. She was wearing her own clothing."

" " Walker (right) is seen here with feminist and lawyer Belva Lockwood, who was the first woman to argue in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. Library of Congress

Not only was the media critical of Walker's clothing, but reporters were merciless about her overall appearance. "The press was also very critical of her looks, calling her 'ugly' and 'skinny,' which at the time was not a compliment," Hancock says. "I think this disparagement is primarily due to the resentment over her stepping outside of what was socially acceptable for a woman to be and do."

Walker was released from prison in August 1864 and just one month later became the assistant surgeon of the Ohio 52nd Infantry. Soon after that, she began supervising a hospital for female prisoners and later oversaw operations at an orphanage. In 1865, Walker formally retired from government service and later that year, President Andrew Johnson awarded her the Medal of Honor for Meritorious Service, making her the first female recipient.

"As far as why she is still the only woman to receive a Medal of Honor, I think this is largely due to the fact that Congress changed the requirements for the medal, making it available only to people in the armed services who have been in active combat," Hancock says. "Until 2015, there was a ban on women serving in active combat, and women were not integrated into combat positions until January 2016. That was only four years ago. There just has not been enough time or opportunity for another woman to be awarded a Medal of Honor."

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She Advocated for Women's Rights

In addition to her groundbreaking work as a physician, Walker is known for her advocacy around women's rights. She was, of course, an outspoken proponent of "dress reform" and was even arrested in New Orleans in 1870 for dressing "like a man" (although as Hancock points out, Walker was wearing her own clothes). Walker was also a suffragist, campaigned for the U.S. Senate in 1881, and ran as a Democratic candidate for Congress in 1890. Despite her losses, she testified in front of the U.S. House of Representatives in support of women's right to vote.

In 1917, the terms designating eligibility for Medal of Honor were reappraised and Walker's name, along with others, was removed from the list of awardees, and it took until 1977 for a Congressional reappraisal of her achievements to restore the honor. In true Walker fashion, when the recognition was initially rescinded, she refused to surrender the medal (and she continued to wear it for the remainder of her life).

Walker died Feb. 21, 1919, in her hometown of Oswego. Her legacy lives on today and her spirit is captured in quotes like this one from 1897:

I am the original new woman...Why, before Lucy Stone, Mrs. Bloomer, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony were  before they were, I am. In the early '40s, when they began their work in dress reform, I was already wearing pants ... I have made it possible for the bicycle girl to wear the abbreviated skirt, and I have prepared the way for the girl in knickerbockers.

" " The media gave Walker a lot of grief for her clothes, saying often that she was dressed like a man or in "man's attire." Walker's response was always that she was not wearing men's clothes; she was wearing her clothes. Library of Congress

Now That's Interesting In order to do her demanding job during the war, Walker modified the "bloomer" trend of the 1850s, which consisted of a shorter full skirt worn over loose trousers by designing and creating her own medical uniform: a mid-length skirt over a pair of trousers and a buttoned coat.

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Originally Published: Nov 17, 2020
On This Page Navigation The Big Lockup: Mass Incarceration in the United States. Will Elder NPS It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails.

A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.  Nelson Mandela On Alcatraz Island, visitors learn its history and hear the voices of former residents. Yet the significance of Alcatraz also lies in its connection to historic and contemporary issues of criminal justice. Why does our country incarcerate more people than any other country? Why are people of color incarcerated at a higher rate? What is the impact on individuals, families and communities? How is this system changing and what are the alternatives? We invite you to form and express your opinion. As you experience the Big Lockup, you will hear the stories of those incarcerated, see their loved ones, and sense the weight of incarceration. The exhibit uses archival and contemporary photographs to tell these stories, including interviews with those affected. The bold red, and shades of black incite reflection and draw the attention of visitors. Based on extensive research, this exhibit examines issues spanning from the Civil War until today. It reveals the forces that enabled mass incarceration to begin and persist. Chains and Hard Labor Chain Gang, South Carolina State Prison. Included with permission from photographer Robert Nelson. Major Theme Areas Worlds Largest Prison System The center piece of the room is a map of the world with black globes of various sizes representing the number of people incarcerated in the perspective countries. With the U.S. having more people incarcerated than any other country in the world, its globe is the largest. Additional panels compare data across the globe, by state, and type of correctional facility. How Did We Get Here? This area highlights the impact that national and state Tough on Crime and War on Drugs policies had on increasing prison populations from 1960s up to today. It starts to show the disproportionate impact on communities of color, particularly black communities. The 13th Amendment and its connection between slavery, Jim Crow laws, and incarceration are examined. Contemporary statistics comparing how white and people of color are treated in the criminal justice process are provided and related to protections against government abuse of power provided by the Bill of Rights. Mother, center, talks to her son as 5-year-old twins rove the Natrona County Detention Center visiting room. Included with permission from Dan Cepeda, Star Tribune Who Is Incarcerated? In this section, text and pie graphs display the percentages of incarcerated people by conviction type and status. A flip book provides deeper analysis of who goes to prison/jail and the disproportionate impact of: Those with low income

Those with low literacy

Those who were in foster care

Those with mental illness

Those involved with drugs Who Is Harmed? Here we look at the impact of high incarceration rates on women, children, families, and whole communities. Details are provided on the struggles people have once released, and the restrictions placed on them that inhibit re-entry into society. Several individuals with conviction histories are profiled. Who Bears The Costs? These exhibits show annual criminal justice expenditures and their cost to society. The financial exploitation of people behind bars is also illustrated. When I walked out of prison years ago I thought I was free. I did not know my record would follow and block me from using my previous work experience to find a job... - Ameen, Retired Aerospace Tech. Included with permission from Pioneer Human Services. How Can We Do Better? This section presents poll data of Americans that shows support for criminal justice reform. Visitors are asked their opinions of various aspects of the justice system and to imagine how we could prevent people from entering the criminal justice system in the first place. Profiles are provided of people that have successfully re-entered society after serving time in prison. and model deterrence, re-entry and anti-recidivism programs are highlighted. What Is Going On Now? An updated video display shows a collection of recent stories in the news that discuss mass incarceration and reforms to the criminal justice system. Credits Citations for all exhibit statistics enable visitors to locate the information and/or data presented. A full list of The Big Lockups exhibit resources is available. Also featured is a list of project collaborators and participants. Featured Media Mass Incarceration, Visualized Bruce Western explains the current inevitability of prison for certain demographics. Included with written from The Atlantic. The Enduring Myth of Black Criminality Ta-Nehisi Coates explores how mass incarceration has affected African American families. Included with permission from The Atlantic. Hope House, Washington D.C. Hope House Interview with Child of Incarcerated Person Washington D.C. Included with permission from Hope House. Unlimited Productions Unlimited Productions Interviews people who have criminal histories about their life and experiences. Produced in partnership with the National Park Service. The EarHustle Podcast Produced in San Quintin State Prison, people who are incarcerated tell their stories. Included with permission from EarHustle.

Bruce Western explains the current inevitability of prison for certain demographics. Included with written from The Atlantic.Ta-Nehisi Coates explores how mass incarceration has affected African American families. Included with permission from The Atlantic.Hope House Interview with Child of Incarcerated Person Washington D.C. Included with permission from Hope House.Unlimited Productions Interviews people who have criminal histories about their life and experiences. Produced in partnership with the National Park Service.Produced in San Quintin State Prison, people who are incarcerated tell their stories. Included with permission from EarHustle. Photo Gallery Translations Espanol Esta exposicion tiene una traduccion al espanol.  
Christmas In The City is a variety show featuring song, dance, drama, media, comedy, story, and various forms of Creative Arts in order to entertain and inspire the soul with the beautiful season and message of Christmas. The experience includes an outdoor living nativity drama, parade, and indoor performance at 6:30 p.m. He's Alive Church, 1310 N Cannon Blvd, Kannapolis. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at: https://hesalivechurch.ticketleap.com/citc2021/.

Saturday, Dec. 4

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

New Gilead Reformed Church, 2400 Old Salisbury Road, Concord, is having a Boston Butts for Christmas sale. Cost is $35 each; quart slaw $5. Must preorder and pay at church on Dec. 4 from 1- 3 p.m. Pick up will be on Dec. 23 from 2- 4 p.m.
It could also be that causality runs in the opposite direction of the expected way. In relation to social media and mental health, it could be that those who are more depressed tend to use social media more, rather than the use of social media causing adolescents to feel depressed. Again, there would be an observed association between social media use and mental health, but not in the assumed causal way.

Recent concern over Facebook is similar in some ways to earlier moral panics such as those over television, certain types of music, and video games, among other things, as New York Times opinion columnist Farhad Manjoo has pointed out. A seemingly obvious culprit is fingered as having a disproportionate impact on producing or contributing to a societal ill. The history of such panics suggests, again, that caution is warranted in definitely concluding that social media use in general or use of Instagram in particular is responsible for certain mental health or behavioral outcomes.

This is not a defense of Facebook. It is certainly possible and perhaps even likely that Facebook has the negative effects alleged by Haugen. But the point remains that definitive conclusions should not be drawn from Facebooks internal research alone.
The owner of a suburban attorney-referral business was sentenced to a year in federal prison Friday for passing thousands of dollars in bribes to two Chicago police officers in exchange for exclusive information about crash victims and their insurance carriers.

In rejecting a defense request for probation for Richard Burton, U.S. District Judge Charles Norgle said prison time was required to deter others from trying to pay off the police. The idea of bribing police officers is something that cannot be tolerated, Norgle said.

Burton, who owns National Attorney Referral Service based in west suburban Bloomingdale, pleaded guilty in 2019 to conspiracy to commit bribery and cooperated with investigators.

The two former Chicago police officers involved in the scheme, Kevin Tate and Milot Cadichon, also pleaded guilty, with Cadichon receiving 18 months behind bars and Tate sentenced to a year in prison.

Federal prosecutors alleged Tate and Cadichon took bribes in the form of cash and wire transfers from Burton, who then used the information to solicit accident victims as clients for attorneys.

Court records showed Burton exchanged hundreds of text messages with Tate and Cadichon  who both worked patrol in the Calumet District on the Far South Side  that included detailed information that only the police were supposed to be allowed to view.

While crash reports in Chicago are typically not publicly available until after a processing period, officers can access them immediately  but only for legitimate law enforcement reasons, the indictments alleged.

The messages indicate that Burton had arranged regular pay days for the two officers at two-week intervals, often for $300, prosecutors alleged. Burton also expressed frustration at times that the officers werent getting him information fast enough to give him a leg up in the cutthroat profession.

In one exchange with Tate in October 2016, Burton texted that he could have signed up three or four new clients if Tate had gotten him names of victims sooner, an FBI search warrant affidavit alleged.

I was sick to the stomach just thinking about it. LOL, the affidavit quoted Burton as writing. Its just amazing how competitive this business is. If youre not Johnny on the spot you can forget it.

A year later, in August 2017, Burton appeared to get upset with Cadichon after the officer pestered him about missing a payday. Burton shot back that he was meeting with a client on Chicagos South Side and couldnt answer Cadichons messages.

When youre in Englewood its a little stressful for a brother with no gun, Burton texted, according to the affidavit. You know that I take no days off and I work my ass off.

Burton then appeared to smooth things over, telling Cadichon he appreciated how hard he was working for him. Ill put it like this, Burton wrote. If I had 5 people like you Id be a millionaire.

Burton, who is caring for his ailing mother, was ordered by Norgle to report to prison in May.

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CHICAGO - Amy Mui, a 63-year-old Bridgeport resident, said she doesnt know much about her current alderman, Patrick Daley Thompson. But she does know that she is increasingly worried about recent crime in the neighborhood and reports of anti-Asian attacks throughout the U.S.

You feel unsafe here and then you feel nobody care about the Chinese society, and then we want to say something, Mui said. We need somebody to represent us.

Thats why Mui attended a Saturday afternoon rally with Asian American community leaders in Chicago demanding the next map drafted by the City Council include the citys first-ever Asian majority ward, one that would encompass her neighborhood.

At least 150 people attended the event, at Chinatown Square, 2154 S. Archer Ave.

Organizing groups, which say such a ward is decades overdue and put forward the proposed map, include Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community, Chinese American Service League, Pui Tak Center and Midwest Asian Health Association.

These Chinatown leaders say the storied cultural hub deserves its own ward amid City Councils decennial redistricting process. Advocates argue the needs of the areas residents are underrepresented in City Hall, where there has only been one Asian American alderman: Ameya Pawar, who represented the majority-white North Side 47th Ward for two terms.

As a result, they say, the largely immigrant population that mainly speaks Mandarin and Cantonese is struggling to be heard.

Currently, Chinatown is split between the 25th ward of Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez and the 11th ward of indicted Ald. Daley Thompson. The latter ward also includes Bridgeport and chunks of McKinley Park, home to a fast-growing population of Asian Americans.

All three of those neighborhoods would unify under a proposal by the Asian community groups. Its triangular map shows the south branch of the Chicago river bounding the ward on the northwest, with a jagged southern border that stretches as far as West Pershing Road from South California Avenue to the Dan Ryan Expressway.

The demographics of the potential ward would be 51% Asian, 24% Latino, 20% white and 3% Black. Supporters say such a ward is long overdue, especially after the 2020 Census found Asians were the fasting growing population in Chicago, making up 7% of the population. They also now make up the largest racial group in Bridgeport, according to a 2021 analysis by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.

The City Council is the body tasked with trying to pass a new map. If fewer than 41 aldermen agree on a single version, then any 10 aldermen can try to force a ballot referendum by backing a different proposal.

The head of the Latino caucus has signaled support for an Asian-majority ward in his remap proposals. Chairman Ald. Gilbert Villegas on Friday said the caucus would update its map proposal to make the 11th Ward that stretches from Bridgeport into Chinatown an Asian-majority ward in the remap.

I felt it would be hypocritical of us, as we try to get fair representation, to not also fight for a group that has grown and has done its part for the city of Chicago to get its fair representation as well, said Villegas, 36th.

And Black Caucus Chairman Ald. Jason Ervin said Saturday that his caucus is fully on board with making the 11th Ward an Asian-majority ward including Chinatown. The Black Caucus has not yet released its full remap proposal.

An independent group has also put out The Peoples Map that includes Chinatown in its own ward. For that to be viable, at least 10 aldermen would need to support that version after voting against the official remap plan presented by aldermen to City Council, triggering a referendum.

At Saturdays event, several leaders in Chicagos Chinese American communities spoke out against currently having no Asian American representation in City Council. They chanted in Mandarin and English, We want representation. We want rights. ... We do not want to be second-class citizens.

The last time we had a rally here in March, we were fighting against anti-Asian hate, Grace Chan McKibben, executive director of CBCAC, said. This time ... we have the opportunity to stand up for ourselves in a different way. We have the opportunity to unite the Chinese American community.

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As John Donne states: No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. This is especially true in the age of globalization.

What type of country do we want? One that bans literary classics from Mark Twain to Toni Morrison and arrests 8-year-olds at school or one that grapples with the complexities of the new millennium?

Would we rather view the American narrative as a whimsical journey of predestination that was not fraught with self-induced moral tension since its inception?

Assuming, going forward, that we want to be a nation rooted in courage rather than false nostalgia, then we must relinquish the fears that govern our arrested development. We can no longer remain tethered to a notion of America that, quite frankly, never existed.

The specific intentions of a group of talented 18th century men who could not appreciate the advancements made by running water is not something we should seek to replicate. We have bequeathed to them a deity that they did not hold for themselves. But they have provided an indelible ethos in a macro context.
Mark Twain, in an unpublished manuscript, once wrote: It is not worthwhile to try to keep history from repeating itself, for mans character will always make the preventing of the repetitions impossible.

Mans character indeed. Check out whats happening right now in Charlottesville, Va. Hear the eerie echoes of what happened in Germany in 1924.

In Charlottesville, some vile right-wing hatemongers are currently on trial in federal court, charged with conspiring to commit racist violence at the deadly 2017 rally. Three cheers for the justice system, yes? Thats the good news.

But, according to press reports, heres the bad news:

(I)n this courtroom, theyve found a new platform to amplify their racist views, put on performances they boast about on podcasts, radio shows and in live during-the-trial chats, and to attack their opponents  the defendants repeat the greatest hits of right-wing extremist beliefs in the courtroom and double down on the racist personas they have crafted for their followers, many of whom are paying attention  Neo-Nazi fans troll the court  saying the n-word multiple times, declaring Make America Great Again

Well, that sounded familiar.
Daron Shaw of the University of Texas and John Petrocik of the University of Missouri summarized much of this research in their 2020 book The Turnout Myth. Seventy years of survey data and election outcomes suggest that turnout has no systematic partisan consequences, they concluded. Among other findings, they discovered that the candidate preference of those most likely to vote and those least likely to vote is almost indistinguishable.

Its not that a pro-Democratic tilt to higher turnout was a ridiculous notion, by the way. On average, Republicans tended to be more likely to vote than Democrats. And in North Carolina, especially, there were way more registered Democrats than registered Republicans. It seemed plausible, then, that efforts to register voters and make it easier for them to cast ballots  the introduction of early voting, for example  would net more Democratic than Republican votes, therefore flipping competitive races to the blue column.
He was thoroughly mocked. Actor/director Ken Olin put it most dramatically in a tweet: Ive seen great acting, and Ive seen bad acting, but Ive never seen anything like Kyles performance yesterday. It was such a travesty, such a grotesque imitation of remorse, that it can only be described as anti-acting.

Im no mind-reader, but if I had to choose, Id guess that his breakdown was genuine. Because its just not surprising to me that any human being would react that way.

Its not surprising to me that someone who kills another, even in self-defense, should feel guilt, remorse, sorrow. Despite what movies and video games tell us, I dont think its easy to kill another person. It would haunt many of us. I dont think, for even the most stoic soul, it can be done with no emotional consequence or repercussion. It shouldnt surprise us for even the most judicious police officer or soldier to find himself or herself awake in the middle of the night, mentally replaying a deadly event, uncontrollably obsessing over what could have been done differently. Such feelings are part of being human.

I suspect this is one reason our veterans come home, after witnessing and even committing atrocious and violent deeds  even if we declare them justified  and struggle with depression and PTSD, turn to alcohol and drugs.
Our North Carolina delegation should speak out against Gosar, but I doubt any of them possess the integrity that would require. He should have been expelled from the House and sent home before posting his unhinged threat toward AOC. He definitely should be expelled now.

William B. Perry

Winston-Salem

Just one tree

Too much CO2 in the atmosphere has been identified as a contributor to climate change. Therefore, reducing the concentration of CO2 in the air would help reverse this global problem. Heres how the average citizen can help: plant more trees.

We all know that trees remove CO2 from the atmosphere. They also beautify our surroundings and provide shade and habitat for wildlife.

Some years ago, I began rescuing saplings from places where they stood little chance of surviving, such as flower beds, and planting them wherever I could find space where they would grow to maturity. This doesnt cost much if anything. Any one of these saplings that grows to a full-size tree will absorb CO2 for generations. Since I have exhausted all available space around our house, I am donating them to friends, planting them around our neighborhood and along greenways.
Somewhat weary but well after a day of climbing through the fog, Nebraska's five intrepid mountain-climbing state senators settled in Saturday for a night of sleep in tents 12,522 feet high on Mount Kilimanjaro.

"We're in the clouds," Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon said in a satellite phone call from their Shira Camp overnight site on the storied mountain in Tanzania.

"Along the course today, fog was all around us," he said.

It's been "more of a demanding course than we anticipated," Brewer said. "We're toast when we're done for the day."

Except for Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln, he said, who is "like the energizer bunny" in this diverse group of senators who are headed to the 19,340-foot summit of the legendary mountain in Africa, a journey that will take them three miles high into the sky.

"There are some aches and pains and sore muscles" among the senators after the second day, Brewer said, but no altitude sickness. Doctors check the climbers as a safety measure, he said.

The temperature on the second day was probably between 35 and 40 degrees, he said, but as they continue to climb it will become much colder, especially when they reach the summit on a nighttime trek.
The organization first considered locating in a large brick house at 14th and Martha streets but determined it was not close enough to the downtown area. That December the Paul Kuhns house and neighboring apartment building at 304 N. 22nd, the northwest corner of 22nd and Davenport, was purchased for $25,000.

Tinley Combs, the first corporation president, gave $5,000 and pledged $417 per month for the following year to the plan, enabling the organization to reorganize the house to accommodate 36 boys. In March of 1921, 10-year-old James King became the first orphan-resident and by years end the home had served 67 boys. Although only one year old, it had obviously already outgrown its site.

In 1854 James Megeath arrived in Omaha on his way to the California gold fields but instead elected to stay. The following year he and his brother Samuel started a dry goods store near 14th and Farnam. Samuel and another brother, Joseph, later established Willow Springs Distillery as well.
Although there is no election in violence-plagued Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot offered timely reassurance to new police graduates and newly promoted officers last month. She will never yield to the defund voices, she said, because the folks police Superintendent David Brown calls the silent majority overwhelmingly want more and better police protection.

Chicago is hardly alone in that sentiment. Nationwide, the share of adults who say spending on policing in their area should be increased grew to 47% last month from 31% in June 2020, according to the Pew Research Center.

Pew noted that includes 21% who say funding for their local police should be increased a lot, up from 11% who said so last summer.

By race and ethnicity, white (49%) and Hispanic (46%) adults were more likely than Black (38%) and Asian (37%) adults to say spending should be increased.

In short, American voters still tend to gravitate to the center in general elections, even if they swing to left or right extremes in the primaries. On an issue as complex as policing, slogans like Law and order on the right or Defund the police on the left are too simplistic to provide the magic pill we all wish we had to solve all of our crime problems. We have to keep looking.
The needed revisions will involve many moving pieces that will no doubt make some Nebraskans unhappy. But, if the No. 1 need in the state is tax relief, as so many senators continue to proclaim, they must compromise in a way that lifts the weight from farmers and also prevents the urban majority from bearing the brunt of funding rural schools.

To do that, farmland valuations need to be adjusted to account for their productivity potential, rather than an arbitrary market value. The states funding formula needs to be made more simple and transparent, and the Legislature should redirect tax relief money toward funding schools, with the idea being that more money for schools should decrease local property tax bills.

Finally, senators must avoid the tempting but flawed approach of limiting local control with one-size-fits-all spending caps tied to subjective benchmarks.

The state must uphold its end of the deal to produce lasting reform to reduce property taxes that rank among the highest per-capita in the nation. And school boards, the primary recipients of property tax dollars, must remain effective stewards of tax dollars from streams of revenue that will likely be steadier and larger should such reform occur.
As I stare out across the broad expanse of white crosses at the Epinal American cemetery in France, I am overcome with emotions.

This is courage. This is bravery. This is true patriotism. The ultimate sacrifice. The giving of ones life for Country. I was here to pay tribute to an uncle, an Army medic killed by a Nazi sniper just a month before Germany surrendered.

He was one of the 420,000 brave American soldiers who died protecting our personal freedoms. Such needless deaths. All because of one very evil man, who would promote his nationalist agenda on an unwary German people.

When America was drawn into World War II, there was a call to action. All Americans were called to do their patriotic duty. The nation responded. President Biden recently made a similar call to action. Using data and recommendations from health professionals, he declared a vaccine mandate for all businesses with more than 100 employees.
The recent publication of the hundreds of abuse cases involving clergy in the Catholic Church of Lincoln has been painfully shocking. Even more incredible is the complete lack of accountability on the part of the perpetrators and the bishops who participated in the cover up of these crimes.

The victims and their families are now directed to go back to the same church that betrayed a sacred trust and darkened their lives forever to search for healing, knowing that this criminal behavior will not be prosecuted. Think about that for a minute.

We can send our State Patrol to the southern border of Texas in a heartbeat to herd and corral poor, desperate children and families away like cattle, but cannot find one person to hold accountable for the sexual abuse of hundreds of children in our community after decades criminal abuse.

Lip service is not justice, and this final report from our attorney general is a tragic, sad epitaph.

Steve Burbach, Lincoln

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Americans filed more than 4.3 million new business applications in 2020, an increase of nearly 25% from the year before, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That surge has been particularly pronounced among small, sole-proprietor operations that often serve as a stopgap or extra source of income, the economist John C. Haltiwanger, a professor at the University of Maryland-College Park, has found.

Federal statistics show that such businesses are more likely to be helmed by women or people of colorthe populations that have faced the worst economic fallout from COVID-19. Women, for instance, run nearly 42% of nonemployer firms, and Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs lead about 12% and 14%, respectively. A 2019 paper published in the journal Food Policy also found that cottage food producers were most likely to be women with low incomes.

Those types of statistics helped motivate officials in Nashville, Tennessee, to lift some long-standing prohibitions on home businesses in summer 2020, said Jeff Syracuse, a member of the nonpartisan Metropolitan Council.

It was not a reaction to the pandemic, he said. But the pandemic certainly bolstered the argument to expand the home occupation permit, because of the situation folks were in.

Balancing Rights
CALEDONIA  A Milwaukee man has been accused of stealing a gun in Caledonia and having multiple drugs on him.

Lucas M. Covington, 35, was charged with felony counts of possession with intent to deliver other schedule I controlled substances between 10-50 grams and theft of movable property and misdemeanor counts of possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, resisting an officer and operating without a license.

According to criminal complaints:

At 11:42 p.m. on June 19, an officer was sent to a residence on Domanik Drive for a theft.

Upon arrival, the officer spoke to a woman who said Covington was at her house on June 17 to pick up some items. He then took her gun, ammunition, two large magazines and a gun clearing kit. He denied taking the gun, but messages between him and the woman showed him saying You can have your gun, and never returning it.

While an officer was on patrol at Highway H they noticed a car fail to stop at the stop sign and conducted a traffic stop. The officer made contact with the driver, Covington, and learned that he has never been issued a drivers license.

Another officer smelled marijuana and noticed open alcohol and ammunition in the car. He was searched an a marijuana blunt weighing 0.3 grams was found in his left jacket pocket, a small cut bag of THC weighing 2.1 grams was in his left jeans pocket and a black canister fell out of his right pant leg. The container had 47 MDMA pills weighing 21 grams and 1.8 grams of cocaine. Two scales and a grinder were found in the car.

Covington was given $2,000 in cash bonds in Racine County Circuit Court on Friday. A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 18 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave., online court records show.

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CALEDONIA  A Racine man has been charged for stealing multiple electronics and guns from a Caledonia home.

Zachery J. Vague, 22, of the 4800 block of Scotts Way, was charged with three felony counts of bail jumping and felony counts of burglary of a building or dwelling and theft of movable property.

According to a criminal complaint:

On Oct. 9, officers were sent to a residence in the 4600 block of North Green Bay Road for a burglary.

Upon arrival, officers spoke to a woman and a man. The woman said that she noticed her iPad, purse and cellphone were missing after waking up that morning. The man said that he also noticed his laptop was missing.

During the investigation, the man noticed his spare keys to both of his cars were missing from the toolbox he kept in his garage. Multiple firearms and calibers of ammunition were also found missing. A surveillance camera on the back garage showed a man with a camouflaged fanny pack and backpack standing at the patio door.

On Nov. 9, an investigator watched the video and noticed the suspect as being Vague and learned he was staying at a residence just several houses away from the house that was burglarized. The next day, officers executed a search warrant and found Vague in the bathroom.

Vague told officers that he handed the stolen items off to someone else who would sell them and give some of the money to him. Some of the items were later found at the sellers residence.

Vague was given a $2,500 cash bond in Racine County Circuit Court on Friday. A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 17 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave., online court records show.

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KENOSHA  The defendant suspected of shooting a Kenosha County Sheriffs Department K9 last month returned to Kenosha County Circuit Court for an abbreviated preliminary hearing Friday morning.

Allan Brown, 33, of Countryside, Ill., who remains in custody in the Racine County Jail on a $1 million cash bond, just recently had an attorney appointed to represent him, so Fridays preliminary hearing was postponed.

Brown, represented by attorney Christopher R. Bub, is scheduled to be back in court at 8:15 a.m. Dec. 2. Bub told Court Commissioner Larry Keating he had only been assigned the case a few days ago and requested an adjournment, which Kenosha County District Attorney Mike Graveley did not object to.

Seemingly confused at times by his surroundings, which included a number of Sheriffs Department deputies, Brown, the main suspect in two Chicago homicides, struggled to answer questions from Keating.

Im not sure what to make of any of this, said Brown, who is in custody in Racine while that department investigates the Oct. 21 incident that left K9 officer Riggs seriously injured.

The Racine County Sheriffs Office is continuing to investigate after it was brought in as an outside agency, which is state law when a police-involved shooting occurs.

Brown is charged in Kenosha County with:

Three felony counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety with the use of a dangerous weapon, one count of possession of a firearm by a felon

One count of firing a dangerous weapon on a police K9 causing injury

One count of mistreatment of a law enforcement animal with the use of a dangerous weapon

One count of failing to comply with an officers attempt to take a person into custody

One count of operating a motor vehicle without owners consent with the use of a dangerous weapon

The felonies carry a maximum total penalty of $140,000 and 71 years, six months in prison.

Brown also faces a possible felony escape charge after he allegedly pushed a Racine deputy as deputies attempted to move him from Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital to the Racine County Jail and very briefly escaped from custody.

Brown allegedly fired shots at a trio of Kenosha County Sheriffs Department deputies and K9 Riggs as they tried to take him into custody after his vehicle was located on Oct. 21 at Benson Corners, 2000 75th St. (Highway 50) in Bristol. Deputies had been alerted by Chicago Police earlier that day that Brown was being sought in connection with two homicides in their city.

Brown was struck in the left thigh, abdomen and bicep when deputies returned fire.

Investigation continues

All three deputies who returned fire at Brown remain on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.

Graveley said after Fridays hearing that Racine County investigators are finalizing their reports and waiting on Wisconsin State Crime Lab reports before they present their findings.

During Browns initial court appearance on Nov. 2, Graveley outlined Browns lengthy criminal record, which includes two previous prison sentences for assault-type offenses, along with felony battery and three previous resisting arrest convictions.

Brown is considered the only suspect in two Chicago homicides  one at a bus stop in the citys Logan Square neighborhood, and the other after a carjacking. Graveley said Friday that Chicago Police have no updated information to provide on either homicide.

You can hardly be more dangerous than an individual who is willing to stop a person simply driving in traffic, ending their life, (then) going to a public gas station in our county, and at a point when officers try to intercept you, youre willing to fire shots that essentially go through the entire parking lot of that gas station, Graveley said after Browns initial appearance.

Youre willing to endanger the lives of civilians and officers, Graveley said. From my perspective, you can hardly demonstrate a higher degree of danger than that kind of behavior.

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KENOSHA  A 35-year-old woman faces a felony charge after she allegedly threatened to kill a Kenosha County Circuit Court judge.

Court Commissioner Larry Keating set a $5,000 cash bond for Melissa M. Metzger, of the 32000 block of 45th Street, who faces a total of 17 criminal charges, including her threat to kill Judge Jason A. Rossell.

Metzger is from the Town of Wheatland, which is in Kenosha County just south of Burlington.

Keating also scheduled a competency hearing for Nov. 29 before Circuit Court Judge Bruce E. Schroeder.

In addition to the felony, which carries a maximum fine of $10,000 and six years in prison, Metzger is charged with seven misdemeanor counts of unlawful phone use/threatening with obscenity, one misdemeanor count of unlawful phone use/threatening harm and eight misdemeanor counts of bail jumping.

According to the criminal complaint, Metzger previously was charged in August with four misdemeanor counts of unlawful use of a phone and disorderly conduct, and as part of her $500 cash bond was ordered not to have any contact with Rossell, employees of the Kenosha County Courthouse and staff, other than for regular court appearances.

A deputy with the Kenosha County Sheriffs Department learned on Nov. 1 that Metzger allegedly had left a number of voicemails with Rossells office. The deputy listened to seven voicemails that began with requests for court documents, but escalated to using obscenity.

In those voicemails, the defendant identified herself and referenced a previous case she had been involved in that was presided over by Rossell.

On Wednesday, investigators were notified that Metzger had left about 20 voicemails, including one that made several threats toward Rossell. Between 9:13 and 9:19 p.m. the previous day, she allegedly left one voicemail that stated she would kill anyone Jason sends to her residence to arrest her.

Six additional messages were left, Metzger stating on the final one, This message (is) directly at Jason, and continued to state she would shoot Jason if he goes to her residence or if Jason Rossell sends anyone to arrest her.

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MILWAUKEE  Last month, a 47-year-old Oshkosh woman tried to stop four teenagers from stealing a car at a Holiday Inn Express in Wauwatosa. The woman, Sunita Balogun-Olayiwola, was killed when one of the boys got into her car, pushed her out and ran her over several times.

The criminal complaint contains horrific details of the incident that has led to a 13-year-old boy being charged as an adult in Milwaukee County Circuit Court. Despite being 13 years old, the boy now faces six felony charges and up to 115 years in prison if convicted.

This case is extreme. But its one of many violent crimes in Milwaukee County where young people are involved.

Nick DeSiato, chief of staff at the Milwaukee Police Department, said teens have easy access to guns. And younger people are stealing cars and driving recklessly, which is all connected, Wisconsin Public Radio reported.

While those may seem like a distinct category, a reckless driver who strikes another vehicle and kills somebody, is still the form of a homicide or the contributing factor for somebody elses death, DeSiato said.

Block banging

Community activist Vaun Mayes says when he was a kid, he was committing crimes, too. Mayes grew up in Franklin Heights, one of Milwaukees toughest neighborhoods. He has numbers tattooed on his fingers, representing the block he ran when he grew up on 25th Street and Auer Avenue. Groups representing about five different blocks used to fight to protect their neighborhoods, Mayes said. At 15, he was doing what he called block banging.

But now, the stakes are much higher.

Now 34, he says its still happening. But today kids as young as 12 are using guns instead of fists, and posting the violence on social media to gain notoriety.

Its like reality TV on steroids, he said.

One video posted on Facebook Live, and obtained by WPR, depicts three young women dancing and laughing while pointing a semi-automatic weapon at the screen. Sometimes the videos show teens or young people in stolen vehicles recklessly driving through crowded city streets.

Homicides are up about 32 percent in large cities across the nation, but DeSiato said no city has been hit harder than Milwaukee which has seen an increase three times the national average.

There were 190 homicides in Milwaukee last year, the most on record. Through last week, the city was on pace to pass that number with already more than 160 murders so far this year. More than 740 people have been shot so far this year in Milwaukee, a nearly 25 percent increase over last year.

Domestic homicides on rise

Todays version of block banging cant be blamed entirely for the increase. Domestic violence homicides are up, and DeSiato said many shootings are retaliation for previous crimes.

One very public example of this was in September, when five people were shot at a vigil in Milwaukees Sherman Park neighborhood for a 16-year-old homicide victim.

Milwaukees Homicide Review Commission, run through the Medical College of Wisconsin, found about 37 percent of homicides in Milwaukee are the result of a fight. Another 34 percent are classified as unknown. DeSiato says those cases are tough, even if police think the deaths are the result of a fight, they cant prove whether or not theyre retaliation.

One of the things we are troubled by is the legitimacy of a threat of retaliation ... is this something we can get ahead of and be proactive (about), whether through the means of law enforcement or one of our partners? DeSiato said. We work on intelligence, we work on communicating with those who observed the incident, close family members and other community members, so it doesnt keep perpetuating.

Mayes grew up without a home and has had his share of trouble with police. Today, hes a community activist with a group he started called ComForce MKE, which goes out into neighborhoods like Franklin Heights and Sherman Park and works with residents. Mayes and his team are also active at crime scenes, interviewing witnesses and attempting to keep the peace.

Mayes said kids have a live fast, die young attitude, which has made everything more dangerous in the city. But that doesnt mean they arent still kids. Many without much family support.

A lot of these kids, if you talk to them, when theyre in these cars, they got these guns, theyre like the most tough person ever, Mayes said. But if you catch them outside of that, theyre not like that at all, theyre very scared, frail, fragile, sensitive.

Some residents in communities like Sherman Park are skeptical law enforcement can stem the violence.

Feels like the law is on hold

Jordan Morales is a member of the Sherman Park Community Association and said it feels like there are no legal consequences for crimes.

It feels like the law is on hold in Milwaukee ... People who want to take advantage of the city know the polices resources are strained, they know that the general resident of Milwaukee is afraid of confronting bad behavior, so they know they have a blank check to do what they want, said Morales, who is not related to former police chief Alfonso Morales.

But Morales, whos lived in the Sherman Park neighborhood for three years with his five children, said hes not planning to move.

Like a lot of the century-old houses in Sherman Park, this neighborhood has really good bones. It just needs some extra investment here, some extra attention from the city.Ive thought about it, but Im pretty committed to this neighborhood, Morales said. Like a lot of the century-old houses in Sherman Park, this neighborhood has really good bones. It just needs some extra investment here, some extra attention from the city.

According to the Milwaukee Homicide Review, there were 11 homicides in Sherman Park from Jan. 1 through Oct. 6, equating to 16 victims per square mile. During that same time period, there were 27 nonfatal shootings.

When about a dozen gunshots rang out one afternoon in October, Patricia Norman and her daughter barely flinched. Even though the shots sounded close to their quiet, tree-lined street, and they were out on the porch.

I dont get scared, Norman said. If I feel like if its real close, and Im sitting out here, I know to run my butt in the house.

Norman moved back to Milwaukee about two years ago and loves the city, but sometimes feels hopeless.

If they cant get the guns out of the kids hands, there aint nothing nobody can do, and its not going to stop, Norman said.

During the 13-year-old boys charging hearing in Milwaukee County Circuit Court following the murder of Balogun-Olayiwola, Judge Audrey Skwierawski said the nature of his charges, including first-degree reckless homicide, could not be more serious.

The boy told the court he understood. He also said he wanted to call his mom.

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When gathering with loved ones this holiday season, make sure the seniors in your family are protected from scams and fraud. According to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, consumers lose more than $40 billion a year to telemarketing fraud, and people over the age of 65 are especially vulnerable.

Older adults reported being much more likely than younger adults to report losing money on tech support scams, prize, sweepstakes/lottery scams and family/friend impersonation. The Federal Trade Commission reported in 2019 that older adults filed about 319,000 fraud reports with losses of more than $440 million.

According to the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA), in the past year only one in nine seniors reported being abused, neglected or exploited. Elder abuse is under-reported and only one in forty-four cases of financial abuse is ever reported. Sadly, abused and exploited seniors have a higher mortality rate, which is why education and prevention about fraud is so important.

The Aging & Disability Resource Center of Racine County and the Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection, Division of Trade & Consumer Protection, sat down with a reporter to let readers know what to look out for as scams targeting senior loved ones continue to be commonplace  especially during the coming holiday season.

Starting the conversation

Francesca Johnson, agency liaison for the WBCP, said while it can be difficult to start a conversation with an older loved one to watch out for scams. The key is to make it relatable, so they dont feel singled out or like youre questioning them, Johnson said. Give them an example of something that youve experienced and ask them if theyve experienced it, too.

Some example phrases to open up the conversation include: Weve been getting these suspicious calls. Have you gotten them, too? I heard of this scam thats been going around. Have you heard of it? Those phrases can lead into opportunities to educate older loved ones about common scams and how to report them if older loved ones encounter, or become victimized, by them.

According to NAPSA, common resources to assist seniors protect their finances are the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus Office for Older Americans, the Do Not Call: Register to Stop Solicitation Calls, the Federal Trade Commission, AnnualCreditReport.com and National Center on Elder Abuse. The ADRC can provide additional resources for individual situations as well.

Common scams

In October, David Labrie, owner of Postal Xpress in Union Grove, helped protect a few elderly community members from being victimized by grandparent scams.

A customer was close to sending $7,000 over the mail, believing her grandchild was in jail and she needed to bail him out. When Labrie heard of this, he alerted her it was a scam and was able to stop her from sending the money. Another customer came in a few days after Labries initial encounter with the possible scam, and he knew something was going on.

According to the Federal Communications Commission, a grandparent scam occurs when a scammer calls an older person posing as their grandchild, usually in dire need of help  like being in jail, needing gas money or a place to stay. Scammers typically mine the potential victims social media for information or purchasing data about the potential victim.

Impostors will impersonate any legitimate company or organization, so you cant trust any incoming calls, texts, or emails, Johnson said. Impostors can also be intimidating or threatening, but then we have to ask, what is our definition of that? Maybe they are presenting an image of trust and someone who wants to help.

Mail scams are also relatively common. For example, when assisting a senior in the community, it was discovered they received around 20 mail scams a day. The mail scams were typically posing as charities asking for money. People are lead to believe that the money sent for is helping various causes.

Seeking resources

Johnson is urging readers and possible victims to reach out if they have been affected by scams or fraud. The number one thing she wanted to emphasize was, Dont be embarrassed.

Reach out to us, and well help direct you. We dont necessarily get the bad guys, but we want to help keep the senior community strong and informed, she said.

The ADRC offers information on scam and fraud education and will always field phone calls with any questions readers may have regarding the topic. You can also report abuse, neglect or financial exploitation be contacting Adult Protective Services (APS) at the ADRC. APS helps by assessing each individuals unique needs, then develops a plan to maintain his/her safety, health and independence.

The WCBP also travels across the state delivering seminars. Our goal is to not frighten you, we want to equip you with the right tools and information so you have the upper hand, Johnson added.

For more information, visit www.adrc.racinecounty.com or contact the Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-422-7128.

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RACINE  For the past eight weeks, City of Racine employees who are unvaccinated against COVID-19 have been required to be tested weekly for the novel coronavirus.

Via an open records request, The Journal Times obtained testing data from the past eight weeks. No individual employees vaccination status was included, but the numbers of employees tested weekly by city department was provided.

While vaccination rates of city employees have increased in recent weeks, half of those forgoing the vaccine work in public safety. Firefighters and police officers still have the lowest rates of vaccination among City of Racine employees, although their vaccination rates are still higher than the general publics.

The data also revealed that the majority of the workforce was vaccinated at the time the policy took effect.

Vaccine or test mandate

The City Council implemented the policy in September: City employees who were not vaccinated were required to deliver to Human Resources proof of a negative COVID-19 test every week.

The testing policy was put in place as the number of cases of COVID remains high in the city and the rate of vaccination remained low, compared to the state and national averages.

The results for Sept. 17 demonstrated that more than 80% of the citys workforce was already vaccinated. By Nov. 5, that number was closer to 85%.

The number of people testing from week to week fluctuates due to vacations, scheduled days off and changes to the number of people employed by the city. As such, in the data presented, it was not possible to know exactly how many city employees are or arent vaccinated.

On the first week of testing, 155 of the 835 city employees handed in a test that week. Approximately half of those 155 were in public safety.

The citys largest departments showed the following results for full-time employees the week of Sept. 17:

Of the Racine Fire Departments 130 employees (including firefighters and auxiliary staff), 30 turned in a negative COVID test, or about 23% of the department.

Of the Racine Police Departments 229 employees (including officers and civilian staff), 49 turned in a negative test, or about 21% of that department.

Of the Department of Public Works 120 employees, 36 turned in a negative COVID test, or about 30%.

Of the Water/Wastewater Departments 93 employees, 14 turned in a negative COVID test, or about 15%.

By Oct. 8, those numbers changed slightly when Human Resources separated the civilian and sworn employees of the RPD and RFD.

On that date, 50 of the Racine Police Departments 171 police officers were tested for COVID-19, meaning about 29% of the citys cops are unvaccinated.

Of the RPDs civilian staff, just three of the 43 civilians turned in a negative COVID test, or about 7%.

According to figures tracked by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and other organizations, COVID-19 killed more police officers in 2020 than all other causes combined; the number of American police officers who died from COVID was five times higher than those killed by gunfire. Police unions nationwide have pushed back against vaccine mandates.

The percentage of city employees who remain unvaccinated has decreased substantially.

In May, 34% of the citys workforce was unvaccinated.

Most recent numbers

Statewide, 65.9% of Wisconsinites over the age of 18 are fully vaccinated, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. In Racine County, the percentage of fully vaccinated adults is 63.5%.

During the last week for which results were available, the week of Nov. 5, only 15%  125 people  of City of Racine employees turned in a weekly COVID test, meaning that about 85% of city employees appear to be vaccinated. But 70 of those 125 apparently unvaccinated employees were from the non-civilian side of public safety.

The number of employees from DPW turning in a negative COVID test dropped to 22, or 16% of those employed in that department.

Water/Wastewater has experienced almost no change since the policy went into effect. That department has held steady at 10 or 12 employees turning in a negative test since the policy was implemented.

The citys smaller departments have very few turning in weekly COVID tests.

The Racine Public Library, for example, had two turn in a negative test, and those two were from the part-time staff; that means the library likely has a vaccination rate above 96%, since the library employs 61 people.

For the week of Nov. 5, the City Attorneys office, the civilians at the Fire Department, and Human Resources had no tests  as everyone in the office was either vaccinated or had an exemption. In the mayors office, one of seven staff members appears to be unvaccinated.

In the Department of City Development, five of 31 employees were tested for COVID-19 the week of Nov. 5.

In the City of Racine Public Health Department, just one of 25 employees appears to be unvaccinated.

The Finance Department reported the week of Nov. 5 that two of its 16 employees were tested.

Adam Rogan of The Journal Times contributed to this report.

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RACINE  After years of planning and a delay due to the pandemic, local students were finally able to go to North Beach this week to learn how to protect the fragile coast of Lake Michigan.

The pilot coastal engineering program was the brain child of Wisconsin Sea Grant Senior Special Librarian and Education Coordinator Ann Moser and was brought to fruition through a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as well as collaboration between Wisconsin Sea Grant, the Great Lakes Community Conservation Corps and Racine Unified School District. Moser said it was great to finally see everything come together and to see the students ask questions.

These students are asking all these amazing questions about their place and just watching their imagination get sparked  its been a long time (since) I have been able to work with students, so being with students in this age group, its just fun, Moser said.

The program brought coastal engineering ideas into the classroom and into action at the beach. Before their trip to the beach, Jerstad-Agerholm School seventh grade students covered coursework in the classroom with their teachers. Once on the beach, they got to see the lessons come to life with real-world applications.

Students went from station to station, learning about coastal management. While at one station, they measured the density of native plants on the dunes opposed to invasive species. They also measured the width of the beach and wind speeds at another.

GLCCC crew volunteer Saeveeon Mosby and Wisconsin Sea Grant Fellow Lydia Salus both helped with the program, leading the station that measured plant density. While they both enjoyed working with the younger students, the opportunity was twofold for Mosby, who at 20, is working towards earning his high school diploma with GLCCC.

Actually, Im just ready to graduate, Mosby said when asked to what he was most looking forward. But, Im also looking to new beginnings, like this kind of helped me find (my)self a little bit.

Taneka Golden, one of two Jerstad science teachers whose classes attended the trip, said the program has changed the way she approaches her lessons to incorporate more hands-on material. For Golden, it was all about seeing her students light bulb moments between learning in the classroom and their experiences on the beach.

Golden also noted that all of her students had told her how much they had enjoyed the experience, including seventh grader Gabby Irvin, who noted how different the experience was from the traditional classroom setting.

Just seeing it on a computer is one thing, but being upfront with it, and being able to feel it and see it is different, Gabby said.

Come spring, the students will return to the beach.

While the plans are not set in stone, they will likely be working on planting native plant species on the dunes as well as a public service announcement about the work they are doing.

After its completion, the program and curriculum will be evaluated and potentially be shared out with not only more RUSD schools, but schools around the nation, which Gabby hopes will be the case so more students can share the experience.

For the team at Sea Grant, their hope is to grow the next generation of leaders of the Great Lakes.

Were hoping that were creating the foundation for future leaders of the Great Lakes  the goal is that kids will take ownership for the place and that this project can continue to live on, Moser said. Thats our hope, and watching some of these kids today, I think hopefully well accomplish that.

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The Wisconn Valley Media Group, which consists of The (Racine) Journal Times, the Kenosha News and the Lake Geneva Regional News, has launched a new website for the Westchester Apartments in Kenosha.

The Westchester Apartments, 6109 73rd St., Kenosha, offer a comfortable, worry-free lifestyle where you can unwind, relax and enjoy more free time. Its website can be viewed at https://westchesterkenosha.com.

We wanted our new website to reflect the comfortable lifestyle our apartments and Kenosha have to offer, Property Manager Nicole Funk said. This new site does that in an appealing and informative format while highlighting our property and all that we offer.

The five-page site is mobile responsive, optimized for maximum exposure on search engines and designed to the clients specifications.

A business should view its website as its hardest-working employee, said Sarah Sukus, an advertising account executive with the group. A companys website is often the first impression a business will make on a potential customer.

The Wisconn Valley Media Group is part of Lee Enterprises, and it works closely with its digital agency, Amplified Digital.

Through Amplified Digital, the Wisconn Valley Media Group has built websites for other area businesses including Speedos Harborside in Lake Geneva, Total Furniture in Kenosha and Downtown Racine.

In addition to printing three publications in southeastern Wisconsin, the Wisconn Valley is the home to three of the most read websites in the region.

In October, the Kenosha News website had more than 600,000 unique visitors and more than 4.5 million page views.

In addition to building websites, the Wisconn Valley Media Group can help its clients reach their marketing goals through a variety of digital tactics, including paid per click advertising, social media management, targeted display advertising, connected television, Internet radio, targeted email, video production and much more.

In October, our team helped customers by serving more than 2.2 million targeted display impressions and we served more than 1.2 million paid social media impressions, Sukus said. These tactics drive real ROI for our customers.

To learn more about the Wisconn Valley Media group visit its website:

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TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD  A new driveway is getting closer to reality for Steve Roudebush.

The 200-yard stretch of narrow asphalt is pocked with potholes and less than a smooth ride to his familys farm, which shares space with Roudebushs machine shop.

The delay hasnt been about money, supplies or finding a contractor.

Instead, Roudebush, owner of SPEC Machine, is waiting until he finishes the longest and largest job in his companys history.

When the project finally leaves his shop on a 13-axle trailer, it will weigh about 180,000 pounds and likely do further damage to his already challenged driveway.

Thats why Roudebush is waiting, while at the same time putting in long hours to complete the $2 million restoration started in late 2013 of a historic steam engine for the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom.

Were coming to an end, Roudebush said last week as he stood near the front of the engine. Hopefully in a year or so, it will be done and out of here.

About 75% of the locomotive remains original but has undergone extensive restoration. The remaining 25% consists of new parts built to the exact specifications from when it was constructed in 1907 at American Locomotive Co.s Schenectady Works in New York.

The goal is to get the steam locomotive back on the tracks of the museum, which has 3.5 miles of rail winding through central Sauk County, eight miles west of Baraboo.

Museum officials and Roudebush thought the project would take about 14 months and be focused primarily on the locomotives running gear and boiler. But once they got into the project, it didnt take long to realize a full restoration and rebuild was necessary.

It took a St. Louis company two years just to build a new boiler, while Roudebush and his son, Tyler, have machined scores of new parts, including hundreds of bolts. The locomotive arrived in pieces, but to accommodate the project the shop was rearranged, a 14-foot-wide, 16-foot-high door to the shop was added and 80 feet of train track constructed. In 2017, an addition was put on to the west side of the shop to give the locomotive its own private space.

I dont think anyone had a true feeling of the scope and size of this project, said Jeff Huttenburg, who lives near the shop and has been involved with the museum for the past eight years. When we started out it was just to fix a few things here and there.

A brief history

The 1385 was a workhorse for the Chicago & North Western Railroad for nearly five decades but was retired in 1956.

Mid-Continent members in 1961 scraped together $2,600 to buy the locomotive, and from 1963 to 1998 it was used to pull cars on the museums tracks. In the mid-1980s, it pulled the Great Circus Train for three straight summers from Baraboo to Milwaukee and back, and in the 1990s made trips on the mainline to Brodhead, Mazomanie and Wausau before being taken out of service in 1998 for what they thought would be $125,000 in boiler repairs.

A closer inspection revealed the engine, which is on the state and national registers of historic places, needed much more work. The project was initially stalled by fundraising challenges, the recession and a flood at the museum in 2008 that caused extensive damage and closed the museum for the summer.

The Wagner Foundation, however, stepped in with an initial $250,000 matching grant and has continued to add more funds to the project, about 75% of which is funded by the foundation created by Bobbie Wagner and her now-late husband, Dick, founders of Wag-Aero, an aviation parts and delivery company.

The Wagner Foundation also helped fund the $677,000 reconstruction of a bridge over the Baraboo River that was severely damaged during the 2008 flood. That project has created longer runs for trains at the museum that specializes in railroad equipment from between 1885 and 1915.

In addition, the museum has just completed work on a 2,400-square-foot storage facility that will be used to hold excess parts from the 1385 and other locomotives and train cars.

Your opportunity to rebuild an engine like this is pretty unique, said Huttenburg, a retired attorney. But everybody up at the museum is just really interested in getting this thing back.

Then, a pandemic

When the boiler arrived in September 2019, the locomotive was rolled out of its quarters so a 100-ton crane could lift the boiler into place. That turned out to be the last large public event as COVID-19 hit six months later.

But despite the lockdowns, the progress on the locomotives restoration has been steady over the past two years and is now entering a more aggressive phase as Steve Roudebush said he is now dedicating more of his time to the project and putting some of his other jobs on the back burner.

The boiler has been fitted to the chassis and mounted to the saddles with custom bolts and fittings. It includes on the rear of the boiler steel plates that allow the boiler to slide up to three quarters of an inch as the boiler expands when it is heated. Rocker grates, used to dump ash and fire out of the fire box, were installed last week, while throttle valves, exhaust nozzles, pistons and air compressors are either finished or more than halfway toward completion.

Installing the ash pan is one of the next tasks on the never-ending list of tasks.

Theres nothing on this that we regret, Roudebush said. If we werent uncomfortable (with a job) we went back and resolved the issue. Thats how we do all of our work around here.

Grit and labor

When we arrived at the shop on Thursday morning, Roudebush was underneath the locomotive installing one of the last rocker grates, which need to be operational in heat that can reach up to 1,600 degrees. His son Tyler, 31, was in the firebox using a chain to help hoist the 140-pound grate into position. Tyler, a volunteer firefighter in Waunakee, had accessed the space by crawling through a 2-foot opening, normally used to pass coal or wood through.

Well train getting through tight spaces, Tyler said of his firefighting work. Its all about manipulating your body and learning how to move it the right way. Its amazing how small of a hole you can fit through.

For Steve Roudebush, the last year has been filled with milestones. He became a grandfather for the first time, built his wife a she shed, put the wraps early on a fall harvest of 220 acres of corn and soybeans, purchased a more than 100-year-old steam engine that needs restoration and in October for his 58th birthday, hunted and shot his first bull elk in the mountain terrain of southwestern Colorado.

His group started the hunt at 9,000 feet of elevation, and he found success just before dark. That meant working in the dark to skin and quarter the elk and pack it out on horses. They returned to their camp at 4 a.m. the next day. Roudebush called it the toughest thing hes ever done in his life, but was asked how it compared to his eight years of detailed work on the 1385.

Theyre both tough in different ways, Roudebush said. This (the 1385) is more emotionally challenging.

Barry Adams covers regional news for the Wisconsin State Journal. Send him ideas for On Wisconsin at 608-252-6148 or by email at badams@madison.com.

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1. Yes. Nonprofit youth organizations are underfunded in the city. Its a good decision.

2. Yes. In conjunction with city-run programs, it will provide needed opportunities.

3. No. The money should be used to benefit all residents, not just the citys youth.

4. No. The funds should be invested in the area where the project is being developed..

5. Unsure. Its hard to say whether its an appropriate use of the money.

Vote

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Killeen City Charter  What is it?

Often referred to as our local constitution, the Killeen City Charter turns 72 this year, almost four generations after its adoption in 1949.

The charter grants incorporating powers to the city of Killeen, allows its residents to call elections, and creates a framework for city government that has lasted almost a century.

Because of the nature of a citys charter, it remains a difficult thing to modify, requiring a majority of residents to agree to each individual amendment, which in turn requires a great deal of political willpower to educate and convince the public to pass charter amendments.
Now, his responsibilities at the Newman Center and as vocations director for the Diocese of Grand Island limit his entertaining opportunities to just four or five times a year.

It takes about 35 hours to prepare everything, with about eight of those hours spent cooking the day of the meal. It is a commitment, but so worth it, he said.

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His favorite part of the meal? Desserts, absolutely! he said. He makes several kinds of gelato. His favorite is a cafe latte gelato with a small piece of chocolate torte and a vanilla bean roasted pear.

He bakes desserts, too, including his own original artistic strawberry short cake, an angel food cake with butter cream frosting, strawberry gelato and a chocolate glaze.

Nudged to the priesthood

When Hock was young, his father, Bernard, told a friend that Hock was going to become a Catholic priest, but Hock dismissed his early nudges toward that calling. He didnt think he had the talent it required.

After graduating from McCook High School in 1996 and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2000, he became an accountant for a grain company that specialized in premium grain. He enjoyed the challenges of rising and falling prices, the diversity of the work and more.
Western Technical College student Gregory Tucker is not eager to ask for help.

Im a very prideful person, he said. I dont like asking for help because it is embarrassing.

Tucker comes to Western from Pensacola, Florida. He traveled to the region with what he thought was an insurance job. When the position fell through last year, Tucker decided to stay in the area while returning to college.

But on his own in a new city with full-time college filling his time, it was challenging to make ends meet. He works at Westerns Learning Commons in a work-study position, but he needed a little extra help. Thats when his boss got him connected to Westerns grant-funded basic needs resource navigator, Sawyer Kleeman.

Kleeman works with students from a variety of financial backgrounds. She sees both traditional and non-traditional students. She encounters students, parents, and grandparents of all backgrounds. They come to her via a referral system, where faculty and staff connect students to her when necessary. From there, Kleeman determines a students needs and what resources are available to help.

Food and health care remain a staple of the resources she can offer students. Many qualify for services such as Foodshare and Badgercare. For others, she works to find reimbursement for internet service. Theres even a resource that provides free legal advice. Despite this, Kleeman sees other issues with student success as well.

Transportation and housing are two key barriers for students, said Kleeman. Finding affordable housing is difficult in this market. Another issue is transportation; a lot of our students have trouble finding affordable transportation to class.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made issues worse. For months, several workers were laid off. Quarantine rules also kept students away from paychecks. Emergency funding, such as money for gas or food, only goes so far.

Understanding that resources are available, according to Kleeman, is the key to addressing help. Tucker fully admits that he knew very little about the resources available to him.

If they dont know about those resources, that is where the issue falls, Kleeman adds.

Tucker was uneasy about receiving help  often feeling like he didnt deserve the funding he was receiving. But after time, he realized how important the assistance became to his success. In the end, Tucker was able to get food support and funding to help cover bills.

A couple of times I thought about dropping out of the school, Tucker said. I can focus on school now, and I have better grades.

That holistic approach, Kleeman said, is often the difference in a students success.

Every single person has basic needs. We need to eat, sleep, have shelter and clothing, said Kleeman. We need these fundamental things to function, and then theres the additional pressure of being a student. If you dont have these basic needs met, you most likely wont be successful. You need these basic needs to get to the finish line.

To learn more about Westerns support services for students, visit https://www.westerntc.edu/counseling-and-case-management-services.

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For a young David Baldacci, author of more than 40 bestselling novels, the Richmond Public Library in Richmond, Virginia, was like an airport  it was a gateway to faraway locations.

In the 60s and 70s, Richmond was a very segregated society and the library was really my way to travel the world and meet lots of people I otherwise wouldnt have been exposed to, says Baldacci, 61. I got to see the world and I got to look at people who didnt look like me, dress like me, eat like me, pray like me, but we have this core level of humanity.

Baldacci continues his love and appreciation for public libraries with an upcoming appearance during the 20th annual fundraising event for the public libraries of Lancaster County at the Calvary Church in Lancaster on Nov. 18.

I think the reason Im a writer today is because I was a reader as a kid, Baldacci says. I liked opening up a book and diving into someone elses imagination. And there was this appeal of creating one of my own that other people could read too. I dont think that wouldve happened except for the fact that I was such a voracious reader as a kid.

Baldaccis highly anticipated appearance was originally scheduled for 2020 but was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

His upcoming appearance has generated a level of enthusiasm to the point where over 900 people, who paid for their tickets, have patiently waited since 2020 without requesting a refund, says Mary Ann Heltshe-Steinhauer, a representative of the Council of Friends of Lancaster County Public Libraries. Even during the major delays weve experienced in planning this fundraising event, the public support for our libraries has been remarkable.

Baldacci himself is a staunch supporter of libraries and literacy advocacy. When Baldacci began his writing career, he and his wife launched the Wish You Well Foundation to support adult and family literacy.

Baldaccis latest book Mercy comes out on Nov. 16. Mercy is the fourth and final book in the Atlee Pine series, which follows Pine as she searches for her twin sister Mercy, who was abducted at the age of 6.

The acclaimed thriller writer took some time to talk about his love of reading, libraries, his latest book Mercy and more during a phone interview.

What sort of books did you discover at the library as a kid?

I loved all sorts of books. Fantasy books were my favorite as a young child. Every kid loves imaginary stuff like that where animals can speak and do things with you and you can travel to places outside of the world. And I loved mysteries, too. I grew up with Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators, The Hardy Boys, Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. So it was really a well-rounded education for me outside of school. I would just go to the library and get a stack of books and read them all.

You and your wife started the Wish You Well Foundation to support adult and family literacy. How big of a problem is illiteracy in the United States?

It is very much a problem. Really 20% of Americans are functionally illiterate and probably another 20% dont read at a level they should be reading at. There is a complete connection between illiteracy and poverty. People who have low literacy skills oftentimes cant be self-sustaining and they live at low socio-economic levels.

And its dangerous for our democracy. Ive been quoted often as saying the way a democracy really works is that you have a citizenry thats well-read and can make informed decisions at the voting booth, and if you dont have that, then democracy doesnt work.

When I first started on my writing career, I went to a lot of events that were sponsored by libraries and literacy groups, so I got a crash course over the years in those fundamental problems, and my wife and I decided to create the Wish You Well Foundation to combat that problem. We fund literacy organizations across the country in pretty much all 50 states.

Obviously you want people to check out your books from the library, but what other books would you recommend?

I read one called Caste by Isabel Wilkinson about the caste systems around the world but also the United States. I have a really good friend, Bob Crais who writes the Elvis Cole series  hes a detective set in Los Angeles. Theyre just terrific. Theres a couple of British mystery authors  one is Ruth Ware. She writes books like The Woman in Cabin 10. Im a big Jon Meacham fan. I think he has a new book out. I havent read it yet, but I read all his stuff.

What can you tell people about your latest book, Mercy?

I know that people have been following the series. Theyve been patient and I appreciate that. This is the fourth book of the series. The first book was titled Long Road to Mercy, and I was being quite literal. So everything has been building up in these past three books. And all the things that Atlee Pine and her sister have been finding out all come to a head. Everything is resolved and culminated in this novel. I think people will be surprised. There were two different ways I could have approached this novel and the way that I did it, I think was the right way and it gives the most punch and gratification to the reader.

Is there any writing project youve always wanted to do but havent tried yet?

I certainly love to read nonfiction and a lot of my books require a lot of research  in some ways theyre sort of fiction and nonfiction, but maybe a nonfiction book might be a goal to do. Just take on a subject, do the research and then present it to readers with my take on it. That would be interesting.

If you were going to write a nonfiction book today what would be the subject?

With all due deference to the previous writer, I would probably do sort of a nonfiction account of 1984.
Falling COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the county are a sign the pandemics delta surge is gradually easing, according to three epidemiologists who spoke with LNP | LancasterOnline, but numbers could rise again during the winter as people move indoors and vaccine immunity wanes.

Vaccinating children and ensuring fully vaccinated people receive boosters could play a significant role in helping to curtail the pandemic, the experts said, though they cautioned that COVID-19 might never be fully eradicated and will likely become more mild and seasonal like the flu in the future.

Whats happening with cases, hospitalizations and deaths?

COVID-19 cases in Lancaster County recently fell for four straight weeks, totaling 1,118 from Oct. 31 through Nov. 6. Though that number is far higher than when daily cases were running in the single digits during the summer, it was a welcome 33.2% decrease from early October, when weekly cases reached 1,675, which was the highest theyd been since early February. With 805 new cases in the first five days of this past week, there were signs the decline might be leveling off.

Similar trends have been recorded statewide and nationally. Pennsylvanias seven-day average of cases hit a fall peak of 5,149 on Oct. 8 and fell below 4,000 toward the end of the month before rising again to 4,523 as of Thursday. Likewise, COVID-19 cases nationwide recently saw a slight bump but remained well below mid-September levels when the delta variant was surging.

County hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have also declined, reaching their lowest weekly average since early September. Some 79 people in the county were hospitalized as of Friday, a decrease from when hospitalizations reached 122 in early October.

Youre going to see some regional variability, but I think these are all signs that hopefully, were soon to come out of this delta surge, said Dr. Eugene Curley, an infectious disease physician with WellSpan Health in York.

The experts cautioned, however, its likely that smaller increases in cases, hospitalizations and deaths will occur as the weather gets colder.

Anytime were entering a winter season where people will be gathering indoors, especially over the holidays, we could see some bumps in the cases and hospitalizations that follow those gatherings, and those could persist throughout the winter, said Dr. Joseph Kontra, the chief of infectious diseases at Lancaster General Hospital, the countys largest hospital.

Unvaccinated patients continue to comprise the vast majority of those hospitalized with COVID-19, making up about 74% of the 50 COVID-19 patients at LGH and all nine of the hospitals patients on ventilators, according to hospital data.

As of Nov. 5, some 62.6% of county residents 10 or older had at least one dose of a vaccine, while 58.2% were fully vaccinated, according to the state Department of Health.

COVID-19 deaths remain at a relatively high level due to the fact that changes in the pace of deaths usually lag behind changes in cases and hospitalizations. The county has been averaging about two deaths per day so far in November, down slightly from October but still well above the level of the summer, when the the monthly death toll fell to only six in July.

Whats the data on vaccines?

Though small compared to the major rollout of vaccines in the spring, the pace of people becoming partially vaccinated has grown recently, moving from about 1,500 the week of Oct. 17 to Oct. 23 to just over 2,000 the next week and nearly 3,000 the week of Oct. 31 to Nov. 6.

A possible explanation could be an increase in employers mandating vaccines for their workers, hence why more are getting their first shots. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 last week, and kids in Lancaster County began receiving jabs on Nov. 3. But the numbers remain too low to make any definitive conclusions.

The number of new people becoming fully vaccinated remains low, with just 1,284 receiving their full doses the week of Oct. 31 to Nov. 6.

The pace of full vaccinations slowed tremendously just as daily cases began to rebound after hitting the single digits mid-summer. Of the countys nearly 278,000 fully vaccinated people, 88.5% of them got their shots before July 8, the day when the countys seven-day case average began to rise after hitting a pandemic-low the day before, and the county has added fewer than 32,000 new full vaccinations since.

Will boosters make a difference?

The number of people getting their COVID-19 boosters has increased each week as the CDC continues to expand eligibility for additional shots.

As of now, people who initially received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines and who are 65 years or older, adults who live or work in high-risk settings and adults who have underlying medical conditions can get a booster at least six months after their initial series.

Those 18 or older who initially received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can get a booster at least two months after their initial shot. People who are eligible can choose any of the three vaccines to receive as their booster. The Food and Drug Administration may authorize the Pfizer-BioNTech booster for all American adults before Thanksgiving, according to the New York Times.

Since vaccine immunity wanes over time, particularly after six months, the course of the pandemic will depend in part on how many people choose to get their boosters and when.

We're always going to be dealing with some individuals who are coming out of their main phase of protection, others who are going in because they've been vaccinated or infected, Kontra said. It's a complex epidemiology for sure.

Boosters will be most helpful to populations vulnerable to COVID-19, especially those over 65, said Dr. John Goldman, an infectious disease specialist at UPMC in Harrisburg. The increased protection from additional shots will protect older people from getting breakthrough infections and prevent more young people from spreading COVID-19 to older people in their families, he added.

Whats the effect of giving the vaccine to children?

COVID-19 spreads more easily through children via often asymptomatic, silent cases that infect older adults they interact with, Curley said. As of Nov. 4, children comprised around 17% of all COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, but among states reporting nationwide, no more than 2% of infected children ended up in the hospital.

While the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been available for 12- to 15-year olds since May, the CDC didnt authorize the vaccine for 5 to 11 year olds until Nov. 2 after data showed vaccination was nearly 91 percent effective in preventing infection in that age group.

Getting as many school-aged children vaccinated as possible could have a significant impact on curtailing the pandemic, Curley added.

I think that will be huge, Kontra said. I think its going to be a big step towards putting this epidemic to rest.

Is it safe to get together on Thanksgiving?

All three experts recommended getting vaccinated before gathering for the holidays. Though vaccinated people face the possibility of getting a breakthrough infection, especially if they are part of high-risk populations, vaccines are still effective at preventing severe disease and death.

Theres no better protection, Goldman said. Everyone at your table should be vaccinated.

Vaccination remains the best defense against the most consequential effects of COVID-19, Kontra said.

People who are coming to dinner I personally would ask them if they're vaccinated, and I think you need to sort through your guest list accordingly, he added.

Its OK to keep masks off when gathering with members of ones household, Curley said, but in indoor settings with larger groups, people should be wearing masks.

Whats the future of the pandemic?

Each epidemiologist said that while COVID-19 will likely never be fully eradicated, the virus impact will eventually decrease to the point where it becomes endemic or seasonal, similar to the flu.

The most likely scenario is that COVID-19 becomes a wintertime virus, Kontra said. The hope is to develop a vaccine strong enough to provide protection so that people dont need one every year or more than once a year, he added.

Through a combination of natural immunity and vaccination, hospitalizations and deaths will hopefully begin to dwindle as the severity of the virus wanes, Goldman said.

What I really do think is going to happen is that with natural immunity and infection, its going to turn into a much more mild disease, he added.

Though, the experts cautioned, it is difficult to predict if and when COVID-19 will make this shift.

I left my crystal ball at home today, Goldman said.
Researchers previously believed patients with "Long COVID" were uncommon.

Emerging research, though, shows this may no longer be the case. The prevalence of Long COVID among COVID-19 survivors could be from one-third up to half.

The phenomenon has been called Long COVID, or post-COVID. Sufferers have been dubbed long haulers.

In a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study released in September, researchers found 1 in 3 COVID-19 patients will have at least one COVID-19 symptom two months after their initial diagnosis.

A University of Oxford study found a similar percentage of long haulers.

But a Penn State study released last month found as many as half of COVID-19 survivors experienced symptoms six months after testing positive for the novel coronavirus.

The risk of severe COVID-19, if youre vaccinated, is almost zero, said Dr. Paddy Ssentongo, a physician-scientist and professor at the Penn State Center for Neural Engineering. Ssentongo is also one of the studys authors.

Ssentongo added, Even if you have a breakthrough, your risk of getting Long Covid is reduced by half, if youre vaccinated.

The increased prevalence of Long COVID could amount to the number of symptoms researchers examined.

These long-term PASC (post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 infection) effects occur on a scale that could overwhelm existing health care capacity, particularly in low- and middle- income countries, a Penn State researcher wrote.

Symptoms can range from breathing difficulties, cognitive and memory issues, and heart problems, among others.

In the Oxford study, researchers probed only nine different Long COVID symptoms, while Penn State investigators assessed many more.

It is important to note that the medical community has not yet reached a consensus on what constitutes Long Covid.

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health hope to study the long-term symptoms of the virus with the $1.15 billion Congress approved in December as part of a nearly $900 billion COVID-19 relief package.

We do not know yet the magnitude of the problem, but given the number of individuals of all ages who have been or will be infected with SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the public health impact could be profound, NIH Director Dr. Francis S. Collins said in a February statement announcing the initiative.

Because of the long-standing health inequities among people of color that the pandemic has exacerbated, Ssentongo fears what this could mean for COVID-19 survivors who struggle with lingering symptoms.

For me what Im really worried about is the disparities that are going to arise in the treatment of Long Covid in the country, Ssentongo said.
Danay Hershey is ready to buy her own house. But not near Paradise Township.

Thats because of the train whistles, she said.

Hershey, 29, and her father Dan, 58, said theyve lived within earshot of Strasburg Rail Road all their lives and it was merely background noise until this year. The train whistles, however, now seem louder and higher-pitched, harsher to the ear, they said.

The familys home  located 2 miles from Strasburg Rail Road -- is near several road crossings, where train operators have to sound a warning for motorists. One of the crossings is at the top of their street.

The Hersheys said the whistles now start earlier in the day, sometimes before 7 a.m., and continue well into the evening.

"Theyre doing it more than they need to, Dan Hershey said.

Recently, Danay Hershey said she heard sounds and said she thought it was the dog in the house, like Why does she keep howling? She realized it was another passing train, she said.

Founded in 1832, Strasburg Rail Road prides itself as the oldest continuously operating railroad in the country. It transitioned into a tourist destination in 1958, according to its website. In recent years its hosted some 300,000 visitors a year, according to newspaper archives.

Dennis Groff, vice chairman of the Paradise Township board of supervisors, said a call from Dan Hershey is the only complaint hes aware of that the township has fielded about the train whistles.

Residents largely support the railroad and have gotten used to the sounds, Groff said. Though he acknowledged he noticed a new, unique whistle from trains starting this year.

It does kind of jump out at you because it is different, you notice it a little bit more, but it hasnt bothered him or his wife, Groff said. He could see why it may annoy other people though, he said.

Groff described the new whistle he noticed as a lower pitch, yet shrill. The Hersheys said part of the nuisance of the recent whistles comes from harsher, higher pitches.

A calling card

Lancaster Watchdog spoke to Brendan Zeigler, vice president and chief mechanical officer at Strasburg Rail Road, about the Hersheys complaints.

The only out-of-the-ordinary item at the railroad in recent months was the arrival of the Norfolk & Western Class J 611, a steam engine train from 1950 that carried passenger cars in its heyday, Zeigler said.

Its the only remaining locomotive of its class, and it drew a lot of visitors to the Strasburg Rail Road this year, Zeigler said.

But the 611 doesnt necessarily correspond with the complaints the from the Hersheys.

For one, the 611 has been in the shop for maintenance since October. The Hersheys said the loud whistles havent stopped.

The 611s whistle also has a low, three-note chord, Zeigler said. Its not high-pitched.

In addition, Zeigler said one train doesnt necessarily correspond to one whistle.

Operators at the Strasburg Rail Road periodically change the whistles on trains somewhat arbitrarily, Zeigler said. Sometimes its by request from train enthusiasts, who want to hear a specific whistle. Some enthusiasts prearrange to bring their own prized whistle so the operators can put it in action.

We try to mix things up, we have a lot of repeat customers, Zeigler said. That gives them something new to look forward to, a different sound. Sometimes we do it for the enjoyment of our own staff.

The sound of the whistle plays a role in what attracts people to old trains, Zeigler said.

At the height of rail travel in the early 20th century, whistles were often a calling card for trains, according to Zeigler. The Pennsylvania Railroad, for example, had its own whistles made for both freight and passenger trains, so track workers would know ahead of time how to manually switch the tracks for them, he said.

Part of the experience were trying to provide for our customers and our fans is an old, nostalgic railroading experience, and the sound of the whistle is a huge part of that.

So much so that over the summer the Strasburg Rail Road gave hardcore train fans the chance to blow the whistle on the 611, before it went offline in October, Zeigler said. But all of those sessions took place between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., he said.

Zeigler also said traffic on the railroad, including freight trains that serve the areas agricultural sector, had not changed recently to explain whistles later in the evening or earlier in the morning.

Our operation over the last 10 years has not changed in any significant fashion, Zeigler said.

The diesel-powered freight trains usually use more modern air horns that sound like a horn on a tractor-trailer, Zeigler said.

Federal Railroad Administration

Groff told Lancaster Watchdog he doesnt believe there are any local noise ordinances that could apply to trains.

But there are federal regulations for train whistles.

The Federal Railroad Administration set nationwide rules in 2005 for the countrys train and railroad operators regarding horns and whistles at road crossings.

According to those regulations, train operators must blow a whistle or horn at each road crossing they pass through.

For safety purposes, train operators must sound their whistles or horns 15 to 20 seconds before the trains arrival at a crossing, and no more than a quarter-mile away before the crossing.

Operators have to sound their whistles at a certain loudness as well: a minimum of 96 decibels and a maximum of 110 decibels.

According to a chart from Yale Universitys website, 110 decibels is the equivalent loudness of a chain saw from 3 feet away.

But the 2005 regulations also established quiet zones, enabling local authorities to request a ban of routine whistles at particular road crossings. The FRA approves them based on the safety risk.

The new rules also allow a replacement system for train whistles, called an automated wayside horn. It produces a typical air horn sound at the road crossing itself, in addition to flashing lights and gates that close off-road traffic.

To apply for a quiet zone, a local authority must be responsible for traffic control or law enforcement at the crossing, according to the regulations.

The use of quiet zones varies widely by state. Pennsylvania only has three, according to an FRA list: one in York, one in Williamsport and another in Bucks County. Illinois, which has a similar population size, has 79.

I think a majority of people just love the train because of the history of it and having grown up around it, Groff said of township residents. Its a point of pride.

But the Hersheys said neighbors and other residents are frustrated too. Danay Hershey reached out to the railroad in September and got a polite response and an assurance the annoyances would subside once the 611 stopped touring.

She said shed like to try talking to them again and explore how government authorities could potentially help as well.

Notice problems?

Email the Lancaster Watchdog at watchdog@lnpnews.com, or go to LancasterOnline.com/watchdog and tell us about it.
When: Terre Hill Borough Council meeting, Nov. 9.

What happened: Secretary/Treasurer Valerie Gregory reported criminal mischief at the Terre Hill Community Memorial Park. The October and November incidents involved a recycle bin being burned and melted to the concrete; toilet paper removed from a restroom, rolled out and burned in the parking lot; a soap dispenser in a restroom broken, spilling soap all over the floor; a pillar light with glass panels broken; smashed pumpkins; big rocks thrown and denting a large storage container. A video surveillance camera captured some of the vandalism and both teenage perpetrators have been identified.

Quotable: Weve been fortunate to have had relatively little vandalism over the years. But, in this case, if we dont take action, it will continue, Mayor Bob Rissler said.

Whats next: Council authorized Pennsylvania State Police, which patrols the borough, to file charges with a notice of no trespass for two years along with restitution for vandalism at the park on Oct. 22 and 23 and Nov. 4.

Discontinued computer service: Hydrosoft Computers Inc. of Leola told the borough it would no longer provide web and mail services through Netlinx Internet after Dec. 1. This affects the boroughs domain and web hosting plus email. Council approved SL Technology LLC of New Holland to transfer the web domain registration and web hosting to GoDaddy.com at a cost of $200 yearly plus labor; and set up Microsoft 365 Business Standard for four computers with email service at a cost of $12.50 per month per user, plus labor.
When: School District of Lancaster board meeting, Nov. 9.

What happened: Unvaccinated employees will begin weekly COVID-19 testing Nov. 29, after the board chose a partnership between Career Match Solutions and Kodiak Testing to administer antigen nose swabs. Florida-based Career Match will open a Lancaster office and hire locally, district spokesman Adam Aurand said after the meeting.

More info: Board members selected the partnership from 14 other applicants. The contract calls for up to $500,000 in testing, and the money will come from pandemic funds. Workers may choose from at least four district sites for their tests. About 200-300 employees remain unvaccinated from the districts 1,600-member workforce, Aurand said.

Background: The school board voted unanimously Sept. 21 to require weekly COVID-19 tests after members discussed a need to keep students and workers safe. Some 17 employees have resigned their positions since the announcement, Aurand said. The district never asks workers for resignation reasons, and Aurand noted that the district has seen similar departure numbers during the same time period for the last several years. In addition, the district has hired 33 employees.

Future ready centers: Plans to turn two libraries at J.P. McCaskey and McCaskey East into glassed-in open spaces called future ready centers hit a snag when a few board members asked where the books and the teaching of library skills would go. The centers, partially funded by a donation, would allow students to meet with counselors, community members and each other to prepare for college and careers.

Quotable: Im not saying our students dont deserve a future ready center, board member David Parry said. But Im not sure we need two at the cost of cannibalizing libraries, when you think of what a library does.

Background: An anonymous graduate has offered $1.5 million to help pay for the libraries renovation, which would also need about $1.5 million from the school district.

Coming up: McCaskey Principal Justin Reese said he will meet with teachers, librarians and students about what kind of structure would best fill those spaces.

Small Learning Communities to end: McCaskey will move away from its small learning communities to align with the districts goal of encouraging more students to take advanced classes, which will be offered in each of three new learning pathways.

More info: Student and parents also will be able to click on a course online and be transferred to the schools registration software and allowed to register. Also, the online course guide may be translated into any language spoken in the district.

Next: The next school board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16. The public can view meetings and register to comment on the district website.
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP)  A newly founded anti-corruption party held a narrow lead in the preliminary vote count from Bulgarias parliamentary elections Sunday.

A parallel count conducted by Gallup International gave the centrist We Continue the Change party 26.3% of the votes, leading the center-right opposition GERB party of former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov by just over three percentage points.

Founded only few weeks ago by two Harvard graduates, Kiril Petkov and Asen Vasilev, the party quickly won support due to their resolute anti-graft actions and pledges to bring transparency, zero tolerance for corruption and reforms to key sectors in the European Union's poorest member.

We will be the number one political force, Petkov told reporters after initial results were released. We will have a majority of 121 MPs in the 240-seat parliament and Bulgaria will have a regular coalition Cabinet.

It could be days before the final official results are announced. If they confirm the initial counts, Petkov would be handed a mandate to form a new government.

Petkov said his party was open to coalition talks with all the parties that were part of last years protests against Boyko Borissovs government. Investigations by the current caretaker government showed alleged corruption cases.

Now is the time to show that Bulgaria has embarked on the road of change and there is no turning back, said Petkov.

After Bulgaria held inconclusive general elections in April and July, many hoped this third attempt to elect 240 lawmakers would result in a government that can lead the country out of its health and economic crises.

Five other parties appeared headed to winning spots in the 240-seat chamber, according to the exit poll. They include the ethnic Turkish MRF party with 11.4%, the Socialist Party with 10.4% support, the anti-elite There is Such a People party with 9.3%, the liberal anti-corruption group Democratic Bulgaria with 6.4%, and the nationalist Revival party with 5%.

The vote Sunday for a new parliament and a new president came amid a surge of coronavirus infections. The Balkan country is the least vaccinated in the EU, with less than one-third of its adults fully vaccinated. Bulgaria reported 334 COVID-related deaths last week in a single day, a pandemic record.

The Gallup International exit poll also suggested that President Rumen Radev has a commanding lead in his quest for a second five-year term but will still have to face runner-up Anastas Gerdzhikov in a Nov. 21 runoff as voter turnout remained below the needed 50%.

Radev, a vocal critic of Borissov, said Sunday that he voted for freedom, legality, and justice.

These are the values I stand for, he said after casting his ballot. The stakes are huge and will determine whether the process of consolidating statehood will continue or those acting from behind the scenes will regain institutional power.

Some 6.7 million people were eligible to vote. The Central Election Commission said preliminary voter turnout was nearly 40%, lower than in previous elections.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Kuwait's emir issued a long-awaited amnesty decree, pardoning and reducing the sentences of nearly three dozen Kuwaiti dissidents in a move aimed at defusing a major government standoff.

The royal decree, published late Saturday in Kuwait's official gazette, said Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah had cut the sentences of 11 politicians who had landed in prison for storming the country's parliament amid the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, as well as pardoning and softening the sentences of 24 others.

As pro-democracy protests swept the region in 2011, scores of prominent Kuwaiti opposition figures and lawmakers forced their way into Kuwait's parliament building, calling for the removal of the prime minister, whom they accused of corruption. The country's highest court sentenced several Islamist lawmakers to years in prison, including Musallam al-Barrack, a major opposition leader who had also served a two-year sentence on separate charges. Al-Barrack and other dissidents pardoned Saturday had been living in self-exile in Turkey for years.

Also pardoned were members of a group known as the al-Abdali cell, whose arrests for links to Shiite powerhouse Iran touched on sensitive sectarian issues in Kuwait, a Sunni-majority country that has previously faced suicide bombings and other attacks. Authorities launched a wide-ranging crackdown against suspected Islamic extremists and dismantled the al-Abdali group in 2015.

Photos shared on Kuwaiti social media on Sunday showed families of the inmates crowded outside the country's Central Prison, embracing and weeping their pardoned relatives dressed in white garb.

The amnesty marks a breakthrough in a long-simmering standoff between the emir-appointed government and the parliament, the most empowered legislative body among the desert sheikhdoms of the Persian Gulf. The parliament can introduce laws and question ministers, though the countrys emir retains ultimate authority and ruling family members hold senior posts.

Tensions between opposition lawmakers and state officials have reached a fever pitch, blocking efforts to initiate economic reforms and pass a debt law that would relieve badly strained state finances. The government resigned last week for the second time this year, a move that analysts said could lay the groundwork for new appointments amid the emir's much-anticipated amnesty.

Sheikh Nawaf on Sunday formally accepted the government's resignation, the state-run KUNA agency reported.
Democracy is in peril when politicians sacrifice truth on the altar of power.

In a 1983 Washington Post op-ed, U.S. Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan wrote: There is a center in American politics. It can govern.  First, get your facts straight. Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts. Second, decide to live with the facts. Third, resolve to surmount them. Because, fourth, what is at stake is our capacity to govern.

The Jan. 6 insurrection occurred because partisans on one side refused to accept that their candidate lost a fair election. They even refused to accept the results in at least two states (Georgia and Arizona) where Republican election officials bravely stood up under intense pressure to vouch for the election results in favor of Joe Biden.

Senior federal Judge Reggie Walton spoke bluntly when, on Oct. 22, he sentenced Lori Vinson and her husband, Thomas Vinson, for their roles in the Jan. 6 insurrection: It does threaten the future of our democracy, Walton said. Democracies die  when the citizens rise up against their government and engage in the type of conduct that happened on Jan. 6.

Judge Walton further commented that those defending their role in the insurrection are fueling threats against judges from people who falsely believe the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump.

After a 22-day road trip through 13 different states across the United States in September, this political moderate wonders whether a center in American politics still exists. Vastly different narratives shape and exacerbate our political tribalism.

Fault lines

Talk radio has flourished since I moved from Iowa in 1989  I first heard Rush Limbaugh when I returned to Dubuque on a visit from Germany in 1992.

Conservative talk radio thrives in the heartland today, and its messaging is not nuanced. Radical Democrats want to take patriotic Americans guns, defund police, put government in charge of everything and allow the murder of unborn babies. In the world of conservative talk radio, Democrats are not just mistaken, they are morally bankrupt.

Family and friends reveal political fault lines over trusted sources of information. One conservative family member acknowledged that he does not read, watch or listen to mainstream media. Fox News and radio talk show hosts serve as news sources and talking points for conservative family members and friends. In contrast, friends on the other side of the political spectrum expressed a much higher level of trust in mainstream media sources.

Conservatives openly express their contempt for mainstream media in social media posts and comments. Labels such as MSM or Fake News are used to attack the credibility of stories or facts reported by traditional journalistic sources when reported facts contradict a conservative narrative.

My college journalism professors stressed that the role of a good journalist is to pursue facts, check sources, put aside biases and find the truth. Art Cullen, the Pulitzer Prize-winning editor of Iowas Storm Lake Times, put it this way to his son: We strive for accuracy. When you spot your mistake in the paper, it should make you want to retch. Really.

The journalists whom I have known take very seriously the charge to pursue accuracy and truth.

Science vs. political agendas

The purpose of science is like that of journalism  to pursue knowledge and find answers to questions and truth. Unfortunately, politicians have taken aim at scientists, particularly in the areas of the environment and public health.

Climate change is real. Temperature data, melting permafrost and glaciers, and rising sea levels are overwhelming evidence, no matter how many snowballs U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., may bring into the rotunda of the Capitol during a freak Washington, D.C., snowstorm.

Medical scientists warned us how COVID-19 was transmitted, and they recommended reasonable measures to limit its spread. Republican messaging (anti-mask and vaccine skepticism) countered their advice. Tragically, too many people have gotten severely ill and died because politicians exploited resentment against medical experts and pushed their own narratives. Republican lawmakers and governors have asserted a distorted and inflated sense of personal liberty over responsibility to protect others.

As a former Republican, I have found this very disappointing.

Republican defiance

After the 2020 election, Republican legislatures rushed to pass voting legislation in response to unsubstantiated claims of fraud. These state actions are premised on a lie  that substantial voter fraud resulted in the election of President Biden. At least two states, Texas and Arizona, would allow legislatures to overturn the will of the voters.

The federal Freedom to Vote Act is a response to state attempts to suppress voting.

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia thought that he could convince 10 reasonable Republican U.S. senators to allow debate on the floor of the U.S. Senate. He was mistaken. Only a single Republican senator  Lisa Murkowski of Alaska  was even willing to allow debate on a related measure, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Republican governors and legislatures have defied the federal government over vaccine and mask mandates, even when these measures have proven to reduce infections, hospitalizations and deaths. Consequently, unvaccinated red-state residents and anti-mask radio show hosts have been disproportionately infected, hospitalized and have died during the latest wave caused by the delta variant.

During the 1972 presidential campaign, an Iowa farmer commented about politics: Its all about power. Blocking routine appointments to the State Department and other agencies, creating a potential financial crisis through refusals to increase the debt ceiling, and placing blame on the current administration for the consequences of past policies and congressional and state obstruction reflect a will to acquire power over responsible governance and a commitment to democracy.

U.S. democracy was attacked Jan. 6. It continues to be threatened by lies. Tucker Carlson and Fox News continue to promote the discredited false-flag narrative, initially suggested by Republican politicians. U.S. House Republicans and members of the former Trump administration have gone to great lengths to prevent the House select committee investigating Jan. 6 from finding the facts. Attempts to block the investigation and withhold evidence reveal that they want to conceal the truth.

Whats at stake

Politicians have not always put party over country.

During the Watergate investigation in 1973, the late U.S. Sen. Howard Baker, R-Tenn., famously asked, What did the President know, and when did he know it? This inquiry eventually led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.

Republican U.S. Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois are following Bakers example by pursuing the facts of the insurrection as members of the Jan. 6 committee. Unfortunately, they are the exceptions within the Republican Party today. They have also been ostracized by their party leadership.

We must hold ourselves and politicians accountable for seeking and speaking the truth in finding solutions to the real problems facing our country. Democracy is in peril if we allow politicians to successfully exploit group identity through lies, misinformation and appeals to anger, grievance and hatred. Our democracy and capacity for self-government are at stake.

Gregory Hand, a Manheim Township resident, is a retired U.S. Army civilian attorney (1989 to 2017). He served as an Army judge advocate in Germany and as a local prosecutor in Dubuque, Iowa, from 1980 to 1989.
THE ISSUE

In the Oct. 31 Sunday LNP, journalists Carter Walker and Russ Walker reported on an August 2020 rally that announced the creation of a white nationalist group called the National Justice Party. The rally was held in a historic barn on Millersville Pike, just outside Lancaster city. The barn is owned by Holocaust denier and Jan. 6 insurrectionist Charles Bausman, whos hiding from U.S. authorities in Russia because, having illegally entered the U.S. Capitol during the insurrection, he fears arrest. The rally was led by Mike Peinovich and other notorious white supremacists, at least one of whom still was living on Bausmans farm last month. In last weeks Sunday LNP, Rabbi Jack Paskoff of Lancasters Congregation Shaarai Shomayim and Dr. Christian Macedonia, a retired U.S. Army colonel and physician practicing in Lancaster County, called on county residents and leaders to denounce the white nationalists.

The details reported by LNP | LancasterOnline were chilling: A group of white nationalists formed a new political party aiming to defend the white race, uphold a white majority forever and vilify Jews, people of color and immigrants.

These dangerous bigots play footsie with one of historys monsters  Adolf Hitler  while nursing their grievances and blaming our increasingly diverse nation for their failures.

Their gathering in Charles Bausmans Lancaster Township barn was held beneath the radar of law enforcement and township officials. But we all know about it now, thanks to LNP | LancasterOnlines investigative reporting.

The vile hate speech of Bausman and the white nationalists who gathered on his farm was not your run-of-the-mill antisemitism, Rabbi Paskoff noted in his column last Sunday. The tone of this white nationalist meeting was different. It proclaimed that we are a virus, we are oppressors, that our presence in certain professions should be legally limited. This is nothing short of Nazi ideology. This is another level of antisemitism entirely.

So where, we must ask, is the public outcry? Where are our elected officials, who should be eager to denounce this appalling hatred? Why the silence from U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, from Pennsylvania House Speaker Bryan Cutler, from state Sens. Ryan Aument and Scott Martin and other members of Lancaster Countys delegation to Harrisburg? From the Lancaster County commissioners? From Lancaster city Mayor Danene Sorace and Gov. Tom Wolf?

It is not enough to be quietly opposed to white nationalism and antisemitism when youre an elected official. It is not enough to have condemned such hatred in the past. Your position demands that you express your opposition publicly, every time it rears its ugly head.

Because if you dont, the hatemongers will interpret your reticence as acceptance.

What do we stand for?

A few days before LNP | LancasterOnlines investigative report was published, Jews just had marked the anniversary of the 2018 antisemitic murders at Pittsburghs Tree of Life synagogue. And last week they marked the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, the violent anti-Jewish pogroms in 1938 in Nazi Germany and elsewhere that presaged the Holocaust.

Those events are not mere historic tragedies; they are cautionary tales about what can happen when antisemitism and white supremacy go unanswered. The news of the white nationalist gathering in Lancaster Township was new evidence of hatred playing out in our midst. It demanded fresh and vigorous responses from this countys civic, political and religious leaders.

As Paskoff wrote last Sunday, It is long past time for the people of Lancaster County to stand up and publicly say what we are willing to tolerate. ... Lancaster County residents: What are you willing to allow in our community? What are the values that we stand for? What must we vocally and forcefully reject?

And, as Dr. Christian Macedonia wrote, Silence, in the face of wickedness, is cowardice.

Macedonia knows something about courage. He spent more than 30 years wearing a U.S. Army uniform. He saw combat in the second Battle of Fallujah in Iraq in 2004. And, as a physician, he commanded the U.S. Department of Defenses Gray Team, insisting that the military treat traumatic brain injury as seriously as other bodily wounds.

We all know people giving aid to this hateful ideology, even if that aid comes in the form of silence, Macedonia wrote last week. The willingness of so many good people to let wrongs go unanswered  either out of fear or because there is some type of tacit approval or sympathy for the cause  is disheartening. Why did our civic leaders only voice opposition to this when pointedly asked by LNP | LancasterOnline reporters? Why arent our leaders lining up to denounce these hatemongers?

Macedonia wrote that if city and county leaders and federal representatives really want to honor the service of veterans, they should show some backbone. ... Take up the whole armor and stand firm.

In terms of morality, speaking out is emphatically the right thing to do. In stark political terms, it is a gimme. Find the nearest microphone; write a letter to the editor; compose a post for social media  even have your spokesperson do it. But go on the record to express your disgust over the fact that white nationalists think Lancaster County is a safe place for them to gather.

In his column, Paskoff urged us to consider why they saw our county as fertile ground for their hatred. Can it be because far-right rhetoric regarding race and LGBTQ concerns is part of the soundtrack of local school board meetings? he asked. What about the ignorance of anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers who have the gall to compare their plight to Jews being forced by the Nazis to wear yellow stars? Perhaps its because parts of Lancaster County are willing to elect Stop the Steal protesters to our school boards.

These are questions we ought to consider.

A moral and social imperative

We are grateful that some readers have written letters to the editor on this subject; were publishing some of their powerful letters today.

One is from Dennis B. Downey, a Millersville University professor emeritus of history, who knows from his decades of study where the poison of racism and antisemitism can lead.

Downey wrote that he shares with Rabbi Paskoff the belief that there is a moral and social imperative to oppose gatherings like the recent clandestine convention at the historic barn in Lancaster Township owned by Charles Bausman.

The Rev. Bob Ierien, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lancaster, wrote to address Bausmans assertion to LNP | LancasterOnline that he is fundamentally motivated by his Christianity.

To be perfectly clear, it is impossible to be both Christian-centered and antisemitic, Ierien wrote, noting that Jesus was a Jew.

He explained that the founder of my own tradition, Martin Luther, was a rabid antisemite whose writings against the Jewish people have been used to do enormous damage. That is why we must speak out now, in clear and unequivocal terms, with the message that hate has no place in our community or in our churches.

Ierien concluded: I call upon the churches, clergy and Christians of Lancaster County, and especially the Lutherans, to join with me in standing beside our Jewish siblings and affirming with one loud and clear voice: Hate has no place here.

Last week, members of the Lancaster Theological Seminary faculty posted a statement on the seminarys Facebook page opposing Bausman and those who share his anti-Jewish hate-filled ideology.

Anti-Jewish propaganda that denies the Holocaust and casts Jews as the enemies of Christianity are long-standing and dangerous lies, rejected by the majority of Christian faith traditions  Roman Catholic and Protestant, the statement declares.

The faculty members wrote that they stand in solidarity with the Jewish community of Lancaster and throughout the world. We reject any definition of Christianity that aligns our faith with hatred, racism, and nationalism. The vicious and vile tenets of the Bausman group are contrary to the spirit of Christ.

We laud them for their clear and forceful statement.

Now is not a time to whisper. Its a time to loudly decry the toxic hatred of Bausman and his ilk. As Rabbi Paskoff wrote last Sunday, This cant be a time for appeasement or equivocation. Nothing less than direct condemnation is acceptable.

We could not agree more. This moment demands a groundswell of condemnation. We hope it materializes.
Parents in the Philippines are finding some creative ways to get their children outside to play as pandemic restrictions continue.

One of those children is two-year-old Nathania Ysobel Alesna. On a recent day in the capital Manila, Nathania played outside her home for the first time in her life. Government-ordered coronavirus restrictions had kept her inside for the past 20 months.

Nathania rode a bicycle as her mother, Ruth Francine Faller, looked on.

Faller told Reuters her daughter experienced overflowing joy at getting to play outdoors. She looks innocent and at the same time amazed at what she saw," Faller said.

Later, Faller shared the experience online with a Facebook group that includes other parents in the area. The group is designed to help parents find places where their children can spend time outdoors or in public places without getting in trouble with police.

For many of the 40 million Filipinos under the age of 18, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a continuous lockdown. This is because the government considers children a particularly high-risk group. Few other countries consider children high-risk.

After 20 months, hundreds of thousands of parents are turning to social media to find safe areas for their children outside the home. The parents worry about how such long-term stay-at-home orders will affect the mental health of their children.

The Facebook group is called "Kids Are Allowed." It aims to find creative ways to treat play as exercise and identify public spaces where enforcement is not as strong.

The group was set up in March by Hershey May Avillo-Parcarey. It has grown quickly. She told Reuters she gets up to 5,000 requests a day to join the group. The group now has around 200,000 members. Similar groups have also been created.

The nationwide policy, ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte, bans minors from outdoor areas and public spaces. But the rules are enforced unevenly. There is an exception that permits minors to be outside if they are exercising.

The Philippine government repeated in late October that at-risk groups, including children, are still under stay-at-home orders.

Some businesses have faced government action for accepting children. But officials in some areas recognize that parents are growing tired of restrictions and sometimes overlook violations.

Mica Canete recently visited a shopping center in Manila with her husband and their daughter, who is almost three. It marked their first family outing in 20 months. "I already have many spots in my bucket list for the kids, so I am thankful for ideas in the Facebook group," Canete said.

Mental health experts say such groups provide support for struggling parents and for children who are experiencing emotional and behavioral issues after long periods spent indoors.

Anna Cristina Tuazon is a professor at the University of the Philippines and a psychologist who treats children and families. She told Reuters that the Facebook group is an example of one way to help prevent parents from feeling alone.

A report in the medical publication JAMA Pediatrics said in August that depression and anxiety rates among young children across the world may have doubled since the start of the pandemic.

Parcarey said she does not approve any posts by Facebook group members that suggest things like hiding children in the driver's seat to avoid police. Her own eight-year-old son, Railey Samuel, said he misses going out to do things. "Now, it's hard for me to go out, he said. I pray for the coronavirus pandemic to be gone.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Reuters reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

__________________________________________

Words in This Story

bicycle  n. a vehicle with two wheels that you sit on and move by turning the two pedals

amazed  adj. extremely surprised

lockdown  n. an emergency in which people are not permitted to freely move about an area because of danger

allow  v. to permit

shopping  n. the activity of buying things from shops

bucket list  n. a list of things a person would like to do before they die

psychologist  n. someone who has studied the human mind and feelings

anxiety  n. fear or nervousness about what might happen


American officials are visiting countries around the world to identify 50 projects for President Joe Bidens Build Back Better World effort.

The B3W, as it is called, is an international partnership aimed at supporting projects related to climate, health, digital technology and gender equality in developing countries. Biden announced the program during the June meeting of G7 leaders. The G7, or Group of Seven, includes the European countries of Britain, France, Italy and Germany. The other three are Japan, Canada and the United States.

Daleep Singh is a national security adviser on international economics for the Biden administration. He recently visited Ghana and Senegal. A White House press official called Singhs trip the first B3W listening session in Africa.

Singh made similar visits to Colombia, Ecuador and Panama. Next, he goes to Southeast Asia.

A top administration official said the U.S. has identified some 50 projects in those five countries alone. The official did not give a cost estimate but described some of the climate linked projects.

"we had quite a few discussions about how we could help finance renewable energy projects in solar and hydro and wind," the official said. "Also projects that could help reduce the rate of deforestation, which creates a carbon sink and helps these countries meet their emission reduction targets."

Many observers see Bidens B3W effort as a counter to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). That international development program has financed infrastructure projects in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe.

'Democracies' only

Lucas Myers is an expert with the Asia Program of the Wilson Center research group. He says Chinese investments are especially welcomed in corrupt countries with poor human rights records because Chinas terms on such issues are more flexible.

The U.S., however, is concerned with democratic values, in the countries it works with, the Biden administration said in an October statement.

The presidents vision for B3W is to work with partners that share our democratic values to finance and develop infrastructure... the statement read.

Critics of the B3W partnership said that could be a problem.

Marc Mealy is a vice president of policy at the US-ASEAN Business Council. He said it would be difficult to find international support for B3W if only nations seen as democratic by the U.S. could take part.

Dalibor Rohac, an expert with the American Enterprise Institute, agreed. He told VOA, "if you are trying to build relationships and build some sort of broader coalitions to counter China's influence in say, Southeast Asia, where, by necessity, you need to sort of work with countries that fall short of Western liberal democratic standards."

Its in the details

At last weeks gathering of G-7 leaders, U.S. officials said the B3W partnership aims for a $40 trillion investment in infrastructure that developing countries will need by 2035.

They added that B3W would provide an alternative to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). First proposed in 2013, estimates of BRI costs differ widely, from as little as $1 trillion to as much as $8 trillion.

American officials said Senegal and Ghana welcomed the U.S.s promise that B3W would not require agreements that could result in a takeover of a countrys airports or seaports.

Projects discussed included setting up a possible vaccine manufacturing center in Senegal, helping with renewable energy supplies and lending to women-owned businesses.

Wang Yiwei is director of the institute of international affairs at the Renmin University of China. Wang told the state-run Global Times "We know they (the US and its Western allies) are just talking big and we know they want to compete with us...

The U.S. is planning an official launch of B3W early next year and will include details about the projects.

I'm Caty Weaver.

Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on reports from VOA News and Reuters. Caty Weaver was the editor.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

session - n. a formal meeting

counter - n. something that is done as a defense against or a response to something else

infrastructure - n. the basic equipment such as roads and bridges

flexible - adj. willing to change or try different things

standard - n. a level of achievement, quality, etc... that is considered desirable or acceptable
Lewiston, ID (83501)

Today

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High 51F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies early followed by increasing clouds and some light rain later at night. Low 34F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Shirley Contreras lives in Orcutt and writes for the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society. She can be contacted at 623-8193 or at shirleycontreras2@yahoo.com. Her book, The Good Years, a selection of stories shes written for the Santa Maria Times since 1991, is on sale at the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society, 616 S. Broadway.
Amid increased terror activities across the valley, security agencies have issued an alert of a possible attempt of infiltration in the Indian territory followed by a terrorist attack as well. Following this, a high alert has been issued on the basis of the intelligence inputs.

Meanwhile, all the vital installations including defence installations in Jammu and Kashmir have also been put on alert by the agencies and are under vigilance. Earlier, intel sources revealed that several Pakistani terrorists are currently present in Jammu and Kashmir and are under the radar of the security forces.

A list has also been prepared of the terrorists involved in the attacks in the valley and as a part of it, 38 Pakistani terrorists are present in Kashmir as of now. Out of this, 27 are said to be affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), whereas the other 11 are from Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

Increased terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir

Over the past few days, terrorist activities have witnessed a sudden hike in the valley as informed by the Home Ministry sources. As a part of it, several civilians were also killed in a series of targeted killings. Earlier on Friday, a terrorist who was reportedly planning a suicide attack in Srinagar was taken down by J&K police. Informing about the same, IG Kashmir Vijay Kumar took to Twitter and said that the terrorist identified as Amir Riyaz was the relative of an accused of the 2019 suicide attack in Pulwama and was affiliated with the terrorist outfit, Mujahideen Gazwatul Hind.

In the wake of heightened violence and counter-insurgency operations throughout the valley following a series of targeted killings on civilians, a high alert has been issued throughout J&K and other districts. Furthermore, search operations are also being carried out by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB). Apart from that, the Union Home Ministry has also so decided to deploy additional security forces with the existing companies of BSF and CRPF respectively.

(With agency inputs, Image: PTI)
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Prosecutors say the primary cause of the violence was Rittenhouse's decision to go to Kenosha with a rifle in a city wracked by protests after a white police officer shot a Black man, Jacob Blake.

Rittenhouse, who was 17 at the time, is charged with multiple counts including intentional and reckless homicide, as well as possession of a dangerous weapon by a minor. He and the men he shot are white.

Here is a look at how the presentation went for the defense, which rested its case Thursday:

HOW DID RITTENHOUSES TESTIMONY GO?

The defenses most consequential decision was to put Rittenhouse on the stand to let him tell jurors what was going through his mind when he opened fire.

Andrew Branca, a Colorado lawyer who wrote the book The Law of Self Defense: Principles, said on his blog about the trial that the decision was a high-stakes bet by the defense, and one that always has risk of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Defendants claiming self-defense dont have to testify. But theres pressure on them to do so since what they were thinking when they used lethal force is so central to determining guilt.
In 2020, Wisconsin Watch revealed that Knox had wrongly accused a Mount Horeb couple in 2019 of injuring their 9-month-old son, citing bruises on the babys body. But some of the marks were surgical scars and others were bruises caused as the boy thrashed and screamed while hospital staff and the babys mother struggled to hold him down to insert a needle into his veins and poke a catheter into his groin.

Knox had been scheduled to be a key witness in the Campbell trial, but the prosecution removed her name from the witness list, and Judge Susan Crawford ordered both parties to refrain from mentioning her findings or the case note Knox submitted to the prosecution nine months after examining the infant.

Court records show the defense had sought to make an issue of Knoxs disciplinary history at UW by requesting any records related to Dr. Knoxs professionalism, integrity, honesty and clinical abilities.

An expert testifying for Campbell attributed the bleeding in question to excess space between the babys brain and skull that allowed fluid to gather and exert pressure on the brain. A prosecution witness disputed that, and another expert called by the state maintained the findings were highly concerning for abusive head trauma. Experts on both sides called it impossible to precisely date the brain bleeding at issue.
On one of the days, a bomb exploded right by the buses. Khatera said if they had been there five minutes sooner, the explosion would have hit them. We were right there, she said.

Sepehra Azami, 25, said she was fully ready to be the first person that will be shot. As one of the bus leaders organizing the women, she said she would have rather been killed herself than watch one of her classmates die.

When this journey happened, I realized how strong I am, Azami said. These five days (were), I would say, the most difficult and horrifying and chaotic days of my life.

On the second failed attempt, the Taliban forced the women to go back to their homes. Some found places to hide in Kabul. Thats when Tahiry was on the streets alone at night.

Sometimes Tahiry still sees the Taliban in her nightmares.

She hears the explosions and gunfire at the airport. She sees the Taliban man who broke into the bus full of her classmates with a gun. The one she thought might kill them for traveling, without a male member of their family, in pursuit of education.
Young adults all over America are starting families, having been indoctrinated into believing that if they attended a four-year college, began a stable career, got married and had kids they will have made it.

What no one told todays parents is that the same country that ardently welcomes babies will do almost nothing to help you raise them.

Instead, moms and dads are at a breaking point, doing things I could never have imagined.

Im about to get back into DoorDash because its something I can do with two kids in the car, said Mildrea Hood, 29, a mother living in Whitefish Bay, referencing a popular grocery delivery app. My sister does InstaCart with her kids.

Hood is mother of Mateo, 4, and Markis, 18 months, who were both incredibly cooperative and calm while their mommy talked on the phone with me. I was introduced to Hood by Community Change, a nationwide organization working to reshape our democracy and our economy to be just, equitable, and inclusive.

Hood told me all about how she completed college, started a career in her chosen field, found an employed partner and started a family. But though Hood has high hopes for herself and her family, she feels crippled by the lack of affordable child care options in her Milwaukee suburb.
BOISE  Hundreds of people go missing across Idaho every year for many reasons, and among non-Native people, the majority are over the age of 21 and about 60% are males.

Among missing Native people in Idaho, approximately half are under the age of 21 and 75% of them are women.

Those findings are part of a report from Boise State University detailing issues surrounding Idahos missing and murdered Indigenous persons. The report followed House Concurrent Resolution 33, which was passed by the Idaho Legislature in 2020 and declared the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women as a crisis. The resolution also designated May 5 as a day of awareness, and supported efforts to research the cause and potential solutions in conjunction with Idahos five federally recognized tribes: Shoshone-Bannock, Coeur dAlene, Kootenai, Nez Perce and Shoshone-Paiute.

It is the first study focused on Idahos missing and murdered Indigenous people, conducted by Melanie Fillmore and Lane Gillespie, researchers within Boise States School of Public Service. Fillmore is a citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, and Gillespie is an associate professor in the schools criminal justice program.

Findings from the report included these facts:

Idahos average missing persons rate is approximately 10.59 per 100,000 persons. The average rate for Indigenous persons in Idaho is 18.99 per 100,000 persons.

Approximately 63% of Idahos Indigenous missing persons have been missing for more than one year.

Idahos Indigenous missing persons are 75% female. Of non-Indigenous missing persons in Idaho, 28.8% are female.

Half of Idahos Indigenous missing persons went missing as adults, and 50% went missing as juveniles. Among non-Indigenous missing persons, 61.5% went missing as adults and 33.5% as juveniles.

In 2020, National Crime Information Center entries for Indigenous persons were 3.38% of total entries in Idaho, compared to 1.76% of total entries nationwide.

Fillmores involvement with the project started in 2019, when she worked on data analysis with three Indigenous communities in Idaho on the subject of domestic violence.

Every single one of their communities had experienced a missing or murdered case in the time of that project, Fillmore said. So out of that project grew collaboration.

Fillmore also helped draft the House concurrent resolution, which was sponsored by Rep. Caroline Nilsson Troy, R-Genesee, and Tyrel Stevenson, legislative director of the Coeur dAlene Tribe. Funding for the study was also approved by the Legislature.

We are now the ninth state to have a statewide report, and all of those reports have been intended for a wide range of audiences and are usually tied to some type of legislative action, Gillespie said.  Its really meant to serve as that initial statewide assessment addressing questions around scope, issues and avenues for responding to those issues.

Boise State researcher: History plays a role in attitudes toward Native women

Idahos average missing persons rate is approximately 10.6 per 100,000 people, while the average rate for Indigenous people is nearly 19 per 100,000, and more than 60% of them have been missing for more than a year. On average, there are 81 Indigenous missing persons reported to the National Crime Information Center in Idaho per year.

Nationally, groups have raised the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls especially after a report from the Urban Indian Health Institute showed 5,712 cases were reported in 2016 and 116 of them had been logged in the U.S. Department of Justices federal missing persons database.

In late 2019, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order forming the Operation Lady Justice Task Force to address the concerns of Indigenous communities and establish missing and murdered unit offices in seven states, including Montana, Alaska and South Dakota.

Fillmore said history plays a role in the continued disproportionate rate at which Indigenous women and girls go missing or become victims of homicide.

Its not a new issue that there would be more missing women. Theres a lot of reasons for that, one of which has to do with  historical portrayals of Native women, (and) the access of Native women having rights is very complex, Fillmore said.

Fillmore knows firsthand how complex those situations can be. Her father was taken by her grandfather, who was white, from his reservation when he was 3.

My grandmother was not married and considered unfit (as a mother), and there would have been no way for her to get my dad back, Fillmore said.

Indigenous people are also disproportionately represented in homicide cases in Idaho, at a rate of 6 people per 100,000 among Native American and Alaska Native populations between 2010 and 2019. The rate for white people was nearly 1.9 people per 100,000.

Changes in Idaho will require better relationships between agencies, report says

Recommendations in the report largely focused on jurisdiction and collaboration issues among law enforcement organizations that can lead to cases not being pursued for extended periods of time. Fillmore spoke with community leaders, prosecutors, tribal agency officials and other stakeholders about missing persons cases and issues between non-Native and Native communities. One stakeholder, who was not named in the report, described how that can play out with investigations.

Lets say, somebody goes missing off of the (reservation). The tribal police would be heavily engaged in conducting that investigation. But once the investigation leaves the (reservation), then the question becomes what kind of collaborative cooperative working relationships does the tribal police department have with the (county sheriffs office)? the stakeholder said. And as soon as that leads to another state, it becomes further complicated because  literally every day we are inundated with new problems and new things that require our immediate response. And so how seriously is the jurisdiction off of the reservation going to take that request?

The report called for expanding the capacity of tribal law enforcement and enhancing access to case information between agencies, as well as creating consistent policies and procedures for missing persons cases regardless of jurisdiction. The recommendations also included enhancing data collection, sharing and accuracy, as well as creating more capacity in the Idaho Missing Persons Clearinghouse and Indigenous victim services.

Fillmore said it will also take time to build trust between Native and non-Native jurisdictions to increase collaborative efforts.

I dont expect folks who have experienced trauma to ever have high trust in some of these systemic processes. I have lived through trauma and domestic violence myself, so that is just something I recognize in this issue, Fillmore said.  I think that theres a great deal of learning and an education component that can impact trust.

Gillespie said she hopes the research will be a stepping stone to more action, and she wants to see communication continue between policy makers and tribal officials.

Im hoping this report can be used as an initial step, even if it is an overdue initial step, to provide some additional information to contribute to the existing momentum, Gillespie said, to add momentum where it might be needed to give folks something to point to and to provide some considerations for directions moving forward.

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SHOSHONE  The Idaho Transportation Department is planning to rebuild the Interstate 84/Idaho Highway 50 Kimberly Interchange (Exit 182) in 2022 and 2023 and invites the public to view new design plans at a public meeting on Wednesday.

The meeting will be held in open house format at the Rock Creek Fire Department (1559 Main St. N.) in Kimberly. Individuals are welcome to stop by any time between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to view displays and discuss the design and construction schedule with members of the project team.

The interchange is a key agricultural and industrial route for accessing the Magic Valley along Idaho 50. Improvements are needed to maintain safety, advance mobility, and foster continued economic development as the area grows.

For those who cannot make the in-person meeting, a self-guided online meeting will be available between Nov. 18 and Dec. 2 at itdprojects.org/projects/i-84-kimberly-interchange.

If individuals have questions or comments about the project and are unable to attend the in-person or self-guided online meetings, contact ITD Project Manager Andrew Young at 208-886-7854 or Andrew.Young@itd.idaho.gov.

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TWIN FALLS A new report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows an old problem is still holding strong in Idaho.

The report reveals fully employed women in Idaho, on average, earn $731 weekly, while their male counterparts make $966.

Lack of childcare, low minimum wage, job losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, cultural norms, and even unconscious biases that have been around for decades, all impact womens attitudes about going after higher-paying jobs or starting their own business.

In Idaho, I am concerned that we are going backward instead of forward, said Mary Mosley, president of the Boise Area Branch of the American Association of University Women.

Some women are taking matters into their own hands to challenge this cultural discrepancy by starting their own businesses. Idaho ranks high compared to other states in the percentage of women-owned businesses.

Kindsey Taylor, owner of Brass Monkey on Main Avenue East in Twin Falls, says owning her business provides flexibility and an outlet for creativity.

I am one of those people that I would rather try and fall on my butt than say, Woulda, shoulda, coulda, Taylor said.

She opened her store eight years ago and has seen huge growth over time. In the beginning, however, it was difficult and she often didnt pay herself.

Now, her business helps the single mother to provide for her two kids.

Taylors advice to other women is to not focus on the label of woman, but instead to think of themselves as a person who has a goal.

The reason I think I could do what I did is I didnt think of myself like that, she said. I dont put gender or age or anything on that. I think if you pigeonhole yourself from the beginning its going to make it that much harder.

Not everyone believes the pay gap is real.

Its a very difficult conversation for most of the public to think in terms of well, it doesnt require that someone consciously discriminate, its that institutions are built around many of these assumptions already, said Leontina Hormel, a sociology professor at the University of Idaho.

Identifying these factors and making conscious changes would benefit all Idahoans, not just women, she said.

This isnt about women gaining and catching up and getting all the attention, Hormel said. Its not a zero-sum gain. We all benefit from it, most especially the children impoverished by the current system.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics surveys every state annually and the findings are used to show state trends over time, said Jan Roeser, a labor economist with the Idaho Department of Labor.

The comparisons are made on a broad level and do not take into account factors including job skills, responsibilities, work experience and specialization.

The bureaus Womens Earnings in Idaho report surveyed 239 women and 349 men in 2020.

Although the study is relatively small in size, labor economists say the data is valuable and sheds light on longstanding barriers women face in terms of income.

These barriers are seen everywhere, Roeser said.

There are other places, she said. Its not just this survey in which we know that women make less than men in similar occupations.

Why does the gap exist?

The first problem both Mosely and Hormel identified is the lack of child care in Idaho.

The child care crisis extends across the nation. Child care providers are struggling to find staffing, like many other industries.

Four out of five child care centers are understaffed, the National Association of the Education of Young Children reported in July.

Hormel said some of the friction over womens compensation can be seen in recent legislative sessions. In March, Idahos Republican-led House of Representatives rejected a $6 million federal grant that would have improved access to early education and child care.

The House voted 36-34 against the bill.

During testimony, Rep. Charlie Shepherd, a Republican from Pollock, argued against the grant because it would jeopardize the family unit, the Idaho Statesman reported.

I dont think anybody does a better job than mothers in the home, Shepherd said, and any bill that makes it easier or more convenient for mothers to come out of the home and let others raise their child, I dont think thats a good direction for us to be going.

Although Shepherd faced backlash from the public for his comment, he isnt the only one who feels that way, Hormel said.

Its an assumption that women are not generally the breadwinners, she said. There is a lot of disagreement, but in this particular state, culturally, there is a large number of people in the state Legislature who still are uncomfortable with the idea that women arent supposed to be at home with their children.

Another barrier in Idaho is the minimum wage. Idaho has not raised the minimum wage since 2008 when it was raised from $6.55 to $7.25.

Currently, 29 states and Washington, D.C., have minimum wages above the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Two states have a minimum wage below $7.25 but employers subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the current federal minimum wage.

Experts argue that $7.25 is not even close to a livable wage.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology created an online Living Wage Calculator. The system considers the cost of housing, food, transportation, child care, health care, the poverty wage and the minimum wage.

A livable wage is the bare necessities needed to survive. It is a modest step up from poverty thresholds but does not include funds for things like eating meals in restaurants, unpaid vacations or holidays, or putting money into savings for retirement or home purchases, as written in the MIT Living Wage Calculator users guide.

The living wage is the minimum income standard that, if met, draws a fine line between the financial independence of the working poor and the need to seek out public assistance or suffer consistent and severe housing and food insecurity, MIT professors wrote.

Using the calculator for Twin Falls County, a family with two working adults and one child needs $15.06 per hour each to make a living wage and $5.22 per hour to be above the poverty line.

A family with one working adult, one stay-at-home parent and one child would need $27.12 an hour for a living wage and $10.44 to be above the poverty line. The calculator doesnt take into account the current housing crisis in south-central Idaho and the rising cost of rentals.

Women arent the only ones being paid minimum wage, but historically they make up a larger percentage.

We know that disproportionally its women who are filling the positions that lean heavily on minimum wage, Hormel said.

Service work, including home health care, hospice care and daycare, are all predominately female occupations that dont pay well, she said.

Female-dominated jobs were also affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2018, women made up about two-thirds of the low-wage workforce overall, according to the National Womens Law Center.

During the pandemic, the lowest-paying occupations had a disproportionate share of job losses. During 2020, 80% of job losses were among the lowest quarter of wage earners.

I think thats a big factor, Mosley said. Because women usually earn less than men, they are the ones who will stop working for caregiving.

People often argue that women chose lower-paying positions, but Mosley says thats not true.

Yeah, I chose my career but I chose it because it was the fourth choice, she said.

When she was in college she was told to take a science course for non-science majors. Her advisor suggested this particular class because she was a girl and girls dont typically major in science.

Mosley doesnt think attitudes have changed much since then.

In 2018, women made up half of the total U.S. college-educated workers but only 28% of the science and engineering workforce, according to the National Science Foundation.

The percentage has increased, especially in social and life sciences, but the percentage of women in engineering, computer and mathematical sciences has remained low.

Encouraging women to enter these fields needs to start at a young age, Hormel said. This can be difficult in rural schools that dont have counselors available, forcing administrators to double up on jobs.

The principals try, she said.

All of these factors are rooted in long-standing cultural norms that will take time to change.

Progress can be even slower if employees dont discuss wages, Mosley said.

In 2014, President Barack Obama signed an executive order that banned retaliation for wage disclosure for federal contracting employees.

It is a common misconception that employees cannot discuss pay with others. The right to discuss salary is protected by law. The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 protects the right of workers to engage in concerted activity for mutual aid or protection.

Mosley knows the importance of open wage discussions first hand.

As a public employee at a university, she was able to check her salary against her co-workers. When she noticed a male colleague was making more, even though they had the same position and worked for the same amount of time, she was allowed to bring up her grievance.

(For) most people, if you are working for a private company, that doesnt come up, she said. It is considered gauche to be asking people what they make.

How can women break the cycle of low wages and wage discrepancies?

One option is owning their own business.

Women-owned businesses

Diane Bevan is the Nampa-based executive director of the Idaho Womens Business Center. The center provides free resources aimed to help entrepreneurs at all stages.

In the past few years, Bevan has seen an increase in women interested in starting a side hustle to increase their income. The range of business types is vast.

If you go to our website and go to our directory and click on the number of categories, some of those categories were created because we didnt have one that fit, Bevan said.

In 2019, Idaho tied for third place in the economic clout category, according to the State of Women Owned Businesses report, commissioned by American Express.

This covers the growth of women-run businesses including new companies and their revenue and number of employees.

Need help starting your own business? If interested in starting your own business, contact the Idaho Women's Business Center at 208-996-1571 or go the Idaho Small Business Development Center's website at idahosbdc.org.

Another report, written by Frontier Business, found that women own more than half of businesses in Idaho, ranking it second in the country per capita in 2018.

In downtown Twin Falls, this trend is easy to spot. Yellow Brick Cafe, Studio G Fitness, Unique Twist Jewelry and Brass Monkey are all owned by women. There are even more throughout the city.

Kathy McRae, who owns Yellow Brick Cafe, said the hardest part of opening her business was creating an identity.

McRae didnt want to be labeled as the health place in town or the vegan restaurant. Her goal was to have food options for everyone.

Her advice is to not be afraid to ask for help and to form a team. The legal side of owning a business was not her strong suit so she found people who could take on those roles.

Women in Idaho want to prove they can be business owners, she said.

If I was told we dont do things that way, I didnt really take no for an answer, McRae said. I think breaking through the stereotype of women belong at home or should be taking care of the kids or things like that, I think that has maybe lingered here a little longer than other areas.

Seeing other women who own their businesses helps provide encouragement, Studio G Fitness owner Gillian Funk-Shillig told the Times-News.

She agrees with other owners that the first few years can be the hardest. It takes time to become profitable and finding financial backing can be a challenge.

I love seeing other women-owned businesses, Funk-Shillig said. Its so powerful and they are making a huge impact on the community.

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Of course you missed it because, well, good news never gets the play it should. But a recent report shows Idaho took another jump upward in its state credit rating, from AA+ to AAA, one of only a few states in the nation with that superior designation.

Naysayers will either downplay the rating or ignore it because it doesnt fit their narrative of Drain the Swamp in Boise. But the new rating from Fitch shows Idaho is already doing many of the prudent, responsible, and fiscally conservative practices which mark it as a national leader.

Public entity credit ratings are somewhat like individual ones. They reflect both savings and spending habits, measured by such metrics as policies, stability of reserves, careful and planned cash flows as well things like political environment, conservative social policies and rainy day set-asides. (FitchRatings, 11/4).

Stability of policies is an important trait, as it reflects long-term intent by governing bodies. Increasingly, states are being held to social behavior when it comes to investing and debt. States which have long ignored these basic measurements, pay higher borrowing rates than prudent states like Idaho.

Its not unlike your personal credit rating. Potential lenders look at things like your driving record, your debt-to-income ratios, and your lifestyle patterns in determining the amount and rate of your loan application. Some are very strict; others not so much.

In a statement on Fitchs Idaho report, Gov. Brad Little credited Idahos long history of solid economic and responsible patterns of public finance. Think for a minute what your bank would say if you came in for loan but had a credit rating that wasnt at a high enough level. They would tell you to find ways to cut costs, increase revenue, or both.

And they would look at your history of credit over time, whether youre buying a new car, a mortgage on a new home, or an operating loan for your farm or commercial business. Without good credit, your chances of getting a loan you want would diminish, just like it would in your personal history.

This is yet another reason why Idahoans should look past the Sky is Falling rhetoric of far rightists running for public office. If you listen carefully, they really dont have any idea of how to grow the state economy or the necessary investments needed for long-term stability.

We should expect our candidates to demonstrate clear and forward-looking proposals rather than simply whining about what a terrible life we have here down here on the farm. It is truly amazing in the state where solid credit is such an important fiscal feature that so many Idahoans would pay any attention to the charlatans on the right.

And its a good exercise to think about Idahos economy in the future if we were to elect these folks. You would likely see Idahos economic progress stall and then go into reverse. What national business would want to come to a state led by nativist and racist prejudicial politicians, by legislators who cruelly and willfully outed a sexual assault victim? What business now here would long stay if these were our faces on national television?

And what about businesses that may be looking to come to Idaho? Theyll quietly drop us from the prospect list like a hot potato if they see the states leaders exhibit such demeaning positions. It would be great to be a fly on the wall listening in on a conversation between business executives and Janice McGeachin, Priscilla Giddings or Dorothy Moon trying to recruit them to Idaho. Good luck with that.

The Fitch rating for Idaho as AAA is both a mark of our past diligence as well as a reality check of where we could go with extremist political leadership. A vote for these folks is to send Idaho backward, along with its stellar credit rating.

Stephen Hartgen, Twin Falls, is a retired five-term Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives, where he served as chairman of the Commerce & Human Resources Committee. Previously, he was editor and publisher of The Times-News (1982-2005). He can be reached at Stephen_Hartgen@hotmail.com

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The holidays are upon us. Its a time for family and friends to come together, young and old alike, grandparents and parents, children and grandchildren. Its a time for traveling to other parts of the state and across the country, going through airports, eating out, going shopping and generally just coming into contact with a lot of random people.

With just a couple of weeks left before Thanksgiving break and then a few more weeks after that to make it to winter break, we urge school districts in Idaho to hold on just a little bit longer and maintain their mask mandates for students and staff.

Unfortunately, Caldwell School District board members voted Monday to remove its mask requirement and instead change the policy to recommend masks in school buildings.

We understand and appreciate the temptation to get rid of masks. Cases of COVID-19 are dropping. Hospitalizations are dropping. Positivity rates are dropping.

These are all good signs.

But lets not declare victory quite yet.

Even though COVID-19 cases are dropping, our seven-day average moving incidence rate of new cases daily is still 30.2 cases per 100,000 people, considered beyond a tipping point for community spread.

Even though our hospitals have seen a reduction in cases and deaths, Idaho still had around 400 patients hospitalized with suspected or confirmed cases, and 125 in the ICU, as of Monday. In all, 136 Idaho deaths were reported last week related to COVID-19. Thats still way too many preventable deaths.

The positivity rate is still 10.3% statewide, nowhere near the 5% threshold we need.

The delta and kappa strains of the coronavirus are showing signs of getting around vaccine immunity, and the rate of person-to-person infection for delta is proving to be higher than earlier variants.

In other words, we are not out of the woods  especially in a state with a low vaccination rate.

Idaho is sitting at 56% vaccination rate for those 12 and older. Thats about 842,000 people. That means there are still 1 million Idahoans who are unvaccinated. Thats too many people to bring this thing under control  and we can bring this under control through vaccination.

Its good news, yes, that children 5-11 can now get the vaccine, and weve seen a rush of youngsters getting the shot. But keep in mind, it takes five weeks to become fully vaccinated, including the three weeks between shots. Even if a child gets the vaccine today, full immunity wont be complete until well into December. And we already know theres high vaccine hesitancy in Idaho.

Tough decision for school boards

We understand the difficult position school board members find themselves in, and we can see why they feel pressure to get rid of mask mandates.

No one likes to wear them. No one. And no one likes a mandate.

We understand that many people are confused by competing information, evolving information and, unfortunately, purveyors of false information about masks and the vaccine.

But the bottom line is that masks do work, and the vaccines are safe and highly effective. They dont alter your DNA. They dont contain some government tracking device. They dont make you magnetic.

Do breakthrough cases exist? Yes. Of the fully vaccinated Idahoans, that rate is about 1.87%. Its undeniable that vaccination means you are far less likely to get the virus  and you cant spread what you dont have  and far less likely to need hospital care.

We need to keep beating this drum, if for no other reason than to combat the false information thats out there.

Unfortunately, we learned just this week of an infant dying of COVID. Can we prevent every single death? Of course not. But some deaths are preventable. We prevented an untold number of deaths from polio with a safe and effective vaccine. We can prevent future COVID-19 deaths now with a safe and effective vaccine  and by wearing masks.

Schools have much to celebrate with low case counts. Masks are working. This is no time to reverse course.

If you reduce the speed limit on a dangerous stretch of highway to reduce fatal car accidents, and fatal accidents start to drop, you dont turn around and raise the speed limit again.

Our students have been doing just fine wearing their masks. Theyll be fine for another few weeks.

Lets get through the holidays and see where cases are in January.

If things look good, sure, lets get rid of the mask mandates after the winter break, but for now, lets just hold on for just a little bit longer.

Statesman editorials are the unsigned opinion expressing the consensus of the Idaho Statesmans editorial board. Board members are opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, editor Chadd Cripe, newsroom editors Dana Oland and Jim Keyser and community members J.J. Saldana and Christy Perry.

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The ceremony began with U.S. marshals escorting Etienne, Tate and Prevost to the school just as they did 61 years ago. Three young African American girls walked with them. Marshals placed a wreath of flowers at the school and the ceremony concluded with the singing of Lift Every Voice and Sing."

Tate, on Friday, said she didn't know what to make of the crowds when she approached the school as a child. Reared in a city famous for its Mardi Gras processions, she wondered if a parade was on the way.

That's what it looked like, she said. All I could see was police on horseback, holding the crowd back. And that's the only thing I could relate to."

Prevost remembers keeping eyes forward that day. I really didn't see the crowd, she recalled. I could hear them. When my daddy and I got out of the car, he just told me to take his hand and look forward.

The three remember being the only students at McDonogh after white parents withdrew their children. And they became more aware of the significance as they grew older  becoming among the first black students at junior high and high schools.
While some US Catholic bishops continue to denounce President Joe Biden for his support of legal abortion, their conference as a whole is likely to avoid direct criticism of him at its upcoming national meeting.

The highest-profile agenda item is a proposed teaching document about the sacrament of Communion. Months of work on the document, by the conferences Committee on Doctrine, coincided with sometimes heated debate among the bishops as to whether Biden and other Catholic politicians who support abortion rights are unworthy of receiving Communion.

A draft of the document circulating ahead of the Nov. 15-18 meeting in Baltimore breaks little new ground, though its language could be toughened during the gathering. The draft mentions abortion only once and doesnt name Biden or other politicians, though it says at one point, Lay people who exercise some form of public authority have a special responsibility to embody Church teaching.

A member of the doctrine committee, Bishop Michael Olson of Fort Worth, Texas, said he and his colleagues decided that the document should avoid any trace of partisan politics.

Yet Olson remains an outspoken critic of Bidens abortion stance, saying the president has upped the scale of scandal.
Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg addresses the media in the Federal Chancellery in Vienna, Austria, Oct. 11, 2021. The Austrian government ordered a nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated people starting midnight Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, to slow the fast spread of the coronavirus in the country. Credit: AP Photo/Lisa Leutner, File

The Austrian government has ordered a nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated people starting at midnight Sunday to combat rising coronavirus infections and deaths.

The move prohibits unvaccinated people 12 and older from leaving their homes except for basic activities such as working, grocery shopping, going for a walkor getting vaccinated.

Authorities are concerned about rising infections and deaths and that soon hospital staff will no longer be able to handle the growing influx of COVID-19 patients.

"It's our job as the government of Austria to protect the people," Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg told reporters in Vienna on Sunday. "Therefore we decided that starting Monday ... there will be a lockdown for the unvaccinated."

The lockdown affects about 2 million people in the Alpine country of 8.9 million, the APA news agency reported. It doesn't apply to children under 12 because they cannot yet officially get vaccinated.

The lockdown will initially last for 10 days and police will go on patrol to check people outside to make sure they are vaccinated, Schallenberg said, adding that additional forces will be assigned to the patrols.

Unvaccinated people can be fined up to 1,450 euros ($1,660) if they violate the lockdown.

The patient Kurt Switil, left, receives a Pfizer vaccination against the COVID-19 disease by a doctor in the vaccination center 'Am Schoepfwerk' in Vienna, Austria, April 10, 2021. The Austrian government ordered a nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated people starting midnight Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, to slow the fast spread of the coronavirus in the country. Credit: AP Photo/Lisa Leutner, File

Austria has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe: only around 65% of the total population is fully vaccinated. In recent weeks, Austria has faced a worrying rise in infections. Authorities reported 11,552 new cases on Sunday; a week ago there were 8,554 new daily infections.

Deaths have also been increasing in recent weeks. On Sunday, 17 new deaths were reported. Overall, Austria's pandemic death toll stands at 11,706, APA reported.

The seven-day infection rate stands at 775.5 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants. In comparison, the rate is at 289 in neighboring Germany, which has already also sounded the alarm over the rising numbers.

Schallenberg pointed out that while the seven-day infection rate for vaccinated people has been falling in recent days, the rate is rising quickly for the unvaccinated.

"The rate for the unvaccinated is at over 1,700, while for the vaccinated it is at 383," the chancellor said.

A patient is vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus on the national holiday in the Vienna Imperial Palace in the marble hall in Vienna, Austria, Oct. 26, 2021. Austrian broadcaster ORF reported that about 200 kids between the ages of five and 11 can get vaccinated with Pfizer/BioNTech as part of a pilot priject in the Austrian capital starting Monday. The pilot project is limited to Vienna only and doesn't apply to the rest of the Alpine country. Credit: AP Photo/Lisa Leutner, File

Schallenberg also called on people who have been vaccinated to get their booster shot, saying that otherwise "we will never get out of this vicious circle."

__

This story corrects that the lockdown applies to 12 and older, not just over 12.

Explore further Austrian leader says lockdown for the unvaccinated is likely

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
It will take awhile for the 26th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference to rustle through Montana, but it will get here.

I keep thinking how much easier this would have been 20 years ago, said Steve Running, a retired University of Montana forestry professor whose work on the International Panel on Climate Change helped lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change when it won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.

Global conditions have deteriorated in the past two decades as regional economies and power consumption have shot upward. Montana doesn't have a seat at the talks, but its coal, wind, water and forest resources were all under discussion.

Also known as COP26, the international gathering in Glasgow, Scotland raised hopes for global action to counteract global warming, reduce sea level rise and catastrophic weather events, protect biodiversity and agriculture, and head off the risk that millions of people will become planetary refugees because of depleted water and soil resources.

The Glasgow conference officially ended on Friday, but participants went into overtime to reach a Saturday deal. Parsing the results could take weeks. Its main objective was getting every government to commit to eliminating carbon pollution by 2050.

Underneath that nested a long list of steps to reach that goal. They included promises to protect natural habitats throughout the globe, pledges that rich countries would provide $100 billion a year to finance climate improvements, and commitments that everyone involved keep working together. That last one, while seemingly redundant, may have driven the agreement to come back in 2022 and nail down more specific goals than were made at Glasgow.

Runnings colleague Susan Joy Hassol, a contributor to the IPCCs Sixth Assessment Report, suggested minding the gap  tracking what world leaders called for and what they were actually willing to sign. She identified three areas: The ambition gap, where no one actually pledged a national response that would keep global warming below 1.5 degrees C; the implementation gap, where no one has national policies in place to make good on their COP26 pledges; and the production gap, where no one has concrete plans to phase out fossil fuel use.

China leads the world in fossil-fuel carbon dioxide emissions, releasing a projected 11.1 gigatons in 2021. The United States follows at 5.1 gigatons this year. The European Union contributes 2.8 gigatons, India 2.7 gigatons, and the rest of the worlds nations a combined 14.8 gigatons.

The 2020 pandemic put a 5.4% dip in the otherwise steady upward trend of global CO2 emissions. 2021s resumption of economic activity is forecast to erase that. The resulting 36.4 gigatons of CO2 released this year is 53% more than what we put out in 1990, according to the Global Carbon Project.

But U.S. trend lines have been heading in good directions. Some changes can happen in peoples homes, and many already have. For example, Running pointed to the adoption of LED lighting, electric cars and wind and solar energy production in the private sector. Theyve contributed to significant reductions in Americas carbon emissions, driven by market demands more than government mandates.

The public and corporations are ahead of governments, Running said. The governments tend to be the anchors holding everything back.

Those IPCC annual assessments are the only thing we write that politicians pay attention to, Running said. Researchers produce massive amounts of new studies documenting global warming impacts and forecasting new threats, but what politicians quote are the IPCC reports.

Forestry

The conference started off with a 137-nation declaration to end forest loss and land degradation by 2030. Much of that was aimed at tropical countries that cut native forests and replace them with soy, palm cocoa and cattle operations. That wont have much impact on the United States or Montana.

The Rocky Mountain West lies more on the receiving end of climate change, Running said. Thats because hotter, drier summers increase the risk of wildfire and the massive amounts of carbon going up in smoke. That may open potential for forestry work removing hazardous fuels, if something productive can be found for the resulting wood waste.

In Montana, some research projects attempted to reframe that by burning wood in multi-outcome operations. A hog-fuel (waste wood) furnace can produce small amounts of electricity, along with biochar for soil improvement and heat for homes and buildings and CO2 for greenhouses.

No single use was viable for those projects, Running said. You had to have all four income streams to make it work.

One of the more head-scratching climate-change responses has been the European Unions effort to reduce carbon emissions by burning wood pellets  mainly imported from the United States. The 1992 Kyoto Protocol considered burning woody biomass carbon neutral and a renewable energy source, which has encouraged pellet production across North America as well as Russia, Vietnam and Malaysia. Much of that industry is government-subsidized.

However, research shows pellet burning is actually more polluting than coal, and the decades needed to regrow the burned trees makes the carbon-neutral math collapse. The United States is the largest exporter, sending about 7.25 million tons across the Atlantic in 2020. Cutting that back or eliminating the subsidies could have a big impact on the U.S. forestry sector in the Southeast, where most of the pellets are produced.

Fossil fuels

Fridays negotiations at COP26 showed just how sticky the dependence on oil, gas and coal remains. A big problem was whether the words fossil fuels would appear in the document  for the first time ever in a global climate agreement.

Beyond that, many observers noted the final deal appeared to feature commitments to slash fossil fuel emissions while expanding fossil fuel use. China has doubled its coal imports recently, and Korea and Japan have increased their purchases as well.

Confusingly, the China Global Television Network reported last week that the Chinese government was working to increase coal, oil and gas production  to ensure winter heating and power supply while speeding up its exploration of green heating to ease its dependence on coal.

Although the state-run media outlet was specific about the countrys coal production (11.5 million tons daily), it had no details about the alternatives other than the use of biomass energy, local natural energy and other ways to achieve green heating.

The United States produces about 2 million tons of coal a day, burning about 775 million tons a year. Worldwide, burning coal releases about 15 billion tons of carbon dioxide a year. It also provides about 27% of the worlds energy, including 38% of its electricity.

Equally confusing was the agreement announced last week that Poland and 190 other countries had signed a Global Coal to Clean Power Transition Statement agreeing to phase out coal power from major economies by the 2030s. Just hours after the news broke, Polands negotiators clarified they did not consider themselves a major economy and wouldnt be off coal before 2049.

But Running said this is where the posturing and podium-thumping at a COP meeting has impact.

This is where countries persuade other countries about where being a good global citizen matters, Running said. China and India have dozens, maybe hundreds of new coal plants on the drawing boards. This may encourage them to throttle them back.

COP meetings also send strong signals to the worlds financial markets about what sectors will or wont bring returns on investments. On Nov. 3, a coalition of banks, insurers and investors worth $130 trillion agreed to create an investment to combat climate change. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen pledged to support the international market fund by raising $500 million a year for clean-tech and coal transition investments.

Americans should expect provisions to support greater adoption for electric vehicles, since very soon we would expect fossil fuel vehicles to start phasing out, said Eleftheria Kontou, a civil and environmental engineer at the University of Illinois.

We would expect more investments for climate justice and improving conditions for transportation of minority and low-income communities that have been disproportionately hit by adverse emissions exposure.

Moving forward

Places like Montana have numerous opportunities to benefit from the COP26 agreements. Eliminating sources of atmospheric carbon and reducing global warming can produce jobs and income.

For example, as Hassol put it, Methane is the new black. The byproduct of livestock operations, leaking oil wells and garbage landfills, methane does 86 times more damage to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. And it has more immediate human health risks by increasing ozone pollution, aggravating a variety of heart and respiratory diseases.

New sensing technology has made it easy to pinpoint sources of methane by aircraft, allowing repair crews to find leaking wells or other fixable points. Combined with the restoration work needed on open-pit mines and construction of new wind and solar energy production sources, confronting climate change could bring an economic boost to the state.

Landowners can annually earn between $4,000 and $8,000 a wind turbine, and retain most of the use of their land. As the international financing markets start looking for investments that offset more polluting industries, Montana stands to benefit.

We could be a really big energy exporter, Running said. We could have tons more wind power, and its only limited by transmission lines. We dont want coal workers to lose their jobs. Theres so much remediation and reclamation work needed on the open-pit coal mines and abandoned gas wells. Theres plenty of employment for those things, and theyd be helping the cause rather than hurting it.

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Complaints leveled against a medical doctor with the University of Montanas physician training program for spreading misinformation about the COVID pandemic  among other inflammatory comments  have prompted discussions about freedom of speech.

Dr. Justin Buls has been subject to timeouts on Facebook for spreading misinformation regarding the COVID pandemic and calling for Dr. Anthony Fauci to be executed for the crimes he has committed on humanity, as first reported by the Daily Montanan.

At one point, Buls profile picture on Facebook displayed a swastika made of syringe needles.

In several of his posts he likens mask requirements in schools to child abuse. At least four of his posts within the last year have been flagged by fact checkers for false or partly false information.

In one post from August, Buls shared a YouTube video of a cardiologist testifying before a Senate committee in Texas who said there is no reason for healthy people under 50 years old or those who have recovered from COVID to be vaccinated against the virus. The post was flagged by independent fact checkers for including false information.

"Mandating a vaccine that doesn't prevent infection and doesn't prevent transmission has nothing to do with science. Mandating masks in schools, when the science for 30 years has shown masks don't stop the spread of respiratory viruses is not about science. This is all about politics and control," Buls wrote on Oct. 26. "Attacking doctors for speaking up and supporting peoples' freedom and medical autonomy is not ok."

Buls is employed by the university through its Family Medicine Residency of Western Montana program as the Kalispell site director. The program is affiliated with the University of Washingtons Wyoming-Washington-Alaska-Montana-Idaho Family Medicine Residency Network. There are six resident students based in Kalispell, according to program director Dr. Rob Stenger.

The Family Medicine Residency of Western Montana and the University of Montana do not endorse the personal views contained in Dr. Buls social media posts," UM spokesman Dave Kuntz said in a statement to the Missoulian.

"We do not support any form of public intimidation, threats against public or private individuals or the use of hate speech or other symbols associated with anti-Semitism or white supremacy, he added.

We expect our faculty, staff and physicians-in-training to act professionally in all settings and to provide health care in accordance with the best available scientific evidence, the statement continued.

Kuntz is not aware of any investigation into Buls' comments, he said.

Dr. Frederick Chen, the director of the Family Medicine Residency Network at the University of Washington, distanced the program from the opinions expressed by Buls on Facebook, telling the Missoulian that it unequivocally follows guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in terms of vaccine efficacy and mask use.

Although the Family Medicine Residency of Western Montana is affiliated with the University of Washington, it does not have authority over Buls employment status, Chen said.

His opinions expressed through Facebook and by any other means regarding the effectiveness of vaccines and masking are solely his own, and in no way reflect the beliefs of the WWAMI Family Medicine Residency Network, Chen said.

Buls did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

This is at least the second time this semester that UM has had to navigate complaints against an employee for inflammatory comments they made online.

Earlier this semester, the university launched a Title IX investigation into then-computer science professor Rob Smiths controversial blog. Smith resigned from his position before the investigation was completed.

Before Smith departed, students rallied outside of Main Hall and called for the university to fire Smith or for him to resign. Hand-designed signs displayed slogans of fire Rob Smith and when will justice be served?

But firing public employees, which include those at UM, for speech is a complicated process.

The First Amendment protects the state from squashing peoples free speech rights, thats why were different from private employers, said Lucy France, legal counsel for UM. With that being said, a public employer is still an employer and we retain the ability to restrict what employees say and do when it relates to their particular jobs in the workplace.

Hate speech is protected by the First Amendment. Though there is no legal definition of hate speech, the American Library Association says that it is any form of expression in which speakers intend to vilify, humiliate or incite hatred against a group or class of people based on race, religion, skin color, gender or sexual identity, ethnicity, disability or national origin.

Rather than focusing on whether the speech is inflammatory, universities focus on the context of the speech. From there, they examine whether the employee is speaking in their official capacity or as a private citizen and whether the speech addresses a matter of private interest or public concern.

This analysis really also depends on the employee and the employee's duties and responsibilities," France said. "A faculty member, for example, has pretty broad duties and responsibilities in terms of research, scholarship and service. So there is a much broader ability for a faculty member to promote ideas.

When it comes to faculty sharing misinformation online that undermines their line of work or study, France said shed likely focus on whether the speech is a matter of public concern.

The university examines the context of the speech in an effort to protect the rights of everyone involved and follow existing laws and policies. If those steps are overlooked, it could backfire with a wrongful termination lawsuit or other legal action.

We are really proactive and make sure that we respect everybodys individual rights and when those conflict we navigate that with those in mind, France said.

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DILLON  Over the past few weeks, students at the University of Montana Western were treated to a unique opportunity for those interested in the ancient art of glassblowing.

Alex Rosenberg, a talented glass artist recently featured on the Netflix series Blown Away, spent several weeks at Montana Western in residence.

He ended his time in the small, southwestern Montana community of Dillon by creating a gallery exhibition  all the pieces were created on campus in the Emerick Art Studio.

I feel when I come to places like this, its a really cool way to see a different part of the county, Rosenberg said late last month. Its fun to get to spend a minute with people who are really hungry for this knowledge.

Rosenberg is an artist, educator and writer based in Philadelphia and New York. He earned a master's degree in visual studies from MIT and a BFA in glass from the Rhode Island School of Design.

He was the recipient of the 2021 International Glass Prize, the Sheldon Levin Memorial Residency at the Tacoma Museum of Glass and a Wingate Fellowship at the Vermont Studio Center.

Montana Westerns glass program, which has been growing in popularity over the last few years, is one of the few of its kind in the West. It is the only degree-granting institution that offers a glass concentration from Seattle to Nebraska.

Ruth King, an associate professor of glass, manages the program and her relationship with Rosenberg spans years. They met while King was artistic director at Pilchuck Glass school, where she spent nine years before coming to Dillon.

After COVID and the pandemic, of course, were all hungry to have visitors to see live demonstrations and hands-on teaching, King said. Alex was incredibly excited to come and do this.

Heat and patience

On a slightly chilly afternoon in the Beaverhead Valley, Rosenberg gathered about 12 students in Kings glassblowing classes, with other students from art programs watching in the back. Several students helped Rosenberg as he displayed different techniques.

It is a hot and patience-driven process  one where errors and imperfections are the norm, making a perfect piece all the more special.

Some students acted as Rosenbergs assistants, including Turner Sawyer, an undergrad who comes from a blacksmithing background.

Its really cool, really surreal. Ruth (King) has so many connections in the glass world and its so cool to see the fruit of that, to be able to have celebrities come in and do stuff with us, its just really cool, Sawyer said.

Rosenberg lauded the equipment Western has to offer in Emerick Art Studio, including a very nice electric furnace and good glass. The school has invested in the program, which he called, glowingly, a lab-type environment. Its also a relatively quiet facility, which he said is far from the norm.

Honestly just having a decent-sized space with a garage door, thats good, Rosenberg said. Ive blown glass in places that are in a basement, blown glass in places that are on the fourth floor  this is a good setup.

The studio also produces lab glassware, including Pyrex glass and other types used for scientific purposes.

Thats hardly the only place where science and glassblowing artistry mix. Gravity, temperature and rapidly changing states all intertwine. For example, when glass is first pulled out of its heater, its basically liquid. As its blown, it becomes a solid.

Much of the artistry is eyeballed, which Rosenberg showcased with spectacular ease.

Its really complicated," he said. "Like I wouldnt even understand how to do the math of it  Its kind of insane. You can learn (the science and math behind it), but theres a lot of variables.

Rosenberg said what drew him to glass in the first place was the process of creating something. He admitted there was a significant learning curve.

I didnt have any idea that it was something you could make art with, Rosenberg said. It was like a sport, its like this fun thing that I like to do. And I wasnt all that good at it either.

At the end of the class, several students broke off and began to create something of their own after watching Rosenberg for well over an hour. Under his and Kings watchful eye, they got a chance to put into practice what they had learned.

Be ready to be bad at something for a long time. (Glassblowing) is hard for people who, I think, expect results really quickly, Rosenberg said. But if people can get over that and if they like doing it, which thats the thing, if you can like this and be bad at it, then thats it. You figure out how to get a lot of time (with) your hands on the material.

Jordan Hansen covers news and local government for the Missoulian. Shout at him on Twitter @jordyhansen or send him an email at Jordan.Hansen@Missoulian.com

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BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Louisiana voters Saturday appeared to make a split decision on Republican legislative leaders' push to rewrite tax laws, agreeing to detangle state income tax collections from federal tax payments but refusing to centralize sales tax collections, according to election results from the secretary of state's office.

The complex tax proposals, championed by business lobbying groups, were among four changes to the Louisiana Constitution on the ballot  and the only issues facing all voters statewide.

The Associated Press did not tabulate the race results. But complete, uncertified election results posted by Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin's office showed 52% of the more than 410,000 voters who cast ballots opposed the sales tax measure and 54% supported the income tax change. Certified results take several days.

The tax amendments were backed overwhelmingly by Republican and Democratic lawmakers and by Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards.

Supporters called the measures a step toward reform for an unnecessarily complex state tax structure. But outside organizations criticized the sales tax proposal as a state power grab and the income tax measure as too generous to businesses and the rich at the expense of the poor.

The election was delayed five weeks because of Hurricane Ida.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 1

The failed first amendment would have started the process for consolidating sales tax collections through an eight-member commission, rather than through more than 50 local government agencies ranging from sheriffs to school boards.

Local government associations would get four seats on the commission. The revenue department, the governor, the House speaker and the Senate president would appoint the other four members.

Supporters said Louisiana is one of only three states that handle sales tax collections through such a hodgepodge of local government agencies. They said that makes it too complex and costly for businesses that have to collect and remit sales taxes across multiple parishes.

But the details of how the commission works still would have to be decided by lawmakers in a future legislative session, and that had some questioning the effort.

Meanwhile, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell came out strongly in opposition to giving up her collection authority and argued the commission could withhold sales taxes owed to municipalities when state officials are unhappy with local decisions.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 2

Passage of the second tax amendment will trigger enactment of a package of bills getting rid of personal income tax and corporate tax deductions for federal income taxes paid in exchange for lowering income tax rates.

Louisiana also will eliminate the corporate franchise tax for small businesses, lower the rate for others and do away with most excess itemized deductions taken by middle- and upper-income earners.

But voters didn't necessarily know that from the one-sentence ballot language, which suggested voters were deciding simply whether to cut their taxes  rather than settling a tax tradeoff that won't give everyone a reduction in their tax bills.

Supporters said the current system makes Louisiana's tax collections too volatile and hard to control. When federal income taxes go up, Louisiana collects less in state taxes. When federal income taxes go down, state tax collections rise.

Opponents said the tax swap will more heavily benefit corporations and wealthier residents. They criticized triggers in the legislation that will lower tax rates in later years if Louisiana hits certain revenue growth, rather than allowing the state to spend that money on health care, education and other services. And they objected to a provision that will bar lawmakers from being able to raise personal income tax rates above 4.75% without getting voter approval.

An analysis by the Legislature's nonpartisan economist Greg Albrecht said most individual income taxpayers who dont itemize will see a tax cut while those who itemize likely will pay more, and estimated fewer than 2% of those who file corporate taxes will see tax bills rise.

OTHER AMENDMENTS

Voters also overwhelmingly rejected the two remaining constitutional amendments, according to results from the secretary of state's office. Those proposals would have allowed some local levee districts to increase their taxing authority and let lawmakers cut more deeply into protected funds when the state faces a budget deficit.



Follow Melinda Deslatte on Twitter at http://twitter.com/melindadeslatte.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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It was just about sunset on an autumn night in downtown Billings, and the staff of Jakes restaurant was handling the dinner rush as 6 p.m. approached. The restaurants manager heard a disturbance near the bar and went to investigate. There he found the man he had fired just hours earlier wielding two steak knives and yelling Give me all your money.

The manager coaxed the former employee  a young felon on prison prerelease named in charges as Brandon Bird  into the alley behind the restaurant.

Once Bird was outside, the manager and another employee tried to run back into the kitchen and lock the door behind them. Bird followed them in, court records say, and began slashing and stabbing employees. One employee hurled plates at Bird to get him to retreat. It was chaos. A member of the kitchen staff ran into the dining area covered in blood, yelling about a stabbing. Wait staff hustled patrons out the door telling some to forget their bill and just go.

Bird continued confronting employees before ending up on the sidewalk out front where charges allege he tried to rob passersby. His rampage left four people wounded. It took an employee, along with an off-duty policeman who happened to be passing by, plus two other police officers to subdue Bird. Even after police stunned him with a Taser, Bird continued to resist.

Bird has been charged with four counts felony assault with a weapon, two counts felony burglary and misdemeanor resisting arrest. He could face decades behind bars if convicted.

The aftermath has county officials talking about more than just a violent downtown stabbing spree. That Bird, who is from Missoula, was on prerelease at Alpha House, a prison halfway house in Billings, has illuminated a problem local leaders have been sore about for a long time: a disproportionate number of violent felons in Montana are being released to Billings.

Within a few days of the stabbings, Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito and Billings Mayor Bill Cole were addressing a group of state legislators. The pair were seeking the state's help in addressing Billings having to take more than its fair share of parolees, and the impact those convicts are having on the city's escalating crime rate.

This is unlike anything that anybody in the state of Montana has seen, Twito told the lawmakers Wednesday morning. And, so we need solutions from you that help us here (in Billings).

Crime trending upward

Billings leaders have complained for years that Billings has become a dumping ground for many of the state's paroled and prerelease convicts, some of whom have committed heinous crimes here.

One sympathetic local legislator Wednesday suggested the state's Department of Corrections just gives inmates "a bus ticket to Billings" when they're released from prison or other DOC programs.

Keeping those people off the streets while they're still under DOC supervision has become even more of a challenge as many of the state's prisons and jails are operating at capacity. The jail in Yellowstone County has a stated capacity of 434 inmates. On Nov. 9, for example, the jail held 535 inmates, according to Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder.

A hundred over, Twito exclaimed to the state legislators. "So they're double bunking, putting them on floors, putting them in space. Its crazy.

Of those incarcerated, 26% were arrested on probation or parole violations or were placed on DOC holds. In 2015, Yellowstone County voters shot down a mill levy designed to expand and update the jail, but as crime has grown the facility has failed to keep up.

Corrections data does show that Billings is home to a disproportionate number of DOC supervised inmates, when compared with other cities. Billings is also home to the second highest crime rate in the state and the largest population center. Crime has been trending skyward for the last decade and real solutions have been hard to find.

Speaking to lawmakers, Twito said the strain that crime levels have put on his office and the number of crimes committed by previously convicted or charged people has pushed his office and the county's criminal justice system to the limit.

We keep dealing with the same folks over and over and over and over again, Twito said. I will show you data that shows this and proves it.

Of the 2,270 felony cases his office handled in 2020, at least 1,029  nearly half  of the suspects had previously been charged with a felony in Yellowstone County. Of those, 390 had active cases pending against them, meaning they had committed crimes while awaiting trial for felony crimes they had previously committed. It is difficult to say how many of those repeat offenders were from other regions of the state.

The numbers

Yellowstone County, which makes up about 15% of the states population, is home to 2,388 community supervised convicts as of Nov. 8. The number represents 24% of the total 9,925 community supervised people statewide. Community supervision includes parolees, probationers and conditional releases. And, that number doesn't even include prerelease inmates like Bird, Twito said.

In contrast Missoula, the second-largest county in the state with 11% of the states population, houses 1,143 community supervised inmates, or 11.5% of the states community supervised population. Montanas third most populous county, Gallatin, is also home to about 11% of the states population, but has just 512 convicts, about 5% of the states total community supervised population.

According to crime data reported in the Bozeman Police Department's 2020 annual report, Billings overall crime rate was 126.4 per 1,000 residents last year. Missoula was close behind with 115.36 per 1,000 residents. Bozeman had the lowest crime rate of all the states major cities with 59.74 per 1,000 residents.

The highest crime rate belongs to Great Falls with 149.26 crimes committed for every 1,000 residents. The total supervised population in Great Falls is 1,006 or 10% of the total community release population. Cascade County is home to 7.5% of all Montanans.

An epidemic of violence

Rising crime in Yellowstone County has been characterized as an epidemic of violence, and those rates show no sign of slowing. In 2020, historically high homicide investigations and gun violence set the stage this year for frequent shootings and stabbings. Crime in 2021 was on track to surpass 2020s already unprecedented levels.

But Billings' crime rate had been trending upward for the last decade even before a spike blamed partly on COVID-19 frustrations. From 2011 to 2019 violent crime grew from 444 a year to 933 violent crimes reported two years ago. In 2020, it got worse when violent crimes reported countywide reached 1,169.

Among the worst violent crimes this year was a shootout between two groups on June 24 in the alleyway behind Jake's. Surveillance footage showed the two groups of four met before 18-year-old Brijen Fisher of Billings allegedly fired multiple rounds at point blank range killing 22-year-old Thaddeus Merritt of Chicago.

As Merritt fell he drew his own gun and shot Fisher in the leg and ankle, charges alleged. The other men scattered. Fisher crawled behind a car where he was found by police. Merritt died at the scene.

The two crimes  Fishers and Birds  are demonstrative of the escalating violent crime spilling into the citys streets.

Combating rising crime has proven a daunting challenge for police and community leaders. One group of downtown private property owners found their own solution this summer when they chipped in to buy and then demolish the Lazy KT Motel, a frequent source of police calls. The effect was immediate. Police and emergency calls to the area dropped dramatically and property owners praised the results.

The rising crime rate was among the reasons a proposition was put to voters recently to increase police and public safety funding by $7.5 million. Voters in early November overwhelmingly supported the measure, which will increase the police force, municipal court capacity, firefighting capabilities and provide funding to substance use and mental health programs. Officials hope these measures will get some people off the streets and into treatment before they commit crimes.

Meth and other drugs

Billings has a drug problem. On any given day in district court, people charged with criminal possession of dangerous drugs or distribution of drugs line up to appear before district judges.

In 2018, drug-related crimes peaked in Billings at 1,910 charges. In 2020, that number shrank to 1,224 but is still high when compared to 2010s 886 total drug charges. Of the charges in 2020, 39 were for possession with intent to sell drugs, and 30 were for the sale of illicit drugs.

In 2020, the State Medical Examiner reported that Yellowstone County experienced more than twice as many drug overdose deaths  25  than any other city in the state. That number was 22% of all overdose deaths in Montana. Cascade County was second with 12 overdose deaths. Missoula County followed with 11 overdose deaths. The types of drugs responsible for the deaths was not available in the report, but methamphetamine is the most commonly used illicit drug in Montana.

More programs, more felons

One reason for Billings' overly large supervised population is the existing criminal justice infrastructure. Billings has two prerelease programs, a substance use disorder program, a sex offender program, 34 sober living facilities, drug courts, veterans courts and the largest number of probation and parole officers in the state  35 as of 2019. This past year, an additional seven parole officers were allocated by the Legislature, and so far two have been hired.

In 2019, Missoula had 24 POs allocated and Great Falls had 16. Bozeman, with the states third largest population, had nine POs allocated to its office.

With more services, more POs, and more crime, it comes as no surprise to local leaders why Billings is home to a disproportionate number of community supervised inmates.

Tragic outcomes

On April 15, a 64-year-old Billings woman, Roxann Watson, was found strangled and beaten to death in her own home. Her daughter, 28-year-old Erika Miller, and the daughters boyfriend, Henry Porter, 22, named as suspects, were on the lam. The next day Miller and Porter died at Porters own hand after Gallatin County Sheriffs deputies chased them into the woods near Yellowstone National Park.

Four days later, Shanna Booth, 32, was found dead in the basement of Millers home, stuffed in a closet. Her death has been attributed to Porter.

In July 2018, Porter was convicted of three counts of assault with a weapon, Twito recalled for lawmakers on Wednesday. Porter was committed to the DOC for 10 years with all of those years suspended. By the end of July 2018, he was charged with aggravated assault involving a gun, sexual assault and robbery. In August, the courts began a revocation of his suspended sentence.

In February of 2019, he was convicted of aggravated burglary and sentenced to 10 years in the custody of DOC with five years suspended. He was determined by DOC to have a history of violent behavior and he was labeled a high-risk offender. Regardless of that label, he was approved for prerelease in Billings in May of 2019. In August 2020, he was approved for conditional release and moved into the community.

In February of 2021, DOC was notified that Porter had been kicked out of his residence for repeated drug use. In March, Porter entered a sober living facility. On April 8, 2021, a woman called authorities to say her daughter was dating Porter and the two were hooked on meth and living at her house. That woman was Roxann Watson.

That same day, the sober living house notified DOC that Porter had left only four days after moving into the house on March 3, Twito stated. DOC had had zero contact with Porter after March 3. Seven days after her call to the authorities on April 8, Watson was found dead in her home.

Porters and Birds cases are extremes, and many convicts on community supervised release commit no further crimes and get on with their lives. According to DOCs 2021 biennium report, in 2017, 38.57% of paroled or similarly released offenders reoffended, and 70% of all recidivism occurred in the first two years of release.

The most common violations were possession of a firearm; stalking, harassing or threatening a victim; absconding; failure to enroll in, or termination from, sexual or violent offender treatment programs; and termination from a prerelease or substance abuse disorder treatment program, DOC reported in their 2021 legislative biennium report.

In 2020, in response to COVID-19, the parole board approved the highest number of parole applications in the last four years when they paroled 1,504 of the 2,410 applications. In 2019, the board approved less than half as many at 664 of the total 1,028 applications.

Like many criminal justice agencies, the DOC has a workload and turnover problem. In a workforce report in 2019, probation and parole officers in Billings carried an average of 67 cases. The states highest caseload that year was nearby in Hardin, where one parole officer at the time supervised 182 inmates. The same report also highlighted that parole officers had an attrition rate of 25%.

Stretched thin

Corrections is not the only criminal justice agency in Billings stretched thin by rising crime. Twitos County Attorney's office is overworked and turnover has hindered his ability to pursue cases as well. He said his prosecutors were juggling over 130 cases each. Clearances on cases can sometimes take more than a year.

We are in the last quarter of 2021, I can tell you we are not going to increase our [felony] filings, Twito said. I dont have enough prosecutors to get to all the cases that are coming on. Were having to prioritize the violent offenses, the dangerous offenses, the burglaries and things that demand immediate attention.

The same problem has plagued the Office of the Public Defender. Overburdened lawyers and high turnover have reduced the regional offices' capability to the point a district judge had to hold OPD in contempt of court for failing to assign lawyers in a timely manner. OPD has since taken to assigning one lawyer to each judge to alleviate the problem, but that solution has caused some lawyers to carry extremely high caseloads, according to OPDs own testimony in front of Judge Donald Harris earlier this year.

Solutions to both offices staffing shortages have come slowly. Even with funding to hire more lawyers, recruiting and retaining talent has been difficult. This is especially true for the high-demand and relatively low-paying jobs of public defenders and prosecutors when compared with private attorney pay and workload in the region.

With the passing of the public safety mill levy this fall, officials anticipate increased policing will exacerbate the caseload problem.

In response to the presentation Wednesday morning, Billings City Administrator, Chris Kukulski, pushed those present to consider solutions and possible legislation going forward. He urged the lawmakers to form committees to look at the issues at play and form long-term plans.

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A South Carolina man pleaded guilty Friday to human and drug trafficking charges that spanned multiple states, including Montana, and involved coercing women and girls into prostitution.

Louis Gregory Venning, 41, faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years to life in prison and a $250,000 fine for sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, sex trafficking of a minor, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. The charges stemmed from federal indictments filed in 2019 and 2020, which alleged Venning recruited and coerced at least 15 women and girls over a period of about eight years.

A grand jury indicted Venning on multiple counts of sex and drug trafficking following his arrest in May 2020. He had previously pleaded guilty to charges involving commercial sex in Missouri and Tennessee, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.

Prosecutors alleged that Venning used violence or the threat of violence, along with drugs, to force women and girls into commercial sex in Billings and other Montana towns. He transported one survivor from Montana to Missouri and Georgia for prostitution in 2012, court documents say. In August 2018, he coerced a girl in Billings under the age of 18 into prostitution and allegedly assaulted another survivor in 2019 who he recruited in Missoula.

Two survivors told investigators that Venning gave them cocaine while they worked for him in commercial sex. FBI investigators also found a Facebook account connected to Venning in which he posted photos of himself with large amounts of cash and drugs. Venning also used Facebook in order to recruit women into his sex trafficking operation, documents say.

He reached an agreement with prosecutors before he was set to go to trial on Monday, when several survivors were expected to testify against him. U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided over the plea agreement, which recommended that nine other counts of sex and drug trafficking were dismissed.

A co-defendant in the cases against Venning, Destiny Lachelle Nilsen, pleaded guilty for her role in driving Venning and two women to a Billings bus station in August 2019. He intended to travel with the women to Georgia to engage in prostitution, according to court documents. Nilsen is awaiting sentencing.

Venning is in custody at the Yellowstone County Detention Center. His sentencing is scheduled for March 2022.

In June of this year, Yellowstone County District Court convicted a New Mexico man of coercing a 17-year-old into prostitution. Lavondrick Terelle Hogues, 35, is awaiting sentencing after being found guilty of sending the girl and a woman to engage in prostitution in New Mexico, Texas, North Dakota and Montana.

Anyone suspecting that they or someone they know may be victims of human trafficking can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or talk with an advocate online.

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Wildfires and their increased air pollution, unprecedented heat waves, drought with water shortages  Montana experienced all of these this year.

As health professionals, we are concerned about climates impact on the people and communities we care for. We believe it is imperative that those of us in health care do our part to mitigate global warming. The U.S. health care industry produces at least 8.5% of U.S. total carbon emissions and 25% of worldwide health care emissions. Lowering these numbers can have a significant positive impact on global warming and serve as a model for others.

Regionally, there are some leaders in these efforts. The Providence Healthcare system, including St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula and St. Josephs in Polson, has taken major steps in reducing its environmental impact, going so far as to set an ambitious goal to become carbon negative by 2030, eliminating or offsetting all greenhouse gas emissions.

A large health system with over 50 hospitals in 7 states, Providence has examples of on-site solar, wind, and geothermal renewable energy, and green tariff programs with utilities for significant renewable electricity. They have committed to reducing waste by 50% by 2030, enacting their "Waste Optimization" platform and to purchase 25% of the food used within the system sustainably by 2025. They have reduced greenhouse gases from anesthetic agents by 70%, on their way to 95%. Providence Healthcare has reduced business travel by 70%. As a Catholic system committed to justice, its hospitals and clinics are working with the communities they serve to understand and address inequities posed by climate change and other pollution.

These efforts are not only helpful in mitigating global warming; they are also fiscally beneficial.

Dr. Brian Chesebro, the Providence Oregon Region medical director for environmental stewardship, recently commented: I would say that two environmental stewardship initiatives in the operating room (anesthesia emissions reductions and surgical supply optimization) have thus far saved the Providence Oregon Region a combined $3.5 million/year across 8 hospitals.

We applaud Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health (SCL Health) for recently joining Practice Greenhealth. Montana hospitals in this health care system include St. Vincents in Billings, Holy Rosary in Miles City and St. James in Butte.

Health Care Without Harm, with 17,000 hospital members worldwide and its sister organization, the U.S.-based Practice Greenhealth, are available to assist hospitals and clinics in making the transition to more environmentally friendly care delivery. Many professional organizations offer guidelines for practice improvements including the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the Association of American PeriOperative Registered Nurses, and the American Academy of Family Physicians, among others.

Whether you are a patient or a health care provider, ask your hospital to consider sustainability!

We encourage all of our health care professional colleagues to become informed regarding climate change, its effects on the health of our patients, and the ways in which we can decrease those effects. We are all being adversely impacted by climate change and it is imperative that all of us providing health care in Montana actively become stewards of our planet as well as our local communities. Please join us in these efforts!

Montana Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate is a Montana nonprofit working to increase awareness of climate change, its impacts on human health and actions we can take to lessen those impacts.

Dr. Ned Vasquez, Missoula; Rebecca Elderkin, MPH CHES, All Nations Health Center, Missoula; Chelsea Kuiper, PhD student in Public Health, UM; Hayley Blackburn, PharmD, Missoula; Dr. Robert Byron, Hardin; Dr. Lori Byron, Hardin.

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Having a large neck circumference, either from being overweight or genetics, is also a key indicator of potential obstructive sleep apnea.

"Now you don't want to be a weirdo and start measuring your loved one's neck build at night," Dasgupta said. "The rule of thumb is always going to be a collar size of greater than 17 inches (43 centimeters) for a male and greater than 16 inches (40.6 centimeters) for a female will put you at a higher risk for sleep apnea."

G is for gender

Are you a man? Then unfortunately, that, too, makes you at increased risk for obstructive sleep apnea. Some of the reasons may be that men tend to have fatter tongues and carry more fat in their upper bodies than women, especially in the neck. Men also tend to have more "belly fat," which can make breathing in general more difficult.

"However, we definitely see a lot more obstructive sleep apnea in women after menopause," Dasgupta said.

High-risk needs evaluation

Now it's time to score your risk. Give yourself a point for every "yes" answer. If you scored between 5 and 8, you are at high risk of having obstructive sleep apnea and should be evaluated by a sleep specialist.
RALEIGH  As duck hunting season ramps up across the state, officials with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission urge waterfowl hunters to practice safety and share best practices with someone new to hunting. The commission reported that of the 27 people who died boating on the water in 2020, 19 were not wearing a life vest.

Boating incidents can occur in a split second, so its important to be prepared, said Chet Clark, the Wildlife Commissions recruitment, retention and reactivation manager. Hunters using a vessel should wear a personal floatation device at all times, even before getting in the boat. Also, dress appropriately. Wear clothing made of wool or other synthetic materials instead of cotton to help prevent hypothermia.

When on a vessel, its imperative to follow all boating regulations and consider bringing a personal locater beacon and reliable very high frequency marine radio. Boaters should keep navigational lights in good operating condition.

The Wildlife Commissions Home from the Hunt campaign recommends waterfowl hunters:

Alert someone to your whereabouts and an approximate return time

Understand that small, flat-bottom vessels are prone to capsizing and swamping
Lincoln had declared a national day of thanksgiving after the battle in July. All told, he declared nine days of thanksgiving during his presidency. Such a day became the holiday we celebrate next week. For him, America represented a place where the human and governmental experiment in liberty and freedom continued, if not perfectly, but on a course determined by the people.

It is one of those sad tragedies many people cannot identify with Lincolns words from Gettysburg. Yet, if we hear them, and understand them, we can know that out of great tragedy can come great meaning. Lincoln knew he had to honor the dead because of their sacrifice in standing up for a cause greater than themselves. He connected their cause to the founding of the country and the hope in all men being created equal with the mantle of slavery being abolished. He replanted the country in its past, but also laid down good soil for the country to grow again into another harvest where men (and women) could grow in liberty.

Lincoln felt the pressures and the dismay in the deaths and the dying at Gettysburg. He was coming to terms with his own leadership, and the purposes the war could bring for the future. He knew he was the caretaker of the nation, but the nations government was composed of people, by people, and for the people.

Having it not perish from the earth remains with usin and out of each season.

Brent Tomberlin is a social studies teacher at South Caldwell High School and CCC&TI. He can be reached at coachtomberlin@gmail.com.
Scour environmental cleanups across the nation and youll be hard-pressed to find one where its acceptable to leave as much lead in the yards of residences and school playgrounds as in Butte.

There are two reasons for this. The Atlantic Richfield Company, the primary party responsible for the Superfund cleanup in Butte, and the Environmental Protection Agency contracted studies in the 1990s feeding mine waste to rats and pigs and determined that lead in Butte soils comes predominantly from mine waste rock that has a relatively low bioavailability  it is not very absorbable by people, in other words.

The other reason is that in the model the EPA uses to set soil action levels at Superfund sites, the agency has since 1992 used as its standard 10 micrograms per deciliter as the blood lead level to avoid in more than 5% of children ages 0-5. That was the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standard at the time, and it was based on the level at which adverse health effects were known to occur  at the time.

Now, as scientists say there is no safe lead-exposure level for children, both of those rationales for Butte's comparatively lenient standards are in for closer scrutiny.

In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its reference level for lead in a childs blood from 10 g/dL to 5 g/dL. This October, the CDC further reduced its standard to 3.5 g/dL.

The EPA has not stopped using 10 g/dL.

The revised CDC reference levels were based on the estimate that 97.5% of children ages 1-5 in the country had blood lead levels below 5 g/dL from 2007-2010, and below 3.5 g/dL from 2015-2018.

But there's no question that the first reduction was also backed up by hard science on adverse health effects. This was the conclusion drawn by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program report released in 2012:

In children, there is sufficient evidence that blood Pb (lead) levels of 5 g/dL are associated with increased diagnosis of attention-related behavioral problems, greater incidence of problem behaviors, and decreased cognitive performance as indicated by (1) lower academic achievement, (2) decreased intelligence quotient (IQ), and (3) reductions in specific cognitive measures.

When EPA plugged the low bioavailability percentage and the 10 g/dL level into its computer model back in 1992, the residential soil action level in Butte was set at 1,200 ppm, and has been there ever since.

This same number was used this summer to assess Butte schoolyards, and five of the properties came back hot for lead or arsenic or both by current standards. Those areas were slated for remediation, but more playgrounds would have to be remediated if the EPA lowered its numbers to line up with even the 2012 CDC target.

EPA vs. the rest

Most Superfund sites where lead is involved set the residential soil action level around 400 ppm, including Anaconda, where studies have shown lead bioavailability is high. Some cleanups use the default value for bioavailability, 30%, whereas its been determined by EPA to be just 12% in Butte. More generally, the EPA on its website recommends kids dont play in bare soil with lead content over 400 ppm.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has adopted the 5 g/dL standard in determining soil action levels for lead in cleanups. Assuming default bioavailability, the MDEQ used the EPAs same model to determine a 200 ppm action level for residential soils. In California, the state requires 80 ppm or less in residential soil. A bill is in play in New York to restrict lead in residential soils to 300 ppm. Its 250 ppm in Washington state.

Underlying the stricter standards being adopted around the country is something the EPA and the CDC have both been saying for a decade: There is no safe level of lead exposure for children.

Children can be exposed to lead because they crawl around in the dirt and put things in their mouths. At the same time, they absorb more lead than adults because theyre developing body systems and detoxification processes. Lead can permanently impair cognitive abilities and cause other health effects. Even low levels of lead in the blood of children can result in lower IQ and hyperactivity, slowed growth, hearing problems and anemia  thats straight from the EPA handbook.

So the question is: Why does the EPA still use a risk assessment standard designed to prevent 5% of a populations children from reaching a blood lead level of 10 g/dL when the CDC has said currently only 2.5% of the nations children have a blood lead level above 3.5 g/dL?

Change forthcoming?

EPA Region 8 officials said the agency is reevaluating its lead policy nationwide. The EPA has been doing so for almost a decade, but a new lead initiative has now been proposed at the national level.

The one thing that I do know is that EPA is very closely and for quite a while examining the lead policy," said Charlie Partridge, EPA toxicologist for Region 8, which includes Butte.

If there is a change, it would be to lower the lead standard the EPA uses, Partridge said, something that would impact Superfund sites across the country.

If the EPA does make the decision that the best for the environment and human health is a new target blood level, thousands of sites across the nation are going to revisit this, Partridge said.

Region 8 officials provided The Montana Standard the contact for Jackie Harwood, senior advisor in the EPA headquarters' office of public affairs. A voicemail message and email were left Tuesday afternoon, and the Montana Standard didnt receive a response.

Under the leadership of President Joe Biden and new EPA Administrator Michael Regan, The EPA on Oct. 28 released a draft strategy to reduce lead exposures nationwide. It is up for public comment until Jan. 26.

In the document, the EPA lists goals to revise lead policy at sites governed by Superfund law to protect human health and the environment in accordance with the latest science and specifically revisit the soil-lead hazard standards.

Eric Hassler, director of the Butte-Silver Bow Reclamation and Environmental Services Department, is in charge of the countys role in the Superfund cleanup. The primary mechanism for remediating lead from Butte residences is the Residential Metals Abatement Program, run by Butte Silver-Bow and paid for by Atlantic Richfield through Superfund agreements.

RMAP has been removing soils laden with high lead levels since the late 1980s, and dust from attics since the early 2000s.

Hassler said the EPA should take a hard look at the 10 g/dL number.

Yes. I think science should drive the action levels, he said. Id like the EPA to land on a final blood lead level that corresponds with the others.

Say the EPA plugged 5 g/dL into its model, and left everything else the same. Partridge, Nikia Greene, EPAs remedial project manager for Superfund in Butte, and Montana Tech professor David Hutchins, a long-time advocate for stricter lead action levels, did just that at a meeting in August 2020.

They found the residential soil action level would be 410 ppm. The model has changed some, but considering 3.5 g/dL is the latest CDC reference level, its worth examining what a 400 ppm action level would mean for Butte.

Hasslers team at RMAP ran the numbers.

Every residential property in Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit, which encompasses Uptown, must be assessed and remediated if it exceeds action levels. If the soil action level changed to 400 ppm, the yards of an estimated additional 1,433 properties would have to be remediated.

Thats a lot more work. It would be costly, and that cost would have to be negotiated in Superfund agreements. Already, the RMAP still needs to assess around 600 properties in the BPSOU and re-assess about 800 more due to a change in sampling policy that occurred in 2011. An additional 8,000 residences outside the BPSOU also became eligible for the RMAP last year. Although the program isnt required to actively seek participation outside the BPSOU, interest has been high.

Some additional remediation of the schools assessed this summer would be required also in the event the target was lowered.

Atlantic Richfield contractors undertook assessment of yards and playgrounds of 21 properties children frequent in Butte this past summer, most of those schools.

Four had sections that failed the current lead standard, and those areas were slated for remediation.

If the 400 ppm action level was used instead of 1,200 ppm, an additional playground at the AWARE Early Head Start on Mercury Street would have to be remediated, and an additional playground at the Head Start location on North Clark Street, as well as four playgrounds at the Head Start location on Arizona Street. There, lead as high as 1,020 ppm was detected in the top 2 inches of soil in a playground.

Butte Central Elementary-Middle School also exceeded the 400 ppm mark in all three sections sampled in the courtyards, testing at 798 ppm for lead in the top two inches of soil in the yard encompassing the majority of that outdoor space.

Under the EPAs current target, those spaces are still considered to be protective without remediation.

Various outdoor spaces in lower profile areas would also have to be remediated, but the majority of schoolyards tested below 400 ppm across the board.

Medical monitoring

Whether the EPAs action levels are protective, and whether the RMAP program is making a difference in Butte are two separate questions, but there is some overlap.

Though RMAP only remediates soil that hits that 1,200 ppm mark, the countys biomonitoring effort takes 500-700 pin prick screening samples from Butte children annually through the federal Women, Infants and Children program, although this came to a halt during the COVID pandemic. This is also part of Superfund.

Responding to the CDCs recommendation, the county has considered 5 g/dL an elevated blood level since 2013, and targets homes of any child who tests above that for immediate environmental assessment through RMAP  if the elevated blood level is confirmed through follow-up venous sampling, which doesnt always occur. However, all participants in the biomonitoring program are encouraged to seek an environmental assessment, especially if metals threats are identified in the interview process.

These assessments go beyond mining related impacts  lead, arsenic and mercury in soil, indoor dust and attic dust. They also evaluate whether other impacts may be at play, such as lead-based paint and lead in silverware.

Even then, soils in yards are only remediated if they hit 1,200 ppm.

In the process, Butte has built a large lead information database over the years, which is used in medical monitoring reports to evaluate the efficacy of remediation.

These studies have shown blood lead levels of Buttes young children have improved dramatically over the years remediation has been done, and in fact average blood lead levels were in line with national levels once adjusted for housing age and demographics as of 2010.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey that looks at lead nationwide stopped adjusting for housing age after that, so comparisons between Butte and other parts of the nation with older houses are now harder to draw. Old houses often have lead paint.

The percentage of children with elevated levels is still significantly higher in Butte compared to the nation overall, however.

The second RMAP medical monitoring study reported that in 2004, almost 40% of Butte children screened had blood lead levels above the 5 g/dL reference level, and 65% above the 3.3 g/dL detection level, as opposed to almost 10% at 5 g/dL and 22% at 3.3 g/dL nationwide.

Butte declined more rapidly than the national average after that, reaching about 6% above 5 g/dL and 27% above the 3.3 g/dL detection limit by 2016, compared to under 2% at 5 g/dL and about 5% above the 3.3 g/dL detection limit nationwide.

Those numbers have to be taken with a grain of salt, because the pin prick method used by WIC in Butte for screening has a tendency to turn out false positives, according to Hassler and others involved in reporting. Its also worth mentioning a batch of those tests was recalled during the pandemic  when WIC wasnt doing any sampling in Butte  over concern the machines were instead producing false negatives.

The NHANES survey, meanwhile, uses only venous blood confirmations, which are much more reliable, but also more invasive.

Rosalind Schoof, toxicologist for engineer consulting firm Ramboll, authored the RMAP medical monitoring studies. Can we trust that 27% of young kids in Butte had blood lead levels over 3.3 g/dL, while nationwide, it was only 5%?

Schoof, prefacing that the national numbers arent weighted for housing age and demographics, said she believed the comparison between Butte and the national average was fairly reliable.

My general impression of the Lead Care II kits (used in Butte) is that they're probably fairly accurate in detecting values above 3.3. But the exact values may not be as reliable, she said.

Butte-Silver Bow confirms elevated blood levels with venous follow-ups whenever possible, but has run into problems getting cooperation from families. Sometimes pin pricks also pick up lead contamination on a childs hands. These challenges should be resolved when a new position is filled in the health department  funded by Atlantic Richfield through Superfund  which will enable quicker confirmation samples.

If the RMAP program again lowered its medical monitoring standard for elevated blood levels to 3.5 g/dL in accordance with the CDC, it would lead to a steep increase in environmental assessments resulting from follow-ups. This could help drop blood lead levels in Butte, and also provide more data on whats causing Butte to have a higher frequency of elevated blood lead levels than the national average.

But it wouldnt make up for protective soil action levels.

The EPA folks are often quick to mention lead paint and lead pipes whenever the topic of mining impacts are brought up.

RMAP follows up on every case of a blood lead level elevated above 5 g/dL thats confirmed with a venous blood draw with case management. But many times venous confirmation doesnt happen  skewing data and sometimes preventing an environmental assessment.

Hassler said RMAPs case management investigations have never identified lead pipes to be the principal cause, and RMAP hasnt deemed lead paint to be the most likely source of an elevated blood lead level in over five years.

RMAPs annual construction completion reports show elevated blood lead levels were confirmed by venipuncture in children through monitoring 57 times from 2013 to 2019. Many times, guardians didnt see the follow-up all the way through to the point a cause could be detected, and sometimes no environmental assessment could be done at all.

The presence of lead-based paint was noted in 16 cases. Attics tested hot for lead in 10 cases, soil was hot in five cases, and indoor dust was hot in four cases. Specific causes not related to mining impacts, such as lead in dishware, were identified in four cases. There were multiple lead risk factors at play in many of the cases.

So the multi-pathway method has certainly helped children in Butte, but it doesnt necessarily indicate that causes unrelated to mining present a higher risk to kids than mining impacts.

Another notable finding in the RMAP medical monitoring reports was that rates of elevated blood levels in Butte are consistently higher in warmer months when kids are more likely to be playing outside.

Its an important tool, but there is significant uncertainty involved in biomonitoring. Participation is voluntary  many children are never tested  and venous confirmation is hard to pull off, whereas cleanup of every property in the BPSOU older than 1982 to EPA action levels is required by law.

Its a big ask to understand just how children are being exposed to lead. Part of the reason is that overall exposure has dropped massively nationwide in recent decades.

A 40-year analysis of NHANES surveys found the average blood lead level of a child in this country was 15.2 g/dL from 1976 to 1980. It was 0.83 g/dL from 2011 to 2016. Thats a 94.5% decrease.

Buttes blood lead levels have rapidly declined with the rest of the country. The CDC attributes nationwide decline mostly to phasing out leaded gasoline, leaded paint and lead in food and other products.

But a unique and serious lead problem remains in Butte. In the yards RMAP samples in Uptown Butte, soils have come back hot 40% of the time.

Bioavailability

The contamination in Anaconda is from smelter dust, which is more absorbable due to process and finer particulate size, while the contamination in Butte is from mine waste  that has been the EPAs line on bioavailability, and theres a heap of research behind it.

But attic abatements started in Butte in the early 2000s. RMAP crews have found that 95% of the hundreds of homes assessed were hot for lead in attic dust, and 57% for both lead and arsenic.

So where did that dust come from?

I would say, in all likelihood, the majority probably is coming from an aerial deposition scenario. And the major aerial deposition scenario would probably be smelter releases. But there is some wind-blown component as well, Partridge said.

In an email exchange between the EPAs Greene and Hutchins, Greene explained that roasting and smelting in Butte declined significantly in the early 1900s with construction of smelters in Anaconda and Great Falls.

The Washoe Smelter in Anaconda ran until 1980. Could the dust that contaminates nearly every Butte attic be from that smelter? Could that same more bioavailable dust be in Butte soils?

None of the bioavailability studies looked primarily at residential soil. If residential soil was used, it was generally mixed with soil from waste rock dumps. In fact, the express purpose of some of the studies was to look at waste rock so it could be compared to the bioavailability from smelter dust in Anaconda. Still, Greene and Partridge defended the research on grounds the most probable exposure scenarios were studied and determined to be from the mine waste stream, and that some residential soil was used in the studies, and that all of the soil studied would have had whatever was deposited from the air in it as well.

A bioavailability study of the attic dust in Butte has never been done, but the EPA uses the higher default bioavailability percentage for dust action levels in Butte.

For Hutchins, there is enough mystery remaining in the bioavailability picture to warrant a more conservative approach in at least one factor in the EPAs action level equation.

The obvious choice is a switch from 10 g/dL to the current CDC reference level, he said.

The bottom line

This story is really about whether its safe for children to have a blood lead level of 5 g/dL. Its not.

That the EPA bases its soil action levels in Butte off a 10 g/dL target is a danger to Buttes children, any way you try to look at it.

Partridge said its a big job changing action levels for so many projects across the nation, but he didnt say whether the EPA was going to do it.

Atlantic Richfields contractors took the time to go into Butte schools to sample the soil and create remediation plans this year, almost a decade after the brass at the EPA started wondering if they should change its target blood lead level to correspond with every other agency of health, and just before the CDC again dropped its target.

Its notable that the worst soil problems were found at the Head Start facilities, where young, low-income children play. In an interview, Schoof pointed out that poverty may be a factor in why Butte kids have higher blood lead levels than the national average. Perhaps in this case, poverty and mining impacts are not independent of one another.

Outside Superfund sites, the EPA tells parents to keep their kids out of bare soil with over 400 ppm lead. Because Buttes been designated a Superfund site, the parties responsible for the mess treated Butte to extensive studies that justified lowering that level and reducing the cleanup.

There have been perks along the way, and Hassler and Greene may have a point when they say RMAP could lose some of its personal touch  working around folks construction plans, and being able to further investigate the odd case of a child chewing on batteries. That if the numbers drop too low, it could turn into old fashioned dig-and-haul.

But if you plug 3.5 g/dL into the EPAs model, and leave bioavailability for Butte where it is, you get a lot less than 400 ppm.

Thats the direction the country is headed, because theres no safe level of lead exposure. Its more than fair to ask if Buttes being left behind.

Note: Local officials from the EPA, Butte-Silver Bow and Atlantic Richfield promptly responded to interview requests and provided data for this story.

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CHICAGO (AP)  A man whose wife was struck and killed by a car being pursued by Chicago police officers will receive $2 million if a city committee approves a proposed settlement over her death.

The Chicago City Councils Finance Committee is set on Monday to consider the settlement involving Julia Lynn Callaway, who was struck so violently in May 2018 her body was thrown 50 feet (15.2 meters) into the air.

If the settlement is approved, the money would go to her widower, David Brown, the minister of Shiloh Baptist Church, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

Brown had taken his 55-year-old wife shopping for Mothers Day when she was struck and killed along a sidewalk in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood by a car fleeing a traffic stop.

Officers claimed to have smelled a strong odor of cannabis coming from Curtis Pughs car before they pulled up next to his vehicle, prompting Pugh to speed away with two passengers inside.
CHICAGO (AP)  An 18-year-old man was charged with murder in the shooting death of a Chinese student near the University of Chicago's campus after he was found carrying the gun used in the slaying, police announced Friday.

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said at a news conference that Alton Spann of Chicago was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon.

It wasn't immediately known Friday if Spann has an attorney.

Deputy Chief of Detectives Rahman Muhammad said that Shaoxiong Dennis Zheng, 24, was standing on a sidewalk in a residential area Tuesday afternoon in the Hyde Park neighborhood on the citys South Side when Spann approached Zheng and robbed him at gunpoint of some of his belongings, including electronics, before shooting him in the torso and running off.

Muhammad said surveillance cameras in the area recorded Spann running toward a Black Ford Mustang that then sped away.

Using video from the city's surveillance camera system, private residences and the school's cameras, the police were able to track the vehicle, which they later determined had been stolen from the nearby suburb of Markham on Nov. 3.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP)  A shortage of teachers, substitutes, paraeducators and other school staff is forcing educators to come up with creative ways to meet the needs of students and find more workers.

On the Iowa job board for schools, over 250 education job openings are posted in the Cedar Rapids area alone. Several Eastern Iowa educators say their districts are ramping up recruiting efforts amid a shrinking pool of possible applicants, enacting financial incentives or cutting into teacher prep time to maximize capacity.

To be sure, kids are still doing great things, needs are being met and there are great adults showing up for them every day, said Cedar Rapids Community School District Superintendent Noreen Bush, who said that teachers indeed are taxed to make it happen.

There are just not enough of them  particularly in areas like teaching special education and advanced classes  and the ongoing shortage of substitute teachers has only been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joseph has never doubted that he would one day become a pilot.

Ive wanted to be a pilot pretty much my entire life, since probably well before I was 6, he said. Ive just wanted to fly.

Joseph started his flight training through the Key City Fliers in 2020 with a scholarship to help cover the costs. He earned his private pilot certificate earlier this year after accumulating enough hours in the air and completing a series of tests.

Bridger Hawkinson, a junior at Wahlert, is nearly finished with his training to become a private pilot. He plans to get his certification when he turns 17 and is able to do so.

Bridger started his flight training when he was 14 and flew a plane for the first time.

At first it was kind of nerve-wracking because its your first time in an airplane, and a small airplane especially, and getting the feel for the controls and what it feels like, but after a few lessons, you get used to it, he said.

One of the things he loves about flying is the freedom that comes with it.
Students at Untalan Middle School's Student Body Association produced a public service video in May this year asking the community for help with information leading to solving the recent crime spree that hit the Barrigada school. Students are also working with the Parent Teacher Association, which is asking for donations to purchase security cameras.
Mermaids and Mai Tai, pirates and Tahitian punch: Napa is finally getting a tiki bar and restaurant.

Wilfred's Lounge officially opens on Friday, Nov. 12, at 967 First St.

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If you are wondering who Wilfred is, that is all part of the story.

When the father and son duo of John and Nat Komes decided to buy what might have been the ugliest building to ever pop up in downtown Napa, there was a collective sigh of relief around town. Whatever they did, it would have to be better than the bizarre creation that resembled a washtub hit by a hurricane, created to house a short-lived hamburger joint.

Briefly, the Komes toyed with the idea of opening a wine tasting bar for their Flora Springs, John Nathaniel, and Bodacious wines. Then, Nat said, they heard loud and clear from the Napa community: please, something different.

"And we really did want something for the community," said Nat, who lives in Napa with his family. His parents, who founded Flora Springs Winery in 1978, divide their time between St. Helena and Arizona.

Flora Springs took shape in a pre-Prohibition ghost winery, but its name was inspired by John's mother, Flora, who left her native Hawaii in 1929 to study nursing in California.

Flora had a brother, named Wilfred, who long ago welcomed guests to his Honolulu bar.

As the idea of paying homage to their Hawaiian roots began to take shape, so did the pandemic, which did give the Komes time to develop the idea, detail by detail, transforming the ugly duckling building into a rare tropical bird on the Napa River.

As the word spread that it would become a Tiki bar and restaurant, local interest grew, especially from the thriving community of Tiki aficionados. Nat Komes said he was continually surprised and delighted as suggestions and tips -- such as where to find shrunken heads -- poured in.

Observers could watch the transformation, from the new siding that covered the old metal building to the two artists who carved the giant Tiki statues from fallen eucalyptus trees; they now stand on the patio at the entrance facing First Street.

Step inside and you are in a Polynesian wonderland everywhere you look: a bamboo-wrapped bar, palm fronds and flowers, and the mermaid and pirate who take turns appearing behind a window in a corridor.

The Komes worked with a team of artists and craftspeople who specialize in Tiki culture including Bamboo Ben Bassham, Michael Cobb and Billy Crud, as well as Bill Collins, Chris Lopes, Woody Miller, Jose Mendez and Ken Pleasant.

Downstairs, it's all Tiki, with an outrigger dangling from the ceiling, abundant carvings, a pufferfish light, and an ohana case where regulars can store their mugs. (It's already filling up.)

Ascend the staircase lined with a mysterious lava wall and embellished with giant statues from one of Trader Vic's classic Polynesian restaurants, and you are inside a ship with red velvet sofas and a skeleton behind a bar, a skull and crossbones on the wall -- could this be a pirate captain's quarters?

From here, you can step out onto the upper deck and gaze at the vista of, well, it's the Napa River, not the rolling Pacific, but it's still a grand sight.

Throughout Wilfred's, mingled with the Tiki carvings are Komes' family heirlooms. The trunk Flora Komes brought from Hawaii hangs over the bar; some of the chairs belonged to Nat's grandparents. Look carefully and you'll find a painting of Flora and another one of Wilfred from artist Steven Horlock.

Yet to come is an exterior mural, created by Ken Ruzic that combines Napa Valley and island images: Flora Komes is arriving from Hawaii on an outrigger canoe along with the Napa's old First Street bridge. Right now you can see the design for the mural on the cocktail glasses.

Wilfred's general manager is Daniel Doc Parks, a mixologist and 2017 San Francisco Chronicle Bar Star.  Parks was beverage director at the Pagan Idol and Zombie Village bars in San Francisco, and he also brings his Tiki experience from working at Trader Vics flagship restaurant in Emeryville.

Among the drinks on Parks' cocktail list is the 1944 Mai Tai invented by Trader Vic Bergeron in Oakland, as well as other creations such as Batten Down the Hatches (which includes absinthe as well as the Tiki staple, rum), a Wiki Wiki Spritz (with sparkling wine) and a Hipa Hipa Hooray made of rum coconut, pandan, pineapple, lime and orange, ad described as "not your everyday pain killer."

Daring souls who order the Waikiki Wipeout (for three to five people) will get a special surprise; one would not want to give it away, but it involves the Three Stooges.

Wilfred's executive chef is Max Ackerman, a native of San Diego, who found his way to Napa, where he first worked at Compline. Ackerman is also the owner of Sushi Monkey in Napa, which offers a creative range of sushi -- and he plans to bring the fun spirit he incorporates in his sushi to Wilfred's menu.

The menu, he said, is still evolving but in addition to island classics, like Coconut Shrimp with a ginger mango dipping sauce, Five-Spice Sticky Ribs, and Huli Huli Chicken Skewers. There will also be Spam Sliders.

"We have had fun," Nat Komes said. "My dad brought out a folder full of old recipes."

And will there be wine? Absolutely. John Komes also took charge of this area, Nat said. "It's just Napa Valley wines -- a 'died and gone to Heaven wine list.'"

"Im proud how my dad and I transformed it into a place with layers of fun and surprise," Nat said.

Wilfreds Lounge will attract true Tiki-philes as well as folks looking for a completely novel experience, Doc Parks said. From the cocktails to the food to the decor, were focused on creating an authentic island experience that offers people an escape and the warm hospitality the Komes family is already known for in Napa Valley.

Wilfreds Lounge is open five days a week, Wednesday to Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (The kitchen closes at 9 p.m.). Reservations are not required but can be made by calling (707) 690-9957.

Plans are to include live music including performances by and Judd Finkelstein's Maikai Gents on Nov. 12 and the Alcatraz Islanders on Nov. 13.

More information is at wilfredslounge.com.
Armenia opposition member says Azerbaijani ex-FM expresses gratitude to Pashinyan

Erdogan and Turkish ministers to discuss situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border

Citizens who blocked one of Yerevan avenues are apprehended

Defense ministry: Situation on Armenian-Azerbaijani border is relatively stable

Covid-19 in Armenia: 30 new deaths

18 citizens are apprehended for participation in Yerevan protests

Russian peacekeepers ensure control in Nagorno-Karabakh

Carbon monoxide causes death in Yerevan

In Yerevan, citizens block main streets to draw attention to the situation at the border

El Salvador plans to build the world's first Bitcoin city

Canadian portal publishes list of countries with strongest Air Force on Earth

Japan announces self-destruction of COVID-19 delta strain

Israel to sign solar energy agreement with Jordan in UAE

Japan concerned over joint air patrols of Russia and China near country's borders

In Mexico, 600 migrants were found in two trucks

Europe protests against coronavirus restrictions

Commander of Russian airbase in Armenia: Ready to perform tasks as intended

US is going to build a nuclear power plant on the moon

Biden's son helps Chinese company buy mine in Africa

China lowers level of diplomatic relations with Lithuania

Russia and US confirm their intentions to send joint mission to Venus

Putin and Pashinyan discuss situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and measures to stabilize it

Honored Art Worker of Armenia, composer Ruben Altunyan passes away

492 new cases of coronavirus confirmed in Armenia

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Armenian contract soldier dies amid violation of rules for handling weapons

Man, 29, jumps from Yerevan bridge

Armenia MFA confirms PM Pashinyan's readiness to meet with Azerbaijans Aliyev on December 15

Quake shakes coast of Vanuatu

State minister: Nationwide quarantine, specific restrictions planned to be imposed in Karabakh

Artsakh President convenes National Security Service consultation

Opposition MP: Armenia FM stated that Turkey has proposed new precondition: corridor

Armenia military expert: US Embassy warns its citizens to avoid Karahunj-Davit Bek, Kapan-Chakaten road sections

Armenia opposition MP: Air carrier operating flights from Syunik Province cannot have any security guarantees

Singapore is good example for Armenia, says President Sarkissian

Iran seizes foreign ship in Persian Gulf

2 Azerbaijanis injured in anti-tank mine explosion at Karabakh conflict zone

US, Turkey presidential advisors discuss situation in South Caucasus

Synopsys boss pays tribute to Armenian Genocide victims

Russia peacekeepers escort 15 convoys to, from Artsakh in one week

Catholicos Karekin II to Patriarch Kirill: We appreciate your warm attitude towards Armenian Church, people

China fines Alibaba for violating antitrust law

36 new cases of coronavirus reported in Karabakh

UK Premier Johnson considering boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics

Artsakh President visits Askeran city, meets with regional capitals youth

President to Russia Patriarch: Armenian people highly value your efforts aimed at achieving peace in our region

870 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

8 injured in tragic accident on Yerevan-Gyumri motorway are discharged from hospital

China, Russia, US agree to promote political dialogue on Iran

Azerbaijan mother, son commit suicide on same day

One pedestrian dies on the spot, other hospitalized after hit by car in Armenia village area

US beauty consultant is accused of killing woman by injecting silicone into her butt

Brazil Amazon deforestation reaches highest level in 15 years

Newspaper: Armenia soldiers are prohibited from filming episodes from their service, posting them on internet

Newspaper: Armenia opposition is forming large-scale resistance network

Armenia President visits National University of Singapore

Gia, wanted by French law-enforcement authorities, found at Armenia's Bagratashen checkpoint

Leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia agree to meet in Brussels

European Council: Pashinyan and Aliyev agreed to establish direct communication line at level of defense ministers

Armenia's Representative to OSCE speaks about Azerbaijan's recent attack at Permanent Council's session

Armenia serviceman Meruzhan Harutyunyan, killed in Syunik Province, was buried at Yerablur Military Pantheon

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3 Armenian servicemen killed during Nov. 16 Azerbaijani attack posthumously awarded presidential medals

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Queen Elizabeth has missed the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London as she has sprained her back, BBC News reported.

Buckingham Palace said the monarch, 95, was "disappointed" not to attend the event.

The palace previously said it was the Queen's "firm intention" to attend the service, after taking time away from her duties for health reasons.

She made the decision to miss the event "with great regret" Sunday morning, a statement said.

As in previous years, a wreath was laid on her behalf by the Prince of Wales.

The Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex and The Princess Royal also still attended as planned.

Remembrance Sunday is when Queen Elizabeth, who has devoted her life to service, pays her tribute to those who served.

It's understood that the Queen will not need hospital treatment. It looks as if a car ride from Windsor and a period of standing in the cold watching the ceremony were just impossible given her back sprain.

The Queen's back sprain is unrelated to her doctor's recent advice to rest, news agency PA Media reported.

Doctors had advised the monarch to rest until mid-November after she spent a night in hospital on October 20 for checksher first overnight hospital stay in eight years.

However, she did undertake some light duties during that time, including meeting ambassadors via video link from Windsor Castle.

She also recorded a video message for the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, after pulling out of attending the event in person.

And she missed the Festival of Remembrance at London's Royal Albert Hall on Saturday, which was attended by Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince William, and Catherine.

The Remembrance Sunday service would have been her first duty in public after her hospital stay last month.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "The Queen, having sprained her back, has decided this morning with great regret that she will not be able to attend today's Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph. Her Majesty is disappointed that she will miss the service."

The monarch, who lived through World War Two as a teenager, is head of the armed forces.

She has only missed six other Cenotaph ceremonies during her reignon four occasions when she was on overseas visits and in 1959 and 1963, when she was pregnant with her two youngest children.

The Queen had maintained a typically busy schedule in October before being admitted to hospital, but was recently seen using a walking stick at a Westminster Abbey service, the first time she has done so at a major event.

On Tuesday, she returned to Windsor Castle following a long-planned weekend away at her Sandringham home in Norfolk.

Last week, she was spotted driving her car near Windsor Castle, in an area where she is known to take her Corgi dogs out for walks.
Owners pay up after Indonesia detains ships

Ships at anchor off Singapore. Photo: AFP

More than a dozen shipowners have made payments of about US$300,000 apiece to release vessels detained by the Indonesian navy, which said they were anchored illegally in Indonesian waters near Singapore, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter.



The dozen sources include shipowners, crew and maritime security sources all involved in the detentions and payments, which they say were either made in cash to naval officers or via bank transfer to intermediaries who told them they represented the Indonesian navy.



Reuters was not able to independently confirm that payments were made to naval officers or establish who the final recipients of the payments were.



The detentions and payments were first reported by Lloyd's List Intelligence, an industry website.



Rear Admiral Arsyad Abdullah, the Indonesian naval fleet commander for the region, said in a written response to Reuters' questions that no payments were made to the navy and also that it did not employ any intermediaries in legal cases.



"It is not true that the Indonesian navy received or asked for payment to release the ships," Abdullah said.



He said there had been an increasing number of detentions of ships in the past three months for anchoring without permission in Indonesian waters, deviating from the sailing route or stopping mid-course for an unreasonable amount of time. All the detentions were in accordance with Indonesian law, Abdullah said.



The Singapore Strait, one of the busiest waterways in the world, is crowded with vessels waiting for days or weeks to dock at Singapore, a regional shipping hub where the Covid-19 pandemic has led to long delays. Ships have for years anchored in waters to the east of the Strait while they wait to port, believing they are in international waters and therefore not responsible for any port fees, two maritime analysts and two shipowners said.



The Indonesian navy says this area comes within its territorial waters and it intends to crack down harder on vessels anchoring there without a licence.



A spokesperson for the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, a government agency, declined to comment.



Around 30 ships, including tankers, bulk carriers and a pipeline layer, have been detained by the Indonesian navy in the last three months and the majority have since been released after making payments of US$250,000 to US$300,000, according to two shipowners and two maritime security sources involved.



Making these payments is cheaper than potentially losing out on revenue from ships carrying valuable cargo, like oil or grain, if they are tied up for months while a case is heard in Indonesian court, two shipowners said.



Two crew members of detained ships said armed navy sailors approached their vessels on warships, boarded them and escorted the ships to naval bases on Batam or Bintan, Indonesian islands south of Singapore, across the Strait.



The ship captains and often crew members were detained in cramped, sweltering rooms, sometimes for weeks, until shipowners organised cash to be delivered or a bank transfer was made to an intermediary of the navy, two detained crew members said.



Abdullah, the Indonesian naval officer, said ship crew members were not detained.



"During the legal process, all crew of the ships were on board their ships, except for questioning at the naval base. After the questioning, they were sent back to the ships," he said.



Stephen Askins, a London-based maritime lawyer who has advised owners whose vessels have been detained in Indonesia, said the navy was entitled to protect its waters but if a ship was detained, then some form of prosecution should follow.



"In a situation where the Indonesian navy seems to be detaining vessels with an intention to extort money it is difficult to see how such a detention could be lawful," Askins told Reuters in an email. He declined to give details about his clients.



Marine Lieutenant Colonel La Ode Muhamad Holib, an Indonesian navy spokesperson, told Reuters in a written response to questions that some vessels detained in the last three months had been released without charge due to insufficient evidence.



Five ship captains were being prosecuted and two others had been given short prison sentences and fined 100 million rupiah (US$7,000) and 25 million rupiah, respectively, Holib said, declining to elaborate further on the specific cases. (Reuters)
New quarantine hotel for domestic helpers

Law Chi-kwong said the Courtyard by Marriott in Sha Tin would provide 500 rooms at HK$650 per night. File photo: RTHK

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Law Chi-kwong, said on Sunday that a new quarantine hotel for foreign domestic helpers will be made available from next month.



Writing on his blog, Law said from December 8, the Courtyard by Marriott in Sha Tin would provide 500 rooms at HK$650 per night.



The hotel will replace the Silka Tsuen Wan as a quarantine hotel for helpers, with the Silka being used for other quarantine purposes from December 1.



The minister said the government has put more quarantine facilities and quotas in place to bring in more domestic helpers and help ease the acute shortage in the city.



An average of 107 helpers arrived in the city every day in early November, almost quadrupling the figure two months ago.



Law noted a drop in the percentage of helpers found to be infected with Covid who came to Hong Kong in the past two months, but their infection rate remained higher than other arrivals.



He said the government will keep an eye on the trend as well as the pandemic situation in the Philippines and Indonesia, which he described as stabilising, before adjusting the policy on the arrival of helpers.
More testing for container terminal, shipping staff

From Monday, unvaccinated frontline staff of the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals will be tested daily for Covid-19. File photo: RTHK

The government announced on Sunday that frontline staff of the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals and the ship services sector will be required to get tested for Covid-19 more frequently.



From Monday, frontline terminal employees will be tested every three days if they are fully vaccinated  and every day if they are not  within 21 days after disembarkation from ocean-going cargo vessels.



The same requirement will be extended to cover those working at other terminals and other frontline staff in the ship services sector a week later.



The authorities said new testing stations will be set up in Sheung Wan, Tuen Mun and Yau Ma Tei, apart from the existing ones in Kwai Tsing and Tsuen Wan West.



Meanwhile, health officials reported one imported Covid-19 infection on Sunday, involving an air crew member arriving from Germany a week ago.



The 53-year-old Cathay Pacific staff was found to be carrying the L452R mutant strain.



He received his third dose of BioNTech vaccine on Thursday.



His infection prompted a lockdown at his residence at Hampton Place in Tai Kok Tsui overnight, but no other patients were found.



The government has said it would tighten anti-pandemic measures for flight crew members after they were among the latest imported Covid cases.
Austria lockdown for unjabbed a first in the EU

Austria lockdown for unjabbed a first in the EU

Austria will begin a lockdown for people not vaccinated against Covid-19, a first in the EU as the Alpine member fights a record surge in cases, Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said on Sunday.



About 65 percent of Austria's almost nine million people are vaccinated, below the EU average of 67 percent, while daily increases in infections have hit records this week.



Other European governments are also eyeing unpopular Covid curbs, with the Netherlands opting for Western Europe's first partial lockdown of the winter.



Austria's lockdown means people over 12 who are neither vaccinated nor recently recovered will not be allowed to leave the house except for reasons such as buying essential supplies, exercise or seeking medical care.



"The situation is serious... We don't take this step with a light heart but unfortunately it is necessary," Schallenberg told reporters in a televised press conference.



The lockdowns are to be enforced with random spot checks for the next 10 days with police patrols being stepped up. It will then be reviewed, according to the government.



Those who break the rules risk a US$570 fine; those who refuse to show proof that they are vaccinated or have recently recovered can be fined three times as much.



Parliament  controlled by Schallenberg's conservative-Green coalition  is expected to approve the measure later on Sunday.



Schallenberg called again on those who have not yet been vaccinated to get jabbed. (AFP)
Josianne Stone is seen in her studio with some of her artwork hanging on the wall on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. TOM E. PUSKAR/TIMES-GAZETTE.COM

ASHLAND - Josianne Stone put herself through school in Paris after World War II so she could study fashion design. With hopes of starting her own fashion studio in Belgium once she returned, Stone was instead met with news from her mother that her parents had other plans.

From Greece to Ashland: How a WWII prison camp survivor found his way to Ohio

She said, We have enough (money) to go America, but we won't go without you, your dad and I,  Stone said.

And with that, she moved to America with her parents. While she originally only planned to stay for three years before moving back to Brussels, she fell in love and began her new life.

More: Hillsdale 47th Arts & Craft Show draws community in for handmade goods, artwork and more

Nearly 72 years after moving to America, Stone now lives in Ashland near many of her family members and spends her days creating colored pencil drawings that share stories of her life in Belgium during the war and her view of the world now. While Stone had no idea she would be creating the art she does today, she is grateful for what she can create and hopes to inspire others.

Josianne Stone is seen at her table at the 47th annual Hillsdale Craft Show on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 at Hillsdale High School. TOM E. PUSKAR/TIMES-GAZETTE.COM

Her journey to America and the life she made here

Stone, now 94 years old, was born in 1927 in Belgium where she grew up and lived during the Nazi occupation throughout World War II. After the war, Stone decided to follow in her grandmothers footsteps by changing her career path to become a dress maker.

To follow this dream, she went to Paris where she paid her way through school to study fashion design. Upon returning from school, she moved to America with her parents in 1949. After only two years in America, Stone met her husband, Clifford Stone, in 1951. The two married a year later before moving to Long Island to be closer to his family.

They went on to start their family, eventually raising all three of their children in New York, which Stone said was very challenging to do at the time. In the late 1960s, the two started a Christian bookstore, which they ran together for 24 years before her husband died on July 12, 1992.

Story continues

Stone went on to run the store on her own for an additional seven years before she retired in 1999. After she retired, Stone realized she had not spent much time with her son and grandchildren who lived in Ohio, and she wanted to fix that.

Pies for a cause: Ashland County-West Holmes culinary students bake, sell pies in annual holiday pie sale

It just came upon me I said, Well, if I want to really know those boys, I better move there because in three or four years theyll be in college, Stone said.

In 2005, Stone moved from New York to Ashland and eventually bought a condo where she has been living for several years.

Stones art takes shape and takes off

Stone began her journey as an artist back when she and her husband lived in New York and ran their bookstore. Outside of running their shop and attending church, Stone and her husband didnt do much else and he wanted to change that.

Painting the barns: Mohican Historical Society program has artist paint barn painting

He said the two of them should sign up for adult education classes, leading Stone to sign up for an art class where she found a new passion.

I took a class and the teacher said, You opened a Pandora's Box. ...Youre just very prolific, Stone said.

From that class, Stone went on to make several colored pencil drawings before having to stop due to how busy their lives were getting with work at the bookstore. It wasnt until Stone retired that her children pleaded and eventually convinced her to return to drawing.

Josianne Stone is seen at her table at the 47th annual Hillsdale Craft Show on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 at Hillsdale High School. TOM E. PUSKAR/TIMES-GAZETTE.COM

Around the several hours she volunteered, Stone signed up for more classes at Nassau Community College and started to draw more during her free time. She brought her drawings and skills with her when she moved to Ashland and has continued to draw ever since.

While she no longer volunteers and cant have her family over for weekly dinners anymore, Stone said she spends her time drawing everything from dogs, horses and birds to buildings and sailboats and she enjoys every minute of it.

Where is she now and her impact

Over the years as Stone has created drawings for her family, friends and those close to her, including one she made that now hangs in the sanctuary of a church, but she has also created other things to share with the world.

In 2013, she wrote a poem titled Thank You where she shares her perspective of American soldiers coming into Belgium during World War II and thanks those veterans. The poem was published in the Ashland Times-Gazette later that year and this year she passed out copies of the poem on Veterans Day.

Veterans Day in Ashland: Honoring those who 'suffered the scars of war'

With the help of her children, especially her daughter Gigi, Stone recently self-published an autobiography titled My Miracles ... Gods Grace at Work. In the book, Stone shares a detailed account of her life with drawings and pictures throughout.

Josianne Stone wrote and recently self-published this book with the help of her daughter, Gigi. The book shares about her personal life with a few drawings and pictures throughout.

Stone also has been working on a second book titled From War to Peace by HIS Grace: Reflections of my Life through World War II and 2020. The book, which will not come out until next year, is a collection of vignettes about her life and drawings to help illustrate them.

With all the things she has done throughout her lifetime, Stone said she enjoys creating her art and is hopeful that she will be able to lead others to pursue their passions as well.

I hope that this inspires retired people to get into something where their heart and soul is in it because all of a sudden you feel yourself in a different world, Stone said.

Reach Rachel Karas at rkaras@gannett.com

On Twitter: @RachelKaras3

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: WWII survivor hopes to share her story, inspire others with her art
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  Australia is hoping to get its World Cup qualification campaign back on Tuesday in Sharjah with a win that would almost certainly end Chinas slim hopes of returning to the Middle East next November.

One point from the last two games has resulted in the Socceroos slipping into second in Group B at the halfway stage, three points behind Saudi Arabia, the two teams drew 0-0 in Sydney on Thursday, and just one above Japan. Only the top two from each of the six-team groups are guaranteed a place at the Qatar World Cup.

Failure to win in Sharjah, the game has been switched from China due to travel restrictions put in place by Beijing to combat the spread of COVID-19, could see Australia slip out of the two places that guarantee a place in the Qatar World Cup in each of the six-team groups.

Coach Graham Arnold is staying positive despite the recent setbacks. Were in a great spot, its all in our hands, Arnold said. If youve got something thats in your hands, youre in a great position rather than having to rely on other results."

Australia will be without Harry Souttar as the giant Stoke City defender picked up a knee injury against Saudi Arabia.

China, with just one World Cup appearance in its history, has just four points out of the five games so far to increase pressure on coach Li Tie. Defeat would likely spell the end of any ambitions of finishing third and entering the play-off route to the World Cup.

Following the 1-1 draw with Oman on Thursday, there have been growing calls for Li to resign though former China coach Zhu Guanghu has defended the current boss.

Very few of the current crop of Chinese players are hungry for football, Zhu said. Just like what Sir Alex Ferguson said about the Chinese players, they can play the ball well when not being challenged. But when under challenge with limited space, they cannot do it."

Its too late to deal with their deficiencies at the national team stage, this should be done when they are young, he added.

Story continues

Saudi Arabia can move a step closer to a sixth World Cup appearance with a win over Vietnam which has lost all five games so far. Japan travels to Oman currently with seven points from five games,

In Group A, Iran and South Korea are moving clear. Iran scored twice in the closing minutes to defeat Lebanon 2-1 on Thursday to stay first with 13 points. Iran takes on Syria, bottom of the group with just two points while Korea will stay on course for a tenth successive World Cup appearance with a win over Iraq in Qatar.

Korea captain Son Heung-min hit the woodwork twice as Korea defeated United Arab Emirates 1-0 on Thursday and the Tottenham Hotspur star is looking for more goals.

This is my third time playing in the final qualifying phase for the World Cup, and things have never been easy, Son said. Our job isnt done. I want us to finish this with a flourish, and Ill prepare for every remaining match like its the final.

Were obviously not trying to win every match 1-0. One-goal leads are always tough to play with, Son said. Our opponents work as hard as we do, and winning is more important than anything.

In the groups other fixture, Lebanon in third hosts United Arab Emirates.



More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports



More AP Asia sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports-asia and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described the job status of interim Supt. Edward Mara.

BRISTOL  One by one, students shared their experience with racism and homophobia in the Bristol Warren school system.

Led by the Bristol Warren Student Union, students from Mount Hope High School gathered in front of town hall Saturday to demand the resignation of three school committee members whom they accused of being racist.

More: 'We have a problem': Mount Hope High students want 3 school committee members to resign

Students say that Marjorie McBride, Tara Thibaudeau and Sheila Ellsworth rejected a teacher-training grant because the facilitator, a Black woman, has worked extensively on empowering students of color.

Broader allegations of racism and anti-gay slurs

The protest, attended by about 50 students and their supporters, was about much more than a recent flap over whether to hire a Black woman to lead teacher training.

More: Interim superintendent resigns from Bristol-Warren schools just six weeks after he was hired

Vic Bullard, who uses the pronouns they/them, said their LBGTQ classmates have been harassed online and taunted in school.

They said its embarrassing to belong to a district that makes the news for trying to open school on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. Its embarrassing, she said, to belong to a district that has lost three school leaders in four months.

More: Bristol Warren superintendent changes Rosh Hashanah start date for school

Luciano Camara, a senior, said he walked into Kickemuit Middle School every day with fear in my heart because I was one of the few Black kids.

He said a teacher once told his class that racism ended with the I have a dream speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In high school, he said, students had no qualms about using racial epithets.

Im tired of being scared, he said to cheers.

Seren Davies, president of the high schools Gay Student Alliance, said she is ashamed but not surprised by the actions of the three school committee members, adding that she, too, has been subjected to homophobic slurs in school.

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Do the right thing, she said, referring to the school committee members. Step down.

More: Bristol Warren superintendent changes Rosh Hashanah start date for school

The controversy stems from an Oct. 25 school committee meeting in which a majority of the nine-member board denied awarding a $7,000 contract to Simona Simpson-Thomas, a Black woman with degrees from Brown and Howard universities, to do some professional development with teachers.

At least one committee member pointed out Simpson-Thomas's advocacy for Black and brown students (on her website). She said that the grant should help all students, not a defined group.

Simpson-Thomas said that the training was about project-based learning and had nothing to do with her work empowering students of color.

Some adults at rally support school committee members

While most of the crowd was there to support the students, a handful of adults stood apart from the rally and said they were staunchly behind the three school committee members. Several said that they opposed the grant because it should have gone out to bid. The grant was supposed to be paid for by a private foundation.

The Journal has reached out to a majority of the school committee members, but only one, Carly Reich, agreed to be interviewed; chairwoman McBride said she wouldnt comment on board matters.

Some of my colleagues took offense, Reich said. They said they felt that by hiring Miss Simpson-Thomas, they would be prioritizing Black and brown students over other students.

On a tape of the Oct. 25 meeting, Thibaudeau said the $7,000 grant wasnt a good fit for our district.

The grant was ultimately turned down on a 5-4 vote.

Reich on Wednesday said the strife among school committee members is a microcosm of the national political discord.

The district has been in an uproar since this summer, when the school board refused to push back the start of school from the first day of Rosh Hashanah.

That led to the resignation of Supt. Jonathan Bryce. Later, interim Supt. Bob Hicks departed after a few weeks. Hicks' replacement, Edward Mara, is leaving on Monday, Nov. 22, to go to Florida.

Linda Borg covers education for The Journal.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Bristol Warren students rally to get rid of three school committee members they call racist
By Tsvetelia Tsolova

SOFIA (Reuters) -Bulgaria's new centrist political party was seen winning parliamentary elections on Sunday, according to four exit polls, increasing chances of an end to a political deadlock in the European Union's poorest member state.

Political wrangling prevented opponents of former Premier Boyko Borissov from building a government after the previous two elections in April and July. Bulgarians have grown tired of the impasse, which was seen hampering the country's economic prospects amid a rise in COVID-19 cases overwhelming hospitals.

The new centrist anti-graft party, We Continue The Change, was seen leading with about 26% of the vote, new exit polls by Alpha Research, Gallup International, Market Links and Trend showed. The pollsters saw Borissov's centre-right GERB party in second with about 23-24%.

Market Links said the new party got 26.5% support. Gallup International also sees the new party ahead with 26.3%.

"Bulgaria is headed onto a new path," centrist party leader Kiril Petkov told reporters, saying the party understood the responsibility to forge a working government.

Analysts said the new party looked better positioned to seal a coalition with the support of two small anti-corruption groupings and the Socialists. But they said tough talks lie ahead.

Petkov promised to be open to dialogue and compromises but said his party would not step back from plans to overhaul the judiciary and clamp down on corruption. He said replacing the chief prosecutor and bolstering the anti-corruption agency would be the key issues in coalition talks.

In the presidential vote also held on Sunday, incumbent Rumen Radev, a harsh critic of Borissov, was seen winning around 50% support in the first-round vote and looked poised to win a runoff for the largely ceremonial post on Nov. 21.

POLITICAL DIVISIONS

The close poll results on Sunday underscore deep political divisions after a decade-long rule by Borissov, 62, a former bodyguard of late Communist dictator Todor Zhivkov.

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"The question remains if all GERB's opponents would stick to their pledges to avoid supporting GERB for a government. If that is the case, we will be facing a four-party coalition," political analyst Daniel Smilov said.

The election coincides with high energy costs and anger at widespread corruption in Bulgaria. While new COVID-19 cases https://graphics.reuters.com/world-coronavirus-tracker-and-maps/countries-and-territories/bulgaria are dropping from a record high, hospitals are still overwhelmed and the death rate remains one of the highest in the EU.

We Continue the Change was set up by Harvard-educated entrepreneurs Petkov and Assen Vassilev in September.

"We are promising zero corruption. This is what we are going after. No small tolerance, nothing, zero," Petkov told Reuters.

The exit polls also showed an ultranationalist party, Revival, which strongly opposes COVID-19 restrictions, crossing the 4% threshold for entering parliament.

Voter turnout was at a record low, about 25.5%, three hours before polls closed, data from the electoral commission showed. Partial official results are due after midnight.

(Reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova; Editing by Alex Richardson, Lisa Shumaker and Peter Cooney)
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is set to vote this week on draft guidelines clarifying the meaning of Communion that could prohibit Catholics who express support for abortion  such as President Joe Biden and House speaker Nancy Pelosi  from receiving the Eucharist.

The bishops will vote on the document when they meet for a conference in Baltimore this week. A committee wrote the document in the wake of the bishops June conference, where they discussed whether to take a position on the eligibility of prominent Catholics whose actions run afoul of church teaching to receive Communion.

In September, Bishop Kevin Rhoades, chairman of the USCCBs Committee on Doctrine, said that the document would remind Catholics of the importance of the sacrament, though he did not say whether it would outline who should be considered worthy of receiving Communion.

A draft of the document obtained by the Catholic newsletter The Pillar says that people who exercise some form of public authority have a special responsibility to embody the church. It adds that Catholics who live in a state of mortal sin without repentance should not receive Communion, but it does not say who should sit in judgment.

The vote will come after Biden met with Pope Francis at the Vatican last month and later told reporters that the pope had said he was a good Catholic who may receive Communion.

Pope Francis had previously said that bishops should use compassion and tenderness with Catholic politicians who support abortion rights.

Communion is not a prize for the perfect. . . . Communion is a gift, the presence of Jesus and his Church, the pope said.

At the meeting in June, San Francisco archbishop Salvatore Cordileone asked how the bishops can expect to be taken seriously if they do not act courageously, clearly and convincingly on this core Catholic value, the Washington Post reported.

Cordileone, who is Pelosis archbishop, has said priests should deny Communion to Catholic public figures who support abortion rights.

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However, San Diego archbishop Robert McElroy argued that the proposal could make receiving the Eucharist a partisan activity.

The Eucharist itself will be a tool in vicious partisan turmoil. It will be impossible to prevent its weaponization, even if everyone wants to do so, McElroy said. Once we legitimize public-policy-based exclusion . . . well invite all political animosity into the heart of the Eucharistic celebration.

At the time, a reporter asked Biden about the possibility that he would be disqualified from receiving Communion over his stance on abortion. The president responded, Thats a private matter, and I dont think thats going to happen.

More from National Review
The oversight agency for the Chicago Police Department released a report last week from its review of a February 2019 police raid, revealing it had recommended a three-day suspension for Ella French, the police officer killed during a traffic stop in August.

The inclusion of French's name in the Civilian Office of Police Accountability report after her death had the police union president fuming.

In a statement to WGN, John Catanzara, president of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, said the police oversight agency has "zero credibility" and demanded an apology.

SLAIN CHICAGO COP ELLA FRENCH'S WOUNDED PARTNER RELEASED FROM REHAB, GREETED BY FELLOW OFFICERS

"This is the latest example of why that agency has zero credibility in the eyes of every CPD officer," Catanzara said. "We demand an apology immediately for the intentional harm caused to Ellas family, friends and co-workers."

A spokesperson for COPA told Fox News the report was completed in April, and city ordinances prevented the agency from removing Officer French's name upon its release of the report.

"COPAs summary report and investigation into the raid on Ms. Anjanette Youngs residence by members of the Chicago Police Department was completed on April 27, 2021," according to a statement from COPA.

"Per ordinance (Municipal Code of Chicago 2-78-145), COPA must make reports open to public inspection. COPA can only redact information to the extent it is exempted from disclosure by the Freedom of Information Act or any other applicable law. COPA released the report, previously completed April 27, 2021, as required by ordinance."

"Following the review and concurrence by the Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, as well as serving of administrative charges, we carefully considered the release of the report and its impact on Ms. Anjanette Young and Ella Frenchs family.

"We honor the service Officer French gave to our city and mourn her death and also hope the release of the report brings further closure to Ms. Anjanette Young."

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CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER ELLA FRENCH: 1 OF 2 BROTHERS CHARGED TO APPEAR IN COURT AFTER SLAIN COP'S 30TH BIRTHDAY

COPA released its report about its review of the Feb. 21, 2019 police call involving French at Young's home last week. When Chicago Police officers raided the home, Young, 50, was getting undressed for bed while police officers broke open the front door and executed a search warrant, according to Fox 32 Chicago.

Young was handcuffed while she was naked and police searched her home for a suspect, who lived several houses away, according to the station's report.

After French was killed, Young told Fox 32 Chicago French was the only officer who showed "dignity or respect" that day while the search warrant was executed.

According to a lawsuit Young has filed against the city, Officer French removed Young's handcuffs and turned off her body camera, allowing Young to get dressed.

COPA faulted French for turning off her body camera that day and for failing to document a "detention and search" of a male and his vehicle the night of the raid.

"COPA has considered Officer Frenchs complimentary history, her lack of prior disciplinary history, and her over three years of service to the department, and her status as PPO at the time of the incident in mitigation. Officer French failed to timely activate her body-worn camera and failed to document the detention and search of the male and his vehicle in an Investigatory Stop Report. Accordingly, COPA recommends a three-day suspension" the report states.
ADEN (Reuters) -Yemen's warring sides clashed south of the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah late on Saturday, after Iranian-backed Houthi fighters moved into territory ceded by forces allied to a Saudi-led coalition, military sources and witnesses said.

Yemeni forces backed by the United Arab Emirates had on Friday announced they were redeploying from around Yemen's main port in the west, a move which a U.N. monitoring mission and the government said they had no advance notice of.

The Saudi-backed government and the Iran-aligned Houthis, who hold Hodeidah city, had in 2018 agreed a United Nations-sponsored pact for a truce in Hodeidah that largely held and a troop withdrawal by both sides, stalled since 2019.

Coalition warplanes launched air strikes on Al Faza area south of Hodeidah as Houthi fighters battled UAE-backed forces until midnight, two military sources and residents said.

Al Faza lies 15 km (9 miles) from coalition-held Al-Khokha, to which hundreds of Yemenis have fled after the Houthi advance.

A U.N. mission overseeing the Hodeidah pact, UNMHA, urged both sides to ensure the safety of civilians, saying it "was not informed in advance of the movements". The Saudi-backed government's team for UNMHA also said it had no prior knowledge.

In a sign of differences among pro-coalition forces, the Red Sea coastal plain Tihama fighters on Sunday condemned the "unjustified withdrawal".

REDEPLOYMENT

It was not clear if the pullback in Hodeidah was linked to what the Saudi-led alliance had described as a redeployment in south Yemen, where sources said the Saudi military had left a main base in Aden, the interim seat of government.

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, in an interview with France 24 TV on Saturday, reiterated a coalition denial that the Saudi military was withdrawing, saying "there continues to be strong support for the government of Yemen and (coalition) forces".

The alliance intervened in Yemen in 2015 after the Houthis ousted the government from the capital, Sanaa. The conflict is seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system and foreign aggression.

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Washington is pressing Riyadh to lift a coalition blockade on Houthi-held ports, a condition from the group for ceasefire talks.

Hodeidah is the main entry point for commercial goods and aid flows and a lifeline for millions facing starvation in what the U.N. describes as the world's biggest humanitarian crisis.

(Reporting by Mohammed Ghobari and Reyam Mokhashef; Additional reporting and writing by Ghaida Ghantous; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Reuters Videos

The Saudi-led coalition battling the Houthis in Yemen said on Friday it destroyed three drones launched towards southern Saudi Arabia and a fourth over Yemen.It said the group "failed to launch two ballistic missiles" and they fell inside Yemen.Saudi Aramco, the state oil firm, said when contacted by Reuters that it would respond at the earliest opportunity.The Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a televised press conference that the group had attacked Aramco's refineries in Jeddah as well as military targets in Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, Jizan and Najran.Sarea's statement contained inaccuracies. It mentioned the wrong name for the international airport in Jeddah and the wrong location for King Khalid base, saying it was in Riyadh when it is actually in the south of the kingdom.The Saudi-led coalition said later on Saturday it has attacked 13 targets during a military operation against the Houthis in Yemen.The operation hit weapons depots, air defense systems and drones' communication systems in Sanaa, Saada, and Marib provinces, the coalition said.Aramco's refinery in Jeddah was decommissioned in 2017 but it has a petroleum products distribution plant there that the Houthis had previously targeted in March.The Houthis have repeatedly launched cross border attacks on Saudi Arabia using drones and missiles since the coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015 after the movement ousted the Saudi-backed government from the capital, Sanaa.Efforts led by the United Nations and the United States to engineer a ceasefire in Yemen have stalled.The conflict, seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has been in military stalemate for years. The Houthis are pressing an offensive in Marib, the internationally recognized government's last northern stronghold, as well as in other areas in Yemen.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A special legislative session dubbed "Keep Florida Free" begins Monday at the behest of Gov. Ron DeSantis, who wants lawmakers to pass more measures to block coronavirus vaccine mandates by public and private employers.

The four bills being considered would ratchet up the penalties for businesses, local governments and other entities that require workers to be vaccinated against the virus and students to wear masks in school. According to DeSantis, a Republican, the session will strengthen as well as augment rules already in place - in part through his own executive orders.

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"At the end of the day, we want people to be able to make informed decisions for themselves, but we've got to stop bossing people around," DeSantis said last week as he officially announced his 2022 re-election bid. "We've got to stop the coercion. We've got to stop trying to browbeat people."

By again calling legislators back to Tallahassee, he added, "We're going to be striking a blow for freedom."

But some say the governor has gone from fighting the coronavirus to fighting efforts to combat it. This week's special session is the second one this year, and even in the GOP-controlled legislature, not all Republicans are on board.

"I support freedom for businesses to make sure they're successful," Senate President-Designate Kathleen Passidomo said recently.

Democrats have been highly critical of the gathering. DeSantis and his allies "want to throw some red meat to the base and keep them happy," said State Rep. Michael Grieco of Miami Beach. "Decisions are being made based on politics, not based on the well-being and health and safety of Floridians."

Though the governor initially supported the vaccines when they became available early this year, he now calls them "jabs" and promotes stories about individuals who claim to have been harmed by them. His new state surgeon general refuses to wear a mask and says that when it comes to being vaccinated against coronavirus, "people need to continue and stick with their intuition and their sensibilities."

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Physician Peter Hotez, a professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and a leading expert on the virus, calls DeSantis part of an "anti-science aggression" that is making it more difficult to combat the pandemic.

"We've lost 150,000 unvaccinated Americans since June 1 whose lives could have been saved if they'd been vaccinated," Hotez said Monday. "And we're about to lose another 50,000 by the end of the year based on projections. And this is happening because of misinformation or disinformation."

The governor, who publicly announced in April that he got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine but has declined to say whether he has since gotten the recommended booster shot, portrays himself as standing up to federal overreach and vows to protect workers' rights from vaccine mandates by the Biden administration and public and private employers. The state sued the Biden administration in late October over its vaccine mandate for federal contractors.

"So I call the special session of the legislature to be able to address this because we need to protect Floridians, we need to make sure that people can put food on the table and that their livelihoods aren't dependent on whether or not they do the jab or the booster, whatever may come down the pike," DeSantis said. "You can't fire people based off this jab. That's true in the private sector. It's also true with the public sector."

One bill being considered in Tallahassee this week would put Medicare- and Medicaid-certified hospitals and nursing homes in a Catch-22: required by a new federal rule to have employees get vaccinated, yet prohibited from doing the same by the state.

Many private employers in Florida, including Walt Disney Co., one of the largest, previously issued employee vaccine requirements as the delta variant surged in Florida starting midsummer. The fines they're risking would increase from the current $5,000 per violation to $10,000 for a small business and $50,000 for businesses with over 100 workers. So far, the state has only fined public entities.

State lawmakers who crafted the latest proposal left out some of what DeSantis wanted, instead including provisions similar to what the federal government outlines.

The bills would give employers the option of allowing exemptions for workers who cite religious or medical reasons; proof of prior infection; agree to periodic testing; or wear personal protective equipment.

Though DeSantis wanted to further punish businesses that issue vaccine mandates by removing covid-liability protections, the proposed legislation does not address that.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce, whose members are usually enthusiastic supporters of DeSantis, has been more muted on his latest moves.

"While Washington has gone too far, Florida has a chance to provide both certainty and flexibility for private employers to safely manage their workplace," Mark Wilson, the group's president and chief executive, said in a statement Wednesday.

Congressional Democrats from Florida reacted to DeSantis's plans for the special session with a legislative effort of their own. On Nov. 5, U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel of West Palm Beach introduced the Let Our Cities And Local businesses Help Employees Achieve Long-Term Health Act - a lengthy title that results in the acronym LOCAL HEALTH. The bill would let local governments and private businesses take their own covid-prevention actions, including vaccine and mask mandates, regardless of the governors' pronouncements.

DeSantis spokeswoman Christina Pushaw said local governments can't "pick and choose" which state laws to follow.

"Per the U.S. Constitution, states have rights," Pushaw wrote in an email. "Individuals also have rights. But local government entities do not have the 'right' to overrule states or trample on individual rights. Neither do businesses."

While DeSantis fights the Biden administration and many in his own state over pandemic-related measures, transmission of the virus has plummeted in Florida in recent weeks. School districts that issued mask mandates despite his edict are canceling or modifying them.

Kevin Wagner, chair of the political science department at Florida Atlantic University, noted that DeSantis's approval ratings are going up even as Biden's fall in the state.

"For Gov. DeSantis, opposition to the president ... is politically astute in the sense that it motivates his base," Wagner said. "Politically, he seems to have navigated this in a way that has shored up his support among the base."

DeSantis has to strike some kind of balance between taking actions against businesses that defy him and keeping their support, he added, but so far he's threading that needle.

"The election is a long way off," Wagner said. "But overall, his numbers look formidable for anyone attempting to unseat him."

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At virtual summit with China's Xi, Biden stresses competition, not conflict

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President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet virtually Monday evening to seek improved U.S.-China ties and potentially unveil a handful of initiatives to symbolize that resolve.

Relations between Beijing and Washington have been fraught since before Biden became president, with rising tensions over Taiwan, political angst over Covid origins and a host of tariffs that have frustrated economic ties.

As the two leaders prepare for their first substantial meeting of the Biden presidency, bilateral messaging downplaying the events ambitions as well as a mutual decision to keep its agenda under wraps reflect efforts to lower public expectations of a significant rapprochement or big deliverables.

But beyond performative goodwill gestures, people familiar with the upcoming meeting say, both leaders will likely seek agreement on a handful of short- and medium-term initiatives developed by bilateral working groups to reduce frictions, while signaling alignment on wider geopolitical concerns including North Korea and Iran.

Both sides recognize they have real differences, that they are going to compete, but it is essential to keep it peaceful, within bounds and dont want to stumble into war, said Winston Lord, former assistant secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs under President Bill Clinton.

That approach echoes a statement Friday by a senior administration official who emphasized the meeting is not about seeking deliverables, or outcomes  [but about] setting the terms of an effective competition.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki released a statement Friday confirming the meetings date, but limiting comment on its focus to ways to responsibly manage the competition between the United States and the PRC, as well as ways to work together where our interests align.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying issued her own detail-free confirmation Saturday of the meeting in a one sentence statement that the two leaders would exchange views on China-US relations and issues of mutual interest. And Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed his hope to Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a Saturday phone call that the meeting will bring bilateral relations back onto the track of sound and steady development, but likewise shared no details.

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Those statements reflect a joint strategy to moderate expectations about possible results by referring to the event as a virtual meeting rather than as a summit.

Biden is basing his engagement with Xi on a recognition that previous U.S. efforts to steer changes to the ruling Chinese Communist Partys autocratic domestic policies and expansionist foreign policy have failed. Unlike previous approaches, with respect to China, the Biden administration is not trying to change China through bilateral engagement [because] we don't think that's realistic, a senior administration official told reporters Sunday. Rather, we're trying to shape the international environment in a way that is favorable to us and our allies and partners.

The one-on-one is particularly important following Xi's continued centralization of power at last weeks Sixth Plenum meeting, the official said. But the timing of the leaders meeting, hours after Biden signs into law a $1 trillion infrastructure package, means Biden is coming into the meeting with a strong hand as well, said the official.

There is reason to hope the meeting will green-light initiatives brainstormed in recent weeks by bilateral working groups that target more easily addressed issues. There is the real possibility of the meeting producing sweeteners, that address particular aspects of the trade relationship, said a D.C.-based diplomat familiar with the focus of those working groups. However, the diplomat cautioned the two sides may choose to announce those initiatives in time-delayed fashion post-summit, rather than as immediate deliverables.

Thats music to the ears of a U.S. business community for whom the status quo on U.S.-China trade relations is increasingly unacceptable. We want stability [and] we are concerned that the tariffs may become perpetual and cause considerable long-term damage to both economies, while distorting the overall bilateral relationship, said Craig Allen, president of the U.S.-China Business Council, a D.C.-based lobby group, in a written statement to POLITICO.

Biden has maintained key aspects of former President Donald Trumps trade policy, including tariffs that China considers unfair, and is pressuring Beijing to fulfill its commitments under the Phase One U.S.-China trade deal implemented in January 2020. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai last month announced that the Biden administrations ultimate goal was to establish a bilateral durable co-existence defined by dialogue. The Biden-Xi meeting gives the two leaders an opportunity to make gestures toward a better trade relationship necessary to that goal.

The potential low-hanging fruit would be Chinese commitments with respect to certain intellectual property issues  and theres room for potential movement in particular areas of tension including [Chinese] steel, aluminum and solar panels, said Gregory Shaffer, director of the UC Irvine Center on Globalization, Law, and Society. The U.S. could negotiate something similar to what it recently did with Europe in the form of cutbacks on certain tariffs, while creating protection for American industries for a shock of massive Chinese imports.

The senior administration official, however, downplayed expectations of any deliverables and disqualified the possibility of an announcement of new bilateral thematic dialogues or even discussion of U.S. tariffs.

The meeting also gives Biden and Xi an opportunity to demonstrate symbolic goodwill by announcing their willingness to work together on a host of thorny regional and global geopolitical security issues. U.S. progress on key issues  including curbing North Koreas ballistic missile development program and prodding Iran back into compliance with an international accord on its nuclear program  hinge on China applying its diplomatic and economic leverage.

The mere affirmation of the fact that both countries can be on the same page and at least be willing to negotiate on North Korea, Iran and even to some extent Afghanistan makes an important, clear-cut statement that alongside the extreme competition between both countries, there are still areas where they can work together, said Willy Wo-Lap Lam of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The senior administration official said that Biden will also raise transnational alignment between the two countries, including on health security and action to address the climate crisis. But Biden will reject any attempt by Xi to link Chinas cooperation on climate to progress on specific bilateral issues. Taking bold action on an existential crisis like climate change is in [Chinas] interest and  is not a favor to us, the official said.

Absent from the agenda will be any meaningful discussion on hot-button issues that could derail the meeting, such as human rights and Chinas tightening chokehold on Hong Kong. With regard to U.S. concerns over Chinese government abuses against Xinjiang Uyghurs, dont look for Biden to trot out the word genocide, but instead use a less-inflammatory reference similar to what he did in a February CNN town hall.

Taiwan, a perennially fraught bilateral issue, will be even more so on Monday given the recent uptick in tensions over the self-governing island. The U.S. and regional allies including Japan have been dismayed by an intensifying Chinese campaign of military intimidation towards Taiwan.

Likewise, the Chinese government has expressed concern over recent U.S. moves and statements that Beijing has interpreted as encouragement for Taiwanese pro-independence advocates. China sees that as a violation of long-standing bilateral agreements on Taiwans relationship to the U.S., as enshrined in the Three Communiques issued jointly by the two countries from 1972-1982. (U.S. lawmakers have further clarified the U.S. relationship with Taiwan via the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act and the Reagan administrations Six Assurances.)

Chinese concerns about the U.S. relationship with Taiwan have been heightened by Biden's declaration at a CNN town hall last month that the U.S. will defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion: Yes, we have a commitment to do that, Biden told host Anderson Cooper. Psaki was forced to refute speculation that Biden had ended the longstanding policy of strategic ambiguity regarding a U.S. response to a Chinese attack on the self-governing island. Wang implicitly referenced Bidens statement in his Saturday call with Blinken by criticizing recent wrong words and deeds on the Taiwan question.

The U.S. president will be candid and direct regarding issues of divergence including human rights and Taiwan as well as U.S. perceptions of Chinese economic coercion and strategic risk such as Chinese cyberspace activities, the official said.

Bidens concerns about possible miscalculations that could lead to unintended U.S.-China military conflict will put the issue of guardrails, hinged to improved bilateral communications, on the agenda. That will include Biden pressing Xi to not mischaracterize the U.S. position on Taiwan, the senior administration official said.

On contentious issues, particularly the geopolitical issues in the Taiwan Strait or the South China Sea, Beijing's overall very aggressive power projection, I don't think there will be a meeting of the minds, said Lam. And on human rights, Xinjiang and Hong Kong, both sides will just agree to disagree because theres no real room for maneuver for both sides on these issues.

But experts note that any absence of explicit mention in the post-summit briefing of potential bilateral moves to deescalate tensions over Taiwan wont necessarily mean that such initiatives werent discussed. The sensitivity of the Taiwan issue  and intense domestic pressure to ensure no hint of concessions in established positions  will likely relegate any initiative to reduce tensions in the Taiwan Strait to the status of unofficial and unremarked.

Instead of transiting the Taiwan Strait with naval vessels once a month, [the U.S. ] can do it every other month while the Chinese can begin to reduce the frequency of their presence within Taiwan's air defense zone, said Robert Ross, political science professor at Boston College. Both sides can walk it back through implicit policy adjustments, and thats not hard to do.

The most important potential long-term impact of the virtual meeting will be a mutual recognition that the breakdown in bilateral communications that began under Trump is harmful and counterproductive.

I think after the Biden-Xi meeting, the trend will be set for at least more frequent ministerial-level or cabinet-level meetings between senior officials of both sides similar to what we saw under President [Barack] Obama  that would be big progress, Lam said.
By Aishwarya Nair

(Reuters) - Tesla Inc Chief Executive Elon Musk got into a spat with Bernie Sanders on Sunday after the U.S. senator demanded the wealthy pay their "fair share" of taxes.

"We must demand that the extremely wealthy pay their fair share. Period," Sanders wrote on Twitter. Taking a jibe at the 80-year-old senator, Musk responded by saying "I keep forgetting that you're still alive."

The billionaire CEO who had already offloaded a combined $6.9 billion worth of shares in the electric car company as of Nov. 12, further wrote, "Want me to sell more stock, Bernie? Just say the word."

Sanders' tweet comes amid the backdrop of Washington's efforts to hike taxes for the super-wealthy.

U.S. Senate Democrats have unveiled a proposal to tax billionaires' stocks and other tradeable assets to help finance President Joe Biden's social spending agenda and close a loophole that has allowed them to defer capital gains taxes indefinitely.

A week ago, Musk tweeted that he would sell 10% of his shares if users of the social media platform endorsed the move. About 57.9% of people voted for the stock sale.

(Reporting by Aishwarya Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
By Ahmed Hagagy

KUWAIT (Reuters) - Kuwait released a group of prisoners on Sunday pardoned by the emir in an amnesty intended to defuse a political row, including Shi'ite Muslim Kuwaitis convicted in 2016 for spying for Iran and Lebanon's Iran-allied Hezbollah.

The amnesty, which also included former MPs in self-exile abroad, was a key demand of opposition lawmakers locked in a dispute with the government over the prime minister's refusal to be questioned in parliament. Earlier on Sunday the emir accepted the government's resignation in another step to end the feud.

Women threw flower petals as more than 10 prisoners were seen exiting a bus in a parking lot outside the central prison, where more than 200 relatives and friends gathered to meet them, embracing amid chants of "There is no god but God".

Authorities have so far not disclosed how many convicts were released on Sunday, but one lawyer said 20 had been freed.

"I feel as would anyone wrongly accused who has been released," said Hassan Daoud, among those convicted in the 'Abdali cell' spying case.

The trial of the alleged cell, named for the place where a weapons cache was discovered in a 2015 raid, had been described as possibly unfair by Amnesty International and opened up rare sectarian divisions in the majority Sunni Gulf state, where relations with the minority Shiite community have been mostly amicable.

"This amnesty includes all sects in an equal manner," Fawaz Alkhateeb, a lawyer of one of the men released on Sunday, said at the parking lot, where Shi'ite clerics also gathered.

The emir on Saturday issued two decrees granting pardons and reduced sentences to 35 people, including former lawmakers in self-exile in Turkey sentenced for storming the parliament building in 2011 protests against corruption.

The decrees pardoned two members of the alleged cell, along with four convicted of covering for the group, and halved the sentences of 18 others, some of whom had already served the commuted term.

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Hassan Hajiya, whose death sentence was overturned in an appeals process, was not named in the amnesty. The others in the case had received jail terms of five years and life.

Their lawyers had said the charges were based on confessions extracted under torture, which authorities rejected.

Kuwait, which has maintained balanced ties between neighbours Saudi Arabia and Iran, at the time accused Tehran of seeking to destabilize it. Iran denied any connection.

(Writing by Ghaida Ghantous; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
Geraint Thomas will be spurred on by bad memories from Rio (David Davies/PA) (PA Archive)

Geraint Thomas had an eventful day in the saddle during a training ride in the south of France as his bike was stolen and later returned by the local police.

The 2018 Tour de France winner was forced to take a taxi home when a training run was cut short on Sunday after his bike was taken from outside a coffee shop.

Thomas posted a picture on social media while in the taxi after his Pinarello Dogma F bike went missing, saying: Lovely ride. Lovely coffee stop in Menton. Except someone nicked my bike.

But the 35-year-old posted another tweet a short while later when his bike had been found.

Look what showed up!! Boy have I got a good story for you on next weeks @gtcc_pod. Big thanks to the Menton Police for their help. Alls well that ends well, he said.

Thomas had joked earlier that he had also lost irreplaceable training data when the bike was taken.

He added: Plus I havent downloaded my Garmin this week. If it aint on TrainingPeaks it didnt happen, right?

Lovely ride. Lovely coffee stop in Menton. Except someone nicked my bike  Now in an Uber home. Its a Dogma F with F12 stickers. Random miss matched wheels and in need of a wash #oneofakind pic.twitter.com/ipBfMIJ9nF  Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) November 14, 2021

The Welshman recently returned to southern France to step up preparations for next season.

Though the Ineos Grenadiers are yet to announce a new contract for Thomas, the 35-year-old revealed last month he had reached an agreement with the team and needed only to sign it.

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Reuters Videos

A video posted on the City of Waukesha's Facebook page showed a red sport utility vehicle speeding through the parade, missing participants before police vehicles raced after it.Another video later obtained from an eyewitness by Reuters showed emergency services assisting injured people at the scene just a few seconds after the car plowed into the crowd.Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson said a person of interest was in custody and the suspect's vehicle had been recovered after the incident in the town, about 20 miles (32 km) west of Milwaukee.Authorities said they had taken 11 adults and 12 children to six area hospitals, with more transported to hospitals by family and friends.Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson said a person of interest was in custody and the suspect's vehicle had been recovered after the incident in the town.It was not known whether the incident was related to terrorism, but there was no further danger and an earlier shelter-in-place order in the town of around 72,000 had been lifted, Thompson added.
Postcards sent to WWI soldiers were unearthed at Stirling station during renovation works. (SWNS)

Postcards sent to troops during the First World War have been discovered in a train station during a refurbishment.

Workers renovating the roof at Stirling station, in Scotland, found a bundle of old postcards and documents containing notes sent to soldiers mainly stationed in the barracks at Cambusbarron, Stirling.

Many of the official Caledonian Railway branded postcards, found earlier this month, were dated April 1916 and requested troops collect kit bags and parcels from the station.

During World War One, a number of regiments were stationed in barracks around Cambusbarron, which is believed to have consisted of training camps including areas for live shooting practice.

Many of the official Caledonian Railway branded postcards were dated April 1916. (SWNS)

To track down what happened to the soldiers addressed by the postcards, Network Rail contacted the regimental museums for the Gordon Highlanders, the Cameron Highlanders and the Black Watch.

They wanted to find out where they had been stationed during the war and if they returned home.

The information gained from the Cameron Highlanders Museum revealed the 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders left for France in July 1915, landed at Boulogne and took over a sector in the line at Loos on 6 August.

The 8th Seaforths first major battle was in Loos on 25 September, which resulted in the battalion tragically losing 718 of the 776 it had started the day with.

A soldier Network Rail was able to track was Captain and Quartermaster Arthur James MacDonald of the 8th Battalion of the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders, who was wounded on 28 October, 1918, possibly at the Battle of Cambrai.

Because this came so close to Armistice, it is thought he likely survived the war and made it home.

Helen Agnew, Network Rail project manager for the Stirling Station roof works said: Its been incredible to see these postcards, many of which are more than one hundred years old and to find out about some of the items that were sent on the railway.

"Finding these items in the roof of the station has already offered a fantastic insight into the past but to be able to trace any family members of those who served would be incredible.

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The postcards requested troops collect kit bags and parcels from the station. (SWNS)

Ernie Pope, coordinator for The Highlanders Museum who was instrumental in the research into Captain MacDonald added: I believe the importance of remembrance is that everyone of us, in this country, will have a distant relative who either, took part in the Great War, or was impacted by it.

"We should never forget the suffering, loss and sacrifice made by so many during one of the darkest periods of world history.

Let us all hope and pray we never see its like again.

Read more:

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Network Rail is appealing for anyone with information on Captain and Quartermaster MacDonald or the following men to come forward: 2nd Lt. J M or H Campbell of the 11th Gordon Highlanders; Private W Reddiford of B Company of the 11th Gordon Highlanders; Private George Rankine of the 6th Black Watch; Officer Commanding A Company, 11th Gordon Highlanders.

The postcards and papers are in a fragile condition and will be properly preserved before being put on display in the future.

Watch: British First World War soldier laid to rest in Belgium
Human body parts discovered floating in a Florida bay last week prompted police to launch a death investigation and ask the public for help in identifying the victim from a tattoo just under their lower right calf.

The first body part was discovered on Thursday in McKay Bay in Tampa when a fisherman thought he spotted a fish.

MISSING ARIZONA GEOLOGIST: HUMAN REMAINS FOUND DURING SEARCH FOR DANIEL ROBINSON

"I was putting out my lines getting ready to go fishing and all of the sudden I see this lump, what looked like a catfish, start floating by and as it gets closer to me I start realizing it looks more like a human leg," the angler told FOX13 Tampa on Friday.

Police said a tattoo on a lower right calf shows three red hearts that each have a light blue ribbon emblazoned with the names Sean, Greg and Zach.

Additional human body parts were discovered just before noon on Friday, the Tampa Bay Times reported, citing a police news release, which did not detail what type of body parts were found.

Investigators have yet to determine whether the body parts belong to a single person or to whom they belong. No cause of death has been determined.

Authorities asked anyone with information about the tattoo or the recovered limbs to contact Tampa police.

"If you saw anything that you thought was suspicious in and around this area, wed like for someone to call us," interim Tampa police Chief Ruben Delgado said at a news conference Friday evening. "Come forward and give us any bit of information you have."

Delgado said the death investigation is ongoing.
Donald Hohman, one of the 52 Americans held hostage in Iran for 444 days between 1979 and 1981, was laid to rest along with his wife Anna Hohman in the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery in Radcliff Friday.

The couple, both 79, lived in Elizabethtown and died within eight days of each other this fall after contracting COVID-19, their daughter-in-law, Jocelyn Hohman, said Saturday afternoon. They had been married 52 years.

Donald Hohman, a retired chief warrant officer 2, died Sept. 22, according to an obituary. Anna Hohman died Oct. 1, her obituary stated.

A California native, Donald Hohman was an Army paramedic who had been assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran just a few months before a group of Iranian militants seized the embassy on Nov. 4, 1979, the Sacramento Bee reported.

He was the only one of the hostages with a medical background, his obituary stated. He was credited with risking his own life and likely saving the life of a fellow hostage by getting medicine from the dispensary at the embassy, the Bee reported, and he earned the nickname Doc by providing care for others during their captivity.

Jocelyn Hohman credited her father-in-laws stubbornness with helping him survive the ordeal.

He was a stubborn man, she said, laughing. He wasnt going to let this dictate his life.

She said he went on hunger strikes and spent time in solitary confinement because of it. He lost 50 pounds during the ordeal, the Bee reported.

Instead of being scared over there, he was angry, Jocelyn Hohman said. He gave them a run for their money.

He was also an outspoken critic of President Jimmy Carter, holding him responsible for a failed rescue attempt that left eight soldiers dead in April 1980, the Bee reported.

The hostages were released the day President Ronald Reagan took office, Jan. 20, 1981.

California Gov. Jerry Brown and Maj. Gen. Shober pin a medal for extraordinary patriotism on Donald Hohman, an Army medic who was one of 52 Americans held hostage in Iran for 444 days, in a ceremony at the California state Capitol on Feb. 5, 1981.

Hohman was later awarded the Soldiers Medal, Purple Heart, Legion of Merit and other military honors, and he and other hostages were immediately thrust into the limelight.

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We started feeling like hostages to the American people. I realize that they needed heroes, he said in a 1986 interview, the Sacramento Bee reported. But we needed time for isolation; we needed to regroup. We went right from dead zero into the spotlight, having to behave like something we werent, being treated like something we werent. It could have been damaging.

In the years after the hostage crisis, Donald Hohman rarely talked about his time in captivity, his daughter-in-law said.

He kept it close to his chest, for the most part, she said. He had a lot of psychological trauma from that.

Anna Hohman was a native of Germany and was living there with her family while working as a nurse when the hostages were freed, which allowed her husband to be the first of the hostages reunited with family, according to a UPI story at the time.

The hostages were taken to Wiesbaden Air Force Hospital in Germany, where Hohman had previously served, immediately after being evacuated from Iran. The UPI article described the couples brief reunion in the hospital commanders office.

Needless to say, it was pretty emotional, the article quoted an unnamed official as saying. Wouldnt you be pretty excited after 14 months?

Retired Army Chief Warrant Officer II Donald Hohman and his wife Anna Hohman, both of Elizabethtown, died within eight days of each other this fall. They were buried Friday at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery in Radcliff.

They were quite a team, said Jocelyn Hohman, who is married to the couples son Yuri and lives in Elizabethtown. They balanced each other.

She described Anna Hohman as a little powerhouse who kept the family together.

Known as Oma to those who loved her, Anna Hohman supported her husbands military career and cared for her own children while also helping other military moms with their children, her obituary stated.

Oma had many talents that she passed on to her grandchildren, it stated, crocheting,embroidering, sewing, gardening, and the love for thrift shopping.

She wasnt just my mother-in-law. She was my best friend, my mentor, Jocelyn Hohman said.

Jocelyn Hohman said the family moved to Kentucky in 1998.

After retiring from a 25-year career in the military, Donald Hohman continued to work as a civilian at Fort Knoxs Ireland Hospital until 2005, his obituary stated.

Jocelyn Hohman said the couple chose to remain in Kentucky because Donald Hohman loved the green, rolling landscape.

And he liked being around veterans, she said. Hardin County had a lot of veterans. Hed run into people who served with him.

Jocelyn Hohman said Donald Hohman had been vaccinated for coronavirus, and Anna Hohman was very careful in her interactions with others during the pandemic.

It was devastating, she said of their passing.

She said the services held Friday were made extra special by American Legion Post 113 in Hardin County, which helped arrange to have a color guard, Patriot Guard Riders,a bagpiper and others in attendance.

We really wanted him to have an honorable sendoff, she said. They went all out. ... We thought it was just going to be family. ...We were just in awe.

Aside from Yuri Hohman, the couple had another son, Kai Hohman of Nevada. Donald Hohman also had two daughters, Janet Taylor-Hohman and Renee Hohman of California. And they had numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

His grandchildren were his everything, Joceyln Hohman said.
A Sea World staffer accused the company of firing her without cause after 45 years. John Raoux/AP Photo

A former Sea World employee who was fired after 45 years filed a lawsuit against the theme park.

Shari Sehlhorst alleged the company hadn't properly paid overtime during decades of employment.

Sea World did not respond to Insider's request for comment.

A woman who worked at Sea World in San Diego for 45 years has accused the company of firing her without cause. She's suing over what she alleges are years of unpaid overtime.

Shari Sehlhorst said in a lawsuit filed in US District Court in California that she started working at Sea World in 1976 as an admission and ride attendant. After holding several other roles, she joined the Environmental, Health & Safety Department in 1997. Her last title was environmental leader.

But Sehlhorst claimed in her lawsuit that Sea World fired her in October "due to 'restructuring.'" She alleged that this reason was untrue. Her complaint also alleged that she had raised issues about environmental concerns at the park in the days and weeks prior to her termination.

Sea World hired a woman "in her mid-20s" to replace Sehlhorst at a lower rate of pay, the complaint said.

Sehlhorst in her complaint accused Sea World of violating the Fair Labor Standards Act, California Labor Code, and the Age Discrimination clause of the California Fair Employment & Housing Act. She also alleged the company hadn't properly paid her for overtime and work she did during lunch breaks.

"She worked six-seven days per week and averaged between 10-14 hours per day. Shari worked, on average, approximately 32 hours of overtime each week," the complaint said.

The complaint also accused the company of failing to keep accurate time records, stating that the "defendant knew Shari worked overtime without proper compensation," and the company "willfully failed and refused to pay her overtime wages at the required rates."

Sea World did not respond to Insider's request for comment.

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Sea World in early November filed a motion seeking to move the case into arbitration, rather than the courtroom. Sehlhorst and her lawyers "do not agree" that the case should be moved to arbitration, according to a court filing.

On Tuesday, the court set a hearing on the arbitration motion for January 31, 2022. In a joint filing on Tuesday, Sea World and Sehlhorst agreed to pause the timeline for discovery until that hearing.

Sehlhorst's complaint laid out the months prior to her termination.

In September, she strained muscles and tendons in her neck while lifting something, then was placed on "modified duty," the complaint alleged.

In October, she warned co-workers not to hose down a pathway, because the dirty water would drain into nearby Mission Bay, and then she notified management when the co-workers hosed the pathway down anyway, the complaint said. About a week later, she got the news that the company was "restructuring," the complaint alleged.

Sehlhorst filed her lawsuit with her husband, Dan Sehlhorst, as a co-plaintiff. The lawsuit claims Dan, another Sea World employee, who was furloughed during the pandemic, wasn't rehired because his wife had filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

The court complaint also said that Dan was told he'd be able to return to work, but after his wife's complaint he was told he "was not being considered for the project manager position even though he was qualified for it and performed the same position."

It alleged Shari's EEOC filing was "substantial motivating reasons" for the company's decision not to rehire Dan.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Michael Flynn, former national security adviser to former President Donald Trump, speaks to attendees as he endorses New York City mayoral candidate Fernando Mateo during a campaign event on Thursday, June 3, 2021, in Staten Island, N.Y. AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez

Michael Flynn recently spoke about his Christian faith to refute QAnon claims that he worships Satan.

Flynn spoke at the "ReAwaken America" tour, which featured other Trump loyalists and anti-vaxxers.

Roger Stone, Mike Lindell, and Lin Wood are all participating as speakers on the tour.

At a three-day conference in San Antonio, Texas, for the "ReAwaken America" tour, former national security adviser and keynote speaker Michael Flynn called for Christianity to become the singular religion of the United States.

"If we are going to have one nation under God, which we must, we have to have one religion. One nation under God, and one religion under God," said Flynn, who recently talked about his Christian faith in an effort to refute QAnon claims that he worships Satan.

At the conference, Flynn also discussed former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, who was indicted by a federal grand jury for refusing to comply with a subpoena issued by the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot. Flynn called the indictment an "abuse of freedom of speech."

Flynn also said he has taped a segment for "Tucker Carlson Tonight" on what he calls the "insurrection crucifixion," comparing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Pontius Pilate, the man who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus in the Bible.

"This is the crucifixion of our First Amendment freedom to speak, freedom to peacefully assemble. It's unbelievable," Flynn said at the conference on Friday.

The "ReAwaken America" tour features Flynn, other Trump loyalists, and anti-vaxx doctors, including Stella Immanuel and Scott Jensen, who have a history of spreading disinformation about the 2020 election and the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Other Trump allies participating as speakers for the tour include Roger Stone, Mike Lindell, and Lin Wood.

Flynn also has a history of propagating conspiracy theories, such as COVID-19 vaccines being added to salad dressing, and previously claimed that COVID-19 was fabricated to distract from the 2020 election.

He served as the Trump administration's national security adviser and was pardoned in 2020 after pleading guilty to lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about his communications with Russia.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Mankato MoonDogs pitcher Luke Young signs an autograph for a young fan during Northwoods League play earlier this summer in Minnesota. Young is a former Wall High School state-championship MVP who currently plays for Midland College. He's one of several former American Legion players for Ballinger's Post 8 Cannoneers who is making an impact at the college level.

WALL -- Luke Young was back in the spotlight in his old stomping grounds Saturday night.

The former Wall High School pitcher who currently plays for Midland College made his plans official to play Division-I baseball at Oklahoma State in 2022.

"It's definitely amazing," Young said after signing his official paperwork at the Ole Gin Steakhouse. "I never thought I'd get this opportunity coming out of small-town Wall.

"I'm so happy I got it and I'm so happy to have so many people like here to support me. I didn't think it would ever get this big tonight."

Former Wall High School pitcher Luke Young, center, talks with friends after signing a scholarship with Oklahoma State University at the Ole Gin Steakhouse in Wall on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.

When you're one of those rare small-town kids who gets to sign a D-I scholarship, you're gonna be treated like a rock star.

In 2019, Young was the UIL Class 3A state tournament MVP after helping the Hawks capture their first state championship on the diamond. If not for the pandemic, Wall might have had a chance to win another title in 2020.

Wall head baseball coach Jason Schniers says nothing has been given to Young. He went out and earned it with a work ethic similar to the cotton farmers in his sleepy West Texas hometown.

Luke Young displays his college baseball caps for Midland College and Oklahoma State. The former Wall High School standout will be transferring to OSU after he wraps up his second year with the Chaparrals.

"When he was in high school for us, his velocity was anywhere from 84 to 86 mph," said Schniers, who played at Angelo State University. "He was what we kind of considered a late developer and you could see that. And what he's become today, a lot of that is because of his work ethic.

"He got in the weight room, he consciously works on his mechanics and works on the game, and it doesn't just happen. It's a result of what he's done and the time and effort that he's done to get to this point. I still think he's got a lot of room to grow and develop as a player and as a pitcher. He's got a good body for it and he's got the brain, and he's going to continue to get bigger and stronger."

Schniers says Young is doing the things that are going to make him effective at the next level.

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Former Wall High School pitcher Luke Young, right, signed a Division-I baseball scholarship with Oklahoma State at the Ole Gin Steakhouse in Wall on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. He currently plays for Midland College.

"I think if he continues to put a little more weight on, he may be a kid who's able to throw 100 mph one of these days," the Hawks coach said. "And that's pretty exciting to think about."

Robert Virden has coached at the high school and collegiate level, in addition to being a major league scout for the Cincinnati Reds from 1987-90.

Virden coached Young in American Legion baseball in 2018 and 2019 and continues to watch his development.

"Luke is the best player that I've ever coached," Virden said. "I think he's going to a higher level than anybody I've ever coached. Out of probably 40 years of coaching, he's probably the best one.

There was a large gathering at the Ole Gin Steakhouse in Wall for former Hawks pitcher Luke Young's signing ceremony with Oklahoma State on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. Young is seen visiting with family and friends in the back left corner.

"He's on level to be a top major league player. There's a lot of steps between here and there and getting there, and some luck involved in staying healthy. But the talent level is equal to the best in the country, the best in the world."

Young had numerous transfer offers from other four-year universities, but he thinks he found his nirvana in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

"I really liked their campus, and I really enjoyed their coaching staff and everything they did and how they seem to run it up there," Young said.

The Cowboys' coaching staff saw things they really liked in the lanky, hard-throwing pitcher.

"They told me they liked my confidence level that I seemed to have on the mound, and just how I went straight at people and attacked them," the former Hawks standout said.

Midland College pitcher Luke Young is coming off a strong freshman season this past spring. The former Wall High School standout is one of several former American Legion players for Ballinger's Post 8 Cannoneers who are making an impact at the college level.

It's pretty amazing to think that Young has added so much velocity to his fastball in a two-year period.

"Coaching definitely played a huge role in it," Young said. "A lot of hard work went into that, too."

Virden points out that Young's fastball is already higher than the average major league pitcher's fastball.

"It's somewhere around 93, I think," the former MLB scout said. "So that's enough to win right now."

Wall High School's Luke Young is shown in a file photo when he played for the Hawks.

Young says Midland College has been a great place for him to begin his collegiate career and mature as a player and person.

This past summer, Young went up to Minnesota to play for the Mankato MoonDogs, who compete in a college baseball summer league.

"It was a great experience to have," the hard-throwing righty said. "Not a lot of people get it and I just loved every second of it. I just feel like it really helped me with my confidence level and just benefitted me as an individual and a baseball player."

Former Wall High School pitcher Luke Young is pictured when he made his plans official to play for Midland College in 2019. He will be transferring to Oklahoma State for the 2022 season.

Like other former Wall athletes who are competing at the collegiate level, Young is a role model to youngsters who dream of being in his shoes one day.

"I have to uphold my image and go out there and do the right things at the right time," he said.

Charles Bryce is a journalist covering sports in West Texas. Send him a news tip at cbryce@gannett.com. Consider supporting West Texas journalism with a subscription to GoSanAngelo.com.

This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Former Wall pitcher Luke Young signs D-I deal with Oklahoma State
FORT BRAGG  A special Veterans Day podcast released Thursday features Fort Braggs highest-ranking general sitting down to talk to Immediate Response Force paratroopers who were part of the nations historic deployment to Afghanistan in August.

Read More: Looking for a new podcast? Fort Bragg commands have several

The 82nd Airborne Division's Immediate Response Force is able to deploy anywhere in the world within 18 hours.

In this screenshot from the U.S Army Forces Command podcast "Frontline," released Thursday, Gen. Michael Garrett talks with soldiers deployed to Afghanistan in August to help with the evacuations as the 20-year-long war came to an end.

On FORSCOMs "Frontline" podcast, Gen. Michael Garrett, commander of the U.S. Army Forces Command, spoke to 1st Brigade Combat Team soldiers, Capt. Cody Chellman, Sgt. Gunner Parsons, and Spc. Alsajjad Al Lami, about their experiences during the rapid deployment in August.

Im interested in what they saw, what they did and the impressions on them, Garrett said.

According to a FORSCOM, Chellman is from the Nashville, Tennessee, area and has been in the Army for 16 years.

His parents retired from the Army in 2005 with a combined 62 years of service.

Parsons' father served in the Marine Corps for more than 28 years.

Also: 'That was because of the Army': Fort Bragg four-star general promotes Army hiring days

Al Lami was born in Iraq. His father was an interpreter for the Army from 2004 to 2011.

The family immigrated to the U.S. in 2015, and Al Lami served as an interpreter for the Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Garrett asked the soldiers about their time in Afghanistan helping with evacuation efforts that marked the end of the nearly 20-year-long war in the country.

Everybody has their idea of what Afghanistan is like, and we got there and it was dark.  It was not like what we were expecting at all, Parsons said.

Paratroopers assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division receive a shift change brief before assuming control of a checkpoint at Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 25, 2021, in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Chellman spokes about how Immediate Response Force missions also impact families.

This IRF deployment was unlike anything Ive ever been a part of, the married father of two said. We normally have that target date on the wall and everyone slowly gets ready and mentally prepares for this.

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In this screenshot from the U.S Army Forces Command podcast "Frontline," released Thursday, Sgt. Gunner Parsons talks with Gen. Michael Garrett about being deployed to Afghanistan in August to help with the evacuations as the 20-year-long war came to an end.

Chellman said the alert for the mission came on what was supposed to be a fun day for his kids  their first day of school.

The FORSCOM Frontline podcas featuring Gen. Garretts conversation with the soldiers can be found on all podcast platforms to include Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher and Castbox.

It can also be found on YouTube and the FORSCOM Facebook page.

More: 'We could make a difference:' Fort Bragg paratroopers hand out care items for Afghan families

More: Fort Bragg division commander among last of American troops to leave Afghanistan

More: Im crushed  NC combat veterans, war widow, reflect on fall of Afghanistan

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.

Support local journalism with a subscription to The Fayetteville Observer. Click the "subscribe'' link at the top of this article.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: What Fort Bragg soldiers say about Afghanistan drawdown deployment
ROCCELLA JONICA, Italy (AP)  The Italian Coast Guard on Sunday safely brought to shore more than 550 migrants, many of them young men or boys from Egypt, from storm-tossed waters off the southern toe of Italys mainland, as human traffickers increasingly use a new route.

One rescue began Saturday night and ended early Sunday when the 303 migrants, soaked and shivering, stepped on to the port of Roccella Jonica in the the Calabria region.

Later Sunday, after an Italian customs police boat spotted spotted another fishing vessel in difficulty off Calabria, coast guard crews ferried 250 migrants to the same port, Associated Press journalists in Roccella Jonica reported.

While most migrants seeking to reach Italy in the central Mediterranean depart from Libya or Tunisia, authorities say an increasing number of traffickers' boats are plying a route that begins in Turkey and ends at the southern tip of the Italian peninsula.

Those rescued from traffickers' unseaworthy rubber dinghies and wooden boats that depart from North Africa are usually taken to Lampedusa, a tiny Italian island, or to ports in Sicily. Those sailing from Turkey are generally taken to Calabria or Puglia in the heel of the Italian mainland.

The charity Resqship tweeted Sunday that after it alerted authorities about an overcrowded wooden boat with 100 migrants south of Lampedusa, the Italian coast vessel evacuated them to safety.

In Roccella Jonica, Red Cross volunteers early Sunday handed the migrants plastic clogs, blankets, food and protective face masks as part of COVID-19 precautions. Authorities recently set up a tent structure to serve as temporary housing but it's only for up to 120 people, so some of the migrants were driven to other shelters.

As of Nov. 12, 57,833 migrants had arrived in Italy by sea this year.

In 2020, more than 31,000 arrived. In 2019, when anti-migrant leader Matteo Salvini used his post as interior minister to try to thwart charity boats from disembarking people they rescued at sea, just under 10,000 arrived.

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D'Emilio reported from Rome. AP photographer Alessandra Tarantino contributed from Roccella Jonica.

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Follow all AP stories on global migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration.
TOKYO (AP)  A Japanese princess who gave up her royal status to marry her commoner college sweetheart arrived in New York on Sunday, as the couple pursued happiness as newlyweds and left behind a nation that has criticized their romance.

The departure of Mako Komuro, the former Princess Mako, and Kei Komuro, both 30, was carried live by major Japanese broadcasters, showing them boarding a plane amid a flurry of camera flashes at Haneda Airport in Tokyo.

Photos posted online showed the couple arriving at JFK Airport.

Kei Komuro, a graduate of Fordham University law school, has a job at a New York law firm. He has yet to pass his bar exam, another piece of news that local media have used to attack him, although it is common to pass after multiple attempts.

I love Mako, he told reporters last month after registering their marriage in Tokyo. They did so without a wedding banquet or any of the other usual celebratory rituals.

I want to live the only life I have with the person I love, he said.

Although Japan appears modern in many ways, values about family relations and the status of women often are seen as somewhat antiquated, rooted in feudal practices.

Such views were accentuated in the public's reaction to the marriage. Some Japanese feel they have a say in such matters because taxpayer money supports the imperial family system.

Other princesses have married commoners and left the palace. But Mako is the first to have drawn such a public outcry, including a frenzied reaction on social media and in local tabloids.

Speculation ranged from whether the couple could afford to live in Manhattan to how much money Kei Komuro would earn and if the former princess would end up financially supporting her husband.

Mako is the niece of Emperor Naruhito, who also married a commoner, Masako. Masako often suffered mentally in the cloistered, regulated life of the imperial family. The negative media coverage surrounding Mako's marriage gave her what palace doctors described last month as a form of traumatic stress disorder.

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Former Emperor Akihito, the father of the current emperor, was the first member of the imperial family to marry a commoner. His father was the emperor under whom Japan fought in World War II.

The family holds no political power but serves as a symbol of the nation, attending ceremonial events and visiting disaster zones, and remains relatively popular.

Makos loss of royal status comes from the Imperial House Law, which allows only male succession. Only male royals have household names, while female imperial family members have only titles and must leave if they marry commoners.

Mako is the daughter of the emperors younger brother, and her 15-year-old brother is expected to eventually be emperor.

Complicating the former princess's marriage, announced in 2017, was a financial dispute involving Kei Komuros mother. That issue was recently settled, according to Kyodo news service.

When Kei Komuro returned from the U.S. in September, the couple was reunited for the first time in three years. They met while attending Tokyo's International Christian University a decade ago.

In announcing their marriage, the former princess, a museum curator, made her choice clear.

He is someone I cannot do without, she said. Marriage is that decision needed for us to live on, staying true to our hearts.

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Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama

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This story corrects that the princess gave up her royal status, not the throne.
Footage broadcast in Japan showed the former princess arriving in New York

Japan's former princess Mako has arrived in the US with her new "commoner" husband, Kei Komuro, after leaving the royal family.

There was minimal pageantry as the college sweethearts, who wed last month, left from Tokyo airport on Sunday morning.

They will rent an apartment in New York where Mr Komuro works at a law firm.

Under Japanese law, female imperial family members forfeit their status upon marriage to a "commoner".

The pair were heavily guarded by police and airport security as they strolled through the departure terminal. They passed about 100 journalists who were there to witness them leave, but did not respond to questions.

Footage broadcast in Japan showed the couple arriving in New York and walking through the airport with security guards, before getting into a waiting vehicle.

Their move to New York had long been rumoured and Mako, who took her husband's name when they got married, is reportedly expected to find a job in the city.

However, the couple faced a set-back to their plans last month when Japanese media reported that Mr Komuro had failed the New York state bar exam. Prospective lawyers have to pass the tests to practise law in the state.

Mr Komuro is currently working as a legal clerk.

The move to the US has drawn comparisons with British royals Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, earning the newlyweds the nickname "Japan's Harry and Meghan".

The couple faced significant opposition when they first announced their engagement four years ago and their relationship has been subject to tabloid gossip and controversy over claims that Mr Komuro's mother had reportedly taken a loan from her ex-fiance and not paid him back.

The coverage led to the then-princess developing post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the Imperial Household.

When the couple married last month they skipped the usual rites of a royal wedding and turned down a payment offered to royal women upon their departure from the family.

Former princess Mako, who is the niece of Emperor Naruhito, is the first female member of the royal family to decline both.

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PARAMUS  The Bergen County Technical School District received a New Jersey Department of Education grant that will fund nearly $26 million of the cost to construct a new county Career and Technical Education School.

The Securing Our Children's Future grant will provide 75% of funding for construction  an expected $25.9 million  while the county will be responsible for the rest, about $8.6 million, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco said.

The new school will be located in Paramus and will bridge the gap between high school and postsecondary plans to prepare students for their next steps, whether it's in a trade apprenticeship program or college, Tedesco said.

This new school will prepare our next generation to be competitive in a 21st century workforce, by bridging the gap between traditional schools and emerging high-demand fields of employment, Tedesco said. This investment in Career and Technical Education expands our already stellar County Technical School District and furthers their mission of preparing our students to actively participate in a global community.

Bergen County received a grant to build a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) School which will bridge the gap between high school and postsecondary plans.

The programs will be tailored to address shortages in high-demand fields that will help prepare students for competitive fields including fabrication and design, logistics and dental science.

The Bergen County Board of County Commissioners heard the first reading for the bond ordinance on Wednesday at its public meeting.

Dining: Yard House, a craft beer hot spot, opening in American Dream Mall

Superintendent of the Bergen County Technical School district Dr. Howard Lerner said the school board and administration are grateful for the county officials' support for the new school and three new programs.

Bergen County received a grant to build a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) School which will bridge the gap between high school and postsecondary plans.

The programs will provide students the requisite academic and technical skills to pursue postsecondary/technical education, apprenticeship programs, or immediate entry into the workforce upon graduation, Lerner said.

Election confusion: Why election night in Bergen County seemed like 'fraud' to many. A look behind the scenes

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The real-world learning our students receive through Career and Technical Education will position them for success in tomorrows economy, said Bergen County Commission Chairman Steve Tanelli. This new school is going to create tremendous opportunities for our students, and we are fortunate to have a forward-thinking superintendent and educators who plan and prepare for years in advance in anticipation of meeting our needs for tomorrow and beyond.

Kristie Cattafi is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: cattafi@northjersey.com

Twitter: @KristieCattafi

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Bergen County career and tech school to be funded by NJ grant
The Duchess of Cambridge stood in the Queen's place at this year's Remembrance Sunday ceremony. AARON CHOWN/Samir Hussein/Getty Images

The Duchess of Cambridge stood in the Queen's place at the Remembrance Sunday service on November 14.

A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace told Insider that the Queen missed the event due to a sprained back.

Queen Elizabeth has canceled other royal engagements recently amid health concerns.

The Duchess of Cambridge stood in for Queen Elizabeth II at the Remembrance Sunday event on November 14 after the monarch pulled out over health concerns.

Kate Middleton stood between Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, on a balcony at London's Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Reuters reported. At the same time, Prince Charles, Prince Williams, and Princess Anne laid wreaths down at the Cenotaph, according to the outlet.

The balcony's center-spot is typically reserved for Her Majesty, but a Buckingham Palace spokesperson told Insider that the Queen pulled out of the event two hours before it began due to a sprained back.

The Duchess of Cambridge stood at the center of the balcony, where Queen Elizabeth II typically stands during the event. AARON CHOWN/Getty Images

"The Queen, having sprained her back, has decided this morning with great regret that she will not be able to attend today's Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph. Her Majesty is disappointed that she will miss the service," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson told Insider.

"As in previous years, a wreath will be laid on Her Majesty's behalf by The Prince of Wales. His Royal Highness, along with The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra will be present at the Cenotaph today as planned," the statement continued.

Queen Elizabeth II stands between the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge at the Remembrance Day service on November 10, 2019. Samir Hussein/Getty Images

The Queen usually remained between the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall in previous years, including in 2019, but broke tradition in 2020 when she stood on a different balcony from the royal family.

The Queen's absence comes after she missed previous royal engagements in the last month over health concerns. In October, she suddenly canceled a trip to Northern Ireland based on medical advice from her doctor and later spent the night in the hospital for "preliminary investigations."

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Recently, doctors advised the Queen to rest for two weeks and cancel all official visits  prompting her to miss the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Representatives for the Duchess of Cambridge did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
The lead prosecutor in the murder case against 18-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse is assistant district attorney in the Kenosha County District Attorney's Office Thomas Binger.

Binger has worked for the Kenosha County District Attorneys Office for six years and ran unsuccessfully for the position of district attorney in Racine County, to the north of Kenosha, in 2016.

RITTENHOUSE FATE 'IN THE HANDS OF THE JURY,' NOT BIDEN, MEDIA, ATHLETES: MOTHER

KENOSHA, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 11: Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger walks into the courtroom for the start of the day during Kyle Rittenhouse's trail at the Kenosha County Courthouse on November 11, 2021 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Rittenhouse is accused of shooting three demonstrators, killing two of them, during a night of unrest that erupted in Kenosha after a police officer shot Jacob Blake seven times in the back while being arrested in August 2020. Rittenhouse, from Antioch, Illinois, was 17 at the time of the shooting and armed with an assault rifle. He faces counts of felony homicide and felony attempted homicide. (Photo by Sean Krajacic-Pool/Getty Images) Sean Krajacic-Pool/Getty Images

"In the last two years as a prosecutor, I have won 13 jury trials. I have convicted murderers, rapists, child molesters, drug dealers, drunk drivers, home-invading burglars and men who abuse women," Binger said during the failed campaign.

Binger graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1996 and joined the Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office in 1999.

After rising to the rank of assistant district attorney, Binger moved on to serve as the director of litigation at the DeMark, Kolbe, and Brodek law firm in 2005 until he joined the Kenosha County District Attorneys Office in 2014.

KYLE RITTENHOUSE DEFENSE, PROSECUTION SPAR OVER POTENTIAL ADDITION OF LESSER CHARGES: LIVE UPDATES

Binger is married to mental health counselor Nicole Gustafson-Binger and the couple has three children.

Binger and Judge Bruce Schroeder have clashed multiple times during the Rittenhouse case including when the judge scolded Binger after he asked Rittenhouse whether he knew the use of deadly force can not be used to protect property. Schroeder accused Binger of trying to improperly introduce testimony that he said earlier he wasn't inclined to include.

"I was astonished when you began your examination by commenting on the defendants post-arrest silence. That's basic law. It's been basic law in this country for 40 years, 50 years. I have no idea why you would do something like that," Schroeder told Binger with the jury out of the courtroom. "You know very well that an attorney can't go into these types of areas when the judge has already ruled without asking outside the presence of the jury to do so. So don't give me that. That's number one."

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Kyle Rittenhouse talks about how Gaige Grosskreutz was holding his gun when Rittenhouse shot him on Aug. 25, 2020, while testifying during his trial at the Kenosha County Courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, November 10, 2021. Sean Krajacic/Pool via REUTERS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

"Number two. This is propensity evidence. I said at the time that I made my ruling and I'll repeat again now for you," the judge added. "I see no similarity between talking about wishing you had your AR gun, which you don't have, so that you can take  fire fire rounds with these thought-to-be shoplifters and the incidence in these cases."

Defense attorneys representing Rittenhouse, who is accused of fatally shooting two men and wounding a third in Kenosha, Wisconsin, rested its case on Thursday in the divisive murder trial, setting the stage for closing arguments early next week.

Fox News Louis Casiano contributed to this report
Editorial cartoon

Whippoorwill Lane project not necessary

Why is Collier County spending money on a road project that isnt necessary?

The Whippoorwill Lane Extension Project will connect Whippoorwill Lane with Marbella Lakes Drive and add traffic circles at the entrance of four major developments. This project was first discussed a number of years ago with the intent to relieve congestion at the Pine Ridge Road/Livingston Road traffic signal, but its purpose now is: to add connectivity between developments, provide traffic calming, and reduce response times for emergency vehicles.

This project is not supported by many, maybe the majority, of residents of the area and, as designed, will actually increase response times of emergency vehicles because the circles, as proposed, are so small that emergency vehicles will have to slow to almost a stop at each circle.

The circles on Seventh Avenue North in Naples between Goodlette Road and 41 are the same size as those proposed. My observation at these circles is that automobiles have to slow to 10 mph or less and lawn service trucks with trailers practically stop to navigate the circle. An inspection of the roadbed finds multiple tire tracks outside the perimeter and some crossing the center median. So how are larger vehicles going to navigate the circles such as: emergency vehicles, moving vans, car carriers, school buses, pickup trucks with trailers, and construction vehicles?

To add insult to injury, the county wants to increase property taxes on all the residents in order to pay for the installation and maintenance of the landscape.

The county has many pressing road needs, so why waste money on this project?

James Moritz, Naples

Shameful decisions at UF

The world acknowledges that Daniel Ortega rules Nicaragua as a vile dictatorship. His modus operandi: repression and arrests of the opposition, defined as any opinion that does damage to the superior interests of Nicaragua (Ortega). The University of Floridas decision to deny faculty the right to provide expert opinions on voter rights litigation is a page from Ortegas playbook. The rationale: Their opinion might run counter to DeSantis. Shameful. Academic freedom trumped by misplaced loyalty to the states (DeSantis) interests. Whats next? Appointment of a DeSantis yes-man anti-masker state surgeon general given a position on the U of F faculty? Oops, too late, its already happened.

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Thomas M. Domer, Bonita Springs

Republicans become the Autocrats

Last week the Democrats lost big in Virginia, losing the governor's race and many state seats along the way. Do you hear any of them crying foul that the election was stolen? Do you hear them calling in to elections officials and leaving death threats? How about new plans from Dems to change the election laws around the country to put the elections decisions in the hands of the state government in hopes of overturning any future elections losses? The Republicans should give away their U.S. flags and change their names to the Autocrats, that is more accurate by far.

Paul Fowler, Bonita Springs

Dems are deaf to criticism

I should start reading The News-Press in late afternoon so I could have a glass of wine to help fortify myself while reading all the GOP criticism from the Left. A writer accuses "super wealthy" Republicans not only of causing our soaring deficits but of voting for tax breaks because they themselves would benefit from it. That is so clever and diabolical it could have come from Hunter Biden.

Another favorite target is Trump. A writer once labeled him "an incompetent, destructive fool with a mental problem."

Meanwhile, thousands of people in stadiums and racetracks across the country are chanting "Let's Go Brandon!" But Democrats are deaf to criticism. They continue on, so smug about their tolerance and caring. The goal, evidently, is to be the party of welfare checks, not paychecks, and that's bad, because hearing aids are expensive!

Jan Ganter, Fort Myers

Independence in the era of COVID

When our Founding Fathers gave their input to Thomas Jefferson, as he penned the Declaration of Independence, they fully captured the concept of independence. They identified our inalienable rights as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In that order.

With COVID, saving lives comes first, liberty follows. In the era of COVID, liberty can mean death. No vaccine, no masks -- we spread death. It is time to to honor our rights in the order that our Founding Fathers promulgated them.

Joe Haack, Naples

States fight lifesaving mandate

Thought it ironic to see side-by-side articles: "Pfizer: Pill cut hospital, death risk nearly 90 percent" and "26 states sue over vaccine mandate." One leading the fight to save lives and 26 fighting it. Sad.

Steve Hostick, Cape Coral

Editorial cartoon

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Letters to the editor for Sunday, November 14, 2021
Lawyer Jenna Ellis (right) listening to Melissa Carone, who was working for Dominion Voting Services, as she spoke in front of the Michigan House Oversight Committee in Lansing, Michigan, on December 2, 2020. Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images

Lawyer Jenna Ellis outlined a plan for Mike Pence to challenge the 2020 results, a new book said.

ABC's Jonathan Karl reported that the plan would involve some states sending in updated vote totals.

The plan leaned heavily on GOP congressional delegations stepping in and selecting the winner.

In the weeks after the 2020 election, President Donald Trump's campaign attorneys litigated cases across the country, targeting states such as Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, which provided narrow but winning margins for now President Joe Biden's successful campaign.

But on New Year's Eve, Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, emailed a memo to a top aide to Vice President Mike Pence outlining how the vice president could overturn Biden's November electoral win, said a new report from Jonathan Karl, ABC News' chief Washington correspondent.

The memo, which was written by Trump's campaign attorney Jenna Ellis, is detailed in Karl's upcoming book, "Betrayal: The Final Act of the Trump Show," which chronicles how Pence was being goaded into invalidating the Democratic victory.

Trump has been vocal in his distaste of Pence's decision not to challenge the results. As the sitting vice president on January 6, it was Pence's role to preside over the vote certification, and he affirmed Biden's 306-232 Electoral College victory.

In the memo, the book said, Ellis listed a clear strategy for Pence to contest the results, which would have involved the vice president on January 6 sending back the electoral votes of six competitive states that Trump said he won.

The plan outlined that Pence would then issue a deadline of "7pm eastern standard time on January 15th" for states to return an updated vote total, Karl wrote.

According to Ellis' plan, if any state legislature failed to provide vote totals by the deadline, then electoral votes would not be "open and counted" from that particular state.

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In such a case, neither Biden nor Trump would have compiled a majority of votes, which Ellis said would mean that "Congress shall vote by state delegation," a move that would have aided Trump since Republicans controlled a majority of congressional delegations.

On January 1, a day after the Ellis memo was sent, Trump's aide John McEntee, the book said, relayed another memo to Marc Short, Pence's chief of staff, entitled "Jefferson used his position as VP to win."

While the historical information in McEntee's memo was inaccurate, the message stressed that Pence needed to fully use the levers of power granted by virtue of his position.

Throughout the first week of January, Pence was publicly pressured by Trump to overturn the election results, with the backdrop of the Georgia Senate runoff elections determining the fate of the party in the upper chamber.

"I hope Mike Pence comes through for us," Trump said at a Georgia rally in support of GOP Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, who both lost in the runoffs. "I have to tell you I hope that our great vice president comes through for us. He's a great guy. Of course, if he doesn't come through, I won't like him quite as much."

After the Republican losses in Georgia, control of the Senate flipped to the Democratic Party.

On the morning of January 6, at the raucous Washington, DC, rally that led to the deadly insurrection at the Capitol just hours later, Trump kept up the pressure campaign on his vice president.

"If Mike Pence does the right thing, we win the election," he said at the time. "Mike Pence is going to have to come through for us, and if he doesn't, that will be a sad day for our country."

During an interview with Karl, Trump said Pence erred in certifying Biden's electoral victory.

"He could have  well, the people were very angry," Trump said. "If you know a vote is fraudulent, right, how can you pass on a fraudulent vote to Congress? How can you do that?"

Trump said that he was unsure if he could ever overlook Pence dismissing his wishes.

"I don't know," he said. "Because I picked him. I like him, I still like him, but I don't know that I can forgive him."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Maryland Democratic lawmakers face a decision when they redraw the states congressional districts next month: just how difficult to make life for U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, the lone Maryland Republican in Washington?

Theres been speculation for months that Democrats in Annapolis, who hold veto-proof majorities that put them in the drivers seat for redistricting, might stack the deck against Harris in a reconfigured electoral map and set their party up for an 8-to-0 sweep of Marylands seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Harris has sounded the alarm about the possibility in fundraising pitches to supporters.

A batch of draft maps the General Assemblys redistricting commission released last week suggests Democrats could do just that  though not nearly as aggressively as some pundits figured. Two of the four proposed maps take aim at Harris Eastern Shore-based district by crossing it over the Bay Bridge and picking up more Democratic neighborhoods in Anne Arundel County. They would turn the district from one that former Republican President Donald Trump carried by wide margins in 2016 and 2020 to one that Democratic President Joe Biden wouldve won last year.

Harris, an anesthesiologist from Cockeysville, has been a thorn in the side of many liberal Maryland Democrats more accustomed to the Larry Hogan flavor of Republicanism. A conservative firebrand whose political rise came by mounting attacks against more centrist fellow Republicans, Harris is a member of the right-wing House Freedom Caucus and a full-throated supporter of Trump.

The prospect of being shut out on the congressional map has galled many Republicans, even those who dont favor Harriss brand of right-wing politics, who view it as a naked power grab in a state where about a third of voters reliably support the GOP. But its been urged by some Democratic partisans eager for any advantage in next years midterm elections  with Democrats defending a narrow majority in the U.S. House. They see tilting the map in blue states like Maryland as a fair counter to Republican-controlled gerrymandering in places like North Carolina and Texas.

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Theres no question that Democrats would love Andy Harris to walk the plank. They see him as an insurrectionist cheerleader and an enemy of democracy, said David Wasserman, a senior editor for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report and an analyst of congressional elections and redistricting. And yet the surprise to me is that they didnt propose an even more Democratic 1st District.

The most aggressive partisan redrawing among the four proposals would create a district that Biden could have carried by about 8 points. While that would certainly give Democrats the long-term advantage there, Wasserman said Harris could potentially survive reelection even there in 2022 because it looks to be a strong year for Republicans.

But state lawmakers wont simply pick one of the four proposed maps. Theyll gather Dec. 6 for a special legislative session to reconfigure the congressional district boundaries. At that point, they could easily double the Democratic advantage in the 1st District and doom Harris by adding liberal portions of Howard County, Wasserman said.

Wasserman said Democrats could easily capture all eight of Marylands congressional seats by shifting more Republican voters to the districts held by Democratic U.S. Reps. Kweisi Mfume and John Sarbanes of Baltimore, which Democrats routinely win by massive margins.

Harris did not respond to messages The Baltimore Sun sent to his congressional office and his political campaign. But Harris sounded confident Wednesday about his chances in an interview with Fox News, saying that the draft maps are still quite gerrymandered, but not quite as much as the current districts. He said he believed one Republican would still be elected under any of the four of the maps.

All four maps would move Harris Cockeysville home out of the 1st District and into Mfumes 7th District. Members of Congress need not live in their districts, though they are required to live in the state.

The General Assemblys Legislative Redistricting Advisory Commission will take comment on the proposed maps at a statewide virtual hearing Monday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Gov. Larry Hogan hasnt discussed the lawmakers proposals for the 1st District specifically. But hes offered general criticism, saying all four maps would continue the extreme gerrymandering that has made a mockery of our electoral majority system for decades.

Hogan is backing a map drawn by a commission that he appointed. He has pledged to submit that draft to lawmakers, even though Democrats in Annapolis have enough votes to disregard his proposals. The Hogan-backed commission drew the 1st District to include all Eastern Shore counties, plus Harford County and the northern, rural section of Baltimore County. That map that would likely keep the congressional seat safely in Republican hands.

No matter how lines are drawn, theres a legal necessity to add some Western Shore communities to the Eastern Shore-based 1st Congressional District since there simply arent enough people on the largely rural Maryland portion of the peninsula to fill a congressional district, which should contain roughly 773,000 people. Electoral maps must be redrawn once every decade to account for population changes between each census.

Theres precedent for using the Bay Bridge to link the Eastern Shore district with neighborhoods across the Chesapeake Bay. After the 2000 census, the 1st District was drawn to include the Anne Arundel neighborhoods of Arnold, Broadneck, Cape St. Claire, Gambrills, Millersville, Pasadena and Severna Park.

For two decades, the district was represented by Wayne Gilchrest, a moderate Republican. Harris effectively ended Gilchrists political career in the 2008 Republican primary with a right-wing challenge, but then lost to Democrat Frank Kratovil.

Harris ran again in 2010  when the district still included the Anne Arundel neighborhoods  and defeated Kratovil in a rematch to claim the seat. He has coasted to reelection every two years since.

The current map, adopted before the 2012 election, swapped the Anne Arundel communities for more of Baltimore, Carroll and Harford counties, effectively packing in more conservative and Republican voters.

Dirk Haire, chairman of the Maryland Republican Party, said his party is watching the redistricting process closely and is poised to mount a legal challenge if the congressional district map is skewed to benefit Democrats, something the governor has threatened, as well. Any legal challenge could be settled by the Maryland Court of Appeals, which has a majority of its seven judges appointed by Hogan.

A 2019 U.S. Supreme Court decision in a case involving a challenge of Marylands current maps held that federal courts have no role in policing gerrymandering for political reasons and that it is up to Congress to pass a law restricting the practice, which has not happened.

Still, the current draft maps could have been much worse for Republicans given the political realities of the state, Haire acknowledged.

In a state where youve got 2 million Democrats and 1 million Republicans, there are mathematical ways to draw Democratic majorities if you just completely disregard geographic and political boundaries, he said.

Haire thinks Harris still has a chance to win, even in the scenarios where the district includes a significant number of Democratic voters in Anne Arundel.

A group of more than 20 Black leaders, mostly from the Eastern Shore, wrote Thursday to legislative leaders to ask for a return to a competitive, balanced electorate in the congressional district.

For the past decade, our district has been represented by Congressman Andy Harris, who has repeatedly stoked racial tensions, embraced conspiracy theories, and espoused a hateful, dangerous ideology, which negatively impacts our communities, the group wrote under the letterhead of the Talbot County NAACP.

The leaders did not endorse any specific configuration, but said a more competitive map would allow voters to use our voices and our votes to render a verdict on Congressman Harriss tenure in Congress.

Democratic candidates hoping to replace Harris in Congress took a measured tone about the possibility of running in a district more favorable to their party.

Were going to win this seat no matter what the district looks like, said Democrat Heather Mizeur, a former state delegate and gubernatorial candidate who lives on a Kent County farm, in a statement.

Mizeur didnt offer a preference for any of the maps, but said she supports a balanced district that would more likely elect a representative who would listen to multiple viewpoints and work with both parties.

The other Democratic candidate who has filed to run, retired foreign service and U.S. Agency for International Development official Dave Harden, also said hes the best choice regardless of how the district lines are drawn. Harden lives on a Carroll County farm and claims Eastern Shore roots going back generations.

Im the strongest candidate running, without regard to the [proposed maps] that are out there, Harden said in an interview. He said Mizeur is too liberal and Harris too conservative for the mostly rural district.

Where I grew up, folks are common-sense people, he said. They dont want crazy.

Harry Basehart, a professor emeritus of political science at Salisbury University, said he thinks most Eastern Shore voters would support whichever map would help their party win the seat in Congress.

The Republican Party on the Shore certainly likes Andy Harris and whatever lines help him get reelected, I think theyre fine with, said Basehart, who calls himself an active Democrat. I think the Democrats, of course, would like to have a part of the Western Shore thats more Democratic.

If Democratic leaders want to put more Democratic voters in the 1st District in hopes of toppling Harris, then other Democratic congressmen will lose friendly voters from their districts, Basehart noted. He wonders if thats a trade-off theyre willing to make.

The crucial question is  Will Western Shore Democrats think its important enough to get rid of Andy Harris that theyre willing to put some residents of Anne Arundel County in the district? he said.
Max Cleland didnt arrive at Stetson University as the perfect student. It was 1960, and he had dreams of a Space Age teaching career in physics. But he didnt even have enough math background to get into a basic physics class. He next turned to English, but was placed in remedial English classes.

More: Max Cleland dies at 79; former Georgia senator lost limbs in Vietnam

Susan Ryan dean of the Stetson Library

Finally, Cleland turned to the study of history as well as the mentorship of professors, particularly T. Wayne Bailey, PhD, who Cleland once described as having a tremendous influence on me as a young man from [Lithonia] Georgia. Max realized from that time on that he wanted a life of public service.

More: Mark Lane: Feeling the loss of Stetson's T. Wayne Bailey

Cleland would go on to graduate in May 1964 and, through the universitys ROTC program, be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

One of the core values of Stetson, written into its charter and mission, is dedication to the whole person committed to engaging and building lifelong connections with the larger world through personal growth, intellectual development and global citizenship.

With his passing Nov. 9 at age 79  only three days before Veterans Day  thats what Max Cleland left behind. A Stetson legacy.

Cleland established Stetsons alumni leadership program. Stetsons duPont-Ball Library is home to the Max Cleland Collection, with 4,000 pieces of his personal memorabilia. Cleland earned two honorary degrees from Stetson (in 1977 from the DeLand campus and in 2008 from Stetsons College of Law in Gulfport), received Stetsons Distinguished Alumni Award (in 1970), and the George and Mary Hood Award (in 2010).

For Stetson, like the universitys seal, first adopted some 130 years ago, Max Cleland is an emblem.

As Stetson President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD, commented on the day of Clelands passing, Given our universitys rich tradition of helping students reach their full potential as citizens of local communities and the world, I can think of no better example than Max Cleland.  His legacy is one of great servant leadership.

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Indeed, Cleland was a multiple award recipient for combat valor as an Army captain in the Vietnam War. At age 25, in the Armys 1st Cavalry Division, he lost both of his legs and his right arm in a grenade explosion. He then became the Georgia state senates youngest-ever member at 28 (1971-1975). He also served as administrator of Veterans Affairs (1977-1981), Georgia Secretary of State (1982-1996) and in the U.S. Senate (for Georgia, 1997-2003), among other national roles. His final public service was an appointment by President Obama as the secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission (2009-2017), the guardian of Americas overseas cemeteries and memorials.

As dean of the Stetson Library, I have the privilege of serving as the curator of the Max Cleland Collection at the university. Max has always been available to anyone at Stetson who needed him. Mostly, though, he cared about the students. Just as he had been mentored at Stetson, Cleland served as a mentor to new generations of students.

A couple of years ago, several students were seated around a table in the library's archives, surrounded by papers and artifacts and obviously working on a group project. I walked past and noticed they were reading Cleland's diary from his year in Vietnam. They told me they were working on a project involving first-person accounts of the Vietnam War. I asked if they would like to speak with Max Cleland on the phone, with the thought, Let's see if we can catch him."

Cleland picked up and sounded tired, but when I told him some Stetson students were working on a Vietnam project and could use his help, his voice got animated and stronger. Max asked each of the students their names, where they were from, and what they were majoring in at Stetson. With Max, it was always about the other person, not about him. The talk turned somber as he recounted some of his experiences at war. After about 15 minutes, I took back the phone and thanked him for taking the time. His response: You tell those students I'm here for them. Whatever they need.

That was Max Cleland.

Former Georgia Senator Max Cleland salutes delegates before introducing Sen. John Kerry at the Democratic National Convention Thursday, July 29, 2004 at the Fleet Center in Boston, Mass. Cleland, who lost three limbs to a Vietnam War hand grenade blast yet went on to serve as a U.S. senator from Georgia, died on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. He was 79.

Max often called himself a pine nut when he started at Stetson, and said that whether that pine nut had turned into anything was for others to judge. With the tributes pouring in from across the country, others have judged Max Clelands life as a life well lived.

On the day of his passing came these words from President Joe Biden: He will be remembered as one of Georgias and Americas great leaders."

The same, in no uncertain terms, goes for Stetson University.

Susan M. Ryan is dean of the Stetson Library and curator of the Max Cleland Collection at Stetson University.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Stetson helped make Max Cleland, and Cleland made Stetson proud
A reckoning is hitting news organizations for years-old coverage of the 2017 Steele dossier, after the document's primary source was charged with lying to the FBI.

Why it matters: It's one of the most egregious journalistic errors in modern history, and the media's response to its own mistakes has so far been tepid.

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Outsized coverage of the unvetted document drove a media frenzy at the start of Donald Trump's presidency that helped drive a narrative of collusion between former President Trump and Russia.

It also helped drive an even bigger wedge between former President Trump and the press at the very beginning of his presidency.

Driving the news: In wake of the key source's arrest and further reporting on the situation, The Washington Post on Friday corrected and removed large portions of two articles.

To The Post's credit, its media critic, Erik Wemple, has written at length about the mistakes made by The Post and other media outlets in their coverage of the dossier.

BuzzFeed News, which made waves in 2017 by publishing the entire dossier, says it has no plans to take the document down. It's still online, accompanied by a note that says The allegations are unverified, and the report contains errors.

Ben Smith, who was BuzzFeed's editor-in-chief at the time and is now a media columnist at The New York Times, told Axios, My view on the logic of publishing hasn't changed."

BuzzFeed defended the decision in a 2018 lawsuit by arguing that because the FBI opened an investigation into the Trump campaign's ties to Russia, the dossier itself was newsworthy, whatever the merits of its contents turned out to be. It won that case.

Other outlets that gave the document outsized coverage have so far been less forthcoming.

CNN and MSNBC did not respond to requests for comment about whether they planned to revisit or correct any of their coverage around the dossier

Mother Jones Washington bureau chief David Corn began reporting about the dossier prior to the 2016 election. Asked by Wemple whether he planned to correct the record, Corn said," My priority has been to deal with the much larger topic of Russias undisputed attack and Trumps undisputed collaboration with Moscows cover-up."

Corn did not respond to a request to speak on the record with Axios.

The Wall Street Journal told Axios, "Were aware of the serious questions raised by the allegations and continue to report and to follow the investigation closely."

Axios was among the outlets that did not publish the dossier or original reporting based on its contents.

What to watch: The Steele screwup will undoubtedly cause an even bigger rift in trust between Democrats and Republicans.

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Houston HIgh School students Audrey Albertson, Sophia Overstreet, Mahika Mazumder, Jude Downing and William Lloyd at I Am A Man Plaza. The Germantown youths took the bus there to focus on Memphis' mass transit problems and their commitment to fixing them.

On Saturday morning, five Houston High School students rode Memphis Area Transit Authority buses from Germantown to downtown Memphis.

They didnt do it to make it to the National Civil Rights Museum. Nor did they do it to make it to the University of Memphis basketball game at the FedEx Forum with enough time to spare if traffic delays ensued.

They did it to make a point: MATA is woefully inadequate when it comes to serving people who need it the most.

The students, whose organization is Stop Poverty with Policy, hope to use their experience riding the bus to I Am A Man Plaza to spark more activism among young people to fix the citys transportation issues.

Last November, we saw a lecture by [sociology] professor Elena Delavega at the University of Memphis, and it was about how many factors factor into the poverty web in Memphis, said Sophia Overstreet, 16, who co-founded the organization with Jude Downing, also 16.

We wanted to do something about it, because it affects so many people in this city. So, we researched all the aspects of poverty, and we settled on transit reform.

Said Jude: Essentially the transit problem causes a lot of the other problems leading into Memphis poverty. It plays a big factor in the unemployment rates in Memphis and food deserts

If Memphis had a better transit system, people could get jobs and get where they needed to be.

Saturday, the students experienced a sliver of the issues transit riders grapple with.

They said they waited 20 minutes to board the bus. They also rode for free, because the fare collection system wasnt working, they said.

It was only a dollar for the fare, but we couldnt give them that, said Mahika Mazumder, 16.

Trying to schedule the trip was a struggle, said 16-year-old William Lloyd, because the route schedules arent done far enough in advance.

Then, there were the passengers stories.

We spoke to one girl who had to drop out of Germantown High School because there was no way for her to [use the bus] to get from her house to the school, Mahika said. We had one girl who had to ride her scooters and skateboards to school because she had no other way to get there

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There was an old gentleman who we spoke to at first. He was telling us about how there used to be a bunch of buses and awnings at the stops for people to use, but the city removed a lot of those awnings and the benches, so people have no place to sit in the rain

And he was in his 80s. The elderly people we spoke to, it broke my heart.

Stop Poverty With Policy has 20 members now, but Sophia and Jude said they hope to attract more members and help young people, especially young people from privileged backgrounds, understand the importance of fighting poverty.

It may not directly affect us, but that doesnt mean we cant use our voices to help our fellow Memphians, Jude said.

We started this with no connection to our schoolwhat we did [riding from Germantown to downtown] wasnt the safest thing in the world, but we did it because we wanted to make a statement.

The Memphis transit system doesnt work to its given abilities, and we need to make a change.

Tonyaa Weathersbee can be reached at tonyaa.weathersbee@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter: @tonyaajw

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis transit system fuels poverty; Germantown students want to help
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told "Axios on HBO" that the Jan. 6 siege on the U.S. Capitol was also an attack on the core values of the world's biggest military alliance.

Driving the news: "I regard that as an attack on the core democratic institutions of the United States and therefore also on core values of NATO," Stoltenberg said in an interview recorded last Monday at NATO's headquarters in Brussels.

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He also touched on Russia, Turkey, Afghanistan and China  but, notably, wouldn't say what NATO would do if China were to invade Taiwan.

The big picture: Despite how unnerved he was watching the events of Jan. 6, Stoltenberg said he continues to believe in America's future as a liberal democracy.

"I'm confident that our biggest ally ... will remain a strong democracy," he said.

The U.S. "has been through difficult times, crises, before and always come out on the other end with a strong commitment to democratic institutions."

More highlights:

Russia-Ukraine: Stoltenberg said NATO was closely monitoring the "unusual" Russian troop movements near Ukraine's border. However, he defended the alliances unwillingness to grant Ukraine the type of membership that would offer meaningful protection against Russian President Vladimir Putin, pointing out that membership can only be achieved if all 30 member nations support it. However, Stoltenberg acknowledged the disappointment Ukrainians feel about NATOs promise of membership in 2008 that, 13 years later, remains unfulfilled.

China: Stoltenberg has made much, recently, of expanding NATO's mission to include the "systemic challenge" of China. But he would not answer whether NATO would play any role if China invaded Taiwan  a non-NATO member, but a country whose fate is directly tied to the credibility of U.S. and Western deterrence against China's ambitions. If I started to answer all your hypothetical questions, I will only add to the tensions we see in that region, he argued.

Afghanistan: Pressed on the U.S.-NATO failure to anticipate the speed of the Afghan security forces' collapse to the Taliban, Stoltenberg said, "There are some serious lessons to be learned. I have launched a 'lessons learned' process at NATO."

Turkey: Stoltenberg hesitated for a moment when asked if he still considered NATO member state Turkey to be a democratic government. "They have elections," he responded after the pause. "The opposition was able to win an election in Istanbul recently. But I think also it's fair to say that, you know, I know that ... several allies have expressed concerns about Turkey."

Between the lines: Turkey has become NATO's biggest problem child. Over the strong objections of NATO allies, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has insisted on buying a major air defense system from the Russians.

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And Erdogan has made a mockery of NATO's commitment to "democratic values." He is interfering in the judiciary, locking up his political enemies and rerunning elections.

In 2016 and 2017, the Committee to Protect Journalists ranked Turkey as the world's No. 1 jailer of journalists.

Axios pushed Stoltenberg on the hypocrisy of NATO having the world's top jailer of journalists as a member state and at the same time demanding that nations who want to join the alliance clean up corruption and fine-tune their democracies before being allowed into the alliance.

Stoltenberg acknowledged the concern over journalists' rights but did not address NATOs inconsistent standards.

The bottom line: Stoltenberg  who became secretary general in 2014 and finishes next year  has led the alliance through arguably the rockiest stretch in its history.

He first had to contend with former President Trump threatening to withdraw the U.S. from NATO  a move that would have ended a military alliance that has held the peace in Europe since 1949.

This year  with President Biden's debacle of a withdrawal from Afghanistan  Stoltenberg is accepting the unhappy reality that NATO's 20-year mission there ended in failure.

The U.S.-NATO mission has left behind a catastrophe in Afghanistan: Total Taliban rule, mass starvation, girls shut out of schools. And Afghanistan is now re-emerging as a terrorist haven. Military leaders say al-Qaeda and ISIS could become a threat to the U.S. homeland in as little as six months.

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A member of the US Armed Forces administers a shot of the Pfizer vaccine at a FEMA community vaccination center in Philadelphia. Mark Makela/Getty Images

Adjutant General Thomas Mancino, who leads the Oklahoma National Guard, said members do not have to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Mancino's order directly contradicts a federal mandate from the Department of Defense announced in August.

Vaccinations deadlines are looming, but large portions of the military remain unvaccinated.

The leader of the Oklahoma National Guard has released a memo that says no service member will be required to get a COVID-19 vaccination.

The move, ordered by Adjutant General Thomas Mancino, directly goes against a federal mandate saying otherwise.

There will be "no negative administrative or legal action" taken against members who opt out of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the memo sent last week, obtained by the Oklahoman.

The Pentagon in August announced a vaccination mandate for all US service members, right on the heels of an order from President Joe Biden saying all federal employees must get fully vaccinated. The Pentagon mandate has staggered deadlines for different branches of the military to get fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Vaccinations deadlines are looming, but large portions of the military still remain unvaccinated. In October, hundreds of thousands of service members were either unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated against the virus.

The mandate from the Department of Defense has been met with backlash.

A top Republican lawmaker, for example, criticized the mandate, calling it a "haphazardly implemented and politically motivated" order.

"At a time when our adversaries continue to increase their quantitative and qualitative advantage against our forces, we should seek to ensure that no policy, even unintentionally, hinders military readiness," Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Inhofe said the mandate should be immediately suspended to avoid causing "irrevocable damage to our national security."

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Health officials for months have said vaccines are highly effective at reducing the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19. As of August, unvaccinated people had a six-fold higher chance of testing positive and an 11-fold greater chance of dying from the disease than vaccinated people.

In response to the backlash, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby called the vaccine mandate a lawful order, adding that failure to comply could lead to disciplinary action, including separation from military service.

Insider's Ryan Pickrell contributed to this report.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Police vehicles outside a barber shop in Baltimore where an off-duty police officer shot and killed a gunman who had burst in and shot one of the barbers (WBAL)

An off-duty Baltimorenpolice officer who was getting a haircut shot and killed a gunman after he burst into the barber shop and shot a barber dead, according to authorities.

The incident unfolded at around 3.15pm on Saturday when police said the suspect entered The Bladi Style barber shop in the Medford neighbourhood of Baltimore, Maryland.

Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said in a press conference that the man took out a handgun and shot one of the barbers.

The off-duty police sergeant, who was armed and in plainclothes, was having his hair cut by another barber at the time, he said.

The sergeant pulled out his firearm and fatally shot the suspect dead.

Police said the gunman is believed to be responsible for at least two other shootings in the area earlier that day, altogether killing two people and hospitalising a third.

One of the other shootings took place at a separate barber shop where the victim also died.

The shooting rampage began around 2.30pm along East Oliver Street when the suspect is thought to have gotten into an argument with a 37-year-old man.

Police said the gunman shot the man multiple times, and he was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

The gunman then got into a car and drove to a barber shop on Eastern Avenue where he shot another man multiple times.

The victim died from his injuries.

From there, the gunman went to The Bladi Style barber shop where the police officer was getting a haircut.

Police have not detailed what has led them to believe the shootings are connected.

The police commissioner praised the great bravery of the officer who he said may have saved many more lives by responding quickly.

Speaking at the press conference, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott condemned the deaths of the victims and said it was down to petty, mindless, stupid disputes.

You hear us talk about this time and time again: petty, mindless, stupid disputes ending up with people losing their lives, and we have to be understanding of that and, again, grateful that our officer was here, he said.

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Neither the officer, the suspect or the victims identities have been released.

Read More

Surveillance footage captures gunmen shooting at car containing six children at Wendys drive thru

Off-duty police officer shoots herself in stomach while responding to call

Rittenhouse victim calls teen an active shooter in homicide trial
Reuters

The Philippines' defence chief said on Sunday a military resupply mission for the country's troops stationed on an atoll in the South China Sea will resume this week, after it was aborted last week when it was blocked by Chinese coast guard. Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he had instructed the military to send its resupply vessels back to the Philippines-occupied Second Thomas Shoal, and that China "will not interfere" this time. On Thursday, the Philippines condemned "in strongest terms https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-warns-china-after-south-china-sea-standoff-with-philippines-2021-11-19" actions of three Chinese coast guard vessels that it said blocked and used water cannon on resupply boats headed toward Second Thomas Shoal, which is locally known as Ayungin Shoal.
A new initiative from the Missouri education department aims to relieve the teacher shortage being felt around the state.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education this week launched TeachMo.org, calling it a "digitally powered recruitment platform" to identify and cultivate new teachers. It's a collaboration with TEACH, a national, not-for-profit organization.

The plan also will include $50 million over the next three years for retention and recruitment.

In Columbia Public Schools, there is not yet a teacher shortage under the strictest definition, said Jennifer Rukstad, assistant superintendent for human resources.

"We are not currently experiencing a teacher shortage, if we would define that as literally not enough teachers to teach our classes, but yes, the applicant pool has been diminishing," Rukstad said. "The situation in our state and nation is very concerning, as the number of people in teacher preparation programs, people who complete those programs, people who begin a teaching job and people who stay past five years have all declined in the last 10 years."

More: Columbia Public Schools is in dire need of bus drivers. Substitute teachers, too.

Enrollment in Missouri teacher preparation programs has declined more than 25% over the past 10 years, said Paul Katnik, DESE's assistant commissioner for educator quality.

The digital platform is meant to be a "one-stop shop" telling prospective teachers, "Here's what you need to know about the profession."

Of the more than $50 million investment over three years, grants totaling around $11 million will be used for recruitment, Katnik said.

"The other $40 million will be used on the retention side to help (teachers) stay in the classroom," he said.

Any given year, 11% of Missouri teachers will leave the profession, he said.

The national average is 8%.

"About half of the teachers in the state have less than five years of experience," he said.

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The initiative also will include public service announcements and social media campaigns, he said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the teacher shortage, Katnik said.

"Our strategy is aimed at, 'You and I both had a teacher who helped us get where we are,'" Katnik said. "It is the profession that prepares people for all other professions. The health of our state really depends on supporting and being thankful for them."

Teacher preparation

Enrollment in the teacher education program at the University of Missouri College of Education has rebounded since a low point in 2017, said Jennifer Fellabaum-Toston, associate dean of student success and academic affairs.

There is a national trend in enrollment declines, however, she said.

The pandemic is partly to blame.

"It's an extremely rewarding career, but it's a tough job," Fellabaum-Toston said.

The Missouri Partnership for Education Renewal at MU can offer support to teachers, she said. It has an early career scholars program that provides mentors to teachers early in their careers.

There's a weariness teachers and others are feeling, Fellabaum-Toston said.

"I think everyone is feeling the heaviness of the global pandemic," she said. "The people on the ground are often the folks who feel that most deeply."

There were 172 students starting the teacher education program in the fall, she said.

TeachMo.org, also known as Teach Missouri, has promise, she said. She participated in a presentation about it as it was being developed.

"I'm excited to see where Teach Missouri takes us," she said.

More: These eight Columbia Public Schools students earned a perfect score on the ACT

Enrollment in the teacher education program at Columbia College has remained steady over the years, said Sandra Hamar, dean of the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Science.

She sees the teacher shortage in rural areas of the state, she said.

"This is not a brand new thing," she said. "It's reaching a more critical level."

TeachMo.org is a big push, but better funding for teacher pay also is needed, she said.

"Demands on the teachers are up," Hamar said. "I hope we can keep them in the classroom."

For those wanting to get into teaching, Columbia College offers evening and virtual courses on Zoom so students can stay in their current jobs while studying, she said.

The pandemic hurt education, Hamar said.

"The pandemic damaged the field of teaching from both sides," she said.

COVID-19 also has provided education students important lessons, said Molly Taylor, clinical director in education. She places student-teachers in schools.

"It taught students a lot of lessons about turning on a dime," Taylor said.

Columbia College students also work with trauma-informed teaching to help students with emotional and behavioral issues, Taylor said.

In the classrooms

More veteran teachers are considering retiring early because of the pandemic and its effects, said Noelle Gilzow, president of the Columbia teachers' union.

"This is a very tough year," she said. "We thought last year was tough."

Some students with behavior problems, likely a result of the pandemic, are acting out against teachers, sometimes aggressively, she said.

"It's just really tough," Gilzow said. "Teachers are getting hurt."

It's leading some teachers to second-guess their career choice, she said.

New teachers aren't as invested in the career and may be more likely to pursue other fields more quickly, she said.

The school district also sometimes is just a stopover for new teachers before they return to a district where they're from, she said.

Most community members support teachers, but a "loud minority" during the pandemic have sent a message that they're not appreciated, she said.

"You have your heart in it, but maybe you're not feeling supported and you decide you can make more money elsewhere," Gilzow said.

Money must be part of the conversation and the solution, Gilzow and others said.

"Every single year, everybody gives it lip service" without taking action on teacher pay, said Todd Fuller, spokesman for the Missouri State Teachers Association, a statewide teachers' organization with headquarters on the University of Missouri campus.

Teacher pay has to be competitive with that of other professions, not just with teacher pay in other states, he said.

"Teachers should be paid their worth," Fuller said. "We don't see that."

Is the state's plan a good one?

"I think the DESE initiative is a step in the right direction," Fuller said. "Right now it's directed at individuals and how they can make a job change into the teaching profession."

Where it may be lacking is a focus on keeping veteran teachers in their jobs, he said.

"We have one of the longest tenure periods for teachers," Fuller said. "A lot of times new teachers decide in the first few years there's no loss in moving to another profession."

Teachers must be employed five consecutive years in the same school district to achieve tenure.

Teachers are feeling a lack of empowerment, he said.

rmckinney@columbiatribune.com

573-815-1719

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri initiative aims to recruit, retain teachers amid shortage
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia was ready to help resolve a migrant crisis on the border between Belarus and Poland, RIA news agency reported on Sunday citing an interview on a state TV channel.

"We are ready to help it by all means if of course anything would depend on us," Putin was quoted as saying.

Russia is a key ally of Belarus, which the European Union says was responsible for flying in thousands of migrants, most of them from the Middle East, and pushing them to try to cross illegally into Poland.

Russia denies Moscow and Minsk were involved. Putin blamed the West for the crisis referring to conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Putin said in the interview he had spoken with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko twice since the migrant crisis began but had initially learned about it from media.

(Reporting by Maria Tsvetkova;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle and Raissa Kasolowsky)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview broadcast on Sunday that he had rejected a defence ministry proposal to hold snap Black Sea military drills in response to NATO activity because he did not want to escalate tensions in the region.

Russia has complained about what it has called a dangerous increase in military activity by the United States and its allies in the Black Sea region with greater Western spy plane activity, more strategic bombers flights, and the presence of two U.S. warships.

Some of the activity has been taking place in the vicinity of Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014 and which Kyiv wants back.

Tensions are also high over what U.S. officials have called a worrying Russian military build-up near Ukraine and a migrant standoff between Belarus, a close ally of Russia, and the European Union.

In a state TV interview published on the Kremlin website due to be aired late on Sunday, Putin said he did not want to fuel tensions in the Black Sea area.

"I should say that our Defence Ministry had a proposal to hold our own snap drills in those waters. But I believe that would be pointless and that there is no need to further add to tensions there," Putin said.

"So the defence ministry is limiting itself to escorting (NATO) jets and ships," Putin told the Rossiya-1 channel.

The United States has said its warships are in the Black Sea to enhance collaboration with NATO allies in the region.

"The United States and their NATO allies are really holding unplanned, I want to highlight it, unplanned drills in Black Sea waters," Putin said.

"...This is a serious challenge for us."

(Reporting by Maria Tsvetkova; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Queen Elizabeth will attend the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday, her first in-person public engagement since she was advised to rest following a night in hospital last month.

The world's oldest and longest-reigning monarch went to hospital for "preliminary investigations" into an unspecified ailment, and has since missed events such as the COP26 climate conference and a festival to remember the nation's war dead on Saturday evening.

While the queen has been photographed greeting dignitaries online, the palace had said the 95-year-old was determined to appear in person at the Cenotaph where members of the royal family join leading members of the government, military and veterans to commemorate those who lost their lives in conflict.

Held on the nearest Sunday to Nov. 11 to recall the end of World War One, the sight of the queen at the annual event is one of the defining images of her 69-year reign: head bowed, wearing black and displaying a red poppy.

On Sunday she will watch the service from the balcony of the Foreign Office in central London while her son and heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles lays a wreath on her behalf.

Elizabeth, who is queen of 15 other realms including Australia, Canada and New Zealand, will be appearing at the event for the first time since her husband of more than seven decades, Prince Philip, died earlier this year.

(Reporting by Kate Holton; Editing by Mark Potter)
Associated Press

Queen Elizabeth II attended a double christening on Sunday for two of her great-grandchildren. The 95-year-old British monarch, who has canceled several recent public appearances on her doctors advice, watched the baptisms of August, son of Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank, and Lucas Philip, son of Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall. The queen has 12 great-grandchildren, the youngest of them 2-month-old Sienna Elizabeth, daughter of Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
PORTLAND, Ore.  The Coast Guard used two helicopters to rescue campers from rising waters at an RV park on the Oregon Coast Friday, mudslides shut down roads and a woman was plucked from a swollen river as a second day of heavy rains and flooding pummeled the Pacific Northwest.

Authorities issued flood watches along Oregons coast and warned of the possibility of dangerous mudslides in areas that burned in last summers devastating wildfires. At the RV park about 90 miles (145 kilometers) southwest of Portland, Coast Guard teams said they rescued a total of 20 people and three dogs with the help of local authorities. Thirty campers decided to stay and declined rescue, the agency said.

Aerial photos showed the entire RV park flooded with deep brown water and campers sitting amid the mess. In some areas of the park, water had risen to 4 feet (1.2 meters). In nearby Otis, another RV park was also flooded and a private fire engine that sits permanently at the town limits to welcome visitors had water halfway up its doors.

Local agencies respond to an RV park where the rising level of the Neskowin Creek trapped multiple people near Neskowin, Ore., on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. (Eddy Binford-Ross/Statesman-Journal via AP)

Russ Hiner, who was camping at the park, posted on Facebook that he awoke to someone driving around the park and honking a warning shortly after 6 a.m.

Looking out the fogged up windows and see someone with a flashlight running around. They come and bang on the door, The park is FLOODING! Everyone out, he wrote on Facebook. Looks like theres six or 7 inches of standing water underneath us.

The Neskowin campground is tucked between two forks of Neskowin Creek and is about 7 miles (11 kilometers) north of Otis, a tiny coastal community that was devastated by a wind-driven wildfire just over a year ago.

We are okay for now ... but the rain in still coming, said Melynda Small, who lost her home to the fire in September 2020 and is worried about mudslides in the burn area.

You probably don't need us to tell you - the rainfall over the past 48 hours has been downright impressive for a large part of our forecast area.



Here's a map showing 48-hour rainfall totals thus far, only showing locations that received 2.5" or more.#AtmosphericRiver, indeed. pic.twitter.com/y1P1UTNMqy  NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) November 13, 2021

Forecasters said the storms are being caused by an atmospheric river, known as the Pineapple Express. Rain was expected to remain heavy in Oregon and Washington through Friday night. Precipitation may ease some Saturday but more rain is expected Saturday night through next week.

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In Oregon, the National Weather Service issued flood watches in several coastal counties and warned that heavy rains raised the risk of mudslides and debris flows in areas recently burned by wildfires.

More than 2 inches (5 centimeters) of rain fell in some areas in the western part of the state in a 24-hour period Thursday and heavy rains were expected to continue through Friday evening, the National Weather Service in Portland said. Astoria, in the states far northwest corner, set a new record for rainfall Thursday with just over 2 inches (5 centimeters) of rain, the most since the previous record for the date set 70 years ago.

Standing water in the roadways made driving treacherous across the Portland metropolitan area and a woman was rescued from the swollen Santiam River on Thursday after her encampment along the river banks was flooded.

In Washington, advisories were issued for at least a half-dozen rivers in the western part of the state.

Landslides were reported on the coast, in southwest Oregon near the town of Elkton and along the Columbia River Highway east of Portland.

The storm also caused a power outage that closed several schools and district offices in a Portland suburb.
The first person to take to the air in Sarasota was major developer, Owen Burns, who paid $50 ($1,350 today) to go aloft with internationally known pilot Tony Jannus. That was in April 1914, and in those days defying gravity was an adventurous undertaking. A festive atmosphere surrounded the flight and several others that flew off in Jannus airboat from Sarasota Bay marveled at seeing Sarasota from the air for the first time.

During World War I the Army Air Corps was looking for a landing strip for trainees flying out of Arcadia. Mayor George W. Franklin proposed a site off Fruitville Road, east of Tuttle Avenue. He declared a public workday and soon the rudimentary field of 3,000 by 1,000 was completed and in use. The Sarasota Times reported that trainees came to Sarasota not only as part of their duty, but to recreate here, giving a nudge to the local economy.

During World War I the Army Air Corps was looking for a landing strip for trainees flying out of Arcadia. Mayor George W. Franklin proposed a site off Fruitville Road and it was called Franklin Field.

Seeing limited use after the war ended in 1918, Franklin Field soon became the site of the Avion Development during the land boom. Sarasota was determined to have an airport that would attract a major airline. Mayor Everett Bacon even proposed Siesta Beach as a perfect landing area.

Instead, a more realistic 16-acre tract, located across from the entrance to the circus winter quarters on Oriente Avenue (todays North Beneva Road) was donated to the city by civic boosters Ralph C. Caples and A.E. Cummer.

Airplanes, and the feats and derring-do of the men and women who flew them, were front page material in those days and air records were being broken in speed, distance, and altitude. Wing walker daredevils made crowds gasp, and as today, plane crashes were front page news. Charles Lindbergs solo transatlantic flight in1927 was an international phenomenon, comparable to the moon landing.

On Jan. 12, 1929, planes from around the country were invited to test Sarasotas new Lowes landing field to excite the expected crowds with the zooming of motors, the swishing of wings and gyrations of planes high in the air.

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A show of stunt flying and airplane races were part of the program that the Sarasota Herald assured would be an important event in the history of Sarasota. The celebration would announce to the world that the city has taken its proper place in the category of cities that stand for progress.

Always hoping that such an affair would bring newcomers to Sarasota, the chamber of commerce prophesized that after the two days of celebration, the pilots would carry the news of Sarasotas beauties, advantages and resources  to different parts of the nation.

Ultimately, National Airlines brought air service to Sarasota, but during the rainy season the landing strip became too muddy to use safely and for a while we were canceled out. National demanded a concrete runway.

The Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority authorized a new airport on 160 acres of property in 1938. The project employed 225 Manatee County workers and 74 from Sarasota County.

Officials from Manatee and Sarasota County joined to find a suitable tract of land and formed the Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority. The new airport on 160 acres of property was started in 1938, a WPA project, employing 225 Manatee County workers and 74 from Sarasota County.

At the outbreak of World War II, the U.S. Army took over the project and finished its construction for use as an Army-Air Force training facility.

Florida became the home of several air training bases. The climate allowed year-round training and, compared to many other states, the population in many areas was sparse. Two bombing sites and a gunnery range were established in Sarasota County. Pilots practiced with bombs of black and white powder, dropped in concentric circles, which produced large clouds on impact. Planes also towed targets for machine gun practice.

The 97th Bombardment Group was the first to use the Sarasota Army Air Base. One of the instructors, Captain Paul Tibbets, later flew the B-29 that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

The 97th Bombardment Group was the first to use the Sarasota Army Air Base, but the runway proved inadequate for the large B-17 Flying Fortress, and, in the spring of 1942, the field was turned into a fighter base. One of the instructors Captain Paul Tibbets later flew the B-29 which dropped the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima, helping to end the war.

When the 97th Group left, they were replaced by 92nd Group, which trained fighter pilots.

The Venice Army Air Base eventually swelled to 6,000 trainees, which had a dramatic economic impact on the community. Add to that mix 400 Chinese soldiers of the 14th Chinese Service Group, training for logistic land maintenance support of combat units in South China.

In February 1945, 200 German prisoners of war were sent to the base and used in construction, cleaning, renovation and kitchen duties. They followed a policy of no work, no eat.

The troops had their work cut out for them. In preparing the field, they lived in hutments, half wooden buildings half tent and had to pull stumps, weed, and do general cleanup.

An advertisement invites locals to take a flight in the 1920s.

The first group to arrive in Venice was the 37th Service Squadron, 27th Service Group on July 7, 1942. In June 1943, the base became a finishing school for fighter pilots. Trainees were introduced to P-39s, P-47s, P-40s, and the P-51 North American Mustang, the plane that accompanied the B-17s on their raids over Germany later in the war, greatly enhancing the safety of the bomber crews by warding off German fighter planes.

The Venice base continued in full service until August 1945. By November, its population had been reduced from a high of 6,000 personnel to 400, finally closing in early 1946.

The servicemen in Sarasota and Venice were warmly received and cared for by the locals whose own sons and daughters were in far-off parts of the nation, sick for home and hopefully being well cared for, wherever they were, until they were shipped overseas.

While the ratio of servicemen to locals was not as significant in Sarasota as in Venice, they were still an appreciable presence in the community and their numbers swelled when soldiers from the surrounding bases took their leaves here.

Unfortunately, but not unexpectedly in the segregated South, Black soldiers were not welcome at either the Army-Navy Club, the Service Mens Club or at any of the places their white counterparts headed for rest and relaxation. The African-American community pulled together and provided their own club, staffed by volunteers who offered some respite and a place to get away from the daily grind of training.

Into the mid-1950s, the air terminal resembled a mom-and-pop business and Quonset huts and other small buildings left by the Army Air Corps still surrounded the area, turned into local businesses. By the end of the decade, as federal dollars were tied to its construction, it was integrated.

In 1965 jet service was provided by National Airlines, and in the 1970s a new terminal was in operation.

Today as SRQ, the airport continues to enlarge and upgrade all facets of its operations, and is one of the easiest, cleanest, and most user-friendly airports anywhere. After the worst of the COVID crisis, monthly records are regularly broken as SRQ welcomes passengers, anxious to spend some time in Paradise.

Jeff LaHurd was raised in Sarasota and is an award-winning author/historian.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: JEFF LAHURD: For Sarasota, early airports carry the news of paradise
Ryan Reynolds has claimed that the newly released blockbuster Red Noticebroke Netflixs record for most views on the day of release.

The film, which debuted on the streaming service on Friday (12 November), stars Reynolds, alongside Dwayne The Rock Johnson and Gal Gadot.

Writing on Twitter, Reynolds said: WOW #RedNotice is @Netflix biggest ever opening day for a film. Congrats to this whole team!

Cant wait for Red Notice (Taylors Version), he joked, alluding to Taylor Swifts album Red (Taylors Version), also released last week.

Red Notice focuses on an Interpol agent who attempts to hunt down and capture the worlds most wanted art thief.

With a reported budget of $200m (145), the film is thought to be Netflixs most expensive ever.

WOW #RedNotice is @Netflix biggest ever opening day for a film. Congrats to this whole team! Cant wait for Red Notice (Taylors Version) pic.twitter.com/tyGFqhKWao  Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) November 14, 2021

In a two-star review for The Independent, Clarisse Loughrey wrote: Its a mystery where most of that money ended up  its certainly not on screen.

Nothing about writer-director Rawson Marshall Thurbers story makes a lick of sense [...] All of this could be easily forgiven if the chemistry between these three leads sparkled and crackled like weve been promised. But it doesnt.

Red Notice is available to stream on Netflix now.

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Trump supporters at the 6 January US Capitol riot chanted they wanted to hang Mike Pence. (EPA-EFE)

John Barasso, one of the top Republicans in Congress, declined on Sunday to criticise Donald Trump for his recent comments that it was common sense that 6 January rioters at the US Capitol were chanting Hang Mike Pence.

The controversy stems from audio of an interview between the former president and journalist Jonathan Karl, recorded earlier this year but released this week, where the ABC News reporter asks Mr Trump about the vicious chants.

Well, the people were very angry, Mr Trump said. Because its common sense  How can you if you know a vote is fraudulent, how can you pass on a fraudulent vote to Congress?

On Sunday, Senator Barasso was asked if he had any criticisms of Mr Trump, still the partys most important standard bearer even though hes out of office.

After twice declining to answer the question about the chants from ABCs George Stephanopoulos, the Wyoming Republican eventually offered a mild rebuke.

Its not common sense, but there are issues with every election, Mr Barasso said, adding, I dont agree with president Trump on everything. I agree with him on the policies that have brought us the best economy in my lifetime.

When he was first asked about the violent threats towards the vice-president, Mr Barasso heaped praise on Mr Trump and highlighted the partys recent strong showing in the Virginia governors race, where the GOPs Glenn Youngkin defeated Democrat Terry McAuliffe.

Let me just say, the Republican party is incredibly united right now, and its because of the policies of this admin. The more that Democrats and the press become obsessed with president Trump, the better it is for the Republican party, he said. President Trump brings lots of energy to the party. Hes an enduring force. Elections are about the future not the past. Thats what we saw in Virginia and all across the country.

Just moments after the vice-president was whisked out of the halls of Congress by security on 6 January, Donald Trump tore into him for refusing to overturn the certification of the 2020, even though that is not within the power of the vice-president.

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"Mike Pence didnt have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution," Mr Trump tweeted at the time.

As politicians begin positioning themselves for the 2022 midterm congressional elections and the 2024 presidential contest, theres been a public reckoning within the GOP about how much it should stick with Trump and his obsession with 2020 election conspiracies.

Former New Jersey government and occasional Trump ally Chris Christie has bashed the former president in recent weeks, writing in a forthcoming book that Trump cant be a positive force for the GOP unless he lets the 2020 election go.

If [Trump] wants to be a positive force in the future, hes got to let this other stuff go. If he doesnt, I dont think he can be, Mr Christie told The New York Times on Saturday.

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Trump defends Capitol rioters who chanted hang Mike Pence

EXPLAINER: Who has the Jan. 6 panel subpoenaed  and why?

EXPLAINER: Who has the Jan. 6 panel subpoenaed  and why?

The Capitol riot committee is looking to speak to people close to Pence, report says

Doug Emhoff reveals hes being advised by Karen Pence
Photograph: Patrick Semansky/AP

A senior Senate Republican refused four times on Sunday to condemn Donald Trump for defending supporters who chanted Hang Mike Pence during the deadly assault on the US Capitol on 6 January.

Related: Pence was disloyal at exactly the right time: author Jonathan Karl on the Capitol attack

Trump made the comments about his vice-president, who did not yield to pressure to overturn Joe Bidens election victory, in an interview with ABCs chief Washington correspondent, Jonathan Karl.

John Barrasso of Wyoming, the third-ranking Republican in the Senate, appeared on ABCs This Week. He was asked: Can your party tolerate a leader who defends murderous chants against his own vice-president?

Well, said Barrasso. Let me just say, the Republican party is incredibly united right now and  I think the more that the Democrats and the press becomes obsessed with President Trump, I think the better it is for the Republican party. President Trump brings lots of energy to the party, hes an enduring force.

He also said the party was focused on elections and policy debate, not the past.

His host, George Stephanopoulos, said: So you have no problem with the president saying, Hang Mike Pence is common sense?

I was with Mike Pence in the Senate chamber during 6 January, Barrasso said. And what happened was they quickly got Vice-President Pence out of there, certainly a lot faster than they removed the senators. I believe he was safe the whole time.

I didnt hear any of those chants. I dont believe that he did either. And Vice-President Pence came back into the chamber that night and certified the election.

Stephanopoulous said: We just played the chants. Im asking you if you can tolerate the president saying Hang Mike Pence is common sense.

Its not common sense, Barrasso said, before pivoting to Trumps lie that the election was subject to widespread voter fraud.

There are issues in every election, he said. I voted to certify the election. And what weve seen on this election, there are areas that needed to be looked into, like what we saw in Pennsylvania. We all want fair and free elections. Thats where we need to go for the future.

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Stephanopoulos said: But youre not going to criticise President Trump for those views?

Barrasso said: I dont agree with President Trump on everything. I agree with him on the policies that have brought us the best economy in my lifetime. And Im going to continue to support those policies.

Karl released more snippets of his interview with Trump. Asked if reports he told Pence you can be a patriot or you can be a pussy were accurate, Trump said: I wouldnt dispute that.

Trump also said he thought Pence could have sent electoral college results back to the House  the overwhelming majority of constitutional scholars say he could not  and said: I dont know that I can forgive him.

He did the wrong thing, Trump said. Very nice, man. I like him a lot. I like his family so much, but  it was a tragic mistake.

Trumps flirtation with another White House run has seen critics within the GOP subject to primary challenges, political ostracisation and even death threats.

Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio voted for Trumps impeachment over the Capitol attack. Like Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, one of only two Republicans on the House select committee investigating 6 January, Gonzalez will retire next year.

He told CNNs State of the Union he feared Trump was formulating plans for a coup.

I think any objective observer would come to this conclusion: that he has evaluated what went wrong on 6 January. Why is it that he wasnt able to steal the election? Who stood in his way?

Every single American institution is just run by people. And you need the right people to make the right decision in the most difficult times. Hes going systematically through the country and trying to remove those people and install people who are going to do exactly what he wants them to do, who believe the big lie, who will go along with anything he says.

I think its all pushing towards one of two outcomes. He either wins legitimately, which he may do, or if he if he loses again, hell just try to steal it but hell try to steal it with his people in those positions. And thats then the most difficult challenge for our country. Its the question, do the institutions hold again? Do they hold with a different set of people in place? I hope so, but you cant guarantee it.

Gonzalez said he despised most Biden policies and would never vote Democratic.

Related: Betrayal review: Trumps final days and a threat not yet extinguished

But he said: The country cant survive torching the constitution. You have to hold fast to the constitution  and the cold, hard truth is Donald Trump led us into a ditch on 6 January.

 I see fundamentally a person who shouldnt be able to hold office again because of what he did around 6 January, but I also see somebody whos an enormous political loser. I dont know why anybody who wants to win elections would follow that  If hes the nominee again in 24 I will do everything I can to make sure he doesnt win.

 6 January was the line that cant be crossed. 6 January was an unconstitutional attempt led by the president of the United States to overturn an American election and reinstall himself in power illegitimately. Thats fallen-nation territory, thats third-world country territory. My family left Cuba to avoid that fate. I will not let it happen here.

Trump issued a statement on Sunday, repeating lies about election fraud and alluding to the indictment of his former strategist Steve Bannon for contempt of Congress, for ignoring a subpoena from the 6 January committee, and legal jeopardy faced by others including his former chief of staff, Mark Meadows.

American patriots are not going to allow this subversion of justice to continue, Trump said, adding: Our country is going to hell!
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Terrance Jackson remembers driving down Lake Street in 2002 when he saw police arresting his cousin for driving with an invalid license. When he pulled over and offered to take his cousin's car home to keep it from being towed, things went badly.

One officer grabbed his hand and bent it back to try to get me to react, Jackson said. When his shoe came off as he was being restrained, another officer threw it across the parking lot.

Jackson, 63, is one of more than a thousand people who have recounted their run-ins with Minneapolis police to activist groups that plan to share their stories with U.S. Justice Department officials conducting a civil rights investigation into the police force. The effort is aimed at making sure community members have a say in the probe launched the day after former officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd.

Investigators are looking into whether Minneapolis police have shown a pattern or practice of policing that is unlawful or unconstitutional. They are also examining the police department's use of force, including against protesters, its treatment of people suffering from behavioral health issues, its systems of accountability and whether officers have engaged in discriminatory policing.

The inquiry could lead to a consent decree under which the department would be legally required to make certain changes.

A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment on the civil rights probe's progress or say how much weight investigators might place on the civilian accounts that groups provide them, because the probe is ongoing.

But a former Justice Department official, Christy Lopez, said such accounts can help steer investigations. And those helping gather the civilian accounts say they think the stories will make it hard for investigators to ignore the abuse.

Its one thing to see things in a document. Its another thing for someone to tell you, This is what happened to me, or This is what the police did to me, said Michelle Gross, a member of one of the groups, Communities United Against Police Brutality.

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That kind of information puts a face to the problem and it also shows the pattern, she said.

The Associated Press submitted a records request to the police department seeking information on Jacksons 2002 encounter with officers, but a spokesman said the department had no record of the event.

The Justice Department investigation wasnt affected by the campaign for a ballot initiative that Minneapolis voters rejected in early November to replace the city's police department with a reimagined public safety agency that would have relied less on armed officers. And a state investigation remains ongoing.

Pattern-or-practice investigations became a tool to combat police misconduct in the 1990s, when the acquittal of four Los Angeles police officers in the beating of Rodney King sparked riots in the city and protests across the country. After an independent commission determined Kings assault was ultimately due to institutional failure within the Los Angeles Police Department, Congress authorized the attorney general to investigate whether a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers was violating peoples civil rights.

From the first such investigation in Pittsburgh in 1997, through 2016, the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division conducted nearly 70 formal probes of police departments nationwide resulting in 40 reform agreements, according to agency data.

The Minneapolis probe was the first of three Justice Department investigations of local law enforcement launched during the Biden administration. It is also investigating policing in Louisville, Kentucky, following the death of Breonna Taylor and in Phoenix over excessive force allegations.

If investigators find a pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing in Minneapolis, federal and city officials will negotiate required changes, or a consent decree. A federally appointed monitor oversees progress and reports to a federal judge. Insufficient progress or failure to follow the decree could result in the federal government taking control of the department.

It could look similar to the agreement between the Justice Department and the city of Ferguson, Missouri, that followed the 2014 killing of Michael Brown, a Black teenager, by a white police officer. The agreement changed the Ferguson police force's policies on the use of force, body-worn cameras, searches and seizures, and responses to protests.

Lopez, who led the group within the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division that conducted pattern-or-practice investigations from 2010 to 2017, said stories from community members can help direct investigators toward particular officers, units, tactics or types of interactions. The number of complaints and consistency between them can alert investigators to patterns of unlawful policing that only community members would experience, and they can then go verify those accounts with documentation from the city such as arrest records and police bodycam footage, she said.

That proved true in Ferguson when accounts from members of the public helped Lopez's team identify issues within the municipal court system, which was also part of the ensuing agreement.

In Ferguson, if you had gone in there and just looked at lethal shootings and use of force, because that was what happened to Michael Brown, you would have focused on that, she said. But in talking with people, thats where we really learned about the depth of the concern about fines and fees, and how they were using the courts to violate peoples rights. We would have missed that entirely if we hadnt talked to people and heard their stories.

Iris Roley, a founder of the Cincinnati Black United Front, said her community played a significant role in crafting the agreement between their city and federal officials after the killings of Jeffrey Irons and Roger Ownesby Jr. by Cincinnati officers in 2000. Roley said her group collected more than 400 accounts of police brutality and misconduct from members of the community who were brave enough to come forward despite fearing retaliation.

What we did when we listened to our community  the Black community  we took complaints and turned complaints into training, and we took training and turned that into policy," she said.

Roley said the agreement brought changes to police department policies, including on its officers use of force. But she said the document hasn't been a cure-all, and that policing continues to evolve and requires constant oversight.

Lopez said investigators aim to complete inquiries and issue findings within a year, but that it varies from case to case, with Ferguson taking six months but others taking years. Though it may take another year to negotiate the consent decree with Minneapolis and get it entered into court, Lopez said investigators are always aware of the urgency to deliver their findings and kickstart the improvement process.

There's always tension between the fierce urgency of now  which is a very, very real thing  and wanting to use this opportunity you have to learn everything you can about a department because you know that's how you develop the best remedy to fix the problem, she said.

Gross' group in Minneapolis has gathered more than 1,400 citizen accounts. In some cases, activists are asking people to share their stories directly with investigators.

Jackson said he hopes his story and others will help bring much-needed change to the city's police force.

When I was growing up in north Minneapolis, we had officers in our community and we played with their kids, they got nothing but respect. They knew everybody's family, they were from the neighborhood, he said. It's a whole different thing now.

___

Mohamed Ibrahim is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
NORFOLK, Va. (AP)  Nick Rice kicked three second-half field goals and Old Dominion scored on two first-half safeties en route to a 30-16 win over Florida Atlantic on Saturday.

With the Owls up 3-0 in the first quarter, Marcus Haynes sacked N'Kosi Perry in the end zone for a first-quarter safety. Perry was flagged for intentional grounding in the end zone with 4:06 left in the first half for a second safety and Blake Watson ran 11 yards in the final minute of the half to send Old Dominion into intermission with an 11-3 advantage.

Rice converted from 30 and 28 yards out in the third quarter, while Perry threw a 59-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Robinson, and the Monarchs' lead was 17-10. Rice kicked a 20-yarder at the start of the fourth quarter to make it 20-10.

Hayden Wolff was 21-of-33 passing for 289 yards and a touchdown for Old Dominion (4-6, 3-3 Conference USA), while Watson finished with 163 yards on 23 carries.

Johnny Ford carried 19 times for 101 yards to lead Florida Atlantic (5-5, 3-3). Perry completed 12 of 21 pass attempts for 187 yards.

___

More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25.

Sign up for the APs college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25
Here's a roundup of recent incidents and community announcements from Ventura County agencies:

Two dead in apparent murder-suicide in Moorpark

MOORPARK  A married couple, both 91, were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds in Moorpark Saturday in what authorities have described as a possible murder-suicide or similar scenario.

At about 11:50 a.m., a man called 911 and requested that deputies come to a home in the 11100 block of Broadview Drive in southwest Moorpark, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, which is contracted to provide police services in the city.

The caller reportedly told a dispatcher that the deputies would find two bodies at the house, authorities said.

Investigators believe the man who made the call was the male victim at the scene, sheriff's officials said Sunday.

Ventura County Sheriff's investigators at the scene of an apparent murder-suicide in Moorpark on Saturday.

The couple was identified Sunday as Robert and Mildred Peskay, according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office. The official cause and manner of death had not been determined Sunday pending examination, an official said.

The two were found in the backyard of their home, said Sgt. Ryan Clark, who is supervising the team investigating the deaths.

A warrant search of the property turned up a handgun during the initial investigation.

Ventura County Sheriff's personnel investigated a double fatality on Broadview Drive in Moorpark Friday.

Major crimes investigators are continuing to nail down exactly what happened, Clark said, but authorities determined there were no subjects at large and no public safety threat.

Some details are being withheld so witnesses can give unbiased statements as interviews continue, Clark said.

When asked about potential scenarios, Clark said there "did not appear to be a history of domestic violence in this family, but we're looking at all possibilities."

Officials assume the same gun was used in both fatalities, he said, although forensic analysis will be done to make that conclusion.

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The incident was initially described in media accounts as an apparent murder-suicide, but Clark said Sunday the circumstances are still under investigation.

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Forensic laboratory analysis of gunshot residue will help determine whether one or both decedents fired the gun, Clark said.

The house is in a residential neighborhood on the south side of Arroyo Simi, west of Tierra Rejada Road, where some homes edge up to trees and vegetation bordering the arroyo.

The medical examiner will determine the official cause and manner of death, and sheriff's investigators will continue with witness interviews and forensic analysis, Clark said.

A Ventura County Sheriff's deputy rolls out yellow police tape at the site of a double fatality on Broadview Drive in Moorpark Friday.

Gunfire sends man to hospital

SIMI VALLEY  A shooting in Simi Valley hospitalized a 25-year-old man Friday night.

At around 8:45 p.m., officers responded to the 1800 block of Patricia Avenue, the Simi Valley Police Department reported. The block includes residential and commercial sites on the west side of Erringer Road, south of East Los Angeles Avenue.

The victim, a Simi Valley resident, had been shot in his right leg, officials said. He was taken by ambulance to Los Robles Regional Medical Center. No additional details, including his condition, were available as of midday Saturday.

Police officials said they had no information about the suspected shooter.

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the police department at 805-583-6950.

More local news: Man dies from burns days after 'butane honey oil' explosion in Oxnard, authorities say

Two DUI arrests at checkpoint

OXNARD  Two drivers were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs during a DUI checkpoint in Oxnard Friday night, police officials said.

The effort ran from 7:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at Rose Avenue, south of Gonzales Road, the Oxnard Police Department reported. About 165 drivers were screened.

Authorities also cited 11 motorists for license violations, including driving with no license or a suspended license. Two people were arrested for misdemeanor or felony warrants.

Police officials locate checkpoints in areas with a history of crashes and DUI arrests. The operations are intended to deter people from driving while impaired by alcohol, prescription drugs or illegal substances, authorities say.

Funds were provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Free ID cards for kids, at-risk adults

CAMARILLO  Police in Camarillo recently reminded the public about an ongoing program that provides identification materials for children and at-risk adults.

For children, the "Kid Print" program allows parents or guardians to get their youngster's photograph, fingerprints and essential information on a vinyl card. The current photograph and a readable fingerprint could be useful if a child is missing or abducted, authorities say. The department recommends updating the information every year.

The free, walk-in program is typically offered from noon to 4 p.m. on the last Wednesday of every month. However, due to the Thanksgiving holiday, November's session will be be held on Nov. 17. In December, the regular schedule will return on the 29th.

The ID sessions are held in the community room of the Camarillo Police Station, 3701 Las Posas Road. Camarillo's police services are provided through a contract with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.

At the same sessions, the department offers a similar "person at risk" card for adults with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, severe brain injury, a developmental disability or other issues. The cards include a caregiver's contact information and other important details.

The program, which is sponsored by the police department and the city of Camarillo, is operated by volunteers with the Camarillo Citizen Patrol. No appointments are needed and all are welcome.

Ojai joins effort to stem catalytic converter theft

OJAI  The Ojai Police Department has teamed up with several local businesses to offer etching of catalytic converters to help combat theft of the devices in the Ojai Valley area.

Four businesses now offer the free service, which involves etching your license plate number and painting a Ventura County Sheriff's star on your vehicle's catalytic converter. The markings are meant to deter thieves and aid in recovery if the unit is stolen, authorities said. In Ojai and surrounding unincorporated areas, police services are provided by the sheriff's office.

Here are the participating sites:

Adamsons Tire, 214 Bryant St. in Ojai; 805-272-8264

Ojai Valley Imports, 996 E Ojai Ave. in Ojai; 805-646-6106

Freds Tire Man , 545 N. Ventura Ave. in Oak View; 805-649-2830

Ojai Valley Muffler, 501 N. Ventura Ave. in Oak View; 805-649-1423

The businesses have an "Ojai Police Department Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Program Member" sticker on display.

When making your appointment, be sure to mention it's for the Etch and Catch program.

Cytlalli Salgado is a breaking news reporter for the Ventura County Star. She can be reached by calling 805-437-0257 or emailing cytlalli.salgado@vcstar.com.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: 2 dead in apparent murder-suicide in Moorpark, more news
Scott McTominay will miss out for Scotland (Andrew Milligan/PA) (PA Archive)

Scott McTominay will miss out again for Scotland while Lyndon Dykes is a doubt for the visit of Denmark.

Manager Steve Clarke delivered the fitness update ahead of the final World Cup qualifying Group F encounter after earlier calling up Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston for the first time.

McTominay missed Fridays 2-0 win over Moldova with a throat infection and the Manchester United midfielder, one of eight Scotland players who are a yellow card away from suspension, has not re-joined the squad.

Lyndon Dykes could miss out again (Andrew Milligan/PA) (PA Wire)

QPR striker Dykes joined up with the squad after missing the 2-0 win in Chisinau through suspension, but he is a doubt for Mondays Hampden clash as he bids to overcome a knock and illness.

Manager Steve Clarke said: Scott is definitely out. Scott hasnt recovered enough from his virus.

Lyndon didnt do very much this morning. Lyndon, I would put at 50-50.

Scotland squad update:



IN: Anthony Ralston pic.twitter.com/DZSrc78FL8  Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) November 14, 2021

Ralston comes into the squad after Nathan Patterson picked up a suspension during Fridays win over Moldova, which sealed a play-off place.

The 22-year-old has made 23 appearances for Celtic this season after seizing his chance under Ange Postecoglou.

Motherwells Stephen ODonnell is the other right-back in the squad but is also among the players who are one yellow card away from missing the play-off semi-final in March.

Scotland are looking to boost their chances of sealing a home semi-final when they host the Group F winners.

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Bighorn sheep near Barstow, Calif., in January 2021

When developers of a proposed high-speed train from Los Angeles to Las Vegas talk about their project, one point they emphasize is the benefit to the environment.

Representatives of Brightline West have said the electric trains running at speeds of up to 200 mph will cut emissions  400,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually  by removing from the road more than 3 million vehicles that would normally travel up Interstate 15 to Sin City every year.

When launched, Brightline West will be one of the greenest forms of transportation in America and an eco-friendly upgrade to the I-15, said Ben Porritt, the companys senior vice president.

But several groups and officials, including two U.S. senators, worry about the impact the train could have on residents that dont drive  particularly desert bighorn sheep.

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They say the train will create a barrier and prevent the state-protected animal from roaming through its normal habitat, which could potentially threaten its long-term survival.

The solution? Build at least three wildlife over-crossings to allow the sheep and other species to move freely over the tracks and freeway.

Whether the bridges will actually be built remains to be seen.

Feinstein, Padilla want more from project

Planned to be built mostly in the median of the I-15, the rail project  conceived of in 2005  has seen several investors come and go and encountered many hurdles.

Last year, Brightline secured the rights to issue $800 million in private bonds to fund the train. The developer let the rights lapse, though, citing financial market uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the Daily Press reported.

The company was able to sign off on a lease agreement with Caltrans in July 2020 to use the existing right of way along the I-15 for the $8 billion project.

A rendering of the Brightline West high-speed train proposed to run from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.

And earlier this year, Brightline announced that Rancho Cucamonga, along with Apple Valley, would serve as station locations. Developers estimate the average drive time from that Inland Empire city to the Nevada destination will be cut by nearly half with a two-hour trip.

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Theres more at stake than a shorter commute, however, say California's senators, Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla.

In a Nov. 1 letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom, they echoed the findings of scientists and said the trains current design  which calls for it to be flanked by six-foot concrete walls topped by chain-link fences  would impede protected species like bighorn sheep, desert tortoises and mountain lions from crossing the highway.

Both Caltrans and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife documented these threats in their June 2021 recommendations to Brightline, urging the construction of the wildlife overpasses, according to the senators.

Despite these recommendations and repeated stakeholder engagement, Brightline has not committed to build wildlife crossings even though it will seek tax-exempt private activity bonds for this $8 billion project, with expected revenue of nearly $1 billion, Feinstein and Padilla wrote.

In a statement Friday, Porritt said Brightline officials would be working collaboratively with both public and private stakeholders to ensure that as we build and operate the train, we do so in a way that considers any highway improvements, conservation efforts, and other future opportunities that may arise.

As an example, we will maintain or improve the 600+ existing small culverts and large-scale crossings under the I-15 freeway that exist today and work with Caltrans and other stakeholders for any crossings that may be built over the I-15 in the future, he added.

'They really count on being able to move'

But simply keeping up whats already there wont be enough, some believe.

Desert bighorn sheep are seldom seen in the wild, mainly owing to the fact that they live in remote mountain areas inhospitable to man.

With severe long-term drought and climate change bringing rising temperatures, everyday living has become even more tenuous for the mammals who have been protected under state law since 1971.

Bighorn sheep near Barstow, Calif., in January 2021.

Their survival depends on the ability to roam and forage for food and water and also interact and mate with other herds, according to Jeff Villepique, a senior wildlife biologist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, who heads the departments local bighorn sheep program.

They really count on being able to move, he said. The ability to leave your mountain range and go to a new one is key.

About 4,500 bighorns live across the state's Mojave and Sonoran deserts and transverse ranges, Villepique said.

A map shows the movements of two GPS-tracked bighorn sheep which crossed Interstate 15.

A study by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Oregon State University reported GPS-tracked bighorn sheep have crossed the I-15 in areas such as the Soda and Cady mountains that line the freeway on the way to Vegas.

The scientists also found the animals were unwilling to use culverts. Villepique said this was likely due to the sheeps wariness of entering darkened areas because they cant spot predators.

The study recommended three wildlife over-crossings be built and four main underpasses be improved. At the minimum, scientists said one overpass should be built at Zzyzx Road, southwest of Baker, with the underpasses maintained.

A federal review says additional crossings not necessary

How the bridges would be built, however, is unclear.

A Caltrans spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times in September that the agency did not have the authority to require that Brightline West incorporate wildlife crossings as part of the project. The train line, given that it crosses state borders, is being overseen by the Federal Railroad Administration.

Villepique said whether Caltrans can force construction is a point of contention between the agency and non-governmental organizations that support the bridges.

Adding to the mix, a federal environmental review for the high-speed train appears to dispute any additional improvements are needed.

The Federal Railroad Administration found last year in a reevaluation of the 2011 final environmental impact statement that habitat fragmentation or isolation as to wildlife movement was not anticipated as a result of the project.

Existing culverts and wildlife crossing locations under the I-15 freeway corridor would remain in place, according to the report.

Villepique said the California Department of Fish and Wildlife did not agree with the railway administration's interpretation.

We think there is a dramatic impact of fragmentation on particularly bighorn sheep and other species as well, he said. It puts the long-term survival of desert bighorn sheep in the Mojave in jeopardy.

Daily Press reporter Martin Estacio may be reached at 760-955-5358 or MEstacio@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_mestacio.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Senators worry Brightline train could harm bighorn sheep
GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador (AP)  The signs that an attack was imminent inside the largest prison in Ecuadors coastal city of Guayaquil could not have been clearer.

There had been talk among inmates of the Litoral Penitentiary for days that a group was going to attack another. Then, early Friday morning, police arrested three men trying to smuggle two rifles, five handguns, three grenades, sticks of dynamite and hundreds of rounds of ammunition into the lockup.

Hours later police announced what the prisoners inside Litoral already knew: The three men detained belonged to a prison gang that was stockpiling weapons.

What happened hours later confirmed there were many more weapons already inside. Late Friday, a brutal attack was launched and clashes among rival gangs lasted for hours into early Saturday. When the dust settled and authorities had regained control, they found at least 68 inmates dead and 25 wounded in what was only the most recent massacre in Ecuadors troubled penitentiary system.

So far this year, at least 334 inmates have died in different clashes in the Guayaquil prison, including 119 inmates in an attack in September.

The Associated Press contacted a prisoner in one of the 12 cell blocks  or pavilions  that make up the prison to hear firsthand what happened before and during the deadly confrontation, and how gangs operate inside the lockup. AP confirmed the identity of the inmate, who asked not to be identified for fear of being killed. He has served five years of a 25-year sentence for murder but says he is not a member of any gang and tries to stay neutral.

In the days before the attack, inmates had already heard that an attack was coming and that the target would be Pavilion Two, the transitory pavilion where new inmates arrive and are held until space is found to accommodate them, he said.

The rumors turned out to be true.

The inmate said the shooting began at 7 p.m. Friday and he hid under his cement bunk in a cell of about eight square meters (about 85 square feet) that held 12 inmates. He asked that his cell block not be identified to prevent gang members from finding out who he is.

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For years until 2020, the Litoral Penitentiary was controlled by the Choneros. But after the killing last year of its leader, Jorge Luis Zambrano, an internal dispute began over control of the gang. Authorities consider factions of the gang responsible for the massacres inside the prison.

Prison officials talk of at least six factions: the Lobos, JR, Tiguerones, the Fito, Samir and Ben10. Police have not said which group was behind Fridays attack. They say some gangs have connections with Mexicos Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation drug cartels.

Here you sleep with one eye open, the inmate said. And now, he said, word is spreading inside the prison of attacks on other pavilions in a few days. They want to break you ... and gain control of the drug-trafficking routes and micro-trafficking, or local drug sales.

At the Litoral Penitentiary, he said, everything is arranged with massacres, extortion. If you dont cooperate you die, they decide who lives, who dies, who gets rich.

The Litoral is designed for 5,000 inmates but currently holds more than 8,500. The arrested leaders of Ecuadors main drug trafficking gangs are held there. They are disputing not just international drug trafficking  Ecuador is a drug transit country neighboring Colombia and Peru  but local sales as well.

Pablo Arosamena, the governor of Guayas state where Guayaquil is located, recently told reporters that profits from internal drug sales in Ecuador are very high. While a kilogram brick of cocaine can be sold outside Ecuador for $35,000, when broken down and sold to users inside Ecuador the same amount can earn up to $100,000, he said.

Authorities say they are trying to control what goes on in the prison and, among other things, have installed a network of cellphone jammers to prevent inmates  and gang leaders  from communicating with the outside world.

But it doesnt seem to be working: AP spoke to the inmate inside Litoral using a cellphone. What they do is useless, here we have a better signal here than outside, he said.

One question often asked after a massacre is how the gangs get so many weapons inside the prison.

The inmate said that there is collusion between the prisoners and guards and that weapons enter in food trucks and are sometimes even brought in by members of the police themselves.

The mafia always works by squeezing the families of people working inside the prison, he said.

Such is the control of the prisons by gangs that members sometimes even leave the prison and return bringing weapons, like the three men arrested Friday hours before the attack.

They are emissaries of the bosses. They can leave, but they have to return because if they dont return (to the prison) they die. Here the bosses control everything, the inmate said

Gen. Marco Villegas, the polices prison control delegate, said the three inmates who tried to smuggle in the weapons would have jumped a wall to get to the street where someone would be waiting for them with the guns to bring back over the wall.

Authorities have declared successive states of emergencies in the prison system trying to end the killings and have sent hundreds of police in for searches, but without any discernable success.

According to Ecuadors constitution, in force since 2008, regular police officers cannot remain inside prisons, and soldiers cannot enter at all, even in situations of extreme violence. That leaves only the guards.

The government is responsible for omission, said lawyer Joffre Campana, founder of Goberna & Derecho, a group that researches legal issues related to governance.

He said the prison crisis won't be solved by states of emergencies or search raids.

It is a structural, complex problem, and they only give us temporary and populist answers, Campana said.

___

Associated Press writer Gonzalo Solano in Quito, Ecuador, contributed to this report.
Representative image: The deaths are the latest among captive big cat populations hit by Covid around the world (Getty Images)

Three snow leopards have died after contracting Covid-19 at Lincoln Childrens Zoo in Nebraska, officials said.

Zoo officials called the deaths truly heartbreaking, identifying the three leopards as Ranney, Everest and Makalu in a Facebook post.

Officials had confirmed that the three leopards and two sumatran tigers had tested positive for the virus after showing symptoms last month, following which they were being treated.

It is with deep sadness that we inform our community that three snow leopards at the Lincoln Childrens Zoo have passed away due to complications of Covid-19, the zoo said in a Facebook post.

It added: Our leopards, Ranney, Everest, and Makalu, were beloved by our entire community inside and outside of the zoo. This loss is truly heartbreaking, and we are all grieving together.

The zoo officials said that the Sumatran tigers  Axl and Kumar  have made a seemingly full recovery from their illness.

Officials said that the zoo will remain open to the public and will continue to follow all precautions to avoid the spread of Covid to humans and animals.

We will continue following the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) and CDC guidelines to ensure the safety of our animals, staff, and community, the Facebook post read.

Several zoo lovers responded to the post to mourn the loss of the animals. We are heartbroken...Everest has been an adopted member of our family since he was born. Sending love for the snow leopards, said one Facebook user.

Oh no! They were my favourite and wed loved seeing their beauty and agility. My deepest sympathies, said another.

I am so sorry. This is devastating. Everest arrived the last year I worked at the zoo and I always loved walking past his enclosure. My deepest condolences to the keepers. Rest easy, snow leopards. Youve earned it, said another user.

The death of the three leopards comes after zoos across the country, including the St Louis Zoo and the Denver Zoo, have reported Covid-19 infections among animals.

Story continues

After these big cats had tested positive for the virus, the zoo officials said they had investigated all the staff members close to the animals. All staff members at the care section were required to wear masks indoors. No other animals had shown signs of infections in October, officials said.

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The following is a transcript of an interview with Governor Jared Polis of Colorado that aired Sunday, November 14, 2021, on "Face the Nation."

MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome back to FACE THE NATION. Colorado is one of several states dealing with a new spike in COVID cases. Their governor, Democrat Jared Polis, joins us this morning from Boulder. Good morning to you Governor.

GOV. JARED POLIS: Good morning, MARGARET.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Your state's health agency says 72% of the eligible population has been fully vaccinated. So why is COVID still ravaging your state?

GOV. POLIS: You know, right now what we're seeing across the Rocky Mountain West, the Upper Midwest, sort of this swath of the country, we were largely spared the Delta spike in summer and late summer. But we're getting it now. Now we're hopeful and so far what we're seeing is it's not going to hit the same levels that it did in southeastern states that had 40, 50, 55% vaccination rates. But one thing we know about the Delta variant, MARGARET, it is incredibly effective, like a heat seeking missile, at seeking out the unvaccinated, infecting them, hospitalizing them in large numbers and killing them in certain- in certain- far too often.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Ninety five percent of your ICU beds are occupied. People are getting very ill with this. You this week declared the entire state to be at high risk of exposure and you told adults to go get a booster shot. Do you think other states should follow suit? And are you disappointed that the CDC has not been clear on this?

GOV. POLIS: Yes, so we have about 1,500 people hospitalized, 81% of them, MARGARET, are unvaccinated. Now of the 19% that are vaccinated, we can reduce that, come close to eliminating it, with the booster. And yes, I've been very frustrated with the convoluted messaging out of the CDC and the FDA. Everybody should get the booster after six months. The data is incredibly clear that it increases your personal protection level. That's why my parents got it. I got it. My family members got it. But it also can help- help improve the epidemiological state of the- a particular state or of the entire country. Because you have folks that are ready to roll up their sleeves and add that extra protection, to go from 70 or 80% protection back to that 90, 95% level of protection, which can really have an impact in preventing the spread of the virus.

Story continues

MARGARET BRENNAN: Noted. Well, your state draws a lot of tourists, particularly as we head into- to ski season. I'm wondering why you aren't mandating more health restrictions. I know you're advising people to wear masks. Why not issue a mandate? Why not roll out more restrictions, distancing and things like that, in place as people gather?

GOV. POLIS: Well, there's many examples of folks that are doing what works in Colorado. In fact, I'm coming to you live from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where last year before the vaccine, they had a thousand cases in the course of a month. This year, just a handful. Why? Everybody's vaccinated, the students are wearing masks. Likewise, with our outdoor recreation opportunities in winter, our world class ski resorts, many of them, of course, are- anybody can ski. But to go to a lot of those indoor places run by many of the ski resorts, they're also making sure the folks are vaccinated to help make sure that we don't have additional unvaccinated tourists filling up Colorado hospitals. So I think we have a good model to do it. We had a good season- good ski season last year. The thing that we need most right now is the more snow to make sure that we can get visitors from across the world that experience that they expect.

MARGARET BRENNAN: But why not institute more capacity restrictions, do things to try to help contain the spread?

GOV. POLIS: Well, these are happening in our state, there's areas of our state where people are- have to wear masks indoors, there's other areas of our state, like the university, where a vaccination requirement--

MARGARET BRENNAN: But you as a governor--

GOV. POLIS: Most of the ski resorts, which are the source of most- yeah. Well, as I said there, I'm very proud of the steps that this ski industry has taken, I think they're doing very well. It's going to be a very safe experience, just like it was last year, even during the national spikes. It's fundamentally an outdoor recreation activity, and if there's one thing we've learned about the virus, including the Delta variant, it's relatively safe to be outdoors. Nothing is zero risk in this day and age, but it's- it's relatively safe to be enjoying yourself outdoors.

MARGARET BRENNAN: I hear you saying you prefer businesses to do it versus the government putting in some of those restrictions. Is that right?

GOV. POLIS: Well, right now, if you're vaccinated, your risk is one-tenth or one-twelfth what it was during the highest peak before. And for folks who are vaccinated, you know, this is still a higher risk than usual in the background. But this is like the endemic state of what this virus will always be. It's no longer a pandemic for you. If you're unvaccinated, this is the most dangerous time for you, no matter where you live in the country or in the world, because of the highly contagious nature of the Delta variant. The most important thing you can do is get vaccinated. But if you continue to be unvaccinated, please be careful, wear a mask and don't gather in large indoor areas around others.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You're coming to the White House tomorrow for the signing of the infrastructure bill, I understand. Will you have shovel-ready projects by the spring? Because large parts of this bill don't actually take effect until 2023, 2024. How many jobs do you actually benefit from?

GOV. POLIS: Yeah, we're- we're ready to go. We were ready to go several months ago. We're ready to go now. I'll be excited to join President Biden and bipartisan members of Congress to sign the bill. We in Colorado passed a bipartisan infrastructure package through our own legislature to complement what we were expecting out of the federal government, but also to get moving. So we have projects underway, including expansions of Highway 70, an additional lane each way around Floyd Hill to better access our high country and ski resorts throughout the year.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you have an estimate on job creation from the federal bill and when those jobs will result?

GOV. POLIS: Well, it'll be- as you know, it's a 10-year investment package, so there will be jobs on the- you know, the fundamental is a benefit to people, right? So are their jobs adding broadband to more families and houses? Yes, there are. But the real benefit is this connects our rural communities and helps empower and grow our local economies. Of course, we support the jobs and road expansion and electric vehicle infrastructure. But again, fundamentally, this will find the transition to electric vehicles, cleaner air taking action on climate and less traffic.

MARGARET BRENNAN: All right. Gov. Polis, good luck to you. Thank you for your time today. And we'll be right back.

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former President Donald Trump's family hotel company has reached a deal to sell the rights to its Washington, D.C., hotel for $375 million, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Miami-based investment firm CGI Merchant Group is in contract to acquire the lease, the newspaper said.

The Trump International Hotel is in a historic building a few blocks from the White House that the Trump Organization leases from the U.S. government. The hotel has been a popular gathering spot for Trump supporters and foreign dignitaries.

The newspaper said CGI intends to remove the Trump name and has reached an agreement with Hilton Worldwide Holdings to have the property managed and branded by Hilton's Waldorf Astoria group.

The Trump organization, CGI Merchant and Hilton did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment on Sunday.

Last month, the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform said newly obtained government documents raised "troubling" questions about the hotel.

According to the Democratic-controlled committee, Trump reported that the hotel earned him more than $150 million during his time in office but actually lost more than $70 million.

The committee found that the hotel received more than $3.7 million in payments from foreign governments - equal to more than 7,400 nights at the hotel, raising a potential conflict of interest.

The hotel is in the city's second-tallest structure, after the Washington Monument. The building previously housed the U.S. Post Office Department Headquarters.

(Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington and Kanishka Singh; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
(Photo: Mike Blake via Reuters)

Fox News Sunday anchor Chris Wallace declared that truth is truth but dodged any criticism of his employer  and his colleague, conspiracy peddler Tucker Carlson  in an interview with the Financial Times published Friday.

Truth is non-negotiable, he told FT. Theres no spin to truth. Truth is truth.

Wallace, the newspaper noted, isnt a typical Fox media personality. Hes cut from different cloth; for starters, hes a journalist and not a ranting commentator ... and hes known for putting tough questions to politicians whatever their political stripe.

But Wallace carefully avoided taking any shots at Carlson, even though the two men have shared opposing views on COVID-19 precautions.

Wallace last year told The Washington Post that he was pissed off when then-President Donald Trumps family removed their masks  ignoring preestablished rules  when they arrived at the presidential debates in Cleveland, where Wallace was the moderator.

I mean, did they think that the rules that applied to everybody else didnt apply to them? I was upset when it turned out Id been on the stage in a uniquely vulnerable position, and we found out 48 hours after the fact that the president [and the first lady] had tested positive for the coronavirus, he told the Post.

Wear the damn mask, Wallace later told his viewers. Follow the science. If I could say one thing to all of the people out there watching: Forget the politics. This is a public safety health issue.

Carlson, on the other hand, ignores the science, dismisses the efficacy of masks and vaccines, and has even urged viewers to call the police to report abuse when they see children wearing masks outdoors.

Wallace refused to discuss Carlson when pressed in the interview.

I am only responsible for and only have control over my piece of real estate, he said. Im proud of what we do . . . I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility to my audience and to the truth.

As for criticizing Fox News more broadly, Wallace compared his situation to the time he asked William Casey, then head of Ronald Reagans presidential campaign, about something controversial. Casey responded: Why on earth would I answer that question? Wallace recalled.

Story continues

Fox News has employed me for 18 years, Wallace told the FT. Theyve never interfered with a question, with a guest Ive brought on, or a question Ive asked. They have changed my life. Theyve changed my career. So to paraphrase William Casey: Why on earth would I share any concerns I have about Fox News with the readers of the Financial Times?

Check out the full interview here.

Also on HuffPost

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.
By Tarek Amara

TUNIS (Reuters) -Thousands of Tunisians protesting against President Kais Saied's seizure of political power four months ago tried to march on the suspended parliament on Sunday, as hundreds of police blocked off the area.

Protesters briefly clashed with police as they tried to remove barriers near the chamber and demanded that Saied restore parliament and normal democratic rule.

"We will not accept a new dictator... we will not back down," said Foued Ben Salem, a protester, raising Tunisia's red-and-white national flag.

Increasingly vocal opposition, along with a looming crisis in public finances, may pose a new test of how Saied and the new government he has appointed will tackle threats to their authority.

"Shut down Kais Saied" and "Freedom! Freedom! End the police state!" protesters chanted as they pulled down barriers obstructing the roads leading to the parliament building at the capital's Bardo palace.

"We are under one-man rule since July 25... we will stay here until they open the roads and end the siege," said Jawher Ben Mbarek, a protest leader.

RULE BY DECREE

Saied seized nearly all powers in July, suspending the parliament and dismissing the government in a move his critics called a coup, before installing a new prime minister and announcing he could rule by decree.

The president said his actions were needed to end governmental paralysis after years of political squabbling and economic stagnation, and has promised to uphold rights and freedoms won in the 2011 revolution that brought democracy.

His moves appeared to have widespread popularity and thousands of his supporters gathered for a rally to back him last month.

However, several prominent politicians have been arrested and hundreds have faced travel bans, while a former president living outside Tunisia, Moncef Marzouki, faces prosecution for his verbal attacks on Saied.

Sunday's protest followed clashes last week between police and protesters in the southern town of Agareb https://www.reuters.com/world/protesters-set-fire-police-station-southern-tunisia-2021-11-09 in which one person was killed.

"Tunisia is isolated internationally now with the closing of parliament and the coup... we want to restore democracy," said Abderrouf Betbaib, a former Saied adviser who was at the front of the protest.

(Reporting by Tarek Amara; Writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Frances Kerry and Alex Richardson)
By Gabriella Borter

(Reuters) - U.S. Roman Catholic Bishops this week are expected to revisit whether President Joe Biden's support for abortion rights should disqualify him from receiving communion, an issue that has deepened rifts in the church since the Democrat took office.

At a Nov. 15-18 conference in Baltimore, the bishops are scheduled to vote on a document clarifying the meaning of Holy Communion, a sacrament central to the faith. A committee drafted the document after the bishops' June conference, where they debated whether to take a position on the eligibility of prominent Catholics such as Biden - whose political actions they say contradict church teaching - to receive communion.

Biden, the first Catholic president since John F. Kennedy, has said he personally opposes abortion but supports a woman's right to choose. He has vowed to protect abortion rights in the face of increasingly restrictive laws enacted by states; last month, his administration called on the Supreme Court to block a Texas law that bans abortions after six weeks.

The issue has divided the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and pitted more conservative Catholics against those who support the president's views. Some 55% of Catholics believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases, compared to 59% of the general population, according to a Pew Research survey conducted in April.

The debate has sown further discord as the church struggles to retain a fractured membership. Nearly 20% of U.S. Catholics have left the church in the past two decades, according to a Gallup poll in March, as sexual abuse scandals involving predatory priests have emerged and members have increasingly disagreed on social issues.

Biden met privately with Pope Francis at the Vatican last month and said afterward that the pope had told him he was a "good Catholic" who can receive communion.

Prior to that meeting, Pope Francis, whose liberal theology has ruffled many conservative Catholics since his election in 2013, appeared to criticize U.S. bishops for dealing with the issue in a political rather than a pastoral way.

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"Communion is not a prize for the perfect. ... Communion is a gift, the presence of Jesus and his Church," the pope said, adding that bishops should use "compassion and tenderness" with Catholic politicians who support abortion rights.

THE DOCUMENT

At a virtual meeting in June, the bishops resolved to draft a document on the meaning of communion and debated how explicitly it should define who is eligible to receive the sacrament. During the debate, some conservative bishops argued that the conference had a duty to rebuke politicians such as Biden who they accuse of violating church teachings, and they called for a stricter standard for eligibility. Others cautioned against making the Eucharist a political weapon.

Bishop Kevin Rhoades, chairman of the conference's Committee on Doctrine, described the upcoming document at a roundtable discussion in September, saying it would remind Catholics of the importance of the sacrament. He did not say whether it would state who should be considered worthy of receiving communion.

A draft of the document, published earlier this month by the Catholic newsletter The Pillar, does not mention Biden or any politician by name, but states that "people who exercise some form of public authority have a special responsibility to embody the church." It says Catholics who live in a state of "mortal sin" without repentance should not receive communion, but does not say who should sit in judgment.

In 2004, the conference published a statement that said individual bishops could decide whether to deny communion to Catholic politicians who supported abortion rights.

A spokeswoman for the conference declined to comment on whether the draft published by The Pillar was the same one the bishops were scheduled to discuss and possibly amend this week.

John Carr, co-director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University, said the draft published in The Pillar succeeds at delivering a broader message about the Eucharist to all Catholics, without attacking Biden or other politicians.

If the bishops vote to approve that language, "I think the people who campaigned to deny communion to the president will be very disappointed," said Carr.

"Others will be relieved that they found a way to move beyond this division and diversion."

(Reporting by Gabriella Borter; Editing by Paul Thomasch and Daniel Wallis)
By Valerie Volcovici, Kate Abnett and William James

GLASGOW (Reuters) - U.N. climate talks ended Saturday with a deal that for the first time targeted fossil fuels as the key driver of global warming, even as coal-reliant countries lobbed last-minute objections.

While the agreement won applause for keeping alive the hope of capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius, many of the nearly 200 national delegations wished theyd come away with more.

If its a good negotiation, all the parties are uncomfortable, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said in the final meeting to approve the Glasgow Climate Pact. And this has been, I think, a good negotiation.

The two-week conference in Scotland delivered a major win in resolving the rules around carbon markets, but it did little to assuage vulnerable countries concerns about long-promised climate financing from rich nations.

The British COP26 president, Alok Sharma, was visibly emotional before banging down his gavel to signal there were no vetoes to the pact, after the talks had extended overtime  and overnight  into Saturday.

There was last-minute drama as India, backed by China and other coal-dependent developing nations, rejected a clause calling for the phase out of coal-fired power. After a huddle between the envoys from China, India, the United States and European Union, the clause was hurriedly amended to ask countries to phase down their coal use.

India's environment and climate minister, Bhupender Yadav, said the revision reflected the "national circumstances of emerging economies."

"We are becoming the voice of the developing countries," he told Reuters, saying the pact had singled out coal but kept quiet about oil and natural gas.

"We made our effort to make a consensus that is reasonable for developing countries and reasonable for climate justice," he said, alluding to the fact that rich nations historically have emitted the largest share of greenhouse gases https://graphics.reuters.com/CLIMATE-UN/EMISSIONS/jnvwexaryvw/index.html.

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The single-word change was met with dismay by both rich countries in Europe and small island nations along with others still developing.

"We believe we have been side-lined in a non-transparent and non-inclusive process, Mexicos envoy Camila Isabel Zepeda Lizama said. We all have remaining concerns but were told we could not reopen the text  while others can still ask to water down their promises."

But Mexico and others said they would let the revised agreement stand.

"The approved texts are a compromise," said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "They reflect the interests, the conditions, the contradictions and the state of political will in the world today."

CARBON MARKET BREAKTHROUGH

Reaching a deal was always a matter of balancing the demands of climate-vulnerable nations, big industrial powers, and those like India and China depending on fossil fuels to lift their economies and populations out of poverty.

Sharmas voice broke with emotion in response to vulnerable nations expressing anger over the last-minute changes.

"I apologise for the way this process has unfolded," he told the assembly. I am deeply sorry.

The overarching aim he had set for the conference was one that climate campaigners and vulnerable countries said was too modest  to "keep alive" the 2015 Paris Agreement's target to keep global temperatures from rising beyond 1.5C https://www.reuters.com/business/cop/whats-difference-between-15c-2c-global-warming-2021-11-07 (2.7 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. Scientists say warming beyond this point could unleash irreversible and uncontrollable climate impacts.

In asking nations to set tougher targets by next year for cutting climate-warming emissions, the agreement effectively acknowledged that commitments were still inadequate. National pledges currently have the world on track for about 2.4C https://www.reuters.com/business/cop/world-track-24c-global-warming-after-latest-pledges-analysts-2021-11-09 of warming.

The talks also led to a breakthrough in resolving rules https://www.reuters.com/business/cop/outline-carbon-markets-deal-emerges-un-climate-summit-2021-11-13 for covering government-led markets for carbon offsets. Companies and countries with vast forest cover had pushed hard for a deal, in hopes also of legitimising the fast-growing global voluntary offset markets.

The deal allows countries to partially meet their climate targets by buying offset credits representing emission cuts by others, potentially unlocks trillions of dollars for protecting forests, expanding renewable energy and other projects to combat climate change.

'THE ERA OF COAL IS ENDING'

Jennifer Morgan, executive director of the campaign group Greenpeace, saw the glass as half-full.

"They changed a word but they cant change the signal coming out of this COP, that the era of coal is ending," she said. "If youre a coal company executive, this COP saw a bad outcome."

Developing countries argue rich nations, whose historical emissions are largely responsible for warming the planet, must finance their efforts both to transition away from fossil fuels and to adapt to increasingly severe climate impacts.

The deal offered a promise to double adaptation finance by 2025 from 2019, but again no guarantees. A U.N. committee will report next year on progress towards delivering the $100 billion per year in promised climate funding, after rich nations failed to deliver on a 2020 deadline for the funds. Finance will then be discussed again 2024 and 2026.

But the deal left many vulnerable nations despondent in offering no funding for climate-linked losses and damages https://www.reuters.com/business/cop/vulnerable-states-call-climate-loss-damage-deal-bare-minimum-2021-11-12, a promise made in the original pact https://www.reuters.com/article/climate-un-moments-idAFL1N2RH1XZ called the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992.

Rich nations once again resisted acknowledging financial liability for their years of emissions that drove climate change as they rose to economic prosperity.

While Glasgow agreement laid out a pathway for addressing the issue by establishing a new secretariat dedicated to the issue, vulnerable countries said that represented a bare minimum of acceptability.

"This package is not perfect. The coal change and a weak outcome on loss and damage are blows, said Tina Stee, climate envoy from the Marshall Islands. Still, elements of the Glasgow Package are a lifeline for my country. We must not discount the crucial wins covered in this package.

(Additional reporting by Elizabeth Piper, Jake Spring, Simon Jessop, Andrea Januta and Richard Valdmanis; Writing by Katy Daigle; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Lincoln Feast.)
Lisa Oakley loved living in Craig, Colorado. Deer roamed the backyard, and every summer, she and a buddy would take her 16-foot camp boat out on the reservoir, where they'd fish for pike and smallmouth bass.

In recent years, diabetes complications had curtailed her outdoors activities, but in a city four miles from end to end, she still reveled in Craig's small-town friendliness. She felt at home. More than that, she felt accepted.

Last year, when she became unable to care for herself alone, Oakley, a U.S. Army veteran, hoped to live at Craig's local long-term care facility and remain in the community where she'd felt comfortable for 25 years.

Instead, she was denied placement and not just there, but at dozens of long-term care facilities statewide. To Oakley and her advocates, the reason for many of those rejections was simple  and illegal: Because she's transgender.

When they found out I was transgender, a lot of facilities didnt want me, said Oakley, who eventually landed at a skilled nursing facility in Grand Junction, nearly three hours away from Craig. A lot of transgender people, Im sure, face the same thing. Were humans, just like everybody else.

The case, advocates say, illustrates both the challenges that LGBT elders face as they age and require long-term care  issues destined to escalate as the elder LGBT population grows. It also shows, they say, that existing protections arent enough, underscoring the importance of passing the federal Equality Act, which would prohibit discrimination based on sex, gender identity and sexual orientation.

These are incredibly vulnerable situations, said Karen Loewy, senior counsel for Lambda Legal, an LGBTQ rights advocacy group. When your physical health has deteriorated to the point that youre no longer able to care for yourself in your own home, you are relying on people for incredibly intimate care. And that vulnerability is just magnified when the message youre getting is that a facility or its staff disrespect you.

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A spreadsheet log kept by social worker Cori Martin-Crawford tells the story: When she first looked to place Oakley starting in October 2020, multiple facilities declined, citing COVID-related admissions freezes.

But as facilities resumed taking referrals in early 2021, Oakleys rejections continued. A few wouldnt allow her to smoke or simply said they couldnt accommodate her medical needs. In other cases, facilities seemingly eager to review Oakleys referral went cold once they learned she was transgender and desired a female roommate.

Several told Martin-Crawford that Oakley, unable to afford gender-affirming surgery, would require a private room; none were available, they said. A representative for another 30 facilities refused with no reason given. Others promised to review Oakleys case but failed to follow up. In all, Martin-Crawford, accustomed to placing clients within 48 hours, struck out with more than 90 elder-care homes.

It seemed apparent to me that it was discrimination, Martin-Crawford said. One facility told me, Maybe someone like her would have better luck on the Front Range a reference to Colorados central region, home to the states largest and more progressive cities.

With Oakley angling to stay in Craig, Martin-Crawford in January once again appealed to the local care facility, Sandrock Ridge, which had started taking new residents. According to her notes, an administrator there said Oakley would require a private room because she still has her boy parts and cannot be placed with a woman.

Though the facility relented under threat of litigation, Loewy said, Oakley by then had been relocated to Grand Junction, and Sandrock Ridge administrators stalled to the point that Oakleys rapidly deteriorating health and reliance on a Grand Junction urologist made a move impossible.

Officials for Sandrock Ridge did not respond to requests for comment.

The reality is that Lisa is never going back to the home she built in terms of the people closest to her, Loewy said. Theyre not young; theyre not people who can pop down to Grand Junction at the drop of a hat. So, theres a good chance shes not going to see the people she cares most about ever again. And thats not something anyone should have to experience because of discrimination.

For Oakley, the move has been isolating. She misses the smell of fresh-cut hay in the countryside and letting her dog, Brownie, run loose in the backyard.

And the rejection wounded her, she said.

"I feel sad that I was not being treated as a real human being.... More like a freak," she said.

Effects of lifelong discrimination

Estimates of the elder LGBTQ population range from just over a million to 2.6 million, but all agree the group is growing rapidly as increasing tolerance prompts many to be more open about their identity.

Such data has not been reliably collected, and some remain reluctant to share it.

Especially for the older LGBT community, who grew up when being gay was dangerous, or even illegal, to stay safe they had to develop this silence about who they are, said Carey Candrian, an LGBTQ elder-care expert and associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. That stays with them, despite growing acceptance and new laws. Theyre fearful to disclose their identity.

Older LGBT adults, and especially older trans adults, are more likely to need institutional care than their straight or cisgender counterparts. In the United States, Loewy noted, most caregiving is done by family members  but many of this generations LGBT elders came out in an era when families were more likely to shun them.

Thats not a source they can count on, she said.

Additionally, LGBT elders are less likely to be married or have children, Candrian said, meaning theyve missed out on spousal benefits and cant rely on kids support in later years.

Rachel Levine, the first openly transgender person to be confirmed to federal office by the U.S. Senate, serves as an assistant secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services under the Biden administration. During her confirmation hearing, Levine spoke about the need to understand transgender individuals' medical needs and the overall lack of access to medical help in the transgender community.

Having lived a lifetime of discrimination can prove harmful. For those whove come out, it can mean jobs lost or missed employment opportunities; one in three LGBT adults lives at or below poverty level, Candrian said.

Those whove hidden their identity, meanwhile, have higher rates of cardiovascular, emotional health and substance abuse issues while being less likely to seek medical care. According to the American Heart Association, a majority of LGBTQ adults and 70% of transgender or gender-non-conforming individuals report experiencing discrimination from a health care provider, so theyre not crazy for staying quiet, Candrian said. The discrimination is real, and so are the disparities.

A 2014 study cited by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities showed that for sexual and gender minorities, living in communities with high levels of anti-LGBT prejudice can shorten life by an average of 12 years compared to those in more welcoming communities.

Long-term care facilities remain largely unprepared to handle such issues. According to Sherrill Wayland of Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders, a New York-based advocacy organization known as SAGE, agency research found one in six LGBT adults were extremely concerned about facing discrimination in assisted-living situations.

Many LGBT adults go back into the closet when they enter elder care, Candrian said. When they go, theyre often met with a script that fits people who are straight, who have kids and traditional families, and they feel shut out pretty quickly.

Transgender people are even more stigmatized and suffer greater health disparities, said Karen Fredriksen Goldsen, a University of Washington professor who is leading a longitudinal study on LGBT health.

People have been denied access or treated with disrespect in long-term care facilities, Goldsen said. Others may refuse to call them by their correct names and pronouns. They may not have access to gender-neutral bathrooms, and staff may not know how to handle rooming them, so they end up isolated.

Demonstrators in Chicago protest for transgender rights with a march and candlelight vigil to remember transgender friends lost to murder and suicide. The March 2017 demonstration was sparked by President Donald Trump's decision to reverse an Obama administration policy requiring public schools to allow transgender students to use bathrooms corresponding with their gender identity.

Finding a facility willing to take them in can be challenging.

Senior settings have not done the work they need to do to understand the needs and rights of older LGBT adults, Loewy said. And rarely are people who experience discrimination in obtaining a long-term care setting in a position to do anything about it. Their energy understandably and reasonably goes to securing a roof over their heads.

'We hired you as a male driver'

Oakley, a Chicago native, enlisted in the U.S. Army at 19, deciding to make the best of it as a truck driver. She served four years.

Since her early teens, she'd felt like two people in one body, even as she adhered to societal standards. She married three times.

Her third wife, who died of a heart attack in 1996, knew her then-husband felt more comfortable as a female.

She was really cool about it, Oakley said. I would dress up female for Halloween. That was my one night of reality, versus my other 364 days as a lie.

In 1985, the couple moved to Craig, 200 miles from Denver in rural northwest Colorado, where Oakleys in-laws lived.

Oakley quickly took to Craig, a small city of 9,000, and after her wife died in 1996, she decided to begin pursuing her transition. In 1999, she began traveling to California for hormone treatments, barely getting by on her pizza-delivery driver wages.

My boss told me I had to tell everybody at work, Oakley said. They were cool with it until I started my breast development. Some didnt understand it.

One day, a corporate company executive confronted her at her workplace.

He said, We hired you as a male driver, and you will revert back or there will be serious consequences, Oakley remembered. I went back to work in proper female attire and was told I was being written up. They suspended me that night.

As the paperwork moved up the chain, the company quickly relented, she said, and her boss apologized.

A back injury forced Oakley into work in home health care and social services, jobs she said felt better suited, as they tapped her mothering instincts. She cooked for the homebound and drove disabled people to appointments.

She retired two years ago, but the diabetes that had plagued her for 20 years intensified. In October 2020, she was rushed to the ER with elevated blood sugar, and doctors determined she would require long-term care, no longer able to walk on her own or self-propel a manual wheelchair.

Calls for federal protection

As Martin-Crawford struggled for months to find Oakley a home, she contacted several state agencies to see what could be done. As private entities, she was told, long-term facilities could decline referrals for almost any reason.

Kathleen Sullivan, executive director of Openhouse, a San Francisco agency serving LGBTQ+ seniors, called Oakleys situation disheartening."

"Colorado has made great strides, but clearly there is still a lot of work to be done, she said.

The ordeal unfolded despite apparent protections on multiple fronts. This fall, Colorado lawmakers passed a bill expanding discrimination protections to include gender identity in multiple areas, including housing and health care, becoming one of 22 states to explicitly cite such protections.

Colorado has really robust nondiscrimination protections in housing and in public accommodations, Loewy said. So, its really a great question how on earth this happened. Its frankly a lack of understanding in long-term care settings about the needs and rights of older LGBT adults.

She and others say Oakleys experience demonstrates the importance of passing the federal Equality Act.

We represent Americas future. The passing of the Equality Act is an investment in America, said Stella Keating, the first transgender teenager to testify before Congress, during the White House conversation on trans equality. She testified in favor of the Equality Act in March.

These care facilities turned her away despite existing sex discrimination protections in both the Fair Housing Act and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act barring discrimination against transgender people in housing and health care, Loewy wrote in a September letter sent to Colorado Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, both Democrats and the acts U.S. Senate sponsors.

Passing the Equality Act, she continued, would be a powerful statement of principle regarding the equal place LGBTQ people of all backgrounds deserve within our American family.

Cristina Crawford of the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living, based in Washington, D.C., said the organization could not comment specifically on Oakleys case. We believe every person, regardless of gender identity, deserves access to high quality, long-term care," the group said in a statement. "Long-term care and senior living prides itself on delivering person-centered care, and that means we must honor each unique individual and foster inclusive communities.

Advocates say that even when LGBT anti-discrimination policies do exist, people arent always aware. In Colorado, Candrian said, facilities can skirt policies by citing other reasons for refusal or arguing that their sites dont qualify as housing.

These situations can be tricky, because technically nursing homes are not required to admit anyone and can refuse admission for a variety of reasons, Candrian said. However, discrimination based on gender identity is not one of those reasons.

Last month in Maine, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) filed what the agency said is the first discrimination claim against a senior facility by a transgender individual.

In that case, a 78-year-old woman identified only as Jane Doe was recommended for placement at Sunrise Assisted Living in Jonesport, Maine, after being hospitalized in spring 2021. The suit claims the facility initially told a social worker that rooms were available but, as in Oakleys case, balked after learning that the transgender woman wanted a female roommate.

GLAD attorney Ben Klein said his client simply wants to be treated with dignity, compassion and understanding as she ages, like anyone else.

'Not just waving a rainbow flag'

In Washington state, the Goldsen Institute recently launched a skill-based training program called Safe Home to help long-term care facilities instill LGBT-affirming climates, especially for transgender adults from underserved racial and ethnic backgrounds. The program is funded by the states Department of Social and Health Services and the National Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

A lot of whats happening is in part lack of awareness, said Goldsen, director of the institute, which focuses on wellness in underserved communities. A lot of older LGBT adults dont know what their rights are, and a lot of staff dont have the skills to provide quality and inclusive care for them.

Actor Elliot Page came out as transgender in Dec. 2020, announcing his new pronouns and name via Twitter. He later appeared on the cover of Time magazine, becoming the first openly transgender man to do so. In the Time interview, Page stressed the importance of cisgender people educating themselves on transgender lives, rights and medical needs.

SAGE, meanwhile, is conducting a national campaign to identify facilities seeking to be more inclusive, with plans to help them craft core policies and practices toward that cause. Since late June, Wayland said, the organizations list of interested facilities had quadrupled to about 500.

We have benchmarks in place that we ask organizations to meet, Wayland said. Its not just waving a rainbow flag, but really making that commitment to equity.

In Grand Junction, Oakley said she decided to come forward to help other transgender people avoid her experience. While she misses her old community, shes satisfied with the care she receives at Eagle Ridge of Grand Valley, which gave her a private room.

In September, gangrene claimed her right toes. With one left toe already gone and another surgery too risky, Oakley lives day to day, passing the time with Diet Coke and cigarettes. Eagle Ridge staffers take good care of her, she said.

They accept me at face value as Lisa, she said. Im just one of the girls.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Elder care for transgender Americans is growing civil rights issue
(AFP via Getty Images)

The US has condemned what it called the intimidation tactics of the Cuban government ahead of planned protests on Monday calling for greater political freedoms.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken released a lengthy statement on Sunday saying the US stands with the people of Cuba and calling on the Cuban government to listen to the voices of their people.

Protesters will take to the streets across the country for the Civic March for Change on Monday to demonstrate against the nations Communist government regime, to demand the release of political activists and to call for freedom and democracy.

This comes after thousands first took to the streets in July in what marked the largest protests Cuba had seen in more than two decades.

The anti-government protests were triggered by shortages of food, medicine and other basic goods, repeated power cuts and the governments response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Cuban government responded with violence and hundreds of demonstrators are still being held behind bars four months on.

The country was also plunged into an internet blackout to prevent the flow of information about the protests and the government response.

Now, protesters are also calling for the release of these political prisoners.

Mr Blinken slammed the Cuban government over its treatment of its citizens during the summer protests in his statement on Sunday.

In July, the people of Cuba bravely and spontaneously took to the streets to demand change from their government: respect for human rights, greater freedom of expression, and an end to economic mismanagement by an authoritarian regime that has failed to meet their most basic needs, he said.

The Cuban regime responded with violence, censorship, arrests, and summary trials, denying their citizens their rights to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly.

Mr Blinken warned that the Cuban government is expected to respond in a similar way to Mondays demonstrations.

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The Cuban government has already made clear that it does not want to listen; the regime has denied permission for the protests, dismissed opposition supporters from their jobs, and threatened dissenters with imprisonment, he said.

We strongly condemn these intimidation tactics.

We call on the Cuban government to respect Cubans rights, by allowing them to peacefully assemble and use their voices without fear of government reprisal or violence, and by keeping Internet and telecommunication lines open for the free exchange of information.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Cuba to listen to the voices of their people and warned that the US will pursue accountability (REUTERS)

He added: We urge the Cuban government to reject violence, and instead, embrace this historic opportunity to listen to the voices of their people.

Mr Blinken called on other democratic partners worldwide to join the US in its support of Cuban citizens and in calling on the Cuban government to respect those exercising their rights in peaceful protest on November 15, and to release all those unjustly detained.

In a warning to the Cuban government, Mr Blinken said the United States stands with the people of Cuba and will seek accountability.

The United States will continue to pursue measures that both support the Cuban people and promote accountability for the Cuban regimes repression and human rights violations, he said.

Cubas communist government, headed by President Miguel Diaz-Canel, has banned the protest and accused the US of trying to organize and promote a destabilizing provocation.

Following the summer protests, tensions have escalated further between the US and Cuba.

President Joe Biden imposed sanctions on Cuban officials and security forces involved in human rights abuses during the government crackdown.

The president had vowed to reverse many of the Donald Trump-era restrictions on the country around travel and trade if he took the White House.

Mr Trump had backtracked on the landmark policies reached between the US and Cuba under Barack Obama.

But President Biden has held off on re-engaging with Cuba amid the ongoing turmoil in the country and is expected to be eyeing the governments response to the protests this time around.

More than 100 cities across the globe will join with the people of Cuba to stage protests on 15 November including in Miami, where there is a large Cuban community.

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The Daily Beast

Spokane PoliceFor more than 60 years it was a haunting mystery: Who killed a 9-year-old girl who vanished while out selling mints in Spokane, Washington, and who was found raped and strangled to death with her own slip two weeks later?The unsolved mystery was handed down as a cold case from one generation of retiring detectives to the next. But authorities revealed this week that they have finally cracked the case of Candy Rogers, using the modern marvels of DNA.We are tenacious. We will never
Though four of Mary Anne Foos aunts had breast cancer, her family rarely spoke of the disease. One aunt even underwent surgery and didnt tell anyone, driving herself home from the operation and treatments.

Research has shown breast cancer rates increased as much as six-fold for Asian women after immigrating to the United States.

But, Foo wondered, what about women like her aunts, who have lived here for generations? Are there environmental factors that have put them at risk? Is it diet-related? How does stigma impact diagnosis and treatment of Asian American women?

Foo had all these questions and more. We have all of this breast cancer  we should be talking about why, she said. If we could get data about the community, and get that information out there, wed be able to explain.

Its why the community health researcher, who is Chinese and Japanese, founded the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance, a nonprofit aimed at supporting the health, social and economic well-being of those communities through outreach and research.

Most recently, the California nonprofit has been helping recruit participants for the National Institutes of Healths All of Us research program, a project aiming to create the largest biomedical database of 1 million diverse people across the nation.

'They're really, really struggling': Native Hawaiian children were already grappling with poor health and food insecurity. Then came COVID-19.

Last week, the NIH launched the projects latest survey, this time taking a pulse on social and environmental factors that impact health.

Foo said for underserved communities, including her own Orange County groups of Pacific Islanders, South and East Asians, linking health outcome data with social data can help fill research gaps and guide understanding of what leads to poor health outcomes.

The more data thats out there, the more well know how to do precision medicine, Foo said, referring to a clinical strategy that personalizes treatment by considering genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. The latest survey aims to do that by adding to health data the program has already been collecting.

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Survey questions range from asking about proximity to markets, access to transportation for health care appointments, whether the participants neighborhoods have parks and sidewalks, neighborhood safety, mental health and ability to afford food.

Explore Medicare options in your community.

Dr. Cheryl Clark, a Harvard Medical School professor and co-chair of the programs Social Determinants of Health Task Force, created the survey.

What we tried to do when we developed the social determinants of health questionnaire is to try to really measure that lived experience, she said, adding the surveys also inquire about isolation, discrimination experiences, and feelings of loneliness, which has been linked to weakened immunity and inflammation. How do those environments influence susceptibility for disease? How do we start to think about prevention?

Clark said the purpose is to provide context for biomedical data and health outcomes.

It gives us this holistic view of health, so that we can... look at nature, biology, social science, she said. The questions we chose are really grounded in science.

Why is this still an issue? How doctors' assumptions about LGBTQ patients can be harmful to their health

Studies already underway using All of Us data include exploring cancer among Hispanic immigrants and U.S.-born Hispanics, mental health and environmental stressors of pregnant Black people, and LGBTQ health.

Dr. Sally Baxter, an ophthalmologist at the University of California, San Diego, has been using the data to study patients with glaucoma, an eye condition in which the optic nerve is damaged and gets worse over time. Its the leading cause of blindness in Black people, who disproportionately suffer from the disease.

A lot of the social determinants are not well represented in the electronic health record data, said Baxter, who is studying health care barriers and medication adherence in patients with glaucoma. Her research found some patients couldn't afford medications, but werent comfortable asking their doctors for lower-cost prescriptions.

These kinds of patterns we wouldnt have necessarily been able to tease out without the data from All of Us, she said. The finding, she added, reminds clinicians to consider and initiate conversations about medication costs with patients. Collecting more details about patients' social situations and environments through the latest survey will help clinicians like herself better understand such barriers to care, she said.

More: For Black Americans, lack of 'rigorous scientific evidence' led to test that leaves some off kidney transplant list

National Alliance for Hispanic Health is another community organization that's recruiting participants. Jane Delgado, the alliance's chief executive officer, said she hopes the data helps shed light on "the whole person."

This is a wealth of information that has been untapped, she said. This will increase our knowledge base about health and wellness.

Delgado, a clinical psychologist, said the surveys will contribute to studying diversity and subgroups within various racial and ethnic categories, including Hispanic people who account for about 19% of the U.S. population at roughly 60 million.

We live long and suffer, Delgado said of Hispanic people, who are estimated to have longer life expectancies than non-Hispanic whites, but disparate health conditions like diabetes and obesity.

For too long, health data was driven by mortality data, she said. But how about how we live? That is very important too. And that forms our health.

Reach Nada Hassanein at nhassanein@usatoday.com or on Twitter @nhassanein_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NIH survey aims to measure 'lived experience' of diverse Americans
The Biden administration is strongly opposed to creating a Space National Guard under the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, reasoning that it would not deliver new capabilities  it would instead create new government bureaucracy. Congress, on the other hand, is divided on whether to establish a Space National Guard apart from the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units with space missions. Coming on the heels of NASAs announcement that the Artemis moon landing program is delayed to no earlier than 2025, where will Congress land on the issue of creating a new guard?

Should Congress establish a separate Space National Guard?

To rephrase Miles Law from political science, where a Space National Guard lands might depend on where you sit. In July 2021, the Senate Armed Services Committee voted to simply rename the Air National Guard to the Air and Space National Guard under the 2022 NDAA. In contrast, the House Armed Services Committee wants an entirely separate Space National Guard. On Sept. 1 the Committee voted to include a provision for an entirely separate Space National Guard. Section 921 of House Resolution 4350 outlines the requirements for establishing and implementing a Space National Guard, which would require the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of the National Guard Bureau to implement the Space National Guard no later than 18 months following the Acts enactment, with annual briefings to Congress for five years. The Act was scheduled for review on the Senates legislative calendar on October 18.

Related: Does the Space Force need a Guard component? The National Guard says yes.

Why is the White House opposed?

The Biden administration is concerned that a Space National Guard would be an inefficient use of resources and create government bureaucracy. This is troubling news for the Space Force because it punctures a major artery in Space Force doctrine. This is because supporting a lean service of Space Force guardians with organizational agility is the fifth principle of military spacepower. Space Force doctrine prioritizes maintaining a lean, mission-focused, digital service, in addition to seeking a peaceful, secure, stable, and accessible space domain.

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But what is less well defined and communicated to stakeholders, however, is what does a lean Space Force look like? This is achieved by first empowering small teams and prizing measured risk-taking as opportunities to rapidly learn and adapt explains the capstone doctrine. The White House remains unconvinced, however, that a Space National Guard would run in tandem with Space Forces vision for streamlining procedures to promote space capabilities and reduce bureaucracy. To the contrary, the administration said, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units with space missions have effectively performed their roles with no adverse effect on DoDs space mission since the establishment of the Space Force.

Are there additional concerns?

Yes, according to a report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, establishing a Space National Guard could cost almost $500 million annually, with estimated one-time costs ranging between $400 million to $900 million to construct additional facilities (such as armories) and to equip the new units. Additionally, some analysts suggest that a push for a separate Space National Guard is largely being driven by the National Guard Association and parochial interests of lawmakers who are home to space operations, such as Florida, Hawaii, and Colorado.

What is the value of a Space National Guard?

Advocates for a Space National Guard aver that a new organization is critical for the United States to maintain its competitive edge in space. If the National Guard is excluded from the Space Force, we will illogically be shrinking our competitive space rather than expanding it, reasons Maj. Gen. James Eifert, Floridas adjutant general. Last spring, Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, testified to the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee that establishing a Space National Guard was amongst his most pressing concerns. As major spacefaring powers like Russia and China continue to assiduously develop and deploy, counterspace weapons specifically designed to hold U.S. and allied space capabilities at risk, the United States must enhance its space situational awareness and fortify space assets for communication, research and development, and military defense capabilities, reasons Army Gen. James Dickinson, commander of Space Command. It is therefore important to recognize that the United States space posture exists in a dynamic ecosystem.

Recommendations

Returning to the Space Forces doctrine, according to the Chief of Space Operations Planning Guidance, which outlines Gen. John Jay Raymonds top five priorities for Space Force over the next decade, the very first priority is to empower a lean and agile service. This means developing a new field command structure to delegate decision authority and integrate various echelons of command to reduce bureaucracy. Thus, if a Space National Guard is to have a fighting chance of survival in the 2022 NDAA, or future iterations, evidence that it would empower a lean and agile service is paramount to rebut these presumptions.

Related: Space Force to share internal digital models with industry

Another recommendation is to apply systems engineering tools to redefine the scope of the problem to Congress, develop criteria to properly screen feasible and non-feasible alternatives, and develop a scoring system to enhance decisionmakers ability to assess the best value candidate solution to endorse. The Space Force is already employing model-based systems engineering methods and novel acquisition standards to incubate a digital service in 2021, why not apply these same tools to the Space National Guard issue? Although there are substantial concerns about creating a Space National Guard, applying systems engineering management is one means to help Space National Guard proponents bridge this communication barrier with stakeholders. To protect the flame of innovation for the responsible and peaceful use of space, proper planning ultimately accelerates growth.

Zhanna Malekos Smith, J.D., is a senior associate with the Strategic Technologies Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., and an assistant professor in the Department of Systems Engineering at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Accordingly, all views, positions, and conclusions expressed in this publication should be understood to be solely those of the author(s) and not that of CSIS, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Editors note: This is an Op-Ed and as such, the opinions expressed are those of the author. If you would like to respond, or have an editorial of your own you would like to submit, please contact Military Times senior managing editor Howard Altman, haltman@militarytimes.com.
President Biden will announce new steps on Monday to improve public safety and justice for Native Americans, as well as better protection of private lands, treaty rights and sacred places, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said during a briefing Friday.

Why it matters: The announcements will take place during the first Tribal Nations summit since 2016, which did not take place under the previous administration. It is also the first time the summit is being hosted by the White House.

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The big picture: Both the president and first lady Jill Biden will address Tribal leaders at the summit on Monday, while Vice President Kamala Harris is slated to speak at the summit on Tuesday, Psaki noted.

Leaders from more than 570 tribes are expected to participate in the summit, which is being held virtually due to the pandemic. More than three dozen tribal representatives will address the two-day gathering, AP reported.

State of play: The new announcements will build on other actions by the Biden administration.

In April, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland ordered the reversal of several Trump administration policies involving tribal lands, to allow tribes to have more ownership and management.

That same month, the Department of Interior also created a new unit to support investigations into missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives.

This summer, Native Americans transported a 5,000-pound totem pole to raise awareness about protecting land that they consider sacred.

Native American groups have also urged the administration to restore and expand funding Utah's Bears Ears National Monument, which was slashed by nearly 85% under former President Trump.

Of note: Some activists have been frustrated that the administration hasn't acted more aggressively to reverse Trump's rollback of protections for national monuments.

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Metro Detroit is in for a cold start to the week as it is expected to receive up to 2 inches of snow throughout the day Sunday.

Jeff Lutz, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Gaylord office, said while it will snow on and off all day, it is unlikely for there to be much accumulation.

"[Gaylord's] soil temperatures up here are still running in the lower 40s, so probably in the morning, I would say that it might be just cold enough for some of it to stick, but then by, say 10 or 11 o'clock that most of it would probably have melted off pretty quickly," Lutz said. "And especially once it starts to mix with rain, and then the rain will take out the rest of the snow that is on the grass."

The metro Detroit area is expected to see snow throughout the day Sunday.

Drivers are encouraged to take extra precautions due to possible slick and wet road conditions, the meteorologist said.

No advisories have been issued for tomorrow's snow, and it is unlikely for one to be sent out with how little snow is expected, Lutz said.

The rest of the week is looking dry until Wednesday when chances of rain return, according to the National Weather Service Detroit/Pontiac website. Highs range from the low 40s to the high 50s.

For more information, visit the official website of the National Weather Service.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Metro Detroit to receive 1-2 inches of snow
Lane Koch

Women voters are likely to be the difference makers between Republicans taking control of the House and Senate after the midterm elections. A shift in power in Congress in 2022 would send a strong message to President Joe Biden and his re-election team, forcing the Administration to move away from extreme progressive policies for a more moderate middle ground in preparation for the 2024 election.

When studying women voting trends and polls, we see women have voted to increase womens representation in Congress while focusing on some different issues, than male voters. The 117th Congress contains record numbers of women in the House, 120, and one short of the record in the Senate with 24. According to exit polling conducted by The Washington Post during the 2020 election, women voted for Joe Biden by a 15percent gap. As we go into a midterm election with a tradition of big losses for the party in power, Republicans will be targeting women voters to attempt a takeover of the leadership of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House is a near certainty in switching parties, while the Senate is where the more difficult political battle will be held.

One issue that might boost Republican success next fall is the issue of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). This is an extension of protections for pregnant workers that mirrors the protections in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA was a signature achievement of the Administration of Republican President George H. W. Bush in 1990. The current version of the PWFA would provide some legal guidance for both the employers and employees on what an employer can do to accommodate a pregnant worker. The bill has significant support from Republicans, but if pro-life and pro-business Republicans in Congress embrace this issue, it may help to make inroads with some of the women voters who abandoned the party in 2016 and 2020.

Protecting pregnant workers and their unborn babies is an easy issue for pro-life Republicans. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote Congress in August of this year and argued, we write in support of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, S. 1486, which will make the workplace a safer environment for nursing mothers, pregnant women, and their unborn children. The Bishops believe that current law does not adequately protect pregnant workers and they expressed support for the idea of providing reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers; protecting pregnant workers from being denied employment opportunities, being forced to take leave if another reasonable accommodation is available, or otherwise being retaliated against for requesting reasonable accommodations; and providing rights and remedies for workers if they are denied reasonable accommodations. There seems to be enough support from Republican women in Congress, including cosponsors Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Ann Wagner (R-MO), and Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-WA), to motivate other Republicans to express support. This bill passed the House with ninety-nine Republicans voting in favor of the measure on May 14, 2021.

Story continues

Polling indicates that this issue is a political winner. The Tarrance Group conducted a poll on the bill and found that the legislation had 89 percent support, with Republicans supporting at an 81 percent rate, Trump voters at an 80 percent rate, and self-described conservative voters supporting at an 80 percent rate. This seems like one of those issues where Republicans can show they can work to govern responsibly when they are on the cusp of taking the House back from the Democrats.

The legislation seems to have enough support to easily pass the Senate. The Senate version of the bill, S. 1486, has yet to come up, but it already has the support of four Republicans, Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va,), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). The Chamber of Commerce supports the bill because they worry that under current law employers face great uncertainty about whether, and how, they are required to accommodate pregnant workers. Also, a large coalition of businesses and interests representing businesses have expressed support in a letter to Congress.

This bill is likely to pass, and the only question is whether Republicans can get in front of the issue to help get it passed quicker to forward the pro-business and pro-life cause and have an edge with women voters in the upcoming midterm elections.

Lane Koch is a former congressional staffer and a Republican strategist specializing in grassroots voter contact. She wrote this for InsideSources.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Commentary: Pregnant Workers Fairness Act poised to boost GOP success.
The ETS requires businesses to support vaccination by providing employees reasonable time, including up to four hours of paid time, to receive each primary vaccination dose, and reasonable time and paid sick leave to recover from any side effects experienced following each primary vaccination dose.

Tower said he thinks most employers that have thought about it have decided the bigger issue is testing.

I mean, the vaccine is only going to happen two or maybe three times total, he said. And so, there are a lot of employers anyway choosing to avoid this issue by saying were not going to require employees to do this on their off time, well let them go get vaccinated and that helps us, thats what we want to get done. And its not a big commitment like testing is.

He said hes seeing more of a desire to disincentivize the testing option among employees with the idea that maybe the employees will not be able to pass along that cost to their employer.

Christine Kennedy, COO of the Alliance, added many employers are struggling with workforce retention and providing a culture thats attractive to prospective employees.
Seventy-five years ago, the Navy sent me, a young ensign, to Germany as part of the allied occupation. I was stunned by the destruction in Bremerhaven, a port controlled by the Navy, and the poverty of Germans living there. Looking down from our ships deck that morning, I saw a young German in an army coat rifling through the garbage cans set out on the dock. This was Germany in March 1946.

When the Navy released me that summer, I accepted a job in Berlin which provided a view of the Soviet zone in eastern Germany because Berlin was located within the Soviet occupation zone. The Berlin Blockade occurred the next year. When I flew into Tempelhof Airport the first time, I could not see a roof on any building for half a mile around. That was Berlin in 1946.

Today, seventy-five years later, Germany is the economic and political superpower in Europe and beyond. It does not emphasize military spending but gets its influence from its overwhelming economic influence on the rest of Europe. What is it that accounts for this huge rise in German influence over the last two generations? I suggest four major factors: one, tenacity and drive of the German people; two, excellent leadership in government; three, firm support from the United States; four, Germanys partnership with France and active participation in NATO.

Steady progress
Love for humanity is at the root of philanthropy. On Nov. 15, National Philanthropy Day recognizes the great contributions of philanthropy  and those people active in the philanthropic community  toward the enrichment of our world.

Pottawattamie County Community Foundation is thrilled to feature Tamara Brunow, CEO and owner of Brunow Contracting, for her commitment to creating tangible impact and powerful positive change in our community.

Tamara Brunow has a passion for empowering women in our community. She shares freely about her desire to help lift women up out of poverty, encourage women to overcome their challenges and personal struggles, and her personal commitment to ensuring there are resources in our southwest Iowa community to make dreams of success a reality. That is why Tamara felt it was important to support the recent IMPACT for Women Summit on October 28, sponsored by the Womens Fund of Southwest Iowa.
She couldnt do very much, but they let her beat the eggs, she said. So she beat eggs all day, no doubt feeling pretty important because she had helped. Now, the pies are made at St. Patricks.

This is Pfennings first year as coordinator a role she took over from Brenda Moran, who had announced that last year  her 20th  was going to be her last.

Ive known Brenda for 27-28 years, she said. Our kids were in the same Baptism class  two of them. Shes just a dear, dear friend, and I wanted to do this for her so she could enjoy her family.

Moran is currently visiting a brand-new grandchild in Florida, she said.

Before that, though, she did help Pfenning learn the process.

Volunteers start loading meals into bags for delivery at 10:45 on Thanksgiving, labeling them with each familys name and address. They are then sorted by area of the city so they can be directed to the right driver.

We have great volunteers, she said. The Holy Spirit really (blesses) this project. Everything works out.
Iowa received an overall C grade in the most recent Infrastructure Report Card from the national American Society of Civil Engineers, including a C+ grade for its roads. According to the report, 29% of Iowas major roads are in poor or mediocre condition and 15% of the states rural roads are in poor condition. That report credited the 2015 fuel tax increase for much needed funding for short-term critical needs.

That same report gives Iowa a D+ grade for the condition of its bridges. Iowa has the largest share of structurally deficient bridges in the nation, according to the report.

Roughly 4,500 bridges in Iowa are in poor condition, according state transportation data, roughly 4,300 of which are under counties jurisdiction.

In addition to the $432 million for Iowa bridge projects in the bill, the state also will be able to apply for more bridge repair funding through grants from a $12.5 billion Bridge Investment Program and $16 billion for major revitalization projects, according to the White House.

This (new federal funding) certainly will help reduce that number, particularly on the county system, Anderson said.
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.
I always enjoyed working with these guys because they were always supportive and easy to work with. You could tell they loved their job and were very good at it, Nolda said. I just knew they would do a good job, and would always be there for me and the donors.

Widick said her co-workers are a big part of why we come to work, and Morgan said she was going to miss working with them.

Thats one of the things that kept me (at the Red Cross), because this is a hard job. But I really like my co-workers, and I like the job, Morgan said.

As the American Red Cross continues to deal with a nationwide blood product shortage, Widick encouraged people to donate blood.

Ive always had a saying: Better to give than to receive, Widick said. Blood donation is not for everybody, but I think if you have a little extra time, it doesnt have to be as committed as some people who are here every two weeks  just when you can work it out  thats awesome.

According to the Red Cross, nearly 21 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S., and that one blood donation can potentially save three lives.

It just seems like people who dont give blood or dont know anything about it, at some point in time, someone they know or love is going to need those blood products, Morgan said. They really should consider donating if they can.

Digital editor for The North Platte Telegraph.

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Those of you who read my columns regularly know that I am a historian of sorts. We live in a region of the country that fascinates me and feeds my interest in history, particularly the history of firearms.

We are at a crossroad of many sources of firearms traveling into the country. Explorers, fur traders, cattle trails, the Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail, homesteaders and the railroad were all avenues for firearms to show up in this part of the country, and a few of these guns stayed.

An example of one of these guns that stayed in the region is an old shotgun that showed up in the River Valley Gun Gallery recently. A customer brought in a Shattuck single barrel ring gun that had been his grandfathers. It was called a ring gun due to a unique ring ahead of the trigger that you pulled to open the breech. Lynn Stockall, proprietor of the River Valley Gun Gallery, had not seen a shotgun like this before. The customer wanted to know if Stockall could clean it up so he could use it as a wall hanger.

As is with many old guns that find their way to Stockall, it was a bit rusty and needed some repair and a good cleaning. Who knows where this shotgun has been for the last 100 years or so. Stockall looked it over and determined that the action still opened and the shotgun was unloaded. He determined it was a 12 gauge.
But some service members kept coming by on troop trains after April 1. If they hadnt visited the Canteen before, they missed out.

At least one didnt hold a grudge. Charles H. Plander of Marshalltown, Iowa, got off a troop train April 2 and found a few Canteen ladies picking up items from the vacated depot dining room.

Dont feel bad about closing the Canteen, Plander told them. Youve earned enough points for your honorable discharge.

The women had made a pot of coffee for themselves. They gave it to Plander and 11 other soldiers with him.

Very few who experienced the Canteen miracle remain with us to mark perhaps their last great Canteen anniversary.

Its welcome news indeed that this years 80th anniversary of the Canteens Christmas opening also will feature North Plattes first-ever Christmas Canteen Festival at the North Platte Community Playhouse.

Itll take place Dec. 18, a day after the 80th anniversary of that remarkable day when some 500 North Platte residents, primed to bestow gifts and treats on their National Guardsmen headed west, greeted a troop train only to find a Kansas Guard unit aboard.
Photo: Getty Images

The federal Bureau of Prisons is having a hard time housing inmates convicted of criminal behavior without engaging in some criminal behavior of their own. According to a report from the Associated Press, over 100 federal prison workers have been arrested, convicted, or sentenced for crimes since 2019  far more than staffers in other branches of the Justice Department.

Many of the cases involve rote corruption, smuggling, and property theft, but the list also includes a warden in California who was indicted for sexual abuse and an associate warden at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn who has been charged with murder. The bureau has also been willing to overlook abuses, such as the official at a prison in Mississippi who was allowed to keep his role investigating misconduct after he was arrested for stalking and harassing his coworkers. A fifth of cases dealt with crimes involving sex, including a correctional officer in a prison medical center in Kentucky charged with threatening to kill inmates if they did not submit to sexual acts.

The report comes amid a long series of problems at the BOP, from the inability to protect wards from the coronavirus to severe staffing shortages and the failure to keep Jeffrey Epstein alive. According to an AP report from June, Biden administration officials were considering getting rid of the agencys director, Michael Carvajal, who took over the nations prisons the month before COVID hit the U.S. in full force  a pandemic that has killed 266 federal inmates.
People are seen fleeing as heavy smoke rises following bombardment in the village of Baghouz in the eastern Syrian province of Deir Ezzor on March 18, 2019. Photo: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images

In March of 2019, the U.S. military conducted a pair of airstrikes that killed dozens of civilians in Baghouz, Syria  one of the deadliest civilian-casualty incidents in the U.S. fight against ISIS in Syria  then subsequently covered up most of the details, according to a new New York Times investigation.

The death toll from the back-to-back airstrikes, which had been called in by a classified American special-operations unit named Task Force 9, was apparent to military officials from the start, according to documents obtained by the Times. (An analyst typed We just dropped on 50 women and children in chat logs used to operate the drones, which were hunting for ISIS targets.) In the immediate aftermath, a lawyer flagged the strikes as a possible war crime requiring an investigation and ordered drone crews to preserve all evidence. But an independent investigation was never done:

Air Force lawyer, Lt. Col. Dean W. Korsak, believed he had witnessed possible war crimes and repeatedly pressed his leadership and Air Force criminal investigators to act. When they did not, he alerted the Defense Departments independent inspector general. Two years after the strike, seeing no evidence that the watchdog agency was taking action, Colonel Korsak emailed the Senate Armed Services Committee, telling its staff that he had top secret material to discuss and adding, Im putting myself at great risk of military retaliation for sending this.

Senior ranking U.S. military officials intentionally and systematically circumvented the deliberate strike process, he wrote in the email, which was obtained by The Times. Much of the material was classified and would need to be discussed through secure communications, he said. He wrote that a unit had intentionally entered false strike log entries, clearly seeking to cover up the incidents. Calling the classified death toll shockingly high, he said the military did not follow its own requirements to report and investigate the strike.

In fact, the only unit that assessed whether civilians had been killed or laws had been broken was the same unit that called in the strike. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they found they had done nothing wrong.

The day following the bombings, civilian observers who visited the site found piles of dead women and children. According to the Times, satellite images from four days later show that the bombing site had been bulldozed in order to cover up the incident. David Eubank, a former U.S. Army Special Forces soldier who walked through the area a week later, said, There was a lot of freshly bulldozed earth and the stink of bodies underneath, a lot of bodies.

The military is now acknowledging the strikes for the first time  after the Times reached out  claiming they took the lives of 80 people. The Pentagon said the bombs killed 16 fighters and four civilians; as for the other 60 who perished, it was not clear that they were civilians, in part because women and children in the Islamic State sometimes took up arms.

We abhor the loss of innocent life and take all possible measures to prevent them, Captain Bill Urban, the chief spokesman for the U.S. Central Command  which oversaw the air war in Syria  said in the statement. In this case, we self-reported and investigated the strike according to our own evidence and take full responsibility for the unintended loss of life.
As the Biden Administration considers ways to lower the price of gasoline in the United States, which is now at a seven-year high, it faces calls from Democrats to weigh all possibilities, including the "nuclear option" to reimpose a ban on U.S. crude oil exports.

Analysts and industry professionals don't see a ban happening, but even the unlikely event of the Administration moving to ban crude exports would not reduce prices at the pump. On the contrary, gasoline prices could rise further, they say.

While President Joe Biden is considering measures to reduce high U.S. energy prices, especially gasoline prices, analysts say that it would be better to leave the market run its course. A crude export ban would upend the global flows of crude, result in much lower U.S. benchmark WTI Crude prices and discourage further the American oil industry from investing in production, while undermining U.S. leadership and leaving an even larger share of global oil supply in the hands of OPEC and its OPEC+ partners, the U.S. oil industry and analysts say.

Oil at $80 and gasoline prices at a seven-year high are an emergency for the approval ratings of a sitting U.S. president.

Yet, high gasoline prices are in no way a market emergency that would need a release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR)a much more likely optionor a crude export ban, analysts say.

Amid the debate on how to influence a global market with a limited arsenal of measures, the U.S. industry has just one message to the Biden Administration: back off with the anti-oil policies and create regulatory certainty that would encourage American oil producers to invest more in providing home-grown energy to cater for most of the nation's demand in the immediate and medium term.

President Biden is considering an SPR release as a possible move to reduce gasoline prices in the United States, after OPEC+ ignored calls for putting extra barrels on the market, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said last week.

This week, 11 Democratic Senators sent a letter to President Biden urging the Administration to "consider all tools available at your disposal to lower U.S. gasoline prices. This includes a release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and a ban on crude oil exports. We hope you will consider these tools and others to make gasoline more affordable for all Americans."

Analysts say restricting American exports would not help reduce gasoline prices. On the contrary, prices could rise even more because even if the WTI Crude price crashes, refiners still need heavier foreign oil, which will be more expensive without around 3 million bpd of American exports.

"If you block crude and cause an artificial drop in the WTI price, you probably hurt the driller more than you help the driver," Kevin Book, managing director of research firm ClearView Energy Partners, told Bloomberg.

"Implementing a crude oil export ban does absolutely nothing. And it probably makes prices higher, not lower," economist Karr Ingham of the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers told Fox News Digital.

The cure for the high gasoline prices is "to get out of the way" of American producers, Ingham told Fox News.

"Since oil is a global commodity, if the US were to stop sharing, and other countries or OPEC did not pump more to fill in the gap, then the price of crude would rise," Daniel Armbruster, corporate spokesperson and community relations with AAA Texas/New Mexico, told the Midland Reporter-Telegram.

"And since the cost of crude accounts for 50-60 percent of the pump price, we'd simply be raising the cost for US consumers," Armbruster added.

Uncertainty about the Administration's oil policies has led to a lack of investment, Mike Sommers, president and CEO of the U.S. American Petroleum Institute (API), told Fox News in an interview this week.

API Chief Economist Dean Foreman said months ago that the Biden Administration's recent oil policies, including the killing of Keystone XL and considering taxing the industry more, "add uncertainty about whether long-lived investments in fossil fuels will be worthwhile, which is completely the wrong signal for the industry to be able to meet consumer demand in the immediate and near future."

A crude export ban could backfire and raise gasoline prices, Ben Cahill, a senior fellow with the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), wrote in a commentary last week.

Refineries would still have to pay high input prices for crude grades priced off Brent, moving crude or products from the Gulf Coast to the East Coast is constrained by the Jones Act requirements, and a ban would be a political minefield at home too, "with intense backlash in energy-producing states, where producers and coastal refineries want export options," Cahill says.

"In short, reimposing a crude oil export ban could have disastrous effects," he notes, adding that "Sometimes it is best to let markets run their course."



By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Thefts of catalytic converters have skyrocketed in recent years in the Omaha area and across the state, but experts say car owners can take precautions to protect their vehicles.

Its an increasingly serious problem here in Nebraska, said Nick Faustman of AAA Nebraska. I think the economic situation of the pandemic and the ease these devices can be removed has contributed to the problem.

A catalytic converter is an exhaust emission control device that reduces toxic gases and pollutants in a vehicles exhaust gas.

Precious metals such as platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold are used in the converters. Recyclers extract the metal and resell it.

The price of the precious metals has been increasing. Rhodium, for example, was selling at $2,300 an ounce in early January 2019, according to Kitco.com, a precious metals retailer that tracks prices. As of Nov. 3, it was going for $13,250 an ounce.

Omaha Police Detective Joe Richter, who has taken the lead on investigating catalytic converter thefts in the department, said thieves usually sell the parts to local scrap yards.

There definitely is a market for it, he said. Its the closest and most convenient thing to turn these into cash.
Just because someone has some statement on their page doesnt mean they drive the process, board member Mike Kennedy said at a recent board meeting.

Kennedy said the board will run the search and will interview the finalists in a public session.

A lot of places dont do that, he said. The Board of Regents dont have that policy. They had it changed. But we do that here.

Millard will use the same process the board used to hire Sutfin, he said. Sutfin announced he will retire after this school year.

Millard board member Stacy Jolley said the board will see all the applications and decide who to interview and who to hire.

All six of us were elected by 20,000 to 30,000 people, votes, each, to these roles, Jolley said. And none of us are going to cede that right or that responsibility ... to the search firm.

Board member Dave Anderson said people need to take a little collective breath.

He said people shouldnt dwell on one thing written on a website.

He said the board wants a superintendent who understands differing races and where kids come from and what kids are exposed to.
Its president, Sean Boyd, said in a statement that the company is thankful for the opportunity to work with the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission towards strict and integral regulation of gaming within the state.

Sage said any proposed new tracks will have to go through the racetrack license application process first and be approved before they can apply for a casino license.

Fonner Park CEO Chris Kotulak said hes concerned about new operators opening racetracks simply so they can open a casino.

He said that with no limit on the number of horse tracks in the state, theres a risk of market oversaturation, especially considering the states population.

Theres not the human or equine infrastructure in place to support any more racing than we already have, Kotulak said.

McNally expressed concern, too, but said there are new federal laws going into effect that will make it more expensive for horse track operators. She also pointed out that the proposed gambling regulations make clear that any casino operator must have an active track license, which could discourage any operator thats not dedicated to horse racing.
LINCOLN  Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster, who has criticized government handouts, received a $1.55 million federal loan forgiven under a pandemic relief program last year.

The loan was provided to Conklin Companys manufacturing operations and distribution warehouse in Shakopee, Minnesota, through the Paycheck Protection Program. Herbster is the owner and CEO of Conklin, as well as other farms and agriculture-related businesses.

The loan was forgiven under the terms of the pandemic relief program, which required businesses to keep employees on the payroll and spend the money for certain types of expenses.

But Herbster, who aligns himself with former President Donald Trump, denied any contradiction between taking the loan and his position on government handouts. He described that position in an April radio interview, saying that every time we ask for a handout from the federal government or even the state level, we give up something.

President Trumps Payroll Protection Program was not a government handout, he told The World-Herald. It was developed in response to a once-in-a-century pandemic that forced business to shut down and workers to be shut out.
The local hardware store. In Crete, its an Ace Hardware, run by Dan the Hardware Man and a group of employees who know where everything is. If you need it and Dan doesnt have it, hell get it for you very quickly. That includes the ability to rent all sorts of tools that many people would only use once. Thats great local service, for sure.

I rarely go to the hardware store, though  my husband spends enough time there for both of us. My visits typically come when hes in the middle of a project, very messy and in need of one specific thing (or when its time to get paint  color of paint is usually my job). Note: Another great thing about our hardware store is that when you buy paint there, they keep track of the color and the room youre going to put it in. So, if you toss that paint bucket but then need to touch up a wall in a year or two, theyve got you covered.

I recently took a few days off, concurrent with some time that my husband had off, and ended up walking through the hardware store with him as we contemplated some work we need to do around the house (we got a new faucet set for the kitchen sink, grabbed some paint color samples, and ordered some new flooring well to put in soon).
BLOOMINGTON  Black Friday may be less than two weeks away, but that doesnt mean its too early to go Christmas shopping.

Fifty-five vendors set up shop Saturday morning for the second annual Holiday Expo at the Parke Regency Hotel & Conference Center in east Bloomington.

Margarita Logan, director of sales and banquets for the hotel, told The Pantagraph that a lot of people showed up Saturday morning.

Everyone's happy, excited, being out in public and meeting people, she said.

Logan said the expo has unique finds and early-bird Christmas shopping specials from businesses local to the Bloomington-Normal region.

Hotel owner Krishna Balakrishnan said the expo is a great opportunity for a lot of local businesses, especially during the holidays.

Its all under one roof, he added.

Youre gonna find stuff in my store that you don't find it any other stores, said Marnetta Blakely at the expo. She owns the Urban Connections fashion store at 1102 N. Hershey Road in Bloomington.

I sold a lady a clock-purse, she said. It actually was a real clock.

Blakely added she brought uniquely trendy hip-hop merchandise to the expo, which helped her business build exposure.

And Ive handed out a lot of business cards, she said. A lot of people said theyre gonna stop by the store.

Blakely said her shop carries sizes for men, women and kids.

Mickie Stapleton stopped by the expo to shop around. She told The Pantagraph that all of the vendors were really knowledgeable.

Although she hadnt been there long, Stapleton agreed there were some promising gift options to be found.

Making a difference

BossGirl A-Z from the south Chicago suburbs of Park Forest and University Park put merchandise on display at the Saturday expo. Owner Kanesha Terrell said she started her LLC for the girls, Zayisah Galbreath, 5, Amylah Smith, and Zariyah Sanders.

They were born and raised into beauty, Terrell said, because I do hair here in town and theyve been seeing me do hair.

Additionally, she said Amylah and Zariyah were originally born in Bloomington, and their initials are part of the business's name.

She said when she had her firstborn, eczema was a huge problem  her kids were crying and couldnt sleep because their skin was inflamed and irritating.

So Terrell got to mixing up some "Boss butter"  a moisturizing body butter. And it worked for them.

She said now they sell it out everywhere they go. The girls help mix and make everything, Terrell added, and they know how to run the expo table.

BossGirl also sells scrubs, bath bombs, roll-on perfume, beard oil and hair growth oil.

My favorite part of being a BossGirl is about making other people feel like I'm taking care of themselves and making them feel beautiful, said Amylah Smith, who turns 9 next month..

We get to make little girls and people happy, added 8-year-old Zariyah Sanders.

Terrell said shes very excited for their future, adding theyre making a difference.

We're trying to just get them a good foundation so that they're gonna take over once they get grown, she said.

Next up for the BossGirls to learn is how to work with Microsoft Excel, she said.

Staying sane

The BossGirls werent the only Holiday Expo vendors who became entrepreneurs with homemade beauty and health products.

LVL UP PHX tabled their wares like bath salts, bath bombs, pain salves and body butters.

Lexi Marchant, of Fairbury, said she has a lot of chronic illnesses and pain, so she started the business at home, working on things for herself and her family.

Marchant said Lisa Garrels was also doing work on the side, and then her husband, AJ Garrels, had a heart attack in January. He died but was resuscitated.

We got together to stay sane, Marchant said.

And then, this pretty much came to be, Lisa Garrels added.

Marchant said working together on the business was a really good way to manage our stress and then also give back to other people at prices that people like us could afford.

The expo was their second big event; they added it was really helpful for their business.

It's a great way to, you know, meet new people and see what maybe we can help to do a little bit better, said Garrels.

The two women said they were last at the Chenoa Shop N Go in early October.

Marchant said they also travel and will deliver to peoples homes.

Bonded in crafts

Diane Boaz, of Marseilles, sold country crafts and collectibles from her Crafts From The Heart business.

She said when making her products, she cuts all the wood out, and I paint it, I stain it.

I do it all.

She said her stove-top noodle-boards sell very well, adding she prefers making bigger products, like planters, chairs and mirrors.

I like a challenge, Boaz said.

She said she did woodworking with her dad for 10 years, and she later opened her business and got back into it.

Although her father died 10 years ago, Boaz is still keeping their connection alive.

An earlier version of this story had incorrectly spelled Zariyah Sanders' name. This version has been corrected.

Contact Brendan Denison at (309) 820-3238. Follow Brendan Denison on Twitter: @BrendanDenison

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BLOOMINGTON  Elected officials on Monday will discuss how the city should spend its $13.3 million slice of American Rescue Plan dollars.

Under the plan, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden in March, a total $350 billion in funding is being given to local governments across the nation. Around $5.5 billion of that is set to go to local governments in Illinois.

Funding through the American Rescue Plan is intended to help municipalities across the country boost COVID-19 recovery.

The Bloomington City Council on Monday will hold its monthly work session to discuss what to do with the money, which must be allocated by 2024 and used by 2026. The discussion will follow a presentation.

Before the discussion, the council will also hear a presentation on the history and programming of the Western Avenue Community Center, 600 N. Western Ave.

The center, which celebrated its 95th anniversary in August, is a recreation, community and social service center. It offers youth and senior programs, as well as social services, interpretation, translations and counseling for Spanish-speaking residents in the Bloomington-Normal area.

The Bloomington City Council meets at 6 p.m. on the fourth floor of the McLean County Government Center, 115 E. Washington St. Meetings are live streamed through the city's YouTube page.

Contact Sierra Henry at 309-820-3234. Follow her on Twitter: @pg_sierrahenry.

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BLOOMINGTON  A kidnapping victim from Ohio was found Friday night in McLean County, and the suspect is now in custody, McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage announced Saturday morning.

At about 7:30 p.m. Friday, McLean County sheriffs deputies were dispatched to a suspicious vehicle on 1200 North Road between 750 East and 900 East roads near Stanford, according to a news release. The vehicle, described as a silver van, was parked along a field entrance and there was a male in the vehicle.

Stanford police officers arrived on scene first and, upon running the vehicle's registration plate, they learned there was an outstanding kidnapping warrant out of Ohio associated with the vehicle, along with an associated Amber Alert, also from Ohio, the news release stated.

Stanford police observed a male apparently asleep in the drivers seat. A young female child was located in the rear passenger area of the van and was identified as the kidnapped victim from Jackson Township, Ohio.

The release said the suspect was taken into custody without incident. Sheriffs deputies as well as an officer from the Danvers Police Department arrived to assist, and the 5-year-old was safely removed from the vehicle. Deputies took protective custody of the child, who was the child listed in the Amber Alert, and she was transported to OSF St. Joseph Medical Center for evaluation.

The suspect, Jonathan L. Stinnett, 36, was transported to the McLean County Sheriffs Office for an interview and then was booked into the McLean County jail on the kidnapping warrant, the release said.

The McLean County Sheriffs Office is working with the Canton (Ohio) Police Department, FBI and U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force on the investigation.

Contact Robyn Skaggs at (309) 820-3244.

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CHICAGO - A 33-year-old man was fatally wounded, and three other people were injured in separate shootings since late Friday afternoon, Chicago police said in media notifications.

The fatal shooting happened shortly before 7:30 a.m. Saturday in the 700 block of North Ridgeway Avenue in the East Garfield Park neighborhood.

A 33-year-old man was found lying on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to Stroger Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police said a vehicle approached and fired several shots in the victims direction. No one was in custody.

Another shooting in the Fifth City neighborhood on the West Side left a 20-year-old woman in critical condition at Mount Sinai Hospital. Shortly after 11:30 p.m. Friday, the woman was driving in the 3400 block of West Jackson Boulevard when she suffered a gunshot wound to the head. She was taken in critical condition to the hospital, and no information about the circumstances leading up to the shooting were immediately available, police said.

Shortly before 10:30 p.m. Friday, another woman was shot on the Southwest Side in the Brighton Park neighborhood in the 4400 block of South Washtenaw Avenue, police said.

A 38-year-old woman was standing outside when she suffered a gunshot shot wound to the abdomen. An acquaintance drove her to Saint Anthony Hospital, but she was transferred to Mount Sinai where she was listed in fair condition, police said.

Shortly before 5:30 p.m. Friday, a 25-year-old man was shot in the Rogers Park neighborhood in the 1700 block of West Juneway Terrace, police said.

The victim was shot in the left leg by an unknown assailant. He was taken in good condition to Amita Health St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, police said.

No one was in custody for any of the shootings, and detectives were investigating.

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CHICAGO - A 13-year-old boy and a 25-year-old man were both charged Friday in connection with two separate city carjackings, Chicago police said.

The boy was arrested and charged as a juvenile after he was identified as the person who took a vehicle by force from a 34-year-old man Friday in the 2600 block of West Maypole Avenue, police said.

Police said the they found the stolen vehicle with the boy inside. He was placed into custody, and later charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon as a delinquent minor and vehicular hijacking with a firearm.

In a separate carjacking, a Northwest Side man was arrested near his home and later charged with a carjacking that happened hours before, police said.

Mycheal Williamson of the 4100 block of West Fullerton Avenue was charged with one count of felony attempt robbery with a firearm, and vehicular hijacking with a firearm, police said.

He was arrested Friday in the same block where he lives after he was identified as the person who hours earlier took a vehicle by force from a 21-year-old man, and also tried to take his belongings in the 1100 block of North Menard Avenue, police said.

Williamson was scheduled to appear at a bail hearing Saturday afternoon.

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SPRINGFIELD  As global leaders met in Glasgow, Scotland, over the past two weeks to discuss the effects of and potential policy solutions to climate change, Gov. J.B. Pritzker made the case in a pair of speaking events that Illinois is doing its part to counteract troubling climate trends.

It was the governors first international trip, which took him first to London to talk with business leaders, then to Glasgow to attend the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP26.

I'm here to say that in America's heartland lies a state that's taking strides to match the urgency of this moment, Pritzker said, calling a recently-passed energy regulatory overhaul a nation-leading climate plan.

That climate bill, among several other provisions, aims to phase out carbon emissions in the states energy sector by 2045 by increasing investments in renewables and the states nuclear industry. Another goal of the climate bill and a follow-up business incentives package aims to put 1 million electric vehicles on Illinois roads by 2030.

The international visit was also an effort by Pritzker, members of his staff and Democratic leaders of the General Assembly to tout the state as a fertile ground for electric vehicle manufacturers.

The Reimagine Electric Vehicles, or REV Act, passed the General Assembly with near unanimous support in October as lawmakers and the governors office shared a sense of urgency in the effort to lure business development in the competitive electric vehicle industry to the state.

The incentives include credits ranging from 50% to 100% of income tax withheld for a new job created or employee retained in the industry in Illinois, depending on factors such as company location. It also provides tax credits for training costs, among other incentives.

Aside from the recently passed legislation, Illinois also has strong infrastructure, a central placement making it a distribution hub, is home to engineering schools at the University of Illinois and Northwestern University, and houses top national laboratories Argonne and Fermilab, Pritzker said.

It all adds up to this: Illinois intends to become the best place in North America to drive and manufacture an electric vehicle, Pritzker said, inviting business leaders to join us in Illinois as we build the beating heart of this industry in North America. Help us reduce emissions from the transportation sector and build out the infrastructure of the future.

* * *

REMAP LAWSUIT: Plaintiffs in three lawsuits challenging the new legislative district maps that Democrats pushed through the General Assembly earlier this year submitted their proposed changes Wednesday, which would create more Latino- and Black-majority districts in Cook County and the Metro East region.

The latest filings, submitted to a three-judge federal court panel Wednesday night, will be the subject of a combined hearing that is tentatively set for the week of Dec. 6, although exact dates have not yet been announced.

Along with the proposed new maps, the filings also include written testimony of expert witnesses and arguments as to why the plaintiffs believe the approved maps are unconstitutional and violate the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The plaintiffs include the two top Republican leaders in the General Assembly, Sen. Dan McConchie, of Hawthorn Woods, and Rep. Jim Durkin, of Western Springs, who hope to use the case to chip away at the Democrats current supermajorities in both the Illinois House and Senate.

Another set of plaintiffs includes a group of Chicago-area Latino voters represented by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, or MALDEF.

The third set of plaintiffs includes the East St. Louis branch of the NAACP, which argues that Black areas in and around East St. Louis that could have made up a Black-majority district were deliberately broken up and spread across separate House districts in order to protect two white incumbent Democrats.

All three of the suits name House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch, Senate President Don Harmon and the Illinois State Board of Elections, along with its individual members, as defendants. They seek an order to block ISBE from implementing the maps that Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law Sept. 24 and to adopt the new maps that they have submitted to the court.

All three sets of plaintiffs rely heavily on a 1986 U.S. Supreme Court precedent from North Carolina, Thornburg v. Gingles, which set out three factors needed to invalidate legislative district maps on the grounds of racial discrimination.

Under that standard, plaintiffs must show that the minority groups at issue are sufficiently large and geographically compact to constitute a majority in a single-member district; that the minority groups are politically cohesive; and that the majority votes sufficiently as a bloc such that it can usually defeat the minoritys preferred candidate.

* * *

SUPREME COURT RAPE CASE: The rideshare company Lyft argued before the Illinois Supreme Court Wednesday that a 2014 state law protects it from being held liable for the criminal actions of one of its drivers who allegedly raped a passenger in 2017.

The case centers on the constitutionality of the states first law to regulate the industry, passed in 2014, and could have implications for the separation of powers between the legislative and judicial branches.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a motion to intervene on behalf of Lyft that specifically addressed constitutional concerns.

The alleged rape occurred in July 2017 in Chicago, when the plaintiff, referred to in court filings as Jane Doe, used the Lyft app on her phone to schedule a ride after a night out with friends. She was picked up by Lyft driver Angelo McCoy, and fell asleep in the back of the vehicle and was later raped, according to the court filing by her lawyer, J. Timothy Eaton, of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP.

The Supreme Court was not asked to consider whether Lyft could be held directly liable for negligence or fraud. Instead, the legal question is whether Lyft can be held vicariously liable for the acts committed by McCoy.

Key to the case is the 2014 Transportation Network Providers Act, passed on the final day of the General Assemblys legislative session on Dec. 3 of that year.

Discussion in legal filings centered on a specific provision of the Transportation Network Providers Act that states that rideshare drivers are not common carriers, contract carriers or motor carriers, as defined by applicable State law, nor do they provide taxicab or for-hire vehicle service.

Lyft argues that language differentiating Lyft from other common carriers means it is not subject to the same liability as a taxicab company  which is a common carrier, along with other modes of transportation such as airplanes and railcars.

But Does team argued that if the General Assembly wanted to grant such immunity, it should have spelled it out directly.

Does court filing argued that a passengers safety is in the drivers hands, whether in a cab or a Lyft, which makes that a special relationship which holds the driver to the highest duty of care.

If the court does decide that the Transportation Network Providers Act grants immunity to rideshare companies, Does team argued, then it should determine that the law unconstitutionally favors a specific industry, and it should be struck down on those grounds.

But Lyfts lawyers, along with Raoul, argued that such a reading of law would constitute an overreach by the court, because lawmakers made a reasonable judgement that the industry is different than the taxicab industry and should be regulated differently.

* * *

HEALTH CARE CONSCIENCE: A new law in Illinois will soon clear the way for employers to enforce vaccination, testing and other mitigation measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The measure, Senate Bill 1169, amends the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act, a 1977 law originally intended to shield doctors and pharmacists from liability for refusing to participate in abortions. Gov. JB Pritzkers office reported that he signed it late Monday, Nov. 8, while he was at an overseas trip to Glasgow, Scotland, for the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Illinois was one of several states to enact such a law in the wake of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade. Federal law also provides similar protections.

It states that doctors and health care providers cannot be held liable for refusing to provide services that are contrary to their conscience. It also states that no employer or regulatory agency can discriminate against an individual for refusing to participate in or receive any form of health care services contrary to their conscience.

In recent months, though, that law has been used by individuals in Illinois to block employer mandates that certain workers receive COVID-19 vaccines, disclose their vaccination status or undergo regular COVID-19 testing as a condition of employment.

In some cases, those plaintiffs have been successful in obtaining restraining orders against such mandates, including a group of nurses in Kankakee who objected last month to a local hospitals vaccine mandate.

The new law, which becomes effective June 1, makes an exception to the Health Care Right of Conscience Act by saying it is not a violation of the act for an employer to impose or enforce any requirements that involve provision of services by a physician or health care personnel intended to prevent contraction or transmission of COVID-19 or any pathogens that result in COVID-19 or any of its subsequent iterations.

The bill passed the House Oct. 27 by a vote of 64-52. It passed the Senate the following day, 31-24. Because the votes took place after May 31, and because it did not pass both chambers by at least a three-fifths majority, under the Illinois Constitution the new law cannot take effect until June 1, 2022, unless lawmakers come back and pass an identical bill during the 2022 session, which begins in January.

* * *

RENTAL FUNDING: The application period for a new round of financial assistance to renters through the Illinois Housing Development Authority will be delayed one month as the application portal undergoes additional testing, although funding remains available through other state programs.

The latest round of funding, provided by the American Rescue Plan Act signed into law by President Joe Biden earlier this year, includes more than $250 million that IHDA said it expects will help 27,000 Illinois renters. The application window, which was scheduled to open Monday, will now be open from Dec. 6 to Jan. 9.

Amy Lee, a spokesperson for IHDA, said the delay was due to the departments efforts to switch to a new application portal for this round of funding.

The new portal was built to accommodate the rental assistance program as well as a yet-to-launch mortgage assistance program, Lee said, but testing conducted Friday night showed it would not likely be able to withstand heavy traffic.

Despite the delay, rental assistance funding is still available through other state programs run by the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Renters may still be able to access assistance through an IDHS provider agency. A list of provider agencies, as well as organizations helping with utility bills, free legal aid and additional services can be found at www.illinoisrentalassistance.org/.

The court-based program is available to Illinois residents outside of Cook County and applies to those with active eviction cases. Tenants hoping to access the funding can apply for up to 12 months of past-due rent and up to three months of future rent payments using their eviction court case number at ilrpp.ihda.org.

Lee said IHDA did not expect to begin distributing funding from the latest round of assistance until Dec. 13, and that date is unchanged with the latest delay in launching the platform.

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SPRINGFIELD  About 4,000 Illinois residents are on waiting lists for organ and tissue donations. A new public service announcement in honor of National Donor Sabbath is a reminder that most religious faiths embrace organ donation.

The PSA released by Secretary of State Jesse White features Phillip Hanks of Joliet. The father of six says he's alive today because of his faith in God and an organ donor who gave him five internal organs.

National Donor Sabbath started Friday and ends Sunday. It's an annual event in which varying faith communities collaborate to raise awareness about donations.

"Many people buy into the myth that their religion does not support organ donation," White said. "However, most religions honor and respect organ donation as an act of generosity."

The United Network for Organ Sharing indicates that major religious groups supporting the practice include Judaism, Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism and other Christian denominations.

Nationally, 107,000 people are awaiting organ or tissue transplants, including the 4,000 in Illinois, where about 300 people die annually because organs or tissue are not available.

The PSA was distributed to about 100 radio stations statewide. It can be heard on the secretary of state's Life Goes On website.

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Because they end up in so many foods and so many products, corn and soybeans have become the staff of life for an entire planet, all grown right here in the midriff of Illinois.

But they sure are boring to drive past, arent they?

Think Interstate 55 as it slices through the state.

Just how dull and repetitive  corn row after bean field in the middle of a prairie  is it after youve traveled it for miles?

No one sings about the amber waves of beans.

No one plans a vacation around watching corn pollinate.

Your kids or grandkids can ask  Are we there yet?  and you havent even passed the Towanda or McLean exit.

But there are benefits.

Two guys from rural Missouri, for example  their names are Michael Rubenstein and Chad Wallis  on drives from west of St. Louis to Chicago, found the stretch so boring, they decided to drop $20 million.

After fun thought, deep analysis and open arms from Pontiac leaders, they concluded the Livingston County town proud of its Route 66 heritage might also be the perfect spot.

Or, allow me to put all this in the form of a question:

Have you visited Wallys yet?

Open a year now in an ex-cornfield on the edge of Pontiac, it is a travel-stop island and bored-drivers-family-in-need-of-a-restroom magnet that rivets back to those Stuckeys or HoJo Oases that dotted yesterdays highways and compares today with the Buc-ees stores of the South that interrupt the travel dullsville of Texas.

You cant miss Wallys.

At night, so nicely lit, even spacecraft floating overhead must surely see it and be tempted to stop.

A store of 30,000 square feet on a spread of 20 acres, with (not a typo) 76 gas pumps and a separate canopied area for electric vehicles, it boasts its not a truck stop, but instead a center for families to enjoy a break. Home of the Great American Road Trip, it boasts.

For Pontiac, it could be a nirvana, too.

Besides supplying up to 140 jobs, it is bringing travelers in 20-minute splits with money in their pockets and is said to have even kept Pontiac homeowners  at least temporarily  from a real-estate tax increase.

Its a business model that is working  for everyone, says Scott McCoy, a former Pontiac mayor, now of Normal, whose familys construction company was a general contractor in building Wallys.

Everything about Wallys is gargantuan.

Inside are experience stations  a Wallys Sandwich House (barbecue/brisket carving), a full bakery, a popcorn bar, a coffee cafe, a beverage wall with (not a typo here, either) 60 drink flavors. In the middle of the mammoth one-stop is a 42-foot vaulted glass ceiling overhead.

Between rows and rows of snacks, trinkets, random stuff, a beer cave and retail garb that only fits here (if in pursuit of your own Wally hat or Walle-lujah sportswear, this is your place), inside is an actual Winnebago, set up for a Sunday family picnic, reminiscent of olden days. Out front is a wood-trimmed Wagoneer, just like in the 60s.

Did we mention jerky?

At Wallys, there is a massive, wall-length, floor-to-ceiling display of beef jerky.

People love that stuff, a nice woman tells us. We had a man from Milwaukee purposely bring down his two sons on what he called a 'beef jerky weekend retreat.'

Restrooms?

They are not only very clean, they are an adventure, equipped with faucet-less sinks  you place your hands under a tube above the sink basin and move your hands along, first getting a dash of soap under the left side of the tube, then moving your hands over to get water, then over another few inches to get blasts of hand-drying air that come with such force, my wife said it also restyled her hair.

There is nothing else around here like this place, smiles and smirks the woman at the checkout.

Part of its magic, of course, is also its reason  nothing more than a nice interruption from staring at a highway.

If someone would exclaim after an exciting sporting event, or great musical concert, or fantastic meal  Hey, to cap off the night, lets stop now at a large convenience store for a grape Slush and Wallys hat!  youd check their temperature.

But after miles of corn-and-bean-edged concrete and an anxious bladder, a place like Wallys is a mecca  not only highly modern but also with a strong wisp of the past.

Remember Wallys filling station, staffed by Gomer and Goober, on the 60s "Andy Griffith" episodes that remain popular in syndication today.

You do, dont you?

Welcome to the Wallys of the 21st century.

Bill Flick is at bflick@pantagraph.com.

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In workplaces and living rooms across the country, people are having hard conversations about the COVID-19 vaccine. And with Thanksgiving around the corner, we'll soon be navigating these vaccination questions for family get-togethers and holiday gatherings. Talking about vaccination can arouse deep-seated anxieties related to safety, health and autonomy.

High-stakes conversations like these can unravel quickly. Wrong words or bad assumptions can thrust a relationship into repetitive cycles of defensiveness, mistrust and antagonism. If you've ever seen Thanksgiving dinner devolve into a shouting argument about politics, you know what this looks like  and you know how painful it can be, not only for the people involved but for a whole community.

The conversations we have in private are also microcosms of our public discourse, where some people bemoan "anti-vaxxers" who "don't believe in science" while unvaccinated people who are anxious about the government or the medical system might feel that their concerns aren't being heard at all. This dynamic serves no one. It generates even more mistrust and makes us no safer or healthier.

How do we do better? We can begin by drawing out the individual experiences that lie beneath a person's values and perspectives. The intricacy and subtlety of a person's own story can interrupt these toxic cycles  without asking anyone to compromise their core beliefs.

Differing decisions

I have a friend who got pregnant during COVID-19. Weighing the risks and benefits with her doctor, she chose not to get vaccinated. She and her partner had struggled with fertility for so long, they were terrified to complicate the pregnancy. Another friend, with the same basic background and the same information, got vaccinated the second she was eligible after getting pregnant. She was terrified of complicating an already high-risk pregnancy with COVID-19.

These two friends began, more or less, in the same place. They arrived at different decisions through a series of values-based choices. They made the best decisions they could at each step, trying to protect themselves and their pregnancies.

I have another friend who has a compromised immune system. After the vaccine was approved, she drove for 10 hours from Colorado to Kansas to get vaccinated  it was the closest available appointment. Yet another friend, with a congenital kidney disorder, has yet to get vaccinated. The doctor said that they truly could not predict the side effects of the vaccine, or its effectiveness, for people with the disease. Balancing the risks, they decided that it is safer to follow other precautions, like masking. Now my friend is worried that, at some point, they'll be mandated by their employer or by the government to get it anyway.

These and many, many other individual stories explode the public debate over vaccinations, which oversimplifies the decisions people face and villainizes those who disagree with you. Few people would enter honestly into a conversation where they expect to be demeaned. Those conversations are pre-determined to fail  they fail to persuade, they fail to make us all safer, they fail to sustain our relationships and communities.

Policies and trust

As long as we're engaging in toxic, polarized, zero-sum debates about COVID-19 vaccinations, we're going to struggle to build effective policies and public trust, both of which are needed for public health.

We can begin to change the national conversation by having better conversations about vaccination in our private lives. It's not easy, but it's not impossible. If you want to engage in a deeper, more meaningful dialogue about vaccines, especially with someone who might disagree with you, here are three questions to ask yourself before you start the conversation:

What is my goal for this conversation? Before you dive in, make sure you have a goal that the other person would sign up for. Instead of trying to change a person's opinion, try to learn more about the values or personal experiences behind their choice. Or enter with the goal of helping them feel heard and seen, especially if they're in the minority in your community. You may find that the conversation leaves you both changed in ways you couldn't predict.

Where do I feel conflicted and where does my thinking defy expectations? Most people hold nuanced views about the issues that matter most to them, but rarely get to share those perspectives in all their complexity. Start by thinking about the areas where your own view is less clear or certain than people might assume. Decide what you're willing to share. Maybe you have mixed feelings about bodily autonomy and mandates, or you don't completely trust pharmaceutical companies, or you worry about spreading COVID unknowingly. Opening up about your own reflections, feelings and values will make it possible for other people to do the same.

How can I ask a question that invites a personal story rather than an opinion? Questions can open people up or close them off. Try to ask questions that invite a personal story or experience, or to share what's at the heart of the matter in regards to their perspective. Ask questions like: "What do you wish people understood about your decision?" or "What in your decision most resonates with a value about how you want to live your life?"

People are always changed by what they hear in a deeper, truer conversation with someone else in their community  even if their view or choice remains the same as it was at the start. There is no way to know the outcome of a genuine, open, curious conversation until you actually have one.

But one thing is certain. Without better conversations, without interrupting the toxic cycles of polarization, we will not be able to meet the challenges that face our communities today. Better conversations are crucial if we are to live and work in community, to thrive in community and to survive as a democracy. If nothing else, the COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us all that our futures are intertwined.

Katie Hyten is co-executive director of Essential Partners, which equips people to live and work better together by building trust and understanding across differences.

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100 years ago

Nov. 14, 1921: 13 hijackers broke into a Pekin whiskey storage vault, bound and gagged two watchmen, and made off with 16 barrels of bonded whiskey. The liquid loot is worth about $34,000, making it one of the greatest whiskey hauls ever in Illinois. The thieves are still loose.

75 years ago

Nov. 14, 1946: A Michigan labor union has asked the BPD to do some detective work. An 89-year old carpenter named Albert Fackeral is trying to find his sister Emma, now married to a doctor these last 40 years. The old man is fine, but needs to list his next of kin for when he dies.

50 years ago

Nov. 14, 1971: Congressional redistricting handed Rep. William Springer parts of McLean, Piatt, DeWitt, and Macon Counties. Its mostly Republican territory. But Springer, a Champaign Republican, has just shocked everyone by declaring he wont seek reelection.

25 years ago

Nov. 14, 1996: Another fire has struck ISUs Watterson Towers, home to 2,000 students. This one was believed accidental, the result of a cigarette tossed into a waste can. Loss was estimated at $10,000. A recent, more costly blaze at Watterson was the product of a prank gone bad.

Compiled by Jack Keefe; jkeefe@coldwellhomes.com.
Dr Priscilla Twumasi Baffour, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Economics, University of Ghana, has urged the Government to pay attention to sectors that will create "massive" employment for young people in the 2022 Budget.



She said focus should be on the agro-processing and manufacturing sectors, especially because they were the real sectors of the economy.



In a discussion on the budget, Dr Baffour said the countrys 2020 growth rate, which stood at 0.4 per cent, spoke volumes of the state of the economy and its impact on livelihoods.



The way out for the Government is to consistently work on developing the real sectors of the economy. We should focus on sectors that are massive on employment generation for young people. In that regard, we are looking at agro-processing, and the manufacturing sectors, she said.



She attributed the countrys economic challenges to the impact of COVID-19, saying the ordinary Ghanaian was feeling it through increasing transportation fares and food prices, among other things.



Dr Baffour, therefore, advised governments communication machinery to be sensitive to the plight of the people in its response to criticisms about the state of the economy and the welfare of the people.



If you say the critics should prove what they are saying, I do not know how best they can prove that but the reality is that people need jobs, rent is going up, fuel prices are up, she said, adding; The strategy for government going forward should not be to attack the messengers but look at the merit of it.



Mr Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, a member of the Legal Team of the National Democratic Congress, accused the Government of spending so much on consumption and investing less in capital projects that would yield returns for the country.



The COVID-19 pandemic could not be an excuse for government, he said, stressing that the countrys current debt stock suggested that it (government) benefitted from the pandemic.



Dr Stephen Amoah, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), said an assessment of the economy should be made in its totality taking into consideration the state of the economy prior to the assumption of office in 2017 of the President Akufo-Addo-led Administration.



Last year, our revenue generation shortfall was over 14 billion cedis and yet we had statutory and interest payments. These are realities of the global impact on us and they are things you cannot do much about, he said.



The 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government will be presented to Parliament on Wednesday, November 17, 2021.



This is in accordance with Article 179 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 21 (3) of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016, (Act 921).

Source: GNA









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The son of Libya's late leader Muammar al-Gaddafi has registered as a candidate in the country's first direct presidential election next month.



Saif al-Islam Gaddafi was once the heir apparent to his father, but his support for a brutal crackdown on protesters 10 years ago tarnished his image.



Since that 2011 uprising, Libya has been riven by conflict.



Rights groups have raised fears the vote, scheduled for 24 December, will not be free and fair.



World powers and the UN secretary-general have warned that anyone who tries to obstruct it or falsify the outcome will face sanctions.



Photos and video circulating online show Saif al-Islam Gaddafi sitting in front of a poster for the upcoming poll, signing electoral papers.







Bearded and wearing traditional Libyan clothing, he addressed the camera and cited a verse from the Koran that translates as, "judge between us and our people in truth"."God always prevails in his purpose," he also said, citing another chapter of the Muslim holy book, and adding from another section - "even if the unbelievers hate it".It is a very different image from the one he presented before the uprising that brought down his father in 2011.In the aftermath of Muammar Gaddafi's brutal end, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi was himself captured by a militia.He was held for six years, receiving a death sentence that was later overturned.Mr Gaddafi is still wanted on war crimes charges by the International Criminal Court but has gradually re-emerged onto the public stage, including via an interview to the New York Times from his villa in Zintan earlier this year

Source: BBC









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Renowned herbal practitioner and founder of Natural Way Herbal Clinic in Ghana, Dr John Quaye Danyansah Wiafe Akenteng, has been decorated with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in a ceremony at his Clinic in Santa Maria, Accra.



It was Rectitude International Mission (RIM) and World Diplomatic Federation (WODIF), a reputable award governing body that recommended the modern-day herbal practitioner to the governing Council at George Fox University in Newberg, OR, USA.



And for his efforts, Dr Wiafe Akenteng received a citation signed by Professor Tyler Cuddeford, PT, PhD, Associate Dean, George Fox University, College of Physical Therapy with the inscription "Upon recommendation and by the authority of the Associate Dean, the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Medicine (Herbal) and health administration Honoris Causa is hereby conferred upon Mr John Quaye Danyansah Wiafe Akenteng with all the rights, privileges, and obligations thereto appertaining. He was also decorated with a silver-plated medal.



The Chief Executive Chancellor, WODIF, His Meritorious Eminence Dr (Rev) Christian Kwetey Kweitsu said  We identify groups and individuals who are impacting lives. We want to say you are doing well, keep it up.



Dr Wiafe Akentengs operations have been scientifically certified and approved by Food and Drugs Authority and Standard Authority over the years.



He added, The potency of his medical formulation makes him outstanding in Ghana and beyond. Dr Wiafe has remained as a herbal science Educationist on radio and TV for the past 10 years, and we at Rectitude International Mission (RIM) and World Diplomatic Federation

(WODIF) commend you and your hardworking staff.



Professor Tyler Cuddeford, PT, PhD, Associate Dean, George Fox University, College of Physical Therapy said, We are honouring a man who has supported this community and beyond a great deal.



And responding to the great honour, Dr Wiafe Akenteng stated I am honestly grateful for the recognition. I have faced a lot of challenges, but I must say it has toughened me. I promise to get better to get more recognition.



The herbal practitioners scientific herbal research has made him discover quite a lot of plants that were hitherto unidentified to the herbal blog.



Indeed, this feat has now taken a height, thereby making many others follow him on his social media handles, making use of his herbal research findings.



Many prominent herbal medicine practitioners take their inspiration from Dr Wiafes hard work.



He is considered as a celebrated icon and model of transition and transformation in the herbal-health division, having taken the natural way of health delivery to treat patients who have chronic kidney and other health challenges to receive relief and good health.



Natural Way Herbal Clinic is a leading health centre (specialized in total kidney treatment) in Ghana which has positively impacted the lives of many both home and overseas.











Source: Kofi Aduonum









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Seven bodies have been retrieved after a canoe which was ferrying some students of the Saint Charles Lwanga Junior High School (JHS) at Saboba in the Northern Region capsized on the Oti River.



Three other students were still missing as of press time yesterday.



The victims were among 31 students of the school who had allegedly gone to work on their headmasters farm earlier in the day and were returning home in batches when the disaster struck.



According to sources, the students went to the farm of the headmaster, Mr Emmanuel Chinja, to harvest rice, and upon returning home 10 of the students on board a canoe, which they were paddling themselves, capsized.



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The Saboba District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr Shine Zoiku, confirmed the incident and said personnel of the Ghana Police Service and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), as well as some residents of the area were on a mission to retrieve the remaining bodies from the river.





He called on residents of the area to help identify the bodies.



The District Chief Executive of Saboba, Mr George Bingrini, also confirmed the incident to the Daily Graphic but said he could not speak about it because he was rushing to the scene.



Eyewitness account



According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred at Buntu, a farming community near Saboba, yesterday afternoon.





They said on their return from the farm, the students were paddling two canoes by themselves but one of the canoes could not reach its destination as it capsized.



The headmaster is said to be assisting the police in their investigation.





Source: graphiconline.com









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The Hohoe District Police Command in the Volta Region has arrested a driver and his conductor to assist in an investigation over the ownership of ammunition found on their commercial vehicle.



The suspect driver, Robert Ofosu Nyanor, 50, and his conductor, Godwin Aniwo, 32, were arrested upon a tip-off.



The Volta Regional Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Effia Tenge, who confirmed the incident to DGN Online said the ammunition intercepted included two cartons of AAA and BBB cartridges which were on board their red Yutong bus with registration number GT 5919-16.



According to her, the 29 passengers on board the vehicle which was en-route to Kpassa in the Oti Region have all denied ownership of the cartridges.



She added that the driver was traveling from Accra when the police traveling on intelligence, flagged it for a search at 3:45 p.m.



Meanwhile, the two cartons containing the cartridges were found concealed in the side compartment of the bus during the search.



The vehicle carrying the ammunition has since been impounded as the suspects have been released on inquiry bail while the investigation is ongoing.







Source: Daily Guide









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Yaw Buaben Asamoa, Director of Communications for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has slated former President John Dramani Mahama for speaking to issues as if he has not run affairs of the country before.



According to him, Mr Mahama sometimes portrays the character of someone yet to ascend to the highest office of the land; forgetting that he was once a Vice-President, an acting President and later President of Ghana.



Speaking on Okay FMs Ade Akye Abia Morning Show, the NPP Communications Director pointed out that as President, Mr Mahama had the chance to create the new regions to bring development down to the grassroots level but lacked the will and know-how to execute it.



" . . He (John Mahama) has no right to speak ill of President Akufo-Addo with regards to the creation of the new regions when he could not help the people with their request for new regions.



He sometimes talks as if he has not been a President of this country before, he chided.



Mr Buaben Asamoa urged the former President to acknowledge the effort of President Akufo-Addo to go through the legal process and commit resources to create the new regions as he promised the people in the new regions.



"After creating the new regions, the President didnt go to sleep but he invested funds to make the new regions see the same development as the old regions. The President has moved a step further to spreading the various sectors to cover all the other districts other than the district capital to ensure that development reaches out to all corners of the regions, he argued.



We have to remind former President Mahama about all the feats of President Akufo-Addo as he [Mahama] moves around with his Thank You tour, saying something bad about the new regions that he couldnt create while in office as President, he indicated.

Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com









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FILE PHOTO: Former Prime Minister of Malaysia Muhyiddin Yassin chaired the APEC 2020 (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) meeting of the heads of state level through a video conference in Kuala Lumpur on November 20, 2020. (Photo: Farid Bin Tajuddin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

By Ravil Shirodkar

Malaysia should reopen its borders to international visitors by Jan. 1 to revive its sluggish tourism sector, the Star reported, citing a government advisory council.

While the country has gradually reopened its economy amid declining COVID-19 cases, the tourism industry is recovering too slowly without foreigners, the report cited National Recovery Council Chairman Muhyiddin Yassin as saying.

Infection control measures such as COVID-19 tests will continue, with authorities to determine entry of foreigners based on the pandemic situation in originating countries, other local media cited the former prime minister as saying.

The proposal comes days after Malaysia opened a vaccinated travel lane with Singapore, its first such initiative with another country, and agreed to begin a travel corridor with Indonesia early next year.

 2021 Bloomberg L.P.
Many prominent area Democrats are lining up behind Gov. Kathy Hochul as the primary race next year for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination gets underway, but others say its too soon to take sides.

Kathy Hochul  all the way, said Warren County Democratic Chairwoman Lynne Boecher.

Her experience in the trenches with local government right on up gives her expertise, Boecher said. Shes very popular in our county, and her stance on issues is not extreme on either end.

Boecher said she was expressing her personal opinion, because the county committee has not yet voted on an endorsement.

I am getting a lot of people on my committee who are of the same mindset, she said.

Hochul, formerly lieutenant governor, became governor in August when former Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned.

She is seeking the Democratic nomination next year for a full four-year term.

State Attorney General Letitia James, of Brooklyn, announced her candidacy on Oct. 29 for the June gubernatorial primary.

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams has formed an exploratory committee, and outgoing New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has said he has not ruled out running for governor.

U.S. Rep. Thomas Suozzi, D-Queens, and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone also have been mentioned as potential candidates.

I think Governor Hochuls doing a great job. I have long been a fan of hers, said state Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake.

My personal choice is Kathy Hochul, said Glens Falls 3rd Ward Supervisor Claudia Braymer. I think that makes for a much stronger candidate for us here in Warren County than Tish James.

Braymer said that Hochul, from the Buffalo area, has a better understanding of upstate issues, in general, and is familiar with Warren County.

Braymer said she wishes that James would run for re-election as attorney general instead of running for governor.

Larry Dudley of Glens Falls, too, said that he wishes that James would run for re-election as attorney general.

I do think Kathy would be better (as governor), certainly for upstate, said Dudley, a political campaign consultant and chairman of the Glens Falls Democracy for America chapter, the political organization that former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean founded.

Dudley said that he advises candidates looking to run against an incumbent that First you have to convince people to fire the person in office, then you have to convince them to hire you. At this moment, I see no good reason to fire Hochul.

Glens Falls Mayor-elect Bill Collins said neither candidate has asked for his endorsement, and he will not make an endorsement before the primary.

Im going to stay out of that race and let the Democrats across the state decide, he said. I think Kathy Hochul was a great lieutenant governor and has been great to Glens Falls, and I look forward to working with her if she is the one the voters want.

Saratoga County Democratic Chairman Todd Kerner said he expects to endorse a candidate at some point, but has not decided which one.

I dont think its prudent to just jump, he said. I want to see who is in the field, and see how they are doing.

Former Democratic congressional candidate Patrick Nelson, a state Democratic Committee member, said he is still evaluating candidates.

I want to hear from the candidates and see their positions.  Its a long road, said Nelson, the Stillwater Democratic chairman.

The level of commitment that candidates demonstrate for establishing a universal health care system in New York will be a big factor, he said.

Upstate issues are another factor, and he likes that Hochul is from outside New York City.

Having that perspective in New York government is valuable to me, he said.

Yet, its conceivable that a New York City-based candidate could pick a running mate from upstate.

Give me a Tish James, Senator Hinchey ticket, and I am probably there, he said, referring to state Sen. Michelle Hinchey, D-Saugerties, chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Governor and lieutenant governor nominees are decided on separate ballots in New York primaries, but candidates for the two nominations typically campaign as a team.

The Republican Party also is expected to have a gubernatorial primary.

U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-Long Island, has endorsements of most county Republican committees, including Warren and Washington.

Other candidates are former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, the 2014 GOP gubernatorial candidate; Andrew Giuliani, who worked in the Trump administration and is the son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani; Derrick Gibson, a podcast host and former boxer from Queens; and Lewis County Sheriff Michael Carpinelli.

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GLENS FALLS  Three rapid taps woke 5-year-old Steven Brodt from the middle of a deep sleep.

Sleeping over at his grandmothers house, he lay alone in the guest bedroom, groggily trying to figure out what time it was. It was still pitch-black out, his grandmother wouldnt be waking him for breakfast now, would she? He slowly pulled the covers off of his head and froze. At the end of his bed sat a bent figure, a thin veil draped over her face. Silhouetted by the faint light coming from the hall, she prodded him with the end of her cane.

So I threw the covers over my head and peeked out for the rest of the night ... and she wasnt out there. I could not fall asleep, Brodt said, recalling that night as he leaned against a wall, covered floor to ceiling with Ouija boards. His grandmother tried to comfort him the next morning, telling him it was just a dream.

And I said, No, this lady was here. I can see the indent on the bed where she was sitting.

What for others would create a life-long fear instigated a career for professional paranormal investigator Steven Brodt from South Glens Falls.

Over two decades after his first encounter with the paranormal, he now dedicates his life to helping others experience what he did.

Brodts Glens Falls event company Haunted Nights specializes in conducting tours of famously haunted locations across America, providing an affordable opportunity for patrons to utilize professional ghost-hunting equipment and experience their very own haunted night.

Despite doing tours nearly every week, Brodt never gets tired of it.

Every event Im investigating with people Ive never investigated with before, he said, eyes gleaming with excitement. Whether theyve been investigating for five minutes or five years, their mind works differently. Theyre going to look at situations differently, theyre gonna think of questions youd have never thought of, they might think to do something youd never thought of; their brain is just going to look at everything in a different light.

Brodt speaks quickly, his words fueled by an unparalleled excitement and passion for his profession. Its a passion which he has found cannot be contained to only his words, spilling out into his interior and exterior design.

Two 10-foot Home Depot skeletons act as sentinels on either side of his residential home, glaring at passersby with their red, LED eyes. Zombies claw their way out of the freshly trimmed lawn while two ghoulish children watch from the porch. A clap from Brodt causes the animatronic fiends to laugh maniacally and shout trick or treat with unbridled malice. Next to them on the porch, two skeletons communicate to the great beyond using a Ouija board.

Stepping over the welcome mat styled after a Ouija board, hooking a right past the Ouija board framings on the wall, trekking up a narrow set of steps, and taking a sharp left reveals the room in the house that is unmistakably Brodts.

Ouija boards are hung on the wall from floor to ceiling, three wheelchairs from sanitariums occupy each corner, a bed frame from a penitentiary displays planchettes (wooden pointers used on Ouija boards), and an autopsy table from a funeral home is propped up against three gravestone heads from the 1800s.

Standing in the midst of his collection, Brodt is quick to state how grateful he is for all that his wife, Sidney Scacchetti, puts up with.

She tolerates a lot as you can see, he said, smiling as he looked at the sanatorium wheelchair she had gifted him for their wedding. Its like, the Ouija boards she doesnt really care about, wheelchairs she doesnt really care about.

Scacchetti had a bit of hesitation about the autopsy table, but that was only because it was gross. There is really only one piece of haunted memorabilia that Scacchetti wishes Brodt hadnt brought home.

The last addition is out in the garage and, uh  that would be  his name is Skippy.

Back down the stairs, over the welcome mat, past the skeletons, around the house, and Brodt opens the garage door.

On the ground next to a dusty, black and gray motorcycle lies Skippy, in the coffin he was originally buried in.

Believe it or not, I bought him on Facebook Marketplace, Brodt said. For the nice price of $200, you can own a human skeleton.

Though Brodts collection of the occult could be to blame for Ouija boards randomly flying off the wall or footsteps loudly marching up the stairs toward their bedroom, Scacchetti knows how much joy it brings him.

I think over time I just honestly grew indifferent about it, Scacchetti said. We do have some weird stuff that happens in the house every now and then, but I think Im just so accustomed to it now. It doesnt even phase me anymore.

Not only does Scacchetti put up with haunted happenings inside the home, she works to support Brodts ghostly tours.

Shes what keeps everything running, he said.

Acting as administrator, organizer, marketer and merchandise designer for Haunted Nights, Scacchetti does everything she can to help Brodt keep his dream alive.

Hes kind of like the dream-holder of it and Im kind of like: all right, does this make sense right now, she said with a laugh. We definitely balance each other.

Brodt credits the support from his family for getting him to where he is now. From his mother introducing him to the paranormal shows that inspired his career, to both his mother and his grandfather joining him in founding and operating the South Glens Falls Paranormal Society when he was in high school, his family has always avidly supported his chosen career.

I always told them when we were talking: ghost-hunting is going to be my job, Brodt said.

After appearing on Travel Channel and gaining enough publicity to quit his day job and begin working full-time with Haunted Nights, he remembers an important moment when he asked his family for their thoughts.

They were like: Go for it. Nows your chance. If you can pay your bills, we dont care what you do, Brodt said, proudly eyeing the Haunted Nights logo on his shirt. Theyve been really helpful, super supportive.

I think its great what hes doing, said Castleton University student Anna DiFiore, Brodts cousin. Theres a huge audience for it and people are interested, and I just love how he has this business that has just sky-rocketed.

Scacchetti echoes these thoughts. Having known Brodt since elementary school and having been married to him since 2017, she has been a part of this journey from the beginning.

Im just super proud of him. This is his dream, she said. He always wanted to turn the paranormal into a job somehow, and I think up until a few years ago he wasnt sure if it was gonna happen or how to make it happen. Im just super proud of him and couldnt be happier that hes doing what he wants to do.

When Brodt was 15, he was visiting his grandmothers house once again for Christmas dinner. Walking casually through the familiar home, something different caught his attention: a family photo that he had never seen before, taken before he was born. Though he did not recognize everyone in the photo, a certain figure with a thin veil and a cane was all too familiar to him; he had seen her at the end of his bed a decade earlier.

I picked up the picture and walked up to my grandmother, Brodt recalled. I said, Whos this? And she said, Oh, thats your great-grandmother. She passed away right before you were born. And I said, This was the lady that was sitting on my bed 10 years ago.

Brodt paused before delivering the final part of his story.

My grandma just looked at me and said, Well, you were sleeping on her bed frame that night, it kind of makes sense.

This encounter with a relative he had never gotten a chance to meet inspired Brodt to pursue a career that he loves, and the support of the rest of his family keeps him going strong down its path.

So when presented with new and exciting opportunities like the possibility of getting to host a Haunted Nights event all the way in California, his planchette stays permanently fixed over yes.

Luke McGee is a junior Media and Communication student at Castleton University focusing on video production. He lives in Castleton, Vermont, and this story was written for a feature writing course taught by David Blow, a Castleton professor and freelance journalist.

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We didnt want to paint in the dead of winter, Scanlon said, so they decided to start some of the exterior work before closing on the sale. He expects that to happen within six weeks.

We hope to be open by Memorial Day, Scanlon said.

The Madison was one of three hotels built together in the early 20th century. The others were the Adams and the Jefferson, and they are long gone, according to Salvato.

The building is incredible, an Atlantic City diamond in the rough. It has nowhere to go but up, Mermelstein said. Im 70, and Im excited. Im not the only one.

Scanlon said COVID has caused more people to want to be in smaller facilities.

People want more space and to be somewhat away from big crowds, Scanlon said. In casinos, you can see 4,000 to 5,000 people before you get to your room.

And the Madison has high ceilings, huge windows and 100-year-old crown molding. Some rooms have fabulous views, but others look out onto a decrepit and disused parking garage next door, owned by a different company.

Still, the design touches are only found in older buildings.
Nicholas Seppy was one of the millions of students over the last two years who have had to navigate school shutdowns, virtual learning and the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, the 19-year-old from Egg Harbor Township will be helping in the effort to rebuild from the pandemic as a member of his local school board

Seppy, a sophomore at Stockton University, was elected to the Egg Harbor Township Board of Education on Nov. 2. He is a 2020 graduate of Egg Harbor Township High School, where he served as the student liaison to the school board during his senior year.

Seppy said he sees his work as an elected official for the school district as a way to continue to give to his community after his high school graduation.

Initially, I wanted to just step it up and give back to my community, as Ive lived in Egg Harbor Township my entire life, and I wanted to sort of continue my service in an official position, he said.

As someone who attended township schools from kindergarten through 12th grade, Seppy said he has the unique perspective of a recent graduate to offer.
Vo, who has applied to Columbia University with hopes of majoring in computer science, said hed recommend the AI camp to other students.

I enjoyed doing the labs specifically because I was able to see hands-on how these programs work, he said.

The AI boot camp was founded by Mark Cuban in 2019. This year, the boot camps will be brought to more than 320 students in 13 cities across the country. The foundations goal is to have 1,000 students graduate from AI boot camps each year by 2023.

Leonard Brinson Jr., senior vice president and chief information officer at South Jersey Industries, shared why he was so excited to get this opportunity with the Mark Cuban Foundation.

Were able to give underserved students an opportunity to learn about new career paths involving artificial intelligence, Brinson said. Were going to be able to provide them with support along the way, and before you know it, were going to have a lot of kids who lived in Atlantic City working for South Jersey Industries, and I am looking forward to that.

Brinson said he hopes the students will take the opportunity to intern with SJI.

Every student who completed the boot camp was awarded with a computer from SJI as a gift for their hard work and dedication during the four-week course.

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Another parent of a Mainland student, Marie Alena DAgostino, said she lives nearby and heard the sirens as emergency responders rushed to the scene. She also called for additional traffic safety measures near the school, saying some neighbors have called for a traffic light in the past.

The proposal was also discussed at length on a Facebook page dedicated to Linwood residents, with some writing that they were worried about pedestrians crossing the road and about the speed at which vehicles travel along New Road.

Other writers said a new pedestrian crossing light was installed at New Road and Monroe Avenue and that it works well. It is about 1,000 feet from where the accident took place.

That light was installed after a proposal for a mid-block light was rejected, Matik said. The aim was to improve safety for students, as well as for parents and community members heading to the school for games or otherwise crossing New Road.

Bonanno, a candidate for the Linwood Board of Education this year who is still waiting for final results in a close race, said the lighted pedestrian sign is not enough. She said it is in the shade of trees and too easy to miss, especially as traffic accelerates in the area.

I dont think its quite sufficient, she said.
Longtime Mayor Bill Curtis said flooding has been part of living in Bay Head his entire life. But recent events have raised the alarm.

Its about time we tried to do something, because its getting worse, Curtis said. We decided enough is enough.

A preliminary plan unveiled Tuesday at a town hall meeting suggested a mix of short and long-term steps the borough could take. One recommendation borrows a proposal from the state and federal plan, installing a flood gate on Scow Ditch, a narrow body of water that connects Barnegat Bay to the south with Twilight Lake to the north.

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The town also is considering building an earthen berm around the edges of the lake to keep its waters from spilling over into neighborhoods during high tides or bad storms. The berm would be covered with plants and trees to form the kind of living shoreline that most environmentalists advocate.

Rick McGoey, a member of Bay Heads environmental commission who gave the presentation, said nuisance flooding occurs in town between 12 to 18 times a year; major flooding occurs 6 to 7 times a year. But those frequencies are sure to rise, he added.
Meanwhile, Ocean City has gotten its power from huge unsightly towers and powerlines spread across the mainland, has gotten millions of dollars mainly from people in the interior to keep replenishing its beaches, and $400 million from the federal government for the lavish new driveway into the resort (which vastly increased the value of the citys property and businesses). And now city people want to be paid because sometimes they might see tiny wind turbines on the horizon?

The worst thing about Ocean Citys poor grasp of climate, clean energy and public policy is that it creates a pointless distraction from where attention is much needed in the creation of Americas offshore wind industry. How that industry is developed and who pays for it will matter greatly to everyone in New Jersey and beyond.
If you watch the news, you get the impression that America is not doing well under the Biden administration. The media does not do justice to the great things that are happening in the country as a result of the Biden administration. President Biden has: cut child poverty in half, added 5.3 million jobs, recovered 80% of the jobs lost under the Trump recession, vaccinated 220 million Americans, reduced the deficit by $360 billion in one year, passed historic infrastructure investments for water, bridges, roads, and broadband. The Dow/401(k)s have been at an all-time high, hes taken important steps toward ending global warming and is trying to pass legislation to continue this process. These are all measures that directly affect Iowa. Despite all the whining, facts are stubborn. The United States is on a good path, thanks to President Joe Biden.
The labor market still has a long way to go to reach the 50-year low unemployment rate of 3.5% held back in February 2020. In October, the number of unemployed Americans was reported at 7.4 million, above the pre-pandemic level of 5.7 million. The number of long-term unemployed  those being jobless for 27 weeks or more  currently stands at 2.3 million, more than double the 1.1 million in February 2020.

A wild-card to the labor market outlook is President Bidens vaccine mandate, set to go into effect on Jan. 4. The mandate requires many American employees to be fully vaccinated. For those allowed an exemption, they must submit to weekly COVID testing. For workers that dont comply, they potentially risk being fired. Others may simply choose to retire. What we dont know is the number of workers who ultimately will be forced out of their job. Will it be in the hundreds of thousands or could it be in the millions?

The U.S. is already in the most severe labor shortage in history with more than 10.4 million unfilled job openings. Does the vaccine mandate suddenly add millions more to this total? The ongoing labor shortage has already disrupted supply chains of raw materials, component parts and finished goods. This has led to soaring consumer prices and limited availability of goods and services. Further strain on the labor market could serve to only intensify these problems. But for now, Wall Street will happily embrace the positive news in the October Employment Report.

Mark Grywacheski is an expert in financial markets and economic analysis and is an investment adviser with Quad-Cities Investment Group, Davenport. Disclaimer: Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. Any prices or quotations contained herein are indicative only and do not constitute an offer to buy or sell any securities at any given price. Information has been obtained from sources considered reliable, but we do not guarantee that the material presented is accurate or that it provides a complete description of the securities, markets or developments mentioned. Quad-Cities Investment Group LLC is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission.

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CHICAGO - Although the Little Village Arch has been considered a symbol of the Mexican immigrant community in the Midwest since it was built nearly three decades ago, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks this month officially designated it a landmark.

The arch, a gateway to Chicagos emblematic 26th Street in the Southwest Side neighborhood made up predominantly of immigrants and Mexican Americans, is the first structure designed by an architect of Mexican descent to gain landmark status in the city.

Im tickled with pride and satisfaction, said congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, who was alderman in the area when the arch was erected in 1990. When we were debating whether a structure of that nature would be accepted by the community and seen as a source of pride and genuine depiction of the people that live in the community, we were taking a risk.

That risk turned into an emblem of the history, culture and contributions of people of Mexican descent in Chicago.

The project was borne out of resistance against the anti-Mexican rhetoric at the time. Over the years, the majestic arch, which mirrors structures at the entrance of many villages in Mexico, has become a symbol that empowered the immigrant community to come out of the shadows, Garcia said.
Tomorrow, Catholic bishops begin their 2021 Plenary Meeting in Baltimore. This will be their first in-person gathering since 2018. The annual gatherings have continued via internet during the height of the Covid pandemic.

These are usually fairly quiet gatherings, of primary interest only to American Catholics and often given but perfunctory coverage by the media. But this year, the bishops are to vote on their ill-advised document on the Eucharist; a thinly-veiled attempt to deny President Joe Biden communion.

The outcry against a proposition more political than theological has given its authors considerable notoriety and criticism. There really is no particular need for a new statement on the Eucharist; it was clearly proposed as a means to ostracize our second Catholic president for his endorsement of Roe v Wades legalization of abortion.

After their last Zoom meeting, the bishops promoting the document received strong push-back from all quarters, including the Vatican, and subsequently softened the documents focus on denying communion to all who supported abortion. But it is expected that diehards will introduce an amendment to that effect and try to force a vote. The bishops fevered preoccupation with the subject aligns conservative Catholics with Christian fundamentalists as part of the GOP's reliable base.
The Daly Mansion is hosting their Holly Jolly Craft Show and Sale, Nov. 19 and 20.

Daly Mansion Events Coordinator Courtney Hartelius said its great to be in person in the beautifully decorated grand home.

This is an event that we look forward to hosting every year, Hartelius said. We are especially excited about this year because last year we had to cancel.

For 2020, the mansion had planned to host the event at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds but still chose to cancel for community safety.

Its been over a year since we had the Holly Jolly and since it has been in the house, Hartelius said. Were really excited about the returning vendors, the new vendors and to see all the attendees enjoying their walk through the house while it is decorated.

The Daly Mansion volunteers will have their annual booth and bake sale and will be serving their Bitterroot famous taco soup in "Hattie's Kitchen."

The mansion also welcomes nonperishable food items that will benefit Hamiltons Haven House, Pantry Partners in Stevensville and the Darby Bread Box. Everyone will receive one raffle ticket per nonperishable food item donated and be entered into the raffle to win a holiday prize from the mansion.

This year the Holly Jolly will feature over 30 local vendors who create a variety of handmade, unique products/crafts, including ceramics, woodworks, jewelry, chocolates and more.

Vendors include 4 Fine Sheep (wool), The Art of Good Food (food), Aspen Grove Farm (food), Big Sky Coin Rings (jewelry), Bitterroot Bling (soaps/jewelry), Capture The Bitterroot (photography), Dorie Cawley (jewelry), Chuck The Fly Guy (fishing flies), Code 3 Embroidery (clothing), Copper Mountain Forge (jewelry), Eagle Arts Pottery (ceramics), Elaine Davis Art (paintings/jewelry), Etc. (home decor), Ezette Zikan Designs (jewelry), The Gnome Realm (home decor), Hillside Designs (ceramics), Kitty Kat Jewelry (jewelry), Laura B. (jewelry), Little Bird Designs (jewelry), Love The Colors (glassware), M+M Crafts (wood), Marks Woodworking (wood), Montana Chocolate Company (food), Montana Vinyl Creations, Nikkos Chocolates (food), Puttin On The Fritz (home decor), Scroll Saw Projects (wood), Shangri-Log Woodworks (wood), Sunburst Wildflowers (photos), A Touch Of Stitchery (clothing), True North Focus (jewelry), Vicki Dawson Artisan Jewelry (jewelry), A Victorian Obsession (jewelry), Weave (jewelry), Wild Turkey Acres (clothing) and The Woolen Ewe (clothing).

Trish Becker, of Wild Turkey Acres, said the Holly Jolly is a quality show and sale event.

Its just magical, Becker said. I love it and when people come they are relaxed and are looking for quality gifts, which is what the mansion has. Everyone should go to the mansion for their holiday shopping.

Ezette Zikan, of Ezette Zikan Designs, said she has been blessed to be a vendor at the Daly Mansion's Holly Jolly holiday show for over ten years.

Every year is just as exciting as the first, it is an honor and a privilege, Zikan said. The Mansion is beautifully decorated, the staff and volunteers are absolutely the best. Making jewelry is my passion.

She said her favorite items are her hand beaded leather wrap bracelets.

Nick Wallner, of Nikko's Chocolates, said it is a pleasure to be at the Daly Mansion.

The Holly Jolly is an amazing show at a wonderful venue, he said.

The Holly Jolly Craft Show and Sale is at the Daly Mansion, 251 Eastside Hwy; between Hamilton and Corvallis. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19 and Saturday, Nov. 20. Entry costs $5 and kids age 12 and under get in free.

The Daly Mansion will also host a Holiday Feature Tour series the second and third weeks of December.

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Hamilton Downtown Association has hired a familiar face as their new executive director.

Robin Pruitt is the Hamilton City Council representative for Ward 1 and serves on the committee of the whole. She is optimistic, enthusiastic, a go-getter and has a heart for the community.

Wonderful, small towns like this dont exist everywhere anymore, Pruitt said, Wednesday. We all are looking towards something that we all agree on, and I think we all agree that our community loves the downtown.

Pruitt said that downtown provides a true sense of community.

You see everybody you know and you get to visit with the business owners that you love and it has that hometown feel, she said. It is worth our investments to help the community to see which direction they want to take it. I feel there is so much potential.

Pruitt has lived in Hamilton for 13 years and is passionate about Hamilton downtown.

As a mother of two young boys, I know there is no better place to raise a family, she said. I love talking with the community about what they love here.

Pruitt brings her degree in political science, years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, community organizing and event planning and said she is eager to collaborate with the community on planning the future of the Hamilton Downtown Association.

As executive director she will be in the HDA office 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays or is happy to set appointments to talk about concerns and ideas.

I encourage folks to come talk to me about how they would like to be involved, the ideas they have for the downtown and how business owners feel they could strengthen their memberships and partnerships, Pruitt said. We know they put their heart and soul into their business or organization. I want to match that enthusiasm and professionalism.

She has been hired in time for the holiday season and rallied volunteers to set holiday lights downtown. She has arranged for the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department to hang the traditional snowflakes around the lights on Thursday, Nov. 18.

Ace and Massa did a rush job to get us new light bulbs for those, Pruitt said. Our community really loves Christmas so had no problem getting people here to decorate trees on Sunday. It is already feeling like a Hallmark Christmas.

Hamilton will have the traditional downtown event the day after Thanksgiving with burn barrels, the Montana A Cappella Society carolers who will be joined by the Bitterroot Valley Chorus around 5:30 p.m. and the tree will be lit at 6 p.m. near the corner of Fourth and Main Streets.

Last year we lit the tree virtually but this year we are really looking forward to having people downtown, Pruitt said. It will be bigger and better than ever. Well have the Christmas stroll so businesses are welcome to stay open late and well have Santa. We want people here.

Pruitt said Hamilton Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf is great and the HDA board is full of great ideas.

We have Gaby Eley from Big Creek, Michelle Biggins from Art Focus, Mark Rud who is the new planner at the Planning Office who works with Matthew Rohrbach and Saige Sturvist with the Copper Poppy, Pruitt said. They all have a lot of energy and are really creative.

Pruitt said her goal is to build trust with the community to build a downtown association that reflects the vibrancy and spirit of this community.

This is an exciting time for our community, and we have the potential to build on the traditions and events that give our downtown its unique character while harnessing the recent growth and interest in the Bitterroot, she said. People are recognizing our town for all the things we have always appreciated, and it is a great time to highlight all the wonderful businesses and amenities that we are so proud of.

Her first official day was on Tuesday but she jumped in early with so much to do.

Its going to be a transition year and I would love for people to be patient with us, she said. We will have some growing pains but everyone has such a good heart for this downtown. I understand that Hamilton is special to the community and Im hoping to build trust. We can do this.

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Scientists at the Western Agriculture Research Center often share their space with mice and packrats in buildings more than a century old.

Recently, theyve had to give up their laboratory after a family of skunks apparently got into a scuffle under what used to be an outdoor porch in a historic building.

All of that is likely to change in the next couple of years with the construction of a new 4,000-square-foot office, lab and education facility mostly funded through a $1.2 million appropriation from the 2021 Montana Legislature.

Before that can happen, the Montana State University System needs to raise a $300,000 match. The fundraising drive begins Monday.

For the last 100 years, researchers having been doing science in old farmhouses and a barn, said Zach Miller, the director of MSUs Western Agriculture Research Center. We want to build something here that will last another 100 years.

From its beginnings in 1893, the agricultural research stations mission has been to help small farm operations grow high-value crops. Initially, their work focused on the apple boom that carved much of the valley into 10-acre orchard lots.

Today the center continues on that same line by focusing its research on higher-value crops  like fruits and vegetables  that can be grown profitably on smaller acreages. Where grain or hay will typically yield less than $1,000 an acre, revenues from specialty crops can range from $3,000 to $5,000 an acre.

Farmers who add value to their crops through processing juices, jams, wines and ciders can tap into even higher profits. Miller said the Bitterroot Valley Willow Mountain Winery and Vineyards gross revenues are projected to be $7,000 per acre for grapes and $50,000 per acre for wine or over $1 million annually from its 20-acre vineyard.

Starting a farm, especially an orchard or vineyard, requires a large investment and patience. To ensure success and return on investment, growers need to know what they are planting will be productive and profitable.

Thats where the agricultural research center helps by identifying the specialty crops that can thrive in Montanas varied climates and providing information on how to manage the crops and their pests successfully.

Longtime Bitterroot Valley apple orchard owner Al Pernichele serves on the centers advisory committee.

Its the only place in the state that focuses its research on specialty high-value crops, Pernichele said. Those crops are very important in the Bitterroot and western Montana where land prices are so high that a young farmer cant afford ground for a typical hay or cattle operation.

But they can buy three to five acres and maybe make a go of it, he said. And then hopefully, they can expand from there.

Mike Pflieger, fellow advisory committee member and owner of Lakeland Feed & Supply in Hamilton and Dillon, said all of the little mountain valleys in the state that have irrigation have more people moving in and buying smaller tracts of land. Many are looking for information on what they can grow successfully.

Whats happening now at the research center is really going full circle with the history of the Bitterroot Valley, Pflieger said. Some of their research is now focused on apples that make a good hard cider. Research in specialty crops, truck farming and berries is really Bitterrootesque.

Pflieger has served on the advisory committee for about 20 years. There have been a lot of attempts to convince the legislature to provide additional funding to the center.

Thats been going on forever and now weve just finally got some money earmarked for much-needed improvements, he said. I think thats a testament to Zach and his focused efforts to improve the center. Hes been successful in getting grants and equipment. Its changed a lot.

Pernichele believes the proposed improvements will help the center attract new researchers to the site.

I think weve lost good candidates in the past after they have had a chance to look at the lab facility, he said. I think some may believe that they can do better than this. Having a good facility is important to those researcher-types.

The advisory board was among the first to pledge support to the project.

"The unique asset of having an MSU Agricultural Research Station right here in western Montana, is why we on the advisory board have all joined together to pledge financial support to the fund drive for critical long-term improvements to the station," Pflieger said. "The stations focus on high dollar specialty crops, should have everyone in Montana excited to support this effort."

The advisory committee consists of farmers, ranchers, and local residents dedicated to supporting the agricultural industry, both large and small.

Donations checks can be made out to MSU Alumni Foundation and write 93627  Western Ag Research Center Improvements in the notes of the check. The mailing address is MSU Alumni Foundation, PO Box 172750, Bozeman, MT 59717. Online donation link is: https://www.msuaf.org/give-warc.

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Two Lynchburg-based attorneys have advised area businesses to comply with a new presidential mandate requiring larger firms to vaccinate their employees or require weekly testing, although some questions about the mandate remain.

The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance hosted Virginia law firm Woods Rodgers to speak to a group of about 60 business leaders during a Zoom call Tuesday to answer members questions regarding vaccine mandates and the emergency temporary standard, or ETS.

For now, my take would be to comply with the Virginia OSHA Department of Labor and Industry, Virginia standard is the law in Virginia right now. So I think you comply with that until it changes based on what the Safety and Health Codes Board does, Attorney Patrick Bolling said during Tuesdays Zoom call.

On Sept. 9, President Joe Biden released his COVID-19 plan, Path Out of the Pandemic, which calls for all unvaccinated people to get the vaccine against the novel coronavirus.

Earlier this month, OSHA issued an emergency temporary standard specifying the details of its requirements for employers with at least 100 employees. Quickly after, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a temporary stay on the mandate, further muddying the waters.
A state-required $3,000 hazard pay bonus is due by the end of the month for 87 sworn officers at the Spotsylvania Sheriffs Office.

The bonuses have proved to be frustrating for the Board of Supervisors, with members lamenting the states mandated hazard pay because only certain county employees are getting bonuses.

The only employees on tap for the bonus are those whose salaries are paid by the Virginia Compensation Board, according to a report by Assistant County Administrator and Chief Financial Officer Bonnie Jewell during a meeting Tuesday. The cost is $280,967, all of which is covered by state funds.

Jewell said the compensation board slots are chosen by the county and are somewhat luck of the draw, with the higher-salary positions often being selected so the county gets the maximum reimbursement from the state for those positions.

She added that it would be detrimental to morale to limit the bonus payments to just those employees.

Jewell showed the board five options, which ranged from giving only the required state-funded bonuses at no cost to the county, to giving bonuses to all 973 county employees. The county would be responsible for covering $406,917 in the latter scenario.
Leaders finally introduced a curfew this month, requiring people who don't have a COVID pass  which shows proof of vaccination, recovery from the illness or a negative test  to stay at home from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Infections have since dropped slightly, but hospitals remain overwhelmed.

At the main one in Bucharest, the bodies of those who died from COVID-19 lined a hallway in recent days because there was no room in the morgue. Part of a waiting room was transformed into an emergency ward, with the raising of a plastic sheet.

In Serbia, some hospitals are so swamped that they are only handling virus patients  leaving doctors to sue Brnabic, whose government faces elections in April.

Since Brnabic said she doesnt believe in measures, some 900 people have died, Slavica Plavsic, a lung disease specialist, told N1 television on Oct. 21.

The prime minster has rejected that criticism, saying Thursday that she is proud of her government's response.

Meanwhile, authorities at the graveyard in Belgrade say that now they have an average of 65 burials a day, compared with between 35 and 40 before the pandemic. Gravediggers now bury people on Sundays  which typically they didn't  to handle the load.
Said King: Our committee of 8 wanted to make certain we made the best choice of leaders for our chamber. Steve has the right balance of leadership and understanding of strategy to continue the positive trajectory for our Chamber. Steve shared some impressive ideas during interviews to build membership and enhance programming.

We are looking forward to Steve taking the leadership and senior administrative role for our chamber on December 1, added Mark Woolwine, 2022 board chair.

Baffuto said: I am pleased to have been chosen to lead this organization. I have been impressed with our local chamber and its progress since 2009. I am looking forward to working with the board, staff, and members to increase value across the board to the business community.

Baffuto will succeed Sharon Scott, who will help the new director with the transition, according to the release.

The MCCC supports approximately 600 local businesses through marketing, educational, and network-building opportunities. For more information, visit the chamber website at www.montgomerycc.org, Facebook page, or call The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce at 540-382-3020.
As you may have surmised by now, Christopher never showed up at Beths bank branch on Oct. 4. A friend went there with Beth.

If theres any good news to this saga, its that Beths bank accounts were intact. No money had been drained from them. That was just part of the con. But all of the rest of the news was bad.

Beth said the bank informed her she was probably on the hook for the Mastercard charges. The bank said a refund of the $16,000 was unlikely because Beth had participated in the scam.

The only other good news is that Beth could afford to lose $16,000.

I am not destitute, she said.

I confirmed that Beth had called Roanoke County police to report the fraud, although it appears she left a message and did not pick up the call when an officer returned it. I encouraged her to call the cops again. And Mastercard. And maybe the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

This is not uncommon, Beth said. Ive been told older people are more likely to be hit.

The FBI says thats a fact. It estimates gift-card and other scammers defraud seniors of more than $3 billion annually.
These five big areas, I believe nearly everyone is going to rally behind those, Bergin said in an interview with The News & Advance.

Bergin said he hopes to see the community come together, find the common purpose and shared goals, and lean on them.

A new strategic plan is set to be in place around the end of the 2021-22 school year. First, the division will assess the current strategic plan, and seek input from stakeholders through an online survey.

School board chair Jason Johnson said community members, not just parents to current students, should offer their feedback as well. Bergin agreed, saying feedback from faith leaders, business owners, grandparents and other community members would be welcome.

Because we all have stakes in what happens in our schools, regardless, Johnson said.

In January, Bergin said, he will present to the board, based on that feedback, either the existing or revised vision, mission and core values statements for approval.
Were trying to send the message to these young people that there are other options for them, said Ross, head of Youth Enrichment Services of Southwest Virginia. But sometimes, if the person isnt relatable to them or hasnt been through what theyve been through, its hard for them to hear that message.

Stomp The Violence hopes to grow into a quarterly event moving around the city. Saturdays kickoff, held at Paradise Cathedral on Melrose Avenue Northwest, combined food, music and childrens activities with in-depth discussions about how to create change.

Jefferson said he was moved to share his story in the hope that it would help the next generation. Roanokes children need people in their lives who they can talk to about what theyre facing, he said, and to counsel them on the right path.

Multiple speakers Saturday offered their numbers to anyone who wanted them to help other children or families.

Ross, whos also part of the citys gun violence prevention commission, said its those types of connections that are often unseen but so vital to the work at hand.

And that work is underway in many forms, she added.
Virginia reported 9,295 new COVID-19 infections over the past week, bringing the cumulative total during the pandemic to 942,837, the Virginia Department of Health reported Friday.

Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts director Cynthia Morrow said the area is seeing a slow decline in infections, but they are disproportionally affecting younger people. She said about 20% of the cases are children and 45% are those 34 years and younger.

The state reported 310 new hospitalizations over the past seven days, bringing the total number of people hospitalized during the pandemic to 39,407, although the VDH website notes that hospitalizations are underrepresented.

The hospital systems in the states Near Southwest Region  Carilion Clinic, Centra Health, LewisGale, Sovah Health and the Salem VA Medical Center  on Friday said that they currently have 163 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, with 47 of them in an intensive care unit. A week ago, they had 165 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, with 53 in an ICU.

The state on Friday reported 196 new virus-related deaths over the past seven days, for a total of 14,321 since the start of the pandemic.
For employees to meet the deadlines, they should receive their first Moderna shot by Dec. 7 and second shot by Jan. 4. Pfizer vaccine recipients should get their first dose by Dec. 14 and the second by Jan. 4. Those who opt for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine need to get it before or on Jan. 4.

The White House announcement on Nov. 4 also announced new Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, requirements that employers with 100 or more employees either get workers fully vaccinated or test them for COVID-19 on at least a weekly basis.

The OSHA rule also requires that employers provide paid-time for employees to get vaccinated, and ensure all unvaccinated workers wear a face mask in the workplace.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at the Department of Health and Human Services also announced its requirement that health care workers at facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid be fully vaccinated.

OSHA will not apply its rule to those workplaces covered by either the Medicare/Medicaid rule, such as UVa Health system employees, or the federal contractor vaccination requirement, which covers other UVa employees.

Both OSHA and Medicare/Medicaid officials said the new rules trump any inconsistent state or local laws and will be enforced despite any laws that ban or limit an employers authority to require vaccination, masks, or testing.
I speak four languages fluently, read a fifth and am learning a sixth. I taught Spanish, French and Italian, and use all three languages on a daily basis in my immigration practice. I say this not to brag as much as to display how important language and its correct usage is to me.

Ive seen a lot of that dishonesty lately, with people making up words like Latinx and using plural pronouns for a single person who might have multiple identities but can only claim one complete set of organs.

Words matter, and have an innate power that can both build bridges and fracture relationships. And they evolve over time, as weve seen with terms that were once used innocently with no intent to offend, but are now erased from the lexicon because of different mores and perceptions.

But language can also impact the way we assess people and situations, and one of the most illustrative examples of that happened the other day in Wisconsin. A state court judge primed to preside over the criminal trial of Kyle Rittenhouse made a preliminary ruling that shocked a lot of people and made headlines. Judge Bruce Schroeder held that the term victim could not be applied to the persons shot and killed by Rittenhouse last year during Black Lives Matter protests in Kenosha.
We acknowledge the Tutelo/Monacan people, who are the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and live, and recognize their continuing connection to the land, water, and air that Virginia Tech consumes. We pay respect to the Tutelo/Monacan Nations, and to their elders past, present, and emerging.

Virginia Techs official land acknowledgment

* * *

Virginia Techs status as a land-grant university puts it in a not so unique position as one of dozens of higher education institutions constructed upon the forced removal of indigenous communities and/or being funded by the forced removal of indigenous people in the Western United States. At least one of these universities with a similar history exists in every state. These schools are colloquially referred to as Land-Grab universities.

Virginia Tech was founded in 1872 after receiving funds from the Morrill Act of 1862. The Morrill Act led to the seizure of more than 17 million acres of tribal land throughout the Midwest and West. The federal government then sold this land to predominantly white settlers and distributed the proceeds to found colleges and vocational schools throughout the country.
Seventy-five years ago, the U.S. Navy sent me, a young ensign, to Germany as part of the allied occupation. I was stunned by the destruction in Bremerhaven, a port controlled by the Navy, and the poverty of Germans living there. Looking down from our ships deck that morning, I saw a young German in an army coat rifling through the garbage cans set out on the dock. This was Germany in March 1946.

When the Navy released me that summer, I accepted a job in Berlin which provided a view of the Soviet zone in eastern Germany because Berlin was located within the Soviet occupation zone. (The Berlin Blockade occurred the next year.) When I flew into Tempelhof Airport the first time, I could not see a roof on any building for half a mile around. That was Berlin in 1946.

Today, seventy-five years later, Germany is the economic and political superpower in Europe and beyond. It does not emphasize military spending but gets its influence from its overwhelming economic influence on the rest of Europe. What is it that accounts for this huge rise in German influence over the last two generations? I suggest four major factors: one, tenacity and drive of the German people; two, excellent leadership in government; three, firm support from the United States; four, Germanys partnership with France and active participation in NATO.
Also, a narrowly divided General Assembly demands Youngkin convert enemies to allies. Good luck with that.

Unless Youngkin, following Gilmores lead, dangles a high-paying administration job for a Senate Democrat to give up a seat that Republicans might win, tying the chamber, 20-20, and weaponizing the tie-breaking vote of the GOP lieutenant governor, Winsome Sears.

Master the facts. The Virginia Constitution is more about limiting power than expanding it. Youngkin cannot  as he vowed he would  ban, by executive order, critical race theory from public school classrooms. Never mind, its not taught. Education policy, under our constitution, requires collaboration: a governor who appoints a superintendent and state Board of Education and a legislature that pays for schools.

And doing away with the grocery tax  an idea on which Republicans and Democrats should agree  is easier said than done, given that the $500 million-plus it generates annually goes to such general services as education and is shared by state and local government. Fearing Son of Car Tax  the Gilmore-pushed rollback in 1998 that threatened local revenue  cities and counties will want to know how to make up money lost to food-tax repeal.
" " Scotland is one of Europe's least wooded countries and the rewilding movement is aiming to change that. (Here Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin west of Cannich.) Nilfanion/Wikimedia/(CC BY-SA 3.0)

The worldwide populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish fell by an average of 68 percent between 1970 and 2016, according to the 2020 Living Planet Report from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Ecosystem destruction has led to 1 million species  500,000 animals and plants and 500,000 insects  being under threat of extinction.

This is a serious problem that different groups and organizations are hoping to improve through a number of conservation strategies. For instance, in Scotland, one of Europe's least wooded countries at 19 percent compared to the continental average of 37 percent, an alliance of 22 environmental organizations called Scottish Rewilding Alliance wants to make Scotland the world's first "rewilding nation." The goal is to help the small country reintroduce native species, restore degraded land and connect more people with nature.

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What Is Rewilding?

There isn't one clear definition of rewilding. However, the general purpose is to restore the abundance and diversity of wildlife to a place. It's a large-scale restoration of nature to allow nature to eventually look after itself again.

While that might sound like regular conservation, Peter Cairns, the executive director of Scotland: The Big Picture, a rewilding charity that is one of the founding members of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance, says that rewilding is different from conservation as usual.

"If you look back 30, 40, 50 years, conservation has had a pretty similar model," Cairns says. "Protecting little pockets of wildlife, little pockets of habitats. And there have been success stories over that period, but the bigger picture is that conservation efforts have failed."

Many conservation efforts look at one part of the problem  for example, saving a particular animal or planting a certain number of trees in an area. Rewilding is a more holistic approach that aims to allow natural environments to restore themselves. Rewilding isn't one project, but rather dozens or hundreds of projects, to bring back landscapes and reintroduce species.

" " One goal of rewilding Scotland is to reintroduce keystone species back to Scotland, including beavers, lynx and potentially wolves. Digital Wildlife Scotland/Shutterstock

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The First Rewilding Country

Scotland is known for being a very green country with impressive rolling hills, but this iconic landscape is actually due to centuries of deforestation and degradation.

"People look at Scotland and see some very beautiful and dramatic landscapes," says Richard Bunting, representative for Trees for Life and Rewilding Britain, two charities that are also part of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance. "A lot of those landscapes are ecological shadows of what they could be, should be and what they once were."

What supporters of rewilding want is for the Scottish government to declare Scotland to be a rewilding country  the world's first  before the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow this coming November. In February 2021, 30 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), led by the Scottish National Party, brought a motion to parliament to recognize Scotland as a rewilding nation.

Practically speaking, as the first rewilding country, Scotland would commit to 30 percent its land and sea to be rewilded by 2030; establish a community fund to support rewilding of towns and cities; reintroduce or rehome keystone species, such as beavers, lynx and potentially wolves; create a coastal zone where trawling and dredging are prohibited; and introduce a plan to keep the deer population in check to allow land to recover from overgrazing.

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What Do the Scots Think?

Making Scotland the first rewilding nation has popular support. A poll conducted for the Scottish Rewilding Alliance by an independent polling company, Survation, surveyed 1,071 adults October 2020 and found that 76 percent supported the idea, and only 7 percent outright opposed.

There is some concern from farming unions, who worry that rewilding will mean a reduction in farming land and will threaten food security.

"We don't want to see rewilding impact food production," Bunting says. "What we have is huge areas of land, peatland, moorland, grasslands, river systems, all of which are often in a very poor state in Scotland and need to be restored."

The idea of reintroducing wolves, which were once native to Scotland but have been missing from the country for hundreds of years, is also controversial. However, while wolves sound scary to people, Cairns says people should resist the idea that we can't have large predators and people sharing the land. Wolves were reintroduced in Yellowstone National Park in 2015 and that project has been heralded as a major success. In addition, Bunting adds that reintroducing wolves to Scotland is way down the line in terms of the rewilding work to be done.

" " The Eurasian lynx was once native to Scotland and will one day be reintroduced as part of the rewilding effort. ARTERRA/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

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What's Next?

Already, there are lots of large and small rewilding projects taking place. For example, on the Bamff Estate in Perthshire, a family-run farm is aiming to rewild 450 acres by removing sheep from the fields and linking the land to the woods and beaver wetlands. Small numbers of native breeds of pigs, cattle and ponies will be allowed to roam free. To do so, the family needed to raise 25,000 (about $35,333), and through crowdfunding, they raised 37,925 ($53,600).

Another project, which focuses on a more urban area, is the Cumbernauld Living Landscape project, which is outside of Glasgow. This project is upgrading paths so that more people can more easily access their local parks or nature reserves and connect with nature.

"There are an increasing number of projects that are springing up, big and small, urban and rural that demonstrate that there's an appetite for rewilding and ecological restoration, at all different scales," Cairns says. "We are on the journey, and we're right at the beginning of the journey."

Now That's Interesting As of May 1, 2019, beavers are protected by law in Scotland as a European Protected Species. This decision will help the beaver begin to thrive again as part of Scottish wildlife after it essentially disappeared in the 1700s.
" " Teenagers are seen wearing gloves after Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte announced a herd immunity plan on March 17, 2020 in The Hague, Netherlands. The herd immunity theory consists of having a large part of the population infected by the COVID-19 virus in order to build immunity. Critics have questioned this plan. Pierre Crom/Getty Images

In the 2000 book "Bowling Alone," political scientist Robert D. Putnam argued that social capital in America was declining. As one way to support that point, Putnam pointed to statistics involving membership in community organizations. People simply saw each other less, according to Putnam. There was no chance to meet the neighbors down the street, socialize with other members of the community or get to know anyone outside of your own house. And that was if you even saw the people in your own house  Putnam believed that technology such as television and the internet had completely negated the need to speak to anybody.

Putnam's point was summed up in the very title of the book: People in the United States were bowling more, but they were heading to the local alley by themselves. The old days of joining a league and fraternizing with the same group of people every week were over. Now, people were shut off from all social connections and bowling alone.

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But beyond the societal problems that Putnam believes can arise from declining social capital, an "every man for himself" approach can have tremendous effects on public health. Keeping populations of a community free from viral disease rests in part on the success of herd immunity. Herd immunity rests on the principle of safety in numbers; if more people are immune to a certain virus, either through vaccination or through already having the disease, then more people in the population, even if they themselves aren't immune, are protected from the disease.

To illustrate the point, let's return to that bowling alley where people are bowling by themselves. Let's say the guy on the first lane contracts influenza, and he passes it along to the woman on the second lane. If that woman isn't immune to influenza, then the disease will likely continue its path lane by lane until every person in the bowling alley is suffering. But if that woman is immune, then the disease stops with her, because the virus has nowhere else to go (assuming that the guy in our example didn't have contact with anyone else). By her immunity, she protected all the people on subsequent lanes, even if they didn't get a flu shot that year.

Sounds simple, right? But it may not be that simple.

Vaccination and Herd Immunity

For many of us, chickenpox (known in clinical circles as varicella) was a routine part of childhood  a minor annoyance, but rarely life-threatening. For that reason, a chickenpox vaccine was met with some skepticism when it was introduced in 1995. Still, there was a push in the United States to get children vaccinated, and studies have shown that the effort had a tremendous impact on the disease and the costs associated with it. Chickenpox hospitalizations dropped by a massive 93 percent as of 2012 compared with the pre-vaccine period. During the period of 2006 to 2012 when a second dose became recommended, the hospitalization rate declined by another 38 percent, alleviating costs all around [source: CDC].

Not only does a push for a chickenpox vaccine protect a child and his or her classmates, it can also protect grandparents who may not have had chickenpox. Protecting the elderly is also the idea behind another vaccination that many of us line up for each winter: the flu shot. Between 12,000 and 61,000 Americans have died each year of the flu each year since 2010 [source: CDC]. Of those, 90 percent of flu-related deaths and 50 to 70 percent of hospitalizations are people over the age of 65 [source: CDC]. While the elderly are encouraged to get a flu shot, it's actually more effective if the herd around them is vaccinated, including caretakers and visitors that might include germy grandchildren.

The success of the polio vaccine demonstrated the benefits of using immunization to protect a population, and herd immunity can be achieved for a whole host of diseases beyond chickenpox and the flu, including measles, mumps and smallpox. And while the term herd immunity seems to imply that the whole herd should be vaccinated, the whole herd is merely protected if a certain percentage is immunized. Mathematical models can be used to determine exactly what percentage of the population needs to be vaccinated to prevent a communicable disease. For example, if approximately 80 to 85 percent of a population is vaccinated against polio, then herd immunity is achieved. But measles is more contagious than polio, so 90 to 95 percent of a population needs to be vaccinated for herd immunity to be achieved [source: Oxford Vaccine Group].

However, just because herd immunity is achieved doesn't mean it's completely foolproof. Vaccines themselves aren't 100 percent effective, and diseases can still strike those not immune to them. In some instances, an immunization is only effective for a few years, so the protection may have worn off a majority of the herd at the time of an outbreak. Childhood vaccinations may only delay the age at which outbreaks occur. For example, if a pregnant woman contracts rubella, or German measles, she and the unborn baby face far more complications than a child who endures the disease.

So, if vaccines don't work or just put off a mass outbreak in the herd, do we even need them at all? Some people don't think a shot in the arm is worth the good of the herd.
She then drove a stake into the heart of the Democrats appeal to racism, discrimination and victimhood which the party has sold to Black people for generations: There are some who want to divide us, and we must not let that happen. They would like us to believe we are back in 1963. She then lowered the hammer about the progress made since then: We can live where we want. We can eat where we want. We own the water fountains. We have had a Black president elected, not once, but twice, and here I am living proof. She could have added that Virginia previously elected a Black governor, Douglas Wilder, a Democrat.

When was the last time a modern Democrat politician talked like Winsome Sears? Here is a role model for everyone, not just minorities: an intact family; a sense of duty to, and love of, America; a strong work ethic; and a refusal to allow the dislike of others to keep one from pursuing the American dream.

Some cable news commentators claimed the Republican sweep in Virginia (Republicans also took back the House of Delegates) was because white racists turned out to vote in large numbers. New York Times columnist Charles Blow blamed racial anxiety. In addition to Sears profile, the incoming attorney general, Republican Jason Miyares, will be the states first Latino in that office. That charge doesnt fly anymore.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden will announce steps Monday to improve public safety and justice for Native Americans during the first tribal nations summit since 2016, the White House said.

Leaders from more than 570 tribes in the United States are expected to join the two-day event, with nearly three dozen addressing the gathering. The summit is being held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected Native Americans and Alaska Natives at disproportionate rates.

Biden and first lady Jill Biden are set to speak on Monday, with Vice President Kamala Harris to follow on Tuesday. Several members of Biden's Cabinet will also participate.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the summit coincides with National Native American Heritage Month and is being hosted by the White House for the first time. The summit was not held during the previous Trump administration. Past conferences were held at the Interior Department.

Biden will use the summit to announce steps to improve public safety and justice for Native Americans and to protect private lands, treaty rights and sacred places, Psaki said.
Cambodia has recorded some 119,000 coronavirus cases and 2856 deaths since the start of the pandemic (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Seven people have died and 12 have been taken to hospital after drinking alcohol they were given as a disinfectant in a coronavirus quarantine camp in Cambodia.

The Cambodian health ministry said seven labourers died after mixing the alcohol with water and soft drinks.

After returning from Thailand, the workers were placed in a quarantine camp in northwestern Banteay Meanchey province.

They complained of headaches, dizziness and difficulty in breathing after drinking the mix on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Experts collected the samples and took them to a laboratory in Phnom Penh for an analysis.

Cambodia began to reopen this month, announcing a phased reopening to fully-vaccinated foreign tourists from 30 November.

The program will allow those visitors to skip quarantine if they stay at least five days in designated areas, the Tourism Ministry announced.

The first such areas are two seaside provinces, Sihanoukville and Koh Kong, on the Gulf of Thailand.

On arrival, visitors must show proof they have been vaccinated and take a rapid results test for COVID-19. They can proceed without quarantine if the results are negative.

Cambodia has recorded some 119,000 coronavirus cases and 2856 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Additional reporting by AP

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Former Japanese princess Mako, who married her commoner boyfriend last month and was stripped of her royal status and perks, departed for New York on Sunday after a years-long struggle with public scrutiny on their romance in Japan.

The couple, who have drawn comparisons with the British royals Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, are set for a new life together as ordinary citizens in the US.

The former princess  now Mako Komuro  and her husband Kei Komuro arrived at the airport on Sunday amid tight security arrangements and a flurry of reporters and photographers.

Mako Komuro and her newly married husband Kei arrive before they board a flight bound for New York to start their new life in the US (REUTERS)

Dressed in a plain navy blue top and loose black trousers, Ms Komuro was seen clutching her passport, just one suitcase and a handbag while entering the departure gate for her flight to New York at Tokyos Haneda international airport.

Mako Komuro seen on her way to board a flight bound for New York at Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan (REUTERS)

Seen a few steps ahead her, Mr Komuro  dressed in a green sweater and jeans  was also working through the formalities of boarding the flight to New York.

The former princess was also seen pulling her mask down for face recognition upon reaching the departure gate.

Japans former princess Mako Komuro and her husband Kei Komuro (second from right) walk to the departure gate for their flight to New York (AFP via Getty Images)

A small crowd who had gathered at the airport waved goodbye to the couple as their ANA flight departed from the runway. It was carried live by all major Japanese broadcasters, even as swathes of the country remained severely critical of their relationship.

The couple were met with a string of obstacles when they first announced their plans to get married nearly four years ago.

Mako Komuro removes her mask for face recognition upon departure at Haneda Airport (Getty Images)

Mr and Ms Komuro, both 30, will be starting their new life in New York where Mr Komuro, a Fordham University law school graduate, has a job at a law firm. The former princess will also start a new job at a Manhattan law firm.

Shortly after they registered their marriage in Tokyo last month without any royal pomp or ceremony, the couple addressed a press conference where Mr Komuro said he loves Mako.

People wave as the ANA flight carrying Mako Komuro and her newly married husband Kei to New York to start their new life in the US leaves its gate at Haneda airport (REUTERS)

I want to live the only life I have with the person I love, Mr Komuro said.

Ms Komuro said of her new husband: He is someone I cannot do without. Marriage is that decision needed for us to live on, staying true to our hearts.

Story continues

Japan's former Princess Mako, left, the elder daughter of Crown Prince Akishino, and her husband Kei Komuro, right, walk to board a plane to New York (AP)

Ms Komuro is not the first Japanese princess to marry a commoner and leave the royal household  but she is the first to have received such piercingly critical public glare to her decision, which received particular scrutiny after reports emerged of a financial dispute involving Mr Komuros mother. The family say this has now been resolved.

Amid the controversy, Ms Komuro rejected a payment of 150 million yen (around 955,000) normally handed out to departing female members of the royal household. She is the first woman from the royal family to deny both  the ceremonial royal wedding rituals and the monetary gift.

Palace doctors say that the struggle to marry Mr Komuro and the sensationalist media coverage around the episode has left Ms Komuro with post-traumatic stress disorder.

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With a stage bursting with musicians, Saturdays performance of Tchaikovskys Symphony No. 6 was one of the Sioux City Symphony Orchestras best in five years.

Precise and moving, it was the composers equal opportunity work, giving every instrument in the 60-plus orchestra a chance to shine. Conductor Ryan Haskins had ample opportunity to showcase woodwinds, brass and strings throughout. He had a chance to stand out, too, and was able to make two flutes equal the power of a full strings section.

The last piece Tchaikovsky wrote, Pathetique, as Symphony No. 6 is called, was viewed as autobiographical, with nods to various aspects of his 53 years. If so, his was a full life. There were stellar moments for all sections. The bassoons and clarinet were particularly impressive. And Haskins was in his element, getting to blend the disparate sounds into an impressive whole.

Interestingly, the world premiere of Kati Agocs Horn Concerto didnt seem all that removed from other classical works. Comprised of three movements, it was written for guest artist James Sommerville, who showed his own versatility.

Considering other orchestra collaborators have created with computers, dissonant sounds and percussion, it was a pleasure to hear Agocs accessible nods to the masters. Written for the horn, strings, two clarinets and two bassoons (notice a trend?), the 18-minute piece had plenty of variety and what she called dreamlike textures. That was noticeable, but the surprise was how willing she was to test Sommerville at every turn. During those rare moments when he could rest, the guest artist turned the bell of horn upward, as if collecting energy from those assembled. The clarity with which he played (and the complement he got from Holly Haddad on the clarinet) helped propel him through a second movement that had echoes of Leonard Bernsteins West Side Story. The third gave his fingers keyboard-level workout.

Prior to the premiere, Agocs thanked the audience and the orchestra for supporting contemporary composers. Tchaikovsky is great, she said. But you cant text him if you have a question about the score.

The work was satisfying for all involved; if Sommerville decides to record it, he should ask the Sioux City musicians to join him.

To fill out the nights bill, the musicians began with Arturo Marquezs Danzon No. 4. While it wasnt as fulsome as the other two, it provided a rhythmic start to a night that promised plenty and delivered.

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The program is in recognition of National Native American Heritage Month. Those who are unable to attend Provost's presentation can view quilts, blankets and other special items shared by the Sto-wahi Quilters Guild, which will be on display throughout the month of November. The Guild, which was established in 2010 with just four members, has grown to include more than 50 participants. They meet at the Nebraska Indian Community College, and all are welcome to join.
SIOUX CITY  After the Nov. 2 election, Woodbury County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Pat Gill said there are areas that need to be fixed and addressed before the primary election next year.

Some of the areas improvements include more education on early voting and polling locations, better signage and drive-up voting.

Gill said 7,297 people voted on Election Day, only a 219 voter decrease compared to the 2019 combined city and school election.

Early voting had a drastic decrease, going from 5,206 votes in 2019 to 1,788 votes in 2021. Gill said this was a direct result of the new laws surrounding absentee ballots that do not allow auditors to send out absentee ballot request forms.

This caused election turnout to drop from 25 percent to 18 percent.

Gill said the election office needs to do a better job to educate voters on when they can request a ballot, when they need to return the ballot and where they can return their ballot.

Another challenge of the election was the polling places.

On Election Day some voters were confused where to vote. Gill said he believes the elections office did everything they could to inform voters of the locations including sending mailers to every registered voter, but the office will continue to try and inform voters.

Voters can find their polling location by going on the Woodbury County elections page or downloading the WhereYouVote app.

Previously, many polling places were held at local churches. Gill said according to Iowa Code that is illegal. Buildings that are public and supported by state taxes must be the priority for voting locations; he also said the code says voters need consistent polling places.

Once redistricting is complete, voters will have new, permanent polling places. The various Sioux City schools will be used as polling places. Previously when schools were used, parents expressed concerns with the security.

This election, students did not have school on Election Day. For the general election on Nov.8, 2022, students are out of school.

Voters also had difficulties finding the entrances to the polling places. Gill said he will be working with the poll workers to have proper and sufficient signage. He is also planning on having drive-up voting at all of the voting precincts.

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Tuesday morning, the South Dakota Department of Public Safety provided information about a 47-year-old woman who died after her car collided with a semi-trailer near Vermillion.

This afternoon, the department released the name of the woman who died as well as the driver of the semi-trailer who received serious but non-life threatening injuries.

According to a press release, Tina Jensen, Vermillion, who was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, died after her 2013 Ford Escape crossed the centerline on South Dakota Highway 19 north of Vermillion and collided head-on with a 2020 Freightliner Conventional Columbia semi-truck and trailer driven by 45-year-old Beresford, South Dakota man Jarrod Johnson, who was wearing a seat belt.

"Both drivers were transported by ambulance to the Vermillion hospital," the release noted.

The dispatch then concluded by saying that: South Dakota's Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the crash.

Jared McNett is an online editor and reporter for the Sioux City Journal. You can reach him at 712-293-4234 and follow him on Twitter at TwoHeadedBoy98.

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SIOUX CITY -- Last season, Tessa Shanks and her staff were doing everything they could to keep the Warming Shelter open amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

While novel coronavirus mitigation strategies, such as vigorous sanitizing, social distancing and mask-wearing, remain in place, Shanks said the emergency shelter at 916 Nebraska St. is facing additional challenges this season, due to the rising cost of energy and goods.

"We only accept community donations. We don't do the state or federal funding. We don't receive any funds from the city. Every penny that comes in here is from the community," said Shanks, the shelter's director. "I am concerned about the rising costs and how much it's going to cost the shelter to house people."

The shelter, which opened its doors again on Nov. 1 to ensure no one freezes to death during the coldest winter months, is currently averaging 40 residents a night. Shanks said that number is nearly double the shelter's occupancy at the same time last season.

"I don't know if that has anything to do with the pandemic or the eviction moratorium being lifted or if it has to do with the weather," said Shanks, who noted that the shelter has 116 beds and additional space in its day shelter where cots can be set up to accommodate additional residents. "Whether the occupancy increases or doubles or triples, doesn't really matter. At the end of the day, it's still requiring us to raise funds for the operations."

While monetary donations are best, Shanks said the shelter is in need of disposal plates and cutlery, as well as Styrofoam cups. She encourages those looking to support the shelter with donations of supplies to visit the shelter's Facebook page and amazon.com wish list.

"Though residents know not to expect a meal, we greatly appreciate breakfast items so that they can eat breakfast," she said.

COVID mitigation

On March 25, 2020, the Warming Shelter shuttered its doors a month early over concerns that the virus could spread quickly in its tight quarters.

By strictly adhering to COVID-19 prevention measures established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for congregate shelters, the Warming Shelter was able to remain open throughout last season. All of those strategies remain in place this season. For example, melamine boards, which can be easily sanitized, are placed around every bunk to protect residents as they sleep head to toe.

"Even amidst people becoming vaccinated, we are requiring face masks at all times. We still have all of the social distancing measures put in place. We're still doing the symptom checker," Shanks said.

Residents who are experiencing symptoms indicative of COVID-19, are sent to Siouxland Community Health Center for testing. When they return to the shelter, Shanks said they are placed in an isolation holding area until the test results come back. If those results are positive, Shanks said they have to leave the shelter.

"We don't have an isolation room for them to stay in, just yet. My board of directors is working on raising money so that we can get some building done that would allow any resident who tests positive," she said.

Individuals experiencing homelessness are extremely vulnerable during an outbreak of COVID-19 due to cramped conditions in shelters and a lack of access to hygiene and sanitary facilities in outdoor encampments. The number of chronic health problems that these individuals face also raises their risk of developing serious illness from coronavirus infection.

Shanks said volunteers from the medical outreach program Street Medicine now visit the Warming Shelter on a nightly basis. She said Siouxland District Health Department has again offered to provide onsite COVID-19 vaccinations to residents.

Accessing technology

New to the Warming Shelter this season is an on-site case manager, who will help residents obtain copies of their vital documents and find jobs. And, Shanks said, she will transport them to places like the DMV, when needed.

Shanks said residents will have accessibility to three laptops within the shelter's walls for the first time, which will allow them to apply for jobs and state benefits, including food stamps and Medicaid.

"It's extremely important to have the technology component. Unfortunately, the majority of these individuals do not even have access to a phone, something most of us take for granted; and they don't have transportation," she said. "A lot of the service providers, their doors are still not open. For them to have the technology to be able to do these things this year is a huge improvement to them and it's really an asset to the Warming Shelter itself."

Shanks said Amerigroup, a health insurance and managed health care provider, also gave the shelter an iPad kiosk, which will allow residents to attend therapy sessions, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, and primary care appointments remotely.

"That's something that many of them have never experienced before," she said.

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Frough Tahiry, 23, hid in dark places along the streets of Kabul in the middle of the night Aug. 27 as her country fell to the Taliban. She was alone  something she said could get her killed if the Taliban found her.

After a brief call with her parents, she stood quietly on a corner with no street lights until they came to walk her home. She said her parents "were scared to death" that something would happen to her.

The next morning, Tahiry would leave her family to try for a third time to escape out of the Kabul airport with a group of 147 other students from the Asian University for Women. The young women could not bring their families.

"I have lost my everything in Afghanistan. I left my home, my family, my everything. Im thinking of starting a new life here," Tahiry said. "Im hoping I can find everything here again."

Tahiry is one of more than 11,000 Afghans at Fort McCoy military base in Wisconsin still waiting to be resettled into permanent homes across the U.S.

As of Nov. 8, "a couple thousand" Afghans had left Fort McCoy and more are departing each day, said Holly Kirking Loomis, a staffer with the U.S. Department of State who is leading the resettlement efforts there. Additional Afghans from abroad are not currently expected to arrive at Fort McCoy because other bases have more capacity.

"Right now we are focused on resettling the people who are already here," Kirking Loomis said.

Across the country, roughly 14,000 evacuees have gone through the resettlement process so far after temporary stays at eight military bases, including Fort McCoy, Kirking Loomis said. Tens of thousands are still waiting.

The Department of State is planning for 399 of the Afghan evacuees to end up in Wisconsin, although that number is expected to increase, maybe as high as 850, said Dawn Berney, executive director of the resettlement agency Jewish Social Services of Madison. Since August, 32 Afghans have been settled in Madison.

Though the resettlement process is picking up, the overall timeline is still unclear, a point of frustration for some Afghans who said they have been given conflicting information  or no information at all  about when theyll get to leave. Kirking Loomis said Fort McCoy expects to have evacuees on base into 2022, but would not specify a timeline beyond that.

After escaping turmoil, the Afghans say they are ready to start their new lives. Among them are interpreters, athletes, womens rights activists, former government workers, teachers, journalists, soldiers, children, mothers and fathers. They have hopes, dreams.

Tahiry wants to study economics or computer engineering. Khatera, another fellow student who asked to be identified by her first name only for her familys protection, wants to be a doctor.

Tahiry, Khatera and the other 146 students from the Asian University for Women, or AUW, all ended up at Fort McCoy together after a treacherous escape. Although the university is based in Bangladesh, the young women had been attending school online in Afghanistan because of the pandemic. Now theyve been given the opportunity to study here in the U.S.

A few of the students started to get resettled this past week, the universitys founder Kamal Ahmad said. The women are headed to 10 partner universities across the U.S.  including UW-Milwaukee, Brown, Cornell and Arizona State University  which have given them full-ride scholarships.

Khatera, 20, said she had no choice but to risk her life to leave Afghanistan.

"Maybe in this try, in the second time, we will die," Khatera said of their escape. "But being in Afghanistan with no hope, no rights, no education, no future, its impossible. (That) is not the life that we want."

'Have to be brave'

It took five days and three attempts for the 148 young women to get into the Kabul airport on seven buses.

On one of the days, a bomb exploded right by the buses. Khatera said if they had been there five minutes sooner, the explosion would have hit them. "We were right there," she said.

Sepehra Azami, 25, said she was "fully ready to be the first person that will be shot." As one of the "bus leaders" organizing the women, she said she would have rather been killed herself than watch one of her classmates die.

"When this journey happened, I realized how strong I am," Azami said. "These five days (were), I would say, the most difficult and horrifying and chaotic days of my life."

On the second failed attempt, the Taliban forced the women to go back to their homes. Some found places to hide in Kabul. Thats when Tahiry was on the streets alone at night.

Sometimes Tahiry still sees the Taliban in her nightmares.

She hears the explosions and gunfire at the airport. She sees the Taliban man who broke into the bus full of her classmates with a gun. The one she thought might kill them for traveling, without a male member of their family, in pursuit of education.

"He said, 'Dont you have shame? Go straight back home,'" Tahiry said. "He would shoot all of us  the way, the tone that he was speaking. That was scary because he had all the men of Taliban behind his back. So we drove back home."

About 20 of the students did not make it back to the buses again after that. Ahmad said the university is still trying to get them out.

Early in the morning of Aug. 28, the Taliban finally let the seven buses through a security checkpoint at the airport.

"I was scared, but inside of me, there was a person who told me, 'You have to be brave,'" Khatera said. "Im an example for my friends, for my brothers and sisters, for all the girls who remain in Afghanistan."

Warm welcome

Tahiry and Azami plan to go to Arizona State University along with 65 other AUW students. Khatera will go to UW-Milwaukee with nine others.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway both said in separate statements that all Afghans should expect a warm welcome in Wisconsin.

"With every immigrant, our city is stronger," Barrett said.

Rhodes-Conway said Madison is "proud to be a welcoming city" and committed to "treating refugees with dignity, care and respect."

Berney, the Jewish Social Services director, said at least 50 Afghans will resettle to Madison, and possibly as many as 75. Other destinations include Green Bay, Wausau and the Fox Valley.

Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, another local resettlement group, plans to find homes for about 200 refugees in southeastern Wisconsin over the next eight weeks.

Many others will be sent to other locations around the county.

Key challenges

To get settled off the the base, the Afghans have had to jump through a number of hoops.

Before entering the U.S., the evacuees went through a screening process with law enforcement and intelligence agencies, Kirking Loomis said. At Fort McCoy, they went through a medical evaluation, got vaccinated against several diseases and waited for their immunity to develop.

For most on base, the vaccine process was completed weeks ago. The holdup to starting their new lives now seems to be with processes happening off base.

"Apparently the bottleneck is with the local resettlement agencies," Ahmad said, noting that while a few of his students have left Fort McCoy, officials were not specific about the timeline for the rest.

Nine national resettlement agencies determine where each Afghan will go. The agencies then coordinate with hundreds of local resettlement organizations, which provide on-the-ground support for the evacuees, including finding housing and connecting them with schools and other services.

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families spokesperson Gina Paige said the agencies drew down their services during the Trump administration, when the U.S. let in a record-low number of refugees.

Now, the resettlement agencies are "underfunded and understaffed" as they deal with an influx of Afghan refugees as well as normal challenges, said Nan Warshaw, founder of Refugee Community Connection, a volunteer group in Chicago that provides additional support for refugees.

At Fort McCoy, resettlement is being prioritized for those who are medically fragile, including those who are pregnant, Kirking Loomis said. People with different immigrations statuses will also move at different phases.

But other than those considerations, the timeline is up to the resettlement agencies.

Kirking Loomis said "a key challenge" is the "availability and the affordability of housing."

Officials are keeping families together and working to resettle Afghans in places where they have family ties or some sort of connection, Kirking Loomis said. But that presents a challenge because the places with the largest Afghan communities, such as Virginia and Texas, are in highest demand. And the resettlement agencies only have so much capacity.

In the dark

For instance, Kirking Loomis said where she lives in northern Virginia, the housing is really expensive and in short supply. But thats also an area thats been heavily requested by evacuees because it has a large Afghan population.

Thats where Waheed, a former interpreter who worked alongside the U.S. Army in Afghanistan and asked to be identified by his first name for the safety of his family, plans to go with his wife and five children. He has two brothers and three sisters living in Virginia.

"We are excited," Waheed said a few weeks ago. "We are waiting and counting days and night."

Waheed has grown frustrated, though, with the slow pace of resettlement and mixed messages on the timeline for his family. On Oct. 24, Fort McCoy staff told him his family could leave the base in two weeks, but the next day they told him it could be months. Now hes not getting any updates.

Fatullah Wahidyar, 21, a Texas resident staying at Fort McCoy to make sure his 14 aunts, uncles and cousins get resettled, said theyve also gotten little information about when theyll get to leave.

"We dont know anything more than we did the last time," Wahidyar said earlier this month.

Some base personnel have told them a few months, others three to four weeks. Wahidyar said the waiting was difficult but added that Fort McCoy is "not that bad because we have everything we need."

Torn emotions

Tahiry said she isnt feeling impatient so much as nervous about the next step. Azami said she expected the transition to the new universities will be tough.

"My mind is not fully ready," she said. "Still we are all traumatized."

Zahra Hakimi, 18, another AUW student, occasionally gets excited about the opportunities she has in the U.S. She can continue her work as an activist for peace and womens rights. She can snowboard, paint and keep up with her studies at UW-Milwaukee.

But most of the time, Hakimi said, she is preoccupied with thoughts of her family and fellow students who did not make it out of Afghanistan. Her friends cannot get visas. Her family cannot get food.

"When I see the situation in Afghanistan, when I see my friends raising their voices and nobody hears them, how can I help myself to be hopeful? Im not. Sometimes Im hopeless," Hakimi said. "Sometimes my parents, they are saying, 'Oh you need to be stronger.' How can I be?"

Khatera said it was also hard for her to leave her family, but part of the reason why she left Afghanistan is so she can support them by sending money once she becomes a doctor. She also wants to start a foundation to help the poor.

Azami, who teaches English to children and other Afghans at Fort McCoy, said she wants to cry whenever she looks at the school supplies in the classrooms on base. She knows "they are just books and crayons." But to her, theyre a symbol of the education her little sister in seventh grade will likely never get while stuck in Afghanistan.

"If my sister would be here, she could have all these opportunities," Azami said.

Sometimes Azami thinks its not fair that shes the one who gets to go to college. But other times, she knows that she has to take this chance, even if she's feeling traumatized and empty.

"Its about my future," Azami said. "I have to be the person that I wanted to be."

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WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden will announce steps Monday to improve public safety and justice for Native Americans during the first tribal nations summit since 2016, the White House said.

Leaders from more than 570 tribes in the United States are expected to join the two-day event, with nearly three dozen addressing the gathering. The summit is being held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected Native Americans and Alaska Natives at disproportionate rates.

Biden and first lady Jill Biden are set to speak on Monday, with Vice President Kamala Harris to follow on Tuesday. Several members of Biden's Cabinet will also participate.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the summit coincides with National Native American Heritage Month and is being hosted by the White House for the first time. The summit was not held during the previous Trump administration. Past conferences were held at the Interior Department.

Biden will use the summit to announce steps to improve public safety and justice for Native Americans and to protect private lands, treaty rights and sacred places, Psaki said.

American Indians and Alaska Natives are more than twice as likely to be victims of a violent crime, and at least two times more likely to be raped or sexually assaulted compared to other races, according to the Association on American Indian Affairs.

Since taking office in January, Biden has taken steps several steps that the White House says demonstrate his commitment to tribal nations.

Among them are naming Deb Haaland, a former congresswoman from New Mexico, as t he first Native American to lead the Interior Department, the powerful federal agency that has wielded influence over U.S. tribes for generations. Haaland is a member of the Laguna Pueblo.

Biden's coronavirus relief plan included $31 billion for tribal communities, and the administration also has worked closely with tribal leaders to help make COVID-19 vaccination rates among Native Americans among the highest in the country, the White House said.

Biden also recently became the first president to issue a proclamation designating Oct. 11 as Indigenous People's Day, giving a boost to longstanding efforts to refocus the federal holiday celebrating Christopher Columbus toward an appreciation of Native peoples.

Earlier this year, Jill Biden spent two days in April visiting the Navajo Nation's capital in Window Rock, Arizona.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  An alliance of unions representing 50,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in California, Oregon and six other states called off a strike notice after reaching a tentative labor deal Saturday with the health care network.

The Alliance of Health Care Unions and Kaiser Permanente jointly announced the agreement, staving off a potentially crippling strike in which 32,000 employees, most of them in Southern California, threatened to walk off the job this coming Monday to protest understaffing and wage cuts for new hires.

Additional members of the alliance, comprised of 21 local unions, authorized a one-day sympathy strike on Nov. 18.

Agreement on the four-year contract includes annual wage increases, while maintaining health benefits for employees, and new staffing language to continue to protect employees and patients, the statement said.

This agreement will mean patients will continue to receive the best care, and Alliance members will have the best jobs, said Hal Ruddick, executive director of the alliance. This contract protects our patients, provides safe staffing, and guarantees fair wages and benefits for every Alliance member.

Christian Meisner, the chief human resources officer at Kaiser Permanente, said the agreement underscores our unwavering commitment to our employees by maintaining industry-leading wages and benefits.

Bargaining continues with the local units representing Kaiser pharmacists in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, as well as a group of engineers.

We hope to reach agreements very soon, Kaiser spokesman Steve Shivinsky said.

The alliance said it has more than 35,000 member employees in California; 6,300 in Oregon and Washington; 2,100 in Colorado; 2,300 in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and northern Virginia; 3,000 in Georgia; and 1,900 in Hawaii.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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DES MOINES -- New federal funding for roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects will provide a revenue boost similar to when the state of Iowa raised its fuel tax in 2015, the states transportation director says.

Iowa will receive roughly $5 billion over five years in new federal funding for infrastructure projects, according to the White House.

Stuart Anderson, director of the Iowa Department of Transportation's Transportation Development Division, said the funding boost represents a 25% increase in the first year, and increases to a 35% boost by the fifth year.

That definitely will mean more funding is available for construction work, Anderson said.

Congress approved the $1.2 trillion infrastructure funding bill; the Senate passed it in August and the House passed it last weekend. Among Iowas delegation, Democratic U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne and Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley voted for the funding; Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst and Republican U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Randy Feenstra voted against it.

President Joe Biden is scheduled to sign the bill into law on Monday at the White House.

The bill will provide to Iowa, according to the White House:

 $3.4 billion for highways in poor condition

 $432 million for bridge replacement and repairs

 $638 million for water infrastructure

 $305 million for public transportation

 $120 million for airport infrastructure and upgrades

 $100 million --- and possibly more --- for expanding broadband internet coverage

 $15 million for protection against cyberattacks

In 2015, Iowa state lawmakers and then-Gov. Terry Branstad raised the states share of the fuel tax by 10 cents per gallon in order to address a revenue shortfall in the state transportation budget. That increased produced an extra $220 million per year in each of the first two years, according to a report from the states nonpartisan fiscal agency.

Anderson said the federal infrastructure bill should produce a similar revenue boost for Iowa road and bridge construction projects: roughly an additional $150 million in the first year, increasing to roughly $200 million by the fifth year. That should help advance the states five-year road construction plan and enable county and city governments to similarly speed up local projects, Anderson said.

Certainly with some of the increased funding, at the state level with the DOT, it will allow us to begin working with the (state transportation commission) to identify which additional projects should be added to the five-year project, Anderson said.

Iowa received an overall C grade in the most recent Infrastructure Report Card from the national American Society of Civil Engineers, including a C+ grade for its roads. According to the report, 29% of Iowas major roads are in poor or mediocre condition and 15% of the states rural roads are in poor condition. That report credited the 2015 fuel tax increase for much needed funding for short-term critical needs.

That same report gives Iowa a D+ grade for the condition of its bridges. Iowa has the largest share of structurally deficient bridges in the nation, according to the report.

Roughly 4,500 bridges in Iowa are in poor condition, according state transportation data, roughly 4,300 of which are under counties jurisdiction.

In addition to the $432 million for Iowa bridge projects in the bill, the state also will be able to apply for more bridge repair funding through grants from a $12.5 billion Bridge Investment Program and $16 billion for major revitalization projects, according to the White House.

This (new federal funding) certainly will help reduce that number, particularly on the county system, Anderson said.

State transportation official soon will begin conversations with local officials to help plan for assigning the new federal funds to infrastructure projects, Anderson said. He said that process will include extensive stakeholder outreach with not only local governments, but also metropolitan or regional planning organizations and transit agencies.

I think theres a lot of eagerness to understand the magnitude of money theyre talking about, to help them identify how they would want to prioritize and program those additional funds, Anderson said.

Anderson said the bill also contains a funding increase for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which oversees the lock and dam system on the Mississippi River. That system has long been on the wish list of Iowa elected, transportation and commerce officials for increased funding to address repair needs.

This bill is really broad in how it will provide increased investment for all modes of transportation, Anderson said.

This story has been updated to correct Stuart Anderson's title.

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LONDON (AP)  Queen Elizabeth II missed out on the Remembrance Sunday service in London to pay tribute to Britain's war dead because she sprained her back, Buckingham Palace said Sunday.
SIOUX CITY -- Brian Crichton's fascination with architecture started as a kid with engines, motorcycles, go-karts, anything that could go," according to the website for CMBA Architects, the Sioux City-based firm he today leads.

"Eventually transitioning into building materials and construction, Brian has always been interested in how materials and parts go together to create something more than themselves," the website said.

The light-hearted bio quips that Crichton, as the CEO, "believes that he could either set the tone and direction for CMBA or be wishy-washy and leave our team aimless."

"We think his leadership is what keeps us moving forward  his people-first attitude sets the tone for the team and the CMBA design process," the firm said.

Crichton, 49, grew up in the Hornick, Climbing Hill and Moville areas, and attended Iowa State University. He and wife, Heather, arrived in Sioux City after he graduated from ISU with a degree in architecture in 1997.

Heather landed a job teaching at Woodbury Central in Moville. Today, the couple have four daughters in Sioux City.

Brian initially took a position with Dale McKinney of Envision Architecture, which was later renamed M+ Architects before merging with Stone Group Architects of Sioux Falls. After 3 1/2 years with the McKinney group, Crichton in 2001 joined CMBA -- formerly known as Cannon, Moss, Brygger & Associates -- in 2001.

Today, he is CEO and principal architect of CMBA, which also has offices in Des Moines, Spencer, Omaha and Grand Island, Nebraska. CMBA's Sioux City office, located in the United Center, is the firm's largest, with about 24 employees.

The firm is notable for its design work at schools and medical facilities, including a number of recently completed and ongoing projects in metro Sioux City,

Last month, Crichton became chairman of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

In his new role, Crichton said he's been asked often what he'd like to accomplish in the role.

Though his term lasts only a year, Crichton said he'd like to see what can be done to address a chronic, omnipresent problem in Sioux City.

"There is an issue with homelessness in our community, that I think we need to really tackle as an organized group," said Crichton in a recent interview with the Journal.

Crichton has served on the Chamber board for several years. He recently succeeded Joe Kruse as the chair.

CMBA's Des Moines team has worked on homelessness issue in that metro area, Crichton said. "They helped, a few years back, work on a homeless shelter building."

Homelessness has dogged civic leaders in Sioux City for years amid a limited supply of housing and rising prices.

In late July, a group of homeless people living in an encampment bridge at Fourth Street and Wesley Parkway were forced to leave, and given only 10 minutes to pack their belongings, causing some consternation among local Native American activists and prompting the City Council to host a public meeting. The city launched a campaign this year to discourage giving money to panhandlers, instead directing people to give money to homeless relief organizations.

A 2021 point-in-time homeless census tallied 217 homeless people in shelters in Sioux City and 14 who weren't in shelters. The number actually declined somewhat in this most recent count, though the tally waxes and wanes from year to year -- the highest figure of recent times was in 2011, when a total of 373 homeless people were counted.

Crichton, who acknowledged that he doesn't "have a lot of personal connection with (homelessness)," said that, despite the best efforts of numerous Sioux City organizations, helping the homeless is left in the lap of a patchwork of agencies. "This group will take care of this sector, this group will take care of this other thing," he said.

"Are there others out there that are falling through the cracks because we don't have an organized system? There's a lot of great agencies, but can we focus that and make a better effort with it," he said. "And I think the Chamber might be able to add that organizational piece to this. Not saying that we're going to direct that, but can we bring the players to the table and have some conversations."

Rental prices in Sioux City and neighboring communities have risen consistently in recent years, and available units -- of which there aren't many -- often command monthly rents in the four figures. Crichton's predecessors and Chamber colleagues have talked about addressing housing affordability and availability for years, and despite the addition of several large apartment complexes and other housing projects, supply remains tight.

"And this somewhat ties to workforce issues as well too, because, if people can't find a place to live here, they're not going to move here. And every employer in town needs people to work for them. So, can we provide affordable solutions for people," Crichton said. "There have been some of those conversations, I have not been a part of those, but I know the Chamber has had conversations with developers."

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Negotiators from nearly 200 nations agreed to a major deal in Glasgow Saturday that is meant to push the world to take more action to combat climate change but fails to outline a clear path to avoid the kind of warming that experts have warned would be catastrophic for the planet. After two weeks of intense negotiations, countries agreed on a deal that pushes countries to strengthen climate targets and cut down emissions.

Backers of the deal insisted that at the very least it keeps the overarching goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels, which was the ambitious goal of the 2015 Paris deal. But the pledges on emissions cuts dont come close to reaching that goal, leading many to characterize the final agreement as deeply disappointing. In many respects, countries essentially agreed to postpone difficult decisions, vowing to return to the negotiation table at next years conference in Egypt with more ambitious targets.

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Hours before the agreement was sealed, many diplomats said the final deal didnt go far enough to deal with the urgent warming crisis. But they repeatedly insisted something was better than nothing, that incremental progress was at least progress even if it could not be characterized as a victory for the planet. We can now say with credibility that we have kept 1.5C alive. But, its pulse is weak and it will only survive if we keep our promises and translate commitments into rapid action, Conference President Alok Sharma said.

Activists celebrated that the deal sealed in Glasgow marked the first time that a global climate agreement explicitly mentioned fossil fuels. But the difficulties of reaching a global agreement were made evident when there was some high-profile last-minute drama as India, which Is highly dependent on coal, raised objections to wording that would have called on countries to phase out coal power and government subsidies for oil and gas. In the end, the clause was amended to read that countries pledged to accelerate efforts to phase down unabated coal power, and phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. Several countries expressed shock and anger at the last-minute change to phase down from phase out but agreed to stick with it in order to make sure there was an agreement. This commitment on coal had been a bright spot in the package, said Marshall Islands climate envoy Tina Stege. It was one of the things we were hoping to carry out of here and back home with pride. And it hurts deeply to see that bright spot dimmed.

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Immediately the Glasgow conference looks more to be a failure than a success, writes Damian Carrington in the Guardian. Even though its true that the deal takes the world a little closer toward keeping the global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius, in absolute terms, there is still a mountain to climb. Before the conference, the pledges to cut emissions pointed to a warming of 2.7 degrees, now the figure is 2.4 degrees, which is still a catastrophe. That means the next few months will be even more important. Carrington explains:

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Elon Musk, the head of Tesla, attacked Sen. Bernie Sanders on Twitter on Sunday after the lawmaker from Vermont tweeted that we must demand that the extremely wealthy pay their fair share. Musk responded to the 80-year-old senator by saying: I keep forgetting that youre still alive and later raised the possibility of selling more Tesla shares, which would require him to pay taxes. Want me to sell more stock, Bernie? Musk tweeted a little while later. Just say the word

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The billionaire CEO who also heads up SpaceX, has recently been in the news for offloading almost $7 billion worth of Tesla shares last week, which helped push the companys shares down around 15 percent. The 50-year-old executive, who by some counts is the richest person ever, tweeted last weekend that he would sell 10 percent of his shares if users of the platform approved the move. In all 58 percent of voters in the poll responded yes. One little detail Musk didnt mention is that he had millions of stock options that must be exercised before they expire in August of next year. We expect the share sales will continue, as Musk holds millions of options worth billions of dollars that would otherwise expire worthless, Jason Benowitz, senior portfolio manager at the Roosevelt Investment Group, told Reuters.

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Sanders has long made taxing the extremely wealthy a key part of his platform. In March, Sanders said that the amount of wealth accumulated by Musk and Amazons Jeff Bezos is immoral. He has proposed an annual tax on the top 0.1 percent of households. Democrats have put forward a proposal to tax billionaires as a way to fund President Joe Bidens social spending plans as well as close a loophole that allows many of the extremely wealthy to defer capital gains taxes. For some proponents of the tax, Musks Twitter poll on selling his stocks was a perfect example of why it should be implemented. Whether or not the worlds wealthiest man pays any taxes at all shouldnt depend on the results of a Twitter poll, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon tweeted. Its time for the Billionaires Income Tax. Musk is worth around $286 billion, according to Bloomberg.
During an interview on Sunday, Sen. John Barrasso made clear that he was not going to even lightly criticize former President Donald Trump for his apparent defense of the Jan. 6 rioters and their threats of violence against then-Vice President Mike Pence. Appearing on ABCs This Week, Barrasso repeatedly refused to criticize Trump for saying it was common sense for rioters to chant hang Mike Pence. After much insistence from host George Stephanopoulos, Barrasso said its not common sense for people to chant hang Mike Pence but thats as far as he went. I dont agree with President Trump on everything, the Wyoming Republican said.

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During the interview, Stephanopoulos played the comments Trump made in an interview with ABCs Jonathan Karl in which he said he wasnt worried about his vice presidents safety despite the threats of violence. The people were very angry, Trump told Karl. The journalist noted that the rioters were chanting, Hang Mike Pence. Trump replied that its common sense  if you know a vote is fraudulent, right, how can you pass on a fraudulent vote to Congress? Stephanopoulos wondered how the Republican Party can tolerate a leader who defends murderous chants against his own vice president? Barrasso avoided answering the question and only said that the Republican Party is incredibly united right now and claimed Trump brings a lot of energy to the party and is an enduring force. Barrasso said Republicans were mostly focused on opposing President Joe Biden and his policies. Elections are about the future, not the past, Barrasso said.

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.@SenJohnBarrasso refuses to give direct answer when pressed by @GStephanopoulos on former Pres. Trump appearing to defend Jan. 6 rioters who chanted hang Mike Pence in interview with @jonkarl, says: The Republican Party is incredibly united right now." https://t.co/Z5rKolzuVD pic.twitter.com/89g2EHH5eU  This Week (@ThisWeekABC) November 14, 2021

Stephanopoulos continued pressing the issue and wondered whether the senator had no problem with the presidents remarks. Barrasso again danced around the question, saying he believed Pence was safe the entire time and he didnt hear the chants. Stephanopoulos insisted, and asked Barrasso specifically if he could tolerate the presidents remarks. It was at that point that the senator said the chant was not common sense. Stephanopoulos then directly asked Barrasso if he would not criticize Trump for the views. I dont agree with President Trump on everything, he said. I agree with him on the policies that have brought us the best economy in my lifetime, and Im going to continue to support those policies.
Michael Flynn, who was briefly national security adviser under former President Donald Trump, said the United States should have a single religion. If we are going to have one nation under God, which we must, we have to have one religion, Flynn said during a speech at the Reawaken America conference in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday night. One nation under God, and one religion under God. Flynn has recently taken to talking about his Christian faith as a way to refute claims by QAnon followers that he worships Satan.

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Michael Flynn tonight: If we are going to have one nation under God, which we must, we have to have one religion. One nation under God, and one religion under God. pic.twitter.com/ShGVrsQ9hW  Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) November 13, 2021

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Flynn earlier blasted the indictment of former White House strategist Steve Bannon for his failure to comply with subpoenas issued by the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. He said Bannon was indicted for an abuse of freedom of speech. The former national security adviser also characterized the investigation into the riot as the insurrection crucifixion and likened House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Pontius Pilate. This is a crucifixion of our First Amendment freedom to speak, freedom to peacefully assemble. Its unbelievable, Flynn said.

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In San Antonio tonight, Michael Flynn says that Steve Bannons indictment is an abuse of freedom of speech. He says this is part of an insurrection crucifixion and Nancy Pelosi is the Pontius Pilate. pic.twitter.com/trTIUReQNz  Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) November 13, 2021

Flynns suggestion that there should only be one religion in the United States drew quick backlash on social media. These people hate the US Constitution, tweeted Rep. Ilhan Omar with a link to the video. Preet Bharara, a former U.S. attorney who was fired by Trump, tweeted: Wow look how much Michael Flynn hates America. Retired Gen. Mark Hertling said Flynn is an embarrassment to the US Army and characterized his words as disgusting.

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This man is an embarrassment to the US Army & an aberration to those of us who have proudly worn the cloth of our country. His words are disgusting. https://t.co/Oi5AQhROeW  Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) November 14, 2021

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This is hardly the first time Flynn has gotten attention for his statements that seem to go against some of the basic tenets of American democracy. In May, Flynn said at a QAnon conference that a military coup like the one that took place in Myanmar should happen in the United States. Flynn was Trumps national security adviser for less than a month and resigned after it was revealed he lied about conversations with the Russian ambassador to the United States. Flynn twice pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, and Trump pardoned him.

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The U.S. military covered up airstrikes in Syria that killed as many as 64 women and children in what could have very well amounted to a war crime, the New York Times revealed. The two March 2019 airstrikes took place near the town of Baghuz and were ordered by a classified special operations unit, Task Force 9, which was in charge of ground operations in Syria and operated largely in secret. The airstrike amounted to one of the largest incidents involving civilian casualties in the war against Islamic State, but the U.S. military never acknowledged it. Whats more, military officials seemed to go through as much trouble as possible to keep the death toll under wraps even as shocked officers called for investigations.

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It was only after the New York Times presented the military with its findings that the Central Command acknowledged the strikes took place but insisted they were justified. The Central Command, which oversaw the airstrikes in Syria, said 80 people were killed in the strikes and said 16 fighters and four civilians were killed. The Central Command said it was not clear whether the other 60 people killed were civilians, partly because women and children could have been combatants.

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In the statement, a spokesman for the Central Command said that we abhor the loss of innocent life and assured that the military takes all possible measures to prevent them. But the Times investigation reveals there didnt seem to be much of an effort to find out what really happened. The same unit that ordered the strike was tasked with investigating it and unsurprisingly it found everything was above board.

As shocking as the revelation of the airstrike is, the Times investigation also points to how it seemed to be part of a pattern. Even though the United States has insisted its airstrikes were precise and targeted, and any claims of civilian casualties were thoroughly investigated, it turns out that isnt really true. Even though there were strict rules in place regarding civilians, they were repeatedly ignored by the secretive special operations unit.
The first Edison Filmhub opened in Prague in 2019, and the second will open in the Slovak capital next year.

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The company Film Europe opened its first cinema Edison Filmhub in 2019 in Prague, the Czech Republic. (Source: Facebook/Edison Filmhub Praha)

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A new cinema bearing the name of Thomas Alva Edison, who invented the Kinetoscope - a device enabling one person to view a film  is under construction in Bratislava.

Edison Filmhub will be located on 6 Bastova Street in the Old Town, only a few metres away from the house on 10 Michalska Street, which Edison visited in September 1911 during his stay in the city.

The company Film Europe, which will open its second cinema in Bratislava in late 2022, already runs the cinema and cafe Edison Filmhub in the former Edison Transformer Substation in Prague.

Two theatres

Edison Filmhubs vision is to continue the rich tradition of single-screen theaters, many of which have disappeared from the centre of Bratislava following digitisation.

Cinema goers have lost the unique chamber film-screening spaces that cultivated the Bratislava genius loci, said Marek Suchitra, a spokesperson for Film Europe.

Edison Filmhub, a new cinema, will be located on 6 Bastova Street in the Old Town. (Source: Film Europe)

The new cultural space will contain two cinema rooms, where all kinds of films, including festival and student films, will be screened eight times a day. Edison Filmhub will also host discussions, festivals and other events, which are now held in Film Europes cinema on 25 Stefanikova Street.

A cafe will be part of the new film hub as well, and it will serve as a bar in the evening hours.

The architecture and design of the entire space will be carried out in a minimalist spirit, complemented by interior elements typical of the 1930s. This combination, inspired by the cinema in Prague, will be implemented by architects from the JRKVC Studio.

Cultural hub in Kokava

In 2020, Film Europe decided to buy and restore a 1913 school building in Kokava nad Rimavicou, Poltar district, Banska Bystrica Region, and transform it into a centre for education, culture and arts.

The dilapidated house served as a school in Kokava nad Rimavicou for many decades, from 1913 to 1990. (Source: Film Europe)

One of the reasons is the fact that the family of Ivan Hronec, who founded Film Europe, comes from the village.

Once reconstruction is finished the cultural hub in Kokava nad Rimavicou should focus on the glassmaking tradition of the region, which has thrived in the area since the 18th century.
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/arcuri-diaries-claim-bojo-pledged-to-be-throttle--thrust-to-her-business-despite-staff-advice-1090719694.html

Arcuri Diaries Claim BoJo Pledged to be 'Throttle & Thrust' to Her Business Despite Staff Advice

Arcuri Diaries Claim BoJo Pledged to be 'Throttle & Thrust' to Her Business Despite Staff Advice

A report from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in May 2020 found that no criminal inquiry was required into Boris Johnson after an eight-month... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T05:48+0000

2021-11-14T05:48+0000

2021-11-14T05:48+0000

boris johnson

uk

owen paterson

keir starmer

labour party

uk conservative party

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Hand-written diary entries which appear to have been made during Jennifer Arcuris affair with Boris Johnson suggest that he might have breached rules governing ethical conduct in public office, reported the Observer.Previously unpublished diary excerpts cited by the outlet show that during his tenure as London's mayor, Boris Johnson was prepared to overrule the advice of staff in his eagerness to promote the fledgling business interests of the then 27-year-old. According to one cited entry, Johnson said to the woman who had dubbed him Alex the Great: Another entry, dated 2012, states that Johnson, who was ostensibly pursuing a sexual relationship with the businesswoman, told her:However, potentially damaging diary excerpts allege the then-mayor was prepared to ditch advice from his staff regarding promoting Arcuris tech company Innotech. A diary entry dated 27 February 2013 refers to Johnson having agreed to Arcuris request to appear as keynote speaker at the launch of Innotech. The woman alleges that the infatuated UK official had boasted of having rejected the advice of his staff, who had pressured him to steer clear of the meeting.According to another diary entry, dated November 2012, Boris Johnson told Jennifer Arcuri: You are going to get me in so much trouble. According to the woman, who gave her diaries to journalist John Ware in 2019 after he made an ITV documentary on her relationship with Johnson, the then-mayor was aware of a conflict of interest in thus promoting her work publicly. Purportedly at the request of John Ware, Arcuri has now agreed to allow the publication of some of the extracts of her diaries.In response to the fresh batch of Arcuri revelations, a government spokesperson was cited as saying: BoJo-Arcuri Fling During her time in London as a business student in 2012, Jennifer Arcuri met then-London mayor Boris Johnson, with the two reportedly exchanging numbers when she was volunteering on his re-election battle bus. According to the tech entrepreneur, the couples ensuing fling continued until 2016. Arcuri claimed said that she would meet Johnson, then married to his now ex-wife, Marina Wheeler, for sex sessions at her flat in Shoreditch, East London. The scandalous claims first gained traction just months ahead of the 2019 UK general election. Reports blamed Johnson for a conflict of interest over failing to declare his personal ties to Jennifer Arcuri amid allegations she received favourable treatment for her business ventures during his eight-year stint as mayor. It was reported that Johnsons office intervened to give her a place on trade missions to New York and Tel Aviv after she was initially rejected as having failed to meet the criteria. Furthermore, thousands of pounds are said to have been funnelled into her company, Innotech, in 2013 through mayoral funds and government programmes.Nevertheless, a subsequent probe by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) concluded in 2019 that there was no evidence to suggest that Johnson influenced the payment of sponsorship money to Arcuri's business and no criminal inquiry was required. The 112-page report stated, however, that Johnson should have declared an interest in Arcuri, with his failure to do possibly amounting to a breach of the London assemblys code of conduct. Boris Johnson has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, claiming he acted with honesty and integrity in his business relationship with the US entrepreneur. Misconduct Allegations Amid Sleaze Row The current fresh claims reveled in the Arcuri diaries feed into speculations that Johnson may face a potential further investigation into misconduct allegations. The UK Prime Minister has been under fire over a full-blown sleaze row in Whitehall. Calls for a public inquiry have been growing since the Owen Paterson lobbying row. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer insisted that it was time for the PM to clean out the filthy Augean stable he has created. Despite ministers dismissing the row as a storm in a teacup, the Commons convened for an emergency debate on the situation on 8 November. The meeting looked into earlier government-backed plans to review rules on MPs standards, after ex-North Shropshire Conservative MP Owen Paterson was found to have broken lobbying rules by the Commons Standards Committee. After a backlash from opposition parties and the media, a vote to overhaul the standards system was withdrawn by ministers a day later, with Paterson since resigning. With the embattled Johnson refusing to apologise for his handling of the sleaze row engulfing the Government, Downing Street said the Prime Minister acknowledged that it was a mistake and regrettable that ministers had conflated an attempt to overhaul the process governing MPs conduct. Meanwhile, members of the Greater London Authority (GLA) oversight committee, currently investigating allegations of conflict of interest during Johnsons stint as London mayor, referred to the fresh Arcuri revelations as significant. Committee chair Caroline Pidgeon was cited as saying: This new material from Jennifer Arcuri is significant and the IOPC [Independent Office for Police Conduct] may wish to consider whether they need to reopen their investigation. This comes as the latest Opinium poll for the Observer shows Labour now holding a lead over the Tory Party for the first time since January this year. Labour is at 37% (up 1 point), with the Conservatives registering 36% support (down 1). They are followed by the Liberal Democrats (9%), the Greens (7%), and the SNP 5%.

CountTo5Manual Great fornicatior runs Great Britain..How is this man still allowed to hold his job after Brexit fiasco, SARS-CoV-2 mishandling, and allowing corruptions.. ? " When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice, when the wicked rule, the people groan " Proverbs 29:2 1

LINDADREW it is all WMD LED BUSINESS PROMOTING E-PANSION OF TORTURE SATELLITE WORLD OF AMERICA AND CITIZENS ARE JUST CANNON FODDER AND NOT EVEN THEIR E-ISTENCE RECOGNISED OR THEIR ABUSE RECOGNISED IN ANY WAY 0

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https://sputniknews.com/20211114/as-us-prepares-to-re-open-consulate-in-east-jerusalem-ex-idf-commander-says-itll-harm-relations-1090720509.html

As US Prepares to Re-Open Consulate in East Jerusalem, Ex-IDF Commander Says It'll Harm Relations

As US Prepares to Re-Open Consulate in East Jerusalem, Ex-IDF Commander Says It'll Harm Relations

Until 2018, the US mission in Israel was split between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem but former president Donald Trump changed the status quo by moving the embassy to... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T06:47+0000

2021-11-14T06:47+0000

2021-11-14T06:47+0000

middle east

us

israel

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At the time, the decision was welcomed by the majority of Israelis, and now as the Joe Biden administration is set to backtrack, some are raising their voice against the move.The US is mulling the re-opening of a consulate for Palestinians in East Jerusalem, almost two years after its doors were shut by the previous American administration.Reports also indicate that the move could be carried out as early as at the end of November, as Israel has just passed its national budget.If accurate, the move would be a major achievement for the Palestinians. Firstly, it could be an indication that Washington is supportive of an idea to divide the city between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) and recognise East Jerusalem as the capital of their future independent state. And secondly, it could potentially pave the way for the establishment of an American embassy in the disputed area.Mounting DissatisfactionBut it won't be easy, primarily because there is a growing sentiment in Israel that the American move should be prevented.Gershon Hacohen, a former IDF commander and one of the leading military experts in Israel, is among those who oppose the potential move.According to the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, the disputed city, with its East and West parts, has been regarded by the US as a unified capital administered by Israel. But despite this commitment, Washington has always maintained two missions in Israel. One of them was the embassy in Tel Aviv. The other one, for the Palestinians, was in East Jerusalem.That attitude changed in 2018 following former President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the unified capital of Israel, and the subsequent move of the US embassy to the disputed city.The consulate in East Jerusalem was then merged with the embassy, much to the fury of the Palestinians, who saw it as an indication that Washington was on a path to drop its initial commitment to the two-state solution.Now, with a new US administration in charge, that attitude is bound to change again, but Hacohen is warning it might have "serious implications" for Israel and the US."The support that Washington gives has to be not only physical but also moral," said the former commander, and suggested that the move would damage the American deterrence, something that could potentially lead to the escalation of tensions in the region.Decision Can Be Averted?Hacohen is certain that Israel can still avert this intention, especially as the international law stipulates that it is up to the host country, in this case the Jewish state, to grant or deny its final consent.The only problem is that Israel's political establishment doesn't see eye-to-eye with this approach. Throughout the years, the Jewish state has relied heavily on the US and its military, financial and diplomatic assistance.But Hacohen says that the issue of Jerusalem might deteriorate the ties between the two states, especially given the fact that Israel's current coalition contains a number of conservative members. And those are likely to object to any moves that could harm Jerusalem's unity.Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is one of those conservative elements that would like to see Jerusalem united, and this means that as long as he is in power, it will be unlikely for Israel to bend under the pressure of the US.

vot tak Another piece of hasbara from the resident hasbarat. Thumbs down, netanyahoo propagandist. 0

1

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https://sputniknews.com/20211114/australia-vows-to-support-us-in-taiwan-in-event-of-confrontation-with-china-1090731296.html

Australia Vows to Support US in Taiwan in Event of Confrontation With China

Australia Vows to Support US in Taiwan in Event of Confrontation With China

Last week, in the wake of media reports detailing the stationing of small numbers of US troops on Taiwan, in possible violation of agreements on diplomatic... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T18:45+0000

2021-11-14T18:45+0000

2021-11-14T18:51+0000

united states

china

australia

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https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/102537/90/1025379016_0:182:3500:2151_1920x0_80_0_0_98da387ba382019940dfe61449d4de4c.jpg

Australia will loyally join the US in defending Taiwan in the event of a confrontation with China, Defence Minister Peter Dutton has indicated.I cant conceive of those circumstances, he reiterated.Accusing Chinese leaders of having been very clear about their intent to go into Taiwan, Dutton said that Canberra now needs to make sure that there is a high level of preparedness, a greater sense of deterrence by our capability, and I that is how I think we put our country in a position of strength.So Australia better be prepared to sacrifice for Taiwan island and the US, Hu stressed.A Little Help From My FriendsDuttons comments come after remarks by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last Wednesday assuring the world that America was not alone in its efforts to preserve peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Blinken said there were many countries that would take action in the event of a Chinese invasion of the island, without elaborating on which countries he was referring to, or what kind of action he meant.In mid-September, Australia, the US, and the UK signed a trilateral security pact known as AUKUS, with the agreement promising Canberra nuclear reactor technology for the construction of a series of attack subs, plus expanded cooperation in cyber, AI and quantum technology, and possible expanded basing rights for US warships at Australian ports. The secretive agreement robbed France of a contract worth over $65 billion to build conventional diesel-electric subs for the Australian Navy.The Australian Navy has 43 warships in its arsenal, including eight frigates, three destroyers, and six ageing Collins-class submarines. The force also includes two Canberra-class helicopter dock ships and the HMAS Choules lander.The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navys fleet consists of over 350 ships, including 130 major surface combatants, 50 destroyers, 72 corvettes and 79 subs, including Jin-class ballistic missile subs. While it has been known for many decades strictly as a coastal defence force, the PLAN arsenal of warships has grown considerably over the past decade amid heightened tensions with the US, and contested claims to areas of the South and East China seas, with the range of its warships expanding significantly. In addition to missile subs, the PLAN now includes two aircraft carriers, plus two more under construction.Taiwan TensionsBeijing considers Taiwan an integral part of China destined for eventual peaceful reunification along the One Country, Two Systems model previously applied to Hong Kong. However, Chinese media have also warned that constant US "provocations," such as "freedom of navigation" missions in the Taiwan Strait, support for independence-minded politicians in Taipei, and pledges to defend Taiwan, may force the PRCs hand.On Saturday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned Washington against backing pro-Taiwan independence forces, saying doing so sends wrong signals.Also on Saturday, the South China Morning Post reported that Beijing plans to update its blacklist of Taiwanese pro-independence figures and financiers, among them the islands premier, president and foreign minister.Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden are expected to hold a conference by video on Monday to discuss bilateral relations. Last Tuesday, Chinese Ambassador to the US Qin Gang read a letter from Xi addressed to the National Committee on US-China Relations in which the Chinese leader stressed that China-US relations were at a critical historical juncture, and emphasised that both countries will gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation.

https://sputniknews.com/20211110/pla-eastern-theater-command-conducts-combat-readiness-patrol-near-taiwan-straits-1090618994.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211111/xi-says-cooperation-with-us-only-right-choice-ahead-of-biden-meeting-tentatively-set-for-monday-1090640301.html

Hess Australia is a Big Mouth stooge. The country has zilch military capability. It can not defend Darwin against any nation. Australia politicians and military "leaders" love to suck to Americans. 9

Cedric Dankworth Australia is trying to show that it is a better US lapdog than the UK is. Since the UK never misses a chance to grovel at the feet of whichever person occupies the Oval Office, it will really have to doubled own in it efforts. 9

5

china

australia

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2021

Ilya Tsukanov

Ilya Tsukanov

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Ilya Tsukanov

united states, china, australia
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/charge-of-the-light-brigade-ii-uk-may-send-600-troops-to-ukraine-amid-russia-invasion-fearmongering-1090723943.html

Charge of the Light Brigade II? UK May Send 600 Troops to Ukraine Amid Russia Invasion Fearmongering

Charge of the Light Brigade II? UK May Send 600 Troops to Ukraine Amid Russia Invasion Fearmongering

UK Chief of Defence Staff Nick Carter warned Saturday that there is a greater risk of an accidental war between the West and Russia today that at any other... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T10:28+0000

2021-11-14T10:28+0000

2021-11-14T10:56+0000

russia

ukraine

britain

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https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/07/05/1083308843_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_e9b6f5a35a3d017bb48b8c533736a61a.jpg

Britain could deploy up to 600 elite Special Air Service (SAS), Parachute Regiment troops and support forces to Ukraine, The Mirror reports, citing a source said to be familiar with the preparations.Plans for the possible deployment were drawn up following apparent warnings by Britains defence establishment and MI6 warning of a supposed clear and present danger posed by Russia to Ukraine  an aspiring NATO partner.Its not clear exactly where in Ukraine British troops would be sent, or what their purpose could be. The UK and its NATO allies have already rotated deployments of hundreds of troops in and out of western Ukraine in recent years to train troops, and to parade through the streets of Kiev, Ukraines capital, in a show of force to Moscow. NATO has also provided the country with billions of dollars in lethal weapons.Russian officials have slammed the deployments and arms deliveries, pointing to Kievs ongoing military campaign against separatist forces in the countrys east, and to the danger of a further destabilisation of the situation. Ukraine was thrust into a civil war in the spring of 2014, in the aftermath of a US and EU-backed coup detat which ousted the countrys democratically elected president and brought ultra-nationalists to power. The violence caused the deaths of over 13,000 people, with over 2.5 million forced to flee their homes, and nearly a million settling in neighbouring Russia as refugees.Britain deployed a small team of army Royal Engineers to Polands border with Belarus this week amid tensions between Warsaw and Minsk over Middle Eastern migrants seeking to make their way into the European Union using Belarus as a transit point. Poland has built up troops, tanks, and aircraft on the border against thousands of unarmed migrants. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko called the deployment blackmail, pointing to the absurdity of Polands alleged plans to fight migrants with Leopard tanks.Russian Invasion FearsUS and UK media have spent the past two weeks accusing Russia of concentrating forces on the border with Ukraine, with Politico publishing satellite pictures of Russian armoured units in Smolensk region which is over 250 km north of the Ukrainian border, as a border buildup. The claims have been echoed by the Washington Post and Foreign Policy. Moscow dismissed the reports as a coordinated fake news campaign against Russia.On Wednesday, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby asked Russia to provide the US with more information about the supposed buildup, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Moscow against making mistakes in Ukraine. The Russian Foreign Ministry blasted Blinken over the remarks, urging Washington to consider its own conduct in Ukraine, including its support for the illegal February 2014 coup.On Saturday, UK Chief of Defence Staff Nick Carter warned in an interview that the risk of an accidental war between the West and Russia was greater now than at any other time in his 44-year career.I think the nature of the competition between states and great powers leads to greater tensions. We have to be careful that people dont end up allowing the bellicose nature of some of our politics to end up in a position where escalation leads to miscalculation, Carter stressed.The Ukraine invasion claims have been accompanied by active diplomatic efforts by Ukraine to join the NATO alliance. Russia has expressed concerns over the prospects of Ukraine becoming part of the Western bloc. Despite a commitment to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1990 not to expand eastward beyond the borders of a reunified Germany, NATO has gone on to swallow up every single former member of the Warsaw Pact alliance, plus three former Soviet republics, and four republics of the former Yugoslavia. Along with Ukraine, Georgia has also applied for membership in NATO.Despite its claims of being a defensive alliance, NATO has spent much of the past thirty years focused on external operations, including the 1990s bombing of Yugoslavia, turning Libya into a failed state in 2011, and the 19+ year occupation of Afghanistan which ended in August with the withdrawal of Western troops and the collapse of the Afghan army and government.

https://sputniknews.com/20211114/polish-police-say-about-50-migrants-broke-into-polish-territory-from-belarus-on-saturday-1090722098.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211113/top-uk-general-claims-theres-a-greater-risk-of-war-with-russia-1090702561.html

Barros UK is a pirate country, colonized by US. 9

Jorma Myyrylainen It seems the Britons have forgot the Minsk protocols which say there should not be foreign troops inside the Ukraine. 8

12

ukraine

britain

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Ilya Tsukanov

Ilya Tsukanov

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Ilya Tsukanov

russia, ukraine, britain
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/cop26-climate-conference-results-not-enough-guterres-says-1090719008.html

COP26 Climate Conference Results Not Enough', Guterres Says

COP26 Climate Conference Results Not Enough', Guterres Says

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the participants of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow failed to reach an agreement on a... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T04:32+0000

2021-11-14T04:32+0000

2021-11-14T04:32+0000

antonio guterres

world

cop26

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"The #COP26 outcome is a compromise, it reflects the interests, the contradictions and the state of political will in the world today. It's an important step, but it's not enough," Guterres said on Saturday.He called for an acceleration of climate action, in order to maintain the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.The Secretary General also called on COP26 participants to make good on the $100 billion climate finance commitment to support developing countries.According to Guterres, the absolute priority must be to limit greenhouse gas emissions, bringing them down by 45 percent in the next ten years (as compared to the level of 2010).The COP26 climate summit was held in the Scottish city of Glasgow on 31 October - 12 November. It was organized to help reach meaningful commitments to fulfill the goals set out by the 2015 Paris Agreement on greenhouse emission reduction, carbon neutrality, global warming and climate finance.According to the negotiated text published on Saturday, COP26 participants agreed to phase down coal, work on ending fossil fuel subsidies and adhere to a common timeframe on emission reductions."There is still a huge amount more to do in the coming years. But todays agreement is a big step forward and, critically, we have the first ever international agreement to phase down coal and a roadmap to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees," UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday.The UK pledged to continue to push for greater action on reducing emissions and supporting developing countries, until Egypt takes over COP presidency.The next UN climate conference, COP27, will be held in Egypt in 2022.On Saturday, teenage Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg said on Twitter that her "brief summary" of the COP26 results was "Blah, blah, blah."Earlier this week, Thunberg called on Guterres to declare the world climate crisis a level three global emergency, which is the highest on the United Nations scale, to match the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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antonio guterres, world, cop26
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/countdown-to-2022-four-factors-that-could-flip-the-us-senate--1090732227.html

Countdown to 2022: Four Factors That Could Flip the US Senate

Countdown to 2022: Four Factors That Could Flip the US Senate

The 2022 midterm elections in the US will see 34 Senate seats up for grabs. Control of the Senate, currently split 50-50 between Republicans and Democrats... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T21:56+0000

2021-11-14T21:56+0000

2021-11-14T21:52+0000

joe biden

donald trump

us senate

build back better

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Of the 34 senate seats up for grabs in 2022, only eight are projected to be tightly contested races. With apologies to Republicans and Democrats in the 26 other states, barring an unforeseen occurrence, those seats will remain in the incumbent partys hands.The vulnerable seats that Democrats control are in Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, and New Hampshire, and the vulnerable Republican seats are in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Florida. If each party holds, the Senate will remain locked at 50-50, with US Vice President Kamala Harris as the tiebreaker.An ABC News/Washington Post poll published on Sunday shows that Republicans are in a position to make significant gains in Congress in the 2022 midterms. If elections were held today, 51% of respondents said they would vote Republican, opposed to 40% who said they would vote for a Democrat.The early indicators look rosy for Republican candidates, but with a year until Election Day, a lot can change. It should be noted, the House is much more responsive than the Senate to broader national trends. These are the four factors that will determine if Republicans can flip the Senate in their favor:HistoryThroughout American history, the party of the president has consistently lost seats in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. However, Senate races more commonly buck that trend. Post-WWII, there have been five instances where the presidents party has added seats in the Senate and one where there was no net change.Over that same span, the presidents party lost, on average, 3.8 seats in the Senate per midterm election. For Republicans to hit the midterm average, they would need to retain Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Florida and then take each of Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, and New Hampshire.Expecting Republicans to do that is a tall task, but with the Senate in a deadlock, a single-seat advantage is all that is needed.Joe Bidens PopularityA presidents popularity can make or break a Senate candidate. As noted, midterm elections usually see the presidents party suffer losses in the House and the Senate. Voters are not just selecting someone who will represent them in Washington, theyre selecting someone who will help or hinder the presidents agenda.Based upon current polling, Democratic candidates should be worried about their chances. According to FiveThirtyEight, 51.4% of Americans disapprove of Joe Biden, while 42.8% approve.There is still plenty of time for Biden to rebound. In March, he held a 55% approval rating, compared to a 39.1% disapproval rating. There is plenty of time for Bidens popularity to sink further, however.Outside of New Hampshire, each Senate seat hanging in the balance is in a state that was highly competitive in the 2020 Presidential election. Nevada was decided by 2.4 points, Arizona 0.4, Wisconsin 0.6, Georgia 0.3, and Pennsylvania 1.2.Democrats must see Biden become more popular to retain their Senate seats in Nevada, Arizona, and Georgia.Democratic LegislationThe midterm elections could come down to the passing and popularity of Democratic bills. In a reductive sense, bills are what senators do. If voters like the bills a party is passing then that party has a chance to grow its base of support.The popularity of the infrastructure bill could play a significant role in who controls the Senate. Another wild card is how quickly the Build Back Better act is passed, and how will Americans react to it? Democrats holding power makes them an easy target, but it also gives them a platform to make policy. If the policy takes a hit, it could bolster the chances of their opponents.If the legislation is a dud, or it is difficult for voters to see the impact, then it could cause them to lose ground. The Democrats have a year to sell Americans on their vision for the country, while Republicans use that time to show how theyre failing.Post-Trump GameplanFormer US President Donald Trumps political legacy continues to loom over American politics, with Democrats using him to generate fear, and Republicans using him to spur enthusiasm.How will the parties navigate a post-Trump political landscape in which some Republican candidates lean all in on the rhetoric, and bombast that powered Trump to the presidency in 2016? Others try to thread the needle of appealing to Trumps base, but shy away from the attributes that alienated voters in the suburbs, which ultimately cost him the 2020 election.

https://sputniknews.com/20210908/french-media-gives-thoughts-on-what-might-be-behind-bidens-dwindling-popularity-1088884805.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211113/pop-goes-the-bbb-trump-economic-adviser-believes-inflation-will-end-bidens-build-back-better-act-1090716462.html

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Nevin Brown

joe biden, donald trump, us senate, build back better
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/delhis-air-quality-likely-to-improve-after-days-of-hazardous-pollution-levels-1090719558.html

Delhi's Air Quality Likely to Improve After Days of Hazardous Pollution Levels

Delhi's Air Quality Likely to Improve After Days of Hazardous Pollution Levels

Every year, Delhi breathes the worst air between November 1 and November 15, according to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee. Environmental experts have... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T06:44+0000

2021-11-14T06:44+0000

2021-11-14T06:44+0000

delhi

india

pollution

arvind kejriwal

air quality

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As residents of India's capital gasp for fresh air, Delhi's air quality marginally improved on Sunday morning, rising to the 'very poor' category from the 'severe' category. The Ministry of Earth Sciences System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) has predicted that the air quality is "likely" to improve in the next two days. The air quality levels of Delhi deteriorated after Diwali, the festival of light, as people across the national capital violated the firecracker ban imposed by the Delhi Government. Meanwhile, the burning of stubble (agricultural waste) in the neighbouring states Punjab and Haryana is seen as a major contributor to Delhi's air pollution annually.On Sunday, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was measured 386, according to SAFAR. An AQI from 51 to 100 is considered 'satisfactory', 101-200 is 'moderate', 201-300 is 'poor', 300-400 is considered 'very poor', and levels between 401 and 500 are ranked as 'hazardous', as per SAFAR. Despite the slight improvement, pollution levels in the National Capital Region (NCR), especially Noida and Gurugram, are concerning. As per SAFAR's bulletin on its portal, the AQI is likely to improve in two days "as winds at the transport level (925 mb) are slowing down resulting in a lesser intrusion of farm fires related pollutants into Delhi." Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also predicted that there will be "mainly clear sky and moderate fog in the morning" for Sunday and Monday. To control the increasing pollution levels and its impact, Delhi's Chief Minister on Saturday announced that the schools will remain closed for a week from Monday. The decision came after a high-level emergency meeting with senior officials and ministers of the Delhi government.

https://sputniknews.com/20211013/tackling-air-pollution-is-about-willingness-says-delhi-environment-minister-gopal-rai-1089853579.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211110/logic-manages-to-escape-netizens-mock-delhi-govt-for-water-sprinkling-to-curb-yamuna-toxic-foam-1090614316.html

delhi

india

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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

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delhi, india, pollution, arvind kejriwal, air quality
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/former-barclays-boss-exchanged-over-1000-emails-with-jeffrey-epstein-uk-regulators-reveal--1090725657.html

Former Barclays Boss Exchanged Over 1,000 Emails With Jeffrey Epstein, UK Regulators Reveal

Former Barclays Boss Exchanged Over 1,000 Emails With Jeffrey Epstein, UK Regulators Reveal

Staley reportedly told Barclays that his relations with Epstein were purely professional because the late convicted paedophile was his client at JP Morgan. 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T14:51+0000

2021-11-14T14:51+0000

2021-11-14T14:51+0000

news

jeffrey epstein

email

boss

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Former Barclays boss Jes Staley exchanged 1,200 emails with billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a four-year period, The Daily Mail reports citing UK regulators who examined the correspondence between the pair. This comes following Staley, 64, stepping down as Barclays CEO last week after the bank had been shown the results of an official City investigation before it was published.According to The Daily Mail, Staley earlier told Barclays that he was Epstein's private banker at JP Morgan and their relationship was purely professional. However, the investigation suspects Staley of playing down his role in Epstein's wrongdoings, the paper added. The Financial Times said that no conclusions have yet been made by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority concerning Staley's correspondence with Epstein that lasted from 2008 to 2012 and reportedly included unexplained references to "snow white."Epstein was arrested in July 2019 for the suspected sex trafficking of dozens of minors in New York and Florida. By that time, he was already a convicted paedophile after serving a 13-month prison sentence 11 years before. He was being held at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in New York awaiting trial when on 10 August 2019 he was found unresponsive in his cell. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging.

https://sputniknews.com/20211114/ghislaine-maxwell-might-have-been-murdered-if-granted-bail-over-info-on-epstein-claims-report-1090724601.html

pgb in nz So let's see them. Were they talking about the weather............or something else !! 1

TruePatriot The number is irrelevant because there was a business relationship there. The content of the emails could be a far different matter. 1

2

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Sofia Chegodaeva

Sofia Chegodaeva

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Sofia Chegodaeva

news, jeffrey epstein, email, boss
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/four-killed-one-injured-in-plane-crash-in-michigan-us-reports-say-1090721231.html

Four Killed, One Injured in Plane Crash in Michigan, US, Reports Say

Four Killed, One Injured in Plane Crash in Michigan, US, Reports Say

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - A plane crash in the US Michigan state resulted in four dead and one injured, the WPBN-TV broadcaster reported on Sunday, citing the... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T07:30+0000

2021-11-14T07:30+0000

2021-11-14T07:30+0000

us

plane crash

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The accident happened on the Beaver island on Saturday, when the aircraft with five people aboard was heading to Welke Airport.The survivor was hospitalized.

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us, plane crash
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/ghislaine-maxwell-might-have-been-murdered-if-granted-bail-over-info-on-epstein-claims-report-1090724601.html

Ghislaine Maxwell Might Have Been Murdered if Granted Bail Over Info on Epstein, Claims Report

Ghislaine Maxwell Might Have Been Murdered if Granted Bail Over Info on Epstein, Claims Report

British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, 59, held on remand in a Brooklyn detention centre since her arrest in July 2020, is to go on trial in the downtown... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T11:04+0000

2021-11-14T11:04+0000

2021-11-14T11:04+0000

us

ghislaine maxwell

jeffrey epstein

uk

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Ghislaine Maxwell, former girlfriend of disgraced billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, has consistently been denied bail by judges as she awaits her trial on charges of procuring underage girls for the late tycoon to sex-traffic and abuse. While repeatedly pronounced a flight risk, sources claim there has been another reason why she was not allowed to post bail, reported The Times. The report feeds into the speculations surrounding Epsteins death behind bars and the information Maxwell might have in her possession implicating powerful people. Jeffrey Epstein, who was charged with running a sex trafficking network of minors in 2019, died in his Manhattan cell on 10 August while awaiting trial, having pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was found dead in his prison cell in New York City with officials declaring that he had committed suicide by hanging. A second pathologist at the autopsy, present reportedly at the request of Epsteins brother, Mark, concluded that the tycoons neck injuries were more consistent with homicide. However, authorities remained convinced that Epstein took his own life. According to the report, there is a great deal of fear and paranoia among Maxwells friends (as well as former friends of Epstein) regarding any kind of association with the case, with those contacted only agreeing to speak on condition of anonymity. The case has tainted and reflected on a multitude of high-profile personalities, such as Prince Andrew, facing a legal suit from one of Epsteins alleged victims, Virginia Giuffre. The Prince has vehemently denied her accusations she was forced into sex with the royal by Epstein and Maxwell. Ghislaine Maxwell, former confidante and lover of the convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, arrested on 2 July 2020 while in hiding at a remote property in New Hampshire, is accused of grooming young girls and women for the late multimillionaire. The daughter of the debt-ridden publishing tycoon Robert Maxwell, who officially died of drowning in 1991, faces an eight-count indictment, which covers alleged crimes committed from 1994 and 2004 and could land her behind bars for 80 years. Ahead of the trial, set to begin on 29 November, she has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has consistently maintained her innocence. Since her arrest, Ghislaine Maxwell, accused of being Epsteins madam, or pimp, has been held in the Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn, in conditions her legal team and her brother have repeatedly complained about. Maxwell's lawyer Bobbi Sternheim likened his client's "reprehensible" living conditions to those of Hannibal Lecter, the fictional serial killer portrayed by actor Anthony Hopkins in the 1991 film "The Silence of the Lambs."Five bail requests have been made, all of them denied by US District Judge Alison Nathan in Manhattan. Prosecutors have cited the womans citizenship in three countries and significant wealth as factors making her a "significant flight risk".Maxwell, whose trial will deal only with the sex-related charges, as she faces a second trial at a later date on the perjury case, has reportedly not been offered a plea deal. Her trial will deal only with the sex-related charges, and she faces a second trial at a later date on the perjury case.

mandrake I would rather think she is kept locked up to stop her being squirreled away by the jews to the safety of the jews in occupied palestine! 3

bones289 Bill Barr was a disaster at AG. Garland is a catastrophe. Be prepared for more mischief. 1

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Svetlana Ekimenko

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Svetlana Ekimenko

us, ghislaine maxwell, jeffrey epstein, uk
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/gun-battle-between-rival-gangs-at-ecuadorian-prison-kills-over-60-inmates-injures-25-1090717564.html

Gun Battle Between Rival Gangs at Ecuadorian Prison Kills Over 60 Inmates, Injures 25

Gun Battle Between Rival Gangs at Ecuadorian Prison Kills Over 60 Inmates, Injures 25

At least 68 prisoners in Ecuador were killed over the weekend in deadly clashes between rival gang members. Another 25 inmates were wounded as authorities... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T02:24+0000

2021-11-14T02:24+0000

2021-11-14T02:20+0000

death toll

prison

ecuador

criminal gangs

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The weekend clashes began late Friday at the Litoral Penitentiary in Ecuador's coastal city of Guayaquil. The same prison saw a riot unfold in early September that killed over 100.Graphic videos show dozens of bodies being grouped together, with some being set on fire within the walls of the prison.Pablo Arosemena, the governor of the Guayas province, told reporters that prisoners are alleged to have attempted at one point to "dynamite" a wall in order to confront rival gangs. Additionally, it was reported that machetes were used as weapons during the riot.Authorities detailed on Saturday that it took the majority of the day for officers to restore order at the facility after the latest spate of fighting. The clashes are said to be between rival gangs with ties to international drug cartels, such as the notorious Sinaloa cartel.Local media reports detailed that some 900 officers were tapped in the operation to retake control of the prison. It remains unclear why it took so long for officials to regain control.The September incident at the site proved to be one of the most deadly outbreaks in the history of the country's prison system. Officials on the grounds later seized 13 firearms, 250 knives, five grenades and six kilograms of drugs.

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Gaby Arancibia

death toll, prison, ecuador, criminal gangs
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/havana-accuses-twitter-of-tweaking-algorithm-to-destabilize-situation-in-the-country-1090731686.html

Havana Accuses Twitter of Tweaking Algorithm to Destabilize Situation in the Country

Havana Accuses Twitter of Tweaking Algorithm to Destabilize Situation in the Country

The popular US microblogging site has often been accused of ideological and geopolitical bias, deleting or shadowbanning tens of thousands of media and... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T19:21+0000

2021-11-14T19:21+0000

2021-11-14T19:21+0000

cuba

twitter

united states

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https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/11/1082652253_0:167:3047:1881_1920x0_80_0_0_499f337a07dfb96098ebd39ce2be21d3.jpg

Twitter is engaging in a crude manipulation of its algorithm to give the false impression that there are far more users inside Cuba opposed to the government than is the case, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla has alleged.As I denounced in a presentation to the diplomatic corps, private US platforms such as Twitter violate their own rules and policies, alter geolocation mechanisms to favour toxic operations against Cuba, and instigate destabilization actions, the foreign minister wrote.Rodriguez comments followed the circulation of a new hashtag on popular social networks including Twitter urging Cubans to come out for a fresh anti-government demonstrations across the country on 15 November  the day authorities are planning to reopen the country and ease travel restrictions to foreign tourists.In a related development, Rodriguez tweeted Sunday that a major VPN service operating 19 servers located in the US has offered free VPN services to users hailing from Cuba, while the rest of the world must continue to pay for it.Unlike some other communist one party states, like China, Cuba has not cracked down on Twitter, Facebook, or other Western social media giants, in spite of their broad use by anti-government protesters in the 11-17 July protests across the island.Between 2010 and 2012, USAID also operated a separate social networking and microblogging service marketed specifically to Cuban users known as ZunZuneo as part of a long-term strategy to destabilize the country and overthrow the government. The platform was reportedly set up using Cayman Islands front companies, and amassed a user base of over 40,000 before being dissolved  not due to any action by the Cuban government, but because funding ran out. In 2014, the US Office of Cuba Broadcasting  a state-owned radio and television broadcaster based in Miami, announced a successor known as Piramideo, with that platform designed to spread pro-US, anti-communist propaganda.Cuba faced its largest anti-government protests since 1994 and the Special Period in July, with the demonstrations reportedly sparked by anger over shortages of food, medicine and other basic necessities amid an economic crunch caused by global coronavirus lockdowns and crushing US sanctions pressure. Successive US administrations have been trying to overthrow Cuba's communist government since 1959.

https://sputniknews.com/20211102/meta-deletes-over-1000-nicaraguan-accounts-it-claims-were-fsln-troll-farm-days-before-election-1090402662.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211105/us-looking-at-ways-to-keep-remittances-from-cuban-government-hands-1090508124.html

14th Troll These social website are FBI and CIA tools. Use them at your own discretion. 1

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cuba

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Ilya Tsukanov

Ilya Tsukanov

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Ilya Tsukanov

cuba, twitter, united states
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/how-mud-filled-beer-jars-helped-egyptologists-make-one-of-the-greatest-discoveries-in-half-a-1090727866.html

How Mud-Filled Beer Jars Helped Egyptologists Make One of the Greatest Discoveries in Half a Century

How Mud-Filled Beer Jars Helped Egyptologists Make One of the Greatest Discoveries in Half a Century

Historians believe that six ancient Egyptian sun temples were built in honour of the Sun god Ra by different pharaohs, but only two had previously been found... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T16:11+0000

2021-11-14T16:11+0000

2021-11-14T16:11+0000

egypt

news

pharaoh

pyramids

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Archaeologists believe they have made one of the most important discoveries of the last half-century in the Egyptian desert, uncovering one of the missing ancient Sun temples, reports The Telegraph. Ra was the most powerful god in ancient Egypt and it's believed that half a dozen temples were erected by pharaohs of the fifth dynasty to complement their pyramids  their final resting places in the afterlife. To date, only two of these temples have been found by modern archaeologists: that of Userkaf, lying between the Abusir pyramid field to the south and the locality of Abu Gorab to the north, and that of Nyuserre, the largest and best-preserved of its kind. Both temples dedicated to Ra feature a spacious courtyard dominated by a tall, pyramid-like obelisk aligned with the east-west axis of the sun. Dr Massimiliano Nuzzolo, assistant professor of Egyptology at the Academy of Sciences in Warsaw, and his colleagues including Dr Mohamed Osman, president of Cairo University since 2017, had focused their efforts on one of the already known sun temples, built by King Nyuserre, who ruled in the 25th century BC. After excavation work, an older base made of mud bricks was revealed underneath. At the time, the team could not determine if the earlier site had been sacred or not. However, further efforts revealed the two-foot-deep base of a white limestone pillar. The discovery of beer jars filled with mud  an ancient Egyptian ritual offering in only the most sacred places  in the foundation of the building remnants infused the team of experts with the hope that their discovery was, indeed, a sun temple. As for which of the pharaohs ordered the erection of this particular temple, the Egyptologists can only assume it was one from the fifth dynasty.

egypt

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Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

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Svetlana Ekimenko

egypt, news, pharaoh, pyramids
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/i-keep-forgetting-youre-still-alive-musk-taunts-sanders-after-he-urges-rich-to-pay-fair-share-1090731984.html

'I Keep Forgetting You're Still Alive': Musk Taunts Sanders After He Urges Rich to Pay 'Fair Share'

'I Keep Forgetting You're Still Alive': Musk Taunts Sanders After He Urges Rich to Pay 'Fair Share'

Elon Musks reply to a Bernie Sanders tweet has caused quite a stir on social media after the tech entrepreneur remarked that he simply keeps "forgetting" that... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T20:43+0000

2021-11-14T20:43+0000

2021-11-14T20:39+0000

bernie sanders

elon musk

billionaires

tesla

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In response to a Sanders tweet suggesting that the extremely wealthy pay their fair share, Musk delivered a snark-riddled reply by stating, I keep forgetting youre still alive.Although Sanders did not directly reply to the barb, Musk followed up the tweet with another, reading, Want me to sell more stock, Bernie? Just say the wordThe tech CEO and the progressive senators dispute goes back to Sanders support for a billionaire tax that would tax unrealized capital gains. Currently, only realized capital gains are taxed. Musk doesnt receive a salary from Tesla but instead is compensated with stock options. What this means is that as Musks net worth increases through his holding of Tesla stocks, he doesnt have to pay taxes on unrealized capital gains even as his overall wealth increases.Musk appears to be making a point to Sanders and the so-called 'billionaire tax' through the formers decision to sell a sizable chunk of his Tesla stock. In a Twitter poll that Musk personally conducted earlier in the week, he asked followers if he should sell Tesla stock. Thus far, Musk has reportedly sold close to $7 billion of the automaker stock, at current rates.The sale of Tesla stock, which are realized capital gains, are taxable under the current American tax code. However, there are two distinct brackets of capital gains, long-term and short-term capital gains. Long-term capital gains are from the sale of stock held for more than a year and short-term capital gains are from the sale of stock held for under a year.If Musk is selling stock he has held for more than a year, it will be taxed at a 0%, 15%, or 20% rate, depending on his tax bracket. If the stock hasnt been held for a year, then it is taxed at the same rate as income would be, depending on the sellers tax bracket.Tesla is currently valued at over a trillion dollars and Musks net worth is estimated to be $271.8 billion. Through Musks sale of $7 billion worth of Tesla stock, he will likely be taxed at either 20%, if theyre long-term capital gains, or 37% if theyre short-term capital gains.Even with Musks massive sell-off of stock, its probable that Sanders will point out that Musk still is not paying his fair share. Musk might have forgotten that Sanders is still alive, but if a 'billionaires tax' is passed, Musk will remember his existence in a hurry.

vot tak "Musk might have forgotten that Sanders is still alive, but if a 'billionaires tax' is passed, Musk will remember his existence in a hurry." ... :-D 4

monti The US is being ruined into bankruptcy by these for profit only oligarchs like Musk.. socialism for the rich poster boy for the US... Jeff Bezos is another sociopath in the same category as Musk... 3

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Nevin Brown

bernie sanders, elon musk, billionaires, tesla
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/meghan-markles-estranged-half-sister-vows-to-sue-royal-for-libel-slander-and-breach-of-privacy-1090722501.html

Meghan Markle's Estranged Half-Sister Vows to Sue Royal for 'Libel, Slander' and 'Breach of Privacy'

Meghan Markle's Estranged Half-Sister Vows to Sue Royal for 'Libel, Slander' and 'Breach of Privacy'

Previously, Meghan Markle admitted that she instructed her former communications secretary to give information to the authors of her unauthorised biography... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T09:36+0000

2021-11-14T09:36+0000

2021-11-14T09:36+0000

prince harry

news

society

uk court of appeal

meghan markle

duchess of sussex

uk

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Meghan Markle's estranged half-sister is gearing up to launch lawsuits against the Duchess of Sussex in the UK and the US, claiming she lied about her sibling to the authors of a controversial book, reported Sunday People. The unauthorised biography, Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family" was penned by journalists Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand. Samantha Markle, 57, is said to have scheduled a meeting with her legal team on Monday about the possibility of suing Prince Harrys wife for defamation, libel and slander as well as breach of privacy.The decision was prompted by an apology delivered by Meghan Markle on Wednesday at the UK Court of Appeal as part of a legal battle between the her and the publisher of The Mail on Sunday, Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL). The Duchess of Sussex apologised for failing to recall that she told her ex-PR chief Jason Knauf what information to reveal to the authors of "Finding Freedom". Previously, both Meghan Markle and Prince Harry had distances themselves from the biography, denying that they ever collaborated with the authors of the book released last year. Samantha Markle told the outlet she had been shocked over her half-sisters revelation after all the emphasis she had previously made on the importance of privacy. Finding Freedom asserts that Samantha dropped out of high school and had never had a relationship with either of them. Furthermore, upon Meghan dating Harry, Samantha changed her name back to Markle and began a career creating stories to sell to the press. She had lost custody of all three of her children from different fathers.Samantha Markle added: Meghan Markle was forced to apologise in court after a series of emails were disclosed revealing that she had collaborated with the authors of a the biography that offers a glimpse into the couples life as senior royals and relationship with other members of the Firm  the unofficial nickname used to refer to the British Royals - and their controversial decision to quit royal life and move to North America. The correspondence, released by the Court of Appea, showed how the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had briefed their then press spokesman Jason Knauf before he met with writers Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand two years ago. After Finding Freedom was published, a spokesman for the Sussexes was quoted by the Press Association as saying: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not interviewed and did not contribute. However, messages revealed by Jason Knauf , who was Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys communications secretary until March 2019, showed her sending him details about Samantha Markle and brother Thomas Jr, to be subsequently passed on to writers Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand. In a witness statement, Knauf said the aforementioned book was discussed on a routine basis directly with the duchess multiple times in person and over email. Legal BattleThe issue of the biography came to light during the court battle between Meghan Markle and Associated Newspapers Limited - a company trying to appeal a verdict by the UK High Court. In 2019, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry sued the publisher of The Mail on Sunday for printing excerpts of a letter the Duchess of Sussex wrote to her father, Thomas. The royal couple accused the publisher of breach of privacy and copyright infringement. Earlier this year, the judge sided with the royals ruling that the publication was manifestly excessive and hence unlawful. However, Associated Newspapers Limited appealed the verdict, presenting new information obtained from the Duchess former communications director, with QC Andrew Caldecott arguing that correspondence between Jason Krauf and Meghan Markle proved that the royal suspected that the letter might be leaked to the press. Ex-palace communications chief, Jason Knaufs, correspondence with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed to the court showed that Prince Harry asked him in December 2018 if he would give the writers of the unauthorised biography a rough idea of what [Meghans] been through over the last two years?.Prince Harry reportedly referenced the media onslaught and cyber bullying on a different scale. While neither the Duke nor the Duchess of Sussex ever had any direct contact with the book authors, Knauf, who did meet with them, told Meghan Markle in December 2018 that he took them through everything, UK media reported, citing court statements.

Gone Dear Meghan, you're really not lucky when it comes to family matters. Is Harry any good? 1

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prince harry, news, society, uk court of appeal, meghan markle, duchess of sussex, uk
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/michael-flynn-us-must-have-one-religion--1090718593.html

Michael Flynn: US Must Have 'One Religion'

Michael Flynn: US Must Have 'One Religion'

Former US national security adviser Michael Flynn, who served in the Trump administration for just 22 days before pleading guilty to lying to federal... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T04:04+0000

2021-11-14T04:04+0000

2021-11-14T04:00+0000

michael flynn

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Flynn, while speaking at Clay Clark's 'Reawaken America Tour' on Saturday, proclaimed that the US should adopt a single religion. "If we are going to have one nation under God - which we must - we have to have one religion," asserted the retired US Army lieutenant general. "One nation under God, and one religion under God." "All of us together - working together," he added. It is worth noting that the "under God" portion of the US' Pledge of Allegiance was not included in the original draft. While the pledge was written and published in 1892, the "under God," portion came about after then-US President Dwight D. Eisenhower urged Congress to make the alteration in 1954. During the same speech in San Antonio, Texas, Flynn repeated his long-term baseless claim that the 2020 US presidential election saw widespread voter fraud. The former US national security adviser's complaints are not backed up by evidence.

Holger H. F*ck Religion... it is the root of all evil 14

Nevi'im There is lots of religious in the US but most worship only greed and the US$. 6

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michael flynn
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/new-clashes-erupt-in-ecuador-prison-where-68-were-killed-saturday-1090723134.html

New Clashes Erupt in Ecuador Prison Where 68 Were Killed Saturday

New Clashes Erupt in Ecuador Prison Where 68 Were Killed Saturday

MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) - New clashes broke out among prisoners at the Litoral prison in Ecuador's southern city of Guayaquil, where 68 people were killed the... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T09:39+0000

2021-11-14T09:39+0000

2021-11-14T09:39+0000

news

clashes

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On Saturday night, clashes broke out at the prison between rival gangs and left 68 dead and 25 injured, local authorities said."New incidents are taking place at the Litoral prison, where prisoners from one pavilion are attacking those in another. Police and military forces have been mobilized," Jijon said during a press conference, which was uploaded to Twitter by the UCSG Television broadcaster.The anti-crisis committee overlooking the situation at the prison is chaired by Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso, Jijon added.Back in September, clashes at this prison left 116 people dead and around 80 injured. Police then seized 13 firearms, including six automatic rifles and seven pistols, 1,136 rounds of various calibres, 250 knives, five grenades, 60 cell phones, and 13 pounds of drugs.Ecuador's prisons, while designed to hold 29,600 people, actually contain around 40,000 prisoners, the country's SNAI prison authority says.

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news, clashes, prison, ecuador
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/polish-police-say-about-50-migrants-broke-into-polish-territory-from-belarus-on-saturday-1090722098.html

About 50 Migrants Broke Into Polish Territory From Belarus on Saturday, Polish Police Claim

About 50 Migrants Broke Into Polish Territory From Belarus on Saturday, Polish Police Claim

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - About 50 people stormed their way over to the Polish side of the border with Belarus a day earlier, with 22 of them detained, the police of... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T08:48+0000

2021-11-14T08:48+0000

2021-11-14T16:29+0000

europe

poland

migrants

poland-belarus migrant crisis

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"Yesterday, before 5 pm [16:00 GMT], around 50 people broke into Poland near Starzyn. Twenty-one police officers, as well as soldiers and Border Guard officers, joined the search for migrants who crossed the border illegally. Police officers detained 22 Iraqi citizens," the police tweeted.Poland has boosted security measures on the border as large groups of migrants have been gathering on the Belarusian-Polish border in the hope to cross over into the European Union territory.On Saturday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell discussed the situation on the Belarusian-Polish border with the foreign ministers of Poland and Lithuania and said that the issue will also be brought up at the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) next week.Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik said on Saturday that Minsk does not see the European Union making any serious efforts to hold dialogue with Belarus to resolve the ongoing migrant crisis.Poland, Lithuania and Latvia have been accusing Belarus of orchestrating a migrant crisis to get back at Brussels for sanctions against the government of President Alexander Lukashenko. The Belarusian leader has rejected the accusations, saying that his cash-strapped country can no longer afford tight border controls.

WhatTheFishIsThis Poland and EU are making a big fuss over several thousand migrants wishing to legally enter the EU. Please Reflect what US + EU have caused in Afghanistan .. Despicable, and leaving these migrants in bad weather with no shelter. Shame on you. 10

keyboardcosmetics If they impose additional sanctions on us, we must respond. We are heating Europe, and they are threatening us, what if we halt natural gas supplies? Therefore, I would recommend the leadership of Poland, Lithuanians and other empty-headed people to think before speaking.  President Lukashenko, Belarus. 6

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europe, poland, migrants
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/putin-russia-ready-to-help-resolve-migrant-crisis-on-belarusian-polish-border-1090724439.html

Putin: Russia Ready to Help Resolve Migrant Crisis on Belarusian-Polish Border

Putin: Russia Ready to Help Resolve Migrant Crisis on Belarusian-Polish Border

Tens of thousands of migrants, primarily from the Middle East and Africa, have travelled to Belarus in recent months in hopes of making their way across the... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T10:40+0000

2021-11-14T10:40+0000

2021-11-16T14:19+0000

vladimir putin

poland-belarus migrant crisis

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Russia is ready to do everything in its power to help resolve the migration crisis on the Belarusian-Polish border, President Vladimir has announced."I learned about what's taking place on the Polish-Belarusian border in the media. I never discussed this issue with [Belarusian President Alexander] Lukashenko before. I spoke to him twice, only after this crisis began," Putin said, when asked to comment on claims made by some Western officials and media that Russia is responsible for the crisis.Commenting on allegations that Russia's flag carrier airline Aeroflot has had a role in transporting migrants to Belarus, the Russian president insisted that the company was not knowingly involved.The situation on Belarus's frontier with Poland, Latvia and Lithuania deteriorated sharply on 8 November after several thousand migrants arrived at the border with Poland and set up camp there, with some attempting to make their way into the European Union nation and travel further west, presumably to Germany. Brussels has blamed Minsk for the escalation of the situation, with some EU countries demanding fresh sanctions against Belarus. President Lukashenko has said that the West's own policies - including decades of military interventions in the Middle East and North Africa, caused the current crisis, and added that previous rounds of EU sanctions against Belarus have drained his country's ability to control migration flows.West 'Destroyed These Nations' Statehood'In an interview with Russian media on Wednesday, Lukashenko recalled his warm relations with Middle Eastern leaders toppled and murdered by the West, either through direct military invasion or the so-called 'Arab Spring' protests. "Iraq...Tunisia, Libya, Syria. Then they came up against Iran, took a look - too tough a nut to crack, they didn't invade. Afghanistan, 20 years. And the result? They not only stirred up and shattered the Middle East, they destroyed these nations' statehood. Yes, it was a specific kind of statehood, not like the one in Belarus or Russia, not to speak of the Anglo-Saxons," Lukashenko said. The Belarusian president stressed that instead of improving the lives in the countries they invaded, the collective West only managed to "destroy everything that was there, the way of life", thereby causing the migrant crisis they now claim to be concerned about.Lukashenko also warned that Europe and the post-Soviet space should prepare for an even greater influx of migrants from Afghanistan in the coming months, particularly among those who worked for the US and NATO during the occupation, but whom the US now refuses to help. "The Americans called them, but ordered Europe and the nations of Central Asia to take them in for themselves. The Central Asian republics said 'sorry, no'. Where will they go? They will go to Europe. The Americans are saying 'let them be with you temporarily. We know what 'temporarily' means. These are Americans," he said.The Belarusian president pointed out that migrants were also making their way into Europe through Ukraine, but suggested that Western leaders and media have been silent on the matter thanks to Kiev's status as a client state.

https://sputniknews.com/20211113/live-updates-poland-says-ready-to-cut-railway-traffic-with-belarus-amid-migrant-crisis-1090704876.html

vigilante Lukashenko is a hero. He dares say what many people think about the west violent colonial adventures in the middle east and Africa! 18

vigilante The west is hypocritical. It is time they pay for the abuses they did in the middle east and Africa. The migrants are the revenge of the countries the west has destroyed. Let them shake the Europeans and remind them of the crimes they prefer to forget. 14

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Ilya Tsukanov

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Ilya Tsukanov

vladimir putin
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/russia-to-continue-military-cooperation-with-iran-abiding-by-intl-law-arms-exporter-says-1090722935.html

Russia to Continue Military Cooperation With Iran Abiding by Int'l Law, Arms Exporter Says

Russia to Continue Military Cooperation With Iran Abiding by Int'l Law, Arms Exporter Says

DUBAI (Sputnik) - Russia will proceed military-technical cooperation with Iran, strictly abiding by international law and the legislation of both nations, the... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T09:30+0000

2021-11-14T09:30+0000

2021-11-14T09:30+0000

military & intelligence

russia

iran

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https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/102948/13/1029481359_0:136:3159:1912_1920x0_80_0_0_5cbb15d3473878e72ea1847f2d59e09a.jpg

"Regarding the prospects of military-technical cooperation with Iran, it is vital to answer that under any circumstances, cooperation will be maintained given strict abidance by active legal norms of both countries, international commitments of the parties, and norms of international law," Mikheev told reporters at the Dubai Airshow 2021 exhibition in the United Arab Emirates.A UN arms embargo on Iran was lifted on 18 October 2020, as set out in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Before that, arms supplies could be allowed only by the UN Security Council.In November 2015, Russia prolonged the contract with Iran for sales of four units of S-300 air defense systems, and in 2016, the equipment was shipped. A similar contract was signed in 2007, but was frozen in 2010, when the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1929, prohibiting transfer of armament to Iran. However, Moscow and Tehran also signed some other agreements, which did not contradict the UN sanctions, such as Iran's purchasing of Russian radio-monitoring and radio-technical intelligence equipment, according to the director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, Dmitry Shugayev.In late August, Russian Ambassador to Iran Levan Dzhagaryan told Sputnik that the countries are in talks on a range of military products, in light of the lifting of the UN arms embargo.

ECO Bennett will be very frustrated reading this 8

vot tak Good news. 5

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military & intelligence, russia, iran
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/spice-girls-reportedly-mulling-2023-tour-featuring-brief-reunion-with-posh-spice-beckham--1090717761.html

Spice Girls Reportedly Mulling 2023 Tour, Featuring Brief Reunion With 'Posh Spice' Beckham

Spice Girls Reportedly Mulling 2023 Tour, Featuring Brief Reunion With 'Posh Spice' Beckham

Victoria Beckham, aka 'Posh Spice,' has been public about her ambivalence to return to the Spice Girls - even for a one-off tour. In 2019, Beckham told Vogue... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T03:12+0000

2021-11-14T03:12+0000

2021-11-14T03:08+0000

pop music

victoria beckham

spice girls

uk

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The Spice Girls (minus one) are expected to reunite for a new tour in 2023, according to a new insider report provided by The Sun. Presently, the group is planning to begin its tour in Australia. While their previous four-person tour raked in an estimated total of 4 million (~$5,366,000 USD) the group is expected to go all-out for their delayed 25th-anniversary tour. "They are all very excited that the wheels are now in motion, and are hoping to give their fans a 2023 tour bigger and better than 2019," proclaimed the insider. Scary Spice (Melanie Brown, aka Mel B), Sporty Spice (Melanie Chisholm, aka 'Mel C'), Baby Spice (Emma Bunton) and Ginger Spice (Geri Halliwell) are set to headline the majority of the tour, but sources told the UK tabloid that the women are trying to get Posh Spice to join them for at least one performance. The performance would be Beckham's first time performing on tour with the group since 2008. Posh Spice notably rejoined the Spice Girls for a one-time medley performance of "Wannabe" and "Spice Up Your Life" at the 2012 Summer Olympics, but she has since expressed that she would rather not return to the music industry. Beckham told Vogue Germany in a 2019 cover story that "it took me a lot of courage not to go on tour with the Spice Girls again, but to be the one who says, You know, I'm not doing it because things feel different now than they used to. I'd rather concentrate on my family and my company.'"According to the source, fans should not be shocked to find another famed UK songstress cheering on the Spice Girls. "And one person who will definitely be in the audience is Adele," claimed the insider. "She is a real superfan, and told Mel seeing the girls in 2019 made her year.

Uninformed In the early ones = Services Provided , at all the youth too 0

Hess WHO GIVES A FUCK ABOUT WHAT FIVE WEALTHY WHORES AREDOING? 0

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Evan Craighead

pop music, victoria beckham, spice girls, uk
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/trump-beats-biden-in-hypothetical-iowa-2024-matchup-poll-shows-1090729814.html

Trump Beats Biden in Hypothetical Iowa 2024 Matchup, Poll Shows

Trump Beats Biden in Hypothetical Iowa 2024 Matchup, Poll Shows

This comes a month after Trump held his first rally in Iowa since being defeated by Biden in the November 2020 presidential election. Thousands of people... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T18:17+0000

2021-11-14T18:17+0000

2021-11-14T18:17+0000

news

joe biden

donald trump

poll

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Donald Trump beat Joe Biden by 11 points in Iowa in a hypothetical 2024 matchup, drawing 51 percent of support compared to Biden's 40 percent, a Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll showed on Saturday. Another 4 percent answered that they would not vote for Trump or Biden, while 5 percent said they were unsure which candidate to support.In October, Trump visited Iowa, a traditionally pro-Republican state, to meet his supporters. Although he has not yet made it official, Trump has repeatedly suggested he'll run for president again in 2024 .Another Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll conducted last month showed Trump was more popular in Iowa than ever. Fifty-three percent of Iowans had a favourable view of the ex-POTUS, while and forty-five percent held an unfavourable view. Meanwhile, an Iowa poll conducted to gauge public opinion about President Biden shows that his approval ratings are falling: 33 percent of Iowans said they were satisfied with his job while 62 percent said they disapproved of his policies.

vot tak Another likudite advert for israel's anti-Russian trump toy. Thumbs down, 5th column. 5

TruePatriot That was easy to see coming. The way Brandon is going he won't even be able to run for 2nd assistant dog catcher and win. 4

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Sofia Chegodaeva

news, joe biden, donald trump, poll
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/trump-organization-reportedly-reaches-375-million-deal-to-sell-rights-to-dc-hotel-1090733825.html

Trump Organization Reportedly Reaches $375 Million Deal to Sell Rights to DC Hotel

Trump Organization Reportedly Reaches $375 Million Deal to Sell Rights to DC Hotel

Back in 2012, the Trump Organization and a private equity firm were selected by the General Services Administration (GSA) to redevelop the Old Post Office and... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T23:12+0000

2021-11-14T23:12+0000

2021-11-14T23:09+0000

donald trump

us

washington dc

trump organization

trump international hotel

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CGI Merchant Group - an investment firm based in Miami, Florida - is set to acquire the rights to the Trump International Hotel for an estimated $375 million, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. Citing individuals familiar with the matter, the report detailed that CGI Merchant Group also secured a deal with Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. to rebrand the DC hotel and remove the former US president's family name from the property. The Hotel Waldorf-Astoria Corporation - a Hilton Worldwide Holdings subsidiary - will reportedly be tasked with managing the property. The $375 million deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022. News of the sale comes a month after the US House Committee on Oversight and Reform claimed that newly-obtained GSA documents raised "new and troubling questions" about the Trump Organization's lease. The committee claimed in an October issuance to the GSA that then-President Trump reported that he earned more than $150 million in revenue during his White House tenure, but GSA records showed that the Trump International Hotel incurred net losses of more than $70 million during that period.Additionally, records showed that Trump's DJT Holdings LLC loaned the DC-based hotel $27,805,069 between 2017 to 2020. However, only a portion was repaid, causing more than $24 million of that to be converted to capital contributions. "Taken together, these documents show that far from being a successful investment, the Trump Hotel was a failing business saddled by debt that required bailouts from President Trumps other businesses," the Democratic-led group said.

vot tak A zio-mafia to zio-mafia fraudulent zio-business/criminal scam. What israel's trump zio-mafioso have done for all their parasitic lives. 4

vot tak Well trump well represented his israeli mafia views on how to exploit people in the zio-occupied territories. 4

3

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Evan Craighead

donald trump, us, washington dc, trump organization, trump international hotel
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/uks-truss-urges-eu-to-block-nord-stream-2-demands-kremlin-pressure-belarus-to-end-migrant-crisis-1090721317.html

UK's Truss Urges EU to Block Nord Stream 2, Demands Kremlin Pressure Belarus to End Migrant Crisis

UK's Truss Urges EU to Block Nord Stream 2, Demands Kremlin Pressure Belarus to End Migrant Crisis

Warsaw and several other states have baselessly accused Belarus of orchestrating the migrant crisis on its border with Poland. While Minsk is accused of... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T07:56+0000

2021-11-14T07:56+0000

2021-11-14T16:32+0000

poland

alexander lukashenko

liz truss

nord stream 2

uk

sergei lavrov

belarus

vladimir putin

migrants

eu

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UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has publicly intervened in the migrant crisis unfolding on the Poland-Belarus border, telling Russias President Vladimir Putin the Kremlin had a clear responsibility to end Minsks attempt to use desperate migrants as pawns to destabilise the region. Writing for The Telegraph, Truss warned that the UK was prepared to act robustly, decisively and relentlessly in response to malign actions, wherever they are in the world. The UK Foreign Secretary echoed the earlier statements of some EU countries, such as Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, as well as the US, denouncing the shameful manufactured migrant crisis that she claimed was being stoked at Europes eastern borders. Truss insisted that Britain would not look away in a situation when its European allies were being forced to bear the brunt of a carefully crafted crisis designed to distract from a litany of abhorrent acts and human rights violations ostensibly perpetrated by Alexander Lukashenkos government. Truss also urged the European Union to reconsider dependence on Russia for gas supplies by cancelling the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Nord Stream 2, the 745-mile pipeline which consists of two tubes with a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters per year, was completed on 10 September. It is set to deliver gas from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea. Currently, the process of certifying Nord Stream 2 AG as the pipelines independent operator is underway to ensure the project complies with the conditions of the 12 February EU Gas Directive. Truss, however, appealed to the EU to block the approval of Nord Stream 2, reiterating earlier allegations by the US and the UK that the project risks rendering Europe more dependent on Russian gas. Furthermore, fervent critics of the project have argued that it gave Russia increased leverage over Ukraine by cutting it out as a transit country. In response to all allegations, Moscow has repeatedly voiced assurances that there is no political component to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and that it is a purely economic project not intended to be used as leverage against Europe, as Washington has suggested. The British Foreign Secretary went on to underscore that her nation should be deepening investment and trade ties with countries that follow the rules and allow free market economies to thrive. We cannot, and will not, ever give succour to those who want to undermine freedom and democracy. The remarks by the UK Foreign Secretary come after on 11 November the UK sent a small team of military personnel to Poland, with the 10 soldiers to visit the border at the request of the Polish government to help repair or reinforce the fencing. According to the Ministry of Defence, the mission was focused only on engineering support to address the ongoing situation at the Belarus border.The recent statements by UK officials come amid their fear that the current migrant crisis at Polands border could spill over to Britain. Many of the migrants seeking entry into the EU may potentially travel through France in an attempt to cross the English Channel to subsequently reach Britain. Almost 1,200 illegal immigrants arrived in the UK on 11 November on small inflatable boats from France and Belgium, setting a new daily record. More than 23,500 have made the crossing from France so far this year, a sharp rise on the 8,404 in 2020. With the UK government paying instalments of 54 million to France to help stem the flow of small boats, MPs are slamming the French for not doing more. Thoughtless Policy of the EU Regarding the situation on the Polish-Belarus border, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a conversation with outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel on 11 November, urged the importance of an early settlement of the acute migration crisis, in accordance with international humanitarian standards. Putin also called for the restoration of communication between the EU countries and Belarus to solve the issue. Belarus has dismissed all accusations that it is waging a "hybrid war" against the European Union on the Belarusian-Polish border. Everything that is happening is the result of the thoughtless policy of the EU, connected with the statehood devastation in a number of countries, and also with the fact that they had invited refugees and declared that they are ready to shelter them," according to Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has also underscored that the migrant flows currently seen at the border of Belarus and Poland resulted from the policy NATO and EU countries have been pursuing in the Middle East and North Africa for years. He referred to the US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and Western-backed Arab Spring uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa. He also urged the EU to offer financial assistance to Belarus to deal with the influx.

TruePatriot What an utter imbecile this Truss is. 16

Theodorebikel You started the war Liz Truss. You then went in with your military and killed a lot of people including innocent civilians, war crimes that you won't investigate. Bless you, you can reap what you sow. Take responsibility for your actions. 12

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Svetlana Ekimenko

poland, alexander lukashenko, liz truss, nord stream 2, uk, sergei lavrov, belarus, vladimir putin, migrants, eu
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/us-likely-buried-details-of-syrian-airstrikes-over-shame-of-causing-civilian-deaths-experts-say-1090733068.html

US Likely Buried Details of Syrian Airstrikes Over Shame of Causing Civilian Deaths, Experts Say

US Likely Buried Details of Syrian Airstrikes Over Shame of Causing Civilian Deaths, Experts Say

On Saturday, the New York Times published an in-depth look at a series US airstrikes that killed at least 80 people, including up to 64 women and children... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T22:45+0000

2021-11-14T22:45+0000

2021-11-15T03:13+0000

us

airstrike

syria

civilian deaths

us central command (centcom)

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https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/101813/57/1018135743_0:19:1645:944_1920x0_80_0_0_ac1dd7999f1c879eb6840cc3f44f3163.jpg

As the public learns more about the previously unreported US airstrikes in eastern Syria, a number of questions have been raised about the report's timing, the actual casualty count, and possible procedural violations by US military leadership.Dr. Michele Groppi, a Defense Studies Department lecturer at King's College London and president of ITSS Verona, told Sputnik that it is likely that there was a combination of "overwhelming evidence" and "internal dissent" from personnel who wish to keep the armed forces accountable.The report also comes amid increased US military scrutiny by mainstream media outlets, noted Sami Hamdi, head of the International Interest, a political risk analysis group. Hamdi highlighted that media coverage of US military actions has intensified following the "chaotic withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan" in August. Since then there has been increased media scrutiny of the US August 29 drone strike that killed Zemari Ahmadi and 9 members of his family in Kabul, Afghanistan, the political analyst said. Like the August drone strike, the US failure to immediately admit responsibility in the March 18, 2019, airstrikes in Syria will likely impact the American public's perception of the armed forces. Gene Tate, an evaluator tasked with the case for the inspector generals office, told the NYT that he believed that he had been forced out of his job after raising concerns about the Pentagon leadership's handling of the 2019 strikes. He noted that the higher-ups "seemed so set on burying this." Groppi and Hamdi both suggested that the US most likely chose to bury the situation out of natural embarrassment for their error. While there may be "a tendency to maybe twist or tweak facts," the truth will ultimately come out, he added. Hamdi pointed out that the situation is particularly humiliating for the US military in Syria because "the US has sought to present Russia and Iran as the evil powers, while it sought to present itself as a knight in shining armour, as a saviour of democratic principles." CENTCOM has claimed that they were only able to identify four civilians and 16 Daesh fighters among the 80 killed in the strikes. The force claimed it could not rule out the possibility that the remaining 60 individuals - all women and children - were also militants. "The reason for this uncertainty is that multiple armed women and at least one armed child were observed in the video, and the exact mixture of armed and unarmed personnel could not be conclusively determined," according to CENTCOM in a statement to the BBC. "Likely, a majority of those killed were also combatants at the time of the strike, however, it is also highly likely that there were additional civilians killed by these two strikes." While some argue that civilian casualties have been reduced by technology, such cases raise questions about US forces' attempts at harm reduction.Groppi contended that even if you have the legal grounds to strike a target, you'd likely harm civilians. He said that it is up to armies to find a balance between using surgical airstrikes and putting boots on the ground. "But as far as now, we're still confronted with civilian casualties and, unfortunately, some even potential attempts to cover this up," Groppi said. As for the continued illegal presence of the US in Syria, Hamdi noted that, in recent years, there has become a resignation that both Iran and Russia have "rescued" Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Groppi expressed doubt about the US ending its presence in Syria anytime soon. He said that while there is a pivot to Asia and the Pacific theater, the US has regional stability obligations to honor. *Daesh (aka ISIL, ISIS) is a terrorist organization banned in Russia and other countries.

https://sputniknews.com/20211114/us-acknowledges-2019-airstrikes-in-syria-after-nyt-report-reveals-civilian-deaths-1090717158.html

Thraxite They didn't report it due to shame, the US military and Executive branch are shameless. They don't know the meaning of dignity, statesmanship or honour. They do this with monotonous regularity, they don't report things because the US MSM rarely calls them to task for the egregious crimes against humanity. 14

Anton Krupp Its no different to all the other war crimes committed in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen Somalia. etc etc ad nauseum - They are an evil Empire coached in saving the world from evil as their propaganda tells us - I hope one day that the Russians or the Chinese give them the mother of all defeats. 13

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Evan Craighead

us, airstrike, syria, civilian deaths, us central command (centcom)
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/us-media-reveal-why-nato-arms-aid-to-ukraine-risks-crossing-a-bright-red-line-with-russia-1090729310.html

US Media Reveal Why NATO Arms Aid to Ukraine Risks Crossing a Bright Red Line With Russia

US Media Reveal Why NATO Arms Aid to Ukraine Risks Crossing a Bright Red Line With Russia

The United States and its NATO allies have delivered hundreds of millions of dollars worth of military aid to Ukraine since 2014, including both non-lethal... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T15:35+0000

2021-11-14T15:35+0000

2021-11-14T16:56+0000

russia

ukraine

united states

nato

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The US and NATO provision of weapons to Ukraine and the blocs diplomatic efforts to give Kiev the illusion that it enjoys strong Western backing are a recipe for disaster, Cato Institute senior fellow and National Interest contributor Ted Galen Carpenter fears.In a recent analysis for the paleoconservative news magazine, Carpenter warned that Western leaders pursuit of a reckless strategy in Ukraine has been generating increasingly pointed warnings from Kremlin officials," and facilitating the alleged buildup of Russian troops on the border.Calling such policies needlessly destabilizing, Carpenter pointed out that Ukrainian officials including President Volodymyr Zelensky have taken advantage of the expressions of support by making jingoistic statements about regaining Crimea, which broke off from Kiev in March 2014 following a Western-backed coup detat in Kiev, and by threatening to crus[h] the separatists in Donbass.Russian officials have stated repeatedly that Moscow has no plans to invade any country, including Ukraine, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov telling reporters on Friday that Russia doesnt threaten anyone, and that the movement of troops on our territory should be a cause for anyones concern.Peskovs comments followed claims over the past two weeks by US officials and media about a buildup of Russian forces near Ukraine. In early November, Politico published satellite photos ostensibly showing Russian military equipment in Russias Smolensk region  over 250 km from the Ukrainian frontier and over 800 km from the frozen eastern Ukraine conflict zone, and claiming it be evidence of a buildup.In any event, Carpenter believes that Kiev should realize that its military is no match for Russias in terms of either quantity or quality, and that any confrontation which may lead to Russian involvement is futile. The analyst warned however, that a belief in US or NATO military support may cause Ukrainian leaders to abandon prudence and mount an ill-starred confrontation.The danger of such a scenario was demonstrated in the case of Georgia, according to the observer, and the August 2008 misadventure which saw Washington egging on Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili to invade the breakaway region of South Ossetia. The invasion led to the deaths of ten Russian peacekeeping troops, who had been deployed in the region in the early 1990s to separate the two sides, and prompted Moscow to launch a full-scale counteroffensive that crushed the US-armed and trained Georgian forces and led South Ossetia and Abkhazia, another Georgian breakaway, to formally declare independence.Between 2017, 2019, and again in 2021, the US sent tens of millions of dollars in Javelin anti-tank missiles to Kiev. In 2019, Washingtons Turkish allies delivered a dozen Bayraktar TB2 drones to the country, with the Ukrainian military deploying the drones in Donbass for the first time in late October and announcing plans to purchase more Bayraktar in 2022.Other NATO defence deliveries have included US-made sniper rifles, US Humvee armoured personnel carriers and artillery-locating mobile radars, British-made Saxon armoured command centres used for artillery fire support, Czech 152mm howitzers, and Italian and German engineering and medevac vehicles.Carpenter urged the US and its NATO allies to back away from their increasingly dangerous policies in Ukraine, suggesting that Moscow has made it clear multiple times that it regards Ukraine as a core Russian security concern, and pointing out that recent efforts to make that country a Western military ally risk crossing a bright red line.The conflict in Ukraine began in February 2014, when pro-Western, ultranationalist US and EU-backed protesters in Kiev overthrew the countrys unpopular but democratically elected government and set a course for its integration with the European Union. In March, the majority ethnic Russian region of Crimea  which had been part of Russia until it was handed over to Soviet Ukraine by Nikita Khrushchev in an administrative reshuffle in 1956, voted in a referendum to break off from Ukraine and rejoin Russia. In April 2014, when local officials and residents in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Lugansk began demanding greater autonomy or even independence from the new authorities in Kiev, the government responded by sending troops to crush the resistance, sparking a bloody civil war which has left over 13,000 people dead, tens of thousands more injured, and caused nearly 2.5 million people to flee their homes.The conflict in eastern Ukraine was frozen thanks to ceasefire negotiations in Minsk, Belarus in February 2015, with the Minsk protocols providing a mechanism through which Kiev could restore its control over the rebellious territories while providing the latter with constitutionally-mandated autonomy status. The ceasefires provisions and agreements reached since, ban the deployment and use of weapons in and near settlements, as well as offensive, reconnaissance and sabotage mission operations, and the use of drones, in the conflict area. In the nearly seven years since the ceasefire was signed, Kiev and the Donbass militias have accused one another of violating the agreement thousands of times.

https://sputniknews.com/20211113/what-can-russia-do-about-nato-hostility-1090709216.html

https://sputniknews.com/20180808/georgia-us-south-ossetia-1067050906.html

https://sputniknews.com/20180214/ukraine-maidan-georgian-snipers-evidence-1061632008.html

Rossco If Kiev threatens the Donetsk and Lugansk regions this will be a red line the Russians will not accept. The Ukrainians should remember they will have no support from NATO or the US in the event they cross this line and Russia will end Ukraine . Any idea that Ukraine has about Crimea is also a red line. The US is only interested in destroying Russia and will do whatever it can ,but when the battle starts the troublemaking US and its cronies will be nowhere to be found. 15

Hampar Tokatlian Your analysis is correct , but the Ukies are too dumb to understand. Having contiguous borders with Poland must have affected their ability to think. 12

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Ilya Tsukanov

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Ilya Tsukanov

russia, ukraine, united states, nato
https://sputniknews.com/20211114/us-u-2-reportedly-spotted-spying-on-russian-military-amid-seething-nato-russia-black-sea-tensions-1090726854.html

US U-2 Reportedly Spotted Spying on Russian Military Amid Seething NATO-Russia Black Sea Tensions

US U-2 Reportedly Spotted Spying on Russian Military Amid Seething NATO-Russia Black Sea Tensions

The Russian Aerospace Forces detected a dramatic uptick in NATO reconnaissance flights near Russias maritime borders in the Black Sea on Saturday, with the... 14.11.2021, Sputnik International

2021-11-14T12:38+0000

2021-11-14T12:38+0000

2021-11-14T12:59+0000

black sea

reconnaissance flight

u-2s

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https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/10/1081484513_103:0:2896:1571_1920x0_80_0_0_f1a1055ec57544d3e965182a1f57ddd2.jpg

A US Air Force Lockheed U-2S Dragon Lady spy plane operating out of the Akrotiri air base on Cyprus spent about five hours over Ukrainian and international airspace in the Black Sea attempting to monitor Russian military activities, Military Observer, a Telegram channel tracking global military operations and conflicts, has reported.The Russian military has not commented on the information.Earlier, the Defence Ministry indicated that a total of six NATO reconnaissance aircraft had been spotted operating in the Black Sea region over the course of 24 hours. The aircraft were said to have been detected and tracked throughout their flights by the radar systems of Russias air defence troops.Russian President Vladimir Putin complained Saturday that the US and its NATO allies were conducting unscheduled drills in Black Sea waters, concentrating not only a powerful ship groupbut also aviation, [and] strategic aviation.I should say that our Defence Ministry also proposed to hold its own unplanned exercises in the same area. But I believe that this is not appropriate and there is no need to further escalate the situation there, Putin stressed.On Thursday, the Kremlin characterised NATOs activities in the Black Sea as destabilising, dangerous and provocative, saying Putin had conveyed his concerns on the matter to outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel.Also Thursday, a Russian Aerospace Forces Su-30 jet was scrambled to intercept a UK RC-135 reconnaissance plane as it attempted to approach Crimean waters. A day earlier, the Russian military detected a US Air Force E-8C reconnaissance and strike coordination plane over the Black Sea, saying it came within 35 km of the Russian frontier.The US, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine began drills in the Black Sea this week after the USS Mount Whitney amphibious command ship flagship of the US Sixth Fleet, and the USS Porter, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, entered the body of water last week.

https://sputniknews.com/20211112/russian-radars-detect-six-nato-reconnaissance-flights-over-black-sea-1090681109.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211113/russia-slams-us-and-natos-aggressive-military-activity-in-black-sea-as-threat-to-region-1090707600.html

Barros F*ck US! 11

ECO The yanks seemed to have forgotten the U2 shot down in the 1960s maybe it's time for a repetition of this humiliation and honesty, I would not mind if they took down of these vultures 8

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Perennial local driving leader Kevin Cummings had his best one-night performance of the current Batavia Downs meet on Saturday (Nov. 13), an evening where he swept both of the track's feature races.

In the $13,500 Open I Handicap Pace, Cummings won with Our Corelli N on the horse's first trip to western New York.

Mississippi Rabbit and Art Scene both left and battled vehemently to the quarter in :27.3 and the half in :55.3 before Art Scene finally took the top heading to the second circuit. But as soon as he crossed over, McSpidey and Our Corelli N started to move into the breeze and continued to pressure Art Scene.

McSpidey couldnt get by Art Scene, so Cummings popped the plugs on Our Corelli N and swung three-deep around both, eventually putting a head in front at three-quarters. Our Corelli N cleared and opened two lengths at the head of the stretch, and under moderate urging, paced away to the line on top by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:55.2.

Our Corelli N ($7.70) was a $40,000 claim at Yonkers Raceway in September by current owner Marissa Russo and this was his first start and win at Batavia Downs for his new connections. David Russo trains the winner.

Later in the $13,500 Open I Handicap Trot, Cummings was back behind Barn Hall and made every station a winning one.

Barn Hall left from post six, took the lead before the quarter and controlled the race from there. With Saratoga invader Oh So Pine following intently from second, Barn Hall clicked quarters of :28.3, :59.1 and 1:29 with only a mild bid from Mugshots Bro to contend with at that last station.

As the race rounded the final bend, Barn Hall and Oh So Pine started to separate from the field. When they straightened out for home, Oh So Pine tipped and tried to rush to the front, but Barn Hall would have nothing to do with that and kept his length lead all the way to the light to win in 1:58.4.

Barn Hall ($7.10) now has eight wins and $71,577 on the card in 2021 for owners Steve and Nancy Pratt, Purple Haze Stable and Out In The Country Stable. Steve Pratt trains the 3-year-old colt.

Cummings completed his grand slam with Dontdoubtthelakers (1:59.1, $30) and Gallery Opening (1:57.1, $7.90). Cummings also had two seconds and two thirds from his 11 drives, giving him a UDR of .598 for the night. Cummings is currently second for the meet in the dash driving title race with 76 wins behind Jim Morrill Jr. who sits in first with 94 victories.

The sub-feature $12,500 Open II Handicap Pace saw Surfer Beach pull the drop-and-pop on the strength of a muscle move off the gate. Surfer Beach left and refused to seat, eventually getting parked past the half by Lord Willoughby A. But he eventually took control at the five-eighths and after putting away a challenge from Sunfirewindrain up the backstretch, Surfer Beach caught a wave and hung-ten in the stretch to win by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:54.3.

It was the 10th win this year for Surfer Beach ($4.90) who is owned by Vogel & Wag Nags, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock. Maria Rice trains the winner and Jim Morrill Jr. sat in the sulky.

Morrill, Rice and their ownership group also hooked up with Party Boy Hanover (1:59.4, $3.20) to end the night with two wins across the board.

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 17) one of the largest carryover pools currently being offered at any race track in North America has grown once again and will be offered in Race 11. After no single unique winning ticket was sold on the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta again on Saturday, the carryover is now set at $18,534 for that wager on Wednesday.

Free full past performance program pages for all live Batavia Downs races can be downloaded at bataviadownsgaming.com under the live racing tab in the left hand column where they are always available.

And for those who cant attend the races in person, a live stream of the entire nights action is available on the Batavia Downs YouTube channel.

Post time for the first race is 5 p.m. (EST).

(Batavia Downs)
Austin Siegelman got the surprise of his driving career last year when Leonidas A pulled off a 15-1 upset victory in the $100,000 Potomac Pace Invitational at Rosecroft Raceway.

I never expected to win that race last year when I went to Rosecroft. Everything kind of fell into place for us, said the 29-year-old Pennsylvania native, who is currently splitting his time between Yonkers Raceway and Freehold Raceway. Hes such a good horse he was able to overcome sitting in the back and come from last and go by Bettors Wish, who is a very good horse. I guess we just got a better trip.

Leonidas A trailed the field early while parked on the outside before taking advantage of a hotly contested early pace to rally past 3-10 favourite Bettors Wish and prevail by three-quarters of a length.

I really didnt know how to take it, being that I never won a race like that. It was kind of surreal, Siegelman said. It was nice to do it at Rosecroft. Everyone was so nice down there, very welcoming.

Winning Sunday nights Potomac Pace would be twice as nice for Siegelman. Leonidas A is scheduled to defend his title in a deep field of eight highly accomplished pacers. The Sheena Cohen-trained six-year-old gelding has won nine times this year and enters the Potomac Pace off a sharp second-place finish in an open pace at Yonkers on Nov. 8.

He went through a spell where he wasnt very sharp, but hes as good as hes ever been right now. His last race at Yonkers he was really great, said Siegelman, who rallied behind Leonidas A to finished less than a length behind Potomac Pace rival Nandolo N. I think he would have won the open at Yonkers last time, but he had a little bit of traffic.

With the likes of Allywag Hanover, who came up a neck short of winning the $600,000 Breeders Crown after setting the pace last time out; This Is The Time, who set a world record (1:47.3) for pacers on a half-mile track while winning the Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield on the front end; and other speedsters in the field; the potential exists for a good set-up for a closer like Leonidas A.

You would think it would kind of benefit my horse, but Im kind of on the inside. Its a weird spot. Im going to try to push him out as much as I can, Siegelman said. Any way it shakes out, I think hes going to be all right.

The son of a trainer, Siegelman didnt always want to follow in his fathers footsteps, opting to enroll in Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

I wasnt sure what I wanted to do, so I did a year of college and then I decided I wanted to do this, he said. Why fight it? Im in class, thinking about jogging horses.

After driving his first winner at Pocono Downs in 2012, Siegelman moved on to Monticello Raceway in Upstate New York, where he opened some eyes while driving 90 winners in 2013. He has been the dominant driver at Freehold Raceway in New Jersey for several years and is also enjoying a lot of success at Yonkers.

Siegelman, who has driven nearly 2,000 winners, is someone who doesnt look too far ahead into the future.

I dont really have any big goals, Siegelman said. Win the Potomac Pace again  thats this months goal.

NOTES: The Sunday program kicks off with a first race at 7:15 p.m. Along with the Potomac Pace, the 14-race program will also include the $25,000 Henry Sacks Memorial Pace for Maryland sired, bred, foaled, or owned horses. Sacks was a regular at Rosecroft and had been going to the track since the track opened in 1949 before passing away in 2019. Covered Bridge, a winner of two of his last three, is the 3-1 favorite with Yannick Gingras. Arties Deal will leave from the rail with Jason Bartlett and is 7-2.

(Rosecroft)
It should be a home away from home on our journey to arrive at our eternal home, he said.

Its a place where people come for food and shelter, Walsh said, mentioning the Missionhurst priests who labored for nearly 20 years to launch the Culpeper parish.

So much living occurred in the church the past 75 years, Walsh told congregants, first communions, baptisms, weddings, confirmations. The externals are not the most important part of Catholicism, he added, but the sacrifice of Godmercy that depths will never be able to fathom.

A new day now begins, Father Walsh said, as church members continue to walk together along the paths our Lord chooses for us.

A congregant for nearly 50 years, Peggy Place remembered the original church building that fronted Main Street. All four of her children made First Communion at Precious Blood, she said after the service on Sunday.

When I moved here in 73, we had about 125 families, Place said. As Culpeper grew, so did the church.

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The Schneider-Vial family of Berry Hill in Brandy Station are also long-time parishioners, with four generations calling it home since the 1950s.
Bennie Trevino was one of the names on the wall and was instrumental in getting the memorial and columns built in honor of Mexican-American veterans from the valley.

Its a pretty proud feeling knowing that, even though my dad did not die in the line of duty, he was a big part of getting these statues together. He was on the board (that got the monuments made). Unfortunately, last year he passed away from COVID, and my mom, Anthony Trevino, Bennies son, said.

Anthony Trevino said his dad wasnt one to talk about his service to his country.

My daughter got him to open up about it, and he started coming out. He was a little prouder (of his service), he said. His quote was, When I came back from the war, we didnt get a big greeting like you see on TV. It was a little bitter with him.

That helped spur Bennie Trevino to get involved with getting the memorial and columns built.

He wanted to just do something for other people who maybe felt the same way. It means a lot to see this, not just for Hispanic culture, but for everybody. This isnt just about what culture youre from. I think its more about what you have done for your country and getting the recognition you deserve.
Several other artists take classes from Rod here, and we decided this was an important thing we wanted to do, McDonald said. So we started making bowls. And we made lots of them.

By Veterans Day, the group had made 65 bowls. Some are wide, others deep. Many, but not all, have decorative designs. A few of the bowls even have handles.

I think we have a bowl for every person. If they want something, weve got it covered, McDonald said.

Different styles pair well with different types of kitchen decor. The bowls will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis, so Clause and McDonald recommended people arrive early.

Since this will be the first such fundraiser in the area, Clause said there was some concern as to whether they made enough bowls for everyone who wants to get one. McDonald said shed like to see the Empty Bowl event become an annual occasion. The potters will be able to craft an optimal amount of bowls next time depending on this years turnout.
From there, members asked him to submit a portfolio to the organization. Members voted on the portfolio and with enough votes, asked him to bring five original pieces of art to the Fort Worth show to be judged along with his interview. The rest, as they say, is history.

It still kind of seems surreal, so Im still having a hard time processing all whats happened, he said. It kind of feels almost like 12 years of doing this professionally, and then you have overnight success. But, you know, different art critics in the Western art world have expressed interest in what Ive been doing.

Its interesting how many doors it seems to open up also, and I think that goes to speak for how prestigious the Cowboy Artists of America are, because the vetting process seems to be so intense that when you make it through, people in the Western art world  whether it be gallery show, people that run shows, museums, all that kind of (thing)  automatically want to know about you, because they know that youve made it this far vetted by the best Western artists.

For Bailey, this is, and will likely always be, his crowning achievement of his art career. As a western and wildlife artist, he cant really think of anything quite like signing the letters CA after his name on his artwork.

I will never do anything bigger in my lifetime, he said. Obviously, you hope you sell paintings for more or get into  I mean, obviously theres better shows, better galleries. But as far as like the ultimate  any Western artist getting into CA, theres other milestones, but thats probably the biggest achievement Ill ever have in my life.

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DENVER (AP)  Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who sidestepped federal guidelines this week by allowing all adults age 18 and older to get COVID-19 booster vaccines, insisted Friday that boosters are key to stemming an ongoing spike in cases  and strongly suggested his administrations efforts to convince the unvaccinated to get shots have reached their limit.

Polis said his Thursday executive order on booster shots is essential to relieve pressure on hospitals overwhelmed by patients sick with the contagious coronavirus delta variant. He insisted Colorado has enough vaccines for everyone needing a booster shot.

The Democratic governor defied federal guidance on booster shots with his order. U.S. Food and Drug Administration rules allow boosters for those 18 and over who are at high risk of exposure to the virus, for people 65 and older, and for adults with special medical conditions. Polis order declared all of Colorado at high risk of infection, significantly expanding the number of residents eligible.

Asked about the order at a Friday briefing in Washington, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said: As you noted, this isnt currently the guidance thats being projected by our health and medical experts because they are looking at and understanding the data.
According to the press release from Petersons office, the bill would also require more sexual assault prevention training for military personnel and more instruction for prosecutors on how to handle sexual assault and domestic violence cases.

The bill is sponsored by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and has 65 cosponsors, including both of Nebraskas senators. Other key lawmakers and leaders of the military services have balked at including all major crimes. There are concerns that stripping control of all crimes from commanders could hurt military readiness, erode command authority and require far more time and resources.

The Armys handling of sexual assaults and other violence has come under significant scrutiny in the aftermath of a series of crimes, including murders and suicides last year at Fort Hood, Texas. A review panel found that military leaders at the post were not adequately dealing with high rates of sexual assault and harassment and were utterly neglecting the sexual assault prevention program.
There was a popular song about cotton bolls which stated that when they got rotten, you couldnt pick very much cotton. Well, the cotton bolls picture with this column dont look rotten to me, but then, Im no expert on cotton plants. I spotted these plants growing in two fields in the Cool Spring neighborhood, along Mocksville Highway, east of Statesville, near the intersection with Swann Road.

I surely would not want to spend hours under the sun, bent over, picking the cotton by hand in a field, nor picking the seeds out of the cotton matrix by hand, and neither would you. My wife tells me her late grandmother, Sallie Goodrum (Mrs. E.T. Christenbury), who grew up near Cornelius, spoke often to Judy of picking cotton by hand as a girl, as did her two sisters, Myrtie (Gillespie) and Ella (Robinson), and her brother, Worth.

A clever fellow named Eli Whitney gets the credit for inventing a device, an engine (or gin), that could pick out the seeds from the threads much quicker than doing it by hand, and so cotton became a leading crop in the South. Whitney patented this machine in 1794, although several other people were working on similar designs at the same time, as often happens with inventions.
The Charlotte Divinity School recently received permission to offer programs at the certificate, undergraduate and graduate levels in Statesville.

Covenant ARP Church will be hosting classes starting Tuesday. The last day for registration is Tuesday if registration is not completed before the start of class. Classes will be held Monday through Dec. 14 and then Jan. 1-18 on Tuesdays from 5 to 8 p.m. The church is located at 120 E. Greenbriar Road.

Jeffrey Richards, pastor of Covenant ARP, said he was encouraged by a number of people to look into starting a new school in the area. He petitioned the state through UNC-Chapel Hill to apply for religious exemption recognition, which was granted in the spring.

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Richards said permission was given to begin offering certificate, undergraduate and graduate level programs.

Richards said the program will begin with 30 credit certificate program which consists of 10 courses. The program, in biblical studies, can be completed quickly, he said, since classes will meet for eight weeks one night per week. There will be two tracks for the certificate program  one of those who desire more knowledge concerning the Bible, theology, missions and evangelism and another for those looking for a seminary education.
Saturday's (Nov. 6) front page news: "Biden's bet on the economy fails."

A small positive Biden story was buried on page A6.

Why?

Fact: U.S. unemployment rate was 6.3% in Feb. 2021.

It is now 4.6% and going down.

In March 2021, the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan passed with NO REPUBLICAN VOTES.

It has provided stimulus payments, food stamps for the poor, child credits to alleviate child poverty, Money for schools, housing, health care and more.

In October 2021, 5.6 million jobs were added.

More jobs have been added in President Joe Biden's nine months in office than in the last 16 years of Republican administrations combined.

The $1.2 trillion bipartisan, infrastructure has been signed into law by President Biden.

Over the next eight years it provided $110 billion for roads and bridges, $73 billion for our national electrical grid, $66 billion for railroads, and much, much more.

Authoritarian wannabe Trump did nothing for four years, but gave tax cuts to the rich and still is trying to destroy our democracy.

Thank you President Joe Biden, you're a doer not a demagogue.

Joe Hobson

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The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (Fan Edition) has been in the news for quite some time. When the launch of the phone got delayed earlier this year, rumour mills suggested that the mobile phone had actually been scrapped. Soon after, Samsung trashed all those rumours without explicitly confirming anything about the Galaxy S21 FE. More recently, reports have suggested that the Korean electronics giant will launch the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE smartphone at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2021 that will take place between January 5 and January 8 in Las Vegas. Now, new reports have not only revealed the key specifications of the device but also its marketing material all of which leaves little room for doubt.

As per the images shared by CoinBRS, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE will be available in four colour options, which includes Black, Cream, Lavender, and White. It will sport a triple rear camera setup with a camera module that is similar to the Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphone. On the front, the selfie camera is placed inside the cutout that sits in the top centre area of the phone. Furthermore, the phones volume and power keys are placed on the right side.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE expected specs

As far as the specifications are concerned, reports suggest that Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is expected to feature a 6.4-inch full-HD+ AMOLED with a resolution of 1,080 x 2,340 pixels and a screen refresh rate of 120Hz refresh rate Corning Gorilla Glass protection. It is tipped to come in both Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 and Exynos 2100 SoC variants depending on the region and it is likely to run on Android 11 mobile operating system. While the Exynos 2100 SoC variant is tipped to come with Mali G78 GPU, the Snapdragon 888 SoC variant is said to come with Adreno 660 GPU. On the memory front, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is likely to get up to 12GB of RAM along with up to 256GB storage space.

Coming to the cameras, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE triple rear camera setup is likely to include a 64MP main sensor, a depth sensor, and an ultra-wide-angle sensor. At the front, it is expected to feature a 32MP sensor.

Talking about the battery, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is expected to be backed by a 4,500mAh battery with support for 15W fast charging technology. For connectivity, the Galaxy S21 FE is tipped to include 5G, 4G LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v5.1, GPS, and a USB Type-C port.
Google bans malicious apps from its Google Play Store whenever it finds them there or comes to know about them when security companies point it out. This kind of action goes a long way in protecting users from scams on the internet. In the latest such instance, the company has banned two new smart TV-based apps from the Google Play Store. These two apps are Smart TV remote and Halloween Coloring. Out of these, the former has been downloaded at least 1,000 times. The information comes courtesy of Kasperskys security analyst Tatyana Shishkova who took to Twitter to disclose the names of two malicious apps on the Google Play Store. Shishkova says that these apps come with Trojanised Joker malware.

Notably, Joker malware is known to subscribe users to premium content without their knowledge. Earlier this year, over 5,00,000 Huawei devices were found to be infected with Joker malware. Bleeping Computer also analysed the code of these malicious apps, that is, Smart TV remote and Halloween Coloring and it found out that it exists in the "resources/assets/kup3x4nowz" file within the Smart TV remote app. Also, an identical file named "q7y4prmugi" exists at the same location in the Halloween Coloring app.

What makes these apps, rather the malicious code in these apps, undetectable is the fact that these files yr41ajkdp5 and vl39sbv02d are XOR-encrypted. This encryption makes them undetectable by any of the popular antivirus apps. On further analysing these apps, the publication found out that both the 'Smart TV remote' and 'Halloween Coloring' apps are downloading malicious apps onto users Android smartphones. On confirming its analysis, the publication reported these apps to Google, which then removed them from its Play Store.

How to remove malware from your phone

If you have downloaded or if you are using either one of these two apps -- Smart TV remote and Halloween Coloring -- it is advisable that you remove them from your smartphone immediately. You should also check if these apps have signed you up for subscription services that you didnt approve of or downloaded an app that you didnt approve of.

Steps to take

1. Check your phone for apps that you have not downloaded. If you find any, delete them as they probably have been infected with malicious malware.

2. Are some apps on your phone consuming more data than others? Delete them too, if you do not use them.

3. Check apps on your phone that may have bad reviews on app stores. If possible, delete them and get better alternatives.
SpaceX expanded its constellation of low Earth orbit satellites on Saturday with the launch of 53 Starlink satellites from Florida. A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 7:19 a.m. EST and deployed the satellites about 16 minutes after launch. The rocket's reusable first stage, which has been used for multiple launches, including the first crewed test flight of SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, successfully returned and landed on the Just Read the Instructions droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.

Starlink is a satellite-based global internet system that SpaceX has been building for years to bring internet access to underserved areas of the world.

Earlier this week, SpaceX launched four astronauts to the International Space Station, including the 600th person to reach space in 60 years.

It took 21 hours for the flight from NASA's Kennedy Space Center to reach the glittering outpost.

The astronauts got emotional when they first spotted the space station from 20 miles (32 kilometers) out, calling it a pretty glorious sight.

Three astronauts welcomed the crew instead of the preferred seven.

That's because SpaceX brought four of them back on Monday, after the launch of their replacements kept getting delayed.

The new crew will spend the next six months at the space station and, during that time, host two groups of visiting tourists.

Russia will launch the first group in December and SpaceX the second in February.

SpaceX delivers new crew of 4 to station, 'glorious sight'

(AP)  A SpaceX capsule carrying four astronauts pulled up Thursday at the International Space Station, their new home until spring.

It took 21 hours for the flight from NASAs Kennedy Space Center to the glittering outpost.

The one German and three U.S. astronauts said it was an emotional moment when they first spotted the space station 20 miles (30 kilometers) distant  a pretty glorious sight, according to Raja Chari, commander of the Dragon capsule.

Floating in space and shining like a diamond," noted German astronaut Matthias Maurer. We're all very thrilled, very excited.

The Dragon's entire flight was automated, with Chari and pilot Tom Marshburn monitoring the capsule systems, ready to take control if necessary. At one point, they reported what looked like a gnarled knob or possibly a small mechanical nut floating past their camera's field of view, but SpaceX Mission Control said it posed no concern. The docking occurred 263 miles (423 kilometers) above the eastern Caribbean.

The stations welcoming committee consisted of three astronauts instead of the originally planned seven. Thats because SpaceX returned four of the station residents on Monday, after the new arrivals' launch kept getting delayed.

I cant tell you how happy I am to see these smiling faces, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei said after embracing each of the newcomers. Every one of us, all seven of us, are friends, and we're going to become even better friends as time goes on.

Vande Hei and one of the two Russians on board are midway through a one-year mission that wont end until March.

While Chari, Marshburn, Maurer and NASA astronaut Kayla Barron were adapting to weightlessness  all but Marshburn are space rookies  the previous crew was adjusting to life back on Earth. Gravity sucks, but getting used to it slowly, Japanese astronaut Akihoki Hoshide tweeted.

The new crew will spend the next six months at the space station and, during that time, host two groups of visiting tourists. Russia will launch the first bunch in December and SpaceX the second in February.
If there's a company that's been low-key in 2021, it would have to be Motorola. Not many people in Malaysia have been talking about the brand, but that's not to say that their products are bad. At the least, not the smartwatch that could be launching soon.

According to 91Mobiles, details for the Moto Watch 100 have been spotted online. It's a sleek-looking watch that measures 42x46x11.9mm and weighs 29g. The body is round like a typical watch and is made out of aluminium, so it should be pretty robust too. Besides that, it has a 1.3-inch display (360360), two buttons located on the right, and a rubber strap.

In terms of features, the Moto Watch 100 will have a heart-rate sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, HRM, SP02, GPS tracker, and ambient light sensors. We're not sure what operating system would Motorola use, but it's most likely Google's Wear OS 3.0. If that's the case, it should also support music download from Spotify for offline playback, Google Maps support, and more.

Currently, there are no signs that this model would be available in Malaysia. But if it does launch here, would you be interested in getting one? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.
News

National Cemetery of the Alleghenies observes Veterans Day

Harry Funk / Harry Funk/The Almanac Marcella Sorensen, left, and U.S. Navy veteran Tracy Daniels participate in the program as members of the Patriot Guard Riders Pennsylvania, a group that attends the funerals of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the families. Harry Funk / Harry Funk/The Almanac Brigadier Gen. Jake Kwon is commander of the 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), which has command and control of more than 10,000 Army Reserve soldiers throughout the northeastern United States. Harry Funk / Harry Funk/The Almanac Harry Funk/The Almanac Col. Bryan Bailey is commander of the 911th Operations Group at the Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station. Harry Funk / Harry Funk/The Almanac Ken Williams directs the Pittsburgh South Hills Keystone Chorus, which has as its usual meeting place Hamilton Presbyterian Church in Bethel Park. Harry Funk / Harry Funk/The Almanac Drum major Alia MacFarland leads the Canon-McMillan High School Marching Band. Harry Funk / Harry Funk/The Almanac Kate Matthews of the Department of Veteran Affairs is among those performing music at the observerance. Harry Funk / Harry Funk/The Almanac Canon-MacMillan High School student Taylor Pastore, a drum major, leads the school's marching band. Harry Funk / Harry Funk/The Almanac Canon-McMillan High School's Bella Voce Choir performs "The Star-Spangled Banner." Harry Funk / Harry Funk/The Almanac Maggie Sisson directs the Canon-McMillan High School Bella Voce Choir. Harry Funk / Harry Funk/The Almanac Patriot Guard Riders Pennsylvania member Lewis Winnecour, a Korean War veteran, is accompanied by Marsha Mintz. Harry Funk / Harry Funk/The Almanac Harry Funk/The Almanac Patriot Guard Riders Pennsylvania member Amanda Harris displays the U.S. Coast guard flag. Harry Funk / Harry Funk/The Almanac Edward Hajduk is National Cemetery of the Alleghenies director.

The U.S. military is known for its punctuality, which was put on eminent display Thursday morning at the start of the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies Veterans Day program.

I have some friends on the way to come visit, Col. Bryan Bailey said. If we time this out, everything should work out right at about 11 oclock.

And precisely as he wrapped up his pre-program address, an Air Force C-17 transport aircraft flew above, drawing a round of applause from those attending the observance.

Bailey, commander of the 911th Operations Group at the Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, explained the planes significance.

Only weeks ago, that very aircraft  not one like it, mind you, but that very aircraft  fixed, loaded, fueled, launched and flown by Reserve citizen airmen from right here in Pittsburgh, airlifted hundreds of our allies out of Afghanistan to the promise of a better life, he said.

Hope turned out to be a prominent theme during the program at the cemetery in Cecil Township, with Brigadier Gen. Jake Kwon in his keynote address acknowledging the integral role of veterans in American society.

After they take off the uniform, their service will often continue in a variety of ways. As you look around you and around the country, veterans serve as teachers, doctors, engineers, social workers, community leaders and elected officials, said Kwon, who leads the Army Reserves 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary).

They continue their service to our communities through their positive contributions, shaped from their lessons and experiences while in uniform. It builds stronger communities and legacies while inspiring our younger Americans.

Kwon noted the United States now has its largest population of young veterans since the Vietnam War.

Theyre a precious resource for all, but theyre also the glue that bonds America back to the military community, he said. What hasnt changed is their determination or their spiritual strength, and as they follow in the proud footsteps of the men and women who served in the Armed Forces and then served their communities, theyre going to bring with them the uncommon and unwavering strength that they learned while wearing the uniform.

So I charge all of us to remember the dual aspects of our veterans service and continue to support them out of uniform so that they can successfully transition to civilian life and their next stage.

Bailey also spoke about the importance of recognizing those whose service in uniform has been comparatively recent.

Veterans Day evokes images of an old man visiting the graves of his historic war buddies, those young men who were never given the chance to grow old, men who made the ultimate sacrifice on epic days and in epic places with names like Anzio, Normandy and Iwo Jima, Bailey said.

To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, on this Veterans Day, it is for us, the living, to be here dedicated to the unfinished work of not just remembering the veterans in this cemetery. We must remember and be grateful for all the living veterans among us, he said. So, yes, today we remember Anzio, Normandy and Iwo Jima. But we also remember the Chosin Reservoir, Saigon, Kuwait City, Mogadishu, Mazar-e-Sharif, Fallujah, Baghdad, Kabul and so many more.

Cemetery director Edward Hajduk acknowledged the many people and organizations participating in the observance, including Canon-McMillan High School choir and band members, Civil Air Patrol Golden Triangle Composite Squadron 603, Marine Corps League Detachment 1138 in Washington, Patriot Guard Riders of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh South Hills Keystone Chorus, Seneca Valley High School Army Junior ROTC and Washington County Young Marines.

The sacrifices of our Armed Forces have provided an environment of security and freedom in which our national has grown and flourished, Hajduk said. Thats the story of Americas veterans, ordinary men and women who stepped forward to purchase our independence with their service and to help others who felt the oppression of tyranny.
The field of eight candidates vying to be Brunswicks next mayor was reduced to two on Nov. 2 with Cosby Johnson and Ivan Figueroa emerging from the pack to qualify for the runoff.
Nebraska Farm Bureau to host Republican gubernatorial forum in Kearney

KEARNEY  Nebraska Farm Bureau will host an Agriculture and Rural Issues Republican Gubernatorial Forum to start off its annual meeting and convention set for Sunday, Dec. 5, at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney.

The forum is scheduled for 2 to 3:30 p.m. and will be open to the public. The Republican gubernatorial candidates who have been invited to participate are Michael Connely, Charles W. Herbster, Sen. Brett Lindstrom, Jim Pillen and Breland Ridenour.

Other republican candidates who announce their intent to run before Nov. 15, will also be invited to participate in the forum.

The forum will be broadcast live on the Nebraska Rural Radio Association stations KRVN, KNEB, KTIC, KAWL and KTMX radio, which is sponsoring the forum, and broadcast live on radio and television on Nebraska Public Media.

The live television broadcast will be on Nebraska Public Medias World Channel and will also be rebroadcast on Nebraska Public Media at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 18. Both the Nebraska Rural Radio Association and Nebraska Public Media stations will stream the event LIVE on their social media platforms.
By the time Ruzicka and her then-business partner Maxine Zentz came into the picture, the consensus was that it was time to move on up. Ruzicka said they looked into moving into the western part of town, but rent was high.

We decided well, well just try and save some money. Well clean this place up a little more. And so Gods always taken a look after us, because after we decided to wait  about a week or two later  these two ladies come in the store. One lady says, you know, it looks really nice here cleaned up. But she said, I just wish youd get out of this basement.

Ruzicka told the woman she agreed.

The lady right behind her says, Ive got the perfect place for you girls, Ruzicka remembered. But where was it and how much?

Around the corner of the old Girl Scout office, and she said $350, which was $50 more than what we were paying there.

The catch was that the space was still occupied, but again, things worked out and Natural Food Products had a new home, but not without qualms, Ruzicka remembered.

Maxine went to the bank. Pretty soon she comes over (to the store), and I said, Well, how much sleep do you want to lose tonight? because she was really nervous about everything.
Did you know that November is Native American Heritage Month?

This annual celebration sponsored by the Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records Administration, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Gallery of Art, the National Art Service, and the Smithsonian institute pays tribute to the traditions, history and ancestry of all native and indigenous groups across the United States.

If youre interested in learning more about Native American culture, or history, or reading something written by Native American authors, the Grand Island Public Library has some things for you.

Did you know the current Poet Laureate of the United States, Joy Harjo, is a member of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma? She is the first person of Native American ancestry to hold that honor.

Give some of her poetry a try with her collection of poems, An American Sunrise: Poems, available on the Nebraska Overdrive site, or learn more about her life in her memoir, Poet Warrior.

Louise Erdrich may be one of the best-known Native American authors. Erdrich is a National Book Award recipient, and winner of the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction and a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. She is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.
SUMNER  Sixteen veterans were presented Quilts of Valor during a Veterans Day program at Sumner-Eddyville-Miller Schools.

The Veterans Day program was organized by S-E-M counselor Roger Doud and Dixie Line. Deborah Bunger with the Quilters Cottage presented the Quilts of Valor.

Throughout the day, elementary teachers spoke to their classes about Veterans Day and exactly what it means. The elementary students helped decorate for the festivities by creating artwork in art class and in their classrooms as well as writing thank-you letters to the veterans.

Peg Stevens created a paper Quilt of Valor with the help of the elementary classes. Each class created a square, and Stevens put it all together.

The Eddyville American Legion Auxiliary provided a soup luncheon at the Sumner Community Building. There were 116 people in attendance. Attendees came from as far as Nashville, Tennessee, to support and honor the veterans.
Theres been increasing confusing over the legality of delta-8, a cannabis derivative that can be found in vape cartridges, tinctures and candy at smoke shops and CBD stores in Texas. While the Texas health department maintains that delta-8 is a controlled substance and is on the states list of unlawful drugs, the 2018 federal Farm Bill legalized the production of hemp, which naturally contains delta-8 and has less than 0.3% THC. In 2019, Texas also legalized hemp growing. Delta-8 retailers believed the substance was as legal to sell as hemp. Delta-8 is legal in Texas for now after a Travis County judge blocked the state from criminalizing it. Should delta-8 continue to be legal in Texas?

You voted:
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CHICAGO - Although the Little Village Arch has been considered a symbol of the Mexican immigrant community in the Midwest since it was built nearly three decades ago, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks this month officially designated it a landmark.

The arch, a gateway to Chicagos emblematic 26th Street in the Southwest Side neighborhood made up predominantly of immigrants and Mexican Americans, is the first structure designed by an architect of Mexican descent to gain landmark status in the city.

Im tickled with pride and satisfaction, said congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, who was alderman in the area when the arch was erected in 1990. When we were debating whether a structure of that nature would be accepted by the community and seen as a source of pride and genuine depiction of the people that live in the community, we were taking a risk.

That risk turned into an emblem of the history, culture and contributions of people of Mexican descent in Chicago.

The project was borne out of resistance against the anti-Mexican rhetoric at the time. Over the years, the majestic arch, which mirrors structures at the entrance of many villages in Mexico, has become a symbol that empowered the immigrant community to come out of the shadows, Garcia said.

By 1980, Latinos represented nearly 50% of the citys population but lacked representation. Latinos now make up at least 60% of Chicagos population, with those of Mexican descent making up the largest group, according to census numbers.

The landmarking of the arch proves that the Latino community, particularly the Mexican American people, are a vital part of Chicagos fabric, said Ivette Trevino, executive director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce.

Beyond becoming a symbol of the Mexican capital of the Midwest, the arch has served as a gathering space for Mexican people in the Chicago area and attracts tourists.

Whether it is a peaceful protest, a celebration or a vigil, the arch gives folks a sense of unity, of community; a sense of being home, said Trevino.

It signifies the resilience of the Mexican, immigrant community, she added.

When the city provided the funding for the project in the late 80s, the initial idea was twin iron gates at the east and west ends of the 26th Street retail corridor of family-owned businesses. But Garcia, supported by other business owners, the chamber, and the Little Village Community Council, proposed a design that resembled the arched town entrances in pueblos in Mexico.

We wanted people to feel at home, Garcia said.

The late Mexican-born architect Adrian Lozano designed the arch, and it was built by Balti Contracting Co., according to city records.

The two-story archway spans 26th Street between Troy Street and Albany Avenue. It features a wrought-iron grille with a metal banner that reads: Bienvenidos a Little Village, and on top, in the middle of the banner, it houses a grand mechanical clock.

Construction cost $275,000, mostly covered by city funds. The chamber provided $50,000 and other business owners also contributed.

In 1991, a year after the arch was built, then-president of Mexico, Carlos Salinas de Gortari, gifted the city a bronze clock manufactured by Relojes Centenario  the oldest clockmaker in Mexico  after visiting the Little Village neighborhood, reassuring the immigrant community that the Mexican government had not forgotten about them.

But the clock, in the center of the arch, has rarely marked the right time, said Baltazar Enriquez, president of the Little Village Community Council.

Despite its significance, the arch had been decaying over the years as different organizations in the community have overseen maintenance, Enriquez said.

In the past, there have been debates about proposals to change the facade of the arch, including digitizing the clock. The chamber has historically been responsible for minor repairs, said Trevino.

The landmark status will ensure that we preserve the arch as it was built and that also strengthens the history of why it was built, Enriquez said. In 2017, he helped to organize some business owners and Little Village residents to repair the clock.

Ald. George Cardenas, 12th, said that the landmark status will secure funding for the maintenance of the arch, and said there are plans to repair it in spring. He said he advocated for the designation of the arch as a landmark for about two years.

The designation was long overdue, said Ald. Mike Rodriguez, 22nd, who represents two-thirds of Little Village.

Many already considered the arch a landmark but it will get the respect it deserves, Rodriguez said.

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Thank God, our Big Momma is home: Shady Grove resident returns home after COVID hospital stay

T&D CORRESPONDENT DONNA L. HOLMAN Betty Rose Williams poses with her only child, Kenyatta "Shawn" Williams, a few days after her homecoming parade. T&D CORRESPONDENT DONNA L. HOLMAN Betty Williams is helped out of the Hummer limo that delivered her home six months after testing positive for COVID-19. Assisting her are, from left, nephews Troy Johnson and Toshirro Davis; her son, Shawn, and the Rev. Leonard Huggins, pastor of her church,

After enduring six long months in three different medical facilities in three states, Betty Williams joyfully returned home to her close-knit community of Shady Grove on Sunday, Oct. 24.

The 65-year-old had been diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for COVID-19 in April.

When her only son, Shawn, arrived in a limo to pick her up from Pruitt Health in Augusta, Georgia, she was wearing a tiara given to her by the nursing staff. Betty felt like a queen, smiling brightly with happy tears in her eyes as her son walked her down the red carpet. But her homecoming surprises were far from over.

Her SUV chariot brought her to the intersection of Highway 178 and Shady Grove Road where the Hummer joined an entourage of vehicles carrying relatives, church members and friends in a well-organized, 2-mile homecoming parade. Blaring sirens from fire trucks, the rumble of ATVs and the cheering of neighbors voices while they stood by mailboxes adorned with red and purple balloons hailed her arrival.

Mount Carmel pastor retiring after 37 years The atmosphere was excited, accented by laughter and the sounds of praise music at Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Cameron, where the Rev. Willie N. Waring and his wife, the former Betty Lee Dennis, were congratulated by a parade of church members and friends on Sept. 25.

People were all alongside the road waving. They had their signs up. They had their balloons up. Oh, it was just so touching. I thank them, said an overwhelmed and humble Betty.

A is for Amazing : 5-year-old Bamberg native releases book Brayla Sanai Davis proudly released her first published book, A is for Amazing, last month at age 5 and hosted her first book-signing event on Saturday, Oct. 9, at the Blair D. Crosby Wellness Center in her hometown of Bamberg.

And when we got here to the house, the yard was full of people. Oh, I just thank the Lord. I thank Him, said the sincere, devout Christian full of life and radiating from the show of love.

She is the backbone, glue and caretaker of our family. She helped raise me. She took care of my maternal grandmother while she was on dialysis until she passed away. When my mom was sick, she would help my dad and me take care of her. She will give you her last and make sure you have whatever you need, said Chelsea Sewell, one of Bettys nieces, who looks to her as a second mother.

When she started feeling bad and couldnt keep anything down, she started drinking lots of fluids because she was dehydrated. She was trying to take care of herself and did not want the family to worry, said Sewell.

She is truly a God-sparing testimony. She has come a long way with the help of the Lord.

Sometime in early 2020 when the pandemic started, two community members put their heads and hearts together to create the Shady Grove Community Group. After seeing so many from their area who were dying and realizing that so many were just not getting out to fellowship like they once did, Jacqueline Sanders and Jestine Stephens decided to create an outreach program to celebrate life, family and togetherness in safe ways.

When we found out that Bette was coming home, I said to Jestine that we had to do something to welcome her back. We have lost so many loved ones from this community and to have one coming home, after being away for so long, we felt like it deserved a big welcome, said Sanders, co-organizer of the heartwarming event.

We are getting together for someone still being alive today. We are not going to the graveyard or the funeral home again. This is a grand day for the Shady Grove community, said the young woman who describes Betty as her hair mom, recalling that she washed and braided her hair every Sunday when she was a child so she could go to school.

Stephens added, This community family goes way back. Since the pandemic, it put us together stronger to step out faith and know that we were going to have to help one another. When we found out Bette was coming home, all we could think about was celebrating just to show God how good He is to us. We have learned that we need to get closer to everyone and appreciate life.

Bettys long journey began with medical intervention late Saturday, April 13, 2021, when during a phone call with her son, Kenyatta (Shawn), he detected a weakness in her voice. Living in Charlotte, North Carolina, her only child calls her frequently for a chat to check in on her. Immediately, he instructed her to go to the emergency room. He called her brother, DeQuincy Williams, to ask him to take her to the hospital.

I had four COVID tests done in February and March. Then, on the 24th of March, thats when I got my first Moderna shot. I think it was about two weeks later when I started to feel so bad, she said indicating that it did not cross her mind that it could be the coronavirus.

Transported by her brother and later by ambulance to Trident Medical Center in Charleston on April 3, 2021, Betty remained there until May 14, 2021, on a ventilator and with a tracheotomy, unable to verbally respond to family members who visited her outside a protected glass. Betty credits the many prayers from friends and family members and the familys deep faith for bringing her from a near-comatose state to where she is today.

She stayed at Trident from April the 3rd until May the 14th and then she went to Atrium Continuing Care in Charlotte, North Carolina, and stayed there until August the 6th. She then went over to North Augusta Pruitt at the Skilled Nursing facility and there they were able to get her off the ventilator and the trach out of her throat. Now she is only on a little oxygen, and they said maybe shell even be able to come off of that, said Shawn.

She is a fighter. She has been in the hospital for six months and 21 days so the only thing I can say is God is Good.

Upon getting settled into the house, Betty asked for her preacher to pray with her. Full of appreciation in her spirit, Betty repeated, Thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus, as the Rev. Leonard Huggins, pastor of Shady Grove United Methodist Church, asked for continued healing for her.

We know that she was in Gods hands, and we prayed for her every day. When I went to see her in the hospital in Charlotte, I cried, but it was a happy cry that she was still alive, said Barbara J. Johnson, her eldest sister who lives in Florida.

She is a loving person. She will go out of her way to do anything and everything for everybody, said Johnson.

DeQuincy Williams, the eldest of her three brothers, said, She is a very sweet, God-fearing person. She means everything to our family. Thats the foundation our mother raised us on, always stand for family. Betty is the one who always who wants to give to everybody and keeps us uplifted.

Going through the entire six-month period, DeQuincy said that, as always, they all stayed connected with one another by calling and visiting, and stayed close to God in prayer and by reading the Bible.

We kept the faith and trusted in God that one day she would be back here, he said, and it has come to fruition.

I am very excited and just thank God for giving her another chance. She is such a wonderful person. Anything she can help you with, she will do her best, said Marilyn Fogle, Bettys youngest sister, who shared that before getting sick, her sister Betty would call and check on her before going to bed each night.

She is a very sweet, lovable person. Anything she can do for you, she will do it. With the help of the Good Man up above, he has brought her through it, said her third-oldest sister, Shirley Johnson.

We didnt give up. We kept the faith. The worst part was when our brother-in-law passed and they had to go tell her about it, said Shirley referring to their sister Joe Annes husband, Edward Davis, who died on May 1 this year after testing positive for COVID-19.

I want to thank God for allowing her to be able to come home because she could have been gone. Thank the Lord, He spared her, said Joe Anne Davis, Bettys fifth sister.

When I visited her in Trident and my husband was just two rooms down, I told her the Lord is going to make a way. You are coming out of here. And He did, she came home, said Joe Anne who said her husband passed away while in intensive care and never got a chance to come home.

Its a blessing. I lost one, but I got one back and Lord, I thank Him for it, she said.

Charlene Minus, who has been friends with Betty for a long time, She is a woman of God. She just a lovely person. Weve never had an argument in our 35 years. Wed get each other straight, but when wed leave, wed be on one accord.

As a praying community, we have been praying for her. About three weeks ago, she called me at home and left a voice mail. When I got that message, I was so elated. I said Thank you ,Jesus, my friend is coming back to us. This is a joyous occasion, said Minus, who got regular updates from Bettys sister, Joe Anne, throughout the half a year that she has been recovering.

Another longtime friend, Marvie Brown, reflected on seeing Betty in the hospital lying there unable to communicate and shared her excitement to be welcoming her back to the community,

We are sisters in Christ. We are there for one another and have always been. It is a miracle, her coming home. Shes a miracle.

TheTandD.com: $5 for 5 months Support local journalism by becoming a member at www.TheTandD.com The limited time offer is full access to all the website has to offer for $5 for 5 months. https://go.thetandd.com/nov5

Troy Johnson, Bettys nephew, who grew up in the family home with her, said, Thank God, our Big Momma is home.
Following the election of many states-rights advocates to South Carolinas legislature, the state responded to Henry Clays tariff of 1832 by calling for a convention to denounce the tax. At the meeting in Columbia, the delegates passed the South Carolina Ordinance of Nullification on November 24, 1832. That act nullified, or voided, the tariff within the borders of the state. In addition, the ordinance stated that any action by Congress to force South Carolina to collect the tariff would result in secession from the union.

This event was the culmination of nearly twenty years of conflict between northern industrial interests and the agrarian south. High tariffs on foreign products benefited manufacturers but frequently caused a downturn in the exportation of agricultural products. While a tariff on cotton textiles was helpful to U.S. cloth manufacturers, it discouraged the use of American cotton by other countries. In 1828, Congress passed a high tariff on incoming products and southerners labeled it the Tariff of Abominations. That year, South Carolinas John C. Calhoun anonymously penned two articles that are called the South Carolina Exposition and Protest. These laid out the claim that nullification, or interposition or state veto, should be allowed, giving states the power to decide that federal legislation is unconstitutional. The papers also instructed states on the procedure of nullification. Under Calhouns theory, it was understood that secession was an option if nullification was ineffective.

During the time that Calhoun was outlining the procedure of nullification and popularizing the idea of states rights, he was serving as Vice President to Andrew Jackson. The topic was part of a lively debate in the Senate between Robert Hayne of South Carolina and Daniel Webster of Massachusetts. Opinions in Washington grew so heated that Mrs. Calhoun moved her family back to their home at Fort Hill in Pendleton, South Carolina. From there, Calhoun wrote the Fort Hill Address: On the Relation which the States and General Government Bear to Each Other. In that document, he declared that This right of interposition ... be it called what it may,  State-right, veto, nullification, or by any other name,  I conceive to be the fundamental principle of our system ... and I firmly believe that on its recognition depend the stability and safety of our political institutions.

Henry Clays 1832 tariff decreased the tax on some products but did not go far enough to sooth the planters of South Carolina. The states Ordinance of Nullification, with its threat of secession, was a problem for the recently re-elected President, Andrew Jackson. He instructed Lewis Cass, Secretary of War, to prepare the country for war and gave several speeches against the theory of nullification. He also asked Congress to pass the Force Bill, giving him power to enforce the law in South Carolina if necessary. In response, Calhoun resigned as Vice President. However, while he spoke of war, Jackson worked behind the scenes to calm the waters. He quietly supported another bill that called for reduction of the tariff. On March 2, 1833, the tariff was reduced, a truce was established, and South Carolina rescinded the Ordinance of Nullification.

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A company's plans to build a controversial residential affordable housing development on agricultural land off Five Chop Road received approval to proceed Wednesday.

The Orangeburg County Planning Commission gave unanimous 5-0 approval of the plan, citing it as well within the county's comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance for the area.

The commission approved the plan despite over 100 individuals -- about 90 through a petition campaign -- expressing opposition to the development, citing concerns about commercialization of farmland in the county, increased crime, reduction of property values, increased traffic, negative impact on wildlife and hydrologic issues with water runoff and flooding.

About 50 individuals also expressed support for the project through a petition process, citing the area's need for affordable housing, increasing the tax base and contributing to positive growth. Support was also submitted from the project's environmental consulting firm and engineer, noting that due environmental diligence will be done on the property to preserve all environmental interests.

A letter of support from the Orangeburg County Development Commission states that the project will bring affordable housing.

"Since the project meets all the requirements for the zoning ordinance and the development plan, I don't know how we could disapprove it or not recommend it without changing the development plan," Commissioner Richard Strohman said. "I understand there is a lot of opposition, but I don't know a way to get around it and follow the law."

Colonial Holding Group requested to rezone 81 acres on 1657 Five Chop Road from forest agriculture to commercial general for the purpose of residential development and commercial business.

It is the second time the OCPC took up the matter.

Orangeburg County Council on Oct. 18 voted to send the issue back to the body after learning, at that time, that 57 individuals had gone on record in opposition to the request.

The OCPC previously voted 3-2 to grant Colonial's Holding request.

The property in question is near Nivens Road and Orangeburg Auto Auction and Trump's Inn. It is currently a vacant field.

There is also a 20-acre tract in front of the property thats already zoned commercial general. Colonial is also seeking to purchase the tract, which has vegetation and trees.

Adjacent properties to the west and south are zoned commercial general and properties to the north and east are zoned forest and agriculture.

Frontage properties on Five Chop Road for about three miles are zoned commercial general and the surrounding area is a mixture of commercial, undeveloped and residential uses.

About 13 acres of the property falls within the flood zone of the Middlepen Branch.

Access to the property would require Colonial Holding to go through environmental review with federal agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

When the matter was first brought before the OCPC, there was one person in favor of the request and 12 who were in opposition.

Another 45 signatures in opposition to the request were received Oct. 18, the day when County Council took up the matter.

The majority of individuals in opposition cited the undeveloped nature of the land and a desire to keep it as forest agricultural.

On Wednesday, it was revealed that there were an additional six letters submitted in opposition and that there were more who signed the petition in opposition.

Prior to the commission's Wednesday vote, the floor was opened for individuals to express their support and opposition.

"It provides some affordable housing," property owner Lenaire Wolfe II said. "I think it meets all the criteria to be rezoned and I don't see why we should be penalized because somebody does not want to see the property to change adjacent. This is progress."

"I think we ought to be entitled to develop the property because it meets all the criteria," Wolfe said.

Colonial Holding Group Manager and rezoning applicant Gregory Yakubov said after the last meeting an engineering firm and environmental company have been hired.

"We want to assure everybody that all of those concerns that were raised, they are part of DHEC and we will be working with all the local, state and governmental agencies when it comes to wetlands as well as flood zones as well as any kind of agency that will be required to oversee this."

"I feel that me and my partner are in great need of affordable housing," Yakubov said. "People should be able to do what they want to do with their property, especially if it fits to the proper plan the county currently has in place."

Yakubov said the project is a part of the planned growth of the area, will bring an increased value such as jobs and tax base, while respecting neighboring residents.

Adjacent property owner Sharon Smoak delineated a number of concerns about the plans for the property: lack of traffic safety infrastructure, spot zoning and a declining population to support such a project.

"If you look at it, it is going to have farm all around it and houses in the center of it," Smoak said.

She also noted the area of Five Chop Road is full of abandoned businesses that have not been successful.

"A lot of the businesses that have tried to make it here have not been able to," she said. "My concern is with this, the same thing could happen."

"I don't see the population coming," Smoak continued. "They are not looking for high-density housing, which seems what we are talking about here."

Smoak asked what the specific plans for the property are and what types of provision will be done to provide buffers from the forest and agriculture and commercial areas.

OCPC Chair James Albergotti said the county's zoning ordinance does have buffers and restrictions such as fencing and foliage between zoning boundaries.

"I don't know if the developer is in a position to speak to any zoning buffer boundary. We have not been able to get a designation exactly what are the plans other than affordable housing," Albergotti said.

This is one of Smoak's concerns.

"I would want to know what they are either planning to do with it or if there is a developer interested in developing this area what have they done in the past, what are they developing and how has that worked out?" Smoak said.

Colonial Holding has purchased a Sprinkle Avenue mobile home park with plans to bring the park up to City of Orangeburg codes and ordinances.

The company has said it has not finalized specific plans for the Five Chop Road property and concerns about the project being a mobile home park are unwarranted.

Company officials have also expressed concerns that many in opposition to the project do not live near the proposed change.

Smoak dispelled that allegation, noting about 90% of those opposed to the rezoning were within five miles of the area.

Orangeburg attorney Ladson Beach, who represents adjacent landowners, questioned whether the project fits with the county's planned future growth plans.

"I find it difficult to believe if this particular tract of agricultural property surrounded by agricultural property could be rezoned for commercial general then it would be very difficult to envision any limitation on doing that anywhere else," Beach said. "It is just a bit of a surprise to me to see this particular location could be rezoned commercial general. What are the limits?"

Beach says the county's comprehensive plan encourages "higher intensity growth in the urban and suburban area where adequate infrastructure and services are already in place."

"This is a field that has been farmed for 100 years," Beach said. "Where can an agriculture land owner faced with these situations -- it is going to happen again -- how will they be able to preserve the agricultural way of life they have lived for so long?"

"There is nothing adjacent to this property that is commercial in use at this time," Beach said.

"The idea to preserve and protect agricultural lands in Orangeburg County was at the forefront of the beginning of the work of the comprehensive plan, but it did not necessarily preserve and protect agricultural land where it is on the border line or the fringe of growth and development," Albergotti said.

"You have to give in some of those agricultural lands in order to have growth and development," Albergotti said. "This in my opinion is on the borderline of what is projected to be future growth."

"That just does not seem to be the case here," Beach said. "Even from a pro development perspective. I just think that this one is inappropriate."

Prior to the commission vote, Albergotti said the "strongest voices in any request hearing are from the adjoining close-by landowners."

"Here we have a conflict with some of those owners having a conflict with the comprehensive plan, which calls for designated growth and indications of future land use, which complicates for commission members and council members," Albergotti said. "We fully understand there is a difference of opinion for future land use."

Albergotti said there are already extensive plans underway to change land-use plans on Five Chop Road outside of Colonial Holding's plans.

"We have change coming irregardless of citizens' concerns," Albergotti said. "It is important that we make our concerns known and discuss them."

"I think the development growth and expansion of Five Chop Road and the 301 area to the interstate is going to surprise a lot of people how quickly it is gong to be coming," Albergotti said. "We hear and see it coming. I think our comprehensive plan is correct and is going to be proved out as accurate."

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After enduring six long months in three different medical facilities in three states, Betty Williams joyfully returned home to her close-knit community of Shady Grove on Sunday, Oct. 24.

The 65-year-old had been diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for COVID-19 in April.

When her only son, Shawn, arrived in a limo to pick her up from Pruitt Health in Augusta, Georgia, she was wearing a tiara given to her by the nursing staff. Betty felt like a queen, smiling brightly with happy tears in her eyes as her son walked her down the red carpet. But her homecoming surprises were far from over.

Her SUV chariot brought her to the intersection of Highway 178 and Shady Grove Road where the Hummer joined an entourage of vehicles carrying relatives, church members and friends in a well-organized, 2-mile homecoming parade. Blaring sirens from fire trucks, the rumble of ATVs and the cheering of neighbors voices while they stood by mailboxes adorned with red and purple balloons hailed her arrival.

People were all alongside the road waving. They had their signs up. They had their balloons up. Oh, it was just so touching. I thank them, said an overwhelmed and humble Betty.

And when we got here to the house, the yard was full of people. Oh, I just thank the Lord. I thank Him, said the sincere, devout Christian full of life and radiating from the show of love.

She is the backbone, glue and caretaker of our family. She helped raise me. She took care of my maternal grandmother while she was on dialysis until she passed away. When my mom was sick, she would help my dad and me take care of her. She will give you her last and make sure you have whatever you need, said Chelsea Sewell, one of Bettys nieces, who looks to her as a second mother.

When she started feeling bad and couldnt keep anything down, she started drinking lots of fluids because she was dehydrated. She was trying to take care of herself and did not want the family to worry, said Sewell.

She is truly a God-sparing testimony. She has come a long way with the help of the Lord.

Sometime in early 2020 when the pandemic started, two community members put their heads and hearts together to create the Shady Grove Community Group. After seeing so many from their area who were dying and realizing that so many were just not getting out to fellowship like they once did, Jacqueline Sanders and Jestine Stephens decided to create an outreach program to celebrate life, family and togetherness in safe ways.

When we found out that Bette was coming home, I said to Jestine that we had to do something to welcome her back. We have lost so many loved ones from this community and to have one coming home, after being away for so long, we felt like it deserved a big welcome, said Sanders, co-organizer of the heartwarming event.

We are getting together for someone still being alive today. We are not going to the graveyard or the funeral home again. This is a grand day for the Shady Grove community, said the young woman who describes Betty as her hair mom, recalling that she washed and braided her hair every Sunday when she was a child so she could go to school.

Stephens added, This community family goes way back. Since the pandemic, it put us together stronger to step out faith and know that we were going to have to help one another. When we found out Bette was coming home, all we could think about was celebrating just to show God how good He is to us. We have learned that we need to get closer to everyone and appreciate life.

Bettys long journey began with medical intervention late Saturday, April 13, 2021, when during a phone call with her son, Kenyatta (Shawn), he detected a weakness in her voice. Living in Charlotte, North Carolina, her only child calls her frequently for a chat to check in on her. Immediately, he instructed her to go to the emergency room. He called her brother, DeQuincy Williams, to ask him to take her to the hospital.

I had four COVID tests done in February and March. Then, on the 24th of March, thats when I got my first Moderna shot. I think it was about two weeks later when I started to feel so bad, she said indicating that it did not cross her mind that it could be the coronavirus.

Transported by her brother and later by ambulance to Trident Medical Center in Charleston on April 3, 2021, Betty remained there until May 14, 2021, on a ventilator and with a tracheotomy, unable to verbally respond to family members who visited her outside a protected glass. Betty credits the many prayers from friends and family members and the familys deep faith for bringing her from a near-comatose state to where she is today.

She stayed at Trident from April the 3rd until May the 14th and then she went to Atrium Continuing Care in Charlotte, North Carolina, and stayed there until August the 6th. She then went over to North Augusta Pruitt at the Skilled Nursing facility and there they were able to get her off the ventilator and the trach out of her throat. Now she is only on a little oxygen, and they said maybe shell even be able to come off of that, said Shawn.

She is a fighter. She has been in the hospital for six months and 21 days so the only thing I can say is God is Good.

Upon getting settled into the house, Betty asked for her preacher to pray with her. Full of appreciation in her spirit, Betty repeated, Thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus, as the Rev. Leonard Huggins, pastor of Shady Grove United Methodist Church, asked for continued healing for her.

We know that she was in Gods hands, and we prayed for her every day. When I went to see her in the hospital in Charlotte, I cried, but it was a happy cry that she was still alive, said Barbara J. Johnson, her eldest sister who lives in Florida.

She is a loving person. She will go out of her way to do anything and everything for everybody, said Johnson.

DeQuincy Williams, the eldest of her three brothers, said, She is a very sweet, God-fearing person. She means everything to our family. Thats the foundation our mother raised us on, always stand for family. Betty is the one who always who wants to give to everybody and keeps us uplifted.

Going through the entire six-month period, DeQuincy said that, as always, they all stayed connected with one another by calling and visiting, and stayed close to God in prayer and by reading the Bible.

We kept the faith and trusted in God that one day she would be back here, he said, and it has come to fruition.

I am very excited and just thank God for giving her another chance. She is such a wonderful person. Anything she can help you with, she will do her best, said Marilyn Fogle, Bettys youngest sister, who shared that before getting sick, her sister Betty would call and check on her before going to bed each night.

She is a very sweet, lovable person. Anything she can do for you, she will do it. With the help of the Good Man up above, he has brought her through it, said her third-oldest sister, Shirley Johnson.

We didnt give up. We kept the faith. The worst part was when our brother-in-law passed and they had to go tell her about it, said Shirley referring to their sister Joe Annes husband, Edward Davis, who died on May 1 this year after testing positive for COVID-19.

I want to thank God for allowing her to be able to come home because she could have been gone. Thank the Lord, He spared her, said Joe Anne Davis, Bettys fifth sister.

When I visited her in Trident and my husband was just two rooms down, I told her the Lord is going to make a way. You are coming out of here. And He did, she came home, said Joe Anne who said her husband passed away while in intensive care and never got a chance to come home.

Its a blessing. I lost one, but I got one back and Lord, I thank Him for it, she said.

Charlene Minus, who has been friends with Betty for a long time, She is a woman of God. She just a lovely person. Weve never had an argument in our 35 years. Wed get each other straight, but when wed leave, wed be on one accord.

As a praying community, we have been praying for her. About three weeks ago, she called me at home and left a voice mail. When I got that message, I was so elated. I said Thank you ,Jesus, my friend is coming back to us. This is a joyous occasion, said Minus, who got regular updates from Bettys sister, Joe Anne, throughout the half a year that she has been recovering.

Another longtime friend, Marvie Brown, reflected on seeing Betty in the hospital lying there unable to communicate and shared her excitement to be welcoming her back to the community,

We are sisters in Christ. We are there for one another and have always been. It is a miracle, her coming home. Shes a miracle.

Troy Johnson, Bettys nephew, who grew up in the family home with her, said, Thank God, our Big Momma is home.

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BEAUFORT, S.C. (AP)  Staff Sgt. John Bentley and Pfc. Esteban Villa stepped toward each other as the U.S. flag they folded grew smaller. Wearing white gloves, they tucked and patted it, just so, and communicated in whispers  Ready, fold. Ready, turn.

Then, the young soldiers from Fort Stewart turned crisply toward a couple in their 70s, Charlie Read Jr. and his wife, Alice, seated in the front row. On behalf of a grateful nation, a triangle-shaped flag as tight as a button was presented for the World War II service of Charles Read Sr. and Valerie Leyrer Read, veterans who were Reads parents. Charlie wiped away tears but described the service afterward as a happy event.

They were inseparable in life, Read, of Sun City, said of his parents. And here they will be together for eternity.

Life goes on in 2021 at the Beaufort landmark, 158 years after President Abraham Lincoln created it. Here you can find 9,000 Civil war veterans, including Black troops and Confederates  who sometimes lie side by side  along with men and women from all wars. Soldiers, sailors and airmen continue to be buried here today, just as they did during the Civil War.

Like the Reads, all veterans get ceremonies with military honors and secure final resting places underneath towering live oaks and palmetto trees. There is no cost.

But time is catching up with the old graveyard where more than 30 U.S. flags lined Palmetto Drive for Veterans Day.

More than 17,000 headstones have begun to lean or sag, or both, due to the shifting ground. Those headstones are now being fixed as part of a $3.1 million overhaul. A longer-term, age-related issue cant be resolved as easily: Beaufort National Cemetery, spread across three city blocks and 44 acres, could be out of room in 15 to 20 years, marking its end as an active cemetery.

Theres really no area to further expand, says Jeff Applegate of the National Cemetery Administration, the assistant director of the cemetery.

MEMORIAL SERVICES RETURN

The cemetery, one of the oldest final resting places for veterans in the nation, features 26,959 headstones honoring veterans from the Civil War to the war in Afghanistan. Its located off one of Beauforts busiest streets, behind a brick wall.

An estimated 2,500 people visit the eternal oasis each month, making it one of the citys biggest attractions, drawing not only families with loved ones but also historians and returning Marines who trained at nearby Marine Corps Recruit Depot-Parris Island or Marine Corps Air Station-Beaufort, Applegate says.

The cemeterys deep connection to the nations Civil War history, age, idyllic setting and the unusual way in which it was designed, make it a serene fixture in changing times.

Its changed in small increments, Applegate says, but it really hasnt changed since they first designed it.

Laid out in the shape of a half-wheel, its oyster shell roads, originating at the hub, form the spokes, and live oaks, magnolias and palmetto trees tower over it.

Then came COVID-19 in early 2020. The pandemic initially ended the memorial services, with only direct burials allowed for several months to avoid the spread of the virus. Services eventually returned, but with restrictions on crowd size. Many people postponed interments or memorial services until the ceremonies were allowed again in late 2020.

Now services are back to normal. In fiscal year 2021, which ended Sept. 30, interments jumped to a near-record 729, a 28% increase, after slipping to 567 in 2020.

A TOUGH GIG

Look at it, Read said, standing in the shade of live oak trees and gesturing to the sea of tombstones, moments before his parents ceremony. Its beautiful. It doesnt get any nicer than this.

Charlie Reads parents, Suffolk County, New York natives, died just four months apart in 2001 in Chester County, Pennsylvania. His mother was the first woman in the United States to become a county commander within American Legion, Read said. His father was elected commander a few years later. She was a homemaker. He was a locomotive engineer. At the end of WWII, both served in the U.S. Army stateside, he as a heavy machine gunner in the infantry, she as an x-ray technician in Army Medical Corps.

A retired U.S. Air Force major, former trooper with the New York State Police and former special agent with the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office, Read knew almost immediately that Beaufort National Cemetery was the right place for his parents after visiting on Memorial Day. To be sure, the history and beauty stood out. But Read also noticed that husbands and wives were co-interred, with their information on each side of the headstone, which made an impression.

He was so moved by the Nov. 9 ceremony for his parents that he caught up with the military honor guard members afterward to offer his hand and thanks. I know its a tough gig, he told them, still teary-eyed.

Beaufort National Cemetery has been around since Feb. 10, 1863, two years before the end of the Civil War, when Lincoln created 13 national cemeteries needed for the growing numbers of war dead. Initially, interments came from Civil War soldiers who had died at hospitals or battlefields. Over time, veterans from nine additional wars, in addition to peacetime veterans and, in some cases, spouses, young children or adults who are fully dependent, joined them.

Today, it is one of 155 national veterans cemeteries. Of those, 75 remain active. Eventually, Applegate says, cemeteries run out of room and stop allowing new burials. That process has happened more quickly at cemeteries in the East compared to larger cemeteries in the West, Applegate says.

HEMMED IN BY HOUSES

In 2009, the 30-acre historic part of Beaufort National Cemetery, the part surrounded by the brick wall, was expanded by 10 to 15 acres in the back, outside the wall. Today, most burials are conducted there.

But, hemmed in by houses, Beaufort National is projected to reach capacity in 2035 or 2040, the Cemetery Administration, which is part of the Veterans Administration, Applegate said. If it closes to new interments, the cemetery would still remain open to the public, but a search would likely begin for 200 to 300 acres in the region for a new cemetery to be developed, he said.

But not one of those decisions has been made yet, Applegate said.

For the immediate future, A $3.1 million project is underway to raise and realign an estimated 17,445 markers that have settled and moved over time in the 30-acre historic section. It requires a full-time crew painstakingly removing each marker, putting aggregate below to stabilize it, then reinstalling it and making sure the alignment and height are correct.

A new irrigation system also will be installed at the same time. A grass that survives better underneath the big trees also will be planted. The entire project is expected to be done by May 2022.

A BLANK CHECK

Cemetery representative Louis Brown II greeted the Reads when they arrived for the ceremony. Lights flashing on his vehicle, Brown led the two-vehicle procession to a small shelter, where the flag ceremony and the playing of Taps by Pfc. Oscar Cardona was complete in 10 minutes.

Then cemetery caretaker Alex Garcia placed the small urns in the ground. Markers have been ordered that will say, I ran out of steam, for Charles Read Sr., who worked for the Long Island Railroad, and Ill make reservations, for Valerie Read, who loved going out for a ride and dinner.

Charlie Read pointed down the line of gravestones. His parents, he said, will be joining their brothers and sisters. They all wrote the blank check, Read said. They put it all on the line.

Read and his wife have decided that they, too, will be buried at Beaufort National Cemetery.

For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, The Beaufort Gazette.
Late Tuesday, Nov. 8, the South Carolina House Redistricting Ad Hoc Committee released its draft plan for the South Carolina House of Representatives, effective for the primary and general election to be held in 2022.

It is with deep concern and regret that I inform you that South Carolina House District 95, which was originally a part of the first single-member redistricting plan for South Carolina in 1974, has been eliminated. Its number has been reassigned to a new district in another part of the state.

If approved, the new map would mean that most of the city, suburban and rural areas of Orangeburg would no longer be represented by a resident from Orangeburg. Instead, we would be subject to representation dominated by interests in Bamberg, Barnwell and Calhoun counties.

Having served on the House Judiciary Committee and a previous redistricting committee, I can speak factually when I say that there is absolutely no real justification for this committees decision based upon the historical and traditional redistricting criteria.

Despite the decrease in population, some of which is due to an undercount in the U.S. Census because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Orangeburg Countys population should easily accommodate two resident House members. According to the Census, Orangeburg County has a population of 84,223  more than enough people for two House districts, as the ideal population per district is 41,278.

However, for undisclosed reasons, the redistricting committee in its initial map has chosen to split Orangeburg up like a pie, drawing in three districts represented by House members from other counties. This will greatly reduce the influence of the urban and suburban communities of interest in Orangeburg, as well as our rural areas.

To add fuel to the fire, citizens in areas such as Bamberg County and Barnwell County, according to numerous public testimonies, are adamantly opposed to being drawn into the city and suburbs of Orangeburg  and rightfully so, because there is no community of interest between these areas.

This action would effectively eliminate Orangeburgs voice in the South Carolina General Assembly. Now, District 66 -- which was mysteriously reassigned the number 95 (based on computer glitch) -- is the only district based in Orangeburg County, but it primarily represents the rural eastern portion of the county along with rural Dorchester County.

The new map does not make sense because unlike other large population areas of the state, Orangeburg County is unique in that it has both a strong urban and rural base of influence. That is why I strongly believe that we should be clear as to what is at stake, regardless of race, political affiliation, any personal issues, or where one lives in the county. The plan would:

1. Eliminate Orangeburgs community of interest for taxation and representation purposes.

2. Diminish Orangeburg Countys political influence in Columbia.

3. Create a majority-minority district in Bamberg County where none existed before.

The Orangeburg County Legislative Delegation, which currently consists of four individuals who live in the county (Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, Rep. Jerry Govan, Sen. Brad Hutto and Sen. Vernon Stephens) and two who live outside of the county (Rep. Russell Ott and Rep. Lonnie Hosey), would be reduced and forced to essentially lose a seat to Bamberg County. Depending on how the lines are drawn in the Senate, Orangeburg may also lose one of its senators.

Although the county is currently sacrificing some of its population to support District 91 (Hosey) and District 93 (Ott), because of the decline in population, it understandably must take back rather than give up population. However, plans suggested by me and other members of the current delegation suggest adjustments could be made and, based on population, assure Orangeburg County would have two resident House seats, one rural and one city/suburban, with enough population to support perhaps one and depending upon the draw, two outside districts.

The draft plan as proposed eliminates the city/suburban Orangeburg seats and gerrymanders in the representative from Bamberg into the City of Orangeburg, a plan that is opposed by citizens from both areas.

To quote Gregg Robinson of the Orangeburg County Development Commission, Orangeburg is a Tier IV rural County with one of the largest population centers in between the states largest population areas of Columbia MSA and Charleston MSA. A strong rural legislative delegation is imperative to the development of our state, and we need all the support and voice to continue to create jobs and improve the quality of life for our citizens."

This plan obliterates the political influence of the 60% of Orangeburg County residents who reside in an approximately five-mile radius of the city of Orangeburg. It significantly reduces the political influence of a county that is one of largest in the state, in terms of both geography and population, which also happens to be majority African American. Just as important as its effects on Orangeburg, the plan also hurts the interests of rural counties that, based on public testimony, wish to stay connected to areas with which they have more in common.

This plan does not pass the smell test, and in doing so, undermines peoples trust in government. If there is a message that elected officials should have learned over the last few years, it is that we need to listen to the people.

Based on the testimony at public hearings of the redistricting committee at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College and at the Statehouse in Columbia, I believe most of Orangeburgs legislative delegation is on the same page. However, the initial map indicates that our voices were not heard. It is my hope that you will voice your disapproval of the plan as currently proposed and request that House District 95 be restored and its community of interest kept intact.

If you would like to testify in support of keeping House District 95 in Orangeburg County, the next meeting of the redistricting committee will be on Tuesday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m. Written and emailed testimony is being accepted. Please email written testimony to redistricting@schouse.gov by noon on Monday, Nov. 15, or mail it to: House Judiciary Committee (512 Blatt), Attn: Redistricting, P.O. Box 11867, Columbia, SC 29211.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and may God both keep and bless you.

Rep. Jerry N. Govan Jr. of Orangeburg represents House District 95.

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Wyoming is a coal state. Its an oil and gas and trona and bentonite and  tenuously  uranium state. And with the help of a Bill Gates-fronted technology company, it could soon become a nuclear state.

Five months have passed since nuclear developer TerraPower and Rocky Mountain Power, Wyomings largest utility, revealed plans to build a 345-megawatt demonstration reactor at one of four retiring Wyoming coal plants. Theyre partnering with the federal government, which will pay half the costs, up to a $1.6 billion ceiling, but that money comes with a time limit: The plant must be operational by 2028.

Its an ambitious target. Achieving it would be groundbreaking. No U.S. nuclear project has been completed on schedule, or on budget, in decades.

Still, to communities faced with impending, irreplaceable job losses, the proposal offers a lifeline. Leaders from Glenrock, Gillette, Rock Springs and Kemmerer have all asked TerraPower the same question: How do we make sure its built here?

In short, they cant. Enthusiasm doesnt hurt, but as long as the infrastructure meets TerraPowers standards, the decision comes down to factors like geology, seismology, meteorology and hydrology, in accordance with the standards of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)  the independent federal agency that evaluates and authorizes nuclear development.

Retirement dates are a consideration, too. Even though the nuclear facility will be built separately, the chosen coal plant must be shut down before the reactor starts up. While the Naughton and Dave Johnston coal units are already scheduled to close by 2027, Rocky Mountain Power plans to keep the Jim Bridger and Wyodak plants operating through the late 2030s.

But all four plants will close eventually, and each loss will cost local jobs  many of which the project promises to restore  and eat away at the states baseload electricity supply.

Theres a need to put something on the grid following those coal plant retirements, said TerraPower CEO Chris Levesque. To put something on the grid that runs 24/7, that can up its power when wind and solar are curtailed.

TerraPower believes a new generation of nuclear plants can meet that emerging need. In collaboration with fellow nuclear developer GE Hitachi, the company reinvented what a reactor can be, Tara Neider, senior vice president of TerraPower and the projects director, said during a presentation last September, before the company picked Wyoming for its first plant.

We largely started by blowing away what a reactor looks like and breaking it into its individual parts, Neider said. Then we started putting it back together. And nothing was considered sacred.

Out of the partnership came a minimalist design called Natrium  the Latin word for sodium  after the liquid metal that flows through the reactors core. Rooted in ideas developed in the 1960s, but adapted to the modern energy market, Natrium is now poised to become Wyomings first-ever nuclear power plant.

A troubled history

Unlike Natrium, all operating U.S. nuclear plants are cooled with water. These commercial light water reactors fall into two main categories: Boiling water reactors and pressurized water reactors.

Inside the core of each plant, uranium-235 atoms  the only isotope of uranium able to undergo nuclear fission  are split apart, releasing heat, like other fuels do when combusted. The fission reaction is used to heat water, which turns to steam and spins a turbine to produce electricity.

Both types of light water reactors circulate water through the core. In boiling water reactors, some of the water is allowed to turn to steam; in more commonly used pressurized water reactors, the water is used to heat a secondary water system, where the steam is produced.

Nuclear reactors operate at temperatures much hotter than the boiling point of water, which must be pumped through the core at a very high pressure to prevent it from boiling away. Sodium, in contrast, is solid at room temperature, and has a relatively low melting point of 208F  a few degrees shy of waters boiling point  but wont boil until it reaches 1,621F, eliminating the need to keep the coolant highly pressurized.

Heavy piping and containment are required for high-pressure systems. In theory, the lower pressure required for sodium cooling would also come with lower costs.

Sodium reactors are no longer used in the U.S. The technology, however, has been part of nuclear development since the emergence of the industry. It cooled the first nuclear power plant to publicly supply electricity to the U.S. grid, the Sodium Reactor Experiment, which operated in California between 1957 and 1964, according to the Department of Energy. The plant was down for much of 1959 and 1960, after a coolant flow blockage caused a partial meltdown.

Sodium was used even earlier to cool the Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR-I), the first U.S. nuclear plant, which began operating in 1951 at what is now the Idaho National Laboratory. In 1955, a coolant flow test triggered an unexpected partial meltdown of the reactor core. EBR-I was permanently shut down in 1963.

Yet another sodium prototype, Michigans Fermi-I, came online in 1963. In 1966, it suffered a partial meltdown also caused by a coolant blockage. After nearly four years of cleanup, the reactor was restarted in 1970, but closed again in 1972.

In the wake of those repeated accidents, and with few more recent projects to build upon, some experts have questioned the merit of further sodium development. Just one U.S. sodium reactor has evaded major accidents.

The successor to EBR-I, the 20-megawatt Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II), began operating in 1965. This time, researchers intentional efforts to force a meltdown  including a simulation of total cooling pump failure  were unsuccessful, demonstrating the efficacy of built-in passive cooling systems. The plant was decommissioned in 1994.

Only Russia has demonstrated a commercial-scale sodium fast reactor thats still operating today. The U.S., meanwhile, has stuck with trusted light water reactors. But in an electricity market dominated, increasingly, by cheaper natural gas and renewables, and with nuclears reputation tarnished by high-profile accidents at Three Mile Island and Fukushima, the established technology is struggling.

Nuclear companies and nuclear projects have not embraced innovation and new technology as much as they could, Levesque said.

The short road ahead

TerraPowers seven-year timeline is not negotiable. Its a condition of the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program established by Congress in 2020, a year after the passage of the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act pushed the NRC to accelerate its licensing process.

The leadership of the NRC will be the first to remind you, their first job isnt schedule, Levesque said. Its safety, and protecting people and the environment. But they know, if nuclear energy is going to have a place in the future  and we really need it to, because we have all these challenges with energy demand and climate  they know we need to reform.

Most operating U.S. nuclear plants came online in the 1970s and 80s. The countrys reactor count, which peaked at 112 in 1990, has fallen to 93; still, nuclear power continues to supply 19% of total electricity generation, and remains the largest carbon-free electricity source.

With battery storage still limited, and Western hydropower at risk from climate change-fueled droughts, decarbonizing economies dont have many commercial, zero-emissions technologies that can provide a steady supply of electricity. A typical light water reactor can produce roughly three times more electricity than TerraPowers 345-megawatt proposal, an output comparable to a large coal plant. But existing models, which can cost tens of billions of dollars to build and take more than a decade to license, have proven uneconomical to keep constructing in the U.S.

In the past, there just hasnt been the need for super-efficient fast reactors, said George Imel, a professor of nuclear engineering at Idaho State University and researcher at the Idaho National Laboratory, a federal nuclear research facility. They are more efficient, and theyre more versatile and more flexible, but the light water fleet basically started from the U.S. nuclear submarine program, where they focused on pressurized water reactors. And that led to the development of an industry based around that.

The futurists who founded TerraPower in 2006, including businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates, recognized that the world needed a clean and scalable source of power, Levesque said. A lot of the predictions on what would be happening with energy, and the need for more emission-free sources, thats all coming to bear.

They thought about pursuing nuclear fusion, he said, but they didnt think itd be ready in time. So they focused on fission instead.

TerraPower had the Natrium design ready when the Department of Energy (DOE)s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program arrived. After it won the federal funding, the company turned to its established partnerships, which included Rocky Mountain Power. Just as Gates had anticipated, the utility was in the market for new baseload power sources that could replace its retiring coal fleet and balance a grid increasingly dependent on renewables.

But Natrium promised more than consistency. Its familiar turbine-driven electricity generation model would enable displaced coal workers to take jobs at the new facility, a possibility the University of Wyoming is already preparing to help with. And it would come equipped with a novel energy storage system designed to accommodate the intermittency of wind and solar.

Natrium is DOE-backed; its not yet NRC-approved. Before the plant can start up, it needs two key NRC permits: licenses for construction and for operation. TerraPower expects to apply for the construction license in a couple of years, and the operating license about a year before the plant is finished.

In the meantime, the federal infrastructure bill  which allocates continued funding to the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program  includes $6 billion in subsidies for existing nuclear reactors, intended to extend the plants lifetimes until a new generation of nuclear power is ready.

How Natrium works

Natrium uses liquid sodium  the metal, not the salt  as a coolant. The sodium is pumped through the core, drawing heat away from the fuel rods and transferring it to a tank of nitrate salt (in that case, the salt, not the metal).

For the most part, TerraPowers sodium-cooled fast reactor resembles other sodium-cooled models, including GE Hitachis PRISM design. The molten salt is what makes Natrium unique.

Nuclear plants are relatively inexpensive to operate, but costly to shut down and restart. Like light water reactors, Natrium is designed to run continually at maximum output. The liquid sodium circulating through its core functions like coolant water in a pressurized water reactor, carrying heat from the core to a secondary system. But because sodium can burn on contact with water, TerraPower added an intermediary loop of molten salt, which doubles as a giant battery. Plant operators will be able to control how much heat gets transferred from the molten salt battery to the water thats used to generate electricity.

Separating the coolant from the electricity production system allowed TerraPower to decouple the reactor, dubbed the nuclear island, from the turbine and generator. Only the nuclear island must comply with more stringent NRC standards; the rest doesnt have to meet those requirements, minimizing expenses.

I think in the past, the nuclear industry was so focused on the licensing process that we kind of forgot about the economics, Neider, the project director, said. We lost sight of that. We were able to set our own costs because we were different from everyone else. But now we realize that has hurt the industry.

The reactor itself is intended to operate at a constant 345 megawatts. When demand is low, surplus energy can be stored in the molten salt battery, reducing electricity output; when demand is high, or other power sources are offline, that additional energy can be released, increasing total output to 500 megawatts for up to 5.5 hours. Its a tool adapted from concentrated solar power systems, which use sunlight to heat water, and rely on molten salt storage to maintain electricity generation when clouds pass by.

Natriums modular design makes its capacity even more flexible. Multiple reactors can be built together, or added later, upping output to accommodate increased electricity demand.

It also requires a different type of fuel. U-235, the fissile isotope used in nuclear reactors, makes up about 0.7% of natural uranium. Todays light water reactors usually use uranium thats enriched to 35% U-235. Many newer designs, including Natrium, require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), which is enriched to about 20% U-235.

The plant uses that fuel more efficiently, however, reducing nuclear waste by two-thirds, Leveseuqe said. With no existing federal repository for radioactive materials, TerraPower plans to store the plants waste onsite, in dry casks that have been used successfully elsewhere for decades.

HALEU comes with an increased risk of nuclear proliferation, but its viewed as less of a concern than highly enriched uranium or plutonium-producing reactors. Still, some in the industry believe that the dangers posed by the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program overshadow the technologys potential benefits.

Opportunity or hazard?

In March of this year, a few months before TerraPower and Rocky Mountain Power announced their partnership, nuclear expert Edwin Lyman published a report that urged the DOE to suspend the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program. In its place, he wrote, the agency and Congress should consider focusing nuclear energy R&D on improving the safety and security of (light water reactors), rather than on commercializing immature (non-light water reactor) designs.

And a few months after the big reveal, nuclear critic and former industry executive Arnie Gundersen wrote an open letter to Bill Gates that harshly criticized TerraPowers plan to circulate sodium through the Natrium reactor, given the technologys meltdown-riddled history.

Lymans biggest concern is the artificial time pressure imposed by the DOE. By setting a seven-year limit, he argued, the agency is barring TerraPower from testing a Natrium prototype before building a commercial, grid-connected version of the plant.

According to his report, the DOE concluded that a commercial-scale demonstration PRISM reactor was ready to be built because the design was based on (EBR-II). Because of the substantial modifications made to the Natrium design, hes not convinced the NRC will see it that way.

Both Lyman and Gundersen are worried about what could happen if Natrium is built according to the DOEs schedule  though neither thinks its likely to get done on time.

These first-of-a-kind reactors  and when I graduated [50 years ago], there were 20 reactors that were operating  every one of them had problems that knocked their socks off for as long as a year, Gundersen said. The concept that a sodium-cooled reactor, which has never been successfully operated in the U.S., is going to start up and work like a champ, has no historical basis.

But Imel, from the Idaho National Laboratory, is among those who believe that Natrium is ready for commercial demonstration.

As I understand, its going to be a fairly small reactor, and small is always easier to do, he said. The fact that its commercial, I dont think really has too much bearing on whether its feasible to do or not.

While the NRC has yet to weigh in, TerraPower  with the backing of the DOE  is confident that Natriums built-in safety systems mitigate the shortfalls of earlier sodium-cooled fast reactors.

The control rods that can halt fission are failsafe, Levesque said, because they drop with gravity. In case of a shutdown, chimneys around the reactor are designed to maintain airflow, dissipating the residual heat that caused the Fukushima accident in 2011. The sodium coolant will retain radioactive materials, he said, while the low-pressure system will prevent the coolant, and the contaminants it contains, from being pushed outward.

Sodium burns on contact with air, as well as water, meaning coolant leaks can be more dangerous in sodium-cooled reactors than in light water reactors. The molten salt intermediary eliminates the possibility of sodium mixing with water, but because the tubes are still surrounded by air, TerraPowers engineers studied how EBR-II avoided leaks, Levesque said.

One perceived security risk that TerraPower has yet to address is the plants reliance on that more highly enriched uranium. An Ohio demonstration project is currently the only domestic source; for the foreseeable future, most will have to be imported from Russia.

A second uranium era

Nuclear would be a new power source for Wyoming, but its not a new industry. The states uranium producers have weathered the turbulent international market for more than 60 years.

The Wyoming uranium industry flourished as nuclear took off in the 1960s and 70s, but the partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in 1979 caused demand to flatline, flooding the international uranium market and sending domestic production into free-fall. Years later, as interest in nuclear began to creep upward once again, the Fukushima accident had a similar effect on the industry.

At its peak, uranium production created roughly 5,000 jobs in Wyoming alone. Forty years later, with more than 90% of the nuclear fuel used in light water reactors now imported from Canada, Australia, Russia and Kazakhstan, Wyoming is home to half of the countrys 225 remaining uranium workers.

If the first Natrium project succeeds, TerraPower plans to build many more, potentially starting with other retiring Wyoming coal plants that meet NRC requirements. Other companies, interested in following in TerraPowers footsteps if the venture succeeds, are watching closely.

The prospect of a Wyoming nuclear industry has led to speculation that Natrium, and other projects like it, could revitalize the uranium sector. But the reality is more complicated.

Its not just uranium, said Glen Murrell, director of the Wyoming Energy Authority. Its the milling and enrichment and the fuel manufacturing. That piece is actually not really established at all in the United States, so thats a big problem, because if you mine [uranium] here in Wyoming, where are you going to actually get it processed?

Industry believes that a federal subsidy for uranium production, coupled with the imposition of tariffs on imported nuclear fuel, is the best place to start.

Its not a free market, said Travis Deti, executive director of the Wyoming Mining Association. Youre competing with state-sponsored entities. And if were going to compete, you need state help, you need the help of the federal government.

TerraPower has expressed interest in using domestically-sourced uranium in the future  but has said that it currently plans to import fuel, at least for the first Natrium facility.

To have any chance of reviving the U.S. uranium industry, Natrium needs to be operational by 2028. If that can be done, state leaders say, itll be done here.

TerraPower got a head start simply by picking Wyoming, Murrell said. If you put this in Santa Barbara, you would probably get a lot of pushback. Thats not going to really happen in Wyoming, because theyre much more accepting of the energy sector.

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At the end of October and the beginning of November, I covered the special legislative session from the Capitol in Cheyenne.

The session was aimed at fighting back against the Biden administrations vaccine mandate for companies over 100 employees. Needless to say, many Wyomingites (and their representatives in the Legislature) were clearly outraged. But others were outraged that lawmakers had even gathered in Cheyenne for the matter.

This was my second time at the Capitol and my first time covering a legislative session.

I spent my days up in the gallery of the Senate or the House of Representatives looking down onto the floor and trying to listen to the small side conversations that lawmakers were having (presumably thats where the interesting stuff is said). I was unsuccessful in that regard, but I did learn some interesting things that I wouldnt have known if I had just watched over Zoom.

I heard about the thinking behind some of the censure threats against Rep. Steve Harshman, who was caught on a hot mic cursing Rep. Chuck Gray, a fellow Casper Republican. I got some insight into individual interests in bills and amendments that were being pushed. I talked to a very busy House clerk about the nitty-gritty of procedural workings. During conversations with members of the Legislative Service Office, they noted how blown away they were by the hundreds of people tuning in online every day. And I ran into Harriet Hageman, Rep. Liz Cheneys top challenger in next years GOP House primary, in a coffee shop in downtown Cheyenne.

I also got to meet more Wyoming residents, (tons of) lobbyists, politicians at all levels of government and other journalists.

The session ultimately resulted in one bill being passed and signed into law by Gov. Mark Gordon. It appropriates $4 million towards fighting federal vaccine mandates in court.

Even though we left the Capitol with only one successful bill, being on the ground for it all felt absolutely necessary to understanding how government functions.

If you are a political junkie, or if you have any interest in what goes on down at the Legislature, I would recommend making your way to Cheyenne to observe in person (you can really get the most out of your tax dollars that are paying for all of this).

If theres anything I missed in my coverage of the special session that you were curious about, please let me know! My goal is to translate all of the high-brow politicking into what actually matters for residents.

Honorable mentions: The tacos I got from Tortilleria La Paz, the Starbucks on Central Avenue thats open late and the thrift stores on Lincolnway.

Follow state politics reporter Victoria Eavis on Twitter @Victoria_Eavis

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Congress recently passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package, and experts say the measure could help remedy longstanding issues in Wyoming.

Driving on damaged roads costs each Wyoming driver an average of $295 per year, nearly 7% of the states bridges are rated structurally deficient, and 99 dams are considered to be high-hazard potential, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Deteriorating infrastructure impedes Wyomings ability to compete in an increasingly global marketplace, the group concludes.

The legislation has drawn criticism from the states congressional delegation, who worry about its price tag and spending on projects that wont benefit rural residents. But experts say the infusion of infrastructure dollars could help Wyoming over the long term.

Wyoming is at a nexus point, so I am optimistic about these investments that could go a long way toward better positioning the state to take advantage of new opportunities that build on its history, know how, and culture, said Christelle Khalaf, associate director for the Center of Business and Economic Development at the University of Wyoming.

Whats in the bill?

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funnels money into a number of sectors in Wyoming. The state can expect to receive:

$1.8 billion to improve highways;

$335 million to improve water infrastructure;

$225 million for bridge replacement and repairs;

$100 million to provide better broadband coverage;

$72 million for airport infrastructure development;

$27 million to expand the states electric vehicle network; and

$14 million to protect against wildfires.

While the bill defines broad categories of spending, the specifics have yet to be worked out, officials at both the Wyoming Department of Transportation and the Wyoming Business Council told the Star-Tribune.

The bill received some bipartisan support, but Wyomings congressional delegation  Rep. Liz Cheney and Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis  voted against the it. Thirteen House Republicans and 19 Senate Republicans voted in favor of the package.

How will this effect you?

The infrastructure bills investment in roads will make it easier to move goods within Wyoming and across borders, while the investment in broadband will improve internet access, experts say.

The improvements could make it easier for businesses to branch out into the digital market, with potentially lower shipping costs, Khalaf said. That trend could attract more business to Wyoming, a key priority for the state as it attempts to diversify its economy to become less reliant on the energy industry.

Wyomingites can expect higher connectivity, physically and digitally, she said.

The bill will be a boost for the construction industry, and it comes at a good time. The sector was down 11% in September compared to February 2020, the month before the pandemic.

In the short term, Wyoming will benefit from a much-needed boost to the construction industry, Khalaf said.

Union workers are expect to benefit. Many of the jobs added through the bill will largely be union jobs, Tammy Johnson, executive secretary of the Wyoming AFL-CIO, said in an email to union workers.

The bill could also help the states highway system. The Wyoming Department of Transportation is expected to be a major beneficiaries of the federal dollars. Its director, Luke Reiner, said he is encouraged by the new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and is working to plan how best to use these potential funds for the people of Wyoming.

By boosting individual sectors, the states overall economy will benefit, experts predict.

I see the ripple effect of it all coming together and helping economic development and good jobs for Wyomingites, said Josh Dorrell, CEO of the Wyoming Business Council. You improve transportation infrastructure, youre more appealing for manufacturers. This is a big igniter for economic development.

Broadband

Reliable broadband is critical in a lightly populated state with residents spread out over great distances. Thats even more the case with the onset of the pandemic as remote work, schooling and medical appointments have become more ubiquitous.

The bill includes a minimum allocation of $100 million to expand broadband coverage in Wyoming. That includes providing access to the roughly 48,000 Wyoming residents without broadband access, the White House said. Meanwhile, about 25% of people in Wyoming will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which is designed to help low-income families afford internet access.

While the money is helpful, it may not bridge all gaps.

What Im worried about is that were not going to be able to upgrade 25 [megabits per second] download, three [megabits per second] upload to something higher and better, said Rep. Albert Sommers, R-Pinedale, who chairs the Wyoming Broadband Task Force. But if we want to keep Wyoming relevant in todays economy, we have to have something higher than 25-three.

Congressional delegation reacts

The bills infusion of infrastructure funding for Wyoming did not protect it from criticism from the states all-Republican congressional delegation.

There are many infrastructure priorities, like improving our roads and bridges, expanding rural broadband, and reforming the [National Environmental Policy Act] process, that would have by themselves received much broader bipartisan support, Cheney said. Unfortunately, the Democrats bill instead includes far-left provisions that will ultimately hurt families across our state.

The bill provides $66 billion in passenger rail to revitalize AMTRAK in the Northeast and $91 billion for public transit systems, neither of which will benefit Wyoming, a Cheney aide noted.

Im disappointed that Democrats have opted to use their slim majority to advance largely-partisan legislation rather than working across the aisle on solutions that both parties can broadly support, Cheney said. Going forward, I will continue to prioritize the needs and interests of the people of Wyoming and work to advance those causes in the House.

Barrasso expressed a similar sentiment.

This bill started from a bipartisan foundation that I passed through the Environment and Public Works Committee last Congress. It will invest in roads and bridges in Wyoming, the senator said. There is much-needed funding for Bureau of Reclamation water reservoirs, although not at the level we need to fund aging facilities in the current drought conditions facing the West.

But Republicans were quick to note the legislations massive cost.

Being a very rural state, Wyoming has specific needs that most other states do not. There are programs in this bill that will be beneficial for Wyoming, Lummis said. However, I didnt vote for it because I believe the price tag was too high and too much of the spending decisions would be made by bureaucrats in Washington instead of those on the ground in the states.

Proponents of the bill argue it will pay for itself through a number of measures without raising taxes. However, the Congressional Budget Office found that the legislation would add about $256 billion to the projected federal deficit over the next decade.

Ive insisted that an infrastructure bill be fully paid for. This bill misses that mark, Barrasso said. The level of new spending Democrats insisted on will add more than $250 billion to the debt burden on our children and grandchildren. Washington must learn to live within its means, like every family in Wyoming does.

Wyoming Democrats, meanwhile, lauded the bill.

President Bidens dedication to the American people and his ability to reach across the aisle got the job done and, as a result, Wyoming will see real investments in and improvements made to our infrastructure, said Wyoming Democratic Party Chair Joe Barbuto. For a lot of folks in our state, this historic piece of legislation is a game changer that will help to support and create jobs, innovation, and economic diversity. The build back better agenda isnt about whether a state is red or blue  its about building opportunity and prosperity for all Americans.

Energy

Political critics of the bill also noted its expansion of electric vehicles will hamper the energy sector in oil and gas states.

A Cheney aide pointed to the $15 billion in green subsidies in the bill, specifically for electric buses and electric vehicle charging stations. [These] will hurt Wyomings energy industry that supports families across the state. the aide said.

Others dont see the bills support of green technology hampering other sources of energy.

[This bill] does include some provisions to promote electrification and other low-carbon technologies. However, it doesnt specifically exclude or sanction traditional fuel sources, Khalaf said. For example, the bill includes a grant program for EV (electrical vehicle) charging and fueling infrastructure that includes natural gas, hydrogen, and propane fueling infrastructure. In addition, the clean school bus program includes not only EVs but also LNG (liquefied natural gas), compressed natural gas, hydrogen, propane, and biofuels.

The infrastructure bill may not provide a lot of immediate, instant benefit to the traditional energy sector. But it does contain large levels of funding support that will assist with the sustainable transformation of the industry and support Wyomings pursuit of net-zero emission through the all-of-the-above energy strategy, said Glenn Murrell, executive director of the Wyoming Energy Authority said.

Worker training

As Wyoming works to diversify its economy, it must contend with training workers to accommodate different industries. That process is known as upskilling.

As it wound its way through Congress, the legislation underwent major cuts, one of which would have benefited upskilling of Wyoming workers.

The bill initially included $100 billion for workforce development, which would have partially helped displaced workers, said Khalaf, specifically noting the downturn in the coal industry. This would have provided much needed upskilling investments in the state.

Business advocates agree.

Its pretty clear that our natural resources and our energy sectors have been at risk, and so being able to provide other opportunities for those workers is really important, Durrell said.

Moving forward

President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law Monday. But that doesnt mean Wyomings infrastructure problems are solved.

In fact, many details must still be worked out. State lawmakers will convene in mid-February for the budget session and are likely tackle how to appropriate the money.

Follow state politics reporter Victoria Eavis on Twitter @Victoria_Eavis

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After pushback from stakeholders on and off campus, the University of Wyomings administrators have opted to delay for more than a year much of their plan to reorganize the university.

The reorganization plan includes a significant downsizing of the College of Arts of Sciences accomplished by moving science programs to other colleges.

The complete restructuring was originally set to be implemented after the current academic year, pending approval by the board of trustees.

Instead, after faculty and staff critiqued the process as unduly rushed, administrators now plan to implement most aspects of the restructuring in July 2023 as part of a normal strategic planning process to begin in coming months.

UWs most recent strategic plan was implemented in 2017 and expires next year.

As many people have pointed out, it doesnt make a lot of sense to do a reorg and then do a strategic plan, Provost Kevin Carman said during a campus meeting Friday. Having that discussion simultaneously is a healthier way of approaching this.

Under the latest proposal, stakeholders could continue to adjust major aspects of the reorganization until final approval by the trustees in December 2022.

But campus morale, already damaged by high administrative turnover in recent years, has taken a hit during the reorganization process, many say. Other critiques question the longevity of yet another presidential vision.

Administrators will still ask the trustees next week to finalize, effective July 2022, a number of the less controversial changes, like a consolidation of the Department of Physics & Astronomy with the Department of Atmospheric Science  a move endorsed by both departments.

Another proposal still slated for implementation next summer is the elimination of advanced degree programs in four areas: philosophy, finance, energy and statistics. All four have low enrollment.

The board is looking for us to move forward and take decisive action and not to kick the can down the road, President Ed Seidel said, recounting recent conversations with board members.

The consolidation of the Department of Computer Science with the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering is also still proposed for implementation next summer.

Faculty in those departments have questioned the rationale for the merger, but have also described it as a reasonable concept.

Ruben Gamboa, who currently chairs the Department of Computer Science, worked more than a decade in private industry, where these kinds of mergers happen frequently, he said.

The consolidation Gamboa currently faces bodes possible benefits and dangers.

If the two departments currently teach similar enough classes, for example, some coursework could be merged for teaching efficiencies. However, Gamboa noted that mergers can also result in needless conflict if two departments with different cultures are pooled.

At this university, weve seen that in the past, he said. Theres a history, but Im not going to say those things are going to happen here.

Administrators original reorganization plans, announced in July, would have laid off up to 70 employees  mostly faculty  while consolidating more departments and eliminating more programs than the current plan calls for.

The reorganization was initiated by pressure to cut budgets, with administrators invoking a formal program-review process and establishing timelines.

Most of the savings from the reorganization plan, such as all expected layoffs, however, have since been stripped from consideration after backlash on campus. The lack of projected savings bolstered detractors arguments against rushing to finalize the plans.

Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, minority floor leader of the Wyoming Senate, and a visiting assistant professor at UW, told trustees hell actively oppose the reorganization, asserting theres no longer a financial need. When the reorganization began, there was an expectation of significant additional cuts to the University block grant, requiring dramatic measures and a rapid response. This is no longer the case, he wrote in an Oct. 28 letter to the board of trustees. Unexpectedly high natural gas and oil prices, a faster than expected economic recovery from COVID, and significant additional state revenue from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 have eliminated the need for immediate cuts. In fact,maintenance of effort conditions within the ARP Act effectively preclude the Wyoming Legislature from cutting statewide higher education funding over the next two years.

State revenue for the 2021 fiscal year exceeded the January forecast put forth by the states Consensus Revenue Estimating Group by $248.2 million. CREG recently revised its projections for the next three fiscal years upward by a total of $596.9 million amid unexpectedly high oil and gas revenue.

Despite that, Seidel said last week UW cant expect its economic woes to disappear, and still must find areas to cut.

Regardless of what the CREG report says about the future of the states economy, we do have a very significant budget cut, he said. We are down about $60 million from the budget that was proposed two years ago. If people think that somehow that theres a rosier economic forecast and we dont have to cut budgets, thats not correct. Im charged and I have the responsibility to actually make those cuts.

A meeting last week with Gov. Mark Gordons cabinet, Seidel said, gave him no expectation of more liberal state spending in the near future.

The economic forecast for the state indicates a short-term bump-up in funds, but not a long-term one, so the governor will be extremely reluctant to increase budgets, and the Legislature will be similarly inclined for the future, he said.

Seidel continues to emphasize the consequences of the states dwindling UW block grant in conversations with Gordon, he continued.

We had a several-hour meeting (at the end of October) to talk about our budget and I reiterated our concerns about the budgets we have being inadequate to carry out the mission of the university, Seidel said. I will continue to do so and I feel like were making some progress, even if theres no more money in our bank account yet.

Part of Seidels motive to cut budgets is to free up more than $5 million to fund several new programs, like a School of Computing that would become the focal point of computing leadership on campus and infuse related science into more academic programs.

Some stakeholders have whole-heartedly endorsed the new initiatives. Others have acknowledged the programs theoretical merits while also arguing theyre not worth funding at the expense of existing programs.

When the new programs were originally announced, Faculty Senate Chair Adrienne Freng warned of low morale caused by presidential vision whiplash. Seidel is the sixth UW president since 2013.

One of his newly proposed initiatives, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, closely resembles an entity that UW prominently invested resources into less than three years ago, the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The first iteration was quietly abandoned by 2020 after former President Laurie Nichols departed and administrative priorities changed.

Its that type of instability that makes faculty question whether Seidels initiatives will also eventually be abandoned, creating a wasted effort, they say.

Rather than spending funds to pursue new goals, Rothfuss has argued UW needs to prioritize completion of the goals its been pursuing for years, namely the Science Initiative and the Tier 1 Engineering Initiative.

Both programs were initiated under Gov. Matt Mead, who convened task forces to develop the ambitious programs. To advance the initiatives, UW has since constructed two buildings, each costing $100 million, largely with legislative funding.

UW is still far from meeting its goals in either initiative.

We dont need another new initiative, Rothfuss wrote in his letter. We need the University to follow through on these earlier commitments before embarking on the next.

Rothfuss, a professor in UWs Honors College, has championed funding for the university during his decade in the Legislature, but told administrators he wont support funding for Seidels new programs if it comes at the expense of existing initiatives.

I will not support state funding in the upcoming Legislative Budget Session for any new program that does not have the support and buy-in of our University faculty, staff, and students, he wrote. I will not support any funding for any new program that I feel detracts from our prior legislatively funded initiatives.

With so much presidential turnover in recent years, some long-time faculty say its hard to buy into Seidels vision at an institution where presidential visions come and go so quickly.

Why actually take this guy seriously when he might be gone in two years anyways? Faculty Senate Chair-Elect Renee Laegreid said.

Narina Nunez, a professor of psychology, said it feels like each new president completely rips the university apart and then leaves.

And were left trying to pick up the pieces, she said.

Noting she had yet to meet Seidel, Nunez said the president hasnt gotten to know the UW community well enough to initiate such a dramatic reorganization.

He never bothered to build trust, she said. We might have hated it anyways, but we wouldve trusted him.

Nunez pointed to former President Phil Dubois, who helmed UW from 1997-2005, as an exemplar of earning that kind of trust, she said.

He got to know every single person, she said. Faculty hated him half the time, but we trusted him to take us in the right direction.

During Seidels first year as president, he lamented that the COVID-19 pandemic had prevented him from becoming acquainted with the UW community in the way he expected.

On Friday, he again acknowledged less-than-ideal engagement with the campus community, but said he hoped his outreach across the state would pay dividends in the long-run.

Ive been going a lot around the state, he said. I think its somewhat to my detriment on campus, but I just had to get to know legislators, chambers of commerce and stock-growers associations across the state.

Seidel hopes those relationships prove helpful, he said, noting his rapport with the Joint Appropriations Committee has improved since he took office.

WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.

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The recent elections showed that Americans are fed up with governmental overreach trampling our freedoms. From COVID-19 restrictions, to mandates, to lost liberties and forever wars, the scope and power of the federal government must be curtailed.

As a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Wyoming, I promise that, once elected, I will oppose government intrusions and fight to restore our freedoms.

Earlier this month, as Senior Litigation Counsel for the New Civil Liberties Alliance, I helped file a class action lawsuit against Joe Bidens unconstitutional vaccine mandate. The named plaintiffs and class representatives are federal employees who acquired natural immunity after contracting and recovering from COVID-19.

Bidens vaccine mandate violates our constitutional rights to bodily integrity and to decline medical treatment. It also violates the federal Emergency Use Authorization law, which confirms patients rights to informed consent and to decline such a vaccine. Outside of the draconian response to the pandemic, our federal government has long been waging war on American citizens, asserting increasing authority over our everyday lives.

The progressive Institute for Policy Studies reports that, since September 11, 2001, taxpayers have funded $21 trillion worth of militarization, surveillance, and repression.

The passage of the Patriot Act after 9/11 was meant to protect our citizens. We now know that it instead gave the federal government the perfect tool, along with extraordinary powers, to spy on us, surveil us, and deny due process to American citizens.

The Patriot Act makes it much easier for the federal government to compile and stockpile information about citizens by forcing just about anyone to turn over documents, including doctors, libraries, bookstores, universities, and Internet providers. All the federal government must do is tell a judge that the request is related to an ongoing foreign intelligence or terrorism-related investigation. Neither probable cause nor reasonable suspicion of criminal activity is required.

Our experiences today prove the adage that the more government grows, the more liberty shrinks.

As the outrageous tale of the Steele Dossier demonstrates, federal abuses of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Courts have been rampant and lawless. The dossier was paid for by Hillary Clinton and compiled by British spy Christopher Steele, who employed Russian citizen Igor Danchenko as a source. Even though the dossier was a lie, the FBI used it to launch an investigation under the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to spy on former President Donald Trumps 2016 campaign. Danchenko has now been charged with five counts of lying to the FBI.

It is blatantly unconstitutional for a secret court to issue secret FISA warrants to secretly target American citizens, violating their Fourth and Fifth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, invasions of privacy, and denial of due process.

That the government might expand and abuse its own power should not be surprising, just as it should not be shocking that the military industrial complex keeps itself fed through so-called forever wars.

Biden will always be remembered for bungling the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, although most agree that it was past time to end that 20-year war. But Rep. Liz Cheney, my opponent in Wyoming, is a darling of the military contractors who keep the wheels greased in Congress. Her activities may help D.C. and northern Virginia, but they do nothing to protect our coal and oil and gas industries,

Congress votes on the National Defense Authorization Act to fund our military. Its in that process that some of the unseemliest horse-trading goes on. Defenders of the bloated Pentagon budget, like Cheney, get what they want, and the liberals in Congress are tossed a few treats as well. This year the Armed Services Committee, of which Cheney is a member, voted on an amendment to draft girls and young women to serve in the military.

Cheney, along with all but one Democrat and four other Republicans, voted in favor of that amendment; Twenty-three Republicans voted against it, as I would have. No civilized society drafts young girls to fight wars. Period.

It is also telling that Cheney occupies a seat on the Armed Services Committee, rather than on Natural Resources, where Wyomings lone Representative historically sits. Wyoming cares more about our ability to responsibly use our own energy resources, land, and water than we do about fat government checks for defense contractors, so this reveals where Cheneys priorities lie.

Wyoming has only one member of the House, so we must get it right. Its time we had someone who put Americans  and Wyomingites  first.

Harriet Hageman is a Wyoming native, an attorney, a former Republican National Committeewoman from Wyoming, and a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Wyoming.

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Another infusion of federal cash is headed our way.

Earlier this month, Congress passed a $1.2 trillion legislative package designed to boost the nations infrastructure. The measure is expansive: There is funding for roadwork, bridge repairs, airport development and wildfire protection, among other things. The bill will add billions of dollars to the federal deficit, but it will also address a problem thats festered for decades: Americas infrastructure needs some help.

Wyomings share of the funding amounts to nearly $2 billion. That includes $1.8 billion to improve the states highways, $225 million for bridge repairs and replacement, $335 million for water infrastructure needs, $100 million to improve broadband coverage and $14 million for wildfire protection.

Our congressional delegation  Rep. Liz Cheney and Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis  all opposed the legislation. They acknowledged that the nations infrastructure needs repairs, and that the bill would address issues here in Wyoming, such as providing funding for the Bureau of Reclamations system of reservoirs. But, they said, the bill contains too many wasteful provisions while adding to the federal deficit. Still, this bill will become law as soon as this week, and regardless of ones support or opposition, Wyoming has an opportunity to leverage this funding for the creation of jobs and betterment of our way of life.

The details of the spending have yet to be worked out. State lawmakers will convene in February for a budget session, and theyll decide how to specifically appropriate the money. And while it might be tempting for some Wyomingites to thumb their noses at the feds, its important now to be pragmatic. We have problems to solve.

Anyone whos made the drive from Casper to Laramie knows this. A half hour out from the Oil City, a driver encounters a string of ruts and dips that can make even a seasoned Wyomingite a little nervous. The winters here are brutal, and the constant freezing and thawing wreaks havoc on our roads, many of which are in need of repair. And lets not forget that the Wyoming Department of Transportation was facing a major budget shortfall as recently as last year.

Other parts of our infrastructure system could also benefit from some attention. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, nearly 7% of the states bridges are structurally deficient and 99 dams are classified as having high hazard potential. Meanwhile, swathes of our state suffer from broadband coverage issues.

Given all that, its important for lawmakers to maximize the opportunities the infrastructure money affords. And its equally important to be transparent about it. Weve discussed before our concern that state lawmakers have not articulated in depth how they plan to spend the influx of federal cash that weve received since the start of the pandemic. That same concern holds true here.

Wyoming continues to enjoy new sources of revenue. First there was the COVID relief money. Then we saw a revenue boost from higher oil and gas prices. Now, were getting nearly $2 billion for our infrastructure. Together, they represent a real opportunity to address long-term issues facing our state. Good infrastructure is essential as we seek to put Wyoming on a more sustainable course. Regardless of how you might feel about Congress or the process that took us to this point, the focus now should be on improving our state. Lets take full advantage of this opportunity.

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In spite of, and because of, the pandemic, Montana has taken the top spot in the nation for its reliance on the outdoor recreation economy as a portion of its gross domestic product.

According to statistics released this week by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Montanas outdoor economy comprised 4.3% of the states total GDP in 2020, outpacing perennial favorite Hawaii, which fell to 3.8%.

Ill be curious to see if this holds up, said Jeremy Sage, interim director of the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research at the University of Montana.

Billions

According to the federal analysis, Montanas outdoor industry generated $2.23 billion in 2020, down from $2.49 billion in 2019. Wyomings fell from $1.58 billion to $1.24 billion.

Retail sales play a big role in these figures, Sage pointed out.

For the nation, the retail trade sector was the largest contributor to U.S. outdoor recreation value added in 2020, accounting for $101.9 billion, according to the BEA. At the state level, retail trade was the largest contributor to outdoor recreation value added in 35 states.

Under the previous administration of Gov. Steve Bullock, Montana worked to recruit businesses and promote its outdoor recreation economy, creating the Office of Outdoor Recreation and hiring a director to lead the efforts. The website is still active, but clicking on the contact button now takes a visitor to a San Jose, California, business attraction manager. A call to the Department of Commerces human resources office was not returned in time for this story.

Our treasured public lands and many outdoor recreational opportunities do a lot to sell themselves, and the governor is committed to protecting, promoting, and growing this important industry for the enjoyment of Montanans and those who visit our state, said Brooke Stroyke, communications director for Gov. Greg Gianforte, in an email.

Drop

Despite its climb above GDP stats as a percentage over other states, the outdoor recreation industry in Montana took a hit in 2020 due to the pandemic, as did Wyomings.

This led to rapid changes in demand as consumers canceled, restricted, or redirected their spending, according to the BEA report.

In Montana, the outdoor recreation economy dropped by 0.4% in 2020 compared to 2019. In Wyoming the gap was larger, with a 0.8% drop.

Montana fared pretty well throughout the pandemic, Sage said, partly because the drive market in the Mountain States is so strong.

Montana also likely did well due to the out-migration of urban residents to states like Montana, said Gregory Gilpin, head of Montana State Universitys Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics.

In the year since the BEA report, Gilpin noted a lot has changed very quickly. He referred to reports noting that airport travel in Bozeman set a new record this year and Airbnb demand was high with premium prices commanded by homeowners there and in Whitefish.

I would suggest theres a lot more vibrance in Montana tourism for 2021 than in 2020, he said.

The question, he said, is how the state adapts going forward as the economy continues to shift in new ways, like the prominence of cryptocurrency creating a gold rush like economic boost and the workforces loss of almost 5 million people during the pandemic, some of which decided to retire early.

Thats a tremendous number of workers missing, Gilpin said. Were going to have to figure out how to automate.

Tourism

Montanas 2020 outdoor recreation decline is partly a reflection of a drop in tourism as people chose to stay closer to home during the uncertainty of COVID-19, as well as the loss of international travelers who were barred from the United States.

According to estimates from ITRR, tourism was down 12% in 2020 in Montana compared to 2019.

With fewer travelers and group sizes limited, outdoor recreation employment also fell  17.5% in Montana and 24.8% in Wyoming. Hawaii, which is heavily reliant on tourist traffic and air travel, saw the largest decline with a 27.2% drop in outdoor recreation employment.

U.S.

Nationally, the outdoor industry generated $688 billion and provided 4.3 million jobs, according to the BEA report.

Despite the pandemic, public lands and water closures, canceled trips and travel, gathering restrictions, supply chain issues and more, the outdoor recreation economy is a huge contributor to national and local economies, said Jessica Turner, president of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable.

Higher spending on boating, fishing and RVing was reflected in the BEA statistics, with $30.8 billion in current-dollar value added. RVing was also the second largest activity under the BEAs conventional classification of activities across the nation. For Wyoming one of the largest generators of revenue was snow sports, totaling $92.2 million. Colorado led that category with $1.2 billion.

Less spending on amusement and water parks, festivals, sporting events and concerts was also highlighted. With such organized events and gatherings either delayed or closed, people sought out other outdoor activities.

In 2020, 53% of Americans ages 6 and over participated in outdoor recreation at least once, the highest participation rate on record, said Lise Aangeenbrug, executive director of the Outdoor Industry Association. Remarkably, 7.1 million more Americans participated in outdoor recreation in 2020 than in the year prior.

More people outdoors is a double-edged sword, straining facilities like campgrounds while also possibly building a constituency for outdoor issues, Sage noted.

The question remains just how much this phenomenon persists beyond COVID, he added.

Those who have made a large investment in equipment like a new RV, ski gear or a mountain bike may be less likely to abandon the activity, Sage said. For others, the outdoors may have been a one-off activity to be replaced by urban or foreign travel as restrictions ease.

Exploring

Although structured activities like guided rafting trips may have taken a hit in 2020, many Montanans continued to explore the outdoors, according to Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research polling.

So many people were out camping that 23% said they could not park at their chosen location. Most found another spot, the poll found, while about one quarter chose to go home.

The poll also found that as traditionally popular outdoor spots with public lands became more crowded, about one third of those polled opted to visit a new place, which is good news for tourism regions in Eastern Montana that are seeking some of the wests overflow.

Residents in the southwest, where popular locations like Yellowstone National Park and the Custer Gallatin National Forest are located, were more likely to seek out new spots than residents from other regions of the state, explaining the Gallatin County license plates seen pulling drift boats to the Hi-Line.

Recognizing the increasing pressure on public lands, 61% of state residents said they did not think public land management agencies were sufficiently staffed. That feeling was highest in the states Missouri River tourism region and lowest in Glacier Country.

Highlighting the increasing importance of computers in travel planning, 36% of Yellowstone County poll respondents said they made an attempt to use a public lands reservation system, the highest of any region. The top choice for how land managers should communicate with the public was social media.

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Keep the faith. God is great and he knows best.

Thats the uplifting message from New York-based singer Kevon Carter to the people of T&T during the current spike in Covid-19 cases here at home. T&T recorded 537 new cases of Covid and 17 deaths on Thursday.

Carter, who returned to the United States earlier this year following the reopening of international borders, says he is disturbed by the continued rise in Covid cases in T&T.
A POLICE Constable and a Coastguardsman shot and killed each other yesterday morning in Diego Martin during an alleged dispute over a woman.

Police said around 2.20 a.m., PC Jomo Gulston, 37, a soon-to-be father of Endeavour, Chaguanas had just dropped off an unidentified woman at the home of her boyfriend, Coast Guard officer Jabari Francois, 33, at Waterwheel Road, River Estate, Diego Martin.
Ive noticed in recent times a series of letters with an anti-vaccination leaning from Kevin Baldeosingh culminating with one published on Saturday. Could Mr Baldeosinghs need to write in the public forum be the result of cognitive dissonance, where he is really trying to convince himself that what he is doing is correct?
Tucson hip-hop trio Unrehearsed Music Group is now a quintet after adding two women to the lineup.

Phoenix area rappers Tiffany Padilla and Daniela Iniguez-Dejadez joined Daniel Grijalva, Eduardo Zuniga and Luis Vasquez late last summer in what started out as a one-time collaboration and evolved into a full-fledged partnership.

They bring a whole different vibe, a whole different sound that we can get into, Grijalva said, adding that with Iniguez-Dejadez aka De Jadez, who sings in addition to rapping, Unrehearsed Music Group can now feature vocals on their tracks  something the seven-year-old ensemble has not been able to do on their earlier recordings.

With those two additions, its making our whole image change to the kind of music we can make now, he said.

We bring  a different sound and perspective to just flow us all together to make it perfect, said Padilla, who has been rapping in Phoenix clubs and open mics for 20 years under the stage name Devilz Playground. Its incredible, all of us together. I think its just all of our different styles, all of our different flows, all of our different lifestyles and everything weve been through, it all comes together in the music.
The two reds quickly ran to their mother, who greeted them with what looked like relief. She was definitely happy, Proctor said. Her butt was wagging as they all ran off.

A short time later, though, the Proctors heard more plaintive sounds, this time coming from their neighbors other trash can. Inside was a third trapped baby, and this one had been left behind.

Proctor freed the kitten-sized javelina, which he said he could have picked up with one hand.

After watching the baby wander aimlessly in front of their homes, the Proctors and their neighbor scooped it up in a box and tried to release it into the wash where the other javelinas had gone.

The little one wandered back to their street a short time later, still alone, so the neighbor gave it some water and took it into his small backyard, where it spent most of the day curled up asleep in a patch of flowers.

Then, when the rest of the herd showed up later that night, right on schedule, the neighbor opened his gate and the baby ran out to join them.

It was a wild day, Proctor said.
Capt. Reuben F. Bernard, commander of the 1st Cavalry, along with his wife, Alice, and 4-year-old son, Harry, accompanied Mary, John, and little Marietta.

Six mounted and armed soldiers, our escort, were close behind the ambulance, Mary wrote as the company headed out. At a little distance four army wagons, containing baggage and two or three discharged soldiers, with the driver, brought up the rear.

Our minds were filled with pleasant anticipations as we waved a merry good-bye to friends gathered to bid us Godspeed, she wrote.

After the first long, weary days ride and we were gathered around the camp-fire, our joy had not diminished, for Arizona was a good place to emigrate from in those days. Happy talk and laughter passed the time, till we were admonished by the lateness of the hour that we must separate for the night. We went to our cozy tents for sleep and rest preparatory for the morrows long ride. We did not dream how hard and full of peril it would be!
Pediatric hospitalizations for COVID have also increased in the past few days after being flat for the last two months, she said.

In northwest Pima County, hospitals are also seeing an increase.

We have seen a gradual increase in COVID patients over the past two weeks and a sharper uptick in cases over the past several days. Our hospitals remain very busy, but we do have some inpatient capacity, said Veronica Apodaca, market director of Northwest Healthcare, which includes Oro Valley Hospital, 1551 E. Tangerine Road, and Northwest Medical Center, 6200 N. La Cholla Blvd.

We continue to be available to care for our community, but urge everyone to take precautions as we see increased spread in our region.

Tucson Medical Center, 5301 E. Grant Road, is also seeing a significant jump, with 52 COVID patients in the hospital as of Friday, about 20 more than a week ago.

COVID-19 deaths have not yet started to show a clear upward trend in Pima County or Arizona, but deaths naturally lag behind spikes in hospitalizations. Then the data on deaths lag several weeks behind when those deaths occur, Gerald said.
Personally, I considered the rate of return was more appropriate for a private water company, that somebody needs to make a profit, have some formal rate of return, said Mark Taylor, the chair of the advisory committee. I didn't think it was an appropriate methodology. I think another company could have done a different methodology and come up with a different number.

But Smith says this is a common way municipalities determine differential rates.

That's kind of a misconception on the part of a lot of people, that this utility basis is only used by investor-owned utilities or private water companies, Smith said. It's very common in the industry, throughout the country, for a municipal utility to calculate both outside city rates and wholesale rates using the utility basis.

City residents considered owners

According to Tim Thomure, interim assistant city manager, the rates of return considered in the study represent a risk the city bears that unincorporated residents do not.
GENOA, Neb. (AP)  Researchers say they have uncovered the names of 102 Native American students who died at a federally operated boarding school in Nebraska.

The Omaha World-Herald reports that the discovery comes as ground-penetrating radar has been used in recent weeks to search for a cemetery once used by the school that operated in Genoa from 1884 to 1934. So far, no graves have been found.

The Genoa school was one of the largest in a system of 25 federally run boarding schools for Native Americans. The dark history of abuses at the schools is now the subject of a nationwide investigation.

Margaret Jacobs, co-director of the Genoa Indian School Digital Reconciliation Project, said some of the names identified so far might be duplicates, but the true death toll is likely much higher.

Jacobs said that many of the children died of diseases including tuberculosis. Some other deaths such as a drowning were reported by newspapers at the time.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP)  Before Thomas Randele sold luxury cars and taught golf in suburban Boston, before he got married and had a family, federal marshals say he was Theodore John Conrad, who pulled off one of the biggest bank robberies in Clevelands history. The suspects disappearance was a mystery that lasted 52 years  a few months longer than he did.

Conrad was a 20-year-old bank teller at the Society National Bank in Cleveland when he walked out at the end of his workday on a Friday in 1969 with a paper bag containing $215,000, authorities said. Thats the equivalent of more than $1.7 million in 2021 dollars. The theft wasnt discovered until a few days later, and Conrad was never seen again.

Authorities said Conrad had become obsessed a year earlier with the 1968 film The Thomas Crown Affair" starring Steve McQueen about a bank robbery for sport by a millionaire businessman. Conrad told friends that taking money from the bank would be easy, even indicating plans to do so.

In the years since, the case was featured on shows like Americas Most Wanted and Unsolved Mysteries and investigators chased leads all over the country.
LONDON (AP)  Queen Elizabeth II missed out on the Remembrance Sunday service in London to pay tribute to Britain's war dead because she sprained her back, Buckingham Palace said Sunday.

The service is one of the most important events on the 95-year-old monarch's calendar, and was meant to be her first public appearance after taking a few weeks off to rest under doctors orders.

British media reported that the back sprain was not believed to be related to the recent medical advice to rest that prompted other cancellations.

The Queen, having sprained her back, has decided this morning with great regret that she will not be able to attend todays Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, officials said just hours ahead of the ceremony. Her Majesty is disappointed that she will miss the service.

The queen spent a night in a London hospital last month after being admitted for medical tests. It was her first such stay in eight years. On Oct. 29, the palace said she had been told by doctors to rest for two weeks and only take on light duties.

She canceled plans to attend the U.N. climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, but sent a video message.
FC Tucsons improbable run to  and through  the USL League One playoffs ended Saturday at the hands (and feet) of the tournaments top seed.

Union Omahas Evan Conway scored three minutes into the match and the Owls piled on five more goals on the way to 6-1 win over the Men in Black in a semifinal match at Werner Park. Union Omaha outshot FC Tucson 28-8, with 16 of the Owls shots on target. Exactly 20 of the home teams shots came from inside the box. Omaha attempted nine corner kicks to Tucsons two.

FC Tucson played the final 58 minutes with 10 men after Maxi Schenfeld was shown a red card for violent conduct in the 32nd minute, shortly after Conway gave Omaha a 2-0 lead with his second goal of the match. Omaha took advantage of the booking, scoring twice in the first 10 minutes of the second half to make it 4-0.

Charlie Dennis scored the Men in Blacks only goal, sending one home in the 63rd minute. Austin Panchot built Omahas lead back up to four goals when he found the net seven minutes later. Emir Alihodzic goal in the 83rd minute capped scoring for the host Owls. It was a rare rout in what has become one of the leagues top rivalries.

Omaha beat the Men in Black three times during the regular season, all by one goal. FC Tucson won 1-0 in Nebraska on Sept. 28.
A Life on Fire

Tulsa author Connie Cronley will discuss and sign copies of her book A Life on Fire at two events this week.

She will appear at a special event 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16  Oklahomas Statehood Day  at Founders Hall at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa, 4502 E. 41st St.; and 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Sweet Tooth Candy & Gifts, 3541 S. Harvard Ave.

Cronleys book is the first biography of Kate Barnard, the first woman elected to state office in Oklahoma history when she was chosen as the commissioner of charities and corrections in 1907  years before women in the United States had earned the right to vote.

Barnard was a champion of the disenfranchised of society and was a strong advocate for compulsory education, laws against child labor, improved mental health treatment and prison reform.

But it was her efforts at uncovering graft and corruption surrounding the treatment of Indigenous peoples, such as the corrupt authorities and legal guardians stealing oil, gas and timber rights from Native Americans federal allotments, that led to her political downfall.
Dogs, drugs, damage and disarray

Nurse practitioner Amber Vieux figured shed be consulted when it came time to decide who would get permanent housing and who wouldnt. As the person in charge of the hotels health clinic, shed gotten to know many of the clients and believed she could contribute to the conversation. Much to her surprise and disappointment, those discussions never happened.

I was the medical provider.  At the very least, I should have been involved in some of these conversations, Vieux said. I didnt even know it was happening until the people had already been told they were being put out, and they would come into my clinic having emotional mental breakdowns because of how scared they were and begging me to help them.

Vieux said about 10 to 20 clients a week were being sent back onto the streets in the last month the hotel was operating, and most were no better prepared for life outside the hotel than they had been when they entered.

There was no incentive for them to kind of practice skills that would make them more successful once they were on their own, maybe in an apartment, like taking care of property, showing up for (appointments), just communication with their case workers, Vieux said.
It's inappropriate to honor men who led armed rebellion against the United States by naming military bases after them, the editorial says. The United States has plenty of heroes deserving of such distinction, men and women who remained loyal to their oaths and their nation.
In May 1956, when more than 500 business leaders and public officials came to Tulsa from 22 different states to talk about the Jet Age, most people still got here by train. The first domestic jetliners wouldnt take off for another three years.

Harold Stuart, the Tulsa businessman who organized the Jet Age Conference, was married to the daughter of oil tycoon William Skelly, who had been an advocate for the citys aviation industry since the biplane era.

Stuart himself had served as a colonel in the Army Air Corps during World War II and spent two years as the assistant secretary of the newly created U.S. Air Force under President Harry Truman.

He had seen what a massive challenge it was for military bases to transition from propeller aircraft to jets, and he didnt think civilian airports were doing enough to get ready for the bigger, faster planes that were under development.

The all-day conference in Tulsa was meant, in part, to educate public officials about the infrastructure improvements that cities were going to need for jet-powered airliners, including longer runways, larger terminals and more advanced air-traffic control systems, according to media coverage of the event.
"We are continuing to offer a great deal of valuable and rich data out there," Reed said. "This is an evolving pandemic; (there are) some things that we can sustain and then some things we've got to get to some level of sustainable method at which we can communicate that data.

"If there are some specific type of data points that those officials are looking for and they can't seem to find, I would encourage them to reach out to us and let us work with them to see if that is available in a format that they are looking for right now."

The Tulsa Health Department no longer is able to update its COVID-19 ZIP code alert map, which shows several levels of risk based on active cases and offers guidance on behavior for each risk level.

A THD spokesperson said the agency has requested the necessary data file from the State Health Department but that there isn't yet a firm timeline for the state to create and provide it.

'We have to have that data'

Dr. Mary Clarke, president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association and a rural primary care physician in Stillwater, regularly encounters people who believe COVID is no longer an issue.

Clarke said the only way a physician can help patients make good choices is with good data.
If youre like me and have one prison, 600 or so votes isnt going to be a major factor, he said. But if you have two or three in your district, it would be huge.

In 2018, State Rep. David Smith, R-Arpelar, defeated incumbent Democratic Rep. Donnie Condit by just 300 votes to win House District 18s seat. The district currently contains two prisons with a combined population of 1,500.

Proposed House District 18 contains four prisons with a combined population of approximately 4,300, which could mean about 1 in 9 of the residents of the district would be in Oklahoma Department of Corrections custody.

Humphrey, who chairs the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee, said it could be worthwhile for the Legislature to reexamine how it counts prisoners in redistricting.

State Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond, chair of the House Redistricting Committee, said in an interview that it would likely be too costly and burdensome for lawmakers to deviate from how the U.S. Census Bureau counts incarcerated people. Twelve states, mostly in the northeast and on the West Coast, count prisoners at their last known address  including one that does it at an expense of less than $2 per prisoner.


remaining of

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Do you or someone you love have reasonable expectations to live until 2050 or well into the 21st century? If so, please sign up to become a climate tamer and encourage the city of Tulsa to join hundreds of U.S. cities and towns that have become climate taming cities.

Horrific climate change-influenced events in 2021 have demonstrated just how urgent it is for you and the city of Tulsa to become climate tamers. This year, the western United States was on fire and running out of water, and the U.S. Gulf Coast and east coast were devastated by violent, deadly flood-producing storms.

In addition, Texas and Oklahoma were battered by a climate change-induced extreme cold wave resulting in Oklahoma Natural Gas Co. and AEP-PSO incurring nearly a $1 billion each in extraordinary costs that they will soon be asking their ratepayers to cover over many years.

These horrific scenes are mild compared to what will happen if humanity does not rapidly transition to clean, renewable energy for all energy needs so that global average temperature does not exceed 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F) above the pre-industrial global average temperature. Failure to meet this nature-dictated goal will cause the Earth to become a chronically violent, burning, drowning, thirsty planet increasingly hostile to life.
Specifics in audits are usually boring, but the audience audibly gasped when Byrd explained new accusations. Those included routinely falsified invoices and monthly charges of $600,000 for land and $37,000 for food service for students learning at home.

Byrd took the founders to court to compel the release of records showing they dipped into the $145 million in tax money tucked away in private company accounts. They used personal credit cards to make millions in purchases for students out of those accounts.

The founders were generous political donors before the audit and stepped up their giving after its release. At least one incumbent lawmaker was ousted in part due to the founders' donations to a challenger. Byrd spent a year staving off attacks on her staff for the audit work.

Byrd said their political influencing comes through campaign contributions, political action committees, dark money PACs, lobbying and even philanthropic groups. She called the money flow "beyond measurement."

That it seems to have worked so far is appalling. We are frustrated that the Epic founders are not being held to the same standard of every other public official and school administrator.
A recent article highlighted comments by speakers at a meeting for aviation union workers about the vaccine mandate ("Speakers urge union workers to resist mandate," Oct. 27), and those speakers were entirely one-sided in urging the workers to push back and not comply. There was not one speaker with an opposing viewpoint.

Mark Sherwood focused on his belief the vaccine was rushed (per the direction of then President Donald Trump) and can't be trusted.

As he is a naturopathic doctor, I question his successes in treating COVID-19 and would love to see the test data supporting his remedy. The technology for the vaccines was developed over the last 10 years. It was using knowledge learned in that time that made it available so soon.

State Rep. Wendi Stearman, R-Collinsville, told the attendees they "have been lied to and manipulated" and the "science does not make sense." Data on the efficacy of the vaccines showing that over 90% of those now being admitted to hospitals and dying from COVID-19 are unvaccinated. How is that not an indication of success?
When I joined the U.S. Navy in 1965 to fulfill my military obligation, all of the enlistees were queued up and led in a line flanked with corpsmen with pneumatic hypodermic needles.

We received shots in both arms simultaneously. We were not asked if we had objections. We took the shots knowing that it was in our best interest and the best interest of the service, and knowing that we would be protected from debilitating infections and diseases that could impact service readiness.

With this in mind, I quote Gov. Kevin Stitt:

It is irresponsible for the federal government to place mandatory vaccine obligations on Oklahoma national guardsmen which could potentially limit the number of individuals that I can call upon to assist the state during an emergency.

Does the governor not see that an outbreak of COVID-19 amongst the Guard could drastically reduce the numbers of individuals available to serve? Its impossible to serve your country when youre in an ICU on a ventilator. This should not be a political issue, but it sure smells like one.

We are not finished with COVID. Witness what is happening around the world with countries that thought they were over it, such as the United Kingdom and Russia.
New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Tredene Dobson has recently discussed with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper the two countries cooperation in economic recovery and agricultural development, spotlighting the island nations support in researching and commercializing Vietnamese dragon fruit varieties in the global market.

In the run-up to the 2021 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, hosted by New Zealand earlier this week, Ambassador Dobson highly spoke of the thriving trade ties with Vietnam amidst the economic challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Zealands exports to Vietnam have seen good growth in a number of sectors, particularly the food and beverage field, which experiences 25 percent growth, the diplomat said.

Vietnam has grown its machinery exports to New Zealand by more than 28 percent over the last year.

Ambassador Dobson highlighted that Vietnam is New Zealands 14th-largest trading partner and agriculture is among the leading sectors which contribute to the countries speedy economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

We have an agricultural cooperation arrangement which supports bilateral trade and is helping to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and promote food safety as well as rural development, she said.

The presence of complementary agricultural products has also indicated the special agricultural strengths of the two countries.

New Zealands kiwi fruit and apples have consolidated their position in the Vietnamese market, she elaborated.

Our cherries are also increasingly popular, especially during Tet, the traditional Lunar New Year holiday.

This supplied photo features New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Tredene Dobson Vietnams ao dai (traditional long gown).

New Zealanders savor nuts and tropical fruits from Vietnam, including its iconic dragon fruit and rambutan, she added.

Her country has a great development program which has been commercializing and getting the license trademark for three new dragon fruit varieties in Vietnam, with the support of New Zealands research institutes and expertise in fruit production.

These high-quality new varieties are specifically designed to have strong disease resistance, increased storage life, and new colour and flavour profiles, promising to satisfy growers and customers in Vietnam and worldwide, she said.

Vietnam and New Zealand established diplomatic relations in 1975 and have constantly consolidated their bilateral relationship.

The bilateral relationship entered a new chapter when the two countries upgraded their relations to a new high, from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership in July 2020.

Dobson marked her official term in Vietnam by presenting her credentials to State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on June 16, 2021.

She made an impression during the credentials presentation ceremony, wearing the traditional Vietnamese costume ao dai (long gown) with patterns representing the indigenous Maori peoples culture in New Zealand.

Prior to her appointment in Vietnam, Dobson managed the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trades International Security Policy Unit, according to her profile on the ministrys website.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Here are todays leading news stories:

COVID-19 Updates

-- Vietnams Ministry of Health documented 8,467 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday evening, raising the countrys tally to 1,018,346, with 858,054 recoveries and 23,018 deaths. Ho Chi Minh City recorded the highest daily count with 1,240 infections.

-- The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has asked the municipal steering committee for COVID-19 prevention and control to reopen district-level quarantine facilities and some makeshift hospitals to cope with a recent increase in local infections.

-- About four percent of children infected with COVID-19 in Vietnam develop severe symptoms, while about 0.5 percent are in critical conditions, according to the Ministry of Health.

Society

-- A 31-year-old police officer from the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong has been suspended from work after he was caught on CCTV pointing a gun at a health worker following an argument at a local hospital.

-- A national ceremony to commemorate people who have lost their lives to COVID-19 in Vietnam will take place in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of November 19 and will be aired on national television, the Vietnam Fatherland Front said at a meeting on Saturday.

-- The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade has proposed that eateries across the city be allowed to sell beer and alcohol after the service was piloted in Thu Duc City and District 7 amid COVID-19 over the past weeks.

Business

-- Vietnam is expected to reduce its rice paddy farms by nearly 350,000 hectares and increase industrial land by 120,000 hectares by 2030, according to a resolution recently passed by the National Assembly.

Lifestyle

-- The Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre welcomed the first group of tourists on Saturday after tourism services were suspended for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade has proposed that eateries across the city be allowed to sell beer and alcohol after the service has been piloted in Thu Duc City and District 7 amid COVID-19 over the past few weeks.

The proposal was made during a meeting on pandemic prevention and control between the municipal Peoples Committee and relevant authorities on Saturday.

At the gathering, director of the municipal Department of Industry and Trade Bui Ta Hoang Vu reported the results after F&B establishments were permitted to serve alcoholic drinks in Thu Duc City and District 7 on a trial basis.

Authorities in the two locales did a good job in supervising the service, thus no negativity was recorded, Vu stated.

They have also requested that the service be expanded after the pilot phase ends on November 15.

The trade department has taken into consideration the citys vaccination rate and residents mental health, as well as sought advice from experts, Vu continued, adding that sharing drinks with friends does help local residents relieve stress and other negative impacts brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Therefore, eateries across the city should be allowed to serve alcohol, but under several conditions, the official stated.

Customers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have recovered from the disease, while F&B establishments must operate at only 50 percent of their capacity and close before 9:00 pm, he elaborated.

Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, director of the citys Department of Tourism, supported the proposal, stating that citizens have been more aware of how to keep themselves safe during the pandemic.

The municipal authorities should consider expanding the service to other districts after evaluating the risk level in each area, Hoa said.

The Department of Health suggested that the pilot phase continue, with the service expanded to a few more districts along with close monitoring.

There has been a slight increase in COVID-19 deaths and patients with severe symptoms, the agency said, adding that it will not be safe if this trend persists.

With over 446,000 local infections, Ho Chi Minh City has been the largest epicenter since the fourth outbreak hit the country on April 27.

The city had imposed various levels of social distancing since May 31 before loosening restrictions in October thanks to positive results in prevention and control efforts as well as a high vaccination rate.

As of Saturday, more than 5.9 million out of nine million people in the metropolis had been fully inoculated.

Dine-in service was resumed from October 28, but eateries were not allowed to sell beer and alcohol.

Only establishments in Thu Duc City and District 7 were able to serve alcoholic drinks as part of the said pilot plan.

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A police officer from Vietnams Central Highlands has been suspended from work after he was caught on CCTV pointing a gun at a health worker following an argument at a local medical center.

The Department of Public Security in Lam Dong Province confirmed on Saturday they had suspended Nguyen Duy Ngo, 30, who works at the police unit in Lam Ha District, to verify his wrongdoing.

Preliminary information showed that the incident took place at Duc Trong District Medical Center on Thursday evening.

According to CCTV footage, Ngo and his family members, a woman and a man, took a baby to the medical center in a car.

As Ngo and the woman were not wearing a face mask in public in accordance with COVID-19 prevention and control regulations, a health worker reminded them to follow the rules.

Ngo quickly yelled at the health worker before pulling out his gun and pointing it at her.

He continued swearing with the weapon in his hand despite the intervention of one of the family members.

The Lam Dong police department confirmed that the baby is Ngos son, who needed medical attention after choking on milk that evening.

Ngo forgot to put on a face mask when he rushed the boy to the medical center and eventually lost his temper as he was worried for his son's health.

However, the act of arbitrarily pointing a gun at another person seriously violates police officers code of conduct, a police official stressed.

The incident is being probed and the result will be announced soon, he added.

In late October, the Peoples Court in Bac Ninh City, the capital of the namesake northern province, sentenced 52-year-old Nguyen Van Suong to 18 months in jail for making a threat to kill.

Suong, a company's director, had been filmed pointing a rubber bullet gun at a truck driver during a road rage in September 2020.

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The Ministry of Health registered 8,176 COVID-19 patients in Vietnam on Sunday, together with 5,257 recovered patients and 64 deaths.

The latest infections, including 13 imported and 8,163 local cases, were documented in 52 provinces and cities, the ministry said, elaborating that 3,705 patients were infected in the community.

Ho Chi Minh City reported 985 of the domestic transmissions, An Giang Province 695, Dong Nai Province 674, Binh Duong Province 623, Binh Thuan Province 623, Khanh Hoa Province 209, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province 204, Can Tho City 146, Hanoi 88, Quang Nam Province 43, Quang Ninh Province 37, and Da Nang 18.

Vietnam had confirmed 8,451 locally-infected patients on Saturday.

The Southeast Asian country has found 1,021,493 community-based transmissions in all its 63 provinces and cities since the fourth virus wave emerged on April 27. A combined 860,494 of them have recovered from COVID-19.

Ho Chi Minh City has been the largest epicenter with 447,428 patients, followed by Binh Duong Province with 243,497, Dong Nai Province with 78,073, Long An Province with 36,463, Tien Giang Province with 20,780, An Giang Province with 17,458, Tay Ninh Province with 15,784, Kien Giang Province with 14,328, Dong Thap Province with 13,368, Khanh Hoa Province with 10,273, Can Tho City with 9,272, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province with 6,652, Hanoi with 6,232, and Da Nang with 5,218.

Vietnam recorded only 1,570 locally-transmitted infections in total in the previous three waves.

The health ministry announced 5,257 recovered patients on Saturday, taking the total to 863,311.

The toll has climbed to 23,082 deaths after the ministry registered 64 fatalities on the same day, including 22 in Ho Chi Minh City, eight in Kien Giang Province, six in An Giang Province, and the remainder in 13 other provinces and cities.

Vietnam has detected 1,026,522 infections since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit it early last year.

Health workers have given close to 99 million vaccine doses, including 1,093,823 jabs on Saturday, since inoculation was rolled out on March 8.

Over 34.6 million people have received two jabs.

Health authorities in the country of nearly 98 million people target to fully vaccinate 80 percent of the adults and 100 percent of those aged 12 to under 18 by the end of this year, according to a draft government plan for COVID-19 response in 2021-23.

From 2022 onward, 100 percent of people aged 12 and above will either be fully immunized against the coronavirus or even get booster shots.

Children from three to under 12 years old will be fully inoculated in accordance with World Health Organization guidelines.
Close to 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Vietnam so far, with 90 percent of the adult population having got at least one shot, according to the Ministry of Health.

As of Sunday morning, health workers have given more than 99 million vaccine doses, the ministry said, adding that the number will reach 100 million today.

About 90 percent of those aged 18 and above were given at least one injection while 45 percent of them were jabbed twice.

Health authorities have administered the first shot to 1.2 million children aged 12-17 as yet.

An initial assessment by the health ministry shows that 97.5 percent of those vaccinated produced antibodies whereas most fully-inoculated people exhibited mild symptoms when catching the coronavirus.

Nobody fully immunized with AstraZeneca vaccine has died of COVID-19 but one getting two Pfizer-BioNTech jabs passed away with many underlying health conditions after being infected with the virus, according to the assessment.

Deaths have been recorded among people who had got the two-dose regimen of other vaccines, a source told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

With a population of nearly 98 million people, Vietnam has authorized nine COVID-19 jabs for emergency use, including the UKs AstraZeneca, Chinas Sinopharm, Russias Sputnik V, the UAEs Hayat-Vax, Cubas Abdala, Indias Covaxin, and three U.S. vaccines including Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.

Vietnam has documented 1,013,330 community-based transmissions in all its 63 provinces and cities since the fourth virus wave emerged on April 27, according to the health ministrys statistics.

A total of 855,237 of them have recovered from the respiratory disease.

Overall, the nation has logged 1,018,346 since the pandemic first hit it on January 23, 2020.

The death toll has climbed to 23,018 after the ministry announced 88 more deaths on Saturday.

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ABC Chair Ita Buttrose has hit out at a planned Senate inquiry into complaints handling by the ABC and SBS.

The government inquiry was announced last week by Liberal senator Andrew Bragg but comes three weeks after the ABC established an external, independent review.

In a statement, Buttrose described the move as a blatant attempt to usurp the role of the ABC Board and undermine the operational independence of the ABC.

As Senator Bragg is aware, in October the ABC Board initiated an independent review of the ABCs complaints system by two eminent experts, Professor John McMillan AO, former Commonwealth and NSW Ombudsman, and Jim Carroll, former SBS Director  News and Current Affairs. The terms of reference for the review are comprehensive and wide-ranging.

This review is consistent with the duties of the Board under the ABC Act. Under Section 8 of the Act, the ABC Board has the legal responsibility for developing codes of practice relating to programming matters and to ensure that the gathering and presentation by the Corporation of news and information is accurate and impartial.

Buttrose noted those powers are given to the Board, not to the Government of the day.

This review is well underway and members of Parliament, including Senator Bragg, have already been interviewed as part of the review process. An issues paper will be released shortly and the review will then be seeking public submissions. The review will be rigorous and thorough and its findings will be released by the ABC board in April 2022.

Some senior government sources are furious with Senator Bragg, and have also told The Australian they believe he went rogue in announcing the inquiry in the first place. Coalition figures say they were blindsided by Senator Braggs announcement of both the complaints inquiry and the recall of ABC managing director David Andersen to the Senate for a 3-hour hearing before the end of the year.

Buttrose called on the government to respect the integrity of the process and asked the Senate to pass a motion to terminate or suspend this inquiry until the independent process has been completed.

I will leave it to Senator Bragg to explain his motives but the impact of this action is clear. As Chair of the ABC Board I am duty bound to call out any action that seeks to undermine the independence of the national broadcaster, she continued.

Once again, an elected representative has chosen to threaten the ABCs independence at the expense of the integrity of this irreplaceable public service. Any incursion of this kind into the ABCs independence should be seen by Australians for what it is: an attempt to weaken the communitys trust in the public broadcaster.

This is an act of political interference designed to intimidate the ABC and mute its role as this countrys most trusted source of public interest journalism. If politicians determine the operation of the national broadcasters complaints system, they can influence what is reported by the ABC.

A fundamental democratic principle underpinning the ABC has been its independence from interference by those motivated by political outcomes. Politicians, like all citizens, are welcome to criticise anything they find wrong or objectionable that is published by the ABC but they cannot be allowed to tell the ABC what it may or may not say.

Transparency and accountability are important and the Senate Committee performs a vital role. The ABC attends Senate Estimates hearings on multiple occasions every year and answers hundreds of questions on notice. It is extremely regrettable, however, that the Committee has, on this occasion, sought to undertake a task that is not only already underway but also is the legal responsibility of the ABC Board.

Updated:

MEAA Statement:

The ABC is a world-leading source of information and entertainment for Australians, an essential service in times of national emergency, and is acknowledged as Australias most trusted source of news and current affairs, said MEAA Chief Executive Paul Murphy.

The ABCs complaints handling processes are extremely rigorous and go far beyond those available at other media outlets.

The ABC has already embarked on its own entirely independent inquiry to look for improvements that could be made, so the Senate inquiry is simply a waste of time, effort and taxpayers money.

The Senate Committee must do better than orchestrate yet another overtly political inquiry into the affairs of our public broadcasters.

It would be better for the Government to cease interfering in the independence of the ABC and, instead, restore the hundreds of millions of dollars in funding that it has denied the broadcaster since 2014 so that Australians can enjoy the programming and services that they admire and trust.
Amongst his takedown of Australian television, Mitch McTaggart finds it hard to go past the lows of The One, hosted by Andrew Daddo.

The 2008 Seven show tested psychics, and those purporting to be psychics, before a panel of skeptics and experts. As the press release at the time announced, Each week The Ones psychics will showcase their abilities in a series of studio and location challenges, such as finding a lost child in the bush or getting inside the minds of well-known celebrities.

Yep.

It is honestly such a ridiculous escalation of stuff and then we finally land on what is possibly one of the more ridiculous show that has existed, but no-one really remembers it now.

All the psychic stuff is just terrible, terrible television!

McTaggart has packaged together some of Australian tellys worst bits into a The Back Side of Television for SBS VICELAND.

He warns nothing is off limits.

Which network has a bizarre obsession with Peter Falconio? What happened when a petty criminal broke out of jail, and what did he do to get on TV? Where are all the LGBTQI+ people (host excluded)?

Across three episodes he tackles an array of TV topics including the lack of diversity on 10s Wonderland, 60 Minutes and conspiracy theories, the All Asian Mall story on A Current Affair, Australian Idol and more.

Armed with a remote, McTaggart commentates from the safety of his armchair with biting accuracy. Peppered with references from newspaper articles, ACMA and online articles, he also finds ways to contextualise in order to make his editorial point.

Some of its shocking

Some of its shocking. Thats the thing that baffles me about it. So much stuff on TV has happened but when certain things are presented in a linear fashion, you can look at it and go, Jesus Christ, what was THAT?

There are just so many things that are, frankly, a little bit inexcusable as to how they were allowed to happen in the first place. Whether or not they were approved at the time, or derided, remains to be seen, I guess.

McTaggart first appeared on SBS late last year with a one-off special The Last Year of Television in which he looked at the bin-fire that was 2020 TV. A new 2021 special will screen on New Years Day.

With his producer James Westland, both produced The Last Year of Television for Channel 31 before pitching it to SBS. McTaggart has also presented for LGBTQI radio JOY in Melbourne. While his new show is akin to Media Watch with comedy he insists he is no stand-up comedian.

My background was doing comedy stuff via Channel 31. But thats the extent of it, we did do a mini series for ABC as part of Fresh Blood in 2017, he explains.

I remember I just typed up these pretend TV Guides. Other kids had slightly more normal activities

I was always watching TV as a kid. I remember I just typed up these pretend TV Guides. Other kids had slightly more normal activities like kicking a ball or something. I dont know why I just kind of retained information. I mean, its a pretty useless, quite honestly.

He has also spent an inordinate amount of time researching obscure Australian television -not the typical stuff you see in clip shows. He admits to going down online rabbit holes in 2021.

Lots of rabbit holes this year. The majority of the start of the year was just sitting at a computer clicking, which was a mixture of rewarding and infuriating, he says of his research sources.

Theres a fair bit of stuff that people have uploaded on YouTube- just fans of Australian content. A lot of newspaper archives, whether or not they were clippings I used, gave leads to go and source more material.

And very much TV Tonight because as we know you are part of the internet!

Cheque is in the mail, Mitch!

The Back Side of Television airs 9:20pm Mondays on SBS VICELAND
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. (Psalm 95:1-2)
Belgrade, Republic of Serbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 14, 2021) - The Ceres Token ecosystem, based on Polkadot's future parachain, SORA, plans to launch $Ceres token staking on the Sora network in November 2021. In December, Ceres Token will complete the development of Liquidity Locker, SORA-based DApp designed to lock liquidity from Polkaswap, and will also conduct a snapshot for Demeter airdrop, the token of the new Demeter DeFi platform.

Ceres Token



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8203/103467_f1261f40a4401a69_001full.jpg

Ceres Token is an ecosystem based on the SORA blockchain, the future Polkadot parachain, created to provide more transparency and security to the Polkaswap and SORA/Polkadot ecosystem.

Ceres Token added to official Polkadot ecosystem projects at polkaproject.com.

In November 2021, the Ceres Token team will launch $Ceres Token Staking, through which holders will be able to earn rewards in $Ceres Token. Rewards are planned from 33.33% minimum; the final figure will be determined by demand.

The staking program will last 3 months, there are 7,200 tokens allocated for the staking pool, staking will be based on the First Come First Served.

In December Ceres Token plans to launch a SORA-based DApp - Liquidity Locker, which will allow projects to lock liquidity from Polkaswap, thereby guaranteeing that project tokens cannot be extracted. This is one of the indicators of the reliability and security of the project for investors.

Also in December, the developers of Ceres Token will hold a snapshot for Demeter airdrop.

Demeter is a SORA-based DeFi project that is part of the Ceres Token ecosystem, offering users profitable farming.

All users who are liquidity providers in Demeter's farm pools will continue to receive PSWAP (Polkaswap) rewards.

However, unlike ERC-20 and BSC networks, LP tokens will not be given to smart contracts; instead, a Demeter platform user simply grants permission to use their liquidity pool tokens for farming Demeter tokens.

Story continues

In this way, the security of the user's funds is much higher.

Airdrop will go to all those users who kept their Ceres tokens in the SORA network, regardless of the number of tokens, as well as liquidity providers in the XOR/CERES pair on Polkaswap. Airdrop will be at the rate of 5 Demeter tokens per 1 Ceres token. Demeter snapshot will take place in December-January 2021/2022, find out the exact date on Twitter or Telegram of the project.

More details about the Ceres token project - https://www.cerestoken.io/

Medium: https://tokenceres.medium.com/

Website: https://polkaswap.medium.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TokenCeres

Media Contact:

Company name: CERES BLOCKCHAIN SOLUTIONS LLC

email: ceres@cerestoken.io

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/103467
The final day of the Event #72: $1,500 Mixed No-Limit Hold'em/Pot-Limit Omaha gets underway at 2 p.m. local time.

Yesterday's Day 2 saw 126 players return to the felt and after 10 levels of play, only eight remained. Rafael Mota goes into the day as chip leader and leads the pack by a large margin with 7,515,000 chips.

GGPoker qualifier Motoyoshi Okamura bagged the second highest stack with a total of 3,835,000 chips whilst Nick Yunis is not far behind his 3,190,000 chip stack. Okamura isn't the only GGPoker qualifier remaining, Leonid Yanovski bagged 2,070,000 with both qualifiers looking to capture their first WSOP gold bracelet.

Final Table Seat Draw

Room Table Seat Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds Amazon 414 1 Nick Yunis Chile 3,190,000 53 Amazon 414 2 Leonid Yanovski Isreal 2,070,000 34 Amazon 414 3 Marc Lange Germany 535,000 9 Amazon 414 4 Rafael Mota Brazil 7,515,000 125 Amazon 414 5 Tim Grau Austria 360,000 6 Amazon 414 6 Jordan Spurlin United States 1,740,000 29 Amazon 414 7 Mike Takayama Philippines 1,900,000 32 Amazon 414 8 Motoyoshi Okamura Japan 3,835,000 64

The final eight players will return today at 2 p.m. local time to the Amazon Gold section at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino to play down to a winner. The event resumes on Level 26 where blinds are 30,000/60,000/60,000.

All eight players have secured $20,737, but of course, all eyes will be on the $209,716 first-place prize that the eventual champion will be taking home as well as the much sought after WSOP bracelet.

Final Table Payouts

Position Prize 1 $209,716 2 $129,621 3 $91,989 4 $66,249 5 $48,428 6 $35,942 7 $27,088 8 $20,737
The press service of the Russian airline Aeroflot announced the launch of regular flights to Abu Dhabi.

Aeroflot has launched regular flights to the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi," the message says.

It is specified that flights SU0530/0531 will be operated on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays on modern medium-range Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
Azerbaijan State Aviation Concern Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) resumes flights from Baku to Almaty and back from November 19.

For now, flights on the Baku-Almaty route will be carried out weekly - on Fridays on an Airbus A319 aircraft, and back on Saturdays.

The full schedule is available on the official website of the airline, and you can buy air tickets there and in accredited agencies of the airline right now, the press service of Azerbaijan Airlines reported.

Only those categories of passengers who are allowed to fly under the current restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to fly on the company's flights, the message says.
The bridge over the Dardanelles is another brand of a rapidly developing Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during the construction launch ceremony of the last part of the suspension bridge's span across the Dardanelles.

According to the Turkish leader, the construction of the bridge is carried out according to the model of public-private partnership: "build-run-transfer". "We are entering a period when land, air, rail and sea traffic intersect in Turkey. The importance of our straits in world trade is growing," Erdogan said, adding that in addition to the bridge, Turkey is "determined to realize another dream of generations - the Istanbul Canal." It is planned that this channel will connect the Black and Marmara seas, alleviating traffic in the Bosphorus.

The construction of a 3.7-kilometer bridge across the Dardanelles Strait has been under way since March 2017; commissioning is scheduled for March 2022.
The head of government held a meeting in the digital office of the government with the participation of heads of central state bodies and regional akims on the regulation of prices for socially significant food products.

This, in particular, was discussed at a meeting led by the head of the government of Kazakhstan Askar Mamin, during which the heads of relevant ministries and akims reported to the Prime Minister.

"Over the past week in Kazakhstan, general index of price growth for socially significant food products amounted to 0%," the press service of Sputnik Kazakhstan cites.
Egypt will host the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference COP27 in 2022.

"The conference will take place at the Red Sea resort in Sharm el-Sheikh," the Finnish Ministry of the Environment said after the Glasgow summit.

The ministry, summing up the results of the summit in Glasgow, noted the progress on the annual revision of the achievement in the planet's temperature decrease by 1.5 degrees, the expansion of the rules on reducing emissions. At the summit, the participating countries agreed to harmonize reporting on the basis of which they will report on their emissions, their activities and funding. Countries also pledged to accelerate the phase-out of inefficient fossil fuels (coal).

"A number of emission reduction initiatives have been announced in Glasgow. Finland has joined, for example, the initiative and declaration to end deforestation and reduce emissions from transport," the ministry added.
Russia is ready to provide assistance in resolving the migration crisis on the border of Belarus and the EU, if something depends on it, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on the Russia-1 TV channel in an interview with the Moscow. Kremlin. Putin program.

"When we hear statements or accusations against us, I want to tell everyone: deal with your internal problems, do not shift your own questions to anyone, which are subject to resolution by your departments of the appropriate direction. But we are ready to do our best to facilitate it [resolve the situation] if, of course, something depends on us here, "the Russian leader said.

He noted that he learned about the difficult situation from the media. I personally learned about what is happening on the Polish-Belarusian border from the media, I have never discussed this issue with Lukashenko before. Only when this crisis arose, we spoke with him twice on the phone, the president said.

Putin added that there is hope that the Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and acting German Chancellor Angela Merkel will discuss the situation in the near future, as many migrants seek to Germany.

According to the Russian leader, Western countries are themselves to blame for this crisis. "We ourselves have created the conditions for thousands and hundreds of thousands of people to go. And now they are looking for the guilty in order to absolve themselves of responsibility for the events," Putin said.

A huge camp of migrants has been formed on the border of Belarus and the EU, thousands of people are in the border zone with Poland, and attempts to break through the border are periodically made. The EU believes that Minsk is deliberately aggravating the situation.
Russia and Turkey are discussing joint development of weapons, said Dmitry Shugaev, Director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) of Russia, at the Dubai Airshow-2021 international air show.

"Negotiations are continuing on the supply of modern Russian military products, as well as the joint development of weapons," he said.

According to Shugaev, Moscow's assistance in creating a fifth-generation Turkish fighter is being discussed.

"Russia has repeatedly expressed its readiness to assist the Republic of Turkey (in the creation of a fifth generation fighter - ed.) While we are at the stage of negotiations on this project," Shugaev said.

Earlier, the United States refused to sell the fifth generation F-35 fighter to Turkey, since the country bought the S-400 air defense-missile defense system from Russia.

Turkey continues to show interest in the S-400. As the head of Rosoboronexport, Alexander Mikheev, reported in August, a contract for the supply of an additional batch of S-400 to Turkey may be signed this year.

"Many countries in the region are showing interest in the S-400 Triumph system," Shugaev said.

"Military-technical cooperation with the Republic of Turkey is developing steadily," he stated.
The first batch of Russian S-400 air defense systems is already being delivered to India, said Dmitry Shugaev, head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) of the Russian Federation, Interfax writes.

"The first supplies have already begun," he said, adding that India will receive the first division by the end of the year.

The contract for the supply of S-400 Triumph air defense systems to India was signed in October 2018. The contract value is $ 5.43 billion, India will receive five regimental S-400 kits. The entire contract is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024.
Vietnams initiatives and suggestions have been reflected in APECs documents, showing the countrys responsible, active and proactive contributions to building and consolidating solidarity in APEC for a peaceful and stable Asia-Pacific region

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang





Vietnams initiatives and suggestions have been reflected in APECs documents, showing the countrys responsible, active and proactive contributions to building and consolidating solidarity in APEC for a peaceful and stable Asia-Pacific region, according to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang.

The Deputy Minister made the remark while talking to the press about the results of the APEC Economic Leaders Week, during which Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting (AELM) via videoconference on November 12 under the chair of Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand  APEC Chair 2021, and several other events.

Giang said President Phuc and the Vietnamese delegation had actively participated in main activities of the week, delivering Vietnam's consistent message which affirmed that APEC continues to be a regional forum with a significant voice and role in promoting multilateralism and multilateral cooperation to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic, achieve rapid and sustainable economic growth, thus continuing to be a driving force of regional and global economies.

According to him, Vietnams messages are very in line with APEC leaders opinions, including facilitating fair access to vaccines, medical supplies and resources as well as adopting stronger measures to fight the pandemic.

About development, Vietnam suggested APEC take a new vision and approach to economic recovery such as promoting digital economy and e-commerce, advocating trade liberalisation; removing trade barriers to restore production and trade, and prevent disruption in manufacturing chains.

As the Asia-Pacific and the world are suffering consequences and challenges caused by climate change, the requirement is to ensure green growth. Therefore, measures and suggestions proposed by Vietnam along with the country's delivery on commitments also contributed to strengthening APECs cooperation in promoting green and inclusive growth, he said.

The diplomat stressed that the most important thing is to effectively carry out the APEC Vision till 2040. He said Vietnam was one of the key participants in building the vision and also one of the leading members in realising the vision via building an action plan.

The official expressed his belief that the commitments of Vietnam and APEC to realising the vision will contribute to building an Asia-Pacific region of peace, stability and prosperity.

Source: VNA
According to experts, the delay in reopening international air routes will affect Vietnams economic recovery.

Local air carriers are impatiently waiting to reopen international air routes.

Nguyen Quang Trung, Head of the Planning and Development Department of Vietnam Airlines, said at a recent talk that all domestic airlines and travel companies are now impatient as Vietnam has been slow to reopen international air routes. If this continues, Vietnam will lose its competitiveness and the recovery of the market will be slow. In the region, Singapore and Thailand have resumed regular international air routes.

Trung cited the fact that after reopening international air routes, the aviation markets in the US and Europe have recovered quickly. In Europe, the number of passengers in October rose by 5% over the same period of 2019. The US market also grew by over 7% year on year.

Vo Huy Cuong, Deputy Director of the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam, added that not only international visitors but a large number of overseas Vietnamese want to return. Data of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs two months ago showed that about 200,000 Vietnamese wanted to return home.

Cuong estimated that in the first two quarters of 2022 (on the occasion of the Lunar New Year), there will be about half million Vietnamese and overseas Vietnamese who want to repatriate. This is an important source of visitors and Vietnam should remove restrictions on entry and quarantine procedures for these people.

Deputy General Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Le Phuc said the tourism industry has prepared safe conditions to welcome international visitors.

Meanwhile, Thailand began opening its doors to foreign tourists on July 1. Under the ASEAN BOX program, by mid-October, about 50,000 international visitors entered Thailand. As many as 800,000 rooms have been booked by February 2022. Thailand opened its doors to vaccinated tourists from 63 low-risk markets on November 1.

As for Vietnam, only five destinations, namely Phu Quoc Island (Kien Giang), Da Nang, Quang Nam, Khanh Hoa and Quang Ninh, are allowed to welcome international tourists from November.

According to the plan, about 250 international guests with vaccine passports will arrive in Phu Quoc on November 20, on a flight of Vietjet Air. In Khanh Hoa, a group of Korean tourists arrived in Nha Trang on a charter flight on November 11.

Dr. Luong Hoai Nam, an aviation - tourism expert, said that Vietnam made early policy on welcoming foreign tourists to Phu Quoc but the implementation has been slow. To welcome international guests and Vietnamese overseas, it is necessary to resume international flights soon, and not target charter flights.

Tran The Dung, General Director of Fiditour Travel, said that Vietnam's opening to international tourists has been slow. To develop tourism, it is necessary to reopen international flights to Hanoi and HCM City, which is possible as the rate of people who have been fully vaccinated in Ho Chi Minh City has reached 80%, which is higher than in many countries.

Bao An
I have given talks and I tell people to go back and tell your sheriffs to give us a call, McNamara said. Other departments have seen how successful it has been and they have reached out and wanted to know how to do it. You have to have a certain amount of skill to be able to work those computers and lure those scumbags. Joe has that gift to do it and he has been doing an A-plus job since day one. He is doing exactly what we want him to do.

Salaries and expenses for Scaramucci and Hermes are paid through a Texas Governors Office grant, McNamara said.

Scaramucci, who grew up in Hewitt and attended Midway schools, said McGraw and his wife, Robin, were gracious hosts and super nice to him while he was there. He said McGraw, who got his masters degree and doctorate in psychology from the University of North Texas in Denton, told him he lived in Robinson for about a year while he completed his residency at the Doris Miller Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Waco.

Scaramucci said he has been surprised and at a bit of a loss to explain how his work on a daily basis has mushroomed into an appearance on the Dr. Phil show and training missions around the world.

I honestly dont know, he said. I think a lot of it was our methods were working really well, and when agencies started seeing that, they started reaching out asking for help and it just kind of spiraled from there. You have somebody who goes to a training and sees the methodology and says we want to do this here, and you go here and there and the next thing you know we were internationally training people.

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We do free skate camps for the community for skateboarding instruction which employs local skateboarders. We do free auto diagnostic and repair for community members. We also offer teenagers the ability to make money working on these vehicles, Barnard said.

Additionally, Middleman holds weekly Motor Mondays or two-hour blocks of garage time set aside for community members to diagnose and address issues on vehicles. Middleman also encourages entrepreneurship in youth by teaching them how to take their creativity and ideas and turn them into actionable projects.

Our garage is open when our doors are open. Were here and if someone has a need, we would love to meet it, Barnard said. Weve got influence to teach from six years old to 60 years old. Theres really a place for anybody.

The nonprofit runs completely off of local donations and members of the community volunteering their time.

We have some partnerships with churches who have been really gracious to us in partnering with us in different ways whether or not theyre like a monthly donor or like a partnership that we created with Columbus Avenue(Baptist Church) down the street and get to use their space, Barnard said. Our woodshop is part of their old bus barn.
With Thanksgiving arriving in two weeks and Christmas a month later, McLennan County health officials are suggesting a new item for family holiday to-do lists: COVID-19 vaccinations for unvaccinated children and parents.

And now is the time, said Dr. Farley Verner, health authority for the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District. Given a three-week period between the two doses of the Pfizer vaccine and a four-week period between Moderna doses, plus two weeks after the second shot to build maximum antibody protection, the first Pfizer shot would need to be given by Saturday to reach the best protection by Christmas, he said.

Anyone who received their second shot before Oct. 23 or who received the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine before this past Thursday can consider themselves fully immunized by Thanksgiving, Verner said. Although immunity provided by the first of two vaccine doses is only partial, that still helps in the meantime.

Its better than nothing, Verner said.

The Texas Department of Health and Human Services reported Saturday that 56.3% of eligible McLennan County residents, meaning age 5 or older, had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine with just under half, 49.5%, fully vaccinated. Statewide, 67.1% of the eligible population has received at least one dose.
Silversmith demonstration

The Art Guild of Central Texas will host a live demonstration featuring silversmith Glenn Webster from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Central Presbyterian Church, 9191 Woodway Drive.

For more information, call 254-722-9928.

Shots for Souls Sunday

The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District has partnered with area African American churches, the Waco NAACP and VOICE to host a second Shots for Souls COVID-19 Vaccination Drive from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the health district, 225 W. Waco Drive.

Participants can choose from the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Adult vaccines, including boosters, and vaccines for children age 5 and older will be available.

Lunch for the first 200 participants will be provided by the NAACP.

Walk-ins are welcome and registration is available at covidwaco.com or by calling 254-750-5460.

Climate Crisis Art Exhibit
The star on the tarmac outside the exhibition hall was Russias Checkmate fighter jet, which was shown to the press in a custom-built hangar with a display of laser lights bouncing off a mirrored ceiling. The jet, with a baseline $35 million price tag, is a less costly competitor to the U.S. F-35, which the UAE has been trying to acquire since formally recognizing Israel last year in a deal brokered by the Trump administration. That sale has slowed under U.S. President Joe Biden.

In a dramatic promotional video, the Checkmate soared through burnt orange skies, blasting away targets in the desert as music blared in the background and a thundering voiceover rattled off the planes features.

"The idea was born as we used all the experience that Russia got during its Syria operations and many of the features of the aircraft came from realistic situations that we experienced," said United Aircraft Corporation CEO Yuri Slyusar through a translator at the unveiling. In Syria's devastating civil war, Russian fighter jets have supported President Bashar Assads forces.

UAC is a holding company of state-owned Rostec, Checkmates parent company. Production of the jet is expected to start in 2025.

Also, more than 100 American companies are exhibiting at the air show, including defense giants Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.
Hoffman/70

WATERLOO  Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Hoffman are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary with a card shower.

Raymond Hoffman and Darlene Hayes were married November 14, ,1951 at St. Johns Catholic Church in Waterloo. He is a retired farmer and she is a retired farm wife. They have 4 children, John (Diane) Hoffman, Teresa (Joe) Bartholomew, Denise (Jim) Bouska, Ben (Rhonda) Hoffman all of Waterloo; 13 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

They live on the farm Rays great grandfather homesteaded in 1855 and the house he built in 1876. They established Hoffman Family Farms in 1981. All children live within two miles of the original homestead. We are greatly blessed.

Cards may be sent to: 4405 E. Big Rock Road, Waterloo, IA 50703

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For 162 years, The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier has been the primary source for news, sports, and current events in the Cedar Valley. During this time we have strived to be a true fourth estate serving our community.

Needless to say, over the course of 162 years, many things have changed in our industry. The speed with which readers can access news is light years faster than it was just 10 years ago. As a result, our reporting is now instantaneous across our website and social media platforms.

The Courier newsroom has evolved to meet the demand for accurate and timely reporting, and is now the leader in local news on these digital platforms.

Another way The Courier is meeting the demands of the modern workforce is through our advertising solutions. Historically, our print publication was the best way for local and regional businesses to reach the Cedar Valley. While the Couriers print publication is still a great way to market to the Cedar Valley area, we have grown into a digital advertising and marketing powerhouse. We are now one of the largest advertising agencies in all of Eastern Iowa, and our parent company Lee Enterprises/Amplified Digital is one of the most innovative media companies in the country.

The lease at our current Waterloo location expires in December. While this location is a beautiful building in downtown Waterloo, it no longer meets all of our needs. As we explored various options for an office location over the past few years, we were drawn to the innovation and opportunity that Cedar Falls Industrial Park offers. We have also developed a business partnership with Mudd Advertising, a world-class automotive agency with 40 years of success, based right here in the Cedar Valley. Mudd Development owns and leases exceptional office facilities in Cedar Falls Industrial Park, and we have decided to move our operations and personnel to an office building on their campus at the beginning of 2022.

This new location will perfectly align with our future growth strategy while keeping us close to the center of the Cedar Valley.

Ultimately, we view all of the communities we serve as the Cedar Valley. One of the hardest things to do is change and adapt to an ever-advancing world while keeping true to your foundations. Our commitment to the Cedar Valley community remains, and we will continue to be the beacon of news in our region.

David Adams is the Couriers general manager.

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CEDAR FALLS  More students are attending Cedar Falls Community Schools this fall, but much of the increase is coming from families who live in the district rather than those who open enroll in.

The official count taken Oct. 1 shows there were 5,706 kindergarten through 12th-grade students enrolled in the districts 10 schools, 112 more than a year earlier.

Superintendent Andy Pattee said that is largely due to a growth in Cedar Falls subdivisions creating new housing stock in the city. Data shows an increase of 98 students who are residents of the district.

Of the remaining increase, eight were attending Cedar Falls Schools through open enrollment, for a total of 293 this fall.

We did not have a real significant increase from open enrollment in this year due to multiple factors. We didnt accept all students because of capacity issues, said Pattee.

Generally, the district had space available in its elementary schools but not at its junior highs and only limited space at the high school. While that led to denial of some requests, the superintendent said those decisions also caused some families who got denials and approvals for multiple children not to open enroll any of them.

Students had an extended opportunity to open enroll out of and into neighboring Waterloo Community Schools after a new state law banning the use of its voluntary diversity plan was signed in May. Between then and the start of September, Waterloo officials said 151 students did open enroll out with students switching to Cedar Falls Schools accounting for at least a third.

The relatively stable number of students open enrolling into the Cedar Falls district over the two years may indicate a similar amount graduated or left after last spring as others came into the system this fall.

More students are enrolled in the district at each level, although most of the elementary schools show a slight decline because virtual students are counted separately from the buildings, unlike last year. The seven elementary schools had 21 more students for a total of 3,051. Secondary schools had 91 more  an increase of 21 at the two junior highs and an additional 70 at the high school.

The virtual campus includes 78 students  48 elementary, 21 junior high and nine high school. The district had 955 students learning online from home in fall 2020, a number Pattee estimated had dropped to close to 400 students when school ended last spring.

Currently, the program is smaller but certainly fills the academic needs for some of our families and students, as far as that being an option, he said. It is being provided for a combination of health and safety reasons, offering greater flexibility through the use of technology.

While the emergence of COVID-19 made it necessary to offer the online option last year, we had started this work pre-pandemic, said Pattee. It got accelerated through the pandemic, but (is) certainly something we plan to continue.

Funding numbers up

Cedar Falls budget enrollment of 5,565.72 is an increase of 109.3 more pupils. The number is used in a formula to determine per pupil state funding levels for districts. The decimal point accounts for students who are home-schooled or enrolled in nonpublic schools while taking some district or college classes.

It includes adjustments to the actual number of students in the schools, accounting for those who come into or leave the district. Funds for the open enrolled students plus seven others attending Cedar Falls Schools for special education purposes are received from the districts where they reside. Cedar Falls also gets funding for 34 preschool students with individual education programs and 5.22 home-schooled or nonpublic school pupils who take college or high school classes through the district.

Open enrollment out of the district is 104.5 pupils, growing by about two since last year. That is one category of students added to the budget enrollment with funds passed on to the district where the child attends. There is also 21 students who tuitioned out, typically because they have disabilities and need to be served in a different setting.

Counted separately are the 167 children enrolled in the districts free 4-year-old preschool program, for which half the regular K-12 per pupil funding is received from the state.

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Without a name on the ballot for a seat in two Cedar Valley school board elections Nov. 2, many voters took the opportunity to supply one themselves.

But someones name ended up being written in much more than than any other for positions on the Union and Jesup community school district boards.

In unofficial results, Reid Carlson easily had the most write-in votes for the Union Board of Educations Director District 1 seat, with 47. There were 113 write-in votes and 11 ballots where the spot had been left blank.

Carlson led a field of 40 people, most of whom received one or two votes. His closest competitors got five, four and three votes. Director District 1 encompasses all of La Porte City.

On the Jesup Board of Education, there was more write-in competition for an at-large seat, unofficial results showed. Katy Bell was the clear leader with 186 votes, but Dan Delagardelle received 87 votes. There were also 76 votes for write-ins who got less than 5% of the total, according to the Buchanan County election office.

In addition, the county recorded 710 under votes, where ballots were turned in with fewer than three votes for the open seats on the board. Christopher Jung and Dana Miller were the only candidates to file for the three at-large positions.

Three positions were also up for election on the Union board. However, only one was at-large.

Lindsay Pipho received 470 votes for the at-large seat and Maureen Hanson received 443 for the Director District 2 seat. Neither candidate had any challengers and there were minimal write-in votes. Carlson, who ran a write-in campaign, said he intended to get on the ballot for the District 1 position.

I had planned to submit the paperwork, said the 44-year-old John Deere accounting manager. But due to traveling and time, I failed to get the paperwork submitted.

After results were tallied, Carlson was contacted by Black Hawk County election officials, who told him he received the most votes. He accepted the board position.

He and his wife are graduates of Union High School in La Porte City and have three children enrolled there now. Their oldest child graduated in 2020.

I think in general its important we give back to our communities, said Carlson. As a board member, he wants to help Union Schools students to receive the support they need to be successful.

Bell couldnt be reached for comment Friday about her write-in victory on the Jesup board.

Superintendent Nathan Marting said after getting the results, he reached out to her and she agreed to serve. She and the other newly elected board members will be seated at the Dec. 13 meeting.

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MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Kyle Rittenhouse shot three men, killing two of them and wounding the third, during a protest against police brutality in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last year. Rittenhouse argued that he fired in self-defense after the men attacked him. Here's a look at the charges that prosecutors carried into court, as well as lesser charges that the judge put before the jury in his final instructions.
IOWA CITY  An Iowa judge accused of trying to rig a judicial nomination to get a favored candidate appointed to the bench will not lead any future selection processes, the Iowa Judicial Branch said Friday.

District Judge Kurt Stoebe could also face an investigation by the Iowa Judicial Qualifications Commission, an independent body that investigates allegations of misconduct, the Judicial Branch said in a statement. The Iowa Supreme Court could discipline Stoebe, who was appointed by then-Gov. Chet Culver in 2011, only after receiving a report from the commission.

Gov. Kim Reynolds on Thursday said an investigation by her staff found that Stoebes misconduct tainted the process of interviewing candidates and recommending finalists for an open district court judgeship in District 2b in central Iowa.

Reynolds rejected the two nominees submitted by the 11-member district nominating commission for which Stoebe served as chairman, and she ordered the commission to start from scratch.

The Judicial Branch statement said Stoebe has agreed to step down as chairman of the commission in light of the concerns raised by other members.

His resignation comes even though the Iowa Constitution states that the judge with the most seniority in the district shall chair such commissions. The Judicial Branch said Judge James Ellefson, the second most senior judge in the district behind Stoebe, will now lead the commission, which is expected to meet next week.

After interviewing several candidates on Oct. 12, the commission unanimously signed a report recommending Humboldt County Attorney Jonathan Beaty and district associate judge Derek Johnson. Under Iowas law for merit-based judicial nominations, the governor would normally have 30 days to select one of them.

But commissioners told the governors office that Stoebe favored one candidate throughout the process, made unprofessional comments criticizing others, and unfairly excluded an applicant by falsely claiming he had withdrawn after his interview.

Reynolds said Stoebes conduct justified her extraordinary move to reject the nominees, which she noted had only happened one other time in Iowa history.

Stoebe did not respond to a message seeking comment, and a court spokesman said the Judicial Branch statement was his reply.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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When past presidents have seen their approval numbers take a dive, they went on foreign trips. Sometimes this works, but more often it doesnt, because failure at home often follows them abroad. World leaders can sense failure and its twin, weakness.

Vice President Kamala Harris, whose poll numbers and favorability among the public and even her fellow Democrats have sunk faster than a rock thrown in the River Seine, left for Paris last week where she is attending a five-day meeting to focus on the plight of migrants and refugees.

Thats a laugh, because she has done such a terrible job focusing on stopping the flow of migrants into the United States across what used to be called our southern border. It was the first assignment given to her by President Biden and she has literally done nothing about it, leading even a casual observer to conclude neither she, nor the president, are interested in stemming the flow.

A USAToday/Suffolksurvey conducted among 1,000 registered voters from Nov. 3 to Nov. 5 found Biden has an approval rating of 38% and Harris has an even worse 28% approval rating. The poll, as reported by SFGATE.com, found that Harris is more unpopular than both congressional Democrats (29% approval) and congressional Republicans (35% approval), which is pretty hard to do as members of Congress often receive low marks in public opinion polls (overall congressional approval is at 12%). SFGATE topped the story with this devastating headline: Kamala Harris has a comically bad approval rating.

Comically? Will she now be a target of late-night comedians and Saturday Night Live skits?

In the event she is, the treatment will likely be gentler than the mean-spiritedness directed at Sarah Palin.

A Google search of Kamala Harris successes turns up thin gruel. Most of her accomplishments have little to do with policy achievements and more to do with supposed achievements related to her race and gender. In her brief time in the Senate, Harris took what has turned out to be the wrong side in the false Russian collusion allegations against then-President Trump.

She also treated Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh like an already convicted criminal.

The White House and some congressional leaders are trying to spin these latest polls to their advantage, but that strategy is unlikely to succeed. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), attempted to explain and dismiss Bidens declining approval and rising disapproval numbers. Appearing on Fox News, the House Majority Whip said, its a real tough time to be president. Anytime is a tough time to be president, but some presidents have been more up to it than others. It is becoming increasingly clear that Biden and Harris are not up to their jobs.

The French have some delightful ways of putting things, and in their language some phrases might accurately describe Kamala Harris. The kinder one is Tu ne sais pas de quoi tu parles, which means you dont know what you are talking about. The other is considered vulgar and French slang: Con comme balai, which means as stupid as a broomstick. Draw your own conclusions from what Harris has done, or more importantly, not done.

Email Cal Thomas at tcaeditorstribpub.com.

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The Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa is celebrating National Community Foundation Week from Nov. 12-18. The national effort raises awareness about the increasingly important role of these philanthropic organizations in fostering local collaboration and leadership to address persistent civic and economic challenges. As a local foundation, CFNEIA is uniquely situated to improve its region by enacting innovative solutions and creating powerful partnerships.

In 2021, the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa celebrated 65 years of enriching communities and has granted over $107 million since its founding. The foundation is also the states largest independent scholarship provider in Iowa outside of colleges and universities, awarding over $500,000 in scholarships each year. These impacts are possible because generous people work with the Community Foundation to connect to causes they care about most. These charitable connections are often made through the establishment of endowed funds that create a legacy that will live forever through grantmaking to strengthen effective nonprofits. Dollars are invested and grow to produce even greater impacts carried out as the donor intended. CFNEIA currently holds over $138 million in total assets. As a nationally accredited community foundation, CFNEIA meets the highest standards in local giving.

CFNEIA is rooted in the Cedar Valley but impacts 20 counties, granting nearly $6.5 million in 2020 across its region. CFNEIA is the host foundation to 23 affiliate foundations. These volunteer-driven affiliates support local nonprofits helping communities continue to flourish and grow. Iowa is unique in that it has two legislated programs, the County Endowment Fund Program and Endow Iowa State Tax Credit, implemented through local community foundations, focused on increasing philanthropic activity to enhance the quality of life for Iowans.

CFNEIA also provides leadership as a convener and collaborator, igniting change that makes Iowa communities stronger, more inclusive places. In 2020, CFNEIA committed to advancing racial equity. Today, we are building it into the DNA of the organization to partner to make our communities places where everyone has an equitable opportunity to flourish. This includes putting a lens of equity on all aspects of our recently announced strategic plan. The plan focuses on four core areas including community leadership, transformational grantmaking, growing assets for impact and strengthening our organizational capacity. The plan continues the Foundations focus on strategic community initiative areas including addressing the child care crisis, enhancing the arts, building nonprofit capacity and improving workforce readiness.

None of the work CFNEIA does is possible without the generosity of people who love where they live. As we enter the giving season, millions of people will be looking to give back to the communities that have supported them. Theyll also look to ensure that their heartfelt giving  however they choose to give  will have the most impact. Thats why so many of them will choose to give to a community foundation.

Donors to CFNEIA are also eligible for the Endow Iowa State Tax Credit program, which provides a 25% state tax credit on gifts to endowed funds at an accredited community foundation. Since the program was launched in 2003, it has helped leverage $335 million in endowed gifts to support Iowa communities and charitable causes. Each year, $6 million in credits are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to generous Iowans who participate in the program.

The Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa is here for good, making impacts to create a better quality of life for Iowans today and for generations to come. Addressing critical needs can seem like a daunting task, but its one that we can all share. Thank you to all our partners who help create a vibrant region of thriving people. During Community Foundation Week, I hope youll join us in recognizing our collective impact and the difference we make together and consider joining forces with your local community foundation.

To learn more about the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa and find your local affiliate community foundation, visit www.cfneia.org or call (319) 287-9106.

Kaye Englin is president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa.
How can we tell if we are really in danger of global warming/climate change? Former Vice President Al Gore said well need a boat to get around New York City and the mayor of Miami said his city will be underwater. Some would say the crazy weather, but weve always had a lot of crazy weather. China and Russia are not concerned; theyre spending their money on building their military. Former President Barrack Obama said we could spend a trillion dollars on climate change and it would not make any difference."

Ill believe global warming/climate change is in a crisis when we no longer see all of these big, fancy, gas-gobbling yachts in the harbor, when I see all of the climate change activists get rid of their private jets and limousines. I might believe it if Bill Gates and all of our billionaires and Hollywood liberals get rid of their big mansions and live like most of the rest of us. I will think about it if the cancel culture crowd would ever allow those with a different opinion to speak. Liberals have a funny way of talking. When they say we need to walk or ride a bike to save the world, they really mean you."
I cant tell you how many employers  have called the New Mexico Caregivers Coalition because they cant find enough caregivers to fill the direct care staff openings. My staff and I receive multiple calls daily asking for help in recruiting caregivers for them. This fact will be no surprise to any person who has required a home care worker at any time in the past 18 months.

It should also be no surprise that  caregivers may already have permanently left the direct care field en masse, not just for higher-paying jobs, but also for better quality jobs. Ive talked with New Mexico caregivers and to employers across various industry sectors; both tell me low-wage workers have used the opportunity of the pandemic to train for jobs outside the home care field so they can leave their current job.

A caregiver with children told me (recently) she has permanently left her home care worker job because child care is more expensive than the $10 per hour she earned. And she accrued no fringe benefits. In Bernalillo, where our organization is based, the nearest McDonalds franchise advertises starting pay at $11 per hour, vacation and sick leave, full paid four-year college tuition, and access to such discounts as moving vans and rental cars to move ones family to Bernalillo. I, too, would take that job over one paying $10 per hour with no benefits.

But isnt this the same conundrum we in the workforce development field were talking about more than 10 years ago? Indeed, more than 30 years ago? The Bureau of Labor Statistics documents the average wage of a New Mexico home care worker was $10.90 in 2009; in 2019, it was $10.92.

In New Mexico, 83% of caregivers are women, 82% are people of color and 64% of all caregivers live at the poverty level. These statistics describe the people who are working.

A young man who works as direct support for a person with a developmental disability told me, I work 10 hours a day, five days a week, and Im still poor! And the work is grueling. It is physically demanding, it involves lifting and transferring clients, and even negotiating with family members who may or may not support that workers presence in the home.

Amazon, Facebook, and even Walmart in New Mexico are offering $15 per hour and higher. And if those jobs arent attractive enough, why not re-train as a truck driver to earn $25 per hour starting pay? Lately, I find I have to refrain from encouraging caregivers and direct support staff to leave the field and retrain in new skills for better-quality jobs.

Caregivers themselves seem to be making rational decisions to leave the field altogether.

Our organization shouldnt be advocating for caregivers to stay in this field. We should be advocating for them to move to better-paying jobs with paid time off and health insurance, and insistence on respect and recognition from employers that value them. Advocates and supporters of caregivers ought to help push them toward those better jobs.

U.S. Department of Labor workforce data projects New Mexico will have to fill 75,500 new positions in home care and direct support by the year 2026. The present crisis means those who will suffer most will be the elderly and those with disabilities who need their care.

NMCC is a statewide 501(c)3 organization created to promote the voices of family and professional caregivers and those they serve. It advocates for direct care workers education, training, benefits, wages and professional development.
Editors note:

The Journal continues the once-a-month series From the Studio with Kathaleen Roberts, as she takes an up-close look at an artist.

Primary strokes plunge deep into the souls of the urban figures captured in Everton Tsosies paintings.

These Native men smile through gritted teeth, split in two and arm bump within a cityscape ravaged by Covid, drugs and alcohol.

Santa Fes Ellsworth Gallery recently hosted the Albuquerque natives first solo exhibition in Urban Native.

The Dine artist grew up in the International District, where crack addicts smoked in his backyard.

My mom used to tell me to draw because I was an obnoxious little kid; I was hyper and it was to keep me focused, he said. Shed tell me to sit down and draw a horse.

I was always having to deal with gangs and violence, alcohol and drugs, Tsosie continued. My mom was really good, telling me to walk by.

(

In school, he was the kid everyone asked to create event posters. Soon his teachers began to notice. In second grade, one dedicated a portion of the classroom as his little studio. He was already working in abstraction.

She set up a little studio gallery, like a little show for me, Tsosie said. I thought it was cool; I dressed up in a little suit. I sold a painting. I felt like I was already rich; it was $15 or $20.

He started college at the old TVI (now Central New Mexico Community College), taking both math and art before transferring to the University of New Mexico. Good in math, he started out thinking he would major in both engineering and art. He graduated with a BFA in painting and drawing in 2018.

I didnt want to be in the ghetto no more, he said. What changed my mind was I was sitting in class and hearing everyone talk about Popular Mechanics and being very sophisticated with their language. I was looking out the window and daydreaming and I just couldnt take it.

Tsosie has worked in construction jobs and at a Circle K gas station, where a cowboy encouraged his dream to go to New York, inspired by stories of the abstract expressionists Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. He bought a plane ticket in 2018 and lived in the East Villages Alphabet City for three years. He supported himself by constructing stretcher bars for an artist and working as a security guard.

It was intense, he said. It made me into a new person. I was totally Southwest, totally Albuquerque.

The move inspired him to paint on larger canvasses; some as big as eight feet tall. One day, the rent was due and Tsosie needed the money. He gathered 16 paintings and sold them all in a park.

He returned to New Mexico that year at the behest of his mother and the pandemic.

I just felt like if anything would happen to my Mom, Id rather be in New Mexico than New York, he said.

Tsosies current work begins and ends with the fervor of energy he channels when attacking the canvas.

The Breath-taking Voyage to the Unknown encapsulates his vision of an urban Indian.

Nobody knows what unknown is, Tsosie said. That word came up lately because of the Covid virus. Were in a twilight feeling. On the side is thunder; the skys not blue, its yellow.

A stick figure to the left bumps the figures arm in a virus-fueled form of interaction.

Theres always this stoicism in the stereotypes of Native people, Tsosie continued. I wanted to portray him as being happy in a time thats unknown. I think that stoicism is why people dont talk to us. I think (we) have a fierce look.

The Miracle in the Sun combines issues impacting Native Americans: alcoholism, uranium mining polluting reservation water and Covid-19.

We still dont have running water on the reservation, Tsosie said.

For him, Vital is a message of preparation for whatever comes next.

I like to work with dual personalities, he said. One being more excited than the other; when theres moments of isolation, some absurd person comes out.

Last year, Tsosie took the two-dimensional best in classification award at the Virtual Indian Market with his painting The Last of the Pure. The work called attention to the Navajo Nations struggle for clean water.

In Santa Fe, it started a lot of talk and brought me more exposure, he said.

It also brought him his first online platform, where he sold four or five paintings.

I got a check and was able to pay my rent, he said. I dont have to work construction no more.
The New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum will host the HomeGrown: A New Mexico Food Show & Gift Market in Las Cruces on Saturday, Nov. 20 and Sunday, Nov. 21.

The seventh annual event will have the New Mexico Department of Agriculture as a co-host.

The holiday season is the perfect time to showcase New Mexico food, beverages and crafts, says Jeff Witte, New Mexico Agriculture Secretary. With the return of HomeGrown this year, everyone has an opportunity to support local businesses. New Mexico food products and crafts make perfect gifts and holiday snacks to share with family and friends. Our producers take pride in what they grow, and there is no better way to celebrate the holidays than with locally-grown products. We look forward to seeing everyone at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum for HomeGrown.

The event will run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21.

Admission is $5 per vehicle, and the first 100 vehicles at the event each day will receive a free burlap shopping bag. Cash is encouraged for admission, while pre-event tickets may be purchased by credit card online at nmfarmandranchmuseum.org.

Witte says attendees can expect about 35 vendors, the majority representing a variety of food companies from around the state and all of which are New Mexico-Taste the Tradition and New Mexico-Grown with Tradition members.

Each booth will offer locally produced products, such as award-winning salsas, pecans, baked goods and sauces, for attendees to sample and purchase, Witte says. The show also features crafts made from agriculture resources, such as wool, hand-made art and health products.

The event will feature the NMDAs food demonstration trailer with chefs demonstrating various recipes using products that will be available for sale by vendors.

NMDA is also promoting its Elevate New Mexico Agriculture $5 at a Time campaign. It aims to inspire every New Mexico household to spend $5, or increase their spending by at least $5 per week, on New Mexico agriculture products year-round.

The Farm and Ranch staff is excited to welcome everyone back to our signature event, HomeGrown, featuring the New Mexico based products of our talented community, says Heather Reed, museum director. In collaboration with our partners at the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, were able to showcase the hard work that makes our state unique.

Attendees are also invited to tour the museum and enjoy the exhibits at no extra cost.

The museum is located at 4100 Dripping Springs Road in Las Cruces.
LIGHTNING DOWN

American fighter pilot Joe Moser was shot down over France and captured by Germany in August 1944. The P-38 Lightning was the U.S.-made fighter plane Moser was piloting when he went down.

But dont worry  you dont need to know technical jargon or even care about aircraft to love Tom Clavins Lightning Down: A World War II Story of Survival. Though, if you are interested in the specs, rest assured Clavin scratches that itch.

Lightning Down is a historical biography that contains the information of a textbook while reading like a novel.

The footnotes are often as interesting and well-written as the story itself. Given the quality of research and readability, its no surprise that Clavin has over a dozen such books under his belt along with a lengthy career in journalism. He knows that people are what make a story interesting and capitalizes on it. That and cliffhangers, which precede white space throughout the book.

With a historical piece, you would think it would be difficult to have any real suspense to keep the pages turning, but Clavin manages it nonetheless. The prologue is a snippet from the end of Act II of the book, dropping readers immediately into the action before jolting back to a quiet farm in Ferndale, Washington, where Mosers life story begins.

Clavin starts well before Moser was born but sails quickly through Mosers younger years, focusing on necessary and interesting details. Act I covers Mosers family and his childhood, creating a foundation for the man well spend about 300 pages with. The next two sections cover his time in the army and under German capture.

Although the bulk of the biography is of Mosers years as an Air Force pilot, Clavin covers the entirety of his life. The book continues after his return home to show how his story was silenced due to peoples disbelief of his experiences.

It reveals how he coped with concentration camp memories and adjusted to being a typical American family man and worker. It goes all the way up to his death in 2015.

Even with this information, nothing is spoiled because Clavins style and structure induce enough suspense to keep readers wrapped up in the moment.

And, despite the horrors that Moser experienced and Clavin describes vividly, Lightning Down has an overarching positivity and celebration of resilience.
The show must go on.

This is the sentiment from the board of Pennies for the Homeless, even after the driving force Joseph Saavedra died in February.

There was no question of us continuing on, says Jennifer Bean, acting executive director. We didnt know what form it would take with restrictions being so varied. But we knew we would carry it forward.

For 28 years, the nonprofit organization has been focused on supporting homeless initiatives.

Once a year, Pennies for the Homeless organizes the High Tea and Fashion Show Extravaganza. The event will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 21, at Hotel Albuquerque.

It provides the community the opportunity to experience a display of designer collections while enjoying savories and sweets from some of the citys restaurants.

There is also the unique opportunity to purchase or custom order the designers fashions at a trunk-show following the event.

Bean says through the donations of gracious sponsors and attendees, Pennies for the Homeless is able to change the lives of many of those in need.

Though the event wasnt held last year, Bean says the contributions remained the same.

We went to the Tiny Home Village and asked them what they needed, she says. There are no trees in the area and we worked on getting them a shade structure. The first payment was made in December and it finally got installed in August. That was $16,000-plus that we donated. I learned a lot from that. We were constantly working with the project mangers on this.

This years event will feature two designers  Kevan Hall and Christine Adar.

Hall began his fashion career as an assistant to sportswear designer Harriet Selwyn. In January 2014, Hall launched Kevan Hall SPORT, a lifestyle brand of active wear for women.

Adar began designing in 2007 after graduating from the Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago. The brands mission is to provide women with alluring, elegant couture garments.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

An Albuquerque mans fifth drunken driving arrest turned into a vehicular homicide charge after police say he killed one driver and injured another in a North Valley crash Friday afternoon.

Kyle Crespin, 32, is charged with vehicular homicide in the three-vehicle crash that left 40-year-old Michael Chmura dead. Crespin was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on Saturday. It is unclear if he has an attorney.

Rebecca Atkins, an Albuquerque police spokeswoman, said the investigation into the crash is ongoing.

At this time it does appear that alcohol, drugs and speed were contributing factors for this crash, she said.

Crespin is currently set for a jury trial on DWI charges from a March arrest and is on probation in a 2019 case in which he threatened a man with a gun.

Court records show Crespin has been arrested a total of four times for DWI since 2015, with one of the cases dismissed. Two of the arrests, including Fridays, occurred while he awaited trial in a previous DWI case.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court:

Police responded to a three-vehicle crash at Fourth and Candelaria NW around 3:30 p.m. Friday. Crespin was standing on the sidewalk near the wreck and Chmura was dead inside a T-boned truck. A person in a third vehicle, who crashed into the other two vehicles, was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Witnesses told police Crespin was driving a Ford F350 truck erratically south on Fourth when Chmura pulled his truck out of a parking lot and was T-boned by Crespin.

Crespin told police he was headed to meet his mother and had the truck in cruise control set to 45 mph when he crashed. Police said Crespins speech was slurred but he denied drinking or taking any drugs.

After performing poorly on a sobriety test, Crespin told police he had taken Xanax two or three days ago. Officers had Crespins blood drawn for evidence and he was arrested.

Crespin has had four previous DWI arrests, according to court records.

In 2015, Crespin was arrested after a witness told police they saw a man in a pink shirt crash a car and flee the scene in the North Valley. Police discovered the car belonged to Crespin and found him at his home, in similar clothing, out of breath and sweating profusely.

Police said Crespin, who was described as having slurred speech and smelling of alcohol, denied being in the crash and said his car had been stolen from a nearby brewery while he was having beers. Crespin told police the car was reported stolen but police said it hadnt been.

The case was later dropped after defense attorneys won a motion to suppress the witness testimony of seeing Crespin leave the scene.

In 2017, Crespin was arrested twice in a three-month span by New Mexico State Police, both times on charges of driving drunk with open beer bottles and cans in the vehicle.

The second arrest happened as he awaited trial in the first.

He eventually pleaded guilty to two counts of DWI and was sentenced to probation.

Subsequently, in February 2020, Crespin was sentenced to three years probation after pleading no contest to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in a case where he threatened a man with a gun in front of the mans family outside a hospital.

He went on to violate probation twice this year in connection with that case  the first time in March, when arrested for DWI in Rio Rancho, and then in May, when he was found to be drunk while trying to get gas for his vehicle in Truth or Consequences.

I previously recommended (Crespin) be reinstated  and believed he could redeem himself and do better in the future. However, given the incident that has just taken place  leaving the county and getting highly intoxicated, I must change my recommendation, a probation officer wrote in a May violation report. I spoke at length with (Crespin) about how destructive alcohol is and how he needs to make the most of being on supervision in order to better himself and maintain his freedom.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

On the evening of Oct. 25, the men in lockdown in the Echo unit of the Metropolitan Detention Center could hear through their cell walls what sounded like a beating and a voice screaming for help.

Soon, there was a chorus crying out.

By the time corrections officers responded, Leon Casiquito had been beaten to death. His cellmate, 25-year-old Telea Lui, is charged with murder in his death.

A 20-year-old, who had been held in the pod for the past five months and knew both men, told the Journal that he heard the cries and that it took a long time for officers to respond.

He said thats how the fight ended up turning deadly.

The reason why is  you all (corrections officers) is not in here is why hes dead, the young man said in a jailhouse phone interview shortly after the incident.

He said that if the unit hadnt been on lockdown that probably never would have happened.

Defense attorneys, advocates, corrections officers and the jails administration say staffing at the facility has become dangerously low.

Inmates regularly report being locked in their cells all weekend every weekend  and often on Monday and Friday as well and sometimes during other days of the week, depending on staffing levels, attorney Alexandra Freedman Smith said. This is causing a lot of tensions among inmates in the jail. Inmates need time out of the cell to call their attorneys for their pending cases. They also need to be able to call their families and take showers, and when they are stuck in their cells without any officers in their housing units, they are unable to do any of this. When there are no officers in their housing units, no one notices if cellmates attack each other, and that is what happened with the recent murder at MDC.

Earlier this month, in an attempt to bolster recruitment and retention, Bernalillo County increased starting pay for cadets, academy graduates and those who pass their one-year probationary period to make salaries more competitive with similar jobs in the area. It also offers a $2,000 first-year hiring bonus and longevity incentives.

The $18 an hour that cadets receive is $3 more per hour than those at the state Corrections Department. However, at $18.90 an hour and $19.85 an hour for those who graduate from the academy and complete their first year respectively, corrections officers are still making less than the $20 an hour those at state-run prisons make after graduation.

In the months before COVID-19 entered New Mexico, retention and recruitment officials proposed several initiatives to boost morale.

In an interview, MDC Chief Greg Richardson said the administration has started on some of those, including launching a peer support group in September and improving the break room for corrections officers to give them a rest during their shifts. Funding has been allocated for the break room, but the work will not be done for several months, Richardson said.

Attorney: County violated the law

The McClendon settlement agreement  reached in 2015 after a decades-old lawsuit about the conditions of the jail  sets more than 250 requirements for the county to be in compliance.

Smith, one of the attorneys representing incarcerated people in the settlement agreement, said the county is woefully below compliance when it comes to staffing and is not fulfilling its obligations.

We believe these conditions also violate the Constitution as well as the consent decree, Smith said. I think it violates the Eighth Amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment, because these things are leading to assaults, medical problems and lack of ability to access attorneys.

The Echo unit was not fully staffed the evening of 41-year-old Casiquitos death, according to a roster obtained by the Journal. Three corrections officers were each overseeing two pods  each pod has 32 cells  including the pod where Casiquito and Lui were housed.

Joseph Trujeque, the president of the Local 2499 union representing MDC, said that if the jail had been fully staffed, there would have been an officer overseeing each of the eight pods as well as two relief officers. Instead, there were five officers and two relief officers. Officers are tasked with checking on each cell periodically. According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court, Lui admitted beating up Casiquito, saying that his cellmate had been hitting him in his legs in a nagging manner the previous day.

Lui went on to describe that on todays date Casiquito continued hitting him in the same nagging manner, a detective wrote. Lui stated that Casiquito left the cell for their designated free time and when he returned to the cell he motioned as if he was going to hit him again. Lui admitted to punching Casiquito in the head, and then going into a rage.

Trujeque said that if there had been more staff, the inmates wouldnt have been confined to the rooms and they could have asked for help before the situation got so bad.

If those two inmates had the problems that they had with each other, they would have been able to voice that to the officers and say, Hey, you know, Im having a problem with this guy, or this guys having a problem with me, we need to be moved,  Trujeque said. But that interaction wasnt there, because we were short-staffed.

Richardson, who has led the jail since May 2020, didnt dispute that understaffing played a part in the incident.

Like anything else, when you have a shortage of manpower, it affects all the areas of the facility and the operations, to include response times, proactive measures, and identifying potential problems or having a better chance of stopping an incident before it occurs, Richardson said. Its reasonable to say that, yes  when you have less staff, you know, you have less coverage, so youre going to have some effect on operations and security.

He said the incident is still being investigated by the Office of Professional Standards to see if personnel could have done anything differently or if any policies, procedures, or trainings need to be changed.

Documents obtained by the Journal suggest that since the slaying, staffing has remained just as sparse or even lower.

Lockups struggling across the nation

Staffing shortages are not unique to MDC  the problem is straining detention centers across the state and the country.

In September, Grace Philips, general counsel for New Mexico Counties, made a presentation to the Legislatures Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee & Legislative Health and Human Services Committee detailing inmate populations and staff vacancy rates at 32 detention centers across the state.

After a sharp drop in the jail population at the start of the pandemic in the spring of 2020, the number of people behind bars has been steadily climbing back up to pre-pandemic levels. At 5,280 at the end of September, the count was only about 700 fewer than it was in early March 2020 when the pandemic reached New Mexico. This does not include those locked up in prisons  who have already been convicted of a felony.

As of Sept. 21, the average staff vacancy rate statewide was 22.97%, but in an interview, Philips said she wouldnt be surprised if it has since increased. For instance, in September, MDC was reporting a 24.74% staff vacancy rate. Now, officials say its 31.7%.

Unfortunately, when you have a facility that has high vacancy rates, people are working a lot of overtime, Philips said. If vacancies are up and populations are up, you know, the job becomes much harder. And I think that doesnt help you retain staff.

At least in Bernalillo County, understaffing at MDC has resulted in ripple effects throughout the criminal justice system.

Jennifer Barela, district defender for the 2nd Judicial District, said shortages  as well as public health measures put in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic  have restricted defense attorneys access to clients in the jail.

Its affected dockets, because sometimes were not able to talk to clients, Barela said. We have to ask judges if we can talk to them virtually by utilizing breakout rooms on Zoom and so it slows down court dockets.

About 170 have left MDC this year

When the pandemic began, officers who were already unhappy with their salary  which Trujeque said is lower than those with other jobs in public safety or law enforcement  expressed concern about coming into a congregate setting and more and more began using their leave to take time off. Citing security concerns, a county spokeswoman would not say how many people work at MDC but she did say its short about 150 corrections officers. Trujeque said about 170 officers have left the jail this year, including retirements, resignations and terminations.

Trujeque, who has worked at MDC for 21 years, said this means an already difficult job has been made even more stressful for those who remain.

Im prior military, I was on a battlefield, and I will tell you that coming to work in a correctional environment every day and seeing things like (the homicide) thats happened  its just like being on a battlefield. You suffer those same mental scars, he said.  If you have a person that starts out in corrections, and works 10 years, theyre going to be a totally different person because of the environment that they have to work in.

Trujeque said that in the past 18 months, those feelings have only intensified.

Youre always looking over your shoulder, every minute of the day, Trujeque said. When youre inside those walls, youre looking over your shoulder. The inmates are not the only ones that are in the prison or in the jail. We are too, just like they are.

Both Trujeque and Richardson say they worry every day about the possibility of a riot or the inmates taking over the jail. Its a common fear among staffers.

In October, a discussion at a union meeting included a story about how a woman who works in the mailroom saw letters from inmates who were discussing on how easy it is to do anything if they wanted, as they know the staffing is really bad, according to an internal email obtained by the Journal.

And over the summer, a sergeant at the jail sent a letter to Bernalillo County commissioners, the county manager, deputy county manager and the Detention Facility Management Oversight Board pleading for help and action and warning about the possibility of a riot.

Sgt. Robert Mason, who has been with MDC for 10 years and in corrections for 12, said the jail lacks the security personnel necessary to operate and keep employees and inmates safe. He warned about the adverse affects lockdowns are having on the inmates, who are kept in their cells for 48 to 96 hours consecutively at a given time week after week.

We cannot keep locking the facility down under the premise of low staffing without taking proactive steps to staff the facility, Mason wrote. There is no one solution to doing this, but there seems to be one excuse that we commonly hear, lack of staffing. Unfortunately, this excuse is going to be the reason that something significant happens, with an enormous financial cost, and possibly costing lives to be lost. If we are not doing all we can to recruit and staff this facility, then it is my opinion that we are fully liable and must answer to the citizens when the time comes.

MDC weighs pivot to different tactics

MDC has been a direct supervision facility since 2003, when the jail was moved from Downtown to a sprawling building at the end of a long, straight road in the deserted outskirts of the county. That means officers are supposed to be stationed in every pod and walk from unit to unit checking on inmates. Under indirect supervision, an officer can see multiple pods at once from one area with the assistance of cameras.

Richardson said direct supervision was thought to be more effective in discouraging sexual assaults and attacks.

Now, he said, it might make sense to change tactics. When youre in this situation, you want to look at as much as you can  different ideas and different ways of doing things to better manage your staffing and to create a safer environment, manage a population and keep everything up and running in a safer and more secure environment.

A Journal investigation in March found that nine people died in the custody of MDC in less than a year. Two of those deaths were suicides, and others were from alcohol abuse or the toxic effects of methamphetamine. Since then, four more have died, including Casiquito.

Suicides, suicide attempts and suspected overdoses increased in the past year. In June, an internal email asked staffers to be alert and err on the side of caution due to an increase in suicide attempts and drug related events.

In September, officers confiscated what was apparently a bag with more than 200 fentanyl pills from a woman in the restricted housing unit. At one point, so many people were jumping from a second floor in apparent suicide attempts that the administration constructed new railings to try to curb the problem. We did have a rash of people doing that, Richardson said.

There are some units where we ran the railing all the way up to the ceiling to where that cant happen anymore.

Journal staff writer Matthew Reisen contributed to this report.
Fewer than a quarter of Albuquerque voters are eligible to cast ballots in the citys runoff election, but its still drawing interest from outside city limits.

Thats because the Dec. 7 election will settle who occupies two of the Albuquerque City Councils nine seats and, by extension, the overall political balance of the legislative body in New Mexicos largest city.

Its worth noting that City Council races are technically nonpartisan  there are no primaries, nor do ballots distinguish candidates by political party  and that it has been rare in the last few years for council votes to fall along strict party lines.

But that does not stop people from carefully charting the councils composition.

Democrats have occupied most of the nine seats since late 2013 and had a 6-3 majority going into the Nov. 2 election.

That could change.

Republican Dan Lewis has defeated Democratic incumbent Cynthia Borrego to represent the West Side-based District 5. When he takes office Jan. 1, he will join the Republican councilors from the Northeast Heights: Brook Bassan and Trudy Jones.

Conservative Democrat Louie Sanchez unseated District 1s more progressive Democratic incumbent, Lan Sena. With Isaac Benton, Pat Davis and Klarissa Pena, there will be at least four Democrats on the council.

The two other seats remain undecided.

District 7, centered in the Uptown area, and District 9, which straddles East Central, will require runoffs, because no candidate on the Nov. 2 ballot earned enough of the vote (50%) to win the job.

Democrat Diane Gibson currently represents District 7 and opted not to seek reelection. Real estate agent Lori Robertson, a Republican, and environmental economist Tammy Fiebelkorn, a Democrat, emerged with the most votes during the crowded Nov. 2 election and are bound for the Dec. 7 runoff.

Don Harris, a Republican, is District 9s longtime representative but did not pursue a fifth term. Republican Renee Grout, who owns an auto shop, and Democrat Rob Grilley, a nonprofit board member, are competing to succeed Harris in the runoff.

The Republican Party of New Mexico and Republican Party of Bernalillo County  which have not always had a harmonious relationship  issued a news release last week to announce they are joining forces and sharing resources to win two key runoff elections, saying they are mobilizing an army of volunteers to get out the vote for the two Republican candidates.

We have an opportunity to take control of the Albuquerque Council, and this could mean great things for the future of the city, RPBC Chairman John Rockwell said in a statement. We have to do everything we can to grow our base and to get more Republicans involved.

The Democratic Party of New Mexico said it too is collaborating with its Bernalillo County peers and will support the runoffs Democratic candidates via a political action committee and with volunteer manpower on the ground. DPNM Executive Director Sean Ward said the organization is partnering with others across New Mexico to effectively promote Fiebelkorn and Grilley.

Its essential that we elect leaders to the Albuquerque City Council who will make the best choices for our schools, our families, and our neighborhoods, he said in a statement.

ELECTION BREAKDOWN: City elections are now administered by the Bernalillo County Clerks Office and on Nov. 2 shared a ballot with many other local  but non-city  races.

But the Clerks Office provided a breakdown showing specific turnout by city residents. Some takeaways from those unofficial numbers provided to the Journal:

120,847 of the citys 371,449 registered voters cast ballots on Nov. 2, a turnout rate of 32.5%.

While registered Democrats far outnumber Republicans in Albuquerque (175,830-99,988), Republicans voted at a higher rate citywide: 38.75% turned out, compared with 36.72% of Democrats.

Voter turnout was highest in the Northeast Heights-based District 8 (39%) and District 4 (35.3%) even though neither had a City Council race on this years ballot.

District 3, which covers Southwest Albuquerque, had the lowest turnout, with only 17.8% of registered voters participating. Councilor Klarissa Pena won reelection in that district but was unopposed.

Jessica Dyer: jdyer@abqjournal.com
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Convicted child abuser Joseph Bresch and his ex-wife, Michelle had been on the radar of both local law enforcement and federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents off and on for months.

On Oct. 28, after weeks of investigation, ATF agents arrested the couple on federal weapons charges.

But that didnt happen soon enough to help the couples 2-month-old infant, Kali, who was taken to San Juan Regional Medical Center four days earlier after she stopped breathing. In critical condition, the baby was flown to University Hospital in Albuquerque, where doctors discovered the infants throat had been slashed to the esophagus and more than 30 of her bones were broken. One physician concluded she had been severely and repeatedly abused, court records show.

Kali is expected to survive but has likely suffered permanent brain damage.

Her father, Joseph Bresch, 35, was charged last week with first-degree child abuse. He is also being held on a separate federal charge of being a felon in possession of ammunition. His ex-wife is facing a federal charge of making false statements in connection with the purchase of a firearm on Oct. 12.

Michelle Bresch, 34, was permitted to remain free under conditions of supervision while she awaits trial on the federal charge. But on Thursday, her attorney said in federal court records that she is concerned for her safety if she remained in New Mexico because she had been receiving threatening communications from the family and friends of Mr. Bresch because of the child abuse case.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Dustin OBrien of Farmington said his office hasnt decided whether to charge Michelle with failing to protect her young daughter, who was born prematurely Aug. 30 with a twin sibling who didnt survive.

Last summer, Michelle was listed as the victim when Bloomfield, N.M., police and San Juan County sheriffs deputies filed two sets of domestic violence charges against her ex-husband. She told them she was deathly afraid of him. But the cases were dropped because she refused to cooperate with prosecutors or they couldnt reach her, OBrien said.

Now Michelle Bresch may be the key to providing evidence in the child abuse charge against her ex-husband, who was released from a Nevada prison last year. He served seven years of a 13-year-sentence for child abuse with serious bodily harm.

ATF representatives didnt return repeated Journal phone calls for comment last week. Attorneys appointed for the Bresch couple in the federal case either didnt return calls or had no comment.

But arrest and search warrant affidavits filed by state and federal authorities chronicle events in the months leading up to the infants being harmed.

ATFs involvement

The couple came to the attention of the ATF in July, after Michelle contacted Bloomfield police on a domestic violence call and told them that Joseph Bresch had killed pets in the home and that she had been forced to buy guns for him. He is barred by law from making such purchases because he is a felon.

Federal agents had verified her purchase of eight guns and in mid-September hand-delivered a warning letter to her that she was violating federal law by purchasing weapons for her ex-husband as a straw buyer.

ATF reviewed surveillance footage at a Farmington gun store from Oct. 12 showing Michelle purchasing another firearm, and saw Joseph enter the store with the infant and her 5-year-old son. He purchased two boxes of ammunition at the time, a federal arrest warrant states.

Agents then conducted surveillance on the couples home in Bloomfield on Oct. 20, a federal search warrant affidavit shows. But no arrests were made.

Kalis injuries

Michelle Bresch told Bloomfield detectives investigating the child abuse that she was shopping at a gun store in Farmington when Joseph rushed inside with her 5-year-old son from a prior relationship and baby Kali, who was bleeding from her neck.

She said Joseph said her son had slashed Kalis throat while they were waiting for her in the car.

He convinced her not to seek medical help, and to blame the boy, because he didnt want to go back to prison, she told detectives.

The arrest warrant affidavit doesnt say when the gun store incident occurred.

But on Oct. 24, Kali stopped breathing at the couples home, and they called 911.

One physician examining the child at University Hospital believed the cut to her throat was about 5 days old.

Michelle initially blamed the throat injury on a birth defect and later told a Bloomfield police sergeant the cut was caused by milk that had crusted on the infants neck. Finally, she told police, it was like someone tried to slit her throat to be quiet. 

She also said her ex-husband carried a razor blade and used methamphetamine.

After the couples arrest by ATF agents on Oct. 28, the state Children, Youth and Families Department took custody of Michelles 5-year-old.

At a hearing last week, U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura Fashing of Albuquerque found Joseph Bresch was a flight risk and a danger to the community. Her order holding him in federal custody until trial cites the prior domestic violence cases involving his ex-wife and the infants severe injuries.

Days earlier, Bresch appeared remotely while in federal custody on the charge of possessing ammunition and interrupted the hearing to tell Fashing he had to be released so he could return home to his children.

The judge told him they were no longer there.

Earlier allegations

Records show that because Kali was born prematurely, she wasnt released from University Hospital into her parents custody until about Oct. 8.

In the weeks that followed, Michelle Bresch told Bloomfield detectives, her ex-husband would get Kali from the bedroom and take her into the living room. She said she stayed in the bedroom and would notice Kalis cry would change. She (Michelle) then compared the sound to the sound the puppy made when he (Bresch) would strangle the puppy,' according to a Bloomfield police arrest warrant affidavit.

When she heard Kalis cry change, she told me she knew something was off, a Bloomfield detective wrote in the affidavit. She would hurry into the living room, and Joseph would maneuver Kali in a quick and rough manner. At times he would nuzzle her aggressively. 

She told me anytime Joseph would take Kali, Kali would instantly start freaking out. 

Michelle divorced Joseph Bresch in 2019 after a brief marriage while he was in prison in Nevada. After he was released, the couple reconciled and moved to Bloomfield in April of this year.

Over the next few months, Michelle contacted police and the sheriff complaining that he was armed and dangerous. One report alleged he had slammed her head into a wall.

On April 24, Joseph was charged with fourth-degree felony of false imprisonment and battery, with Michelle listed as the victim. He was released pending trial on conditions that included not possessing guns and having no contact with the victim. The case was dismissed without prejudice on June 4 after Michelle failed to appear for a hearing.

The next month, on July 11, the couple were living with a female roommate when Michelle called 911 for help. The women told a Bloomfield police officer who responded, who knew Michelle from prior domestic calls, that they feared for their lives and that Joseph had previously killed her roommates cat and puppy. Michelle said he would abuse their dog at night and kept a loaded 9 mm pistol on him, the officer reported.

Michelle told the officer that Bresch had been forcing her to buy guns.

He thinks there will be martial law soon and he will need to protect his family. She said Joseph has mental health issues and stopped taking his meds and is also using methamphetamine, the police report said. She said she believed he was selling the weapons for money and drugs.

They also said he had taken the roommates car and wouldnt return it.

Joseph Bresch was arrested on charges of bribery of a witness (threats) and embezzlement of a motor vehicle and was released on his own recognizance, under conditions by an Aztec magistrate. Prosecutors dismissed that case Aug. 5 without prejudice.

San Juan County, like the rest of New Mexico, has had an uptick in horrific violent crimes recently, OBrien said last week. But the tragedy of baby Kali shook up even a veteran investigator working the case.

Its ugly, OBrien said. This is a very bad situation.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Hes bushwhacked up 4,000 feet of vertical gain, backpacked more than 30 miles to the middle of the Pecos Wilderness, forked over cash to Ted Turner and even spent two years volunteering for a Boy Scout troop to gain access to the Philmont Scout Ranch.

The efforts paid off in September when Phil Robinson, 66, trudged to the top of Mount Phillips, completing a roughly 16-year quest to reach the summits of the 184 tallest peaks in New Mexico. Robinson, a retired Albuquerque Public Schools science teacher, is believed to be the only person to tag the summits of that many tall New Mexico mountains.

There is a small caveat to his accomplishment. Despite his best lobbying efforts, Robinson hasnt been able to get permission from the Taos Pueblo to climb to the top of two mountains on tribal land. Robinson did climb as high as he could on the mountains without trespassing.

My goal was to do it as respectfully as possible, Robinson said.

That meant there were times when he backpacked for days to get to a trailhead without trespassing.

Robinson started on his project at age 51 in 2006. He hiked to the top of Wheeler Peak, the tallest mountain in the state, with his son, Garret. Then Robinson got the idea of climbing more and more summits, with the goal of doing something that hadnt been done before.

You hear everybody hiking Colorado 14ers, but you never hear that about New Mexico, Robinson said, a reference to mountains in Colorado that stand taller than 14,000 feet. New Mexico has incredible peaks.

He hiked the tallest 13,000- and 12,000-foot peaks in the state, then cast a wider net and started climbing 11,000- and upper-10,000-foot peaks.

His endeavor forced him to cut red tape and summit unnamed peaks with no established trail system.

Eight of the peaks were on land grants, and Robinson had to track down landowners and pay for access.

About 10 of the peaks are on Ted Turners Vermejo Park Ranch. Robinson said he paid a cruise ship price of about $3,000 to be a guest at the ranch and hiked the peaks during his stay.

We spent five days on his land, Robinson said. They treated us like we were on a cruise ship.

Garret Robinson has accompanied his dad on about 50 of his summit climbs. Some of the lesser-known peaks, Garret said, were horrific because they didnt have hiking trails. So getting to the top required hours of inching uphill while navigating fallen trees, boulders and cliff faces to reach the top, where his father would use GPS to ensure he stood on the true summit.

For me, I guess I just put up with this misery to make sure my dad comes back safe, Garret said.

Robinson said his son, wife, daughters and grandchildren have all joined him at times on his hikes.

His late dog Daisy, a wire fox terrier, was Robinsons primary hiking partner until her death. Daisy was the subject of a front-page Journal article in 2014 when Robinson completed hikes of all the 12,000- and 13,000-foot summits.

His favorite mountain? Truchas Peak, the second-tallest mountain in the state, which requires a round trip of more than 30 miles deep into the Pecos Wilderness.

I kind of think in one way the highest peaks in New Mexico are harder to get than the highest peaks in Colorado because they are not plotted out, Robinson said.

Robinsons final peak on his list, which he hiked Sept. 18, was Mount Phillips, on the Philmont Scout Ranch, home also to several other tall peaks.

A former Eagle Scout, Robinson had asked for permission to hike the peaks but was denied because he wasnt a member of a Boy Scout troop.

So Robinson rejoined Troop 166 as a volunteer. He spent two years doing occasional work for the Scouts and then led group hikes up the peaks at Philmont each year.

Robinson says that over the course of his project, he probably took 25,000 photos, plus he writes meticulous trip reports and shares his GPS data on a peak-bagger website.

Its been such a joy to see every corner (of New Mexico), Robinson said. As I drive around New Mexico, Ive pretty much been on every high mountain peak that there is. What is exciting for me is  every peak I see isnt just a peak. Its got a whole story behind it for me.
WENN Celebrity

The heir apparent to the British throne tells everyone at a recent event that the monarch is doing 'alright' after she took a much-needed rest following hospitalization.

Nov 14, 2021

AceShowbiz - Prince Charles has reassured everyone his mother, Queen Elizabeth, is doing "alright."

The royal was attending a Prince's Trust event in Brixton, south London when he gave a brief update on the monarch, after she was advised by medical professionals to cancel two weeks of engagements to get some much-needed rest.

Upon leaving a NatWest bank on Thursday (11Nov21), a man asked the first in line to the British throne, "Prince Charles, how is your mother?" to which the Prince of Wales replied, "She's alright, thank you."

The health update comes following confirmation that the Queen will attend a Remembrance Sunday service on Sunday after the timing of the doctor's orders put her planned appearance in jeopardy.

Her Royal Highness will attend the service at the Cenotaph in London although she will be missing the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday.

According to Britain's The Sun newspaper, sources said the monarch views the service as "unmissable" and as one of her "most sacred duties" so it was important to her that she was healthy enough to attend.

The appearance will be her first since she filmed a video appearance for the COP26 eco-summit, which she had been due to attend in person before her rest break.

Her hospitalization came roughly six months after husband, Prince Philip, passed away.

According to son Prince Andrew, the queen was left with "a huge void in her life" following husband's passing. "But we, the family, the ones that are close, are rallying round to make sure that we're there to support her," Andrew added.
Instagram Music

The heartfelt lyric video for 'Ronan' from 'Red (Taylor's Version)' inspired by a four-year-old boy who died of cancer is dubbed 'so painstakingly perfect' by his mother.

Nov 14, 2021

AceShowbiz - Taylor Swift has released a touching lyric video for her "Red (Taylor's Version)" track "Ronan" after getting the OK from the family of the four-year-old boy who inspired the song.

Ronan was initially released as an iTunes-exclusive charity single to honour Maya Thompson, the mother of little Ronan, after he lost his battle with cancer. The song's lyrics are inspired by Thompson's blog, Rockstar Ronan - and she is credited as a co-writer on the track.

According to one of her blog posts, Swift asked for her permission to include "Ronan" on Red (Taylor's Version), and make a new video.

After watching it, Thompson took to Twitter and wrote, "I just listened AND watched Ronan, Taylor's version. I couldn't tell you about the music video until now. It is beyond perfection and I can't wait for you all to see it."

"@taylorswift13 You are one of the greatest loves of my life. TY (thank you) for loving him... Forever ours, thanks to @taylorswift13. I am sobbing It is so painstakingly perfect."

The video opens with footage of Ronan saying "I love you" to his mother and ends with a link to the Ronan Thompson Foundation.

To celebrate her latest album reboot, Taylor Swift joined the stars of her new 10-minute short film "All Too Well" for the project's premiere in New York on Friday afternoon (12Nov21).

She posed for photos with Dylan O'Brien and Sadie Sink outside the AMC Lincoln Square 13, hours before the film debuted online.

Swift re-recorded "All Too Well" for her new album "Red (Taylor's Version)" and decided to add more verses as she chronicled her romance and break-up with a mystery older man, believed to be ex-boyfriend Jake Gyllenhaal.

A lyric video was posted online overnight, but the actual video will air on YouTube at 7pm ET on Friday.

During a Thursday night appearance on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" when Taylor announced the premiere, she revealed she was "blown away" by Dylan and Sadie's performances, insisting she would not have made the film if either of them had said no.

Swift directed the short film.
WENN Celebrity

The 'Fifty Shades of Grey' actress credits her grandma Tippi Hedren for teaching her to stand up for herself in Hollywood Following the late star's experience with sexual harassment.

Nov 14, 2021

AceShowbiz - Dakota Johnson has claimed the late Alfred Hitchcock "ruined" her grandmother Tippi Hedren's career.

The "Fifty Shades of Grey" actress claimed the star "was encouraging" of her acting ambitions, despite the things she endured in Hollywood, but always urged her granddaughter to stand up for herself.

Speaking during a live taping of The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast, Dakota said, "She's always been really honest and firm about standing up for yourself. That's what she did."

"Hitchcock ruined her career because she didn't want to sleep with him, and he terrorised her. He was never held accountable."

Dakota admitted it was "hard to talk about" what happened to her grandmother - who claimed in her memoir that the director had sexually assaulted her several times when they worked together on "The Birds" and "Marnie" - but both her elderly relative and her mother, Melanie Griffith, have instilled in her that she shouldn't put up with being treated badly at work.

Growing emotional, she said, "It's completely unacceptable for people in a position of power to wield that power over someone in a weaker position, no matter the industry."

"It's hard to talk about because she's my grandmother. You don't want to imagine somebody taking advantage of your grandmother."

"I think the thing that she's been so amazing for me and with my mother is just like, no you do not put up with that s**t from anybody."

"She would say it in a far more eloquent way. She's such a glamorous movie star, still."

The "I Heart Huckabees" star recalled her experiences with Hitchcock - who died in 1980 - in her 2016 autobiography, describing how he often had his driver go past her house and during the shooting of "The Birds" and asked her to "touch him."

Tippi told of the "awful, awful moment" when Hitchcock tried to force her to kiss him in the back of a limo, as well as when he "put his hands" on her in a "perverse" moment in her dressing room while shooting "Marnie".

But she never told anyone at the time because "sexual harassment and stalking were terms that didn't exist" in the early 1960s.
RED BLUFF, Calif.- The Tehama County Sheriff's Department and Deputy Sheriffs Association (DSA) hosted their second annual Pack the Patrol Car Toy Drive today to support Toys for Tots.

The drive gained over $1,000 in toys from people across Red Bluff, with the Tehama County DSA also donating $2,500 earned from their No-Shave November Fundraiser.

Susan Messler has donated to the toy drive every year and hopes more people come out next year to support kids across Tehama County.

Its just an exciting cause to help kids in this area and to help the sheriffs department, said Messler. Its easy, just go to your store, pick something up and drop it off.

Zachary Backus is the President of the Tehama County DSA.

As a patrol officer, he says he sees families in desperate situations all the time and hopes this toy drive will help bring some holiday cheer to families across the county.

The kids really need to see that the community cares about them, said Backus. Tehama County is a small community, were all pretty much family, so giving back to those kids and making sure they have a Christmas is hugely important to me.

A local car group called Wicked Obsession joined the Tehama County DSA for the event.

They lined the parking lot with cars for everyone to enjoy.

The organization's president, Jose Meza, hopes to spread holiday cheer, help the community, and earn a better reputation for car enthusiasts everywhere.

Were not all about that racing stuff, I mean we do race but we do it up in the drag strip legal stuff like that, said Meza. My wife works for the Sheriffs department, so me and her kind of set it up and talked with everybody in the group, because were not just out here as a bad car club were out here to help the community.

Toys for Tots was pleased with the turnout and thankful for the donation.

They hope more people come out for a bigger toy drive on December 4 at the Red Bluff Walmart.
https://www.aish.com/tp/i/gl/Being-Alone.html

Bereishis, 32:19 And Yaakov remained alone and a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn.

Bereishit Rabbah, 77:1 And Yaakov remained alone and a man wrestled with him: Ein Kakel Yeshurun  RBrachia in the name of RYehuda Bar Simon says, [this can be read as saying] there is no-one like Kel (Hashem) but who is like Kel  Yeshurunwho is like Kel, Yisrael Sabbah (our grandfather, Yaakov), just as by the Holy One, Blessed be He, it is written, and Hashem will be elevated alone, so too [by Yaakov it says] and Yaakov remained alone.

The Torah relates how Yaakov was alone when he was confronted by Esavs Angel. The Midrash makes a startling point  it cites a verse in the Torah that teaches that nobody compares to God, yet then homiletically derives from the verse that the Jewish people are comparable to God. The Midrash then cites a number of examples of great deeds that God does or will do and how great Jewish people, in particular the Prophet Eliyahu, have performed such actions. The Midrash teaches that just as God will bring the dead back to life, so too Eliyahu brought someone back to life. Just like God has the ability to cause a drought, so too Eliyahu caused a drought. Just like God can bless a small quantity and make it into a large amount, so too, Eliyahu blessed a small quantity and made it into a large amount. Just like God can make barren women have children, Eliyahu made barren women have children. Finally, the Midrash concludes its list of comparisons between God and the righteous of Israel with the statement, Just as God is alone, as it is written, vNisgav Hashem Lvado baYom haHu1  Hashem will be elevated alone on that day, so too the Jewish Grandfather Yaakov Avenu (Yaakov our father)  remained alone as it is written and Yaakov remained alone.

Rabbi Yissachar Frand points out that this last example does not seem to fit into the pattern of the earlier items. The Midrash cites supernatural and miraculous situations such as resurrection, stopping the rain, barren women conceiving, and so forth that are indeed acts which require G-d-like abilities. However, the Midrash is saying that Gods ability to be alone is itself a God-like quality! In some way, Yaakov remaining alone was itself as miraculous as resurrection, as cessation of rainfall, and as conception for a barren woman. What is so incredible about the fact that Yaakov was alone?

Rabbi Frand gives an answer to this question, based on the approach of Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky.2

In the words of Rabbi Frand:

Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky saysthat the reason Yaakov Avinu (our father) was attacked when he was alone is because most human beings are unable to maintain their spiritual level and stature when they are alone. Most people need a support system, a society, a chevra to keep them on the straight and narrow path of righteous behavior. To go it all alone, without peer pressure and peer support, without losing ones level (madreigah) is a phenomenon which is extremely difficult for the average person to attain.

According to this explanation, the uniqueness of Yaakovs state of being alone was that he was totally independent in his own Divine Service and did not need any support from others, and in this way, he resembled God who is totally independent in every way. Of course, this is a very high level, which is not attainable for most people. Moreover, a person should not in fact strive to be alone  family, friends and community are an essential aspect of ones service of God and well-being in general. However, in the past few years, with the onset of the corona crisis, life turned upside down for everyone, and one of the most significant manifestations of this change was the fact that our whole communal structure was uprooted for several months  shuls were closed, schools were shut, and the normal interactions between people was severely curtailed. Many Sages made suggestions as to what aspects of our service of God needed to be improved upon, given the situation that Divine Providence had placed us in.

One well-known Rabbi, Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky, addressed this aspect of the crisis. In reaction to this, he wrote the following3:

Who am I as an individual? That is a question that this experience should force us to ask ourselves. Were used to davening and learning under the broad umbrella of community, and looking at everyone around us and following along. We have become used to thinking that our Yiddishkeit is healthy and robust. But  especially in the darkest times of this pandemic  when were on our own, a lot of us saw that our Yiddishkeit might not be what we thought it was. One therefore should honestly examine, How much of my service of God came up lacking when there was no community around me? So too, we as a community need to think about the fact that as strong as we appear to be, it does not take much to shake us. And we as educators need to ask, Are we building students strong enough to have what it takes to stand on their own then they have to.

Thankfully, for most people, the communal aspect has basically returned to normal, yet Rabbi Lopianskys words remain highly pertinent. The communal nature of Judaism is essential and of great value. Yet a persons level should be independent of others. Many commentaries say that this is the meaning of the Mishna in Ethics of the Fathers, And in a place where there are no men, strive to be a man.4 If a person does not have spiritual support, he should take responsibility for his own service of God.

May we merit, at least on some level, to emulate Yaakov Avinu, and indeed, HaShem Himself, in becoming alone, independent of others and as a spiritually strong individual.
https://www.aish.com/tp/ss/ssw/Vayishlach-5782-The-Value-of-Life.html

GOOD MORNING! Some forty years ago, on June 7, 1981, the State of Israel launched Operation Opera (aka Operation Babylon)  a surprise attack on the Iraqi nuclear reactor located about 11 miles southeast of Baghdad, Iraq. The strike was executed to protect the long-term security of the State of Israel with the hope of preventing Iraq from developing nuclear weapons.

The nuclear reactor was purchased from France in 1976, and the French dubbed it Osiraq (cleverly combining the Osiris class reactor with Iraq). Iraq named the main reactor Tammuz 1 because Tammuz was the Babylonian month when the Baath party came to power in 1968. (Yes, the names of the Hebrew months are actually Babylonian in origin  a discussion for another time.)

The Israeli attack was characteristically brilliant. To execute the strike Israel would have to violate both Jordanian and Saudi airspace. To avoid detection, the Israeli pilots conversed in Saudi-accented Arabic while in Jordanian airspace and told Jordanian air controllers that they were a Saudi patrol that had gone off course. While flying over Saudi Arabia, they pretended to be Jordanians, using Jordanian radio signals and formations.

(Supposedly, King Hussein of Jordan, vacationing in the gulf of Aqaba, witnessed the planes overfly his yacht, and noticed their Israeli markings. Taking into account the location, heading, and armament of the jets, Hussein quickly deduced the Iraqi reactor to be the most probable target. Hussein immediately contacted his government and ordered a warning to be sent to the Iraqis. However, due to a communication failure the message was never received and the Israeli planes entered Iraqi airspace undetected.)

The attack consisted of eight F-16As each armed with two Mark-84 2,000-pound delay-action bombs and six F-15 fighter jets to provide air support. They left Israel about 3:55 pm and arrived at the reactor at 6:35 pm. Upon arrival, they dove to 3,000 feet and began releasing the bombs in 5 second intervals. The attack lasted less than two minutes. It is estimated that at least eight of the sixteen bombs struck the containment dome of the reactor  effectively obliterating the threat.

(Of course, they also had help from the Almighty; it was later revealed that half an hour before the Israeli planes arrived a group of Iraqi soldiers manning anti-aircraft defenses had left their posts for an evening meal and turned off their radars!)

True to form, international reaction to the Israeli strike was uniformly negative. The Security Council passed a unanimous resolution condemning it as a clear violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the norms of international conduct and called on Israel to refrain from such attacks in the future. The UN General Assembly followed the Security Council with Resolution No. 36/27 on November 13, 1981, expressing deep alarm and condemning Israel over the premeditated and unprecedented act of aggression.

Of course, the American and international media issued blistering criticisms. The New York Times wrote, Israels sneak attack [...] was an act of inexcusable and short-sighted aggression and the LA Times called it State sponsored terrorism.

But one of the fascinating aspects of history is how future events define how we perceive the past. In 1990 Iraq suddenly attacked Kuwait on a pretext that Kuwait was stealing petroleum from them using cross border slant drilling techniques. The real reason for the attack was that Kuwait had loaned them $14 billion during the Iran-Iraq war. Iraq could not afford to pay it and Kuwait refused to pardon the debt.

At that point it became evident what kind of man Saddam Hussein really was, and in hindsight what a debt of gratitude the world owed Israel. Thirty-five nations joined the conflict against Iraq, which became the first Gulf War, known as Operation Desert Storm.

Following Desert Storm, Dick Cheney thanked the Israeli mission commander for the outstanding job he did on the Iraqi nuclear program in 1981. In an interview in 2005, former president Bill Clinton expressed support for the attack: everybody talks about what the Israelis did at Osiraq, in 1981, which, I think, in retrospect, was a really good thing. You know, it kept Saddam from developing nuclear power.

The reason Im give you all this history is to gain insight into the remarkable consideration of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). Yehuda Zvi Blum, Israels delegate to the UN, in a speech to the UN Security Council following the attack, explained that the operation was launched on a Sunday afternoon under the assumption that workers present on the site, including foreign experts employed at the reactor, would have left (though there were still casualties: ten Iraqi soldiers and one French civilian perished in the attack).

But this incredible morality of planning an attack  on what is perceived to be a mortal and existential threat  with the overarching goal of minimizing loss of life is a remarkable example of Judaisms intense regard for the value of human life. As I have indicated in prior columns, this extraordinary concern for human life  all human life  is a hallmark of the Jewish people and prominently displayed by the Israeli army to this very day.

To understand the difference between the Jewish people and the Arabs, consider for a moment the celebration and dancing in the streets displayed by many Palestinians (and captured on CNN) on 9/11 when civilian targets were chosen by Osama Bin Laden to maximize loss of life. This abhorrent behavior is often repeated after terror attacks  murders of Israeli civilians are celebrated by handing out sweets on the streets in Gaza and the West Bank.

Unsurprisingly, the source for our code of moral conduct is the Torah, and we find a similar example in this weeks Torah portion.

Our forefather Jacob is informed that his brother Eisav is marching toward him with a troop of 400 armed men and murderous intent:

Jacob was very frightened and distressed. He divided the people accompanying him into two camps [] If Eisav comes to attack at least the other camp will escape (Genesis 32:8-9).

The great Biblical commentator Rashi (ad loc) explains that Jacob was frightened because he worried that he may be killed, and it distressed him that he may come to kill others.

This seems difficult to understand. The Talmud (Brachos 58b) obligates one to launch a preemptive strike when ones life is in danger; If someone is coming to kill you, anticipate him and kill him first. In other words, Jacob was obligated to kill those who were coming to murder him and his family. So why would he be bothered that he may have to kill his potential assassins?

Toward the end of his life Jacob gathered his sons around him to give each one a final message. Some of his sons he blessed and some he criticized. He reserved some of his harshest criticism for Shimon and Levi. This rebuke resulted from an incident also found in this weeks Torah reading.

Jacobs daughter Dinah was abducted and subsequently raped by Shechem, the son of the chief of the region  Chamor. With some subterfuge, Dinahs brothers formulated a plan to attack the city and release their sister. Two of the brothers, Shimon and Levi who were fierce warriors, went to the city and murdered the inhabitants and freed their sister. Maimonides goes to great lengths to explain why the people deserved to be put to death and that it was in accordance with Jewish law.

Still, Jacob severely rebuked Shimon and Levi. If they did the right thing, then why did Jacob criticize them so harshly? If we read the verse carefully we see what spurred Jacob to condemn their actions: In their rage they killed [...] (Genesis 49:5).

Thus, Jacob is criticizing the fact that they murdered the entire city out of anger. While it is true that Shimon and Levi acted properly in attacking the city of Shechem, their attitude was all wrong. A Jew has to understand that even though sometimes one has to take drastic measures, for example putting someone to death, one still has to feel remorse for his actions. Murder  even justifiable homicide  cannot be enforced through anger.

This is why Jacob was distressed at the prospect of killing Eisav or those in his army. One is never supposed to be comfortable with murder, even if the situation warrants it and there is no other option. This has been the Jewish legacy for thousands of years; to this day the Israeli armys policy is to be hyper-vigilant about protecting Arab civilian lives. They maintain this policy even when it creates an elevated risk to their own soldiers. That is because Jews understand that life  all life  is precious.

Vayishlach, Genesis 32:4 - 36:43

On a trip back to Canaan, Jacob meets his brother Eisav; Jacob wrestles with the angel. Then they arrive in Shechem. Shechem, the son of Chamor the Hivite, (heir to the town of Shechem) rapes Jacobs daughter, Dina. Dinas brothers, Shimon and Levy, massacre the men of Shechem. Rebecca (Rivka) dies; God gives Jacob an additional name, Israel, and reaffirms the blessing to Avraham that the land of Canaan (Israel) will be given to his descendants. Rachel dies after giving birth to Benjamin (Binyomin). Jacobs 12 sons are listed. Isaac dies. Eisavs lineage is recorded as is that of Seir the Horite. Finally, the succession of the Kings of Edom is chronicled.



http://www.aish.com/sh/c/ When peace comes we will perhaps in time be able to forgive the Arabs for killing our sons, but it will be harder for us to forgive them for having forced us to kill their sons.

 Attributed to Golda Meir



Dedicated with Deep Appreciation to



Alvin Adler


Israel exhibits a colonial systematology about nativeness in the treatment of online smartphone pictures of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stated Duke University associate professor of anthropology Rebecca Stein during a Nov. 4 webinar.

This presentation, at George Washington Universitys Institute for Middle East Studies (IMES). of her new book, Screen Shots: State Violence on Camera in Israel and Palestine, exposed her incorrigible anti-Israel bias.

That bias is evident in her Duke classroom, where last spring she announced to her class on social media in the Middle East that she doesnt care what prior knowledge or experience [class members] have on the topic, as the only documents to be discussed were those she introduced.

As IMES associate director Shana Marshall moderated, Stein explained how her book examines the effects of widely disseminated smartphone cameras among clashing Israelis and Palestinians. These proliferating cameras across the political theater of military occupation in the hands of all constituents are all aimed at the scene of state violence. A lot of this book is spent in the offices of BTselem, Israels oldest human rights organization from 2010-2016, she added, a whitewashed description for a militantly anti-Israel organization.

BTselem and Stein, both supporters of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) economic warfare campaign against Israel, are ideological allies. She has previously described the 2000-2005 Second Intifadas bloody terrorism as amounting to mass demonstrations. She has also praised the Israel Studies program at Birzeit University near Ramallah, a historic breeder of anti-Israel violence dubbed Terrorist University by some. In another book presentation, she claimed that Israels occupation has been going on since 1967 and has been expanding and normalizing ever since, even though Israel has withdrawn from significant Palestinian territories like the Gaza Strip.

Such perspective distorts the lens through which Stein sees images from Israeli and Palestinian cameras, which she contrasts morally in the starkest terms. In Israel digital media technologies were being pulled into perpetrator toolboxes, she said. Israeli military and Jewish-Israeli publics use cameras to prop up the military occupation and exonerate perpetrators.

While Stein condemned Israeli soldiers personal snapshots as selfie-militarism, the smartphones of Palestinians and supposed Israeli human rights workers like at BTselem somehow always capture the truth. These cameras are trying to do very different things, she said, working to deliver justice in military courtrooms, to change Israeli and international hearts and minds with regard to the occupation, to gather a body of legal evidence.

Stein and George Washington University associate professor of Media and Public Affairs Imani Cheers both discussed the books section about Hebron in the disputed West Bank territories. The latter reinforced these comments anti-Israel slant by stating that I still have nightmares from my time in Hebron. The conversation focused on Abdel Fattah al-Sharif, a Palestinian who on March 24, 2016, was engaged in an attempted assault on an Israeli soldier in Hebron, Stein noted.

An Israeli soldier, Elor Azaria, killed Sharif as he lay wounded on the ground in what human rights onlookers clearly called an execution based on video evidence, Stein said. Yet Azaria, a decorated soldier, claimed he saw Sharifs arm move toward what he believed was a suicide bomb. These facts explain her otherwise baffling comment that, for the vast majority of the Jewish-Israeli public, this was a celebratory moment, a moment of heroism. Nonetheless, against widespread Israeli protests, the Israeli military held what she dismissed as a performative show trial to convict the bad apple Azaria.

Steins references to the claimed killing of twelve-year-old Muhammad Al-Dura on September 30, 2000, by Israeli soldiers further proved there is always more than meets her eye. Filmed images of Dura and his father sheltering from gunfire at a Gaza Strip intersection became a global cause celebre, but extensive investigation in the following decades has debunked what was a Palestinian staged hoax. The Dura incident is merely one in a long list of Pallywood fabrications, yet she marveled how after this modern blood libel falsehood, accusations against Palestinians have become such a persuasive charge.

Fact-checking Palestinian victimhood narratives by subjecting them to forensic tests is part of an Israeli repudiation script to call Palestinian footage false, Stein claimed. It is simply, she said, an attempt to take colonial argumentation, colonial processes, and update them for the digital age. Within a mainstream Israeli and rightwing, now mainstream, mindset, the Palestinians are unreliable narrators of the violence to which they themselves are subject. They are impossible witnesses, in her terms. All Palestinians lie is the basic Israeli view, she asserted without acknowledging any reasons for skepticism, for this is a very old colonial storyline, not unique to Israel/Palestine; the native cannot be believed.

In BTselems Jerusalem offices, Stein herself saw her fantasies collide with hard facts. BTselem staff often discerned in Palestinian videos an inevitable failure to persuade legal systems or Israeli public of the realities of Israeli occupation or of continued human rights abuses, she said. She also bemoaned the logistical hurdles presented by Israeli courts that have demanded access to original film footage on videotape or memory sticks when adjudicating Palestinian claims  standard court procedures worldwide.

In the Palestinian experience Stein has seen the dream that transparency equals justice, a digital promise, unravel. She has previously critiqued the digital utopianism during the 2010-2011 Arab Spring, which she uncritically described to IMES in her see-no-Islamism worldview as landmark Arab revolts. Thus, she wants to rethink the story of the organically liberatory technology of smartphone cameras and social media, language that reminded why one sympathetic reviewer noted that Screen Shots is replete with academic jargon.

No matter how much technology advances, anti-Israel academic activists like Stein view reality through a distorted lens. Their conclusion of Palestinians resisting Israeli colonial crimes is pre-scripted and not based on any body of evidence. Only objective scholarship seeking truth, not better visuals, can remedy the moral rot of Middle East studies, exemplified by Stein and her ilk.

Andrew E. Harrod, a Campus Watch Fellow, freelance researcher, and writer, is a fellow with the Lawfare Project. Follow him on Twitter at: @AEHarrod

Image: PXFuel, royalty-free photo

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Each one hopes that if he feeds the crocodile enough, the crocodile will eat him last. - Winston Churchill

Not long ago, the adjective bully meant superb or wonderful. Indeed, Teddy Roosevelt coined the phrase bully pulpit to describe the Oval Office, an ideal perch from which to define or support policy. Like so many English words, over time, meaning often migrates to the opposite pole. Today, a bully might be a rhetorical thug, an entrenched demagogue who uses the political pulpit to demean, belittle, or humiliate opponents - or abuse pretty much anyone who departs from the prevailing orthodoxy.

Alas, political issues that require their orthodoxy today by the establishment are as numerous as they are varied: pandemics, Russia, China, Israel, Islam, Donald Trump, race, addiction, immigration, public education, climate, and even gender (nee sex) pronouns/adverbs, just to name a few hot buttons. If you challenge mandates on these issues, you do so at the risk of being canceled online, in the press, in the workplace - or even at the ballot box.

Hecklers with cameras recently pursued a Democrat senator into a restroom because she refused to vote for the latest Christmas tree spending legislation.

Bullying is now a standard tactic in the public square; at the same time, a kind of political Russian roulette. Blowback is a term intelligence operatives use to describe operational folly that produces unintended consequences, sometimes catastrophic failure.

They should know. American intelligence failures litter the historical landscape from Pearl Harbor, to Vietnam, to the Bay of Pigs, to 9/11, and on to the recent fiasco in Afghanistan  just to name a few.

Unaccountable as they are, the intelligence community and the FBI are not above bullying either - or beyond the reach of blowback. Indeed, you could argue that excess and overreach in the Beltway ghetto, a cabal of federal institutions, internet mandarins, and mainstream media produces the kind of voter blowback that produces national sea changes.

Call it the Richmond effect.

Blowback is probative today in more than a few venues. Here are a few:

Donald Trump

Of the many ways to assess the Trump phenomena today, two stand out. He is either self-made or created. The truth is probably some of both. Clearly, long before politics, Donald Trump courted publicity and made hay with it. Early on, Trump learned to exploit his press, often a step ahead of critics.

Now that Trump has been unseated by coup-plotting and COVID, he is still every trolls obsession, a permanent inflection in local and national politics.

Where you stand on Trump matters in November.

Bullying by establishment Democrats, Republicans, and a venal media designed to cancel Trump has only made him bigger, more influential; now both a national whipping boy and a political martyr to his many constituents. Trump is seen as a more candid and courageous alternative to the usual Democrat and Republican establishment dissemblers.

In Virginia recently, you might believe that Trump was running against Terry McAuliffe if you listened to Democrat 2021 campaign rhetoric. Amidst phobic hate, political excess, and feckless Biden policy; Donald Trump is a larger, and savvier, political presence today than he was in 2016. Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and the American left ran against Trump the other day - and Democrats lost the entire top tier of executive government and the legislature in the state of Virginia.

Of all Oval Office veterans, no former president has more political juice today than Trump; thanks, in large measure, to blowback.

Nothing exceeds like excess. Haters are a suicide cult on both sides of the aisle.

COVID-19

Were it not for the weaponization of the Wuflu pandemic and election shenanigans that COVID hysteria enabled, Trump probably would have won in 2020 by a landslide, given his rude pragmatism and policy hutzpah.

Regretfully, the opportunity costs of politicized science and health care are now measured in body bags and headstones. Andrew Cuomo (D), take a bow. Remember when Trump was bullied relentlessly as the grim reaper and Cuomo was held up as the gold standard governor or only adult in the (pandemic) room? Remember when Joe Biden was the second banana who would put an end to Trump and the plague - and immunize the universe?

Biden and the gauche lobby are now the poster children for promises not kept. Andrew Cuomo has been canceled; dumped by woke women in his own party. Biden now has lower approval numbers than Alex Baldwin. Bullying about mask mandates and vaccinations by Democrat governors and the White House has produced a backlash of morbidity statistics. The blowback from shaming, bullying, and mandates has alienated mothers, health care workers, cops, firemen, and even rank-and-file military; just to name a few resisters.

Nanny-state nitwits have prolonged the COVID epidemic with confusion and counterproductive public bullying. Bidens handlers have him on a short leash, however, seldom allowing the president to speak directly on any subject. When Joe does have a go at the teleprompter, he makes Donald Trump look like Demosthenes.

The amalgam of national COVID backlash and local school board bullying of children and parents, alone, puts the 2022 Congress and 2024 White House in play.

All the while, sports fans nationwide chant: Lets go Brandon.

Thats blowback.

National Security

You could argue that American Intelligence agencies, which include the FBI, created todays norms of political bullying. Indeed, since 1947, the CIA and affiliates have pretty much undermined or toppled any Third World government that did not pass some political smell test. That kind of global bullying, alas, is now a feature of domestic American politics, where national security fixtures and apparatchiks alike scheme to undermine any peoples choice, like Trump, that doesnt merit insider approval.

Messrs. James Clapper (DNI), James Comey (FBI), and John Brennan (CIA) take a bow here.

The American deep state, that tenured trough of civil servants and affiliated national security camp followers, is hard-wired to liberal ideology, too, if not de-facto socialism. The federal octopus, and all its tentacles, is now well left of the American center and will probably do anything to preserve that ideological chasm.

Unfortunately, tainted domestic politics and elections are merely down payments on blowback. The real cost of deep state bullying is assessed in foreign policy and national security coin.

Anti-Trump scheming and mendacity since 2016 have so completely absorbed Russophobic haters that the Chinese and Islamic threats have metastasized in a global defense vacuum. Totalitarian opportunists smell blood, weak American sisters in troubled foreign policy waters. Appeasing Beijing, Mecca, and Moscow is now the default setting for European and American elites. The bully boys of Beijing and the hitmen of Islam have run a timid Uncle Sam, (and Europhiles), off the international high ground.

Chinese and Islamic totalitarian imperialism is on the move and winning. U.S. national security mandarins still fake a cold war in Europe, hype vintage Moscow conspiracies, while obsessing about Trump. Withal, the fall of Hong Kong and Kabul are mere harbingers of worse to come from the dragon and the scimitar.

Taiwan and Israel; youre next.

The broken link in the global security chain now sits in the White House torn by mandates, correctness, fake intelligence, and clueless apathy.

In the age of sexual ambiguity, Uncle Sam seems to have exchanged his global cutaway and muscular elan for knickers and a frock. Fair enough, given todays fey American cultural memes. Alas, for the next few years, Joseph Robinette Biden will probably sputter in place blaming Donald Trump - wondering when Brandon gets to Pennsylvania Avenue.

G. Murphy Donovan is a former intelligence officer who writes about the politics of national security.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License

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Although overlooked by Christians and Muslims for 1,300 years, the Prophet Muhammad gave Covenants to Christian communities to respect their religion and protect their churches and communities. But, according to the 2018 concurring opinion of a Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the terms of these covenants apply today and still bind all followers of the Prophet.

In his opinion, Justice Khosa affirmed that two Muslim women who had wrongfully accused a Christian woman of blasphemy had violated a covenant of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) with those professing the Christian faith.

Justice Khosa went on to affirm that the promise made by the Prophet in his covenant with the monks of the Monastery of St Catherine in Sinai

was eternal and universal and was not limited to St. Catherine alone. The rights conferred by the charter are inalienable and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) had declared that Christians, all of them, were his allies and he equated ill treatment of Christians with violating Gods covenant. It is noticeable that the charter imposed no conditions on Christians for enjoying its privileges and it was enough that they were Christians. They were not required to alter their beliefs, they did not have to make any payments and they did not have any obligations. The charter was of rights without any duties and it clearly protected the right to property, freedom of religion, freedom of work, and security of person.

Thus, if Muslims today honor and follow the commitments of the Prophet, Muslim-Christian relations would be most constructively revised and improved. Muslims could no longer marginalize, demean, despise, harm, or kill Christians. Reciprocally, Christians would no longer need to succumb to fear of Muslims following Sharia regulations for their personal conduct.

One of the important covenants given by the Prophet Muhammad was to the Christian community of Najran, a town in southwestern Saudi Arabia near its border with Yemen. The Quran itself provides evidence that Christians from Najran met with the Prophet in Medina.

No original text of the covenants given by the Prophet survives, but numerous recensions are available. My colleagues at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar have found several in Christian monastic archives. I have seen a recension of the Prophets covenant to the Syriac Christians, a copy made by the Ottoman government, having a seal of authenticity, and given officially to a community of such Christians.

Several provisions are common to the covenants:

Christian Monks and pilgrims on their journeys were protected from harm; no bishop was to be removed, or monk driven from a monastery, or hermit from his tower; no church was to be destroyed, nor money from churches taken to build mosques or houses for Muslims. Muslims were to provide assistance for the maintenance of Christian religious buildings and dwellings.

If a Christian woman enters a Muslim household, she is to be received with kindness and will be allowed to pray in her church. The Najran Covenant mandates that whoever forces his wife to act contrary to her religion breaks the alliance of Allah and will enter into open rebellion against the pact of his Messenger and Allah will count him among the imposters.

The Najran Covenant provided that no Christian would be made Muslim because they are covered with wing of mercy. The Covenant with the Monastery of St Catherine also makes reference to the standard of mercy as applying to the treatment of Christians. That Covenant also stipulates that there should be no strife with people of the book unless there is a dispute over what is good, an echo of Quran in Surah 5, verse 28.

Covenants provided that Christians need not serve a Muslim state in war, nor could they be compelled to bear arms. Muslims would protect them during conflicts. The Prophets horsemen, footmen, armies, resources would protect Christians wherever they were. The Najran Covenant also pledges that no Muslim will abandon the Christians, neglect them, or leave them without help and assistance

Covenants provide for punishment of Muslims who violate their terms and stipulate that Muslims must never contravene the Prophets promise of protection until the world ends.

However, to keep the covenant in force, Christians must not help any enemies of Muslims and must pay certain taxes

As the Prophet was illiterate, the covenants were written down by scribes and attested by witnesses, his close companions. Notably, the scribes were his son-in-law Ali, whom Shia Muslims revere, and also Alis intractable rival, Muawiyah, who consolidated the Sunni sect of Islam and founded the Umayyad Dynasty.

Early successors to Muhammad as leader of the Muslim community, or Ummah, also gave their own covenants to Christians which followed both the spirit and the express provisions of those previously given by the Prophet. Muhammads successor Umar made a covenant with the Christians of Jerusalem and so entered the city peacefully as a protector of Christians and their churches. In his covenant, Umar referred to the revered and respected Patriarch Sophronius. The fourth Caliph, Ali, the Prophets son-in-law, also made a covenant with Christians.

Neither the Sunni nor the Shia traditions provided a place in their practice for remembering and honoring the Prophets covenants with Christians. The covenants were acts of statecraft, not religion, so they were not included in the Hadith books of the sayings of the Prophet, collections of instruction and guidance for Muslims on righteous living.

But as documents in the public record, the covenants can be directly accessed and read by everyone, making their terms part of the common heritage of humanity.

Taking a new look at the relationship of the Prophet with Jews living as his neighbors similar to our reappraisal of his Covenants with Christian communities might provide a most needed reframing of current narratives about Muslim - Jewish interactions in the early years of Islam. For example, in his instructions for the governance of the different tribes living under his supervision in the city of Medina the Prophet Muhammad provided for Jews that they would be helped by Muslims and treated with equality and that "no Jew would be wronged for being a Jew".

Today the importance of the covenants to Muslims is that they were genuine acts of their Prophet and contain his authoritative guidance as to how Muslims should give consideration to Christians. They need to be accepted by all Muslims as definitive acts of the Prophet done on behalf of God himself as an agent of that divine intelligence and creative power and so to be followed by Muslims today in spirit and deed.

The Covenant with the Najran Christians recites:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. This document has been provided by Muhammad ibn 'Abd Allah ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib, the Messenger of Allah to all of humanity, who was sent to preach and to warn, who has been entrusted the Trust of Allah among His Creatures so that human beings would have no pretext before Allah, after his messengers and manifestation, before this Powerful and Wise Being.

When Pope Francis visited Najaf in Iraq earlier this year to meet with the Grand Ayatollah Sistani, the Ayatollah proclaimed that You are part of us. We are part of you. This affirmation of inclusion and equity was put on large public billboards widely posted in Najaf. In his concise proclamation, Ayatollah Sistani revived the spirit and the intent of the covenants given to Christians by the Prophet Muhammad.

Graphic credit: Ben Wolf CC BY 3.0 license

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Yes, but This has come to represent the heart of all Muslim apologetics. Whenever an Islamic doctrine or principle is accused of promoting hatred, violence, misogyny, etc., its defenders rush to argue that, Yes, a few Muslims twist this teaching for their ends, but the doctrine is really teaching something else.

For instance, in his defense of the Islamic doctrine of taqiyya, which permits deceptionunder limited or broad circumstances being the point of contentionUsama Hasan offered the following yes, but explanation:

It is true that hardened islamist terrorists, such as the Al-Qaeda & ISIS supporter Usman Khan who murdered two people at Fishmongers Hall [after pretending to have been rehabilitated], do misuse the principle of taqiyyah in order to further their cause. However, the charge that all Muslims are generally religiously obligated to lie, and do so routinely, is both dangerous and untrue.

But how is the infidel to know which Muslim is and isnt misusing the principle of taqiyyah, particularly since not a few Muslims are convinced that Islam allows them to lie and deceiveso long as doing so can be seen as helping further the cause of Islam (based on their prophets own employment of deceit)? In other words, the real problem isnt that hardened Islamist terrorists  misuse this or that Muslim doctrine, but rather that such teachings are fundamentally unethical and, as such, have always, from the very beginnings of Islam, lent themselves to being misused.

The Koran

Consider, for example, this Arabic-language video of a Muslim cleric in Egypt addressing how terrorists misuse Islamic scriptures to justify killing non-Muslims. He was specifically addressing the bombing of Coptic Orthodox churches, which in recent years have left dozens of Christian worshippers dead in Egypt.

During his sermon, Sheikh Samir Hashish said that those Muslims who bomb churches and kill infidels often cite a sahih hadith (a statement attributed to Muhammad and deemed authentic), where the prophet said, A Muslim must not be killed on account of a kafir [a non-Muslim, or infidel]. After saying that the hadith does not justify the outright slaughter of non-Muslims, Hashish elaborated:

The hadith itself is of course authentic However, the hadith does not mean that whoever, without cause, kills any of the People of the Book [Christians and Jews] has done rightly. Not at allthe hadith did not say this; it did not say those who do this are right. The hadith simply excludes the death penalty from among the possible punishments. In other words, the Muslim who kills a non-Muslim without causeis he wrong or not? Hes wrong. Is he to be penalized or not? He is to be penalizedbut without the death penalty. Let him be judged any which way, but do not kill him. Why? Because of what the hadith says. The prophet said, a Muslim must not be killed on account of a kafir [infidel]. Why? Because their blood is not equal. The blood of the Muslim is superior. Call it racism or whatever you want, but of course the blood of the Muslim is superior. This is not open to debate. [Translation my own.]

Note how that, while the sheikh claims that radicals are twisting the hadith to say something it is notthat any Muslim who kills an infidel is exempt from any punishmentwhat the hadith is really sayingthat the life of a Muslim is more precious than the life of a non-Muslimis little better and possibly worse.

Or consider how yet another learned Muslim scholar sought to put a gloss on the enslavement and rape of non-Muslim women. While discussing Koran 4:3, which refers to infidel prisoners of war as possessions, Suad Saleh, a female professor of Islamic doctrine at Al Azhar university in Egypt, correctly explained that female prisoners of wars are those whom you own. In order to humiliate them, they become the property of the army commander, or of a Muslim, and he can have sex with them just like he has sex with his wives.

But then the Al Azhar professor proceeded to speak as if the real problem is not Islams institutionalization of sex slavery but rather how some Muslims misuse it to the detriment of Islams image. She said:

Some [Muslim] opportunists and extremists, who only harm Islam, say: I will bring a woman from East Asia, [as a sex slave] under the status of right hand possessions. And with the consent of my wife, I will allocate this woman a room in the house, and will have sex with her as a slave girl. This is nonsense. This is not prescribed by Islam at all. Islam says that a woman is either a wife or a slave girl. Legitimately-owned slaves come from among prisoners of war.

What Egypts Professor Saleh, Sheikh Hashih, and many other scholars apparently fail to understand is that inherently unjust lawsones that permit the sexual enslavement of women simply because they are non-Muslims, or that operate on the assumption that the value of human lives is based on their Muslim or non-Muslim statuswill always be abused.

For instance, Koran 2:256 says there is no coercion in Islam. Yet, because other Koran verses call on Muslims to hate and war on Christians and Jews (60:4, 3:28 , 9:29), it is only natural that, past and present, forced conversions have been common. After all, pressuring hell-bound, socially-disenfranchised infidels to embrace Islam can be rationalized as an altruistic act. Moreover, it helps empower Islam, which is always a good thing. As one human rights report explained while discussing the rampant sexual abuse and forced conversion of Christian girls in Pakistan:

The dark side of the forced conversion to Islam is not restricted only to the religious Muslim groups but also involves the criminal elements who are engaged in rape and abduction and then justify their heinous crimes by forcing the victims to convert to Islam. The Muslim fundamentalists are happy to offer these criminals shelter and use the excuse that they are providing a great service to their sacred cause of increasing the population of Muslims (emphasis added).

Similarly, Koran 9:29 says that war on People of the Book can only end when the latter agree to pay tribute (jizya) to their Muslim overlords. And pay they did, for well over a millennium, until the practice was formally abolished thanks to European pressure during the colonial era. Apologists say that Koran 9:29 means that Christians and Jews must pay jizya to representatives of the Islamic state, not just any Muslim. Today, however, criminals from Muslim backgrounds who are acquainted with the basics of 9:29that infidels are to be warred on until they pay upsee Christian and other minorities in their midst as piggy banks: they are free game for robbing, plundering, and kidnapping for ransomsometimes even being killed after ransom is paidas Egypts Coptic Christians can attest.

As one Muslim cleric and welfare recipient in the UK who referred to British taxpayers as slaves once explained:

We take the jizya, which is our haq [Arabic for due or right], anyway. The normal situation by the way is to take money from the kafir [infidel], isnt it? So this is the normal situation. They give us the moneyyou work, give us the money, Allahu Akbar. We take the money.

In short, the problem is less that some Muslims misuse the doctrine of taqiyyabur rather that a doctrine that sacralizes lies and deception exists in the first place; the problem is less that some Muslims mistakenly believe that they deserve no punishment whenever they kill inferior infidelsbut rather that Islamic scriptures teach that Muslim blood is superior to non-Muslim blood in the first place; the problem is less that some Muslims are not strictly following Islams rules concerning the sexual enslavement of infidel womenbut rather that the Koran allows non-Muslim women to be enslaved in the first place; the problem is less that some Muslims are ignoring the Korans mandate that there be no compulsion in religionbut rather that it calls for enmity and war on non-Muslims in the first place; the problem is less that some Muslims are not strictly following Islams rules concerning who has the right to collect jizya from infidelsbut rather that it allows the fiscal extortion of non-Muslims in the first place.

It is no solace to learn that Islamic scriptures are being misinterpreted to promote this injustice, when their true interpretation actually permits that injustice.

Photo credit: Max Pixel public domain

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.

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Grant Woods was a moderate Republican who served as Arizonas Attorney General in the 1990s, as well as serving as John McCains chief of staff when McCain was a senator. (I put Republican in quotation marks because he endorsed both Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden for president.) Woods passed away unexpectedly on October 23 from a massive heart attack. His funeral was held on Friday and Arizonas Sen. Kyrsten Sinema was one of the attendees. Whats newsworthy is that an Arizona journalist reported that someone called Sinemas attendance risky. That speaks volumes about todays Democrats.

Mary Jo Pitzl is a reporter for the Arizona Republic and she was assigned to report on Woodss funeral. In her article, she mentions only that Senators Sinema and Mark Kelly, who are both Democrats, attended the funeral. However, in a companion tweet, Pitzl remarked upon something an observer said about Sinemas attendance: one observer noted its pretty risk to drop into a crowd of Democrats at a time like this.

.@SenatorSinema was at Grant Woods' memorial service; one observer noted it's pretty risky to drop into a crowd of Democrats at a time like this.  Mary Jo Pitzl (@maryjpitzl) November 12, 2021

There is no way to spin that into saying anything good about Democrats.

Sinema, along with Joe Manchin, has been balking at destroying the U.S. economy and putting the government into hyperdrive via Bidens bloated Build Back Better plan. (Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R.-Fla. Spoke on Fox News Live about the risks to the American economy from the plan.) Because Sinema, who represents a kind of purplish state, has refused to get on board with the madness, which includes amnesty for illegal aliens, activists have taken to following her around. Theyve hunted her down in bathrooms, crowded her at airports and on airplanes, and ruined a young womans wedding at which Sinema was officiating.

Image: Grant Woodss funeral (edited in befunky). YouTube screen grab.

Its possible that the person making that observation about it being risky for Sinema to attend a funeral might have been worried that activists would interrupt the funeral, just as they destroyed that young womans wedding. That means that the Democrat protesters are no better than the vile parishioners of Westboro Baptist Church who, to make known their disdain for the lefts LGBTQ agenda, protested loudly at the funerals of soldiers killed in the wars of the past two decades.

Alternatively, the person observing that Sinemas presence was risky might have thought that the official attendees at Woodss funeral had so little self-control that they would use the occasion of the funeral to attack Sinemas political position. And lest you think that observation was a ridiculous exaggeration, youve forgotten Paul Wellstones infamous funeral.

When Wellstone died in a plane crash in 2002, Democrats from across America converged on his funeral. They then ignored the solemnity of the occasion and, for the benefit of the camera, engaged in a full-throated, anti-Republican rally. Voters were unimpressed. Many speculated that this intemperate display at a time and place that called for respectful conduct may have been why there was a red wave in an off-year election. John McCains funeral also became an occasion for anti-Trump conduct.

Either way you look at it, the Tweets message is that Democrats have no boundaries and no decency. Truly, for them, the personal is political and the political is personal. Every occasion, no matter how far it should be removed from politicking, becomes an opportunity to make a statement about their political demands and their hatred for anyone who crosses them.

As it happened, the Woods funeral went off without incident, with Woods remembered fondly and with respect by those who attended. As for Sinema herself, in response to the tweet observing that her mere presence was a problem, she tweeted simply and with class that Its never risky to say goodbye to a friend.

Its never risky to say goodbye to a friend. https://t.co/ki5dEQvboM  Kyrsten Sinema (@kyrstensinema) November 12, 2021

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As if the thuggery of the Loudoun County school board against a parent who was trying to get a response to his daughter's rape were not enough, now we have an even viler case rolling out from Scottsdale, Arizona.

Get a load:

More than 600 parents in Scottsdale, Arizona, are demanding the resignation of the school board president after a shocking revelation. The president, or possibly his father, appears to have kept a dossier on 47 parents who dared to speak out against his policies at school board meetings  a dossier complete with Social Security numbers, background checks, a divorce paper, mortgage documents, trade certifications, and screenshots of Facebook posts.

The exposure of it got out in this way:

The Scottsdale Independent first reported on the "Greenburg Files," an extensive opposition-research-style dossier of parents who spoke up at school board meetings on issues ranging from COVID-19 restrictions to critical race theory. Greenburg reportedly revealed the digital dossier  stored on Google Drive  in August, when he sent a screenshot of an image from the drive to resident Kim Stafford in an email. The Google Drive shows four people tied to the account: Mark Greenburg, the president's father, is the owner of the drive; Jann-Michael Greenburg; a person with the email address belonging to SUSD governing board member Zachary Lindsay; and a Scottsdale woman who has yet to be identified.

It contained this:

The dossier includes 18 folders marked CAN-Network, a reference to the Community Advocacy Network, a group of parents that formed last year advocating for in-person learning and against mask mandates. It refers to parents as "wackos."

The account has since been made 'private' after The Independent began asking inconvenient questions, and Greenburg has since denied any knowledge of it. It's an amazing array of spying on dissident parents, apparently done by a licensed private investigator, and if it's not illegal it should be. It would be interesting to know who paid this private investigator, what kitty the funds came from, what the disciplinary record this private investigator has, and how much the bill came to --- private investigators in Scottsdale run anywhere from $65 an hour to $500 an hour. Somebody paid one of these guys and how it was done is important.

What's really important is that this is outrageous in itself. Is this America or is this a socialist hellhole regime, where spying on parents is a normal activity? How this can be legal merits legislative if not law enforcement scrutiny. And obviously, those who have been illegally subject to this spying, or illegal searches and seizures, a violation of a Constitutional right, should be given redress. More to the point, perpetrators who are clearly at war with their constituents are overdue for punishment.

The mainstream press may try to dismiss this as an anomaly but actually, it's part of a pattern. Leftists in recent years, backed by teachers' unions, have taken over school boards throughout the country and voters have not been paying much attention. Now they are paying attention and ugly things are rolling out of the woodwork, such as this incident.

But we have seen vile activity against parents and students across the board. It's not just Loudoun or Scottsdale. Remember these charmers from the Oakley Union Elementary School District in northern California? All sorts of random contempt for parents and students is rolling out.

It culminates well beyond the local level to the Biden administration itself, which permits teachers' unions to call the shots in myriad areas where it should have zero influence, such as at the Centers for Disease Control. The Biden Justice department has attempted to brand parents who question school board decisions "domestic terrorists." The lunacy has yet to be dropped from the Biden agenda, despite the damage it has done to Democrats, likely contributing to their loss of blue Virginia just weeks ago. Someone really really wants that agenda to stay on the docket to intimidate uppity parents.

Meanwhile, the spying, thugging, and insults just keep rolling out from these leftist school boards controlled by teachers' unions.

Obviously, change is overdue and parents are mobilizing. In Scottsdale, that can't come soon enough. No one should end up in some slimebucket's Google Drive dossier with the contents of some P.I.'s investigation and pictures of their kids paid for with their own tax dollars as a result of questioning a crummy, incompetent local school board. Somebody needs to go to jail for this.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License

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Two stories came to my attention in the past few days and theyre so closely related they deserve a single post. The first is that Yale has far more administrators than faculty members. The second is that someone finally looked at how minorities fared in schools that bought into the whole diversity, equity, and inclusion shtick and the news isnt good.

I read several years ago that, at the average American university, the ratio of faculty members to students is much the same as it was when I attended college forty-odd years ago. What had increased dramatically was the administrative staff. The theory was that it was this increase, along with free money from the government in the form of almost unlimited students loans, that had seen college costs increase so much. When I attended UC Berkeley, I could work 20 hours a week (and summers, of course), and pay most of my tuition. Now, thats impossible.

However, that story (which I cannot find), is already passe. The news out of Yale bespeaks an administration so bloated that its surprising the campus doesnt topple over (as Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., once thought Guam would do from over-population). Apparently, Yale now has more administrators than it has students:

The number of administrators at Yale University has increased drastically faster than its undergraduate population, with the Ivy nearing an abysmal ratio of 1:1 before the pandemic due to its more than 5,000 administrators and managers and fewer than 6,000 undergraduates, according to financial reports from the 2002-2003 and 2020-2021 school years. Now the numbers are even worse, with more than one administrator per undergraduate student. As evidenced by the financial report from 2002-2003, Yale employed 3,500 administrators and managers while there were 5,307 undergraduate students enrolled at the university. Less than two decades later in 2019, before the pandemic affected enrollment, Yale employed more than 1,500 additional administrators while the undergraduate population had only risen by 600 students. Now undergraduate enrollment has dipped to 4,703, with more than 5,000 managerial and professional staff.

And you just know, at a visceral level, that a large part of that administrative growth is related to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) movement. I was unsuccessful in finding an article about this growth (admittedly, I didnt invest too much time in the search) but I did discover that, if you type Diversity Equity Inclusion College in your search engine, youll discover that every college, large and small, well-known or unknown, in every corner of America, now has a DEI department.

Image: Office doors by Domingo Alvarez E; Chair from FreeIconsPng (edited in befunky). Unsplash license.

Also, as weve seen for the last year and more, DEI, which is a variation of Critical Race Theory, has been incorporated into most primary and secondary schools across America. The assumption on the left is that the whole DEI and CRT shtick will improve academics for minorities because it will validate them while invalidating the awful Whites and Asians who are stealing all the good grades with their racist habits of ambition, punctuality, reliability, hard work, etc. (And no, thats not a joke. Its a publication from the Smithsonians National Museum of African American History & Culture.)

However, an article at Power Line Blog made me aware that, when the Heritage Foundation finally did an empirical study to see what happened to minority students in K-12 schools with a Chief Diversity Officer, the outcomes were bad...for minorities. According to Jay Greene and James Paul:

The analyses presented here suggest that the existence of CDOs in school districts may actually exacerbate achievement gaps. In other words, CDOs may be implementing counterproductive educational interventions. A simple comparison of achievement gaps in districts with and without CDOs shows that gaps are larger in districts that employ CDOs. In districts without a CDO, the average black student is 1.9 grade levels behind the average white student on standardized test results. In districts with CDOs, the achievement gap is half a grade level larger, with the average black student being 2.4 grade levels behind the average white student.

Moreover, further analysis revealed that this wasnt simply a case of CDOs being put into poorly performing districts. No matter the district, CDOs are bad news for students.

Incidentally, regarding those allegedly White and Asian virtues, I highly recommend Thomas Sowells Black Rednecks & White Liberals. In it, he makes the case that the irresponsible culture that characterizes so many inner-city Blacks is not authentically Black culture. Instead, it is the authentically Scots-Irish culture that gave parts of the South a bad name from Americas first colonists up until after WWII, when Southerners, embarrassed by the Civil Rights movement, deliberately abandoned it and began to economically thrive.

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On Friday, the attorney for Kelly Meggs, one of the prisoners being held without bail for events on January 6, filed a notice informing the United States District Court for the District of Columbia of a report that guards had negligently or intentionally disbursed a toxic substance in such a way that prisoners were inundated with it, resulting in several being evacuated on stretchers. Meggss lawyer also mentioned the dire conditions in the jail and requested, that the court release on bail those arrested in connection with events on January 6.

Here, in its entirety, is what Meggs told his family about the gas incident in the jail, all because one of the detainees didnt want to wear a mask (which theyre forced to wear 24/7, even when in solitary):

When a January 6 detainee in the CTF / D.C. jail refused to wear a mask, the guards responded with some kind of mace or pepper spray. This created a disturbance and the wing was locked down at 10 AM. They sprayed mace or some type of gas at an inmate and kept missing so it went into an intake that fed into other cells and the lady with the key left because she didn't like the gas, so the inmates in the cells who were being fed the gas from that intake were locked in for like 15 minutes while it was going into their rooms and they couldn't see/breathe. Had to take some guys out in stretchers to the med bays That is. it seems to have been the ventilation system acting on its own that created most of the problems, although one wonders if the initial action was the correct action. There may have been much more of a confrontation and disturbance, but counsel has no confirmation of that. Other reports are that three detainees were taken out on stretchers, although it is not clear if this was merely preventative. It is not clear if this led to more than one detainee being in a conflict with guards. Kelly Meggs was not in one of the cells that the gas was being cycled into by the ventilation system.

The attorney, clearly, is trying not to exacerbate things even more when it comes to the guards treatment of prisoners, but weve heard about whats being done to them. This is un-American in the extreme: Its cruel and unusual punishment and the denial of the right to a speedy trial, not to mention overcharging political prisoners.

Image: Contemporaneous painting showing Richard II meeting with Wat Tyler (and Tyler is about to be killed by Londons Mayor). Public domain.

And while Im discussing January 6, Id like to point out something that I wish Id thought of in January. Let me take you back in time, back to 1381. That was the year of the Peasants Revolt, when a group of peasants, led by Wat Tyler, headed from Canterbury to London to demand economic and social reforms. The trigger was a newly imposed poll tax that was imposed equally on each citizen, from the peasants to the lords. It was obviously a much greater burden on the former than the latter.

By the time the peasants reached London, they were violent, opening prisons, robbing homes, destroying records, and killing anyone they thought was associated with the now-hated government. On June 15, 1381, at great risk to himself, King Richard II, aged 14, went to meet with the rebels. It was a fraught meeting that ended with Tylers death, so Im not recommending it as a model of political negotiation. I just want to note Richards courage.

There are other examples of leaders facing down overwrought crowds. Four-hundred-and-two years later, in 1783, as the American Revolution was winding to an end, the officers in the Continental Army hadnt been paid for months, so they started to plot a coup. Washington learned of the planned meeting and allowed it to take place. He then showed up to read a letter from Congress begging the officers to be patient.

Washington looked at the letter, squinted, and then put his glasses on, something the shocked men had never seen him do. Then, Washington spoke the words that reduced many of them to tears: Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for, I have grown not only gray, but almost blind in the service of my country. That was the end of the coup.

When the American people entered Congress, not a single politician had the courage to go out and face them. Every politician ran away and hid. Even now, Marjorie Taylor Greene is the only politician with the courage to force her way into the prison to speak with the captives. What a pathetic bunch of poltroons we have placed in a government that was created by great men and once was home to them too.

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The Russia hoax, as President Trump correctly called it, is turning out to be a legal problem for some and a credibility collapse for journalism.

It was check kiting, as any old banker can tell you:

The scheme usually involves several checking accounts at several different banks. In effect, a bank deposits accessible money into an account while waiting for cash to be processed from an account at another bank when in actuality the other account holds no money. An example of check kiting would be as follows: on Monday, a prospective check kiter deposits a $500 check from account A into account B and then shortly thereafter deposits a $500 check from account B into account A. On Tuesday, another round of deposits is made as well as some partial withdrawals. On Wednesday, one bank collects its monies from account A, while another collects its monies from account B. But there is no actual money in either account; instead, there is just a series of transfers of alleged funds back and forth between the two accounts.

Yes, that's right: A Clinton partisan deposits the false narrative with a reporter invested in Trump Derangement Syndrome  say, Maggie Haberman of The New York Times. Maggie writes a story, based on sources close to the information, and the next reporter  say, Don Lemon  even more fanatically obsessed with Trump, does a segment that gets retweeted all over social media. And so it goes until Mr. Durham returns the check, and everybody is looking for Maggie to get his money.

Andrew Sullivan nailed Maggie and her fellow "check kiters" this week:

We found out this week, for example, that a key figure in the emergence of the Steele Dossier, Igor Danchenko, has been indicted for lying to the FBI. He is also charged with asking a Clinton crony, Charles Dolan Jr: "Any thought, rumor, allegation. I am working on a related project against Trump." The evidence from another key source for the dossier, Sergei Millian  touted across all media, including the Washington Post  has also been exposed as potentially fake. What has the Post done? As their own indispensable Erik Wemple notes, instead of a clear retraction, the Post has just added editors' notes to previous stories, removed sections and a video, and altered headlines retroactively. This is a bizarre way of correcting the record: "No such case comes immediately or specifically to mind, at least no historical case that stirred lasting controversy," said W. Joseph Campbell, a professor and journalism historian at American University. This doesn't mean that Trump wasn't eager for Russian help. But Trump was right, in the end, about the dodgy dossier; he was right about the duped FBI's original overreach; and the mass media  Rachel Maddow chief among them  were wrong. And yet the dossier dominated the headlines for three years, and the "corrections" have a fraction of the audience of the errors. Maddow gets promoted. And the man who first published it, Ben Smith, was made the media columnist for the NYT. Think of the other narratives the MSM pushed in recent years that have collapsed.

Yes, we could do a post of each of the narratives. In the real world, the victims of check kiting end up in the courts, trying to get their money. In the media world, they click the channel off or cancel their subscriptions. Can anyone read a story based on sources close to the information and take it seriously anymore? I don't. I take those stories as seriously as I do those polls based on "adults."

Let's hope Mr. Durham understands how important his task is. He owes the country an explanation for how something like this could happen. Don't expect the media to apologize or the Pulitzer Committee to recall its hardware. Nevertheless, the public has caught on, as trust in the media confirms.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).

Image: Adam Jones via Flickr (cropped).

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Updated: A third California school district has voted to resist the children's vaccine mandate

Two school districts in a mountainous rural county of California are leading the way in resisting a medical experiment on its children. Calaveras County is rebelling against the State of Californias plan to force children 5  11 years old to receive the experimental Covid pseudo-vaccines to protect against a virus which is of essentially no risk to otherwise healthy kids. The county is neither heavily populated (estimated 45,000 souls) nor wealthy and lies at high altitude in the gold country of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and foothills. It is so rural that there is only one incorporated town, Angels Camp, in the entire county.

Calaveras County

Credit: Dave Benbennick pubic domain

Yet Calaveras County seems to be the leader in resisting a nonsensical, unscientific mandate to conduct a mass experiment on children. The Calaveras Enterprise reports:

At a Calaveras Unified School District (CUSD) board meeting Tuesday night, the board voted 5-0 against upholding the state-issued COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students and staff. The five board members voted on an action put forth by board member Bryan Porath to not enforce, support, or comply with the mandate, which requires all students and school staff to be vaccinated by July of next year, following FDA approval of the vaccine for the childs specific age group. CUSD is Calaveras County's largest school district and includes Calaveras High School, five elementary schools and one middle school. This decision follows after the Mark Twain Union Elementary School District became the first in the county to vote against enforcing the mandate last week. Some school districts throughout the state have similarly expressed concerns or pledged not to uphold the mandate, including districts in Apple Valley and Happy Valley, with one school board member in Temecula Valley resigning to avoid getting vaccinated, though it is undetermined whether the state rules apply to school board members. (snip) While the CUSD boards decision was unanimous regarding the mandate for children to be vaccinated, discussions over whether the same rules should apply to teachers and school staff presented differing opinions.

Health Impact News reports:

The school board had previously announced their rejection of the mandate and their intention to hold a vote on the issue in a letter to families and staff on November 4, as they announced there may be consequences from the State of California for defying the vaccine mandate. The board is aware of the potential impacts on the district in terms of possible liability exposure, funding loss, other formal actions that can be taken against the district in responseand they understand the Superintendents recommendation for mandate compliance based upon these potential consequencesbut they feel strong in their individual positions on this topic, as expressed on October 19th and as will be discussed on November 9th, when their vote will determine the position and direction of the district on this matter. The school boards action also defied the Superintendents recommendation, who apparently stands to potentially lose financially. Perhaps his job is on the line? Prior to voting, Superintendent Mark Campbell advised the board that based on liability and the risks associated with going against the state-issued mandateincluding fall back from unions and OSHA, state and local public health orders, and potentially losing Covid-related fundinghe would recommend that the district remain in compliance with the states rules. Campbell advised that the district stand(s) to lose students and staff on either end. One commenter from the audience told the board: I am so proud of you guys. I am so proud to be in Calaveras County, and I am so proud that we are united. Im so proud. I know It takes a lot of courage to take a stand like this. Im so proud of each one of you, and Im so proud of all of us.  Were gonna have your back. Applause and a shout of we got your back echoed the sentiment throughout the room.

Mark Twain set his short story, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, there commemorating the rough and tumble gold rush days there. I wonder what he would think of the locals refusal to jump to the command of Gavin Newsom?

CORRECTION: The update below confused Clovis and Calaveras. In fact, parents in Clovis are still working hard to fight back against the vaccine mandate. For those who are interested, information about board meetings is available here.

Update: Vias Leslie Eastman of Legal Insurrection:

Clovis Unified School Districts Board of Trustees recently voted to refuse to implement Gov. Gavin Newsoms pending COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

In a 5-0 vote, the CUSD Board of Trustees decided to not support, enforce or comply with the mandate. The decision came during a Tuesday meeting and applies to both students and staff. According to CUSD, they will discuss and possibly make a decision on mask mandates and testing protocols at a later meeting on Nov. 23. In a Nov. 4 letter, the district said it was aware of the possible repercussions, including loss of funding and other formal actions.

Clovis could not contrast more with Calaveras -- except in the matter of courage and desire to protect its children. It is in the flat Central Valley, and is a fast-growing semi-suburban community north of Fresno, with a population of about 120,000 people.

Hat tip: Meich Wan

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
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The Foreign Secretary has urged Russias President Vladimir Putin to intervene in the shameful manufactured migrant crisis unfolding at the border between Belarus and Poland.

Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, Liz Truss says Russia has a clear responsibility to end the escalating migrant stand-off, adding the UK will not look away.

A large number of migrants are in a makeshift camp on the Belarusian side of the border, with Polish authorities reporting daily new attempts by the migrants to breach the divide.

The Belarusian defence ministry has accused Poland of an unprecedented military build-up on the border, saying migration control did not warrant the concentration of 15,000 troops backed by tanks, air defence assets and other weapons.

The European Union has accused Belarus authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko, of encouraging illegal border crossings as a hybrid attack to retaliate against the blocs sanctions on his government for its crackdown on domestic protests after his disputed 2020 re-election.

Belarus denies the allegations but says it will no longer stop refugees and migrants from trying to enter the EU.

Ms Truss has called on the Kremlin to intervene in the crisis, writing: Russia has a clear responsibility here. It must press the Belarusian authorities to end the crisis and enter into dialogue.

Russia and Belarus have a union agreement envisaging close political and military ties.

Ms Truss added the stand-off marks the latest step by the Lukashenko regime to undermine regional security.

He is using desperate migrants as pawns in his bid to create instability and cling on to power, regardless of the human cost, she wrote.

The United Kingdom will not look away. We will stand with our allies in the region, who are on the frontier of freedom.

Her comments come after a small team of British armed forces personnel was deployed to Poland amid growing tension at the border.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on Thursday a small team was deployed to the area to provide engineering support.
The Glasgow Pact secured at the Cop26 talks has received a mixed reaction from the UNs climate change chief and activists.

The summit was billed as the last best chance to keep the goal of limiting temperature rises to 1.5C within reach  and avoid the worst impacts of climate extremes.

Patricia Espinosa, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, said that target was definitely alive after the conference.

UN climate change chief Patricia Espinosa (right) at Cop26 in Glasgow (Alastair Grant/PA)

She told the BBCs Andrew Marr Show: We are very far from that goal but we did manage to get together this big package of different decisions that will allow us and gives us very, very specific direction on what we need to work on in order to get there.

She said the difference between 1.5C and 2.4C of warming, which the Climate Action Tracker forecasts the current pledges would result in, is the survival of millions and millions of people and species.

The Glasgow Pact must be the start for more ambition and climate action, according to Ms Espinosa.

Work continues after banging the gavel at #COP26 . The much needed #GlasgowClimatePact has to be the start for more ambition and more #ClimateAction by all. Thank you to all that made it happen!!! pic.twitter.com/RYJd98eaOJ  Patricia Espinosa C. (@PEspinosaC) November 14, 2021

She welcomed the historic  if watered down  move against coal in the new Glasgow Pact, calling it a very difficult issue.

She said: I would like to underline that the huge step forward in our negotiations was the fact that for the first time in this context we mentioned coal and fossil fuels.

Before, it had not been possible, of course, because we have to be very conscious that there are millions and millions of people that depend on fossil fuel industries, and in terms of coal there are many people, especially venerable and poor people, that also depend on that as a source of energy.

So, on the one hand, we have clarity that this is a very big source of emissions and we need to get rid of that.

On the other hand, we need to also balance out the social consequences for so many people around the world, especially in the poor countries.

Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai says the Cop26 summit has failed to live up to climate activists expectations (Joe Giddens/PA Archive)

Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai said the Cop26 summit had not lived up to climate activists expectations.

She told the Andrew Marr Show: It was my expectation that the leaders would do something but unfortunately they have not met the expectations of me and other climate activists.

I think leaders must prioritise people and the planet over profits in this moment.

The Pakistani activist participated in Cop26 virtually and pushed for climate education for children and girls.

We know that climate change is not an issue in isolation, its connected to gender equality and girls education as well, she said.
(Reuters) -Hackers compromised a Federal Bureau of Investigation email system on Saturday and sent tens of thousands of messages warning of a possible cyberattack, according to the agency and security specialists.

Fake emails appeared to come from a legitimate FBI email address ending in @ic.fbi.gov, the FBI said in a statement.

Although the hardware impacted by the incident "was taken offline quickly upon discovery of the issue," the FBI said, "This is an ongoing situation."

The hackers sent tens of thousands of emails warning of a possible cyberattack, threat-tracking organization Spamhaus Project said on its Twitter account.

A copy of an email posted by Spamhaus on Twitter showed a subject line of "Urgent: Threat actor in systems" and appeared to end with a sign-off from the Department of Homeland Security.

The FBI is part of the Department of Justice.

Bloomberg News reported the incident on Saturday.

Both the FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are aware of the incident, the FBI statement said.

(Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington and Aakriti Bhalla in Bengaluru; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
With a number of cargo containers bottlenecked at California's ports, another problem has ensnared the companies trying to ship goods, and the customers and shops waiting for those supplies.

Theft.

The worsening supply chain troubles are making stolen shipments an increasingly common problem that's affecting shoppers, already facing long delays and soaring prices. Cargo that finally makes its way out of backlogged ports on the West Coast is being aggressively targeted by criminals eyeing containers filled with electronics amid the chip shortage.

Meanwhile, on the East Coast, refrigerated trucks used to transport food have been a favorite target of thieves, according to reports.

The old saying is freight at rest is freight as risk, said Keith Lewis, Vice President of CargoNet, a Verisk business, which tracks thefts along the supply chain for companies, told Yahoo Finance Live on Friday.

With the log jam at the port[s] and getting the containers out of there, getting them to stack yards, carrier yards, etc. the freight is sitting, Lewis added.

Thieves made off with greater than $5 million value of products as a result of so-called supply-chain theft in California in the third quarter of 2021, according to CargoNets data.

Like the ports in Long Beach and Los Angeles, the Port of Savannah has grappled with a sustained rise in import volume in recent months.

One of the biggest issues is the lack of space to process containers, as clogged container yards prevent ships from unloading efficiently, leaving thieves the opportunity to do damage in those areas.

"There's container yards down there that bring in refrigerated containers from South America and those are being targeted," Lewis added.

'Optimal domain awareness'

Container ships wait off the coast of the congested ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, in Long Beach, California, U.S., September 29, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Blake

California topped the list of states most targeted by thieves, CargoNet data showed  followed by Texas and Florida. As much as $45 million in cargo thefts have been reported from January to September. In 2020, cargo thefts reached $68 million and in 2019 they hit $49 million, according to the analysis, with the pace of theft is expected to continue through 2022.

"We see this as going to continue for awhile," said Lewis. "Electronics, gaming, those types of things, peripheral devices for computers are going to be the trend for the future."

Recently, NBC 4 News Los Angeles reported that there are thousands of boxes strewn along the railroad tracks. They appeared to have fallen, or been thrown from cargo containers hauled by Union Pacific trains, according to the report.

Union Pacific (UNP) transports goods from the Los Angeles County Ports, where the massive backlog of cargo continues. "We are aware of the problem, and we are working with local law enforcement in Los Angeles to address the issue and stop the thefts," A spokesperson from the train operator told Yahoo Finance in an email.

For months, the Port of Long Beach has been ground zero for backlogged shipments unable to reach their final destination. "Electronic surveillance is carried out on land, on the water and below the water with a variety of cameras, radar, sonar and various threat assessment technologies," a port spokesperson told Yahoo Finance in a statement.

"In addition, the Port is continually upgrading and adapting its approach to security to ensure optimal domain awareness," the spokesperson added.

Although most of the nations major ports have seen their container volumes skyrocket during the past year, the most damage from thieves isn't actually ports or rail yards, CargoNet's Lewis explained.

"We're seeing is an uptick in pilferage is people stealing something just off the back of the truck, or somewhere in the middle of the truck," said Lewis.

Yet it's a challenge to track theft because shippers simply don't know where thieves could strike, especially when freight is sitting around idle.

"It's much more difficult to predict exactly what load they may target, which loads they're going to hit, what area they're going to work in that day or that weekend," Scott Cornell, a crime and theft specialist at insurance giant Travelers (TRV), told Yahoo Finance on Friday.

And the rising levels of theft for fleets and businesses mean that ultimately, it's consumers that will feel the impact this holiday season. Already, widespread shortages and rising prices are making the Thanksgiving to Christmas rush harder than usual.

"Anytime that you have a theft or you take away some of the inventory that's going to be out there, you're going to have a shortage on different items," Cornell said.

"There's going to be less to choose from. Fewer things on the shelves or fewer choices to make when you go out to shop this year," he added.

Dani Romero is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter: @daniromerotv

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Additional troops have been rushed to the area as the location is an extremely remote village around 50 km from the district headquarters

In this photo is seen Colonel Viplav Tripathi and his wife. Colonel Tripathi, the Commanding Officer of Khuga Battalion of Assam Rifles, his wife and son, were killed in an ambush by militants at Sehkan village in Manipur's Churachandpur district, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. (PTI)

Guwahati: In one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in recent time, the rebels of Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) on Saturday killed an Indian Army colonel, his wife, six-year-old son and four soldiers in Churachandpur district of Manipur.

The heavily armed rebels ambushed the convoy near Sehken village when the Commanding Officer of 46 Assam Rifles, Colonel Viplav Tripathy, was returning from a visit to a forward camp near the Myanmar border. The commanding officer was on his way back after supervising a civic action programme in the Churachandpur district.

Security forces said that suspected rebels of PLA -- a Manipur-based terrorist group -- opened indiscriminate fire on the Assam Rifle convoy killing the commanding officer, his wife, their son, three quick reaction team soldiers and a driver on the spot.

Security sources said that additional troops have been rushed to the area as the location is an extremely remote village around 50 km from the district headquarters.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh condemned the attack and offered his condolences. "The cowardly attack on an Assam Rifles convoy in Churachandpur, Manipur, is extremely painful and condemnable. The nation has lost five brave soldiers including CO 46 AR and two family members. My condolences to the bereaved families. The perpetrators will be brought to justice soon, Mr Singh said in a social media post.

Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh said that a counter-operation has been launched to track down the terrorists. Strongly condemn the cowardly attack on a convoy of 46 AR which has reportedly killed few personnel including the CO and his family at Churachandpur today. The state forces and paramilitary are already on their job to track down the militants. The perpetrators will be brought to justice, he tweeted.

Manipur is home to several armed groups fighting for either greater autonomy or secession. For decades the Army has been deployed to dominate the area having its borders with Myanmar.

In 2015, 20 soldiers were killed in an attack by terrorists in Manipur, after which the Indian Army had launched a surgical strike on their camp in Myanmar.
The first myth that needs to be buried then is that there is a difference between the BJP and the so-called fringe

Last month, on October 24, Bajrang Dal activists attacked the ongoing shooting of filmmaker Prakash Jhas series, Ashram, in Bhopal. With impunity they ransacked the sets, smashed the windscreens of buses, threw ink on Jha, and threatened further violence if the shooting did not stop. Anyone else taking the law in their own hands and indulging in this kind of vandalism would be afraid of the consequences. After all, we are a country where there is supposedly the rule of law, and no one is above it, or can openly flout it.

But apparently the Bajrang Dal activists were under the impression that they could, and for good reason. Narottam Mishra, the home minister of BJP ruled MP, where this happened, seemed to brazenly back their actions. Instead of coming down heavily on such lawless behaviour, he delivered a homily on how filmmakers should be careful and avoid scenes that hurt our sentiments while remaining mindful of the spirit of the majority society. Perhaps  but this might be too much to expect  Mr Mishra and his cohorts should have read a little of Adi Shankaracharya. In the Bhaja Govindam, the great thinker mocks at fake godmen who pick up the accoutrements of religion only for personal gain. Will the Bajrang Dal and Mr Mishra now attack Adi Shankaracharya?

It is this same Mr Mishra who backed the boycott of the Fab India Diwali ad campaign for the ridiculous reason that it was titled in Urdu, Jashn-e-Riwaaz, and because the models were not dressed as chaste Hindu women should be. It was Mr Mishra, too, that threatened to send the police if the fashion designer Sabyasachi did not withdraw his Mangalsutra collection because  no surprises  the models were not appropriately dressed as he would like to see them. Earlier, in November 2020, it was he again who ordered action against the web series, A Suitable Boy, for a kissing scene with a temple in the background.

But what is crucially significant is that Mr Mishra was last month promoted to the BJPs national executive. Quite obviously then, people like him, and the Bajrang Dal whom he patronises, are not some loony fringe of the BJP, but very much part of its mainstream, duly rewarded for their actions by the parent party.

The first myth that needs to be buried then is that there is a difference between the BJP and the so-called fringe. The two are one and the same. Both feed off each other. Both are hyphenated at the hip. Both have similar goals. Both encourage each other. It is this cozy relationship between the core and its parts that we need to understand. The fringe is only the violent extension of what the core believes. If Narottam Mishra, a BJP minister, condoned the violence of the Bajrang Dal activists in the Ashram matter, it was BJP MP Tejaswi Surya who led the campaign against Fab India. The stormtroopers are not autonomous actors; they act on the directions of what the BJP supports; otherwise, they would have been censured long ago, not rewarded.

Over time this happy condominium between BJP and the so-called fringe has empowered the mob, and led to the reduction of a great, refined and highly cerebral religion to its lowest common denominator. What are the signs of this lumpen leadership that is devaluing Hinduism? Firstly, it is characterised by a singular lack of knowledge about the nuances, complexities and intellectual grandeur of Hinduism.

Secondly  and for precisely this reason  it is averse to dialogue, discussion and debate. Thirdly, it has no compunction in resorting to violence to impose its views. Fourthly, it is highly conservative and orthodox in its interpretation of Hinduism, supportive of inequitable existing hierarchies, and completely unexposed to the liberality of thought that is the quintessential feature of Hinduism. Fifthly, it is deeply patriarchal, believing that women should accept their subordinate position, and conform to stereotypical notion of so-called Hindu values, which essentially means that men should decide what they should wear, who they should meet, what they should drink or eat and what kind of relationships they can have.

Sixthly, the dominant emotion is of hatred of the other, others being defined as primarily Muslim, but also including all those who are not part of its smug circle of like-minded largely upper-caste brethren. Seventhly, it is animated by the need to revive Indias great Hindu past, but its knowledge of what that really is, is highly superficial and mythical, thereby trivialising the real refinements and achievements of ancient India. Eighthly, it has scant regard for the rule of law. It believes that such niceties are the crutches of the weak, and has little or no application to those who are fighting for bigger causes like protecting Hinduism. Ninthly, it has little problem in conflating patriotism with religion. Through the prism of this narrow polarity, only a Hindu who supports them can be patriotic, while the patriotism of all others is suspect. And tenthly, it is particularly porous to false information so long as it buttresses its preconceived, narrow worldview.

The fact that Hinduism is now sought to be led by such a lumpen class with the active encouragement and participation of the BJP is a matter of deep worry. No Hindu, and indeed no Indian, can be immune to this impact. We may choose to remain silent, or ignore it, but we do so at our peril, for sooner or later we will become its victims. Filmmaker Abbas Tyrewala nailed it on Facebook. Theyre coming for you. Wait till you do something they think is wrong. Make a show. Make an ad. Sing a song. Wear clothes. Meet a friend. Fall in love. Eat something. Drink something. Smoke something. Pray. Dont pray. Say something. Dont say something. Ask anything. Believe anything. Other than what has been sanctioned. You may be next. Not yet. But unless youre in the mob, your turn and your familys turn and your childrens turn are inevitable.
Fourteen generations have passed since Ford introduced the F-Series in North America and started writing automotive history. In the United States, it is the best-selling pickup truck line since 1977 and has also reigned supreme without any interruption across the overall vehicle market since 1981.This started no less than four decades ago! Besides, the F-Series is also Canadas top-delivered model line for more than half a century. Meanwhile, the Ram Trucks pickup truck lineup is allegedly young, as it has only become a staple of the newly formed brand since 2010. Sure, its also been in production under the Dodge Ram banner since 1980 and can trace its roots even further down in history.Anyway, they say that if you cannot beat them at their own game with the weapons you have, you should invent new ones. So, Ram made a treaty with the devil for one Hellcat model year only to create the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX . And beat the F-150 Raptor at its own dune-bashing war game without any further ado. Probably because the Blue Oval was busy taking care of the Bronco first deliveries debacle and making the F-150 more sustainable with the PowerBoost Hybrid and battery electric Lightning.Still, were besides strategies and marketing talk when at the dragstrip. And courtesy of the videographer behind the SSDracer account on YouTube, we can also check out the performance gap between a regular (but possibly tuned) 3.5-liter EcoBoost 2021 F-150 and a 2021 Ram TRX. After all, this is one of those few skirmishes that go down exactly as initially predicted.Theres just one little thing nagging us: while the video (embedded below) quality can go all the way up to 2160p (4K), the night battle setup still has a major  negative  impact. As such, the potato-like actual resolution of the camera makes it impossible to distinguish the ETs and trap speeds . Lucky for us, if anyone needed official confirmation, theres also the victory light.
Right now, it seems the Hi-riser warranted another look from Ms. SS, the affable and humorous host of the Superior Shelbie & Ace Whips channel on YouTube. She calls this one of my all-time favorite donks from Miami, and if this kind of whip is ones poison, we really cant argue with the assessment.Sure, beauty is always in the eye of the beholder and the fifth generation Impala might not end up as everyones cup of tea. But still, one can easily appreciate the exaggerated style that hits all the Hi-riser sweet spots without actually going overboard with the build.Though, on the other hand, its traditional swaggering appearance does prove a handful for the Youtuber when she tries to pop up the hood and extend it fully from the 1:58 mark. All the hustle was for a noble cause because that way it was possible for us to have a peek at the supercharged/blower goodies underneath it.By the way, it seems like the engine bay and a few other details  such as the Impala 400 emblems or the chrome elements  were the only parts not painted or upholstered in an orange tone. Those and the 28-inch gold Savini wheels  which are a recent addition to the build, since not long ago the Vert even had the alloys in matching orange color.The same is valid for the interior, which is just as orange as the soft top, save for the matching Savini wheels steering wheel, of course. Once were done with the interior at the 4:14 mark, its time to also visit the music factory residing in the orange trunk.Then, its a traditional presentation case of showcasing the Impala from all angles during the walkaround section from the 10:15 mark, while the classic on-the-move beauty shots taken from the 11:40 mark turned out a bit too dark ... But it was night, after all.
Please dont read too much into this. As mentioned publicly, Tesla is constrained by chip supply short-term & cell supply long-term.



Not possible to produce additional vehicles in volume until both constraints are addressed.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2021

When a Tesla fan asked Musk about Semi deliveries, the executive said that the company is constrained by chip supply short-term, cell supply long-term. That said, it would not be possible to produce additional vehicles in volume until both constraints are addressed. Ironically, Musk did not mention the issue with batteries is even more profound than just supply. It relates to achieving mass production of 4680 cells As we have said over and over, Tesla has based all its new products on the new battery format. It built two new factories expecting to produce vehicles conceived around it. Yet, the company has not finished developing that crucial element for both the factories and the cars they will make. That is a precarious thing to do, to say the least.If the 4680 tabless cells were ready, then Musk could talk about a supply constraint. At this point, theres not even a 4680 cells supply: it is yet to be created. This is what made it so evident that the Semi, the Cybertruck, and the Roadster will not arrive anytime soon, as optimistic as Tesla customers such as PepsiCo may be.With Musks public dismissal of Semi deliveries in 2021, all that is left is to see what PepsiCo will do about that. Laguarta may admit he was wrong. He may also just avoid talking about it in hopes that people will eventually forget about it. A more extreme measure would be to cancel PepsiCos Semi orders and buy anything the competition can deliver right now. Volvo already sells the VNR Electric, and there are plenty of competitors about to hit the market.
The bike youre looking at now, although it may not look like it all that much now, started life as a stock 2004 FXSTB . It somehow crossed the path of Japanese custom shop Bad Land, and was converted into what is now called White Rascal.Riding on multi-spoke wheels, sized 21 inches at the front and 18 inches at the rear, the build is one of those rare sights that stick with you for a long time. Thats probably due to the generously-sprayed white, which can be found on every inch of the things skeleton and outer layers, from the front to the rear fender and all over the frame and fuel tank.As usual when it comes to Bad Land projects, this one too is a collection of aftermarket parts made by a variety of garages, put together with home-brewed parts by a single mind. We get things like Bad Land fenders, fuel tank, and downward-pointing exhaust, Kens Factory covers, and a Pro-One triple tree.Were not being told if the engine was modified in ways other than being gifted with new ways to breath, but even in the absence of such information, its pretty obvious this bike is sure to attract some attention when cruising down a road somewhere in a very playful manner.We are not being told how much the motorcycle cost to put together, but its present value is probably a hell of a lot higher than the around $10,000 you can expect to pay for an unmodified Night Train from the same year.
In his capacity as CEO of Blue Origin and someone who has flown to the edge of space on his own rocket, Bezos was on hand for a panel discussion the Ignatius Forum in Washington, DC. While here, he talked about his idea for the future and how it partially clashes with that of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who aims to colonize Mars by terraforming it. Humankind, Bezos believes, as cited by The Independent , will live on high-tech colonies that they will build themselves.Humans born on these colonies will come to regard Earth the way we regard national parks today, meaning beautiful places we visit occasionally on vacation, but which we are not allowed to interfere with in any shape or form.Over centuries, many people will be born in space, it will be their first home. They will be born on these colonies, live on these colonies, then theyll visit Earth the way you would visit, you know, Yellowstone National Park, Bezos told the panel.Bezos also said that he believes colonizing existing planets is pointless for a variety of reasons, in addition to the challenges of terraforming. The aliens probably living on them already would be another good reason to avoid them, he said, adding that he didnt personally believe alien lifeforms have yet visited our planet. Bezos idea for these future space colonies is that theyre more like floating cities, habitats complete with rivers and forests and wildlife, and especially packed with technology that allows for and sustains life.If this or his suggestion at future vacations on Earth rings vaguely familiar, its probably because its been a common theme in certain sci-fi Hollywood movies or in literature for years.
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Several non-premium brands have made occasional incursions into the upper layers of the automotive industry, offering similar levels of quality at slightly lower prices. Doing that isn't rocket science, but the reason why we don't see it more often is simple. Two aspects work together two make this strategy a doomed one right from the start: these cars will inevitably be more expensive than the rest of the brand's offerings, and they will never offer the same level of prestige as traditionally premium automakers will.The advent of the electric vehicle must be seen by some companies as a chance to start from scratch and reposition themselves on the industry's ladder. One perfect example is Hyundai's IONIQ 5, the all-electric hatchback that shows everyone playing safe might be less risky, but it's boring as hell.One of the companies whose EVs have disappointed the most is arguably Mercedes-Benz . Despite moving rather quickly with its EQ range - at least compared to its direct rivals - the vehicles themselves have felt rushed and unimaginative, not to mention completely underwhelming under their technical aspects.The Mercedes-Benz EQA makes no exception, hardly hiding the fact it's a GLA-Class with an electric powertrain and a solid, glossy grille. After years of people complaining about how exaggerated (unnecessarily weird)designs were, it seems some companies have gone the exact opposite way, releasing their regular models but with electric propulsion. It's too early to judge if it's a winning strategy, but at least in the case of this head-to-head comparison, we highly doubt it.It's not just about the appearance, either. Developing a car from the ground up to be an EV means you can make use of all the inherent advantages of this type of propulsion. This becomes instantly obvious when looking at these two: the IONIQ 5 has an abundance of interior space, a much larger trunk, and a frunk as well, whereas backseat space in the EQA is only decent and the trunk space is very limited, and the frunk is missing altogether.Despite its boxy look and seeming lack of aerodynamics, the Hyundai also offers the longest range of the two, as well as better dynamic performance. Present here in its mid-level version (2WD, 73battery, 215 hp), the IONIQ 5 has arating of 481 km (299 miles) and a 0-62 mph sprint that will make Tesla owners scoff, but at just about seven seconds, is actually more than decent.The EQA, on the other hand, also features a front-wheel-drive-only 250 model, which gets just 190 hp and a maximum range of 263 miles (423 km). Its acceleration is even more terrible, but it makes up for that with a better ride quality, superior handling, and an overall more engaging driving experience.For EV drivers, however, that might not rank too highly on the list of priorities. They'll be much more interested in the South Korean car's ability to travel a longer distance, not to mention suck up charge at more than twice the speed of the EQA (220vs, 100 kW).With prices more or less comparable, the debate between these two cars not only makes sense but also seems to provide an unlikely winner. The Merc comes with all the weight behind its badge and the more conventional design (some people will appreciate it), but just by looking at them parked next to each other, you can tell which represents the past.The Hyundai , on the other hand, plays into the EV strengths and doubles it up with the kind of bold design we don't seem to see from most other manufacturers. It looks like a concept car on the street, and the younger generation won't get enough of it. Luckily, looks aren't its only trick, and so the electric Hyundai is the worthy winner of this head-to-head duel.
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AMG

Arguably one of the best-looking generations, its successor came out in 2005 and was exported from the Tuscaloosa plant in Alabama to global markets. The third generation dates back to the early 2010s, and its mid-cycle refresh brought not only the revised styling and additional gear, but also a new name: the GLE.Looking to further tie it to the E-Class family, Mercedes chose this moniker and kept it for the fourth and latest generation that premiered at the 2018 Paris Auto Show. The modern-day GLE comes from the Tuscaloosa facility too, but it is also made in India, Indonesia, and Thailand. With the BMW X5 and Audi Q7 in its sights, it is offered with a host of gasoline and diesel engines, and plug-in hybrid power is also included.Now, GLE history aside, lets talk about a particular model, shared online by Vossen for obvious reasons , which would rather forget that it packs an oil burner. Riding on the HF-7s, offered $3,396 for the 22-inch set and $3,596 for the 23-inch one, the GLE in question is one of the many vehicles equipped with these alloys by the wheelmaker. The Genesis GV80, Range Rover Velar, Audi Q8, Aston Martin DBX, Bentley Bentayga, Volkswagen Atlas, Toyota Sequoia, and others have the same running shoes on their feet.Despite the look-at-me upgrade, this GLE is in the 300 d specification , meaning that it uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel, with 242 hp (245 ps / 180) and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque. Performance is on the decent side, with the naught to 62 mph (0-100 kph) taking 7.2 seconds, and a 140 mph (225 kph) top speed.The diesel powertrain is not part of the models U.S. lineup , which comprises the GLE 350, GLE 350 4Matic, GLE 450 4Matic, and GLE 580 4Matic, in addition to theGLE 53 and menacing AMG GLE 63 S.
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The Chevrolet Montana prototype is still mildly camouflaged but already presenting its final design through the uncovered (yet disguised) parts. The wheels are connected to rubber tubes that remind us of air brakes, but that is certainly not the case. South Korean prototypes photographed and shared on the Bobbae Dream forum reveal a regular vehicle, with no air brakes.GMs unibody pickup truck is rumored to be about a 5-meter (197-inch) long pickup truck, which would allow it to compete with the Maverick. Well, sort of: the spy shots made so far show that the new Montana has a rather small bed. The Honda Ridge is also a unibody pickup truck, but it is larger and more expensive.The new Montana has the same name as a subcompact unibody pickup truck GM developed and sold in Brazil. It was based on the European Opel/Vauxhall Corsa C and was pretty successful in Latin American countries. However, profit margins were not that high, something the new Montana plans to correct.Built over the VSS-F platform that underpins the Chevrolet Onix and Tracker, the larger pickup truck will be powered by a turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder engine known as LT3. It delivers 155 hp (115) and 174 hp (236 Nm). Thanks to ethanol, the GM engineering teams might be able to extract 163 hp (121 kW) in Brazil.Montanas only transmission option will consist of an automatic transmission in the Brazilian market: the GF6-3 six-speed gearbox. However, it may also receive the 9T4X transmission in other markets, which the Buick Encore GX and the Chevrolet Trailblazer mate to the LT3 engine.In Brazil, the new Montana will be produced in Sao Caetano do Sul. GM will also make in South Korea, but it is improbable that it will be exported to the U.S. from there due to the Chicken Tax. If American customers ever get to buy the new Montana, it will have to be from a USMCA factory to make it more competitive. Thanks to Abandonados.com and South Korean photographers, we now have a better idea of how it will look like.
Carmakers have been struggling with the lack of semiconductors for over 12 months already, and while some already see the light of the tunnel because theyre trying to build up stocks, the consensus is that were slowly approaching another wave of the chip crisis.In other words, its all just a matter of time until the shortage hits automakers once again, and needless to say, most of them are turning to all kinds of solutions in an attempt to avoid being caught unguarded. Tesla is one of the biggest names not only impacted by the lack of chips but also embracing an approach that eventually feels like a huge pain in the neck for customers.The company has reportedly started shipping cars without USB-C ports, obviously because it doesnt have enough chips to power this feature. Tesla hasnt publicly announced this approach, so buyers end up finding out the whole thing when they receive their cars.The USB-C ports have been removed from both the center console and the rear seats, and in some cases, not even wireless charging is available.And while the carmaker isnt saying a single thing about this, it looks like it does plan to fit these vehicles with the missing USB-C ports. Itd happen throughout December, some say, though right now, specific timing details are available.In case youre wondering why Tesla needed to drop USB-C ports on its cars, the answer is as simple as it could be. The company is probably trying to prioritize the usage of chips, and because its current semiconductor inventory is very tight, shipping cars without certain systems is the only way to go. Unless Tesla is ready to temporarily suspend the production, that is, though its pretty clear the company wants to avoid such a painful solution.The same goes for General Motors. Earlier this year, the company decided to ship some vehicles without start-stop systems , once again in an attempt to reduce the number of chips used on them.In this case, however, GM wouldnt be able to install the missing systems at a later time, so all the vehicles that were shipped without start-stop would lack such capabilities forever. The only thing the company did was reduce the price of the new cars by $50.Obviously, this didnt mean GMs problems were gone. Not at all. The American car giant temporarily suspended the production at most of its North American plants, and in some cases, select factories ended up being shut down for months.In early November, however, General Motors resumed operations at all facilities, though it too expects another chip shortage wave to be encountered in early 2022.And now, GM is removing heated seats from plenty of models manufactured starting November 15, including Chevrolet Colorado, Blazer, Equinox, and certain Silverado models. GMC Canyon and GMC Terrain are also reportedly affected, with buyers to be offered credit between $150 and $500.And of course, Tesla and GM arent the only companies struggling with the chip shortage and shipping cars without certain systems missing.BMW also recently announced that itd be delivering certain models without touchscreens , giving customers a $500 credit on each cars MSRP. The chip crisis is obviously to blame, though in this case, buyers are only losing the touch input, with everything else to continue to be available on new BMWs.Theres no doubt the list of carmakers turning to such approaches in an attempt to reduce the disruption of the semiconductor nightmare will continue to grow.Unfortunately, more and more industry experts believe the chip problems would continue for at least one more year . So if you were planning to buy a new car by 2023, not only theres a big chance youll receive it with a huge delay, but it could also lack certain systems that fell victim to the chip shortage.
As you browse through this articles photo gallery, you will meet a sublime 79 MY Honda CB750K with just under 12k miles (about 19,200 km) on the clock. The bikes previous owner had its two-up saddle reupholstered to keep things looking nice and tidy, while the wheels were fitted with Bridgestones high-grade Battlax BT45 rubber as of last year.Following a comprehensive overhaul of its carburetors, the creatures battery, spark plugs, and fork seals have all been replaced for good measure. As for the four-banger's fundamental specs and features, the CB750K comes equipped with an air-cooled 748cc inline-four engine, which packs dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, and a quartet of 30 mm (1.2 inches) Keihin inhalers.The powerplant will go about delivering as much as 77 hp at 9,000 rpm, along with 48 pound-feet (65 Nm) of torque at approximately 7,000 spins. This force travels to a chain final drive by means of a five-speed transmission, resulting in a healthy top speed of 124 mph (200 kph). In terms of fuel capacity, the machines gas chamber can hold up to 5.3 gallons (20 liters) of juice.Stopping power is generated by a single 275 mm (10.8 inches) brake disc up front and a traditional drum module at six oclock. Hondas old-school gem rests on telescopic forks and twin shock absorbers, while its dry weight is rated at 520 pounds (236 kg). Now, lets get to the point, shall we?This well-kept 1979 CB750K is making its way to the auction block on the BaT (Bring A Trailer) platform, where it will be listed at no reserve until Tuesday, November 16. For now, youd need something in the neighborhood of 7,500 bucks to surpass the current bid, which is placed at $7,200. If youve been looking to bring a Japanese classic into your driveway, you ought to seize this opportunity while theres still time.
Palmdale, CA (93550)

Today

Generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds. High 69F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Stronger winds in and below canyons and passes..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 42F. Winds light and variable.
Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High 69F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low around 45F. Winds light and variable.
Dont do this: Anti-vaxxers who have to get COVID-19 shots are taking baths in borax
Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High 69F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low near 45F. Winds light and variable.
You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @idesai98 on Twitter.
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Bluefield, WV (24701)

Today

A few showers this morning with overcast skies during the afternoon hours. Morning high of 45F with temps falling to near freezing. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 21F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Bluefield, WV (24701)

Today

Rain early. A mix of sun and clouds by afternoon. Morning high of 45F with temps falling to near freezing. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 21F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Federal Money Brings New Hope for Seismic Retrofitting of Oregon Coast Bridges

Published 11/10/21 at 4:08 AM PST

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Seaside, Oregon)  The new federal infrastructure package passed this week will bring in $1.2 billion dollars in funding to Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) over a few years, going towards projects that will benefit drivers, transit customers, pedestrians and assist with road and bridge issues around the state.

On the Oregon coast, the package brings a renewed hope to Seaside that some of its bridges will get seismic retrofitting to prepare for the big Cascadia quake that is expected some day. It's an area that's particularly vulnerable.

Nothing is firmed up yet on which project will get money in the state, with the bulk of it going to ODOT, but some will be funneled to individual cities and jurisdictions. Some will undoubtedly go to Oregon coast locales.

It's still a little too early to know what projects will be undertaken as a result of this new funding, said Kevin Glenn, a spokesman for ODOT. The bill does allocate $250 million in new funding for bridge repair and replacement. The package also includes over $200 million for local governments to invest in community priorities.

In Seaside, this has brought a postive note to local officials who know some bridges are not going to withstand the 9.0 or higher quake offshore that will also result in a major tsunami. The Cascadia Subduction Zone runs off the coast of Oregon and Washington, an area where the two continental plates meet and rub against each other. One day it will release an enormous amount of energy in the form of a catastrophic earthquake, which is expected to then create a vast tsunami onshore.

Hence, the tsunami evacuation route signs you see along the Oregon coast these days.

The problem in Seaside is that the tsunami evacuation routes lie over a handful of bridges, some of which are not expected to survive the shaking. One major artery is the Broadway Bridge downtown, the main escape route for what state officials predict could be some 4,500 people hanging out in town or on the beaches. That could well crumble and become useless to those fleeing what would be a tsunami within about ten minutes of the initial shaker.

One study conducted by OSU a few years ago ran computer simulations thousands of times on the scenario, and none of the possibilities were good ones. Similar studies of the earthquake readiness of local bridges came up with similar conclusions.

It's a scenario long lamented by city councilor and geologist Tom Horning, who has been at the forefront of the push for seismic retrofitting in Seaside for over a decade. He's especially concerned about the bridges at Avenue U and Avenue G.

Though the city has tried over the years, the money isn't there for such work. Now, maybe it is.

It boils down to the availability of funds, Horning said. Everyone realizes the gravity of the situation and the possibility of losing thousands of lives in Seaside. Until the infrastructure bill was passed, there really wasn't much of a hope for funding. That might change now and hopefully the value of human lives is part of the prioritization process.

As many as ten thousand souls could lose their lives in the area during such a seismic event, Horning said.

We spend lots on hurricane and tornado preparation, Horning said. Now let's invest in evacuation infrastructure for tsunamis, especially for a town like Seaside with so many bridges that need to survive the shaking of the quake so everyone can make it to safety. We need around $40 million to make Seaside safe.

Meanwhile, ODOT statements and Glenn say the same thing: there's lots of discussion ahead on where the money will go for Oregon coast infrastructure.

We'll begin developing project lists soon, particularly for the dedicated program funding areas like bridges, Glenn said. We'll present this to the Oregon Transportation Commission for guidance, likely in the spring. In advance of that, we'll be soliciting public comment and working with our advisory committees to ensure these projects reflect the priorities of Oregonians.

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Peak Meteor Showers, Lunar Eclipse Above Washington / Oregon Coast

Published 11/12/21 at 5:22 PM PST

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Manzanita, Oregon)  Look for an action-packed week next week in the skies above the Oregon coast and Washington coast, at least in astronomical terms, with the peak of the Leonid meteor showers and a partial eclipse of the moon that will make it very orange or maybe red.

Whether the weather will cooperate is another matter, but there seem to be some nighttime cloud breaks in the forecasts.

The partial eclipse of the moon happens about midnight on November 18, with its fullest state around 1 a.m. on November 19. The peak of the Leonid meteor showers occur November 16 through the a.m. hours of November 17, with possibly some 10 meteors seen per hour.

If you get a clear night on either the Washington coast or Oregon coast through late November, you may still see some of the Leonids, but the peak is on November 16 through the wee hours of November 17.

Jim Todd, astronomy expert with Portland's OMSI, told Oregon Coast Beach Connection the Leonids are sometimes known for mammoth shows of historic proportion, where shooting stars fall like rain.

While no storm is predicted for the 2021 Leonids, you can still catch plenty of meteors between November 6 to 30, Todd said. The meteors result from Earth plowing into the orbital path of Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. Comets litter their orbits with bits of debris. These bits of dust smack into Earth's atmosphere and vaporize, creating the light we know as meteors. In 2021, the moon is in a waxing gibbous phase. It will hang around most the night, brightening the sky and washing out many of the meteors. Try watching from a rural, dark sky location for best results.

If by rural you're thinking the Washington or Oregon coastline  you're right. Brookings, Coos Bay, Newport, Cannon Beach, Long Beach or Raymond will have plenty of dark areas from which to watch, especially in the hour or so before dawn. That, Todd said, is when the moon will set and give you the best chances to see the little shooting stars.

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Weather forecasts are calling for partly sunny days and mostly cloudy nights along the Washington and Oregon coast for those nights, however.

When night falls, you will probably be impatient to see meteors, Todd said. But remember that the shower is best after midnight. Catch a nap in early evening if you can. After midnight, lie back comfortably and let your gaze wander across all parts of the sky. Sometimes friends like to watch together, facing different directions. When somebody sees one, they can call out meteor! Then everyone can quickly turn to get a glimpse.



Courtesy NASA

Then on November 18 and overnight on the 19th, look for a partial lunar eclipse. Though the Earth's shadow will almost completely cover the moon, it will still remain visible but turn a deep, dark orange or red.

The entire event will last about three and half hours with partial begins at 11:18 p.m. (Nov 18), maximum at 1:02 a.m. (Nov 19), and ends at 2:47 a.m. (Nov 19), Todd said. At maximum, the moon will be at 60 degrees above the southwest horizon, perfect for viewing. With a just thin sliver of the moon exposed to direct sun at maximum eclipse, the rest of the moon should take on the characteristically copper colors of a total lunar eclipse.

It's quite likely you'll have to dodge some raindrops in the beach towns or stretches in between, so be prepared for the weather.

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LONDON (AP)  Queen Elizabeth II missed out on the Remembrance Sunday service in London to pay tribute to Britain's war dead because she sprained her back, Buckingham Palace said Sunday.

The service is one of the most important events on the 95-year-old monarch's calendar, and was meant to be her first public appearance after taking a few weeks off to rest under doctors orders.

British media reported that the back sprain was not believed to be related to the recent medical advice to rest that prompted other cancellations.

The Queen, having sprained her back, has decided this morning with great regret that she will not be able to attend todays Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, officials said just hours ahead of the ceremony. Her Majesty is disappointed that she will miss the service.

The queen spent a night in a London hospital last month after being admitted for medical tests. It was her first such stay in eight years. On Oct. 29, the palace said she had been told by doctors to rest for two weeks and only take on light duties.

She canceled plans to attend the U.N. climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, but sent a video message.

But officials stressed at the time that it remains the queen's firm intention to be present for the national Remembrance Sunday service. On Thursday, Buckingham Palace said the monarch planned to watch the ceremony at the Cenotaph war memorial in central London from a balcony, as she has for several years.

The queen served in World War II as an army driver and mechanic, and is head of Britain's armed forces. She attaches great importance to Remembrance Sunday, a solemn ceremony to remember the sacrifices made by fallen servicemen and women. The national service, which follows Armistice Day on Nov. 11, is traditionally marked by the wearing of poppies and a national two-minute silence observed at 11 a.m.

On Sunday, other royals and politicians led the ceremony in London's Whitehall, with hundreds of military personnel and veterans lined up around the Cenotaph memorial. It was the first time the event had returned to normal since the pandemic began.

After Royal Marine buglers sounded the The Last Post, Prince Charles, 73, laid the first wreath on the queen's behalf, as he has done since 2017. He was followed by other royals and Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The queen has continued to work from home, doing desk-based duties, during her period of rest. She has spent most of the time at Windsor Castle, west of London, although she made a weekend visit to Sandringham, the royal familys eastern England estate.

She has missed several other events, including the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday. Officials also said she will miss the opening of the Church of Englands governing General Synod on Tuesday.

Penny Junor, a royal biographer, said the queen may be entering a new phase of her reign where she will not be seen as much in public.

Its very sad for the queen, because this is the one event in the year that she really, really likes to be at, she said. Were so used to seeing her out and about and looking years younger than she is that I think weve been lulled into thinking she can go on at this kind of pace forever. Clearly she cant.

Britains longest-lived and longest-reigning monarch, Elizabeth is due to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee  70 years on the throne  next year.
Beaumont Independent School District hasnt been spared from a labor shortage and supply chain issues plaguing the nation.

The district is rationing trays and cutlery and has not been able to consistently get some food staples such as hamburger buns or chicken products.

That challenge has led to some district parents to take to social media, expressing dissatisfaction and posting pictures of their students meals.

But Beaumont ISD staff says children still are getting the same nutritional value required by the National School Lunch Program  menus just might look a little different as staff adjusts to availability of food and the ability to serve it.

In the month of October, BISD served about 17,400 breakfasts and lunches per day, or 87,000 meals per week  up from 75,000 at the beginning of the school year. The district, which serves breakfast and lunch for free, has seen a steady increase in the number of meals served due to increased enrollment and attendance rates.

There are millions of students across the state who go hungry without these meals, said BISD Director of Child Nutrition Tiffany Eckenrod. We know that on Monday morning, there are many children who did not have a complete meal over the weekend, or their last meal was on Friday, and it breaks my heart. But its something that we face across the state, so these meals are really important for our students.

Related: All BISD students to qualify for free breakfast, lunch

The increase in meals being served per day in BISD coincides with a nationwide labor shortage and supply-chain issues, which has led to certain product outages within the district and a maximum number of cases of food the district can get from its food distributor.

It is no secret that all school districts across the nation are seeing these food chain supply issues, Eckenrod said at the districts October board meeting. Locally, were doing everything that we know how to do. As hard as it is, I think were in a good position to manage as long as we have support from our team here in the district, our parents and our students.

Even still, District Superintendent Shannon Allen said the situation in the child nutrition department is critical.

The district currently is seeing shortages in food trays, cutlery, hamburger buns, rolls, croissants, chicken, green beans and other high-demand veggies, tater tots, fries, cereals (due to the ongoing Kellogg strike) and pizza, Eckenrod said.

BISDs food distributor, which is located in Houston, is one of only two in the area that supplies products for K-12. Eckenrod said that the department received an email Oct. 17 from the distributor alerting the district that they would now have a case cap of 2,800 per week for the next five weeks.

The cases contain any kind of products supplied by the distributor such as chicken, paper products, trays and some fruits and vegetables.

Related: Worker shortage puts truckers in the drivers seat

The district typically orders 3,000 cases each week.

The five-week cap period will take the district through the Thanksgiving holiday, after which the distributor will reexamine if theres a need for its continuation, removal or increase.

We are going to be receiving parents on campus for some of those meals. So, we have started ordering some of those goods now, Eckenrod said. We dont know what will happen after that five-week run time, it will depend on how (the distributor) is staffed. Theyre seeing a lot of turnover.

Eckenrod said that the district is rationing food trays and noted that some others have started serving meals on butcher paper because of the nationwide shortage on serving supplies.

I hope that we dont ever get there, but we are just going to have to have grace with where were at, she said.

Because BISD is a part of the National School Lunch Program, there are regulations on what kind of food the district can serve and where it comes from.

The Department of Agriculture purchases food grown and produced domestically before distributing the food to be used to prepare school meals.

We have committed hundreds of thousands of pounds to (these) certain vendors, but they cant make the products, she said.

For example, Eckenrod said that the district had an agreement for 19,000 pounds of beef, but the order could not be fulfilled. The district then went to Tyson, which also could not fulfill the order.

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Right now, were trying to find out whos going to turn our cows into hamburger patties  she said.

The main issue is the amount of labor it takes for that process to happen, Eckenrod said.

There is a shortage in labor across the nation, she said. We all feel it, we all see it, and I dont have the answer, but we are going to manage this challenge, again, with the support of our community and the district.

Eckenrod said there arent a lot of distributors in the K-12 market, making it hard for the district to seek out others.

Because of our guidelines being so strict, we cant just go buy anything - our options are limited, she said. Sodium is very restricted - calories, we have a range depending on the level.

BISD released a statement Nov. 3, alerting parents that there might be changes to their students school menus. Eckenrod noted that each meal still meets all nutritional requirements, but Second Grade students and older have an option to choose what to put on their plates.

In addition to dealing with product outages, Allen at the board meeting said the child nutrition department has been operating with 50% of its regular staff. While the department has made some hires and the number of applicants has increased, the challenge persists.

It was actually a strategic decision that we made during COVID, Eckenrod said. Last year we were face-to-face, and we were virtual, so as we lost employees to whatever, we did not backfill those positions because we didnt have the hours to provide.

Eckenrod said the issues that her department  and child nutrition departments across the nation  are facing did not happen overnight.

Related: BISD makes progress filling teacher vacancies

There was a change when the pandemic first started, she said. The change is (now), schools are not doing half (in-person) and half (virtual). Most schools are going back to face-to-face. Another factor is that most schools this year across the nation are doing free meals for all students, so that has increased participation of children eating at school.

The demand for school food products has increased, and the supply has not been able to keep up, Eckenrod said.

That is why were seeing our supply become less and less, she said. When we started this conversation, we knew it was coming, but we werent at a point where, Hey, were out of food. Its not just one section of what we do, its really across the board.

Parents and community members interested in volunteering in the child nutrition department can visit bmtisd.com/volunteers and would be provided training in Texas Food Handlers, Eckenrod said. Passing the training is required to volunteer in food service.

Eckenrod said that she encourages any parent who is concerned about their childs meals to contact her with their questions at 409-617-5065.

To view the breakfast and lunch menus for any BISD campus, visit bmtisd.nutrislice.com/menu.

olivia.malick@hearst.com

twitter.com/oliviamalick
SEVILLE, Fla. (AP)  A small Florida down is canceling its decades long annual turkey shoot to help feed needy families, saying the price of birds has more than doubled.

For nearly 70 years, residents of Seville fired shotguns at targets hoping to win a frozen turkey. But non-profit organizers said they simply can't afford the expensive gobblers, which usually cost between 50 to 70 cents per pounds.
The Port Arthur Police Department has stopped thieves from stealing metal catalytic converters.

Officers received a call shortly after 4:30 a.m. to report a metal theft in progress in the 7200 block of Lake Arthur Drive.

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Officers arrived in the area and vehicle pursuit ensued, a PAPD news release said. Officers followed and subjects were taken into custody. The Metal Catalytic Converters were recovered.

The incident remains under investigation by the police department. No further information was provided.

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Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag

The man former Republican Party of Texas Chairman Allen West admitted he engaged with in a physical altercation at the Dallas Fort-Worth Airport on Nov. 3 is claiming the 2022 gubernatorial hopeful hit him in the face while tearing off his mask, according to Michael Williams of the Dallas Morning News.

In a DWF Airport police report obtained by the Dallas Morning News, the man, identified as Lawrence Eric Stern, was standing at the airport's Terminal B on Nov. 3 when he saw West, who was arriving from a flight from Tallahassee, Fla., walking through the terminal maskless. Stern told West to the put his mask on and called him an idiot, the report said. West then approached Stern and asked him to repeat himself, and Stern again told West to put a mask on.
Bedford, PA (15522)

Today

Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High 43F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 27F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Bennington, VT (05201)

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Light rain this morning. Then remaining mainly cloudy. Morning high of 48F with temps falling to near 35. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 24F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
The exterior of a proposed new police station in Lanesborough. The Select Board will host a public input meeting Tuesday to discuss the estimated $4.3 million project.
After its hospitality and culinary programs went on hiatus for a year during the coronavirus pandemic, Berkshire Community College has announced a new culinary institute with support from a state grant.
An Oct. 14 rally for paid leave in Washington. President Joe Biden joins a long line of politicians frustrated in their efforts to secure a a paid family leave benefit with bipartisan appeal, but some Republicans say it could be resurrected on its own.
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Poland reinforced its border with Belarus with more riot police on Tuesday, a day after groups of migrants tried to storm through a razor-wire fence on the eastern frontier where thousands have camped on the Belarusian side in the tense standoff.

The European Union accuses Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko of using the migrants as pawns in a hybrid attack against the bloc in retaliation for imposing sanctions on the authoritarian government for a brutal internal crackdown on dissent. Thousands were jailed and beaten following months of protests after Lukashenko won a sixth term in a 2020 election that the opposition and the West saw as rigged.

Polish authorities said all was calm overnight on the border  which is also the eastern edge of the 27-nation EU  but they were bracing for any possibility. The Defense Ministry said a large group of Belarusian forces was moving toward the migrant encampments.

During a special session of parliament, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki described the situation at the border as part of an effort by Russia to disrupt a region that it controlled during the Soviet era that ended three decades ago.

It must be strongly emphasized that the security of our eastern border is being brutally violated. This is the first such situation in 30 years when we can say that the integrity of our borders is being tested, Morawiecki said.

Speaking during a U.N. Security Council meeting, Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia rejected similar accusations, and noted that the migrants are not seeking to stay in Belarus but to get to Europe.

So who is creating the crisis, building fences with barbed wire and concentrating troops at the border? Nebenzia said, adding that the EU doesnt want to accept the migrants, and it is time to stop playing the blame game.

Polish Maj. Katarzyna Zdanowicz estimated 3,000-4,000 migrants were along the border, including about 800 near the makeshift camps. Belarusian security services also were there to control, steer and direct these people, she added.

She said Poland's assessment came from aerial observations, alleging that Belarus authorities were taking journalists to the area to promote their version of events.

Independent journalists have limited ability to operate in Belarus, and a state of emergency in Poland kept reporters and others away from its side of the border.

The scene was quiet as night fell, and migrants were seen getting water and other supplies on the Belarusian side, according to Zdanowicz, based on what observations from across the frontier. She said guards prevented some small groups from crossing, part of hundreds of such attempts Tuesday.

The Belarusian Defense Ministry summoned the Polish military attache to protest what it called unfounded and unlawful Polish allegations" against the Belarusian military at the border. It also voiced concern about the buildup of Polish troops there, saying Warsaw did not notify or invite Belarusian observers per international rules for activity involving more than 6,000 troops.

Speaking on Belarusian state television, Lukashenko threw the allegation of a hybrid war back at the EU, pointing at its sanctions against Belarus and adding: And you, bastards, madmen want me to protect you from migrants.

I am afraid that this confrontation at the border because of migrants might lead to an active phase. These are grounds for provocations. All provocations are possible, he said, accusing Poland's military of flying its helicopters low at the border, frightening the migrants.

In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the West bore responsibility for triggering the flows of migrants through their "aggressive wars in the Middle East and North Africa. The migrants, he said, dont want to stay in Belarus and want to get to Europe that has advertised its way of living for many years.

The crisis has simmered for months after Poland, Lithuania and Latvia accused neighboring Belarus of encouraging thousands of migrants, mostly from the Middle East, to illegally enter those nations. Many of the migrants often end up stuck in a forested area of swamps and bogs, pushed back and forth between Belarusian and Polish forces.

The Belarusian opposition urged the West to strengthen its sanctions on Minsk.

Its necessary to introduce tough sanctions, trade embargo and a full stop of transit of goods between the EU and Belarus, Pavel Latushka, a leading opposition figure, said on a messaging app, urging Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, "as countries on the front line of a hybrid attack launched by the regime, to stop transit.

On Tuesday, the EU tightened visa rules for Belarus officials, saying it was partially suspending an agreement with Minsk. The move affects Belarusian government officials, lawmakers, diplomats and top court representatives by requiring them to provide additional documents and pay more for visas.

Lawmakers in Lithuania voted to declare a state of emergency for a month along the Belarus border, restricting the movement of vehicles and banning all entry, except for residents, in a zone reaching 5 kilometers (3 miles) inland. Guards can check vehicles and people, and gatherings also are banned. It also applies to migrant accommodations in the capital of Vilnius and elsewhere.

At least 170 migrants were stopped from entering Lithuania on Tuesday.

In videos posted on Twitter by Polish police, the migrants were seen in tents and cooking over campfires in near-freezing temperatures. The police blared announcements that border crossing is allowed only at official posts, with visas, and the nearest crossing point in Kuznica was closed early Tuesday.

Refugee agencies UNHCR and International Organization for Migration called the situation alarming, and said they contacted governments in both Poland and Belarus to urge them to ensure that those in the makeshift camp get humanitarian assistance.

A man in the Polish village of Bialowieza told The Associated Press he has met many migrants who often are thirsty, hungry and in need of boots or medical care. He is among volunteers distributing food and other aid, and spoke on condition of anonymity because Polish authorities discourage such help.

They are in really bad condition and the situation is getting worse" as temperatures drop, he said.

Some of the migrants believed they were in Germany and appeared to have been very disinformed by Belarusian soldiers and guards," the man said.

At least eight migrant deaths have been recorded by Polish and Belarusian authorities, most of them in Poland.

Morawiecki went to the border Tuesday, accompanied by Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak, to meet with border guards and other security officials.

We do not know what else Lukashenkos regime will come up with  this is the reality," Morawiecki said, praising the guards.

Poland has received strong signals of solidarity from the EU and Washington in the confrontation with Belarus.

Germanys outgoing interior minister, Horst Seehofer, said all EU countries must stand together, because Lukashenko is using peoples fates  with the support of Russian President Vladimir Putin  to destabilize the West.

Many migrants have flown to Minsk on tourist visas and travel by taxi to the border. The EU is seeking to pressure airlines not to facilitate such trips. Although direct flights from Iraq were suspended in August, migrants have been arriving in Belarus from Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and even Russia, according to recent internal EU reports seen by the AP. Smugglers use social media to advertise transportation from Belarus to Germany by car.

Pavel Usau, head of the Center for Political Analysis and Prognosis, said Lukashenko expects the West to make concessions.

Lukashenko is provoking the West to take aggressive action, but, on the other hand, he expects that Western countries will yield to pressure and will be forced to engage in negotiations, Usau said in an interview from Warsaw.

___

Geir Moulson in Berlin, Lorne Cook and Samuel Petrequin in Brussels, Vladimir Isachenkov and Daria Litvinova in Moscow, Liudas Dapkus in Vilnius, Lithuania, Renata Brito in Barcelona, Spain, and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed.

___

Follow all AP stories on global migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration.
Amongst the age group 31-45, over 37 per cent samples tested prediabetic and over 39 per cent are found to be diabetic suggesting an onset of diabetes in a healthy, young age group

SRL Diagnostics prepared a Data Analytics Report on results of randomized samples received for Glycosylated/ Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) from January 2017 till September 2021 in Delhi. This report has been prepared based on a retrospective data mining done on results of 2,58,021 tests done for HbA1c.

A report published in 2009 by an International Expert Committee on the role of HbA1c in the diagnosis of diabetes recommended that HbA1c can be used to diagnose diabetes and that the diagnosis can be made if the HbA1c level is 6.5 per cent. Levels of HbA1c just below 6.5 per cent may indicate the presence of intermediate hyperglycaemia. The precise lower cut-off point for this has yet to be defined, although the ADA (The American Diabetes Association) has suggested 5.7  6.4 per cent as the high-risk range. While recognizing the continuum of risk that may be captured by the HbA1c assay, the International Expert Committee recommended that persons with an HbA1c level between 6.0 and 6.5 per cent were at particularly high risk and might be considered for diabetes prevention interventions.

Dr Anurag Bansal, Technical Director, SRL Diagnostics said In our analysis for the city of Delhi, we have found that amongst the 31 and 45 age group a staggering 37 per cent samples were diagnosed with prediabetes and 39 per cent are diabetic. Early diagnosis, extensive awareness and lifestyle interventions are required to keep our future generations healthier.
Recognised as the bank that best meets the specialised needs of SME in South Africa and on the continent, the Global Finance's inaugural SME Bank Awards has named FNB as the Best SME Bank in South Africa and Africa.

Supporting clients needs

Global Entrepreneurship Week

The criteria for Best SME Bank is based on knowledge of SME markets and needs, breadth of products and services, market standing, and innovation."To be awarded as the Best SME Bank in South Africa and Africa is truly humbling and affirms our commitment to empowering SMEs to continue playing a meaningful role in economies across our continent, says Jacques Celliers, FNB CEO.Over the course of the pandemic, we have accelerated investment in our digital platform to ensure that our commercial and retail clients can overcome operational and financial constraints caused by the global pandemic.As the global economy gradually re-opens, we remain on hand to help our clients to regain economic activity in all areas where we operate," he adds.The recent accolade comes shortly after FNB was acknowledged as the Best Bank for Women Entrepreneurs as well as the SME Bank of the Year at last years Global SME Finance Forum.Gordon Little, FNB Commercial CEO believes that the accolades attest to the banks ongoing endeavours to better understand and provide solutions for thier clients needs.Our strategy is underpinned by a myriad of initiatives to support businesses throughout their life stages and unique context.As a result, we are also expanding our presence in the local markets, which is where many SMEs operate, to help address the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in areas where they operate, he says."As we commemorate Global Entrepreneurship Week, we remain committed to finding ways to continue helping, supporting and growing entrepreneurs.We do this through our platform and partnerships to enable access to financial tools and advisory services," says Little.As such, we have a range of educational materials on our digital platform where SMEs can access information that helps them with incubation, starting, running, and growing their enterprises," he adds.In 2019, the Bank introduced its Fundaba programme to provide free interactive entrepreneurial e-learning via the FNB App.Fundaba comprises videos, podcasts, quizzes, templates, and tools for clients to learn about entrepreneurship and running a business.Recently, FNB also announced a phased roll-out of innovative solutions for SME, such as creating a cost-effective e-commerce platform and its new Android point-of-sale devices.The solutions will offer businesses access to cutting-edge innovation to meet the changing needs of their clients says the bank.
As often as he can, gallery owner William Mora takes a morning walk along the Richmond bank of the Yarra River. In the past few weeks, a curious presence has accompanied him.

I come around the bend every morning and there are two white cockatoos, he says. They perch, as if standing a vigil, or fly down to him.

William Mora visits the last exhibition of the estate of Paddy Bedford. Credit:Leslie Haworth

The white cockatoo, says Mora, was the main Dreaming of his friend, celebrated Indigenous artist Paddy Bedford, whose artistic estate he has been entrusted with for the past 15 years.

And the cockatoos have appeared now that, on the other side of the river, an exhibition has been hung on the walls of DLan Contemporary, representing the final and greatest release from that estate.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has been rightly praised for his leadership in allowing debate on an assisted dying bill he so strongly opposes. But the speech he delivered to the NSW Parliament on the bill was not the speech of a leader; it was deceptive, paternalistic and cruel.

Premier Dominic Perrottet in the Legislative Assembly at the Parliament of NSW. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

The Premier said he didnt want to talk about the detail of the NSW legislation. Instead, he wanted to talk about legislation in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Canada  scaremongering with the old lie that, what started as laws for the terminally ill, has expanded to include those who arent close to death. One minutes Googling would have revealed the truth: laws in these countries were never limited to the terminally ill and always covered a broader scope of unbearable and untreatable suffering. The NSW bill is strictly limited to people with an advanced terminal illness and that is what the Parliament is voting on.

The Premier chose to ignore any of the hundreds of examples of end-of-life suffering sent to his NSW office. Instead, he twisted the truth about Oregon, which legalised assisted dying in 1997. More than nine in 10 said they wanted to end their lives because they feared a loss of autonomy, he claimed. We are failing as a society if we accept that loss of autonomy is a legitimate reason for a person to end their own life.

Yet, it is truer to say that those in Oregon who chose to end their lives did so because they were all dying of a terminal disease which had stolen their autonomy from them.
Were driving Victorias recovery through unprecedented investment in jobs, services and supporting our hospital system as we reopen. In an interview with The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, Professor Duckett described the national cabinet plan as really peculiar in its omission of plans to restimulate the economy or address a shadow pandemic of mental health problems, missed schooling and deferred healthcare. I think part of it is the Commonwealth government wants to pretend there are no problems, as part of its political narrative, he said. We do have to accept that there are ongoing issues and the Commonwealth has to fund some of it. And they would prefer not to fund any of it.

The article calls for lessons to be learnt from the messy 2021 vaccination rollout, and for learning processes including formal inquiries to be undertaken at local, state and national levels. From a public health perspective, this should not be a witch hunt, but rather an exercise in learning and improvement, it says. Stephen Duckett says the federal government wants to pretend there are no problems. Credit:Jeremy Piper Professor Duckett said a royal commission might be appropriate, though he stressed he did not want any inquiry filled up with lawyers and looking for fault. I want it to be one where we actually say, Look, we are trying to learn from this, because by the time its set up we would have had an election, so the public will have made their choices about who was to blame and who wasnt.

When asked about the lessons from this years vaccine rollout, Professor Duckett criticised the very narrow range of vaccine choices and messaging that contributed to the AstraZeneca vaccine developing a bad reputation with the public. Loading A request to interview Professor Sutton was declined by the Victorian Health Department, but Professor Duckett said he had sought to involve the high-profile Chief Health Officer in the editorial, as he wanted to write it with someone who had been in the thick of it. Its all very well for me, who has been an adviser [and] a commentator, but what were the lessons and what were the reflections of someone whod been in the thick of it? And there was no one who has been more in the thick of it than Brett Sutton. Professor Duckett said Victorias Chief Health Officer was particularly concerned about the uneven impacts of COVID-19, which have been evident in the two main waves in Victoria, when the virus has taken hold in poorer areas of suburban Melbourne that are home to bigger families and more essential workers.

The real lesson of the pandemic ... is the huge impact of inequality and structural disadvantage on its course and outcomes, the editorial says. It is convenient to imagine that respiratory viruses are randomly transmitted from one person to another. The reality is that they find all the social, demographic, and economic vulnerabilities within and between populations: differential effects related to sex, overcrowding, essential but casualised work, public housing, homelessness, poverty, poor health literacy, cultural marginalisation, and stigmatisation. Gerard FitzGerald, a former Queensland chief health officer and emeritus professor of public health at the Queensland University of Technology, said the recovery phase in any disaster was the most important phase, and often lasted longer than the event itself. What we say in disaster management is you often cant do much about the initial disaster and its impact, but you can prevent the secondary disaster [of] people suffering through the recovery phase, he said.

Professor FitzGerald said people would be suffering long-term impacts of COVID-19 and the health system would need to cope with delayed operations and conditions that had been missed. I cant imagine the number of businesses that have gone out of business during this event, he added. For some people who lost loved ones, their recovery may never be complete, but Professor FitzGerald estimated the recovery period for COVID-19 would need to be about three to five years, depending on whether the disease lingered or was eliminated. The former commissioner of the Queensland Ambulance Service said he was not a fan of royal commissions but it would be important through other inquiries to reflect on better ways of doing things, pointing to the initial shortages of personal protective equipment as an example of Australias overreliance on international supply chains.
Victorias opposition has moved to distance itself from demonstrators who chanted death threats against Premier Daniel Andrews at a weekend rally, urging those upset with vaccine mandates and proposed pandemic laws to take their frustrations out at the ballot box.

Thousands of protesters  including controversial Liberal MP Bernie Finn, who addressed the crowd  gathered in Melbournes CBD on Saturday to march against the Andrews governments proposed pandemic legislation and coronavirus vaccine mandates, with several angry demonstrators waving signs calling for MPs to be hanged, and others carrying nooses.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said he did not endorse extremism and that the protest reflected the nervousness, angst and fear felt by Melburnians after living through six lockdowns totalling more than 260 days since March 2020.

Peoples frustrations should be taken out at the ballot box, he said.
Dozens of formerly homeless Victorians who were given a place to live in a lavish inner-city apartment building will be moved out after other residents complained of threats, public drug taking, and violence.

Earlier this year, as part of a $150 million program to house homeless people who had spent the pandemic in hotels, the Andrews government bought 55 apartments at the newly developed Park House building complex on Victoria Street in Abbotsford.

The Park House - Riverbank apartment buildings in Abbotsford. Credit:Justin McManus

The program has rehoused vulnerable members of the community but from the point of view of other residents it has not been a success.

The first encounter was when someone threatened to kill me outside the building, said one Park House resident, who spoke to The Age on the condition of anonymity due to fears for his physical safety.
Singapore: Finance Minister Simon Birmingham will plead for foreign investors to return to Australia as Chinese investment evaporates and the Morrison government relies on the private sector to fund its net zero plan.

The pitch to foreign investors at a major Asian investment conference in Singapore on Monday will aim to recast Australia from climate laggard to climate leader.

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The governments technology investment road map is expected to result in up to $20 billion being invested over the next 10 years, but the government is targeting $60 billion in investment from the private sector  much of it from overseas.

Inbound investment into Australia is so crucial if we are to realise the potential business growth in these sectors, Birmingham will tell the Milken Institute on Monday.
London: Buckingham Palace says the Queen has sprained her back and was disappointed to have pulled out of the UKs Remembrance Sunday service.

The 95-year-old monarch had said she would attend the service, which would have been her first public outing since being told to rest.

The palace said the Queens back injury is unrelated to her recent health concerns. Credit:Getty Images

She had in October pulled out of several events, including a reception at the UN climate talks in Glasgow, after an overnight stay in hospital.

In her 69 years on the throne, the monarch had previously missed the Remembrance Sunday event at the Cenotaph War Memorial in central London only six times, four while on tour abroad and twice while pregnant.
Pharmaceuticals formulations major Bafna Pharmaceuticals Ltd was in advanced stage of discussion with some multi-national pharma for acquisitions of brands, a company official said.

The city-based company declared its financial results for the quarter ending September 30, 2021 with standalone net at Rs 2.37 crore as against Rs 47 lakh registered during same quarter of previous year.

For the half year period ending September 30, 2021 standalone profit stood at Rs 4.46 crore from Rs 2.29 crore registered during corresponding period of last financial year, a company statement said here on Sunday.

"..with the Covid-19 pandemic nearly behind us, the company is looking at a quantum growth in income as well as (in) profits. We are engaged in advanced-level talks with some multinational pharma for of brands", company Head-Business Development Navin Bafna said in the statement.

The total income on standalone basis during the quarter ending September 30, 2021 grew to Rs 28.61 crore from Rs 15.42 crore registered same period last fiscal.

Standalone total income for the six month period ending September 30, 2021 was at Rs 50.04 crore as against Rs 32.30 crore registered during the same period of last fiscal.

The Earnings Before Interest Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) for the half year ending September 30, 2021 was at Rs 7.43 crore, as against Rs 4.28 crore registered in the same period of last financial year, the statement added.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Twenty Indian were released from the Landhi district jail here on Sunday after completing their four-year prison terms for allegedly fishing illegally in Pakistani waters and will be handed over to the Indian authorities at the border on Monday, a senior prison official said.

Landhi jail Superintendent Irshad Shah said the fishermen, mostly belonging to Gujarat, were released as a goodwill gesture after the Indian authorities confirmed their nationalities.

"They had served four years in jail and have been released today as a goodwill gesture by our government, Shah said.

The Edhi Trust Foundation, a non-profit social welfare organisation, made arrangements to transport the to the border in Lahore from where they will be handed over to the Indian authorities on Monday.

"We have handed them over to the Edhi Foundation which is taking care of all their travel and other expenses. They will travel to Lahore by Allama Iqbal Express train, Shah said.

The officer said there were 588 more Indian nationals, the majority of them fishermen, who are still languishing in Landhi jail.

We release them once we get approval from the Sindh Home Department as we got yesterday to release these 20 Indian fishermen, he added.

The were arrested by the Pakistan Maritime Security Force (PMSF) and handed over to the dock police for allegedly fishing illegally in Pakistani waters.

The Pakistan government had also released 20 Indian fishermen early last year and another batch of 100 Indian fishermen in April 2019 as a goodwill gesture.

Fishermen from Pakistan and India usually end up in jails after they are arrested for fishing illegally in each other's territorial waters.

A senior official of the NGO Pakistan Fishermen Forum said that due to the absence of a clear demarcation line in the coastal area of the Arabian Sea between the two countries, these fishermen who do not possess the modern-day navigation equipment mistakenly cross the red lines and ended up in jails.

(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.)
: Abrogation or of the Constitution was a great cause of the people of the country and also a historic moment in his life, Vice-President said here on Sunday.

"It was my life ambition and mission since childhood. Kashmir is an integral part of India. No commas, question marks. Each inch of Kashmir belongs to India. They are equal citizens. That's my conviction," the Vice-President remarked.

He was happy to have presided over the Rajya Sabha when the historic Bill was passed, Venkaiah Naidu said and recalled the "tension" that he was put under a day before.

The Vice-President was addressing the 20th anniversary celebrations of his Swarna Bharat Trust at Venkatachalam in SPS Nellore district here.

Reacting to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's mention of the abrogation Bill, Venkaiah Naidu said it was the people's wish, but was not respected all these years, for whatever reasons.

"A day before the Bill, Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi came to my house and told me the Kashmir Bill was to be introduced in the Rajya Sabha first. I told him why don't we do it in the Lok Sabha, where you have two-thirds majority. He said Venkaiah ji, better do it in the Rajya Sabha first, the Vice-President recalled.

He said there were doubts and apprehensions that something would happen (in Rajya Sabha).

"There was tension. I was worried. My wife and daughter were worried about my health because anything can happen in the House on Kashmir. We called our cardiologist, Balram Bhargava. He said he will be sitting in the gallery, so don't worry," Venkaiah Naidu said.

"Many feared there would be bloodshed. But the way Amit Shah presented it in the House ensured that everything went well. It was not passed in haste, but after a detailed discussion. Everybody was given an opportunity to speak," he added.

"People were expecting to go. This is a great cause of the people. It was passed in the Rajya Sabha without any incident. I appreciate the Prime Minister and the Home Minister for it. It's a historic moment in my life," Venkaiah Naidu remarked.

Earlier in his speech, the Home Minister recalled how Venkaiah Naidu was opposed to Article 370 since his student days.

"As Vice-President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, he saw the (abrogation Bill) passed in the House. God has given that opportunity, seeing his conviction, Shah observed.

(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 visible improvement in Delhi's air quality was recorded on Sunday although it was in the 'very poor' category while the city's Environment Minister Gopal Rai said his government will submit a lockdown proposal to the on Monday to reduce pollution further.

The capital recorded a 24-hour average (AQI) of 330 on Sunday as against 437 the previous day as emissions from farm fires in Haryana and Punjab dropped significantly. The AQI was and 471 on Friday, the worst this season so far.

The of neighbouring Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Noida, Faridabad, Greater Noida was recorded at 331, 287, 321, 298 and 310, respectively.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

The India Meteorological Department said visibility levels ranged from 1,500 to 2,200 metres at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and from 1,000 to 1,500 metres at the Safdarjung Airport.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said the city government will on Monday submit to the a proposal on clamping a lockdown and its modalities.

The apex court had on Saturday termed the rise in pollution levels an "emergency situation" and suggested clamping a lockdown in the capital.

The Delhi government has already announced the closure of physical classes in schools, colleges and other educational institutions, except those where exams are being conducted, for a week from Monday.

All government offices, agencies and autonomous bodies, except those involved in essential services, have been directed to ask employees to work from home. No construction and demolition activity is allowed in the capital till November 17.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has asked Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to consider implementing similar restrictions to contain spiralling air pollution levels.

The state governments and district administrations in the Capital Region have also been suggested to issue a 'citizen charter/advisory' for the public on steps that need to be taken during various stages of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

The Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality forecasting agency SAFAR said transport-level winds are "slowing down resulting in lesser intrusion of farm fires-related pollutants into Delhi".

Over 3,400 farm fires accounted for 12 per cent of Delhi's PM2.5 pollution on Sunday, down from 31 per cent on Saturday. The share of stubble burning in Delhi's pollution ranged from 25 per cent to 48 per cent from November 4 to November 13.

SAFAR said the air quality in Delhi may improve a little over the next two days due to the restrictions on anthropogenic activities if the share of stubble burning does not increase.

The air quality is likely to deteriorate from the night of November 16 due to calm wind conditions. On November 17, it is likely to be in the upper end of the very poor category, the agency 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.)
India on Sunday reported a net reduction of 390 in active cases to take its count to 135,918. Indias share of global active cases now stands at 0.71 per cent (one in 141). The country is eighteenth among the most affected countries by active cases. On Saturday, it added 11,271 cases to take its total caseload to 34,437,307 from 34,426,036  an increase of 0.1%. And, with 285 new fatalities, its Covid-19 reached 463,530, or 1.35 per cent of total confirmed infections.

With 5,743,840 more Covid-19 vaccine doses being administered on Saturday, Indias total count of vaccine shots so far reached 1,120,103,225. The count of recovered cases across India, meanwhile, reached 33,837,859 or 98.26 per cent of total caseload  with 11,376 new cured cases being reported on Sunday.

Now the eighteenth-most-affected country by active cases, third by deaths, second by total cases and recoveries, India has added 81,771 cases in the past 7 days.

India now accounts for 0.71% of all active cases globally (one in every 141 active cases), and 9.07% of all deaths (one in every 11 deaths).

India has so far administered 1,120,103,225 vaccine doses. That is 3252.58 per cent of its total caseload, and 80.09 per cent of its population.

Among Indian states, the top 5 in terms of number of vaccine shots administered are Uttar Pradesh (144426085), Maharashtra (107175033), West Bengal (88284418), Madhya Pradesh (78012335), and Gujarat (77762252).

Among states with more than 10 million population, the top 5 in number of vaccine shots per one million population are Gujarat (1217463), Kerala (1216597), Jammu and Kashmir (1206593), Delhi (1190392), and Uttarakhand (1101107).

Backwards from here, the last 1 million cases for India have come in 57 days.

The count of active cases across India on Sunday saw a net reduction of 390, compared with 1,108 on Saturday. States and UTs hat have seen the biggest daily net increase in active cases are Jammu and Kashmir (86), Assam (55), Punjab (32), West Bengal (31), and Chhattisgarh (15).

With 11,376 new daily recoveries, Indias recovery rate stands at 98.26%, while fatality rate remained unchanged at 1.35%.

The Indian states and UTs with the worst case fatality rates at present are Punjab (2.75%), Nagaland (2.16%), and Uttarakhand (2.15%). The rate in as many as 12 is higher than the national average.

Indias new daily closed cases stand at 11,661  285 deaths and 11,376 recoveries. The share of deaths in total closed cases stands at 2.44%.

Indias 5-day moving average of daily rate of addition to total cases stands at 0.1%.

Indias doubling time for total cases stands at 2117.5 days, and for deaths at 1127.0 days.

Overall, five states with the biggest 24-hour jump in total cases are Kerala (6468), Maharashtra (999), West Bengal (872), Tamil Nadu (809), and Mizoram (387).

India on Saturday conducted 1,255,904 to take the total count of tests conducted so far in the country to 623,751,344. The test positivity rate recorded was 0.9%.

Five states with the highest test positivity rate (TPR)  percentage of tested people turning out to be positive for Covid-19 infection (by cumulative data for tests and cases  are Dadra & Nagar Haveli-Daman & Diu (14.75%), Kerala (13.07%), Sikkim (11.92%), Goa (11.86%), and Maharashtra (10.37%).

Five states with the highest TPR by daily numbers for tests and cases added  are Kerala (9%), Mizoram (8.14%), Manipur (2.77%), West Bengal (2.12%), and Himachal Pradesh (1.89%).

Among states and UTs with more than 10 million population, five that have carried out the highest number of tests (per million population) are Delhi (1604648), J&K (1230151), Kerala (1083435), Karnataka (769734), and Telangana (711985).

The five most affected states by total cases are Maharashtra (6623344), Kerala (5055224), Karnataka (2991614), Tamil Nadu (2714025), and Andhra Pradesh (2069770).

Maharashtra, the most affected state overall, has reported 999 new cases to take its tally to 6623344.

Kerala, the second-most-affected state by total tally, has added 6468 cases to take its tally to 5055224.

Karnataka, the third-most-affected state, has reported 245 cases to take its tally to 2991614.

Tamil Nadu has added 809 cases to take its tally to 2714025.

Andhra Pradesh has seen its tally going up by 156 to 2069770.

Uttar Pradesh has added 9 cases to take its tally to 1710261.

Delhi has added 56 cases to take its tally to 1440388.
The national capital reported 36 new cases of COVID-19 and one death in a day while the positivity rate stood at 0.07 per cent, according to data shared by the health department here on Sunday.

The capital has recorded three deaths due to the infection in November so far. Four people had succumbed to viral disease in October and five in September.

With the new cases, the coronavirus infection tally in the city climbed to 14,40,424. Of this, over 14.14 lakh patients have recovered from the disease.

The death toll stands at 25,094.

According to the health bulletin, authorities conducted 54,161 tests, including 44,843 RT-PCR ones, the previous day.

There are 349 active Covid cases in Delhi, of which 158 are in home isolation. The number of containment zones stands at 125.

reported 56 cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, and 62 cases and two deaths on Friday.

In April and May, battled a brutal second wave of the pandemic that claimed a massive number of lives and led to a shortage of oxygen and essential drugs at hospitals.

On April 20, had reported 28,395 cases, the highest in the city since the beginning of the pandemic. On April 22 the case positivity rate was 36.2 per cent, the highest so far.

The highest number of 448 deaths was reported on May 3.

According to the sixth sero survey, 97 per cent of the population in Delhi have developed antibodies against coronavirus as a result of a large number of people getting exposed to the virus during the second wave and robust vaccination in the capital.

All districts in the capital have a seroprevalence of more than 93 per cent. Four districts South, Central, Northeast and East have recorded a seropositivity rate of 99 per cent, 99.5 per cent, 99.7 per cent and 99.8 per cent, respectively.

Women (90.1 per cent) have a higher seropositivity rate than men (88.2 per cent). Those aged below 18 have a seropositivity rate of 88 per cent.

Ninety-five per cent of the vaccinated people who have a history of Covid infection have developed antibodies as compared to 82 per cent unvaccinated ones.

According to government data, over 2.12 crore vaccine doses have been administered in Delhi since the inoculation exercise started on January 16. Over 79 lakh people have received both doses.

(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 Justice of India N V Ramana on Sunday said the mind of the Indian judiciary can be known to millions largely through the actions of trial courts and district judiciary and therefore, nothing is more important than to 'preserve, protect and promote' the independence and integrity of the judiciary at all levels.

He said the Indian judiciary has always remained in the forefront of shaping the welfare state and the decisions of the constitutional courts of the country have enabled social democracy to thrive.

Speaking at the valedictory function of Legal Awareness and Outreach Campaign under the aegis of the Legal Services Authority (NALSA), the Chief Justice said, Despite our being a part of a welfare state, benefits are not trickling down to the intended beneficiaries at the desired levels. People's aspirations about leading a dignified life are often met with challenges. One of them, primarily, being poverty.

The mind of the Indian judiciary can be known to millions largely through the actions of the Trial Court and the District judiciary. For an overwhelming majority of litigants, what is real and existing is only the district judiciary. Without robust justice delivery system at the grassroot level, we cannot imagine a healthy judiciary. Therefore, nothing is more important than to preserve, protect and promote the independence and integrity of the judiciary at all levels, he said.

Ramana, who was addressing chief justices and judges from high courts for the first time in non-virtual mode, said, Together, we have been handling the responsibilities entrusted to us by the constitution with utmost sincerity and commitment. The immense trust reposed by the public at large upon the judiciary, as a last resort of hope, stands testimony to this fact. The Supreme Court and the high courts are hugely conscious of the constitutional scheme, which is honoured in letter and spirit by all of us.

He urged the judges that since decisions of the constitutional court have a huge social impact, they should be easily comprehensible and must be written in simple and clear language.

Today, I can state that we all have sincerely worked to live up to the aspirations of the framers of our constitution. The Indian judiciary has always remained in the forefront in shaping this welfare state. The decisions of the constitutional courts of this country have enabled social democracy to thrive, he said in the programme which was attended by Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Zubin Irani.

Ramana said the ability of constitutional courts to function with absolute independence and necessary boldness in the face of adversity defines the character of the institution.

Our ability to uphold the constitution sustains our impeccable character. There is no other way to live up to the faith of our people, he said, adding that the stark divide between haves and have nots is still a reality and no matter how many cherished declarations we successfully arrive it, in the face of poverty, inequity and deprivations, it will all seem pointless.

The Chief Justice of India said this is where initiatives like the intensive awareness campaign launched by NALSA on Gandhi Jayanti assume importance and these schemes and activities of NALSA act as a necessary bridge ensuring access between the benefactor and the beneficiary.

Emphasising on the role of high courts, the said it assumes great importance as they are entrusted with the duty to supervise and oversee the functioning of all the other courts in the state.

The state judiciary, being closely associated with the people, has to be sensitive and aware about their problems and practical difficulties. In particular, it needs to be cognizant about both victims as well as accused, and must facilitate their emergency needs. After all, the law needs to operate humanely. Remember, it is the trial court which is approached first by a woman in distress, a child in need of care, or an illegal detenue, he said.

Urging law students and senior lawyers to participate in the campaign, he said that people who are suffering do not look for well dressed, erudite lawyers or colossal court buildings and all they want is to be relieved of their pain quickly, without exhausting all their resources.

The importance of law students in our legal aid movement cannot be understated. An active interest by the younger population in eradicating the existing social problems will definitely pave the way for a brighter India. The State Legal Services Authorities must ensure larger participation of the students in the legal aid movement, he said.

Irani said the next 75 years of independent India need to be equally about responsibility of citizens towards the community and the nation, and not just rights.

Justice U U Lalit, the executive chairman of NALSA, appreciated the efforts of para-legal volunteers and other personnel involved in the campaign and said since October 2, a total of 19 lakh villages were covered under the programme.

Attorney General K K Venugopal appreciated the efforts of Justice Lalit in ensuring a successful campaign and said that he himself went to different states of the country and on one day in Ladakh and on another he was found in Kanyakumari.

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After a row erupted on comparison between Hindutva and ISIS in his new book, senior leader on Saturday clarified that he has said they are similar, not the same.

The former union minister said that the enemies of Hinduism are those who are trying to defame the religion.

Speaking to media persons during his visit to Kalki Dham, he said, "I am visiting Kalki Dham. I would not be here if I would have any issue with any religion. I believe that Hinduism spread peace in the world."

"It seems that some people are trying to defame Hinduism. They are enemies of Hinduism and are afraid that their truth will come out. They will ban any book which reveals their truth," he said.

"ISIS and Boko Haram defame Islam but no Islamic followers opposed it. I had not said ISIS and Hindutva same, I had said that they are similar," he added.

On Wednesday, former union minister got embroiled in controversy for allegedly "defaming and comparing Hinduism with terrorism" in his recent book "Sunrise Over Ayodhya: Nationhood in Our Times".

Khurshid's book on the Ayodhya verdict was released last week. It explored the Apex Court's landmark judgement on the Ayodhya dispute. Senior leader Khurshid has compared Hindutva to radical terrorist groups like "ISIS and Boko Haram".

Reacting sharply over the excepts of the book, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Sambit Patra on Friday said that the party's attack on Hinduism is not a coincidence but an experiment. He alleged that the nature of Congress is to attack Hinduism whenever they get a chance.

Meanwhile, two Delhi lawyers have filed complaints on Thursday with Delhi Police against Khurshid, for allegedly defaming and comparing Hinduism with terrorism in his book.

The development comes at a time when seven states in the country namely Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat are slated to go for assembly elections in the year 2022.

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Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday said that along the Myanmar border through which militants who ambushed the Assam Rifles personnel and family members are believed to have slipped in, would be beefed up.

The chief minister who laid wreaths on the bodies of an Assam Rifles Colonel, his wife, son and four other riflemen at Imphal airport, also said the home department and para-military forces had been instructed to bring the militants before justice at the earliest.

Officials said that a massive combing operation being jointly conducted by the para-military Assam Rifles and state police in the jungles surrounding the village of Sekhen where the ambush was laid, was on.

Two militant groups - People's Liberation Army and the Naga People's Front -had on Saturday jointly claimed responsibility for the attack.

The mortal remains of Col Viplav Tripathi, his family and the Assam rifles personnel, who lost their lives in the terror attack in on Saturday have been flown out to their respective home towns.

Col Tripathi, the Commanding Officer of Khuga Battalion of Assam Rifles, his wife Anuja and son Abeer, besides four personnel of the country's oldest paramilitary force were killed on Saturday in a welter of IED blasts and gunfire in Manipur's Churachandpur district.

The four Assam Rifles personnel killed in the attack were Rifleman (Rfn) Shyamal Das, Rfn Suman Swargiary, Rfn RP Meena and Rfn Khatnei Konyak.

Col Tripathi was a resident of Raigarh in Chattisgarh. Rfn Das was a resident of Murshidabad in West Bengal and Rfn Swargiary belonged to Baksa district in Assam. Rfn Konyak was from Mon district in Nagaland, while Rfn Meena was a resident of Dausa district in Rajasthan.

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The mortal remains of Col Viplav Tripathi, his family and the Assam rifles personnel, who lost their lives in a terror attack in Manipur, will be flown to their hometowns on Sunday, official sources said.

A special flight from the Imphal airport will fly the mortal remains, and is scheduled to reach the Guwahati airport in Assam at first, following which it will fly to Panagarh airbase in West Bengal, they said.

From there, the flight will head to Raipur in Chhattisgarh and then to Jaipur in Rajasthan. The special plane is scheduled to land at the Jaipur airport at 11 pm, they added.

Col Tripathi, the Commanding Officer of Khuga Battalion of Assam Rifles, his wife Anuja and son Abeer, besides four personnel of the country's oldest paramilitary force were killed on Saturday in a welter of IED blasts and burst of gunfire in Manipur's Churachandpur district.

The four Assam Rifles personnel killed in the attack were Rfn Shyamal Das, Rfn Suman Swargiary, Rfn RP Meena and Rfn Khatnei Konyak.

Col Tripathi was a resident of Raigarh in Chattisgarh. Rfn Das was a resident of Murshidabad in West Bengal and Rfn Swargiary belonged to Baksa district in Assam. Rfn Konyak was from Mon district in Nagaland, while Rfn Meena was a resident of Dausa district in Rajasthan.

The mortal remains of Rfn Konyak will be sent by helicopter to his native place in Nagaland, official sources said.

The militants ambushed their convoy at the India-Myanmar border village of Sehken on Saturday morning.

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Police fired teargas shells and carried out a baton charge to disperse 100 anti-CAA protesters who allegedly turning violent, setting a few motor bikes on fire and pelting stones on the security forces in Karnataka's Mangaluru, a police official said on Thursday.

"Our men were forced to fire teargas shells on the protesters as some of them turned violent and refused to disperse from a market place defying the ban order under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC)," the police official said.

"Our force was also forced to cane the protesters as they refused to vacate the public place and stop the sit-in demonstration in defiance of the ban on such acts. They were taken into preventive custody," said the official.

Hundreds of college students and cadres of the Left organisations and minority institutions staged protests and staged sit-in demo in the port city against the CAA and sought its repeal at the earliest.

Though normal life remained unaffected in the coastal town, public transport and vehicular movement was disrupted due to mob violence.

--IANS

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Russia has begun the delivery of S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems to India, according to a senior Russian official.

Russia's Director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) Dmitry Shugaev told Sputnik news agency that the deliveries are going on as planned.

The development comes as both sides prepare for a visit to India by Russian President on December 6 for a bilateral summit with Prime Minister

"The supplies of the S-400 air defence system to India have started and are proceeding on schedule," Shugaev said There was no official comment by the Indian Air Force on the deliveries.

It is learnt that deliveries of some components of the missile systems have started and all key parts are yet to reach India.

In October 2018, India had signed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems, despite a warning from the Trump administration that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions.

The Biden administration has not yet clarified whether it will impose sanctions on India under the provisions of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) for procuring the

The CAATSA, which was brought in 2017, provides for punitive actions against any country engaged in transactions with Russian defence and intelligence sectors.

The US has already imposed sanctions on Turkey under the CAATSA for the purchase of a batch of S-400 missile defence systems from Russia.

The S-400 is known as Russia's most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system.

Following the US sanctions on Turkey over the procurement of S-400 missile systems, there were apprehensions that Washington may impose similar punitive measures on India.

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman during a visit to India last month said that any country deciding to use the S-400 missiles is "dangerous" and not in anybody's security interest.

At the same time, she hoped that the US and India will be able to resolve differences over the procurement.

It is learnt that the matter is being discussed between India and the US.

Russia has been one of India's key major suppliers of arms and ammunition.

It is learnt that India and Russia are going to firm up a number of agreements in the areas of defence, trade and investment, and science and technology at the summit between Modi and Putin.

A framework for military-technical cooperation is also set to be renewed for the next decade at the summit.

India and Russia have also reached the final phase of negotiation for a logistics support agreement and it is likely to be signed soon, it is learnt.

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India unveiled a symbolic 'Pandemic Classroom' installation in the capital to mark Children's Day on Sunday, ahead of the World Children's Day on November 20, and called for urgent action to support learning.

Empty rows of desks and chairs along with unused backpacks were set up to draw attention to the plight of millions of young children who missed going to school for over a year due to closures in the wake of the pandemic and have consequently experienced learning loss.

India Representative Yasumasa Kimura unveiled the installation by ringing a school bell.

"Each empty desk in this symbolic pandemic classroom is dedicated to the millions of children who have faced learning challenges. With each passing day, every child who misses out on learning falls further behind in their development and many may never return to school. Unfortunately, the most vulnerable are paying the heaviest price of school closures and many have forgotten to read or write," Kimura said.

"The future of an entire generation is at stake. We urge parents to come together with school administrations and the government to support safe reopening of schools and learning recovery programmes to reach and benefit all children. Each of us has a role to play in improving learning recovery and opportunities for children in India," he added.

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Days before the winter session of Parliament, the government on Sunday passed two Ordinances extending the tenures of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) chiefs to up to five years.

The chiefs of the central agencies currently have a two-year tenure. The is clearly aimed to ensure the continuance of current chief S K Mishra, who is already on an extension, having reached 60 in 2020. His term would have come to an end on November 17.

Both Ordinances have been signed by President Ram Nath Kovind.

The chiefs of the top agencies can be given extensions, according to the Ordinances, every year for up to three years after they complete the two-year term.

Provided that the period for which the Director of Enforcement holds the office on his initial appointment may, in public interest, on the recommendation of the committee under clause (a) and for the reasons to be recorded in writing, be extended up to one year at a time: provided further that no such extension shall be granted after the completion of a period of five years in total, including the period mentioned in the initial appointment, reads an official statement.

A Supreme Court Bench  headed by Justice L N Rao  recently passed an order in the case linked to the extension of Mishra, who took charge in 2018, underlining the extension of tenure should be done only in rare and exceptional cases. His observation followed a fierce argument in court after senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for the petitioner non-governmental organisation Common Cause, said that extension of tenure beyond retirement age was done because the officer was a favourite.

You cant just go giving extensions. This demoralises the (other) officers. If you are the governments favourite, you will be appointed and if you arent an independent officer, you wont be appointed, contended Dave.

The governments law officer Tushar Mehta defended the government, saying the (appointments) committee went through the performance appraisal reports of the last 10 years of each candidate. For the last 10 years, the report said he was outstanding. Such decisions by the system devised by our country are not by someones whims and fancies.

To this, Justice L N Rao observed: Even if Mishra is excellent, we cannot have him continue till all these cases are over. He is doing good work, but the question is whether his tenure can be extended.

The retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer fraternity reacted to the move with surprise and outrage.

Yashovardhan Azad, who is currently the central information commissioner and has been an IPS officer for 40 years, told Business Standard: This move will render the chiefs of important investigative agencies to the status of daily wage-earners. It will demoralise younger talent and undermine the autonomy and independence of the agencies. That the Ordinances were brought just before a Parliament session means they were not meant to be a move to reform and streamline the functioning of the agencies, but designed for particular individuals. I am most disappointed.

Former Commissioner of Delhi Police Neeraj Kumar said: I am surprised. I hope this does not lead to other agency heads seeking similar extensions. Should that happen, it would not be in the best interests of human resource management down the line.

The enforces two central laws  the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The agency has been pursuing money-laundering probes into a range of high-profile bank fraud cases registered by the CBI, and cases related to the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act. It has also carried attachment and seizure of properties in alleged terror-funding cases linked to first information reports filed by the national investigation agency.

The under Mishra is overseeing multiple cases of alleged money laundering against Opposition leaders. These include allegations against bank director, Maharashtra leader Sharad Pawars nephew and former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, and 70 former functionaries of the bank.

The ED also registered a money-laundering case against former Uttar Pradesh chief minister (CM) and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in an illegal mining case, the INX Media case, relating to foreign exchange violations under FEMA, the allegedly illegal transfer of property in Panchkula by then CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and late party treasurer Motilal Vora to Associated Journals owned by Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and a host of other cases.

A serving IPS officer who did not want to be named said: Now the government can tell the ED chief: today youve done good work. Let us see if you can keep this up tomorrow. Otherwise.

A senior civil servant pointed out that this is not the first instance of the governments pick-and-choose policy regarding heads of investigative agencies. When the issue of appointing Rakesh Asthana as Commissioner of Delhi Police had come up, the government gave an affidavit in court saying the current crop of officers in the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, Union Territory cadre (from where the Delhi Police Commissioner is usually picked) had no suitable person, which is why they had been compelled to bring an officer from outside the cadre for the job.
Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has confirmed that Kabul is mediating between the Imran Khan-led government and banned Pakistani Taliban for peace in the country.

In an interview with Geo, Muttaqi said there is no individual of the Islamic Emirate but as a matter of policy, the whole Islamic Emirate is mediating between the government of and the banned TTP, Geo News reported.

He expressed confidence that the talks will yield positive results. The foreign minister said that the establishment of peace and the end of war is in the interest of all.

Meanwhile, he said that welcomed the peace talks between the government and TTP, with the undertaking that it would continue to support Islamabad in its peace endeavours.

The Taliban is mediating talks between banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) and the Pakistan government, according to reports.

The acting interior minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani hosted talks between the two sides for the past two weeks in the southeastern province of Khost, reported Tolo News.

"The stance of the Islamic Emirate is that it will act in a role to resolve problems that are important," said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate.

There are different views over whether the mediation of talks would be in the interest of or not, reported Tolo News.

Earlier, TTP insisted on the release of its prisoners as a precondition for a ceasefire. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said that his administration was involved in negotiations with the TTP.

The leader of the National Solidarity Movement, Sayed Ishaq Gailani said that the ongoing negotiations are considered an achievement for the Islamic Emirate, reported Tolo News."If Sirajuddin Haqqani facilitated the negotiations, it is an honour for the people of Afghanistan," he said.TTP has been active in several parts of Pakistan since 2007.

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Dubai's biennial Air Show opened Sunday to a world still reeling from the pandemic and an aviation industry hard-hit by the coronavirus, but on the mend.

Boeing and Airbus have traditionally been the stars of the aviation trade show, competing for multi-billion-dollar Gulf-based airline purchases and hammering out final details minutes before back-to-back press conferences.

This year, however, the five-day exhibition is expected to be much more muted than in past years due to the subdued state of flying and travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic and delays in the global supply chain that have affected plane manufacturers.

went into a brief lockdown last year, but has since swung open its doors to vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers as it tries to lure back leisure and business spending and draw visitors to its multi-billion-dollar EXPO 2020 World's Fair site.

The air show in is one of the first major aviation trade shows to take place since the start of the pandemic.

The tarmac outside the exhibition hall showcased the latest innovations in commercial aviation as well as the global arms trade, and the continued push by companies to sell their hardware.

Boeing brought its new 777-9 passenger jet from Seattle in the longest flight to date for the 777X as it undergoes continued tests and awaits regulatory approval.

Boeing says the aircraft will be the world's largest and most efficient twin-engine jet.

The Middle East's largest carrier, Emirates, has ordered 126 of the 777X, but the Dubai-based airline has expressed frustration with delays around its delivery, which is not expected before late 2023.

Boeing continues to face scrutiny for its 737 Max aircraft, which was grounded globally until recently following two crashes that killed nearly 350 people.

Boeing had to make changes to flight software that played a role in the crashes, paid an undisclosed sum to airlines that were affected by the aircraft's grounding and has settled dozens of lawsuits filed by families of passengers killed in the crashes.

Airbus took journalists through a A320neo, which had been converted into a luxury corporate jet replete with a large bed, walk-in shower and sprawling sitting area with couches and coffee tables.

China's state-owned defense firm CATIC displayed a range of anti-aircraft missiles, munitions and fighter jets.

Also on display is Russia's Sukhoi Su-75 Checkmate fighter jet, which will be shown to the public later Sunday.

The jet is a less pricey competitor to the U.S. F-35, which the United Arab Emirates has been trying to acquire since formally recognising Israel last year in a deal brokered by the Trump administration.

That sale has slowed under President Joe Biden.

An Emirati airman inspecting a US-made Chinook CH-47 noted that the transport helicopter had been supporting Emirati forces on recent missions in Yemen and Afghanistan.

Israeli companies, meanwhile, displayed their hardware for the first time at the air show following Israel's normalization of diplomatic ties with the UAE last year.

The state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries company showed off a range of manned and unmanned naval and aerial drones.

Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems displayed its drone dome that detects and destroys drones with lasers.

Emirati defense officials were seen asking about the range and weight of the anti-drone system at the Israeli pavilion. In all, six Israeli companies are taking part in the air show.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz described the UAE-Israel partnership as a strategic asset, saying in a statement that the Defense Ministry's participation reflects the deepening relations" between the two nations.

The two countries share deep concerns over Iran, which is set to resume negotiations over its tattered nuclear deal with the U.S. and other world powers.

The air show is taking place near Dubai's Al Maktoum Airport, a second and smaller hub to Dubai's main airport, which is the world's busiest for travel.

With vaccines rollouts ongoing in many nations worldwide, the airline industry as a whole is recovering from last year's roughly $138 billion net loss.

Still, the industry as a whole continues to face losses this year and next. The Air Transport Association forecasts a net loss of $11.6 billion for airlines in 2022, and nearly $52 billion in losses this year.

Although commercial travel remains uncertain amid upticks in infections in some countries, cargo volumes are already above pre-pandemic levels. Some airlines have ripped out seats on their grounded passenger flights and transformed their aircraft into cargo planes.

This year, more than 100 American companies are exhibiting at the air show.

We are committed to deepening and strengthening this vital strategic relationship, said Sean Murphy, U.S. Embassy Charge d'affaires, thanking the UAE for its help in the U.S.-led evacuations out of Afghanistan.

The U.S. State Department last week helped facilitate the evacuation to Abu Dhabi of a group of approximately 190 Afghans, including U.S.-trained Afghan pilots, who had escaped to Uzbekistan after the Taliban's takeover of the country in August.

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More than two weeks of global climate negotiations came down in the end to India watering down language on the use of coal. But the visible resistance from India on the final text of the Glasgow Climate Pact helped conceal the role played by and even the U.S. in the weakened outcome.



A dramatic process of revision to the final text unfolded in the closing minutes of talks on Saturday, before COP26 President Alok Sharma could bring down the gavel, all surrounding a single paragraph. The sticking point: a call to accelerate the phase-out of unabated coal power, from plants that dont use carbon-capture technology.

In the end game, which lasted for more than an hour in the plenary hall, said it would like the language on reducing coal use to be closer to the text that it had agreed to in a joint statement with the U.S. earlier in the week. But it was left to India to spell out the last-minute change. Instead of agreeing to phase-out of coal power, Indias environment minister, Bhupender Yadav, read out a new version of the paragraph that used phase-down to describe what needs to happen to coal use. That formulation made it into the final text endorsed by almost 200 nations.

Several countries, including Switzerland and the Marshall Islands, immediately complained that other delegations had been blocked from re-opening the text, while India had its way in a late adjustment. I apologize for the way this process has unfolded, and I am deeply sorry, Sharma said from the stage, close to tears. I also understand the deep disappointment. But as you have already noted, its also vital that we protect this package.





ALSO READ: Major win for India at COP26 as it convinces world to 'phase down' coal

The maneuvering highlights one of the key tensions at this years United Nations climate negotiations. China, the U.S. and India are the three biggest polluters, and all three have now pledged to zero-out their emissions in the decades ahead. Yet India and pursued last-ditch interventions to soften language on coal usage, and the U.S. played a role in accepting that weaker position, calling into question their short-term commitment to curb coal usage.

At an earlier plenary session on Saturday, a host of countries had expressed opposition to different bits of the text. Iran was among the group that supported Indias and Chinas position on coal.

It was the U.S. and China who first embraced the term phase-down in their bilateral climate agreement, which was adopted with great fanfare in the middle of COP26. Before the dramatic final plenary, the U.S. even signaled acceptance of the phase-down language that had been used in the joint statement with China, according to a person familiar with the U.S. position who asked not to be named.

You have to phase down coal before you can  quote  end coal, John Kerry, the U.S. climate envoy, said at a press conference after the final text had been adopted.

As the gavel came down, though, it was India left looking like the primary holdout on behalf of coal. Yet two people familiar with late sideline discussions in the plenary hall involving Sharma said China played a major role in pushing for softer language.

Chinas diplomats made it clear in private that the worlds top emitter was reluctant to include more stringent formulations on ending coal. To shout slogans could cause unnecessary negative impacts on the pace. It could be like, pull up seedings to help them grow, said Li Zheng, a member of Chinas delegation at COP26, in an interview on Friday, using a Chinese maxim. To demonize fossil fuel will only hurt ourselves.

With the world mired in an energy crunch, India and China have both turned to mining more coal. That context was going to make climate talks difficult, especially any restrictions on the use of the dirtiest fossil fuel. Even in the U.S., where President Joe Biden is trying to pass a sweeping climate package, has had to bend to the will of elected lawmakers from coal constituencies.





ALSO READ: What's in the Glasgow Climate Pact? Five majors outcomes of COP26

Experts following the negotiations closely pushed back on the idea that India should be seen as responsible for the late change to the agreement, which must be produced by consensus. Some observers saw developed nations sharing responsibility for the watered-down coal language because they had resisted additional financial commitments to poor countries.

The problem is not India, Brandon Wu, director of policy & campaigns for Action Aid USA, wrote on Twitter. The problem is the U.S. and rich countries refusing to couch fossil-fuel phaseout in the context of global equity.
A group of U.S. states led by Texas have filed an amended complaint against Alphabet Inc's accusing the tech giant of using coercive tactics and breaking antitrust laws in its efforts to boost its already dominant advertising business.

The updated allegations are the latest in an onslaught of regulatory scrutiny of over its practices. The tech company faces several lawsuits, including one by the Justice Department for monopolistic practices.

Earlier this week, lost an appeal against a $2.8 billion European Union antitrust decision.

The amended U.S. lawsuit, filed in a federal court in New York late Friday, accuses Google of using monopolistic and coercive tactics with advertisers in its efforts to dominate and drive out competition in online advertising.

The lawsuit also highlights Google's use of a secret program dubbed "Project Bernanke" in 2013 that used bidding data to give its own ad-buying an advantage. For example, in a 2015 iteration of the program, Google allegedly dropped the second-highest bids from publishers' auctions, accumulated money into a pool and then spent that money to inflate only the bids belonging advertisers who used the company's Google Ads. They otherwise would have likely lost the auctions, the states alleged.

Neither Alphabet nor the Texas Attorney General's office responded immediately to requests for comment on the lawsuit.

(Reporting by Chris Prentice; Additional reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

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Facing an uncertain future of their education under the Taliban regime, Afghan girls and activists called on the Islamic Emirate to reopen schools that remain closed to women across the country.

Some girls, worried about their uncertain future, accused the Islamic Emirate of selective treatment in the reopening of some schools but not others, reported Tolo News.

"We want to go to school. The Islamic Emirate should not apply a double standard to allow girls in some provinces to go to school but then ban them in other provinces," said Sahar, a student.

According to claims of the Taliban officials, girl students of secondary and high school have been allowed to attend schools in seven of 34 provinces.

Afghan acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Friday said 75 per cent of girls in had resumed their studies in schools while replying to a question about the situation of girls' education rights in the Taliban-controlled country.

The Taliban, after taking control of the country in mid-August, had closed the schools with thousands of girl students confined to their homes, attracting criticism by the community.

Afghanistan's takeover by the Taliban has been harsher for the women and girls of the war-torn country despite the group's assurances to protect their rights.

Earlier, the Ministry of Education of Afghanistan, led by the Taliban had resumed all secondary schools. However, the directive only mentions the male students, making no reference to a return date for girls.

The Islamic Emirate had also banned girl schools for grades 7 to 12 in many provinces. The officials said earlier that the government was working on schemes to provide educational opportunities for Afghan girls.

Moreover, the employees of the Education Ministry voiced concerns over being unpaid for the past three months, reported Tolo News.

"I haven't been paid for the past three months. The men of the family are also jobless. We are struggling with a lot of problems" said Halima, an employee of the ministry.

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has started delivering the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems to India, the deliveries are going as planned, Director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) Dmitry Shugaev told Sputnik ahead of the Dubai Airshow.

"The supplies of the S-400 air defense system to have started and are proceeding on schedule," Shugaev said.

The S-400 has already entered service in China and Turkey. and signed a contract on the delivery of S-400s in October, 2018.

In August, the head of Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, Alexander Mikheev, told Sputnik that negotiations on the supply of S-400 air defense systems were underway with seven countries in the Middle East, the Asia-Pacific region and Africa.

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Islamic Emirate acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has said that the have already constituted an inclusive government that included representatives from all ethnic groups across the country, Pakistani media reported.

During a program hosted by Islamabad-based think-tank on Friday, Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, official has said that no state has the authority to force them to accept former governments' representatives into the governance system, Pakistan Today reported.

"We have Tajiks, Balochs, Turkmens, Nuristanis, Uzbeks, and a number of other ethnic groups," he said. "If by inclusivity they mean the participation of diverse ethnic communities in and people from different regions of the country, then our current cabinet and government meet that criteria," he asserted.

He further said that if former President Ashraf Ghani's government was considered inclusive, then all of the people who worked in the previous administration have been kept in the current administrative system.

"And if by inclusivity they mean political opposition figures have a seat in the cabinet and other high positions of power, then please show us an example of such a government where opposition figures are also occupying positions of power," he asked, Pakistan Today.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry's spokesman, Abdul Qahar Balkhi said that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan agreed to allow the transit of wheat donated by India to the people of Afghanistan, reported Tolo News.

"Imran Khan pledged that Afghan transit via Pakistan would be facilitated, India-provided wheat will be allowed to reach via Wagah port, as well as visa services will be facilitated," Balkhi said.

Pakistan has not allowed Indian shipments to to pass through its territory.

In October, the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) country director in Afghanistan, Mary Ellen Mc Groarty said the programme is in talks with India for wheat donation to controlled Afghanistan.

Taliban, following a meeting with Indian officials in October, said New Delhi has expressed readiness to provide extensive humanitarian assistance to Afghans.

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Decarbonising the Indian economy will impose large gains and losses upon various elements of the Indian economy in the coming decades. It is not exceptional when compared with other elements of technological transformation of the past or the future. These coming changes are important for strategic thinking of financial investors and the leadership teams of non-financial firms.

The public sector is faced with a moment similar to the one seen by telecom in the early 1990s. In the world of public policy, we should worry about coal miners and restoring degraded land. The precise date is ...
Against the backdrop of recent incidents of stone-pelting in various cities in during the rallies taken out in protest against the purported communal violence in Tripura, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Sunday demanded a ban on Muslim organisation, Raza Academy.

Addressing a press conference at the office in the Dhantoli area of Nagpur in Maharashtra, general secretary Milind Parande said the right-wing body will lodge FIRs in various police stations against the rioters.

If the police fail to register the offence, will take action, he said, adding that a delegation of VHP leaders would meet Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari in this regard.

He demanded that the government make rioters pay up for the damage caused to public and private property during the incidents of stone-pelting on Friday.

On Saturday, a curfew was clamped in Amravati city in east Maharashtra for four days and Internet services were shut down after a mob hurled stones at shops during a Bandh (shut-down) allegedly organised by local BJP workers in protest against the rallies organised by Muslim organisations the day before to condemn the recent violence in Tripura, police had said.

On Friday, stone-pelting was reported during rallies taken out by Muslim organisations in Amravati, Nanded, Malegaon (in Nashik district), Washim and Yavatmal.

Raza Academy had handed over a memorandum to the Maharashtra governor. Those affected by the violence in Tripura should be given compensation and the mosques which were damaged should be reconstructed, it had demanded.

Meanwhile, queried on actor Kangana Ranaut's controversial statement on Independence, Parande evaded a direct reply, saying India got cultural and other forms of Independence in 2014.

Ranaut had said that what India achieved in 1947 was "bheek" (alms) but the country got real freedom only in 2014 when Narendra Modi became the prime minister, evoking strong reactions from various quarters.

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Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader on Sunday alleged that no action has been taken against Janata Dal-United (JDU) leader Leshi Singh even after the victim's family "clearly accused the leader and her nephew for the murder of a journalist in Bihar's Purnia.

Addressing a press conference, Yadav said, "Nitish Kumar's minister Leshi Singh and her nephew are accused. SHO has been suspended but when the deceased's relatives are clearly accusing Leshi Singh and her nephew then why the state government is silent?"

Earlier on Friday, a local journalist and ex-Zilla Parishad member in Purnia, Rintu Singh was shot dead in the Sarsi Police Station area.

The deceased's family and relatives staged a protest on Saturday accusing JD(U) MLA and state Minister Leshi Singh to be behind the murder. They also alleged negligence by the Station House Officer (SHO).

"What was his fault that he was killed? Just because he won the Zila Parishad polls and wanted to contest Assembly polls? Leshi Singh did this via her nephew. I don't trust the local Police, it should be probed by others," Anulika Singh, Rintu Singh's wife and Zilla Parishad member told the media.

Daya Sankar, Superintendent of Police in Purnia on Sunday informed that the deceased's body has been sent for postmortem.

"Relatives statements are being taken. They allege that it happened due to the negligence of SHO, so he has been suspended," Sankar said.

Further, the SP said that the arrest will be made soon as the investigation is underway.

"Investigation is underway. Some people have been identified. Arrests will be made soon," Sankar added.

Slamming Bihar Chief Minister over the incident, the RJD leader said that he should set a time frame if he is going to remove Leshi Singh from the position.

" should set a time frame - if he is going to remove his minister (Leshi Singh). When will action be taken? He should give clarification and sack the minister. Let's see if it happens," Yadav added.

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Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday slammed the Congress party over the alleged scam and said that the "issue had become bigger" because the Opposition did not probe the matter properly when it was in power.

"They (Congress) say that the matter began in 2016. If there was something related to Karnataka, then why the party in power did not notice it at that time. You have got to know about the accused, but did not do the proper enquiry," said an official statement issued by the Chief Minister Office.

Further, Bommai said, "Why did not you do proper enquiry when you (Congress) were in power? You left it and the issue had become bigger. And now you are questioning us."

"On the basis of the Twitter handle, they are alleging the scam. Anyone can raise the issue on Twitter. If you are raising the issue, then you have to speak on the basis of evidence and witness," he said.

He said, "We are fair enough and investigated the case. We are the ones who referred it to the Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is going on."

The Chief Minister also said that the government will not spare anyone whoever was indulged in the scam. "If they have evidence let them submit it to ED or the police, we will take action immediately," he added.

Earlier on Saturday, Bommai termed the allegations "politically motivated" and asked the Opposition to submit the documents related to the scam to the investigation agencies which are already conducting the probe into the issue.

"Let those who are making the allegations explain what exactly the scam is and who is involved in it. The case has been handed over to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) 8-9 months ago. Interpol Cell of the CBI too has been informed about the case which has an international dimension," he said.

"Our government has an open mind about the issue. There is no question of shielding anybody. None of us is involved in it. Let them submit the documents in their possession to the investigation agencies, let the truth come out," he further added.

Meanwhile, State Minister K Sudhakar also called Congress the "party of corruption" over the alleged scam and said that the state government has ordered an investigation in the matter and the investigating team has shared all information with Interpol, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and CBI.

Earlier, former chief minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah alleged that politicians and officials were involved in a scam in the state and that the investigation agencies are trying to safeguard them.

Meanwhile, state Congress chief DK Shivakumar claimed that it took place on a large scale and said that it is shocking to hear the names of police officers, political leaders and businessmen in the scam.

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Congress General Secretary Vadra on Sunday met Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) President and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh at her residence.

She visited the BSP supremo to pay her condolences to her mother who passed away on Saturday.

She has come to offer condolences to the BSP chief's mother who passed away yesterday.

Priyanka reached Mayawati's residence at 3 Tyagaraj Marg, Delhi.

Mayawati's mother died due to heart failure in Delhi on Saturday.

Mayawati's mother Ramrati was 92 years old. She died at a hospital in Delhi where she was undergoing treatment, as per a press statement from the BSP.

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Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday stressed on strong Centre-State relations and good inter-state ties for the development of federal democracy.

Hailing the Southern Zone Chief Minister's conference, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Bommai said the zonal council serves as a platform for resolving disputes between central and state governments and among states in the zone "in true spirit of federalism."



"In a Parliamentary democracy, the question is the relationship between the Centre and the state. Only a strong state and Centre can make a strong nation," Bommai noted in his address.

"All the more important is the relation between the Centre and the State as well as the inter-state ties for the development of democracy, especially the success of federal democracy," he explained.

On Bengaluru, Bommai said the city was strategically located and is cosmopolitan in nature, where people from across the country have their presence, earning their livelihood, living peacefully with the Kannadigas and contributing for the development of and Bengaluru.

The Chief Minister stressed upon the fact that is blessed with 10 agro climatic conditions, therefore the state has agriculture activities round the year in some or the other parts of the state.

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Stating that India has the capacity to come up with its own design of hyperloop technology for ultra-high-speed travel, Member VK Saraswat on Sunday said since it is going to take time, the country should permit foreign companies to set up a line to demonstrate the technology.

Saraswat, who is heading a committee to explore the technological and commercial viability of the Virgin hyperloop technology, further said India should also constitute a regulatory mechanism because safety is a major issue in hyperloop technology.

"Hyperloop is a high-speed train, running in vacuum in a tube. We (expert committee members) have found that there are two ways of doing it, he told PTI in an interview.

Hyperloop is a technology proposed by inventor and businessman Elon Musk, who is behind the electric car company Tesla and the commercial space transport company SpaceX.

"One is, allowing foreign companies to show demonstrations. Another way is, in parallel, do serious R&D in this particular area, and our studies show that we have a capacity to do R&D and come up with our own designs," Saraswat, former chief of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), noted.

The member, however, said: "But since it is going to take time, in parallel, if the foreign companies are coming who want to set up a demonstration line in say Maharashtra or Karnataka, we should permit them".

Saraswat also noted that safety and regulatory mechanisms should be put in place as safety is a major issue in hyperloop technology.

He, however, added that the expert committee has not taken any final decision.

The Virgin Hyperloop test run was conducted on November 9, 2020, on a 500-metre track in Las Vegas in the US with a pod, as the hyperloop vehicles are called, travelling with passengers, including an Indian, inside an enclosed tube at more than 100 mph or 161 kmph.

The Virgin Hyperloop is among a handful of companies, which are currently trying to build such a system for passenger

Maharashtra has deemed hyperloop a public infrastructure exercise and approved the Virgin Hyperloop-DP World Consortium as the original project proponent for the Mumbai-Pune hyperloop project.

Replying to a question on shortage of semiconductors leading to production hassles, Saraswat said the government is seriously planning to set up indigenous semiconductor foundries in the country.

"As far as semiconductors are concerned, the government is very seriously thinking of setting up a very strong ecosystem for self-reliance in the area of semiconductors because we have noticed during the pandemic there has been serious disruption of the semiconductor supply chain, which has affected our automobile industry and other electronics industry and so on," he said.

On recent coal and power shortages in India, Saraswat noted that the disruption took place because of the various problems of logistics, which happened both from the point of view of mining activities and transportation activities.

"Now, the mining activities have been completely revamped. All the mines are working full time. Indian railways has also got additional trains," he said, adding that there is no power plant in the country suffering from coal shortage now.

The country's several thermal power plants were facing a crisis in the wake of low coal stock positions at their end.

Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi had said the closure of some mines and inundation of a few others due to monsoon led to the crisis.

On the rise in import of copper in recent times, Saraswat said the government is working to keep primary copper production competitive.

"There are certain anomalies today with respect to the taxation and things like that...we are trying to look at so that it (copper production in India) becomes more cost-effective," he said.

India was a net exporter of copper for close to two decades before the closure of the Sterlite Copper plant at Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, in May 2018.

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is planning around Rs 900 crore capital expenditure over the next three years to expand presence in India, as it looks at increasing the share of revenue from the country to around 40 per cent of the total by 2025, a top company official said.

The company had last week posted an over three-fold jump in consolidated net profit at Rs 127.62 crore for the quarter ended September 2021. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 2,504.34 crore during the period.

"For the last few quarters, or even since the last one year, we have been very aggressively looking at India, so we know that India is a market with huge potential which has got significant demand and supply gap...so it makes very easy to take that decision to look at India as the long term growth market for us," Founder Chairman and MD Azad Moopen told PTI.

The company has been doing business in India but it wants to increase the pace of growth here, he added.

"Presently, about 25 per cent of our revenues are coming from India, we want to take it to 40 per cent or even more than that, and that is the plan we have. We hope that we will be able to reach this 40 per cent by 2025," Moopen said.

This target can be achieved earlier, say in three years, if the company is able to do some acquisitions in India, which is also being looked at if there is an appropriate opportunity, he said.

On the capex, Moopen said, "We are looking at a capex of Rs 580 crore for the group for the next at least three years,... anywhere around Rs 280 to 300 crore per year we are looking only for India...so if I take Rs 300 crore for three years it's almost close to 900 crore."



Asked how the company plans to fund the growth plans, including acquisitions if any in India, Moopen said, "it would be a mix of internal accruals and debt."



For the growth in India, is focusing on the hospital sector, and for this, the company is looking at metros, tier I, tier II and tier III cities. For tier II and III cities, the asset light model is being considered, and we would like to partner with the hospitals which are already existing, he added.

The other segments for growth in India would be expansion of the company's lab network and franchised pharmacies across India, Moopen said.

"Virtual care which is one area where we are significantly investing, so the virtual care and telemedicine, also will be rolled out across India. So in all these three areas the expansion will be pan- India, whereas when it comes to hospitals it will be more south focused," he added.

Speaking on the vision behind Aster DM Healthcare, Moopen said, it is actually a passion to provide good healthcare to the people that the company is taking care of.

"We always have thought that profit has to be a byproduct in healthcare. .. We always thought that healthcare is actually a little different from the usual businesses, and we are to be taking care of people that must be the primary focus, in that we may also make some money, it's not that you are fully focused just to make money," he added.

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The on Saturday declared cut-offs for a special drive to fill some vacant seats even as most of the courses at the prominent colleges have been closed for admissions.

Candidates can apply for admission under the special drive on November 14 and 15.

The university has advised candidates to check course-wise and category-wise availability of seats in the college they are applying for. The colleges will release a merit list and approve candidates based on vacant seats available on November 16 and November 17.

At Hansraj College and Hindu College, all the Arts and Commerce courses are closed for admissions in the general category. Kirori Mal College only has seats left under BA(Honours) Hindi, for which the cut-off has been pegged at 90 per cent.

Kamala Nehru College has closed admissions for almost all its arts and commerce courses except for BA (Honours) History and BA (Honours) Sanskrit for which the minimum requirement of marks is 94.50 per cent and 62 per cent respectively.

Lady Shri Ram College has pegged the cut-off for BA (Honours) English at 96.50 per cent, a decline of two per cent from the fifth cut-off. The college requires 97.50 per cent for BA (Honours) Journalism, down by one per cent from the last cut-off.

Miranda House has pegged the cut-off for BA (Honours) History at 98.50 per cent, a decline of 0.25 per cent from the fifth list.

Ramjas College has pegged the cut-off for BA(Honours) Economics at 98.15 per cent, down from 98.25 per cent from the fifth list, BA(Honours) English at 96.75 per cent, down from 97 per cent from the last list. The other courses that are available at the college are BA (Honours) Hindi and BA (Honours) Sanskrit.

At Aryabhatta College, the cut-offs for BA (honours) English, BCom, BSc (Honours) Mathematics, BA programme (Economics and History) and BA programme (History and Political Science) are 91 per cent, 94 per cent, 93, 93.5 per cent and 94 per cent respectively.

The downrange is between one per cent to three per cent, an official said, adding they are not afraid to reduce the cut-offs since the intake of students is limited to the number of seats available.

"In case 20 students apply for four available seats, we will release a merit list of students and the top four students will be eligible to get admission. Also, students who have secured their admissions to any of the colleges in the previous lists cannot cancel their admissions and apply to these colleges," he added.

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Internet services were shut down and was imposed on Saturday in Maharashtra's city which witnessed fresh violence during a Bandh, a senior police official said.

A mob hurled stones at shops during the Bandh (shut-down) allegedly organised by local BJP workers in protest against the rallies organized by Muslim organizations the day before to condemn the recent violence in Tripura, police said.

Internet services in the city will remain suspended for three days so as to prevent the spread of rumours that fuel violence, said city Commissioner of Police Arti Singh.

On Saturday morning, hundreds of people, many of them holding saffron flags in their hands and raising slogans, came out on streets in Rajkamal Chowk area of the eastern city, located around 670 km from Mumbai. Some members of the mob hurled stones at shops in Rajkamal Chowk and other places, the police official said, adding that the police lathi-charged the protesters to bring the situation under control. Against the backdrop of back-to-back incidents of stone-pelting on Friday and Saturday, additional police commissioner Sandip Patil issued orders imposing in the city limits of under sections 144(1), (2), (3) of the CrPc to avoid any untoward incidents. Except for medical emergencies, people are not allowed to come out of houses. A gathering of more than five people is not allowed, as per the order.

On Friday, stone-pelting was reported during rallies taken out by Muslim organisations to protest against incidents in Tripura at Amravati, Nanded, Malegaon, Washim and Yavatmal. Police have so far arrested 20 people and detained four others by registering 20 FIRs under various charges, including rioting, in connection with Friday's incidents. In Amravati, over 8,000 people had gathered outside the district collector's office on Friday to submit a memorandum demanding that atrocities against the minority community in Tripura be stopped. When people were leaving after submitting the memorandum, stone-pelting took place at three places between Chitra Chowk and Cotton Market under the limits of the Kotwali police station. Meanwhile, launching a veiled attack on opposition BJP, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said the violence in and other places was aimed at destabilising the MVA government. Speaking to reporters in Aurangabad, Raut said the state government is firm in the saddle and real faces of the perpetrators of violence will be exposed soon. "Raising the bogey of violence, they (Opposition) will meet the state governor and write letters to the Union home ministry claiming that the (law and order) situation in is deteriorating. This will happen in the future too. But the state government is firm in the saddle," Raut said. Amravati district guardian minister Yashomati Thakur said some anti-social elements are trying to vitiate the atmosphere by throwing stones at shops. "The state government will take necessary action. However, some people are using this for political gains," she said and appealed to people to not believe rumours. AIMIM MP Imtiaz Jaleel has also condemned the violence in Amravati. "I want to question those leaders in the state who came to power by taking the votes of Muslims why they didn't condemn the violence in Tripura. If this violence in is a 'tit for tat' by any political party then this is the example of irresponsibility," he said. Opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis said it was wrong to organise rallies in the state for an incident that "never occurred" in Tripura and appealed to people to exercise restraint. The Tripura government and local police have clarified that no religious place of a minority community was burned down. They have issued pictures of the same as well. I appeal to both the communities to observe restraint, the former chief minister told reporters in Mumbai. The senior BJP leader also said that political parties in the state government should not give inflammatory statements.

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The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday dismissed the Congress party's allegations on the issue cover-up, saying there was no scam.

The Bengaluru police too refuted the charges of foul play in the investigation and cover-up exercises.

"There has been absolutely no scam of whatsoever nature or dimension it could be. Therefore any questions of having any actors in this scam is a perverted imagination.

However, new actors have emerged making mountain out of a mole, and making baseless allegations, based on distorted facts of the case," BJP's unit spokesperson Ganesh Karnik said in a statement.

He was reacting to Congress allegations that 'influential politicians' are involved in the scam after officials seized bitcoins worth Rs nine crore from a city based hacker, Srikrishna alias Sriki, who is also accused of hacking into government portals, sourcing drugs through the dark net and paying for it through cryptocurrency.

Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged in a press conference in Delhi on Saturday that the size of the scam could be much bigger because just on two days on December 1, 2020 and April 14, 2021 illegal transactions worth Rs 5240 crore took place.

He posed a series of questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked what was the role of Chief Minister Basaravaj Bommai, who was the state's home minister when the scam took place.

Surjewala also demanded to know why international investigative agencies, including the Interpol, were not informed about the stolen Bitcoins.

Apparently referring to the Congress leaders as 'new actors', Karnik said they were continuously carrying out a slanderous campaign by releasing distorted and partial facts for cheap popularity, "in utter disregard to the fact that the case is sub judice and pending before the Trial Court".

He claimed that neither had any Bitcoins been transferred from the account of hacker Srikrishna nor any been lost.

Meanwhile, the Bengaluru police issued a statement to clear the air and said that the investigation was conducted by the Central Crime Branch "in a fair and professional manner."



"It is emphatically stated that such misleading versions are being floated based on incomplete/distorted facts. All such versions are vehemently denied," the police said.

Based on the credible information on November 4, 2020 on a drug consignment procured through the darknet, CCB Police secured one accused and seized 500 grams of Hydro Ganja.

During further investigation, 10 other accused persons, including Srikrishna, alias Sriki were secured and arrested.

During interrogation, Srikrishna confessed before the Investigating Officer about his involvement in alleged hacking of many Crypto Currency websites.

"It is stated that neither were any Bitcoins transferred from the account of hacker Srikrishna nor was any lost.

It is a fact that for the purpose of investigation of Crypto Currency, it was felt necessary to open a Bitcoin account," the police said.

It added that on December 8, 2020, government permission was obtained to open a Bitcoin account.

"During the process of identifying and seizure of bitcoins, accused Srikrishna showed a BTC wallet, which contained 31.8 BTC.

The wallet password was changed in the presence of cyber experts,



Government panchas and the entire procedure was recorded under mahazer and submitted to the court," the police said.

Further, the Court's permission was obtained to use password to transfer the said Bitcoins to the police wallet account.

Upon reaching the said wallet shown by Srikrishna, it showed 186.811 Bitcoins, police said, adding that the Cyber experts opined that the said account claimed by the accused as his personal account was in fact a live wallet of an exchange and the accused did not have private key for this.

"Hence, the said account was left untouched and as a result, no BITCOINS were transferred to Police wallet. The case has been chargesheeted along with the above facts and related documents and is now subjudice," police said.

They said that at no stage was anything done which could jeopardise a fair investigation and the process of law.

They claimed that investigation was done by a team of professional officers under close supervision and in continuous consultation and in the presence of reputed and external experts, without any external influence or interference.

On the claim made on Whale Alert's Twitter handle that 14,682 stolen bitfinex bitcoins were transferred, police said they were completely unsubstantiated.

"There is nothing to suggest that it had originated from Bengaluru. The law enforcement system and investigating agencies work on certain procedures laid down by law of the land," the statement read.

It further said that till date no foreign law enforcement agencies or any foreign companies have approached Bengaluru police about any hacking.

"Even representatives of Bitfinex company have neither shared any details of the alleged hack nor sought any information so far," police said.

On the claims of Srikrishna about high volume hacking of websites, police said the careful examination of digital evidence by the cyber experts revealed that majority of his claims were unsubstantiated.

It also said that Bengaluru police have informed CBI, Enforcement Directorate and Interpol through proper channels this year.

Regarding the charge that Srikrishna was allegedly forced to consume Alprazolam during police custody, police said that on the direction of the court, his blood and urine samples were collected at Bowring Hospital and submitted to the Forensic Science Laboratory for scientific examination.

(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.)
Since late October, residents of northeast Beijings Chaoyang district have received notices recommending a third shot of Covid-19 vaccines. People lined up for booster shots at long-closed neighborhood inoculation sites that reopened.

Beijing joined several Chinese cities and provinces offering boosters to the public as new outbreaks of the highly transmissible delta mutation spread, testing the countrys year-long immunization efforts.

As of Nov. 10, China administered two shots of Covid vaccines to more than 1 billion people, over 75% of the population. In October China started nationwide inoculations for children ages 311.

The push for booster shots and vaccination of kids reflects Chinas pressing need to build more-secure lines of defense against the persistent pandemic as new variants prevail and the protection of existing vaccines declines over time. Drugmakers are developing new, more-effective shots, but investor funding is drying up as conducting new clinical trials grows more expensive.

In a new wave of virus resurgence since the national holiday in October, flare-ups spread across more than 10 provinces, sparking concerns over the efficacy against the variants of Chinas widely used vaccines based on inactivated virus.

Sticking to its Covid-zero strategy, China also faces mounting pressures as more countries shift to coexisting with the virus by relaxing restrictive measures and reopening borders. Chinas high population density and shortfall of health-care resources means it must maintain strict disease control measures until a barrier of immunity has been established, health experts said.

Recent progress in developing Covid-19 pills by global pharmaceutical giants Pfizer Inc. and Merck & Co. fueled hopes that humans will have more powerful weapons to alter the course of the pandemic. But there are uncertainties over the accessibility and affordability of the potential new drugs, experts said.

Vaccinations are still the top priority, and Covid pills could be a supplement, said Lu Mengji, a virologist at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany. The medicines will mainly be used to protect patients from becoming critically ill but cant control the pandemic as vaccines do, Lu said.

Expanding vaccination coverage and enhancing the shots efficacy is still the best way to tame the virus, experts said. Countries like Israel, Singapore and the U.K. have been giving booster shots to certain groups of people

By administering booster shots to almost 50% of its population, Israel recently achieved a significant reduction in the prevalence rate of the virus, said Zhang Wenhong, the director of Chinas National Center of Infectious Diseases and director of the Infectious Diseases Department of Huashan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University. China could learn from Israels experience, Zhang said.

Strengthening the barrier of immunity

China has approved three domestically made inactivated-virus Covid vaccines for children younger than 12. As of Oct. 29, 3.53 million doses of the vaccines were given to children between 3 and 11 in the first month since the inoculations began nationwide.

Some parents expressed concerns about vaccinations for their kids, partly because of a lack of complete clinical data. The currently available vaccines for children  developed by state giant Sinopharms Beijing Institute of Biological Products Co. Ltd. and the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co. Ltd., as well as Sinovac Biotech Ltd.  were approved for emergency use in children while Phase 3 clinical trials are still underway abroad.

But currently available data indicate that children tend to have a stronger immune response to vaccination than adults. In January, Sinopharm Chairman Liu Jingzhen said the companys vaccines were proved safe for children in the first two phases of clinical trials.

Other countries have been inoculating children in different age groups. The United States approved vaccinations for children as young as 5 while most countries in Europe and Asia are offering shots to those 12 or older.

China moved to inoculate younger children because Covid-19 has shown equal danger to children, said Wang Huaqing, an immunity expert at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC). Even though the early impression was that children were less vulnerable to the virus, data from many countries now show that childhood infections have been increasing, catching up to the pace for adults, Wang said.

Although China is approaching the 80% vaccination rate that health experts say is enough to form herd immunity, coverage rates among different age groups are highly divergent. With low inoculation rates among the elderly and kids, the risk of new outbreaks remains high, said Zhang Boli, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Vaccines declining efficacy over time and the prevalence of new virus variants also pose challenges to disease control.

As most countries started mass vaccinations about a year ago, the antibody levels of those who received early inoculations have declined, said Jiang Shibo, a medical professor at Fudan University.

Studies have shown different levels of reduced protection among all Covid vaccines. A study published in August in the journal Nature found that the efficacy rate of the mRNA vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech dropped to 78% within 90 days after the second shot from 92% after 14 days. The viral vector vaccine from AstraZeneca showed an efficacy reduction from 69% to 61%, the study found.

The inactivated-virus vaccines developed by Sinovac also showed a significant drop in geometric mean titer, which measures the average antibody level, six months after full inoculation, according to a study published in July by the Jiangsu provincial CDC, Fudan University and Sinovac.

Current vaccines are also less protective against the highly transmissible delta variant. An August study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that the mRNA vaccines efficacy rate against the delta variant dropped to 66% from 91% against earlier variants.

A study led by Chinas top infectious disease expert Zhong Nanshan based on a limited number of patients in southern China found that the protection rate of the two most-used inactivated-virus vaccines in China may drop to 59% against the delta variant, although they performed well to prevent critical illness.

Recent flare-ups in China showed the risks. According to official data, 15 of the 18 infected patients in Shandongs Rizhao city received two inactivated-virus vaccine shots.

To bolster protection, China rolled out booster shots in at least 15 provinces starting in October. As of Nov. 6, 37.97 million people received the additional shot.

China currently limits the boosters to three inactivated-virus vaccines and the single-shot adenoviral vector vaccine developed by Tianjin-based CanSino Biologics Inc.

Expectations are rising that the innovative mRNA vaccines may become another option for boosters after a shot jointly developed by Chinese biotech company Walvax Biotechnology Co. and Suzhou Abogen Biosciences recently won administrative approval for a Phase 3b clinical trial.

The approval was granted to assess the efficacy and safety of using the mRNA vaccine as a booster shot for adults inoculated with inactivated-virus vaccines, according to public records on the Ministry of Science and Technology website. Meanwhile, Germanys BioNTech and its Chinese partner Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. are also conducting final-stage tests of its widely used mRNA vaccine to launch in China. Ugur Sahin, BioNTechs CEO, told Caixin earlier this month that the companies are working to deliver the mRNA vaccines in China, without giving a timetable.

MRNA vaccines have shown higher efficacy as booster shots than inactivated-virus shots, said Zeng Guang, former chief epidemiologist of the China CDC.

A China CDC official said the country will consider offering more options for booster shots and inoculation combination as collection of clinical data increases.

Authorities have also been closely monitoring changes in public immunity status including infection, severity and antibody levels to fine-tune the countrys vaccination strategies, the official said.

As of Nov. 10, China administered two shots of Covid vaccines to more than 1 billion people, over 75% of the population

Finding the best toolkit

Experts called for continued research to develop more effective vaccines to counter new variants as understanding of the virus deepens.

China has approved seven domestically developed Covid-19 vaccines for public inoculation, including five inactivated-virus shots, one recombinant adenovirus vector vaccine and one based on recombinant subunit protein technology.

Some companies are working to develop a second generation of Covid-19 vaccines. On Nov. 9, Jiangsu Recbio Technology Co. Ltd. published early-stage study results for a vaccine using protein engineering and new adjuvant technologies. Unlike most existing vaccines, the shot under development uses receptor-binding domain as an antigen, designed to trigger a stronger immune response.

But as the domestic outbreak wanes, studies of new vaccines face greater challenges to find enough patients for clinical trials. Most companies have to test vaccines overseas, driving up development costs.

At the same time, investor enthusiasm for backing vaccine development has cooled after last years market boom, meaning developers will find it more difficult to raise money to support their research.

Vaccines are still the most crucial weapon for taming the pandemic when countries move to adapt to co-existing with the virus, epidemiologists say.

The precondition (for countries to relax virus control) is enough immunity of the public and a health-care system with sufficient capacity, the University of Duisburg-Essens Lu said.

For China, further boosting public immunity and the efficacy of vaccines before it can relax controls is especially important as the countrys infection rate with the virus is very low. Thanks to drastic control measures in the early days of the pandemic, the natural infection rate of Chinas 1.4 billion people is less than 0.001% compared with 20% to 50% in many other countries, said China CDCs Zeng. But it also means the country needs greater vaccination coverage to form herd immunity, Zeng said.

Chinas uneven distribution of medical resources and inadequate health-care capacity pose another major challenge. The most pressing issue for China is to strengthen vaccine protection rates to as high as 90%, no matter by imports or domestic development, Lu said.

As neighboring countries are reopening borders and easing disease-control measures, China needs a new strategy better suited to meeting the ongoing challenge while normalizing peoples lives and livelihoods, Zhang of the National Center of Infectious Diseases said.

We need to establish the most sustainable and best combination of vaccines, Zeng said. China needs to explore how the vaccines can be combined to show the best efficacy.

Contact reporter Han Wei (weihan@caixin.com) and editor Bob Simison (hello@caixin.com)

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Photo: Adam Amir/TCG photo An aerial view of Iskut in northwest B.C. The Iskut band has been lobbying authorities for more than 20 years for an RCMP detachment.

The remote northwest B.C. First Nation community of Iskut has been lobbying the RCMP and the provincial government for more than 20 years now for its own police detachment but with no luck.

Iskut band chief Marie Quock said the place is now a lawless community due to the increased presence of drug dealers, assaults, regular instances of impaired driving and an erratic police presence.

The nearest RCMP detachment is 83 kilometres north in Dease Lake where seven members service the four spread out communities of Dease Lake, Iskut, Telegraph Creek and Good Hope Lake as well as a 600- kilometer long stretch of Hwy37 North.

The response time for a service call from Iskut typically takes over an hour, longer in the winter owing to road conditions, said Quock.

If we have a gun-wielding person in our community, theres no way the police will get here immediatelywhatevers going to happen will happen before they get to our community, said Quock, explaining the danger to the community.

Weve had suicides because the RCMP didnt get there in time, so maybe that could have been stopped, she added.

Iskut, located on Hwy37, also falls within the radius of the Red Chris and Brucejack mines and its camps, a factor that has increased social issues Iskut has to deal with, said Quock.

So because theres more money coming into our communities, were starting to have more social issues like addictions, drug abuse, alcohol, etc. due to increased drug dealing, and people using drugs Every two weeks, theres people who would be coming out of camp, and not everybody does, especially when theres a party and we have to deal with issues of people drinking and driving into our community or assaults, she said.

Often times this adds more pressure on the two-person nursing station in Iskut that has to deal with people under the influence of narcotics seeking help, Quock added.

While many northern communities have RCMP assistance in dealing with such cases, the nurses in Iskut are left to respond to situations where there might be violence and heated emotions, said Carolyn MacKinnon nursing manager of Iskut Valley Health Services.

We dont have the skills to break up these fights, said MacKinnon, adding, even an RCMP presence in such cases settles peoples emotions, its very important to my job and how we function.

Officers also need to be around to accept forensic evidences in the event of a sexual assault, she added.

Moreover, MacKinnon continued, the lack of police presence in Iskut hampers the hiring of nurses.

A lot of nurses that are considering remote communities ask if theres RCMP in their contracts and dont return knowing there isnt, she said.

Quock worries the opioid crisis that haunts B.C. is going have a bigger impact on Iskut soon as drug pedlars frequent the community and leave by the time the RCMP get there.

But despite two decades of lobbying, Quock says authorities have been shuffling responsibilities back and forth when it comes to their request for a continual police presence.

We brought it to the province of B.C. a few times, but they would say its the federal governments responsibility, said Quock, adding,

At one time we were told Iskut is ineligible for an RCMP detachment because we dont have enough of a population.

But while Iskut has a small population of 320-350 people, statistics provided by the Dease Lake RCMP show that 113 case files out of 645 calls in 2020, fully came from Iskut.

Responding to Iskuts repeated request for a detachment, North District RCMP Chief Superintendent Warren Brown said hes aware of its need for policing but the process of setting up a detachment in Iskut is complex and would require provincial funding.

RCMP policy now requires small detachments to have at least three officers and there would need to be adequate buildings and living quarters.

Currently, the Dease Lake detachment is provincially funded, out of which two officers are funded throuh the Community Tripatriate Agreement under Indigenous Policing. The federal government shares the cost for funding these two positions along with the province and First Nation community.

The process of getting a new detachment begins with Brown providing a report to the province containing an analysis of calls for service, the type of criminal activity underway and a comparison with other communities also wanting a police presence.

In order for us to justify and move forward, we would have to find out any issue where public safety is paramount, and obviously public safety is always paramount, and are these issues more significant in Iskut versus other communities? said Brown.

The problem is further compounded given the provincial budget for policing is less than 1 per cent, he added.

At the end of the day the province would make a decision on whether or not with recommendations, if its worthwhile, [and] cost effective to have a detachment there, Brown said.

Brown has met with Quock and various Tahltan Central Government officials and, in a statement, the provincial government confirmed it is up to the RCMP to make a case for permanent policing for Iskut.

Provincial policing and security branch staff met with members from the Iskut Band in June 2021 and advised them of the appropriate process for requests regarding detachments and service delivery, the statement indicated.

The Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth will assess the request based on whether it meets this criteria, said his office in the statement.

Tahltan officials have now asked to meet with Farnworth but in the meantime Tahltan Central Government President Chad Norman Day is saying it is disrespectful and shameful there are so few RCMP officers covering the 11 per cent of the province that makes up Tahltan traditional territory.

Day said after decades of asking nicely the Tahltan might have to shut down industrial activity unless there is what hes calling a more equitable arrangement with the province.

In 2020, exploration expenditures on projects in Tahltan Territory was over $200 million with production values for active mines over $1.2 billion, said Day in an email statement.

BC citizens and others who live, work and travel through the Northwest deserve better and we need to funnel more of the wealth taken out of Tahltan Territory back into ensuring our region becomes more safe.

Day is calling for major improvements to the highway, Telegraph Creek Road and an RCMP detachment to be set up in Iskut.
Photo: S1 Mike Goluboff, MARPAC Imaging Services, Esquimalt South Korean naval vessel Wang Geon (DDH-978), a Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer, passes by Fisgard Lighthouse while entering Esquimalt Harbour on Friday for a visit to Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt.

A South Korea Navy destroyer and tanker ship arrived at CFB Esquimalt Friday, taking a break from exercises in the Pacific to give its 440 crew a weekend on solid ground.

The port visit for the Republic of Korea ships involves the destroyer Wang Geon (DDH 978) and fuel and supply ship Soyang, which will be tied up at CFB Esquimalt until Monday morning.

The sailors will be restricted to the base.

Maritime Forces Pacific had said earlier that anyone from the ship with a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen detection test result on arrival would be allowed ashore as long as they followed local health guidelines, adding they would be presenting Korean proof of vaccination to local businesses. However, the liaison officer of the Korean ships said crew members would not be leaving the base.

The Korean sailors were set to take part in welcoming ceremonies at CFB Esquimalt Friday, but their off-ship activities will be limited to the base, said Lt.(N) Pamela Hogan of Maritime Forces Pacific Public Affairs.

They can use services like the gym and Cannex store at the base, she said.

Maritime Forces Pacific said the Korean navy confirmed there are no positive COVID-19 cases onboard either of the visiting vessels.

In order to meet Canadian entry requirements, personnel onboard visiting ships must complete COVID-19 rapid testing within 24 hours of leaving their last port of call. Crew members are also administered COVID-19 tests when they arrive at CFB Esquimalt.

The 493-foot ROK Wang Geon, launched in 2004, is considered the first stealthy major ship in Koreas navy.

The base is also playing host to New Zealand warship Te Mana as it undergoes repairs and other modifications.

The Royal Canadian Navys HMCS Winnipeg is doing patrols and exercises in the Asia Pacific Region, while HMCS Saskatoon and Brandon have just left the base for exercises.
Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has confirmed that Kabul is mediating between the Imran Khan-led government and banned Pakistani Taliban for peace in the country.

In an interview with Geo, Muttaqi said there is no individual of the Islamic Emirate but as a matter of policy, the whole Islamic Emirate is mediating between the government of Pakistan and the banned TTP, Geo News reported.

He expressed confidence that the talks will yield positive results. The foreign minister said that the establishment of peace and the end of war is in the interest of all.

Meanwhile, he said that Afghanistan welcomed the peace talks between the Pakistan government and TTP, with the undertaking that it would continue to support Islamabad in its peace endeavours.

The Taliban is mediating talks between banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Pakistan government, according to reports.

The acting interior minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani hosted talks between the two sides for the past two weeks in the southeastern province of Khost, reported Tolo News.

"The stance of the Islamic Emirate is that it will act in a role to resolve problems that are important," said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate.

There are different views over whether the mediation of talks would be in the interest of Afghanistan or not, reported Tolo News.

Earlier, TTP insisted on the release of its prisoners as a precondition for a ceasefire. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said that his administration was involved in negotiations with the TTP.

The leader of the National Solidarity Movement, Sayed Ishaq Gailani said that the ongoing negotiations are considered an achievement for the Islamic Emirate, reported Tolo News."If Sirajuddin Haqqani facilitated the negotiations, it is an honour for the people of Afghanistan," he said.TTP has been active in several parts of Pakistan since 2007.

(ANI)

Also Read: Nearly 50,000 Afghan refugees living a limbo on US military bases
Chinese Ambassador to the US Qin Gang condemned the Taiwanese political party Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for seeking "Taiwan independence" during the 2021 annual meeting of Alliance for China's Peaceful Reunification (ACPR) in San Francisco, Chinese state media reported on Sunday.

In the speech, Qin's also blamed the US saying it has been "manipulating the Taiwan question in an attempt to use it as leverage to shadow and control the Chinese mainland", Global Times reported.

Qin's speech came on the day when Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a phone conversation.

The talks between the two was a preparation from both sides for a virtual meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden, which is scheduled on November 16.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed concerns over China's approach to Taiwan to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also calling for measures to ensure global energy supply, ahead of the upcoming talks between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In the statement, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said in a Saturday (local time) said that Blinken urged Beijing to engage in dialogue to resolve the Taiwan issue peacefully.

At times, Biden's firm line on China over human rights abuses and other practices has complicated his administration's climate efforts. Disputes over commitments to tackle climate change are the latest flashpoint in tensions between the US and China.

Biden, in recent days, has rebuked China, saying President Xi Jinping's decision to skip a United Nations climate summit was a "big mistake" because it would diminish Beijing's influence. China subsequently hit back at America over the criticism.

Beijing claims full sovereignty over Taiwan, a democracy of almost 24 million people located off the southeastern coast of mainland China, despite the fact that the two sides have been governed separately for more than seven decades.

Taipei, on the other hand, has countered the Chinese aggression by increasing strategic ties with democracies including the US, which has been repeatedly opposed by Beijing.

China has also threatened that "Taiwan's independence" means war. On June 1, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to complete reunification with self-ruled Taiwan and vowed to smash any attempts at formal independence for the island.

(ANI)

Also Read: Ahead of Xi-Biden meet, Blinken speaks with Chinese FM, expresses concerns over Taiwan
CNN's Antonia Mortensen reported from Kuznica, Anna Chernova from Moscow and Duarte Mendonca from London. CNN's Matthew Chance, Zahra Ullah and Allie Malloy contributed to this report.
Daniel Jernigan, MD, MPH (CAPT, USPHS), Director, Influenza Division

Dr. Dan Jernigan, a captain in the United States Public Health Service (USPHS), serves as director of the Influenza Division in CDCs National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. In this role, Jernigan is always working to prepare for the next influenza pandemic. We are determined to intervene where we can to stop the spread of diseasethats public health, he says. For CDCs Influenza Division, stopping the spread of disease means, tracking influenza viruses and human illness with influenza viruses worldwide  be it from seasonal, avian, swine, or other novel flu viruses. We track illness, study the virus, assess the risk posed by the virus, make vaccine viruses that are then used to manufacture flu vaccines and help make policies for influenza prevention and treatment.
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A woman on Stratman Circle called for a disorder prevention while she picked up her dog from her ex-husband. The woman said she was supposed to meet at her ex-husband's address at 11 a.m. However, police were not able to respond to the address until after 11:20. Police knocked on the door but were unable to make contact with the ex-husband. Police observed a dog bed and dog bowls were left out on the driveway but did not see or hear a dog. The woman collected the items and contacted her attorney about the situation. She said she was informed to return tomorrow at 11 a.m. to claim the dog.

* * *

A man at 6901 Lee Hwy. wanted police to check a vehicle left abandoned in the parking lot for several days. A check of the vehicle showed it was stolen out of Georgia. Dispatched confirmed the information with Fulton County authorities. The vehicle was taken out of NCIC as stolen and shown as recovered. The owner could not be notified. Airport Wrecker Service responded and towed the vehicle back to their lot.

* * *

Police responded to an accidental injury on 6th Avenue. Upon arrival on the scene, a man was being medically evaluated by Medic 6. While being evaluated the man told police that he had accidentally sliced his hand while attempting to cut frozen sausage. The man was medically cleared by Medic 6 and refused transport.

* * *

A probation officer called police and asked for assistance on locating a firearm that was tossed into a construction trash can at 5600 Brainerd Road. Four officers conducted a search of the trash can but were unable to locate the firearm.

* * *

A woman on 3rd Avenue told police she noticed yesterday that her 2019 Ram pickup has been hit. She said she has no idea when or where this happened. She said there is damage on the passenger side from the middle of the vehicle to the back.

* * *

A woman told police she was at Waffle House on East 23rd Street from 2-4 a.m. She said she left, went home, and went to sleep. When she woke up she realized she left her phone (Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus) somewhere, possibly at Waffle House. She told police she discovered the suspect had removed approximately $56 from her CashApp account and $100 from her First Horizon bank account. The woman retrieved documents from her phone carrier showing the numbers the alleged suspect communicated with. Given such, the woman contacted them and believes an individual she identified took her phone and the money from her accounts. The officer discovered an individual with a similar name who matched the description shown to police by the woman. The officer reviewed video surveillance from Waffle House, however, did not see the woman or the suspect on video. The officer reviewed multiple days and times around the day and time the phone was thought to have been left. The woman requested a police report made to be given to her bank accounts.

* * *

A woman called police to say she was in Chattanooga over the weekend to visit a friend who goes to UTC and her vehicle was parked on a parking lot at Vine Street and Lindsay Street. She said she does not know when her 2013 Ford Focus was broken into, but noticed it on Sunday. She said her Apple iPad and Apple pen were stolen. She said the lining on the door handle inside was ripped as if the unknown possibly pried the handle to gain entry. She said at the time of this report, she tracked it to a building at 6960 Lee Hwy. She said it shows to be in the building between the Guest House Inn and a gas station, but does not know the name of the building.

* * *

A man said he stopped into the grocery market at 5701 Brainerd Road and left his 2014 Chevy Cruz running and unlocked while he went inside the grocery store. He said a black male hopped into his vehicle and fled the scene. Police searched the area but did not locate the Chevy Cruz. Police entered the vehicle into NCIC. Later the car was recovered by the East Ridge Police Department at 604 Bacon Tr. and was removed from NCIC. The owner was notified and vehicle was removed by Cannons Wrecker.

* * *



Police responded to a suspicious vehicle on Spring Valley Lane. Upon arrival officers located the vehicle in question. Officers were able to view the interior of the vehicle and could see four tires and a stack of what appeared to be shingles. The vehicle currently is not listed as stolen and is properly parked.

* * *

An officer responded to a disorder prevention on Fagan Street. Police arrived on scene and made contact with a woman. She retrieved a bag and box of clothing from inside the residence.

* * *

A property manager on Croll Court called police and said a resident needed help. Upon arrival police made contact with the resident who said she noticed her son was more angry than usual. While speaking to police another woman walked in at the address. Police saw she had a black eye and bruises on her face. She would not speak to police and would not tell police what happened to her. Police asked her if she wanted to speak to someone else or go to a shelter, but she denied help. Police left a card with a number in case she wanted to call in later and report anything to police.

* * *

A man and woman on Mountain Creek Road told police their neighbor, an unknown female, has been taking pictures of the front of their apartment. They said they have spoken with management of the property who informed them to call police. Both the man and woman were informed it is not against the law to take pictures of the furniture as it is in a shared breezeway. Contact was attempted with the neighbor, but contact was not made.

* * *

A woman on North Chamberlain Avenue called police to document an ongoing feud between her and her neighbor. On Sunday the neighbor was having tree limbs cut down on her property. The tree limbs were then put onto the woman's property. The woman spoke with her neighbor and her neighbor's husband to have the tree limbs removed. On Tuesday, the neighbor began cursing at the woman. The woman believes that this conflict will continue and just wanted to document the incident.

* * *

An officer made a traffic stop on a motorcycle in the 400 block of Hwy. 153 for doing wheelies and driving recklessly. The driver of the motorcycle was cooperative with police and had a clean driving record. He was given a verbal warning and let go.

* * *

A man on Bailey Avenue called police and said his vehicle was repossessed by CarMax in early August with his license plate attached. He said he got the vehicle back from CarMax in October and the CarMax employee informed him his license plate had been removed and misplaced but issued him a temporary plate. The man was informed by the tag and title office he needed a police report to get a new plate.

* * *

A woman on Cassie Lane said an unknown man came up to her with an open Amazon package asking if she was (woman's name). She said no, that is my neighbor's name. He said, oh well, this package was delivered to my house by mistake. The woman said she then went inside. She said their trailer walls are very thin and she can hear most of what happens and she said she heard what appeared to be someone walking around in her neighbor's trailer but she knew they were not home and called the police. Police spoke with the neighbor who said he has cameras inside his living room and sensors on all his doors and windows. The neighbor and the officer went inside and he is confident no one was inside his trailer. On inspection of the trailer's back door it appeared someone had tried prying the door open. The neighbor said the door had not been damaged previously. Police suggested the man also get a camera for his back door and to call the police if they see anything suspicious.

* * *



An employee at the Exxon on 2304 Shallowford Village Dr. said there were four movie prop bills (1-$100, 3-$20) that were taken from customers at the Exxon. She said that they were not used to purchase any items in the store, but that she wanted to turn them into police. The fake bills were taken to Chattanooga Property Division.

* * *

While on routine patrol, police found a man in a dumpster behind Target at 5579 Hwy. 153. It was discovered the man had five warrants. The warrants were determined to be invalid. The man left without incident.

* * *

The clerk at Circle K at 4900 Brainerd Road told police a customer came in and walked to the beer cooler. The unknown customer was a black male wearing white pants, a light green shirt with a white hat. The unknown black male had five 12 packs of Bud Light in his arms and walked out the door. The clerk lost sight of the thief as he left the store. The cost of the beer is $114. At this time there is no other information on the suspect.

* * *

A woman in an apartment on Walnut Street told police a white male climbed onto her balcony and did a hand to hand transaction through her fence to someone else. Then the white male climbed back off her balcony and left. She just wanted police to be aware of this suspicious activity.
Food Network host Giada De Laurentiis has announced her Thanksgiving 2021 menu. After a more muted celebration in 2020 due to the pandemic, this years table, she said, will feature a grand menu to commemorate this extra special Thanksgiving.

Heres the chefs Thanksgiving elaborate menu for this year, from antipasti to dessert.

Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis | Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC Newswire/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

De Laurentiis Thanksgiving was a much smaller affair last year

In 2020, most families planned subdued Thanksgiving celebrations, due to the coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic, and De Laurentiis was no different, as she told Today at that time.

Im going to drop off some treats to the family I wont be seeing in person for Thanksgiving, the Everyday Italian star said. I think its a nice way to still share joy and feel more connected to my family in lieu of a big Thanksgiving.

To keep everyone safe, she instead planned to do a bigger virtual Thanksgiving with my entire family and then a smaller, more intimate Thanksgiving with my immediate family: Jade, my mother, sister, and brother.

Among the dishes De Laurentiis prepared last year were a ciabatta stuffing with chestnuts and pancetta and my mom is vegetarian so Im planning to make a butternut squash lasagna, too.

The chef expressed her gratitude to gather again with her family

This year, De Laurentiis is going all out for Thanksgiving with pandemic restrictions and recommendations lifted.

She wrote on her lifestyle and food blog Giadzy about her gratitude at being able to celebrate together with her family again this year.

There is nothing like Thanksgiving in bringing family together, and Im so grateful to be together again this year, she expressed. Last year, Thanksgiving was all about counting our blessings and making the most out of a less-than-ideal time in the world. Since well all be together again this year for Thanksgiving, I needed a grand menu to commemorate this extra special Thanksgiving.

Do you have your Thanksgiving menu figured out? Get some inspiration from @GDeLaurentiis menu for this year!https://t.co/ln8NM6AXpG pic.twitter.com/phOHkecm5J  Giadzy (@Giadzy) November 10, 2021

From antipasti to dessert, De Laurentiis feast is mouthwatering

And grand it is. The Giada at Home stars menu (all recipes can be found on Giadzy) starts out with an Antipasti Platter with fruits, cheeses, and nuts, plus a spectacularly sweet and savory Apple Gorgonzola Crostata home cooks can prepare a few hours ahead of time.

The chef has taken a healthier approach to food, as she revealed in her latest cookbook Eat Better, Feel Better and it shows in the Brussels Sprouts, Kale, and Pomegranate salad that kicks off her side dishes. Those bright and crisp flavors are a much-needed bite alongside the rest of the decadent menu, she wrote.

Cheesy Baked Mashed Potatoes with Peas are next, followed by Buttermilk Cornbread (the cornerstone of Thanksgiving, according to De Laurentiis), and homemade Cranberry Sauce. The rest of her sides are bursting with Italian bite: Ciabatta and Chestnut Stuffing With Pancetta, Vegetable Parmesan, Parmesan Creamed Corn, and Artichoke Gratinata, with canned or frozen artichokes to cut down on prep time.

The star of the table, a Prosciutto-Wrapped Turkey, is every bit as delicious as it sounds, and never fails to elicit oohs and ahhs from everyone who sees it!

De Laurentiis didnt forget dessert: her luxuriously creamy Chocolate Almond Cheesecake will satisfy every sweet tooth, alongside her light and fluffy Pumpkin Ricotta cookies.

Whether you try some, or all, of the chefs Thanksgiving menu, enjoy the feast!

RELATED: Giada De Laurentiis Begged Her Mother to Let Her Come Home From Culinary School in France: I Was So Desperately Lonely
The global phenomenon of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is finally returning to the stage after a long hiatus brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Broadway will be running a consolidated one-part show, while theaters in London, Germany, and Australia will continue to showcase the two-part version. Toronto, San Francisco, and Tokyo plan to bring Harry Potter back to the stage in 2022.

Daniel Radcliffe | David M. Benett/Getty Images

Fans of the beloved series are thrilled about the chance to watch the stage performance. Daniel Radcliffe, who played the young wizard in the movies, is happy to see the show is coming back but will not be among theatergoers, and with good reason.

The stage performance of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

This year fans celebrate the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, the inaugural movie that introduced audiences to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Slash Film points out that Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, who were around 10 years old in the first movie, are all now in their thirties.

This time last week, #CursedChildLDN took their first bow #BackOnStage. Relive this magical moment with us once more! pic.twitter.com/Mo3FVOpCx9  Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (@CursedChildLDN) October 22, 2021

Chris Columbus, who directed the first two Harry Potter movies, told The Hollywood Reporter, A version of Cursed Child with Dan, Rupert, and Emma at the right age, its cinematic bliss. After seeing a Broadway production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in Londons West End, Columbus said, To be able to actually see these adult actors now back in these roles? Oh yeah. It would be amazingly fun to make that film  or two films.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the franchise and the first installment adapted to the stage. The events take place 19 years after the final novel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

According to the New York Theatre Guide, the Wizarding World comes to life with dazzling illusions, spell-binding choreography, and jaw-dropping stage magic.

Why Radcliffe has never seen the stage production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Despite Columbus thinking it would be fantastic for Radcliffe to star in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, he is not in the stage production. In fact, he has never seen the play.

In a WIRED Autocomplete Interview that has more than 3 million views on YouTube, Radcliffe said the content of the play is not the reason he has not seen the show.

The Lost in London star explained:

I imagine the crowd would lean towards big Harry Potter fans in a really significant way. So, I feel like being in there just might be, like, people might be watching me watch it, and that feels weird. Ive heard it is absolutely fantastic though, and everybody who goes has a wonderful time.

Would Radcliffe ever reprise his role as Harry Potter?

Warner Bros wants a Harry Potter and the Cursed Child movie with Daniel Radcliffe https://t.co/j5U49fCQGl pic.twitter.com/Q54EcSvsyl  Total Film (@totalfilm) August 31, 2016

Everyone would love to see Harry Potter work his magic again. ET Online reported that in 2016, when Radcliffe was asked if he would reprise his role, he responded, It would depend on the script. He revealed:

The circumstances would have to be pretty extraordinary. But then I am sure Harrison Ford said that with Han Solo, and look what happened there!

Several years later, in 2020, Republic World reported that Radcliffe felt the prequels are doing fine without him and other lead actors and is happy to keep it that way. He said that it didnt mean he would never return to the franchise, but that he was currently enjoying the flexibility of his career.

According to Hollywood Life, the 32-year-old actor recently revealed that if he was to appear in a Harry Potter reboot, he would prefer to play another cast member. Radcliffe explained, some of his favorite memories of filming involved the villainous characters of Sirius Black or Lupin, who he always thought were great.

Although a Harry Potter reboot is not currently in the works, fans can find relief in knowing Radcliffe is not opposed to participating in one should it ever happen.

RELATED: Daniel Radcliffe Denies Breaking Sixty Wands on Harry Potter Set: Its Not That Many
Throughout her life, Stevie Nicks has demonstrated strength, resilience, and independence. She shared that at least some of these traits were instilled by her mother, Barbara Nicks. She revealed the best piece of advice her mother ever gave her and how it shaped her life and career.

Stevie Nicks and Barbara Nicks | Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Stevie Nicks family frequently moved throughout her childhood

Nicks was born in Arizona, but her family moved around frequently when she was young. Her father, Jess Nicks, would eventually become president of the Greyhound-Armour company, and his career required working in several different states. By the time Nicks entered high school, she had lived in Arizona, California, Texas, New Mexico, and Utah.

Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac in concert, 1976 pic.twitter.com/5MbEyK0te3  Eric Alper (@ThatEricAlper) October 10, 2020

Because of this, Nicks mother put her daughter in a number of different activities to remain busy. She signed Nicks up for various classes and pushed an acting career. Nicks, who was shy, hated the acting classes. After forgetting all her lines in a school play, Nicks told her mother she would never act again.

Stevie Nicks mother told her to remain independent

As Nicks father grew more successful, her mother stopped working due to societal expectations at the time. She would later encourage her daughter to remain independent.

You will go to school, Nicks recalled her mother saying, as told to Rolling Stone, and you will be independent, and you will never be dependent on a man. And you will have a really good education, and you will be able to stand in a room with a bunch of very smart men and keep up with them and never feel like a second-class citizen.

Though Nicks would eventually drop out of college, she took her mothers advice about independence to heart. She and bandmate Christine McVie would demand respect in male-dominated music spaces. Nicks also applied the advice to her dating life.

[Other musicians] thought, in the egos of men, that I would be giving up a part of my life for them, she said. And I wasnt going to do that. I was also in a band that was equally as famous as their bands, so that wasnt going to work for them, because they thought I should be taking the womans place there. That was everything that my mother taught me not to ever do.

Nicks says she was horrified after her mothers death

In 2012, Nicks mother died at 84 after a bout of pneumonia. Following her mothers death, Nicks said she went into seclusion.

I had to really get over the fact that my little mother  who was always the one to give me advice, from the day I joined the band with Lindsey in 1968, who was the lady on the other end of the phone telling me what was the right thing to do  was gone, she said. And I was just horrified.

Still, she says that she feels she can communicate with her mother even after her death. According to Nicks, she can still hear her mother giving her advice.

I know my moms tone, and I know her philosophy, and when I hear her answer a question for me, I go, like, There is another world, she said. I am no longer thinking what people tell you, like, Theres nothing. Well, there is. There is totally something, and Mom is on the other side.

RELATED: Stevie Nicks Laid Out the Minimum Requirement to Be Mr. Stevie Nicks
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air launched Will Smiths acting career, and became a part of television history. So its hard to imagine the show almost had a different name. Thanks to Quincy Jones, who executive produced the show and made the deal for Smith to star, the show has its name. But what was it called before?

L-R: Karyn Parsons, Janet Hubert, Will Smith, and Alfonso Ribeiro | Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank

Smith wrote about The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in his new autobiography, Will. The book is now available in stores, but here is the story of how The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air got its name from Jones.

Quincy Jones lived in Bel-Air

When Smith came to Los Angeles, California, he started meeting industry power players. Through that, he got invited to Jones birthday party at his Bel-Air home. Benny Medina, who would create The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air with Susan and Andy Borowitz, had already pitched Jones the show. Jones welcomed Smith to his party.

Thank you, Mr. Jones. This house is amazing! Smith wrote that he said.

Oh, you like this? This is Bel-Air! Benny tryin to set the show in Beverly Hills. I keep tellin him, man, f*** Beverly Hills. Bel-Air makes Beverly Hills look like public housin! Smith wrote that Jones replied.

Smith also made note of the lavish setting of Jones Bel-Air party.

RELATED: Will Smith Will Mentor Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reboot Star Jabari Banks

The center of the party was in Quincys massive living room  two-story vaulted ceilings, and a couple hundred of Hollywoods heaviest hitters and A-list rainmakers, Smith wrote. Quincy was holding court, a sorcerer in a seigner jacket with a piano keyboard embroidered down the left side.

The reason Benny Medina wanted Will Smith in Fresh Prince of Beverly Hills

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was based on Medinas life. Medina set it in Beverly Hills because that was his story.

Benny Medina is the real Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, he wrote. Benny was an orphan who grew up with extended family in the projects of East Los Angeles. Then, as a teenager, he was taken in by a friends wealthy Jewish family who lived in Beverly Hills. Benny was Afro Latino and found himself at Beverly Hills High School. He was a good kid, yet the chasm between the two worlds created a constant culture clash that was a combustible source of tension and humor.

It was Medinas idea for Smith to act at all. Medina was a Warner Bros. Records A&R exec. He knew DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince and thought Smith was a natural actor.

I can see it in your music videos. I might have something to talk to you about. Lets keep in touch, he wrote about his first meeting with Medina. That led to the invitation to Joness birthday party. This was also the party where Jones made Smith audition for NBC executives, a story Smith told at the HBO Max Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion.

Quincy Jones put more of Will Smiths story in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air still featured Smith as a teenager who moved in with his wealthy family. That part captured Medinas story. However, Jones tailored the show to Smith. Smith recalls Jones asking him where hes from.

Funds raised through the global distribution of the single helped finance educational programs in music, arts & culture for children across the Arab world. People gave their whole heart to this project & it makes my soul smile to know that it was ALL about the kidsThen & now.  Quincy Jones (@QuincyDJones) November 11, 2021

RELATED: Will Smiths National Geographic Guide Tried to Get Him to Sing the Fresh Prince of Bel Air Theme Song In Remote Namibia

Philly, I said with the requisite swag and pride that Philadelphians use to make sure you know that our city is better than yours, he wrote. [Jones said,] OK, thats it, its perfect: Your characters from Philly. Will from Philly! Then he goes to Bel-Air!
Vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine sit in a cooler before being thawed at a pop-up COVID-19 vaccination site on Jan. 26 in the Bronx borough of New York. On Nov. 9, Pfizer asked U.S. regulators to allow boosters of its COVID-19 vaccine for anyone 18 or older, a step that comes amid concern about increased spread of the coronavirus with holiday travel and gatherings.
Hopi Chairman Tim Nuvangyaoma, who is running for re-election, walks out of the tribe's high school with his son on Nov. 6 in Polacca, Arizona. Hopi voters are selecting their next chairman in an election on Nov. 11, 2021.
Defense attorney apologizes for black pastor comment in Ahmaud Arbery trial

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An attorney for one of three white men standing trial for the 2020 killing of 25-year-old unarmed black man Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia has issued an apology in court after expressing concern with the presence of prominent black pastors like Al Sharpton in the courtroom.

After national blowback over his comments last week, attorney Kevin Gough on Friday apologized in the Glynn County courthouse in coastal Brunswick to anyone who might have inadvertently been offended.

On Thursday, Gough told the court that he believed the presence of Sharpton and potentially other high-profile African American activist pastors in the courtroom could sway the jury. Sharpton had been invited to the hearing by Arberys family.

Obviously, theres only so many pastors they can have, Gough said. If their pastor is Al Sharpton right now, thats fine, but then thats it. We dont want any more black pastors coming in here or other  Jesse Jackson, whoever was in here earlier this week sitting with the victims family trying to influence a jury in this case.

Sharpton called Goughs comments arrogant insensitivity.

The arrogant insensitivity of attorney Kevin Gough in asking a judge to bar me or any minister of the familys choice underscores the disregard for the value of the human life lost and the grieving of a family in need [of] spiritual and community support, Sharpton said in a statement.

This objection was clearly pointed at me and a disregard to the fact that a mother [and] father sitting in a courtroom with three men that murdered their son do not deserve the right to have someone present to give spiritual strength to bear this pain. This is pouring salt into their wounds. I respect the defense attorney doing his job, but this is beyond defending your client. It is insulting the family of the victim.

In court on Friday, Gough said he was asked to address some comments the other day.

I will let the court note that if my statements yesterday were overly broad, I will follow up with a more specific motion on Monday, putting those concerns in the proper context, he said, according to First Coast News. And my apologies to anyone who might have inadvertently been offended.

Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump vowed that about 100 black pastors would come to pray with the family this week.

Goughs client, William Roddie Bryan Jr, is being tried for Arberys murder. Arbery was shot while jogging in Glynn County in February 2020.

Gregory McMichael, 65, and Travis McMichael, 35, are also being tried for the murder.

Im guessing he [Sharpton] was there [at the back of the courtroom on Wednesday] at the invitation of the victims family in this case. I have nothing personal against Mr. Sharpton, Gough told the judge before raising concern about the presence of high profile members of the African American community in the courtroom.

If were going to start a precedent that started yesterday, were going to bring high profile members of the African American community in the courtroom to sit with the family during the trial in the presence of the jury. I believe thats intimidating, and its an attempt to pressure  could be consciously or unconsciously  an attempt to pressure or influence the jury, Gough argued. To my knowledge, Rev. Sharpton has no church in Glynn County. He never has.

Georgia Superior Court Judge Timothy Walmsley didnt object to Sharpton being in the courtroom as long as his rules were followed.

News of Arberys killing made headlines last May after Lee Merritt, the familys attorney, shared a graphic video of the shooting.

In the video filmed by a witness, Arbery was chased by men in a pickup truck as he ran through a neighborhood. As the witness gets closer, Arbery briefly disappears off camera, and a gunshot is fired. Gregory McMichael appears to stand in the pickup truck bed, holding a shotgun. Two more shots ring out as Arbery appears back in the frame before falling to the ground.

Arbery was unarmed and dead when police arrived at the scene.
Myanmar military shells Catholic cathedral for second time in 5 months

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Myanmars security forces reportedly shelled a Catholic cathedral in the northeastern Shan state for the second time in five months as they continue to fight local militias, targeting Catholic churches and convents and displacing more than 10,000 people.

The military fired heavy artillery targeting Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Diocese of Pekhon last Tuesday, days after shelling the convent of the Sisters of Zetaman, which is housed in a Marian shrine, Catholic News Service reported.

The shelling damaged the windows and pews but no casualties have been reported.

Security forces intensified their offensive against the combined forces of the Karenni army and Karenni Peoples Defense Force on Nov. 2 and over 10,000 people have been displaced from Pekhon township.

It was intense fighting, so the majority of people have fled from their homes to safe areas, a Catholic social worker told Union of Catholic Asia News.

The source added that the church is not able to respond to the needs of the displaced due to the fighting, which has also caused aid workers to flee.

The cathedral was also hit by artillery fire in June.

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.

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 military coup on Feb. 1.

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 Myanmar army. Thousands of civilians in the conflict zones have sought shelter in churches when their villages are under attack.

The Diocese of Pekhon and the Diocese of Loikaw in the Kayah state have been among the most impacted areas since by increasing fighting since May, UCA News notes.

Last month, Burmese security forces fired heavy artillery into a town in the predominantly Christian Chin state, setting at least 100 homes and two churches on fire. The U.S. State Department released a statement condemning the gross violations of human rights.

The attack was in retaliation after a Chin militia shot and killed a Burmese soldier who was breaking into houses and looting properties, the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern reported the anti-junta Chinland Defense Force as saying.

Nearly 10,000 residents of the town of Thantlang fled the area as the fire raged on, ICC reported at the time.

The presence of the Buddhist nationalist military makes civilians and militias in conflict-ridden states nervous. The military has been accused of damaging places of worship and civilians homes, raping girls and women, abducting civilians to be used for forced labor and shooting civilians to death.

From June to May, at least eight churches were damaged in 30 days in the Kayah and Shan states. According to Radio Free Asia, five civilians sheltering inside the churches were killed.

In May, four civilians were reportedly killed and around eight others were injured when security forces fired artillery shells at a Catholic church in the Kayah state.

In September, 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. He was also reportedly pursuing a masters 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 faced since the February coup brought back full military rule following years of quasi-democracy.

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.
SBC state conventions take steps to review sexual abuse policies, survivor care

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Southern Baptist leaders in several states have taken proactive steps to address the issue of sexual abuse within the denomination, forming special committees to review their state conventions' responses to allegation reporting, survivor care and prevention.

During its annual meeting on Monday, the Florida State Board of Missions approved a recommendation to create a special committee to examine all policies and procedures governing sexual abuse allegation reporting, sexual abuse survivor care and sexual abuse prevention within the Florida Baptist State Convention."

If approved by messengers, the committee will be composed of nine individuals  including at least four pastors and four female laypersons  all appointed by the newly-elected FBSC president.

Specifically, the committee will review policies and procedures of the State Board of Missions, Florida Baptist Childrens Homes, Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center, The Baptist College of Florida, Florida Baptist Financial Services and any subsidiary organizations of each ministry.

Subsequently, the committee will provide a report to FBSC messengers gathered at an annual session next November regarding the work of the committee and the committees recommendations (if any) for improvements.

On Monday, the executive committee of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolinas board of directors unanimously approved a motion directing state convention officials to conduct a comprehensive review of existing policies and procedures related to sexual abuse."

The motion directs BSC Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker to conduct a review of the conventions policies, procedures and materials related to sexual abuse awareness, prevention and reporting.

State convention president Micheal Pardue, who authored the motion, said the review is a proactive step to demonstrate the BSCs commitment to taking matters of sexual abuse issues seriously. He is not aware of instances in which the state convention has mishandled cases of sexual abuse.

This is not an issue that we can slack on, Pardue said in a statement. This will show that we are being proactive and ensure that we are doing everything we can to address this issue. We want to be very open to our convention and make sure that we are doing the best we can to protect people in our churches and hold people accountable.

Florida and North Carolina join a handful of other state conventions in addressing the sexual abuse issue at their annual meetings. Others include Texas, Georgia, Kentucky, Arkansas and California.

In September, the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board approved a policy declaring any registered sex offender permanently disqualified from church leadership. Churches that violate this standard may be considered out of harmonious cooperation with the churches of the convention.

We take sexual abuse seriously. And we want our churches to be safe places and we want to do all we can to protect children and vulnerable adults in our churches, Associate Executive Director Craig Christina said.

This is just one way to say together that this is a serious issue and that we want to do all we can to encourage our churches to promote safe practices and not allow sexual predators to be in a position of leadership and have the chance to offend again.

The move comes amid internal disagreements within SBC leadership over how to best respond to sexual abuse allegations at churches, which are autonomous in the SBC.

In June, SBC messengers voted for SBC President Ed Litton to appoint a task force to oversee a third-party investigation of allegations SBC leaders mishandled a crisis of sexual abuse in the nations largest Protestant denomination.

The move was prompted by a 2019 report from The Houston Chronicle that documented hundreds of alleged abuse cases in Southern Baptist churches over decades.

After weeks of deliberations, SBC Executive Committee members voted in October to waive attorney-client privilege as part of an investigation into the committees handling of sexual abuse claims. The decision prompted at least a dozen SBC leaders to resign, including committee head Ronnie Floyd.

The conventions longtime legal counsel, attorneys James Guenther and James Jordan of the law firm Guenther, Jordan and Price, informed the board on Oct. 11 of their resignation in response to the trustees decision to waive attorney-client privilege. The group had represented the executive committee since 1966.

In his resignation letter, Executive Committee member Rod D. Martin said that though he supports the third-party investigation into the SBC, he disagrees with the specific course chosen.

The SBC is in grave danger, he warned. We will have to do Herculean things to save it. And we must: we educate a third of the seminary students in America and field the largest missionary force in the world. We cannot allow this enormous force for good to be destroyed, whether by vile, wicked sex abusers whove violated the ultimate trust, or by foolish, self-serving leaders whove exposed the church to needless danger. We can punish the guilty while saving our churches and our Convention. We must.
This week in Christian history: Episcopal diocese breaks away, St. Peters Basilica completed

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Throughout the extensive history of the Church, there have been numerous events of lasting significance.

Each week brings anniversaries of impressive milestones, unforgettable tragedies, amazing triumphs, memorable births, notable deaths and everything in between.

Some of the events drawn from over 2,000 years of history might be familiar, while other happenings might be previously unknown by most people.

This week  Nov. 14 through Nov. 20  marks the anniversary of a diocese leaving its denomination, the completion of one of the most iconic Catholic basilicas and the wedding of a legendary evangelist.

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Why did Disneys Jungle Cruise have to go gay?

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Forgive me for being late to the party, but it was only this week that I saw most of Disneys new movie "Jungle Cruise." The movie is rated PG-13 and is based on the Disney theme park ride of the same name.

It features megastar Dwayne The Rock Johnson and tells the story of a courageous single woman in search of a healing cure located on the Amazon. Johnson is the boat captain, and the woman (Emily Blunt) is accompanied by her utterly wimpy, fear-filled brother (Jack Whitehall), who, it turns out, is gay.

But why, oh why, must the brother be gay? What is gained by it? How is the plot enhanced? If anything, Whitehalls character plays right into negative gay stereotypes. And of what value are the vulgar, double entendre sexual jokes? Disney studios, why oh why?

Over the summer, I saw a lot of internet ads about the new movie, which seemed to be fun, adventurous and perhaps a bit too scary for little children. And, I thought to myself, perhaps once its out and is available online through my airline, Ill watch it while traveling.

But that was it. I didnt read any reviews about it and I was unaware of the gay controversy. As a July 31 USA Today headline announced, A gay character sparks debate and a reformed Trader Sam emerges in Disney's Jungle Cruise.

According to the USA Today article, Disney has been criticized for the lack of LGBTQ film representation in movies, and called out for blink-or-you'll-miss-it gay character moments in films such as Beauty and the Beast and Onward. In Jungle Cruise, Whitehall's [character, named] MacGregor subtly comes out in a scene with Johnson's [character] Frank.

In one scene, MacGregor explains how he's turned down three prospective engagements to women in 1917 London society. My interests happily lie...elsewhere, MacGregor says. Frank hoists his canteen, saying, Well, to elsewhere.

And lest there be any misunderstanding, since the word "gay" is not mentioned in the scene, MacGregor explains why he, who is anything but courageous by nature, would follow his sister into such dangerous territory. It is because his remaining family, and society, have turned their back on him all because of who I love.

Of course, younger children will not understand the hidden message. And while some older children might pick up on it immediately, it is obviously there for the parents and older viewers.

But, to repeat, other than playing into the negative stereotype of gay men being prissy, pampered, fearful and weak, nothing is gained by the gay disclosure. And if a reason was needed as to why this fear-filled brother accompanied his courageous, intrepid, fearless sister, any number of reasons could have been created. That is unless you believe that Hollywood screenwriters and producers and directors could only think of one reason for the brother and sisters close ties: namely, he was gay and she stood by him.

Give me a break.

Worse still are the double entendre jokes implying oral and anal sex, again, something that would certainly be missed by younger viewers but providing vulgar gay humor for the adults. And to what purpose? Was this more of Disneys efforts to prove how diverse and inclusive it has become?

According to the USA Todayarticle, written by Bryan Alexander: Producer Hiram Garcia says the Jungle Cruise filmmakers never set out to include a gay character in the period piece. We didnt know this is where it was going, the character naturally progressed that way, says Garcia, who insisted there was no oversight from Disney. There was no battle to it, they loved the scene as well.

Yes, Alexander reported, Early reaction to the gay character was mixed, with one Twitter user stating, Disney will really do anything to avoid using the word 'gay' in its mainstream content."

Put another way: Disney, you were not direct and overt enough! You need to shout the message all the more loudly. Gay, gay, gay! Thats what we need to hear.

As expressed by Anna Menta on The Decider:

Its another step from Disney toward LGBTQ+ representation that feels big in the context of the oppressively heterosexual corporation  certainly, its an improvement over some of the laughably meaningless Disney gay moments in recent years  but small in the context of the year 2021. After all, its been 11 years since Kurt and Blaine kissed on Glee, 16 years since Brokeback Mountain was nominated for Best Picture, and 23 years since Will & Grace premiered on NBC. This is hardly the first time mainstream America has seen a gay man on a TV or movie screen. Yet Disney  the biggest, most lucrative movie studio in the world  has only recently begun to acknowledge the existence of non-heterosexuals in its films. Jungle Cruise is the latest example of Disney not so much marching forward with pride but reluctantly dragging its feet into the 21st century.

Accordingly, the queer community has not responded with gratitude to these gay bread crumbs from Disney. In an essay for Vanity Fair, K. Austin Collins argued that the Star Wars kiss  and Disneys other after-thought queer moments like it  might technically be steps forward for Disney, but are so far behind the rest of the world, they are barely even worth noting, let alone celebrating. Perhaps the corporation has been listening to these criticisms, because Whitehalls character in 'Jungle Cruise' is, at the very least, a step up from the minuscule moments listed above.

So, thanks but no thanks.

Disney needs to go unashamedly queer. After all, this is 2021, and Disney is still an oppressively heterosexual corporation.

The reality, of course, is that LGBTQ characters abound on TV and in the movies. And if you identify as LGBTQ and want to see someone like yourself on the screen, you can readily do it, right up to being a gay or bi or trans superhero.

Disney would do best to give up throwing gay bread crumbs to their LGBTQ viewers and simply make family-friendly movies that will not offend the historic moral sensibilities of their viewers  unless they have pushed most of them away already. (See here and here.)

On my end, in the midst of a very intense schedule, Ill sometimes take a few minutes to chill while in flight, looking for a movie to watch that is not filled with a flood of profanity or gratuitous violence or nudity or sex scenes or subtle (or not so subtle) woke messaging.

I thought "Jungle Cruise," with all its fun and drama and graphics and storyline, would fit the bill. Not quite.
Walmart now using fully driverless trucks as automation speeds up in wake of pandemic

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Two years after partnering with autonomous vehicle startup Gatik AI to get goods delivered using autonomous vehicles, multinational retail giant Walmart Inc. said it is beginning to use fully driverless trucks to deliver online grocery orders in Arkansas.

Gatik, founded in 2017 by veterans of the autonomous technology industry with established offices in Palo Alto, California, and Toronto, Ontario, is on a mission is to deliver goods safely and efficiently using autonomous vehicles, according to its website. The companys focus is on short-haul, business to business logistics for the retail industry.

In 2019, after receiving approval from the Arkansas Highway Commissioners office to launch a commercial service, the company began shuttling goods for Walmart in Bentonville using two self-driving box trucks with a safety operator behind the wheel.

In a first for the autonomous vehicle industry, Walmart and Gatik announced Monday that the trucks are now operating without a safety driver.

Were thrilled to be working with Gatik to achieve this industry-first, driverless milestone, Walmart Senior Vice President Tom Ward said in a statement. Through our work with Gatik, weve identified that autonomous box trucks offer an efficient, safe and sustainable solution for transporting goods on repeatable routes between our stores.

Gatik CEO Gautam Narang told CNBC that taking the driver out is the holy grail of this technology.

Having the trust from the worlds largest retailer has been a massive boost for what we do and is a validation for our technology, our solution, our progress, Narang stressed.

Since Gatik began moving goods for Walmart in Arkansas and Louisiana and Loblaw Companies Limited in Ontario, it has expanded into Texas following a Series B fundraising round of $85 million, according to Tech Crunch.

The company now has a fleet of 25 self-driving trucks operating in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, California and Canada.

Gatik began its driverless operations in August, according to TechCrunch. The company has five self-driving trucks operating in Arkansas for Walmart, including the two fully driverless vehicles, which operate seven days per week. The trucks run a 7.1-mile route between a Walmart fulfillment center and a neighborhood market.

However, the company still keeps an employee in the passenger seat of the driverless trucks as a safeguard, and they only operate in fair weather conditions.

It took us about 24 months since our commercial launch to get to a point where we could safely take the driver out, Narang, who says his goal is to scale fully driverless operations across its other sites at a faster pace, told TechCrunch. That time to unmanned will be reducing over time. Basically, getting to fully driverless operations in new markets and in new routes will become faster.

The technological breakthrough comes just three years after 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang warned in his 2018 book, The War on Normal People, that America is careening toward a dystopian future without jobs due to increased automation and technological advances.

Yang, who proposed giving every adult citizen $1,000 a month in universal basic income to blunt the blow from automation, noted at the time that more than 4 million jobs had already been destroyed by robots, software, artificial intelligence, and a third of all American workers were at risk of permanent unemployment.

And this time, the jobs will not come back, he warned.

Among the industries he predicted would be hardest hit is trucking.

The Government Accountability Office released a report in 2019 outlining how federal agencies were not doing enough to prepare for the eventual automation of the trucking industry as consulting firm McKinsey and Company estimated that some 50% of all work activities will be automated by 2055 or sooner.

We are confident that between 2 million and 3 million Americans who drive vehicles for a living will lose their jobs in the next 10 to 15 years. Driving a truck is the most common occupation in 29 states, Yang wrote in his book.

Self-driving vehicles are one of the most obvious job-destroying technologies, but there are similar innovations ahead that will displace cashiers, fast food workers, customer service representatives, administrative assistants, and even well-paid white-collar jobs like wealth managers, lawyers, and insurance agents, he added.

Our economic engine is stalling out in many places, and automation is eliminating livelihoods for hundreds of thousands of the most vulnerable Americans in regions across the country. New jobs are less numerous, are most often created in towns located far from those most hard hit, and require far different skills than the ones that are being lost."
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Masih, an Arabic word meaning messiah, is a common family name among Pakistani Christians. One of them is Stephan Masih, a Pakistani man with a psychological disability. Sadly, Masih is one of too many Christians in Pakistan who has become a victim of the countrys blasphemy laws.

In March 2019, Masih and his family had a dispute with their Muslim neighbors. After the incident, a Muslim cleric accused him of committing blasphemy. The following day, an angry mob surrounded Masihs home and set it on fire. Instead of arresting the assailants, local police filed a First Information Report against Masih for committing blasphemy and detained him.

Masih has remained in custody since June 2019 and has been denied medical treatment for his mental disabilities. The Lahore High Court was scheduled to hear an appeal on his bail application (which was previously postponed) last Wednesday.

Ahead of the hearing, a group of United Nations experts published a statement calling on the government of Pakistan to release Masih:

"We call on the authorities [in Pakistan] to urgently review Mr. Masihs case, and release and drop all charges against him, and ensure protection for him and his family. ... It is deeply alarming that a mere disagreement between neighbors could lead to the judicial harassment of an individual, based on his religious or other beliefs, and by the use of anti-blasphemy laws which may carry the death penalty."

Blasphemy laws, which prohibit perceived insults against Islam, can be enforced with harsh punishments.

Section 295-A of the Pakistani penal code prohibits insulting religious feelings. Section 295-B states whoever defiles, damages or desecrates a copy of the Holy Quran can be punished with life imprisonment. Section 295-C states that insults against the Prophet Muhammad and his family are punishable by life imprisonment or death.

These laws are often abused in Pakistan to settle unrelated disputes with non-Muslims. Pakistani Christians, who account for just 3 million of the countrys 207 million population, are common targets.

Yet, it is not just the Pakistani legal system that uses blasphemy accusations to harm people. Even in cases where charges are not filed, mobs have formed to punish perceived violators of blasphemy laws. In Pakistan, at least 75 people have been murdered by mobs or individuals due to blasphemy allegations since 1990.

In Pakistan, extremists often interpret insults to religion to include questioning any tenets of Islam or sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, including condemning Pakistans blasphemy law. This motivated Mumtaz Qadri  the bodyguard of Governor Salman Taseer  to assassinate his own employer after Taseer spoke up on behalf of Christian blasphemy law victim Asia Bibi and condemned Pakistans blasphemy law.

Islamic extremists then proceeded to threaten the life of Taseers surviving son for continuing his fathers advocacy for Asia Bibi, saying that by doing so, he was equally involved in the crime.

One of the casualties was Pakistans minister of minorities affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti. After raising concerns on this issue, he stated: I was told I could be beheaded if I proposed any change, but I am committed to the principle of justice for the people of Pakistan. ... I am ready to die for this cause, and I will not compromise.

In 2011, two Taliban assassins sprayed the Christian officials car with gunfire, striking him at least eight times, before scattering pamphlets that described him as a Christian infidel.

Blasphemy laws are a global problem. A report by Family Research Council found that at least 70 countries have blasphemy laws. The Pew Research Center found that in 55% of countries with blasphemy laws, the government also discriminates against religious minorities.

In Pakistan alone, at least 17 Pakistanis were on death row for a blasphemy charge as of 2019. And once charged with blasphemy, its difficult for victims to prove their innocence and be released. In fact, because the death penalty is afforded to certain types of blasphemy, courts reject most bail appeals, citing the severity of the crime.

So, what can be done to press for the repeal of blasphemy laws and help the victims?

As a part of the United States tradition of advocacy for human rights and religious freedom, the U.S. government should prioritize the repeal of these laws. The State Department should also mobilize the Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance to release religious prisoners of conscience wrongly imprisoned for blasphemy charges.

Individuals can support organizations that advocate for these causes or directly send letters urging the authorities to take measures to ensure the safety of the accused, speed up their trials and bring to justice those responsible for the extrajudicial executions.

Blasphemy laws continue to destroy the lives of hundreds of people just like Masih. The free world should not stop advocating until all blasphemy laws are repealed and everyone is free to live out their faith and express their beliefs.

Originally published at the Family Research Council.
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The U.S. evacuation effort in Afghanistan wasnt a total failure; we rescued many vulnerable Afghans, including a significant number of those who served our armed forces as translators and local allies.

But we left behind far too many others, and maybe even the majority of our Afghan allies.

What went wrong? Why couldnt America, with all of its expertise, resources and power evacuate known allies from a foreign country? What does our failure in Afghanistan reveal about our immigration system?

As a Christian, I think these questions need to be asked. I believe that every human being is made in the image of God and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. If our government is failing to treat people humanely, we need to get to the bottom of it. A broken immigration system isnt just a political problem, but a moral problem as well

At the heart of the Afghanistan crisis was a bureaucracy that put outdated, clunky processes before people. Afghans at risk of persecution because of their service to the U.S. military or other parts of the U.S. mission qualified to apply for a Special Immigrant Visa. The evacuation should have been a relatively simple matter of processing Afghans through our immigration system. We may have needed to work hard, but its work that we should have been able to do.

Unfortunately, that simply wasnt the case.

In hindsight, the dysfunction should have been more obvious going into the Afghanistan crisis. Even though the law requires that Special Immigrant Visas be processed within nine months, nearly endless bureaucratic delays regularly lead to applications taking three or more years to be approved. In times of urgency, this kind of unpredictable lag in the process would obviously cost lives.

Why didnt and why doesnt our system work more efficiently? Some of the most common delays are the result of our technically complex and outdated immigration processes. Our immigration system is stuck in 1965, when the backbone of our current immigration legal framework came into effect. Thats why we still have no option for an online application or remote interview for Special Immigrant Visa applicants.

But other delays are frequently the product of political ill-will; a former Trump administration official has already gone on the record saying that the Trump administration intentionally slowed down the approval process. Our system is ostensibly neutral; in practice, its subject to partisan manipulation.

But heres the thing: the backlogs, delays and political confusion that were on display regarding Afghan immigrants is actually emblematic of how our immigration system works more broadly. Aspects of our immigration system remain completely broken, yet we struggle politically to even get immigration reform on the table. While the consequences of this dysfunction are not always life or death, they are still very profound.

Consider the example of Edilsa, a member of my church in Austin, Texas. Her ability to work and reside lawfully in the United States is dependent upon the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Edilsa did everything that was asked of her by our immigration system, including paying a hefty fee, completing her DACA renewal application and showing up in person for her lengthy biometrics appointment. But, ultimately, none of that mattered.

Delays at USCIS, the governments immigration agency, caused her work authorization to lapse in spite of what she had done. Her employer, following the letter of the law, had to let her go. Now, this ambitious University of Texas graduate is unable to work lawfully; she will struggle to pay off her student loans, cover her rent or even just help support her family  all because of a dysfunctional immigration system that puts process and bureaucracy over people.

It should be absolutely maddening to every American that people who have followed the rules and done everything in their power to jump our governments arbitrary and confusing hoops could still end up in trouble because of some minor technicality or some unavoidable bureaucratic delay.

We need our elected officials to lead the way in finally reforming immigration laws  including a permanent path to legal status and citizenship for Dreamers like Edilsa who live in constant bureaucratic torment. But we also need extensive reforms to the Special Immigrant Visa system, and really our immigration system as a whole. Our processes are dysfunctional because of the choices we make, or refuse to make, about funding, accountability, modernization and oversight. If we start to put people first, recognizing each one as made in Gods image, we can have a system that works when we need it to.
The following editorial was written by the editors at Bloomberg Opinion:

(TNS) COVID-19 case numbers, which had been steadily falling in the U.S. since the delta variant crested in September, have again plateaued. The decline from more than 200,000 daily cases has been welcome, but why have the numbers now stalled in the 70,000s? Perhaps its the colder weather driving people indoors, in closer contact with others, sometimes unmasked.

But heres another crucial factor: Less than 60% of the U.S. population has been fully vaccinated. More people need to get their shots as soon as possible.

This is the simple reason President Joe Biden is right to stand by his vaccine requirements. One of them, a mandate that 4 million federal workers be vaccinated, comes into force on Nov. 22. Another, a Labor Department rule that companies with 100 or more employees see that they are either vaccinated or tested weekly, has a deadline of Jan. 4, 2022. (This requirement will apply to about 84 million people, more than 26 million of whom are not yet vaccinated.) Also on Jan. 4, everyone who works at a hospital, nursing home or other health facility that receives payments from Medicare or Medicaid  about 17 million workers at 76,000 facilities  needs to be vaccinated.

Republicans aim to block these rules. More than a dozen state attorneys general filed suit on Friday, arguing that the president lacks the authority to issue vaccine requirements for businesses and that, if they come into effect, they will make it harder for companies in their states to hire people. (A federal appeals court has temporarily halted rollout of the rules.) Meanwhile, more than 40 senators say theyll try to block the rules under the Congressional Review Act, even though they plainly lack the votes to prevail.

This resistance is deeply misguided. Vaccine mandates are nothing new in America, and the COVID-19 mandates imposed so far by companies and states have brought a significant increase in vaccinations. Theyre the reason that 92% of New York Citys municipal workers have had at least one shot, and 94% of New York state hospital employees are inoculated. A very small share of employees resist vaccination to the point of losing their jobs. According to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey, only 5% of unvaccinated workers say theyve gone to that extreme.

Opponents call mandates an imposition on liberty or, in the words of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, an assault on private business. Its true theyre an imposition. Highway speed limits and smoking restrictions are also impositions. The point is, theyre amply justified. Public health requires that people refrain from needlessly endangering others.

Some resisters argue that they should be allowed to skip the shots because theyve already had COVID-19. Its true that an initial infection leaves people with some immunity against reinfection. But this protection is weaker than vaccination provides. A recent analysis of data from 187 hospitals found the odds of contracting COVID-19 were 5.5 times higher for previously infected (but unvaccinated) people than for people whod been vaccinated.

The new antiviral pills that may soon come on the market from Merck and Pfizer are also not a sufficient reason to back away from vaccine mandates. Vaccines offer broad protection against both infection and severe COVID-19. While the antivirals might be able to prevent infections from becoming so severe as to require hospitalization, they dont guard against catching and spreading the disease, and this needs to remain a priority.

COVID-19 has proven hard to extinguish. Just when it seems to fade, the case numbers rise again  as they are now doing in Europe  and for reasons that can be frustratingly fuzzy. Whats clear in the U.S. is that the unvaccinated population remains too large for the virus to stop freely circulating. Vaccine mandates are needed to bring the epidemic under control.
San Antonio made a national list for the wrong reasons this week. According to ProPublica, an investigative journalism publication based in New York, the Alamo City has a "hot spot" for cancer-causing air. The list was released on Thursday, November 11 and San Antonio was not the sole Texas city mentioned  Houston, Dallas, El Paso, and a slew of towns also made the list.

The ProPublica team has been mapping out the spread of toxic air pollution across the nation for five years. They're not leaving any stone unturned, they say they've measured the spread in "every" U.S. neighborhood. In their work, they've discovered more than 1,000 hotspots of cancer-causing air.

The findings were shared on Twitter Thursday evening as the newsroom is attempting to build a network of sources in each city to create a foundation for reporting moving forward. The publication wants to hear from people living in the areas and asks for the public to share the list online or through passing out fliers. ProPublica says it will share its tips with local journalists in 2022.

"We also want to answer questions to help people understand what pollution means for them," ProPublica says.

In the tweet thread, ProPublica clarified that a city making the list doesn't mean the entire area has toxic air, but instead that it has a hot spot within city limits. The interactive map shows the local hot spot is near Calumet San Antonio Refining, which encompasses part of the San Antonio River, South Presa Street, and Dan Court.

"People living in this area have at least an estimated 1 in 100,000 excess lifetime cancer risk from industrial air pollution based on a ProPublica analysis of five years of EPA modeling," the website says. Data gathered by ProPublica shows the emissions of Benzene, Naphthalene and Ethylbenzene from the plant contributes about 99.5 percent of the excess cancer risk in the area.

Indiana-based Calumet sold the oil refinery (the only one in city limits) to Starlight Relativity Acquisition Company in November 2019. The new owner is a Houston company operated by Allegiance, according to previous MySA reporting. Calumet, which owned the refinery during some of the mapping, was not immediately available comment.

Allegiance says since taking over at the start of 2021 they have made the health and safety of employees and community their "top priority."

"Allegiance Refining has focused on investing in opportunities that improve the refinerys environmental stewardship. Significant capital investments have been made to replace, repair, and add new process equipment and additional monitoring to improve reliability and reduce overall emissions at the refinery," the company tells MySA." We remain committed to being a good neighbor and steward of the environment.

Areas near Arvin Sango and Lubrizol Corp, both south of San Antonio proper, are also listed.

The San Antonio risk is substantially lower than that of places like the Union Carbide Corp Seadrift Plant in Victoria where there's "estimated excess lifetime cancer risk from industrial sources of about 1 in 63." The area, as well as areas in Houston, are shaded red for their increased levels of pollution.

ProPublica's "areas of focus" are West Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Missouri, but the investigative team is still interested in speaking with people in each of the cities listed. The public can submit a tip here.
HAMDEN  A union official said an impasse in pension contract negotiations partly may be to blame in a slew of Hamden Fire Department retirements.

After a year-and-a-half working under the threat of COVID-19, the news that nine of his employees will retire at the end of the month has fire Chief Gary Merwede worried about burnout. His staffing concerns extend past the current crisis: despite a significant increase in call volume, Merwede said, department staffing levels have not increased in nearly 30 years.

The Fire Department exodus coincides with two other high-profile retirements among town public safety officials. Deputy police chiefs Bo Kicak and Gabe Lupo also are retiring, according to police Chief John Sullivan, who said the change will put the departments vacancies at 15.

David Beaton, president of the firefighters union, said he could not speak to every Fire Department employees reason for leaving. But some of it was driven by the current impasse that we have with the town over our pension negotiations, he said.

Three other firefighters recently have retired, he said, bringing the total number announced since the summer to 12.

The retirees include the assistant fire chief, a fire inspector, two battalion chiefs, three captains, two lieutenants and three firefighters, according to Beaton.

Requests for comment left with attorney Nicholas Grello, who represents Hamden in labor matters, and Kenneth Kelley, the towns personnel director, were not immediately returned.

The New Haven Register could not immediately obtain a copy of the pension contract.

The risk is too high

The current pension contract expired in 2015, according to Beaton, who said negotiations have been ongoing for the last five years. The matter likely will go to state-level arbitration, he said.

The next contract could mean significantly diminished benefits, he said.

There is a lot of unknown (around the contract), and for some the risk is too high, Beaton said.

Even if the state were to side with the union, the new contract would need Legislative Council approval, according to Beaton. Employees who retire before the next agreement is finalized will receive the benefits described in the expired contract, he said.

While the concentrated number of retirements is unusual, its not entirely unprecedented.

A similar number of employees retired in 2006, said Merwede, noting that also had occurred amid a change in the pension agreement.

All nine staff members who announced retirements last week have at least 20 years of experience, according to Merwede.

Retiring Assistant Chief Charles Lubowicki has been fighting fires for nearly 35 years, Merwede said, adding that the same is true for retiring Battalion Chief John Spencer..

In total, well be down 15 people, but thats spread over staff and all four shifts, Merwede said. Im gonna have to do some reorganization. Therell be some transfers to even things out.

The town will be looking for two types of candidates to fill the vacancies, Merwede said: certified paramedics who have not yet attended the Connecticut Fire Academy, and emergency medical technicians who have attended the academy.

The latter group could be ready to start the job by March, according to Merwede. Due to course schedules, those who need to go through academy training would not be ready until late spring, he said.

Because the department is required to meet minimum staffing requirements, there wont be an impact to service, Merwede said. But its important for the safety of our people, the people that work here, that we get these positions filled.

Burnout and future staffing concerns

The chief worried about burnout among the remaining firefighters.

There is gonna be pressure on the people that are left to fill in those positions, he said. When you spread risk over a smaller number of people, you know, Im concerned that it will increase our injuries, and thats why Im committed to the process to get more people here.

The pressure on firefighters during the coronavirus pandemic amplified Merwedes concerns.

Being a firefighter during the pandemic causes a certain amount of stress in yourself, in your family, so were just digging out of that, Merwede said. The folks that are remaining are still the same folks that responded to all these things and theyre gonna be called on to come in more often.

Beaton, too, spoke to COVID-19s effect on the department.

Its been a rough 18 months for our department, you know, we have been nonstop since COVID, he said. We have many members who have been stricken by COVID, brought it home to their families.  The emotional toll of this last year-and-a-half has taken a significant toll on the membership.

Combining the number of employees who are out injured with those slated to retire puts the department down almost an entire shift as of Dec. 1, according to Beaton, who said 23 firefighters staff each shift. Full department staffing includes 92 firefighters  four shifts worth  as well as three staff members in the fire marshals division, two in the apparatus maintenance division and one in the training division, he said.

The department also has a chief and an assistant chief, though neither belongs to the union, Beaton said.

He praised the entire departments efforts during unique and challenging circumstances.

I am extremely proud of my membership and how theyve ... answered the call, he said.

Meanwhile, Merwede warned of a broader staffing issue.

He projected that by the end of 2021, the department will have received nearly 10,000 calls this year. Thats almost double its 1994 call volume, the chief said.

Although our call volume has changed, our staffing has not changed since 1992, he said. Its been my recommendation that the Legislative Council and the administration need to realize that ... weve increased and absorbed capacity for years.

If and when (Hamdens) financial forecast brightens, Merwede continued, expansion of our force needs to be a serious consideration.

meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP)  A small-business owner, organizer for Black Lives Matter and former ward of the state, Joanna Kelley, made history in the Nov. 2 election by becoming the first Black city councilor of Portsmouth in memory.

Kelley, 33, placed second in the election for city councilors, which also makes her what appears to be the city's first Black assistant mayor. Portsmouth is governed by nine city councilors and a mayor, and the position of mayor and assistant mayor go to the top two vote-getters.

Kelley, who owns a coffee shop in Portsmouth, told The Portsmouth Herald that she grew up in part in the state's foster care system.

I was a ward of the state that had nobody that wanted to claim me at one point in my life, Kelley said. And now, to me, I have a whole city that is proud that I am a part of it.

Portsmouth is 90% white and only 2.5% Black, according to 2019 census estimates.

Kelley is one of six candidates newly elected to City Council; five incumbents lost reelection this year. Kelley, who had previously run for City Council and finished 10th, reflected on coming in second place this year.

"When you go from (finishing) No. 10 to being assistant mayor, theres a base level pressure. Then you do that as one of the few women who have been assistant mayor, then you do it as the first person of color, Black, African American, theres a lot of pressure within that, Kelley said.

In their new roles, Kelley and the other city councilors will take up a decades-long effort to redevelop a federally owned building downtown, as well as setting budgets and shouldering an affordable housing crisis, the newspaper reported.

Last year, Mark Brave won election to the Strafford County Sheriff's Office, making him the only Black sheriff in the state.

Black Lives Matter Seacoast co-founder Clifton West Jr. told the newspaper that Black New Hampshire residents like Brave and Kelley are bringing their unique experiences and voices to shape policies in our municipalities for the first time.

However, while a lot of focus has been put on her ethnicity, Joanna won because she is highly qualified for this position, and Portsmouth voters not just voting her on the City Council but voting her in as assistant mayor as a first-time councilor proves that, he said.

The Portsmouth Herald asked two librarians to search available records and they could not find evidence of a Black person having been previously elected to City Council going back to 1849. However, some of those records, the librarians said, do not make note of each city councilors race, leaving the question unanswered of whether she is the first.
CAIRO (AP)  The son and one-time heir apparent of late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi announced Sunday his candidacy for the country's presidential election next month, Libya's election agency said.

Seif al-Islam, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity related to the 2011 uprising, submitted his candidacy papers in the southern town of Sabha, 650 kilometers (400 miles) south of the capital of Tripoli, the High National Elections Commission said in a statement.

Gadhafis son was captured by fighters in the town of Zintan late in 2011, the year when a popular uprising, backed by the NATO, toppled his father after more than 40 years in power. Moammar Gadhafi was killed in October 2011 amid the ensuing fighting that would turn into a civil war.

In a video shared by an election official, Seif al-Islam addressed the camera, saying that God will decide the right path for the country's future. The 49-year old, who earned a PhD at the London School of Economics, wore a traditional Libyan robe, turban and spectacles. It was the first time in years that he appeared in public.

The second-born son to the longtime dictator, he was seen as the reformist face of the Gadhaf regime before the 2011 uprising. He was released in June 2017 after more than five years of detention. This July, he told The New York Times in an exclusive interview that he was considering a run for the country's top office. His candidacy is likely to stir controversy across the divided country.

Seif al-Islam is wanted by the ICC on charges of crimes against humanity allegedly committed in the first weeks of the 2011 uprising. ICC spokesman Fadi El Abdallah declined to comment on Seif al-Islam's candidacy.

The Court doesnt comment on political issues, as for the legal side there is a pending warrant of arrest and that hasnt changed," he said.

Gadhafis son, who has deeply rooted links to tribes across Libya, is the first major presidential hopeful to submit his candidacy to run for the countrys highest post. Also widely expected to announce their bids are powerful military commander Khalifa Hifter, Parliament Speaker Agila Saleh and former Interior Minister Fathi Bashaga.

Seif al-Islam's campaign may focus on the failure of political parties and armed groups to establish a government capable of stabilizing and uniting the fractured country since the 2011 overthrow and killing of his father. However, he is highly likely to face stiff resistance from armed groups and militias particularly in the capital, Tripoli, and the western town of Misrata.

Abdel-Rahman el-Swahili, a lawmaker from Misrata, voiced his rejection to Seif al-Islam's candidacy, saying that Gadhafis son should be prosecuted, not running for president.

Those who believe in the possibility of Libyas returning to the era of dictatorship after all these sacrifices, are delusional, he wrote on Facebook.

A group of elders and militia leaders in the western town of Zawiya also announced their rejection of the candidacies of Seif al-Islam and Hifter, warning about the return of civil war. They threatened in a statement to shut polling stations if the elections proceeded with the current laws.

The election agency began the registration process for presidential and parliamentary hopefuls last week. Potential candidates have until Nov. 22 to register to run for the countrys highest post, while parliamentary hopefuls have until Dec. 7 to register their candidacies.

Libya is set to hold presidential elections on Dec. 24, after years of U.N.-led attempts to usher in a more democratic future and bring the country's war to an end. Following the overthrow and killing of Gadhafi, oil-rich Libya spent most of the last decade split between rival governments  one based in the capital, Tripoli, and the other in the eastern part of the country.

The announcement of Seif al-Islam's candidacy came after an international conference in Paris on Friday expressed support for holding free, fair, inclusive and credible presidential and parliamentary elections on Dec. 24.

The long-awaited vote still faces challenges, including unresolved issues over laws governing the elections, and occasional infighting among armed groups. Other obstacles include the deep rift that remains between the countrys east and west, split for years by the war, and the presence of thousands of foreign fighters and troops.

Gadhafi the dictator had eight children, most of whom played significant roles in his regime. His son Muatassim was killed at the same time Gadhafi was captured and slain. Two other sons, Seif al-Arab and Khamis, were killed earlier in the uprising. Another son, al-Saadi Gadhafi, was released in September after more than seven years of detention in the capital of Tripoli following his extradition from neighboring Niger.

__________

Associated Press writher Mike Corder contributed from The Hague, Netherlands.
PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP)  Kosovo's governing party suffered a heavy blow Sunday by losing the capital's mayoral post in runoff municipal elections held in almost two-thirds of the country after center-right opposition parties dominated in the first round.

About 1.26 million voters in the small Balkan nation were eligible to cast ballots in the second round to elect mayors in 21 out of 38 municipalities. Preliminary turnout was 38% Sunday.
BERLIN (AP)  A young man was severely injured Sunday when he fell off a slab that's part of the German capitals memorial to the 6 million Jews killed in the Nazi Holocaust.

The 21-year-old tourist, whose name was not released in line with German privacy rules, fell several meters (feet) early Sunday and was taken to the hospital with head injuries, the German news agency dpa reported.
BOSTON (AP)  First responders would be allowed to treat and transport injured police dogs to veterinary hospitals under a bill that was unanimously approved by the Massachusetts Senate this week.

Neros bill was named for the K9 partner of slain Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford wants to encourage the manufacture of electric vehicle batteries in Ontario but not the sale of electric vehicles. He also says hell reduce the provincial gasoline tax by 5.7 cents per litre after promising hed cut the price of gas by nearly double that amount. More than three years later, little has changed. Gas prices are hitting record highs in Ontario.
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Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 47F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
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Carmel, Maine

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Population in 2010: 2,794.

Population change since 2000: +15.6%

2,794.+15.6%

Males: 1,404 (50.3%) Females: 1,390 (49.7%)

Median resident age: 40.5 years Maine median age: 43.0 years

Zip codes: 04419.

Estimated median household income in 2019: $55,411 (it was $37,645 in 2000)

Carmel: $55,411 ME: $58,924

Estimated per capita income in 2019: $26,500 (it was $15,597 in 2000)



Carmel town income, earnings, and wages data



Estimated median house or condo value in 2019: $162,075 (it was $81,300 in 2000) Carmel: $162,075 ME: $200,500

Mean prices in 2019: all housing units: $170,506; detached houses: $186,641; townhouses or other attached units: $165,470; in 2-unit structures: $188,869; in 3-to-4-unit structures: $447,223; in 5-or-more-unit structures: $287,906; mobile homes: $67,592; occupied boats, rvs, vans, etc.: $26,279 $55,411 ($37,645$26,500 ($15,597$162,075 ($81,300$170,506;$186,641;$165,470;$188,869;$447,223;$287,906;$67,592;$26,279

March 2019 cost of living index in Carmel: 91.3 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)

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2,711 97.0% White alone 25 0.9% Two or more races 22 0.8% Hispanic 14 0.5% Black alone 14 0.5% American Indian alone 3 0.1% Asian alone 4 0.1% Other race alone 1 0.04% Native Hawaiian and Other

Pacific Islander alone

Races in Carmel detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth





According to our research of Maine and other state lists, there were 4 registered sex offenders living in Carmel, Maine as of November 22, 2021.

The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Carmel is 699 to 1.

The ratio of registered sex offenders to all residents in this city is lower than the state average.







Latest news from Carmel, ME collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: United States (22.0%), English (16.8%), French (14.1%), Irish (12.1%), Italian (4.2%), German (4.1%).

Current Local Time: EST time zone

Elevation: 200 feet

Land area: 36.5 square miles. Population density: 76 people per square mile (very low).

29 residents are foreign born This town: 1.2% Maine: 2.9%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000: Carmel town: 1.1% ($933) Maine: 1.5% ($1,417)

Latitude: 44.80 N, Longitude: 69.04 W

Area code commonly used in this area: 207

Single-family new house construction building permits: 1997: 4 buildings , average cost: $82,600

4 $82,600 1998: 11 buildings , average cost: $63,900

11 $63,900 1999: 6 buildings , average cost: $66,400

6 $66,400 2001: 4 buildings , average cost: $90,000

4 $90,000 2002: 12 buildings , average cost: $109,200

12 $109,200 2003: 18 buildings , average cost: $122,200

18 $122,200 2004: 28 buildings , average cost: $90,400

28 $90,400 2005: 34 buildings , average cost: $150,200

34 $150,200 2006: 30 buildings , average cost: $150,200

30 $150,200 2007: 25 buildings , average cost: $150,200

25 $150,200 2008: 7 buildings , average cost: $128,600

7 $128,600 2009: 6 buildings , average cost: $90,000

6 $90,000 2010: 8 buildings , average cost: $135,000

8 $135,000 2011: 7 buildings , average cost: $85,900

7 $85,900 2012: 5 buildings , average cost: $99,200

5 $99,200 2013: 8 buildings , average cost: $221,800

8 $221,800 2014: 7 buildings , average cost: $90,000

7 $90,000 2015: 14 buildings , average cost: $178,600

14 $178,600 2016: 13 buildings , average cost: $153,800

13 $153,800 2017: 13 buildings , average cost: $153,800

13 $153,800 2018: 13 buildings , average cost: $153,800

13 $153,800 2019: 13 buildings, average cost: $153,800

Unemployment in November 2020:

Here: 3.3% Maine: 4.7%

Most common industries in Carmel, ME (%) Both Males Females

Health care (13.2%)

Construction (11.3%)

Educational services (7.6%)

Accommodation & food services (6.1%)

Motor vehicle & parts dealers (4.4%)

Public administration (3.8%)

Professional, scientific, technical services (2.8%)

Construction (19.7%)

Motor vehicle & parts dealers (7.4%)

Educational services (5.7%)

Paper (3.8%)

Health care (3.8%)

Repair & maintenance (3.3%)

Truck transportation (3.2%)

Health care (24.4%)

Educational services (9.9%)

Accommodation & food services (9.5%)

Public administration (4.5%)

Food & beverage stores (4.0%)

Professional, scientific, technical services (3.5%)

Administrative & support & waste management services (3.3%) Most common occupations in Carmel, ME (%) Both Males Females

Carpenters (5.0%)

Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (4.9%)

Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (4.7%)

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers (3.5%)

Waiters and waitresses (3.4%)

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (3.3%)

Retail sales workers, except cashiers (3.2%)

Carpenters (9.1%)

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers (6.4%)

Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (5.8%)

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (5.5%)

Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (5.4%)

Retail sales workers, except cashiers (4.2%)

Metal workers and plastic workers (3.8%)

Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (7.6%)

Waiters and waitresses (7.4%)

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks (5.4%)

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (4.5%)

Cooks and food preparation workers (4.2%)

Secretaries and administrative assistants (4.2%)

Registered nurses (4.2%)

Average climate in Carmel, Maine Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Air pollution and air quality trends

(lower is better) AQI Ozone PM 2.5

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2018 was 59.4. This is better than average. City: 59.4 U.S.: 74.2

Ozone [ppb] level in 2018 was 32.7. This is about average. Closest monitor was 5.6 miles away from the city center. City: 32.7 U.S.: 33.3

Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 ) [g/m3] level in 2018 was 5.27. This is significantly better than average. Closest monitor was 13.0 miles away from the city center. City: 5.27 U.S.: 8.46

Earthquake activity: Carmel-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Maine state average. It is 81% smaller than the overall U.S. average.



On 4/20/2002 at 10:50:47, a magnitude 5.3 (5.3 ML, Depth: 3.0 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 230.1 miles away from Carmel center

On 10/16/2012 at 23:12:25, a magnitude 4.7 (4.7 ML, Depth: 10.0 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 115.7 miles away from Carmel center

On 4/20/2002 at 10:50:47, a magnitude 5.2 (5.2 MB, 4.2 MS, 5.2 MW, 5.0 MW) earthquake occurred 231.4 miles away from Carmel center

On 10/7/1983 at 10:18:46, a magnitude 5.3 (5.1 MB, 5.3 LG, 5.1 ML) earthquake occurred 268.7 miles away from Carmel center

On 1/19/1982 at 00:14:42, a magnitude 4.7 (4.5 MB, 4.7 MD, 4.5 LG) earthquake occurred 155.8 miles away from Carmel center

On 2/26/1999 at 03:38:43, a magnitude 3.8 (3.8 LG, Depth: 2.0 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 32.6 miles away from the city center

Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), duration magnitude (MD), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters: The number of natural disasters in Penobscot County (19) is greater than the US average (15).

Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 11

Emergencies Declared: 7



Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 9, Storms: 8, Snows: 5, Heavy Rains: 2, Blizzard: 1, Hurricane: 1, Ice Storm: 1, Snowfall: 1, Wind: 1, Winter Storm: 1, Other: 2 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).

Hospitals and medical centers near Carmel: BANGOR AREA VISITING NURSES (Home Health Center, about 12 miles away; BANGOR, ME)

HOSPICE OF EASTERN MAINE (Hospital, about 12 miles away; BANGOR, ME)

BANGOR NURSING AND REHABILITATION (Nursing Home, about 12 miles away; BANGOR, ME)

KINDRED NURSING AND REHABILITATION-WESTGATE (Nursing Home, about 12 miles away; BANGOR, ME)

ST JOSEPH HOSPICE (Hospital, about 13 miles away; BANGOR, ME)

ST JOSEPH HOSPITAL Acute Care Hospitals (about 13 miles away; BANGOR, ME)

Acute Care Hospitals ROSS MANOR (Nursing Home, about 14 miles away; BANGOR, ME)

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Carmel: Husson University ( about 13 miles; Bangor, ME ; Full-time enrollment: 2,421)

13 ; 2,421) University of Maine ( about 19 miles; Orono, ME ; FT enrollment: 8,931)

19 ; 8,931) University of Maine at Augusta ( about 50 miles; Augusta, ME ; FT enrollment: 3,204)

50 ; 3,204) University of Maine at Farmington ( about 56 miles; Farmington, ME ; FT enrollment: 2,036)

56 ; 2,036) Saint Joseph's College of Maine ( about 99 miles; Standish, ME ; FT enrollment: 2,010)

99 ; 2,010) Southern Maine Community College ( about 100 miles; South Portland, ME ; FT enrollment: 4,666)

100 ; 4,666) University of Southern Maine (about 100 miles; Portland, ME; FT enrollment: 6,647) Public elementary/middle schools in Carmel: CARMEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ( Students: 219, Location: 50 PLYMOUTH ROAD, Grades: PK-4)

( 219, 50 PLYMOUTH ROAD, PK-4) CARAVEL MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 213, Location: 520 IRISH ROAD, Grades: 5-8) See full list of schools located in Carmel

Library in Carmel: SIMPSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY (Operating income: $18,456; Location: 8 PLYMOUTH RD; 5,648 books; 176 audio materials; 208 video materials; 52 other licensed databases; 12 print serial subscriptions)

Birthplace of: Myrna Fahey - Actor.

Penobscot County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Highest Potential

Drinking water stations with addresses in Carmel and their reported violations in the past: MSAD 23 CARMEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Population served: 274, Groundwater): Past monitoring violations: Follow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/R - In JAN-01-2012 , Contaminant: Lead and Copper Rule . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (FEB-16-2012), St Formal NOV issued (FEB-16-2012), St Compliance achieved (MAR-15-2012)

JAN-01-2012 Lead and Copper Rule St Public Notif requested (FEB-16-2012), St Formal NOV issued (FEB-16-2012), St Compliance achieved (MAR-15-2012) 4 routine major monitoring violations

2 regular monitoring violations MSAD 23 SUZANNE M SMITH ELEM SCHOOL (Population served: 270, Groundwater): Past health violations: MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In SEP-2011 , Contaminant: Coliform . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (SEP-15-2011) , St Formal NOV issued (SEP-15-2011) , St Compliance achieved (NOV-28-2011) , St Public Notif received (JAN-22-2013)

SEP-2011 Coliform St Public Notif requested (SEP-15-2011) St Formal NOV issued (SEP-15-2011) St Compliance achieved (NOV-28-2011) St Public Notif received (JAN-22-2013) MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In AUG-2011 , Contaminant: Coliform . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (SEP-15-2011) , St Formal NOV issued (SEP-15-2011) , St Compliance achieved (NOV-28-2011)

AUG-2011 Coliform St Public Notif requested (SEP-15-2011) St Formal NOV issued (SEP-15-2011) St Compliance achieved (NOV-28-2011) MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In AUG-2010 , Contaminant: Coliform . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (SEP-08-2010) , St Formal NOV issued (SEP-08-2010) , St Compliance achieved (JUN-08-2011)

AUG-2010 Coliform St Public Notif requested (SEP-08-2010) St Formal NOV issued (SEP-08-2010) St Compliance achieved (JUN-08-2011) MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In SEP-2008 , Contaminant: Coliform . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (SEP-11-2008) , St Formal NOV issued (SEP-11-2008) , St Public Notif received (SEP-29-2008) , St Compliance achieved (JUN-08-2011)

SEP-2008 Coliform St Public Notif requested (SEP-11-2008) St Formal NOV issued (SEP-11-2008) St Public Notif received (SEP-29-2008) St Compliance achieved (JUN-08-2011) MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In JUL-2008 , Contaminant: Coliform . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (JUL-31-2008) , St Formal NOV issued (JUL-31-2008) , St Public Notif received (AUG-08-2008) , St Compliance achieved (JUN-08-2011)

JUL-2008 Coliform St Public Notif requested (JUL-31-2008) St Formal NOV issued (JUL-31-2008) St Public Notif received (AUG-08-2008) St Compliance achieved (JUN-08-2011) MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In OCT-2005 , Contaminant: Coliform . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (OCT-21-2005) , St Violation/Reminder Notice (OCT-21-2005) , St Public Notif received (NOV-16-2005) , St Compliance achieved (SEP-07-2007)

OCT-2005 Coliform St Public Notif requested (OCT-21-2005) St Violation/Reminder Notice (OCT-21-2005) St Public Notif received (NOV-16-2005) St Compliance achieved (SEP-07-2007) MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In SEP-2005, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (OCT-07-2005), St Violation/Reminder Notice (OCT-07-2005), St Public Notif received (2 times from NOV-16-2005 to NOV-16-2005), St Compliance achieved (SEP-07-2007) Past monitoring violations: Follow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/R - In OCT-01-2011 , Contaminant: Lead and Copper Rule . Follow-up actions: St Compliance achieved (DEC-13-2011), St Public Notif requested (JAN-12-2012), St Formal NOV issued (JAN-12-2012), St Public Notif received (JAN-23-2012)

OCT-01-2011 Lead and Copper Rule St Compliance achieved (DEC-13-2011), St Public Notif requested (JAN-12-2012), St Formal NOV issued (JAN-12-2012), St Public Notif received (JAN-23-2012) Follow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/R - In JAN-10-2006 , Contaminant: Lead and Copper Rule . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (MAR-01-2006), St Violation/Reminder Notice (MAR-01-2006), St Public Notif received (MAR-08-2006), St Compliance achieved (JUL-11-2006)

JAN-10-2006 Lead and Copper Rule St Public Notif requested (MAR-01-2006), St Violation/Reminder Notice (MAR-01-2006), St Public Notif received (MAR-08-2006), St Compliance achieved (JUL-11-2006) One routine major monitoring violation

15 regular monitoring violations MSAD 23 CARAVEL MIDDLE SCHOOL (Population served: 261, Groundwater): Past health violations: MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In JAN-2012, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (FEB-09-2012), St Formal NOV issued (FEB-09-2012), St Compliance achieved (MAR-13-2012) Past monitoring violations: Follow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/R - In OCT-01-2012, Contaminant: Lead and Copper Rule. Follow-up actions: St Compliance achieved (OCT-16-2012), St Public Notif requested (NOV-15-2012), St Formal NOV issued (NOV-15-2012), St Public Notif received (NOV-30-2012) SEAFOOD GALLEY RESTAURANT (Population served: 180, Groundwater): Past monitoring violations: One routine major monitoring violation SHADY ACRES RV & CAMPGROUND (Population served: 125, Groundwater): Past monitoring violations: 7 routine major monitoring violations

2 regular monitoring violations GRANDEUR MOBILE HOME ESTATES (Population served: 100, Groundwater): Past health violations: MCL, Average - Between JAN-2014 and MAR-2014 , Contaminant: Arsenic . Follow-up actions: St Formal NOV issued (JUN-16-2014) , St Public Notif requested (JUN-16-2014)

JAN-2014 MAR-2014 Arsenic St Formal NOV issued (JUN-16-2014) St Public Notif requested (JUN-16-2014) MCL, Average - Between OCT-2013 and DEC-2013 , Contaminant: Arsenic . Follow-up actions: St Formal NOV issued (JAN-09-2014) , St Public Notif requested (JAN-09-2014)

OCT-2013 DEC-2013 Arsenic St Formal NOV issued (JAN-09-2014) St Public Notif requested (JAN-09-2014) MCL, Average - Between JUL-2013 and SEP-2013 , Contaminant: Arsenic . Follow-up actions: St Formal NOV issued (SEP-11-2013) , St Public Notif requested (SEP-11-2013)

JUL-2013 SEP-2013 Arsenic St Formal NOV issued (SEP-11-2013) St Public Notif requested (SEP-11-2013) MCL, Average - Between APR-2013 and JUN-2013 , Contaminant: Arsenic . Follow-up actions: St Formal NOV issued (SEP-11-2013) , St Public Notif requested (SEP-11-2013)

APR-2013 JUN-2013 Arsenic St Formal NOV issued (SEP-11-2013) St Public Notif requested (SEP-11-2013) MCL, Average - Between OCT-2010 and DEC-2010 , Contaminant: Arsenic . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (MAR-16-2011) , St Formal NOV issued (MAR-16-2011) , St Compliance achieved (AUG-31-2011)

OCT-2010 DEC-2010 Arsenic St Public Notif requested (MAR-16-2011) St Formal NOV issued (MAR-16-2011) St Compliance achieved (AUG-31-2011) MCL, Average - Between JUL-2010 and SEP-2010 , Contaminant: Arsenic . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (MAR-16-2011) , St Formal NOV issued (MAR-16-2011) , St Compliance achieved (AUG-31-2011)

JUL-2010 SEP-2010 Arsenic St Public Notif requested (MAR-16-2011) St Formal NOV issued (MAR-16-2011) St Compliance achieved (AUG-31-2011) 17 other older health violations Past monitoring violations: Follow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/R - In JUL-01-2011 , Contaminant: Lead and Copper Rule . Follow-up actions: St Compliance achieved (AUG-27-2011), St Public Notif requested (DEC-08-2011), St Formal NOV issued (DEC-08-2011)

JUL-01-2011 Lead and Copper Rule St Compliance achieved (AUG-27-2011), St Public Notif requested (DEC-08-2011), St Formal NOV issued (DEC-08-2011) Follow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/R - In JUL-01-2010 , Contaminant: Lead and Copper Rule . Follow-up actions: St Formal NOV issued (NOV-30-2010), St Public Notif requested (NOV-30-2010), St Compliance achieved (JAN-19-2011)

JUL-01-2010 Lead and Copper Rule St Formal NOV issued (NOV-30-2010), St Public Notif requested (NOV-30-2010), St Compliance achieved (JAN-19-2011) Follow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/R - In OCT-01-2009 , Contaminant: Lead and Copper Rule . Follow-up actions: St AO (w/o penalty) issued (2 times from DEC-02-2009 to MAR-02-2010), St BCA signed (MAY-14-2010), St Public Notif received (JUL-08-2010), St Compliance achieved (JAN-19-2011)

OCT-01-2009 Lead and Copper Rule St AO (w/o penalty) issued (2 DEC-02-2009 MAR-02-2010), St BCA signed (MAY-14-2010), St Public Notif received (JUL-08-2010), St Compliance achieved (JAN-19-2011) Follow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/R - In OCT-01-2008 , Contaminant: Lead and Copper Rule . Follow-up actions: St Formal NOV issued (NOV-18-2008), St Public Notif requested (NOV-18-2008), St AO (w/o penalty) issued (2 times from DEC-02-2009 to MAR-02-2010), St BCA signed (MAY-14-2010), St Public Notif received (JUL-08-2010), St Compliance achieved (JAN-19-2011)

OCT-01-2008 Lead and Copper Rule St Formal NOV issued (NOV-18-2008), St Public Notif requested (NOV-18-2008), St AO (w/o penalty) issued (2 DEC-02-2009 MAR-02-2010), St BCA signed (MAY-14-2010), St Public Notif received (JUL-08-2010), St Compliance achieved (JAN-19-2011) 9 routine major monitoring violations

6 regular monitoring violations SOUTH SLOPE ESTATES MHP (Population served: 100, Groundwater): Past monitoring violations: Follow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/R - In OCT-01-2009 , Contaminant: Lead and Copper Rule . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (FEB-08-2010), St Formal NOV issued (FEB-08-2010), St Public Notif received (JUL-08-2010), St Compliance achieved (AUG-13-2010)

OCT-01-2009 Lead and Copper Rule St Public Notif requested (FEB-08-2010), St Formal NOV issued (FEB-08-2010), St Public Notif received (JUL-08-2010), St Compliance achieved (AUG-13-2010) 6 routine major monitoring violations CHILDRENS VILLAGE CHILD CARE CENTER (Population served: 55, Groundwater): Past health violations: MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In OCT-2012 , Contaminant: Coliform . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (OCT-16-2012) , St Formal NOV issued (OCT-16-2012) , St Compliance achieved (NOV-30-2012)

OCT-2012 Coliform St Public Notif requested (OCT-16-2012) St Formal NOV issued (OCT-16-2012) St Compliance achieved (NOV-30-2012) MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In AUG-2012 , Contaminant: Coliform . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (AUG-13-2012) , St Formal NOV issued (AUG-13-2012) , St Public Notif received (OCT-23-2012) , St Compliance achieved (NOV-30-2012)

AUG-2012 Coliform St Public Notif requested (AUG-13-2012) St Formal NOV issued (AUG-13-2012) St Public Notif received (OCT-23-2012) St Compliance achieved (NOV-30-2012) MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In JUN-2012 , Contaminant: Coliform . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (JUL-02-2012) , St Formal NOV issued (JUL-02-2012) , St Compliance achieved (SEP-21-2012) , St Public Notif received (SEP-28-2012)

JUN-2012 Coliform St Public Notif requested (JUL-02-2012) St Formal NOV issued (JUL-02-2012) St Compliance achieved (SEP-21-2012) St Public Notif received (SEP-28-2012) MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In MAY-2012 , Contaminant: Coliform . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (JUN-26-2012) , St Formal NOV issued (JUN-26-2012) , St Public Notif received (JUL-02-2012) , St Compliance achieved (NOV-30-2012)

MAY-2012 Coliform St Public Notif requested (JUN-26-2012) St Formal NOV issued (JUN-26-2012) St Public Notif received (JUL-02-2012) St Compliance achieved (NOV-30-2012) MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In AUG-2011 , Contaminant: Coliform . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (AUG-29-2011) , St Formal NOV issued (AUG-29-2011) , St Compliance achieved (NOV-30-2012)

AUG-2011 Coliform St Public Notif requested (AUG-29-2011) St Formal NOV issued (AUG-29-2011) St Compliance achieved (NOV-30-2012) MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In JUL-2010, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (JUL-27-2010), St Formal NOV issued (JUL-27-2010), St Public Notif received (SEP-01-2010), St Compliance achieved (2 times from JUN-10-2011 to NOV-30-2012) Past monitoring violations: Initial Tap Sampling for Pb and Cu - In JAN-01-2013 , Contaminant: Lead and Copper Rule . Follow-up actions: St Compliance achieved (FEB-28-2013), St Public Notif requested (MAR-07-2013), St Formal NOV issued (MAR-07-2013), St Public Notif received (MAR-22-2013)

JAN-01-2013 Lead and Copper Rule St Compliance achieved (FEB-28-2013), St Public Notif requested (MAR-07-2013), St Formal NOV issued (MAR-07-2013), St Public Notif received (MAR-22-2013) Initial Tap Sampling for Pb and Cu - In JAN-01-2012 , Contaminant: Lead and Copper Rule . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (FEB-16-2012), St Formal NOV issued (FEB-16-2012), St Compliance achieved (MAY-31-2012), St Public Notif received (MAR-26-2013)

JAN-01-2012 Lead and Copper Rule St Public Notif requested (FEB-16-2012), St Formal NOV issued (FEB-16-2012), St Compliance achieved (MAY-31-2012), St Public Notif received (MAR-26-2013) Initial Tap Sampling for Pb and Cu - In JAN-01-2011 , Contaminant: Lead and Copper Rule . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (MAR-03-2011), St Formal NOV issued (MAR-03-2011), St Compliance achieved (FEB-15-2012), St Public Notif received (JUN-26-2012)

JAN-01-2011 Lead and Copper Rule St Public Notif requested (MAR-03-2011), St Formal NOV issued (MAR-03-2011), St Compliance achieved (FEB-15-2012), St Public Notif received (JUN-26-2012) 19 routine major monitoring violations

2 regular monitoring violations MSAD 23 CARMEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (274Groundwater):MSAD 23 SUZANNE M SMITH ELEM SCHOOL (270Groundwater):MSAD 23 CARAVEL MIDDLE SCHOOL (261Groundwater):SEAFOOD GALLEY RESTAURANT (180Groundwater):SHADY ACRES RV & CAMPGROUND (125Groundwater):GRANDEUR MOBILE HOME ESTATES (100Groundwater):SOUTH SLOPE ESTATES MHP (100Groundwater):CHILDRENS VILLAGE CHILD CARE CENTER (55Groundwater):

Average household size: This town: 2.5 people Maine: 2.3 people

Percentage of family households: This town: 74.6% Whole state: 62.9%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners: This town: 8.8% Whole state: 9.4%



Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households) Lesbian couples: 0.2% of all households

0.2% Gay men: 0.0% of all households Residents with income below the poverty level in 2009:

This town: 11.4% Whole state: 10.9% Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level in 2009:

This town: 4.3% Whole state: 4.1%

For population 15 years and over in Carmel: Never married: 17.7%

17.7% Now married: 66.3%

66.3% Separated: 0.9%

0.9% Widowed: 3.7%

3.7% Divorced: 11.4%

For population 25 years and over in Carmel: High school or higher: 86.0%

86.0% Bachelor's degree or higher: 10.7%

10.7% Graduate or professional degree: 2.9%

2.9% Unemployed: 4.2%

4.2% Mean travel time to work (commute): 27.6 minutes

Education Gini index (Inequality in education) Here: 8.4 Maine average: 11.2



Religion statistics for Carmel, ME (based on Penobscot County data) Religion Adherents Congregations Catholic 16,581 15 Mainline Protestant 9,715 59 Evangelical Protestant 7,523 80 Other 2,936 22 Orthodox 300 1 None 116,868 - Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics: Number of grocery stores: 34 Here : 2.29 / 10,000 pop. Maine : 2.80 / 10,000 pop. Number of supercenters and club stores: 2 Penobscot County : 0.13 / 10,000 pop. Maine : 0.14 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (no gas): 38 Penobscot County : 2.56 / 10,000 pop. State : 2.20 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (with gas): 85 Penobscot County : 5.72 / 10,000 pop. Maine : 5.75 / 10,000 pop. Number of full-service restaurants: 110 This county : 7.41 / 10,000 pop. Maine : 11.02 / 10,000 pop. Adult diabetes rate: This county : 9.0% State : 8.2% Adult obesity rate: Penobscot County : 28.0% Maine : 25.0%

4.70% of this county's 2016 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2015 ($42,368 average adjusted gross income) Here: 4.70% Maine average: 5.91% 10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries between 2015 and 2016.

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2015 and 2016:

from Hancock County, ME 0.46% ($39,233 average AGI) from Somerset County, ME 0.31% ($32,551) from Waldo County, ME 0.30% ($35,315)



5.36% of this county's 2015 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2016 ($47,844 average adjusted gross income) Here: 5.36% Maine average: 5.73% 10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries between 2015 and 2016.

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2015 and 2016:

to Cumberland County, ME 0.52% ($78,156 average AGI) to Hancock County, ME 0.43% ($64,636) to Waldo County, ME 0.35% ($39,428)

Strongest AM radio stations in Carmel: WZON (620 AM; 5 kW; BANGOR, ME; Owner: THE ZONE CORPORATION)

THE ZONE CORPORATION) WABI (910 AM; 5 kW; BANGOR, ME; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)

CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.) WSKW (1160 AM; 10 kW; SKOWHEGAN, ME; Owner: MOUNTAIN WIRELESS, INCORPORATED)

MOUNTAIN WIRELESS, INCORPORATED) WDEA (1370 AM; 5 kW; ELLSWORTH, ME; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.)

CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.) WNZS (1340 AM; 1 kW; VEAZIE, ME; Owner: WATERFRONT COMMUNICATIONS INC.)

WATERFRONT COMMUNICATIONS INC.) WTME (780 AM; 10 kW; RUMFORD, ME; Owner: MOUNTAIN VALLEY BROADCASTING, INC.)

MOUNTAIN VALLEY BROADCASTING, INC.) WRKO (680 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC)

ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC) WFAU (1280 AM; 5 kW; GARDINER, ME; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) WEEI (850 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC)

ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC) WBZ (1030 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.)

INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.) WCRN (830 AM; 50 kW; WORCESTER, MA; Owner: CARTER BROADCASTING CORPORATION)

CARTER BROADCASTING CORPORATION) WNNZ (640 AM; 50 kW; WESTFIELD, MA; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)

CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.) WMTW (870 AM; 10 kW; GORHAM, ME; Owner: RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.) Strongest FM radio stations in Carmel: WWBX (97.1 FM; BANGOR, ME; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)

CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.) WBFB (104.7 FM; BELFAST, ME; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)

CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.) WKIT-FM (100.3 FM; BREWER, ME; Owner: THE ZONE CORPORATION)

THE ZONE CORPORATION) WQCB (106.5 FM; BREWER, ME; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.)

CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.) WWMJ (95.7 FM; ELLSWORTH, ME; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.)

CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.) WVOM (103.9 FM; HOWLAND, ME; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)

CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.) WGUY (102.1 FM; DEXTER, ME; Owner: CONCORD MEDIA GROUP, INC.)

CONCORD MEDIA GROUP, INC.) WMEH (90.9 FM; BANGOR, ME; Owner: MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORPORATION)

MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORPORATION) WFZX (101.7 FM; SEARSPORT, ME; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)

CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.) WEZQ (92.9 FM; BANGOR, ME; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.)

CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.) WHCF (88.5 FM; BANGOR, ME; Owner: BANGOR BAPTIST CHURCH)

BANGOR BAPTIST CHURCH) WBZN (107.3 FM; OLD TOWN, ME; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.)

CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.) WTOS-FM (105.1 FM; SKOWHEGAN, ME; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) WJCX (99.5 FM; PITTSFIELD, ME; Owner: CSN INTERNATIONAL)

CSN INTERNATIONAL) WMEP (90.5 FM; CAMDEN, ME; Owner: MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORP.)

MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORP.) WQSS (102.5 FM; CAMDEN, ME; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)

CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.) WERU-FM (89.9 FM; BLUE HILL, ME; Owner: SALT POND COMMUNITY B/C COMPANY)

SALT POND COMMUNITY B/C COMPANY) WCTB (93.5 FM; FAIRFIELD, ME; Owner: MOUNTAIN WIRELESS, INC.)

MOUNTAIN WIRELESS, INC.) WHQO (107.9 FM; SKOWHEGAN, ME; Owner: MOUNTAIN WIRELESS, INC.)

MOUNTAIN WIRELESS, INC.) W275AE (102.9 FM; BANGOR, ME; Owner: SALT POND COMMUNITY BROADCASTING, INC.) TV broadcast stations around Carmel: WABI-TV ( Channel 5; BANGOR, ME; Owner: COMMUNITY BROADCASTING SERVICE)

5; BANGOR, ME; COMMUNITY BROADCASTING SERVICE) W36CK ( Channel 36; BANGOR, ME; Owner: TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK)

36; BANGOR, ME; TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK) WCKD-LP ( Channel 30; BANGOR/DEDHAM, ME; Owner: J. MCLEOD, ME FAMILY B/CING., INC.)

30; BANGOR/DEDHAM, ME; J. MCLEOD, ME FAMILY B/CING., INC.) WLBZ ( Channel 2; BANGOR, ME; Owner: PACIFIC AND SOUTHERN COMPANY, INC.)

2; BANGOR, ME; PACIFIC AND SOUTHERN COMPANY, INC.) WBGR-LP ( Channel 33; BANGOR/DEDHAM, ME; Owner: MAINE FAMILY BROADCASTING, INC.)

33; BANGOR/DEDHAM, ME; MAINE FAMILY BROADCASTING, INC.) WMEB-TV (Channel 12; ORONO, ME; Owner: MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORPORATION)

Carmel fatal accident statistics for 1975 - 2019

See more detailed statistics of Carmel fatal car crashes and road traffic accidents for 1975 - 2019 here

National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics

15 Number of bridges

Number of bridges 79ft / 24.2m Total length

Total length 55,554 Total average daily traffic

Total average daily traffic 2,771 Total average daily truck traffic

Total average daily truck traffic 78,520 Total future (year 2036) average daily traffic

New bridges - historical statistics

1 1920-1929

1 1930-1939

2 1940-1949

1 1950-1959

5 1960-1969

1 1970-1979

1 1990-1999

1 2000-2009

2 2010-2018 See full National Bridge Inventory statistics for Carmel, ME

FCC Registered Antenna Towers: 21 (



FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers: 1 Carmel Fire Sta Us Rt 2 (Lat: 44.797833 Lon: -69.052556), Call Sign: KRT84, Licensee ID: L00046646,

Assigned Frequencies: 158.760 MHz, Grant Date: 03/04/2014, Expiration Date: 05/23/2024, Registrant: County Of Penobscot

FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses: 19 (



FAA Registered Aircraft: 4 Aircraft: BEECH A36 ( Category: Land, Seats: 6, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds, Speed: 138 mph), Engine: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES (285 HP) (Reciprocating)

N-Number: 62JB, N62JB, N-62JB, Serial Number: E-1160, Airworthiness Date: 10/18/1977, Certificate Issue Date: 09/22/2020

Registrant (Co-Owned): Michael L Martin, 1134 Fuller Rd, Carmel, ME 04419, Other Owners: Jeremy Martin

BEECH A36 ( Land, 6, Up to 12,499 Pounds, 138 mph), CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES (285 HP) (Reciprocating) 62JB, N62JB, N-62JB, E-1160, 10/18/1977, 09/22/2020 Michael L Martin, 1134 Fuller Rd, Carmel, ME 04419, Jeremy Martin Aircraft: TAYLORCRAFT BC12-D ( Category: Land, Seats: 2, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds, Speed: 78 mph), Engine: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES (65 HP) (Reciprocating)

N-Number: 96478, N96478, N-96478, Serial Number: 8778, Year manufactured: 1946, Airworthiness Date: 04/07/2017

Registrant (Individual): Reported Sale, 1133 Fuller Rd, Carmel, ME 04419

TAYLORCRAFT BC12-D ( Land, 2, Up to 12,499 Pounds, 78 mph), CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES (65 HP) (Reciprocating) 96478, N96478, N-96478, 8778, 1946, 04/07/2017 Reported Sale, 1133 Fuller Rd, Carmel, ME 04419 Aircraft: RUTLEDGE JESSICA T-CRAFT ( Category: Land, Seats: 2, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds), Engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 HP) (Reciprocating)

N-Number: 1033M, N1033M, N-1033M, Serial Number: JR01, Year manufactured: 1997, Airworthiness Date: 05/17/1997, Certificate Issue Date: 03/29/2013

Registrant (Individual): Richard Dba Grindal, 1133 Fuller Rd, Carmel, ME 04419, Other Owners: Aircraft Services Carmel

Deregistered: Cancel Date: 02/27/2018

RUTLEDGE JESSICA T-CRAFT ( Land, 2, Up to 12,499 Pounds), LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 HP) (Reciprocating) 1033M, N1033M, N-1033M, JR01, 1997, 05/17/1997, 03/29/2013 Richard Dba Grindal, 1133 Fuller Rd, Carmel, ME 04419, Aircraft Services Carmel 02/27/2018 Aircraft: PIPER J3C-65 (Category: Land, Seats: 2, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds, Speed: 67 mph), Engine: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES (65 HP) (Reciprocating)

N-Number: 7476H, N7476H, N-7476H, Serial Number: 20745, Year manufactured: 1946, Certificate Issue Date: 05/02/1960

Registrant (Individual): Karl Walter Rudnicki, Rfd #1 Box 34, Carmel, ME 04419

Deregistered: Cancel Date: 02/04/2017

21 ( See the full list of FCC Registered Antenna Towers in Carmel 19 ( See the full list of FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses in Carmel

2003 - 2018 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) incidents According to the data from the years 2003 - 2018 the average number of fire incidents per year is 16. The highest number of reported fires - 32 took place in 2016, and the least - 3 in 2003. The data has an increasing trend.



Fire incident types reported to NFIRS in Carmel, ME



154 60.4% Structure Fires



72 28.2% Outside Fires



26 10.2% Mobile Property/Vehicle Fires



3 1.2% Other When looking into fire subcategories, the most reports belonged to: Structure Fires (60.4%), and Outside Fires (28.2%). See full National Fire Incident Reporting System statistics for Carmel, ME

Houses and condos Apartments 85.9% Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.

8.6% Wood

4.5% Bottled, tank, or LP gas

0.5% Electricity

0.5% Other fuel 93.7% Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.

6.3% Other fuel





Carmel compared to Maine state average: Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Black race population percentage below state average.

below Hispanic race population percentage below state average.

below Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Renting percentage below state average.

below Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.

significantly above Number of rooms per house significantly below state average.

significantly below House age significantly below state average.

significantly below Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher significantly below state average.




Denmark, Maine

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Population in 2010: 1,148.

Population change since 2000: +14.3%

1,148.+14.3%

Males: 597 (52.0%) Females: 551 (48.0%)

Median resident age: 46.6 years Maine median age: 43.0 years

Zip codes: 04022.

Estimated median household income in 2019: $59,888 (it was $40,000 in 2000)

Denmark: $59,888 ME: $58,924

Estimated per capita income in 2019: $33,307 (it was $21,227 in 2000)



Denmark town income, earnings, and wages data



Estimated median house or condo value in 2019: $203,333 (it was $107,600 in 2000) Denmark: $203,333 ME: $200,500

Mean prices in 2019: all housing units: $175,967; detached houses: $191,475; townhouses or other attached units: $150,193; in 2-unit structures: $227,121; in 3-to-4-unit structures: $223,490; in 5-or-more-unit structures: $165,791; mobile homes: $76,713; occupied boats, rvs, vans, etc.: $17,315 $59,888 ($40,000$33,307 ($21,227$203,333 ($107,600$175,967;$191,475;$150,193;$227,121;$223,490;$165,791;$76,713;$17,315

March 2019 cost of living index in Denmark: 93.5 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)

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1,127 98.2% White alone 6 0.5% Two or more races 5 0.4% Black alone 3 0.3% Asian alone 4 0.3% Hispanic 2 0.2% Other race alone 1 0.09% American Indian alone

Races in Denmark detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth





According to our research of Maine and other state lists, there were 2 registered sex offenders living in Denmark, Maine as of November 22, 2021.

The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Denmark is 574 to 1.

The ratio of registered sex offenders to all residents in this city is near the state average.







Latest news from Denmark, ME collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: English (22.7%), Irish (12.9%), German (12.8%), French (9.1%), Scottish (7.7%), United States (6.4%).

Current Local Time: EST time zone

Elevation: 550 feet

Land area: 45.0 square miles. Population density: 25 people per square mile (very low).

22 residents are foreign born (0.7% Europe, 0.5% Asia, 0.5% Africa, 0.3% North America). This town: 2.2% Maine: 2.9%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000: Denmark town: 1.1% ($1,201) Maine: 1.5% ($1,417)

Latitude: 43.98 N, Longitude: 70.79 W

Area code: 207

Single-family new house construction building permits: 1997: 3 buildings , average cost: $88,300

3 $88,300 1998: 2 buildings , average cost: $96,700

2 $96,700 2000: 18 buildings , average cost: $118,000

18 $118,000 2001: 8 buildings , average cost: $121,400

8 $121,400 2002: 32 buildings , average cost: $130,700

32 $130,700 2003: 30 buildings , average cost: $132,800

30 $132,800 2004: 23 buildings , average cost: $112,500

23 $112,500 2005: 20 buildings , average cost: $112,500

20 $112,500 2006: 17 buildings , average cost: $112,500

17 $112,500 2007: 11 buildings , average cost: $200,000

11 $200,000 2008: 8 buildings , average cost: $200,000

8 $200,000 2009: 6 buildings , average cost: $200,000

6 $200,000 2010: 6 buildings , average cost: $207,500

6 $207,500 2011: 4 buildings , average cost: $207,500

4 $207,500 2012: 4 buildings , average cost: $207,500

4 $207,500 2013: 4 buildings , average cost: $207,500

4 $207,500 2014: 3 buildings , average cost: $207,500

3 $207,500 2015: 4 buildings , average cost: $207,500

4 $207,500 2016: 4 buildings , average cost: $207,500

4 $207,500 2017: 4 buildings , average cost: $207,500

4 $207,500 2018: 5 buildings , average cost: $207,500

5 $207,500 2019: 5 buildings, average cost: $207,500

Unemployment in November 2020:

Here: 6.5% Maine: 4.7%

Most common industries in Denmark, ME (%) Both Males Females

Construction (13.4%)

Educational services (10.9%)

Health care (10.1%)

Accommodation & food services (8.1%)

Metal & metal products (4.7%)

Public administration (4.7%)

Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (4.3%)

Construction (25.8%)

Accommodation & food services (7.9%)

Metal & metal products (7.5%)

Educational services (7.5%)

Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (6.7%)

Public administration (4.9%)

Health care (4.9%)

Health care (15.7%)

Educational services (14.5%)

Accommodation & food services (8.4%)

Finance & insurance (5.2%)

Professional, scientific, technical services (4.8%)

Food & beverage stores (4.8%)

Public administration (4.4%) Most common occupations in Denmark, ME (%) Both Males Females

Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (6.0%)

Other production occupations, including supervisors (5.8%)

Carpenters (5.6%)

Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (4.7%)

Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (4.1%)

Registered nurses (3.9%)

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (2.9%)

Carpenters (10.9%)

Other production occupations, including supervisors (8.6%)

Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (7.1%)

Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (5.6%)

Fishing, hunting, and forestry occupations (5.2%)

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (4.1%)

Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (4.1%)

Registered nurses (8.0%)

Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (6.4%)

Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (4.8%)

Supervisors and other personal care and service workers, except child care workers (4.4%)

Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (4.4%)

Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing workers (4.0%)

Customer service representatives (3.6%)

Average climate in Denmark, Maine Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Air pollution and air quality trends

(lower is better) AQI Ozone

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2018 was 50.1. This is significantly better than average. City: 50.1 U.S.: 74.2

Ozone [ppb] level in 2018 was 27.7. This is better than average. Closest monitor was 9.7 miles away from the city center. City: 27.7 U.S.: 33.3

Tornado activity: Denmark-area historical tornado activity is above Maine state average. It is 76% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 7/18/1963, a category F2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado 33.4 miles away from the Denmark town center caused between $5000 and $50,000 in damages. On 10/10/1966, a category F2 tornado 38.0 miles away from the town center caused between $5000 and $50,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity: Denmark-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Maine state average. It is 74% smaller than the overall U.S. average.



On 4/20/2002 at 10:50:47, a magnitude 5.3 (5.3 ML, Depth: 3.0 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 148.9 miles away from Denmark center

On 10/16/2012 at 23:12:25, a magnitude 4.7 (4.7 ML, Depth: 10.0 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 27.2 miles away from Denmark center

On 4/20/2002 at 10:50:47, a magnitude 5.2 (5.2 MB, 4.2 MS, 5.2 MW, 5.0 MW) earthquake occurred 149.5 miles away from Denmark center

On 10/7/1983 at 10:18:46, a magnitude 5.3 (5.1 MB, 5.3 LG, 5.1 ML) earthquake occurred 177.1 miles away from the city center

On 1/19/1982 at 00:14:42, a magnitude 4.7 (4.5 MB, 4.7 MD, 4.5 LG) earthquake occurred 52.5 miles away from the city center

On 8/21/1996 at 07:54:14, a magnitude 3.8 (3.8 LG, 3.6 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 31.5 miles away from Denmark center

Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), duration magnitude (MD), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters: The number of natural disasters in Oxford County (31) is a lot greater than the US average (15).

Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 23

Emergencies Declared: 7



Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 19, Storms: 16, Snows: 7, Hurricanes: 3, Heavy Rains: 2, Blizzard: 1, Ice Storm: 1, Landslide: 1, Mudslide: 1, Snowfall: 1, Tropical Storm: 1, Wind: 1, Winter Storm: 1, Other: 2 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).

Hospitals and medical centers near Denmark: BRIDGTON HEALTH CARE CENTER (Nursing Home, about 7 miles away; BRIDGTON, ME)

FRYEBURG HEALTH CARE CENTER (Nursing Home, about 10 miles away; FRYEBURG, ME)

HICKS NURSING HOME (Nursing Home, about 10 miles away; FRYEBURG, ME)

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Denmark: Saint Joseph's College of Maine ( about 19 miles; Standish, ME ; Full-time enrollment: 2,010)

19 ; 2,010) University of Southern Maine ( about 34 miles; Portland, ME ; FT enrollment: 6,647)

34 ; 6,647) Southern Maine Community College ( about 37 miles; South Portland, ME ; FT enrollment: 4,666)

37 ; 4,666) University of New England ( about 42 miles; Biddeford, ME ; FT enrollment: 4,539)

42 ; 4,539) Plymouth State University ( about 48 miles; Plymouth, NH ; FT enrollment: 4,838)

48 ; 4,838) University of Maine at Augusta ( about 55 miles; Augusta, ME ; FT enrollment: 3,204)

55 ; 3,204) University of Maine at Farmington (about 58 miles; Farmington, ME; FT enrollment: 2,036) Public elementary/middle school in Denmark: DENMARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 88, Location: 637 WEST MAIN STREET, Grades: KG-5) See full list of schools located in Denmark

Library in Denmark: DENMARK PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $19,200; Location: 121 EAST MAIN STREET; 7,475 books; 615 audio materials; 369 video materials; 52 other licensed databases; 10 print serial subscriptions)

Birthplace of: Hazen S. Pingree - Union Army soldier, Rufus Ingalls - Union Army general.

Oxford County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Highest Potential

Drinking water stations with addresses in Denmark and their reported violations in the past: WYONEGONIC CAMPS (Population served: 300, Groundwater): Past health violations: MCL, Acute (TCR) - In JUN-2013, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Tech Assistance Visit (JUN-17-2013), St Boil Water Order (JUN-17-2013), St Formal NOV issued (JUN-17-2013), St Public Notif requested (JUN-17-2013), St Compliance achieved (AUG-08-2013), St Public Notif received (AUG-14-2013) Past monitoring violations: 2 routine major monitoring violations

One regular monitoring violation PLEASANT MTN CAMPING AREA (Population served: 100, Groundwater): Past health violations: MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In JUL-2011 , Contaminant: Coliform . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (JUL-21-2011) , St Formal NOV issued (JUL-21-2011) , St Compliance achieved (AUG-19-2011) , St Public Notif received (JUN-19-2012)

JUL-2011 Coliform St Public Notif requested (JUL-21-2011) St Formal NOV issued (JUL-21-2011) St Compliance achieved (AUG-19-2011) St Public Notif received (JUN-19-2012) MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In SEP-2007 , Contaminant: Coliform . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (OCT-09-2007) , St Formal NOV issued (OCT-09-2007) , St Compliance achieved (JUL-08-2008) , St Public Notif received (JUL-15-2008) , St Compliance achieved (SEP-15-2008)

SEP-2007 Coliform St Public Notif requested (OCT-09-2007) St Formal NOV issued (OCT-09-2007) St Compliance achieved (JUL-08-2008) St Public Notif received (JUL-15-2008) St Compliance achieved (SEP-15-2008) MCL, Monthly (TCR) - Between JUL-2006 and SEP-2006, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (SEP-11-2006), St Violation/Reminder Notice (SEP-11-2006), St Public Notif received (SEP-19-2006), St Compliance achieved (JUL-08-2008) Past monitoring violations: One routine major monitoring violation

One regular monitoring violation CAMP WALDEN #2 (Population served: 50, Groundwater): Past monitoring violations: 3 routine major monitoring violations Drinking water stations with addresses in Denmark that have no violations reported: GRANGER POND CMPG AREA (Population served: 113, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater) WYONEGONIC CAMPS (300Groundwater):PLEASANT MTN CAMPING AREA (100Groundwater):CAMP WALDEN #2 (50Groundwater):

Average household size: This town: 2.4 people Maine: 2.3 people

Percentage of family households: This town: 68.9% Whole state: 62.9%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners: This town: 9.4% Whole state: 9.4%



Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households) Lesbian couples: 0.6% of all households

0.6% Gay men: 0.4% of all households Residents with income below the poverty level in 2009:

This town: 11.1% Whole state: 10.9% Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level in 2009:

This town: 4.4% Whole state: 4.1%

For population 15 years and over in Denmark: Never married: 21.2%

21.2% Now married: 56.9%

56.9% Separated: 1.6%

1.6% Widowed: 6.3%

6.3% Divorced: 14.0%

For population 25 years and over in Denmark: High school or higher: 88.5%

88.5% Bachelor's degree or higher: 25.8%

25.8% Graduate or professional degree: 8.4%

8.4% Unemployed: 3.0%

3.0% Mean travel time to work (commute): 29.4 minutes

Education Gini index (Inequality in education) Here: 10.6 Maine average: 11.2



Religion statistics for Denmark, ME (based on Oxford County data) Religion Adherents Congregations Catholic 3,708 7 Mainline Protestant 3,085 45 Evangelical Protestant 3,045 37 Other 719 14 None 47,276 - Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics: Number of grocery stores: 14 This county : 2.47 / 10,000 pop. Maine : 2.80 / 10,000 pop. Number of supercenters and club stores: 2 This county : 0.35 / 10,000 pop. Maine : 0.14 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (no gas): 13 Here : 2.29 / 10,000 pop. Maine : 2.20 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (with gas): 45 Oxford County : 7.94 / 10,000 pop. Maine : 5.75 / 10,000 pop. Number of full-service restaurants: 53 Here : 9.35 / 10,000 pop. Maine : 11.02 / 10,000 pop. Adult diabetes rate: Oxford County : 7.6% State : 8.2% Adult obesity rate: Oxford County : 25.6% State : 25.0%

6.21% of this county's 2016 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2015 ($42,450 average adjusted gross income) Here: 6.21% Maine average: 5.91% 10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries between 2015 and 2016.

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2015 and 2016:

from Androscoggin County, ME 1.20% ($32,764 average AGI) from Cumberland County, ME 1.19% ($36,805) from York County, ME 0.54% ($32,443)



5.61% of this county's 2015 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2016 ($39,213 average adjusted gross income) Here: 5.61% Maine average: 5.73% 10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries between 2015 and 2016.

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2015 and 2016:

to Androscoggin County, ME 1.18% ($36,929 average AGI) to Cumberland County, ME 1.06% ($36,518) to York County, ME 0.46% ($31,327)

Strongest AM radio stations in Denmark: WMTW (870 AM; 10 kW; GORHAM, ME; Owner: RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.)

RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.) WGAN (560 AM; 5 kW; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC)

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC) WTME (780 AM; 10 kW; RUMFORD, ME; Owner: MOUNTAIN VALLEY BROADCASTING, INC.)

MOUNTAIN VALLEY BROADCASTING, INC.) WRKO (680 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC)

ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC) WLAM (1470 AM; 5 kW; LEWISTON, ME; Owner: RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.)

RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.) WGIN (930 AM; 10 kW; ROCHESTER, NH; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) WLOB (1310 AM; 5 kW; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: ATLANTIC COAST RADIO, LLC)

ATLANTIC COAST RADIO, LLC) WJAE (1440 AM; 5 kW; WESTBROOK, ME; Owner: ALTANTIC COAST RADIO, LLC)

ALTANTIC COAST RADIO, LLC) WZAN (970 AM; 5 kW; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC)

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC) WEEI (850 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC)

ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC) WBNC (1050 AM; 1 kW; CONWAY, NH; Owner: MT. WASHINGTON RADIO & GRAMOPHONE, L.L.C.)

MT. WASHINGTON RADIO & GRAMOPHONE, L.L.C.) WBZ (1030 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.)

INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.) WCRN (830 AM; 50 kW; WORCESTER, MA; Owner: CARTER BROADCASTING CORPORATION) Strongest FM radio stations in Denmark: WMEA (90.1 FM; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORPORATION)

MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORPORATION) WBLM (102.9 FM; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WPKQ (103.7 FM; NORTH CONWAY, NH; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WHOM (94.9 FM; MT. WASHINGTON, NH; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WSCY (106.9 FM; MOULTONBOROUGH, NH; Owner: NORTHEAST COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)

NORTHEAST COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION) WVFM (105.7 FM; CAMPTON, NH; Owner: DEVON BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.)

DEVON BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.) WTHT (107.5 FM; LEWISTON, ME; Owner: RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.)

RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.) WJBQ (97.9 FM; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WLOB-FM (96.3 FM; RUMFORD, ME; Owner: ATLANTIC COAST RADIO, LLC)

ATLANTIC COAST RADIO, LLC) WVMJ (104.5 FM; CONWAY, NH; Owner: MT. WASHINGTON RADIO & GRAMOPHONE, L.L.C.)

MT. WASHINGTON RADIO & GRAMOPHONE, L.L.C.) WMWV (93.5 FM; CONWAY, NH; Owner: MT. WASHINGTON RADIO & GRAMOPHONE, L.L.C.)

MT. WASHINGTON RADIO & GRAMOPHONE, L.L.C.) WMEK-FM (99.9 FM; AUBURN, ME; Owner: RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.)

RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.) WMTW-FM (106.7 FM; NORTH WINDHAM, ME; Owner: RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.)

RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.) WTBM (100.7 FM; MEXICO, ME; Owner: MOUNTAIN VALLEY BROADCASTING, INC.)

MOUNTAIN VALLEY BROADCASTING, INC.) WPOR (101.9 FM; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC)

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC) WLKZ (104.9 FM; WOLFEBORO, NH; Owner: TELE-MEDIA COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, L.L.C.)

TELE-MEDIA COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, L.L.C.) WOXO-FM (92.7 FM; NORWAY, ME; Owner: TRI-COUNTY BROADCASTING, INC.)

TRI-COUNTY BROADCASTING, INC.) WMSJ (89.3 FM; FREEPORT, ME; Owner: DOWNEAST CHRISTIAN COMMUNICATIONS) TV broadcast stations around Denmark: WMTW-TV ( Channel 8; POLAND SPRING, ME; Owner: WMTW BROADCAST GROUP, LLC)

8; POLAND SPRING, ME; WMTW BROADCAST GROUP, LLC) WCSH ( Channel 6; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: PACIFIC AND SOUTHERN COMPANY, INC.)

6; PORTLAND, ME; PACIFIC AND SOUTHERN COMPANY, INC.) WGME-TV ( Channel 13; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: WGME LICENSEE, LLC)

13; PORTLAND, ME; WGME LICENSEE, LLC) WMEA-TV ( Channel 26; BIDDEFORD, ME; Owner: MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORP.)

26; BIDDEFORD, ME; MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORP.) WPXT ( Channel 51; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: HMW, INC.)

51; PORTLAND, ME; HMW, INC.) WPME ( Channel 35; LEWISTON, ME; Owner: KB PRIME MEDIA LLC)

35; LEWISTON, ME; KB PRIME MEDIA LLC) W32CA ( Channel 32; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: NATIONAL MINORITY T.V., INC.)

32; PORTLAND, ME; NATIONAL MINORITY T.V., INC.) W03AM (Channel 3; HARRISON, ETC., ME; Owner: MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORP.)

Denmark fatal accident list: Jun 29, 2012 11:44 AM, Hio Ridge Road, Lat: 44.014944, Lon: -70.779356, Vehicles: 2, Persons: 5, Fatalities: 1

Apr 20, 2007 07:20 AM, Hancock Pond Road, Lat: 43.932139, Lon: -70.742133, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 1, Fatalities: 1

Apr 10, 2005 12:55 AM, Mountain Road, Lat: 44.030240, Lon: -70.799460, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 4, Fatalities: 1

Aug 15, 1982 06:15 PM, 36173699, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 2, Fatalities: 1

Mar 29, 1981 05:20 PM, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 1, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1

Apr 12, 1976 01:40 PM, Vehicles: 2, Persons: 4, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1

Apr 12, 1975 01:40 PM, Vehicles: 2, Persons: 4, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1



National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics

3 Number of bridges

Number of bridges 30ft / 8.8m Total length

Total length 3,442 Total average daily traffic

Total average daily traffic 170 Total average daily truck traffic

Total average daily truck traffic 5,202 Total future (year 2016) average daily traffic



FCC Registered Cell Phone Towers: 1 Pleasant Mt. Cell Site On Pleasant Mt. (Lat: 44.018694 Lon: -70.824222), Structure height: 60.7 m, Call Sign: KNKN659

Assigned Frequencies: 869.040 MHz, 890.010 MHz, 824.040 MHz, 845.010 MHz, Grant Date: 11/22/2011, Expiration Date: 10/01/2021Registrant: Holland & Knight LLP, 800 17th Street, N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20006-3906, Phone: (202) 955-3000, Fax: (202) 955-5564, Email:

FCC Registered Antenna Towers: 3 MARK GARTLEY, On Pleasant Mtn ( Lat: 44.018611 Lon: -70.824167), Type: 60.7, Overall height: 57.9 m, Registrant: United States Cellular Corporation, Sterrell@cellular.Uscc.Com, , Chica-go, Phone: (773) 399-8900

44.018611 -70.824167), 60.7, 57.9 m, United States Cellular Corporation, Sterrell@cellular.Uscc.Com, , Chica-go, (773) 399-8900 PETER M CONNOLLY, On Pleasant Mtn ( Lat: 44.018611 Lon: -70.824167), Type: 60.7, Overall height: 57.9 m, Registrant: Holland & Knight LLP, Pconnoll@hklaw.Com, , Washi-ngton, Phone: (202) 862-5989

44.018611 -70.824167), 60.7, 57.9 m, Holland & Knight LLP, Pconnoll@hklaw.Com, , Washi-ngton, (202) 862-5989 On Pleasant Mtn (Lat: 44.018611 Lon: -70.824167), Type: 60.7, Overall height: 57.9 m, Registrant: United States Cellular Corporation, Sterrell@cellular.Uscc.Com, , Chica-go, Phone: (773) 399-8900

FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers: 6 Cep Director Residence Sebago Rd ( Lat: 43.975083 Lon: -70.766444), Call Sign: KNFC596,

Assigned Frequencies: 33.9800 MHz, 154.190 MHz, 154.310 MHz, Grant Date: 06/06/2002, Expiration Date: 06/09/2012, Cancellation Date: 08/11/2012, Registrant: Radio Communications Management, 158 Rand Rd, Portland, ME 04102, Phone: (207) 797-7503, Email:

43.975083 -70.766444), KNFC596, 33.9800 MHz, 154.190 MHz, 154.310 MHz, 06/06/2002, 06/09/2012, 08/11/2012, Radio Communications Management, 158 Rand Rd, Portland, ME 04102, (207) 797-7503, On Allen Mtn ( Lat: 43.939139 Lon: -70.768556), Type: Pole, Structure height: 6.5 m, Overall height: 9 m, Call Sign: WNGS389,

Assigned Frequencies: 151.272 MHz, Grant Date: 06/09/2011, Expiration Date: 08/07/2021, Registrant: Radio Communications Management, 158 Rand Rd, Portland, ME 04103, Phone: (207) 797-7503, Email:

43.939139 -70.768556), Pole, 6.5 m, 9 m, WNGS389, 151.272 MHz, 06/09/2011, 08/07/2021, Radio Communications Management, 158 Rand Rd, Portland, ME 04103, (207) 797-7503, PLEASANT MOUNTAIN, Summit Of Pleasant Mountain ( Lat: 44.018472 Lon: -70.824306), Type: Ltower, Structure height: 54.9 m, Overall height: 57.9 m, Call Sign: WPYT774,

Assigned Frequencies: 151.085 MHz, 45.7600 MHz, Grant Date: 10/22/2013, Expiration Date: 10/24/2023, Certifier: William Plante, Registrant: State Of Maine, O.I.T., Radio Operations, 66 Industrial Drive, Augusta, ME 04333-0147, Phone: (207) 624-9990, Email:

44.018472 -70.824306), Ltower, 54.9 m, 57.9 m, WPYT774, 151.085 MHz, 45.7600 MHz, 10/22/2013, 10/24/2023, William Plante, State Of Maine, O.I.T., Radio Operations, 66 Industrial Drive, Augusta, ME 04333-0147, (207) 624-9990, PLEASANT 11-D, Pleasant Mnt ( Lat: 44.018472 Lon: -70.824306), Type: Gtower, Structure height: 54.9 m, Overall height: 60.7 m, Call Sign: WQQS445,

Assigned Frequencies: 158.730 MHz, Grant Date: 02/22/2013, Expiration Date: 02/22/2023, Certifier: Marc D Fisher, Registrant: State Of Maine, O.I.T., Radio Operations, 66 Industrial Drive, Augusta, ME 04333-0147, Phone: (207) 624-9990, Email:

44.018472 -70.824306), Gtower, 54.9 m, 60.7 m, WQQS445, 158.730 MHz, 02/22/2013, 02/22/2023, Marc D Fisher, State Of Maine, O.I.T., Radio Operations, 66 Industrial Drive, Augusta, ME 04333-0147, (207) 624-9990, PLEASANT MTN MOBILES, Lat: 44.018472 Lon: -70.824306, Call Sign: WQRX460,

Assigned Frequencies: 150.980 MHz, Grant Date: 08/08/2013, Expiration Date: 08/08/2023, Certifier: Marc D Fisher, Registrant: State Of Maine, O.I.T., Radio Operations, 66 Industrial Drive, Augusta, ME 04333-0147, Phone: (207) 624-9990, Email:

44.018472 -70.824306, WQRX460, 150.980 MHz, 08/08/2013, 08/08/2023, Marc D Fisher, State Of Maine, O.I.T., Radio Operations, 66 Industrial Drive, Augusta, ME 04333-0147, (207) 624-9990, Lat: 44.018611 Lon: -70.824444, Call Sign: WQVN530,

Assigned Frequencies: 164.637 MHz, Grant Date: 04/07/2015, Expiration Date: 04/07/2025, Certifier: Marc D Fisher, Registrant: State Of Maine, O.I.T., Radio Operations, 66 Industrial Drive, Augusta, ME 04333-0147, Phone: (207) 624-9990, Email:

FCC Registered Microwave Towers: 4 PLEASANT MTN, On Pleasant Mtn ( Lat: 44.018611 Lon: -70.824167), Type: Gtower, Structure height: 57.9 m, Overall height: 60.7 m, Call Sign: WPOR731,

Assigned Frequencies: 6615.00 MHz, 10572.5 MHz, Grant Date: 04/23/2019, Expiration Date: 04/16/2029, Cancellation Date: 02/25/2020, Registrant: Holland & Knight LLP, 800 17th Street, N.W., Suite #1100, Washington, DC 20006-3906, Phone: (202) 955-3000, Fax: (202) 955-5564, Email:

44.018611 -70.824167), Gtower, 57.9 m, 60.7 m, WPOR731, 6615.00 MHz, 10572.5 MHz, 04/23/2019, 04/16/2029, 02/25/2020, Holland & Knight LLP, 800 17th Street, N.W., Suite #1100, Washington, DC 20006-3906, (202) 955-3000, (202) 955-5564, PLEASANT MTN, On Pleasant Mtn ( Lat: 44.018611 Lon: -70.824167), Type: Tower, Structure height: 57.9 m, Overall height: 60.7 m, Call Sign: WPXC755,

Assigned Frequencies: 958.350 MHz, Grant Date: 03/05/2013, Expiration Date: 03/06/2023, Certifier: Dan Schorr, Registrant: Shulman Rogers Gandal Pordy & Ecker, 12505 Park Potomac Ave., 6th Flr, Potomac, MD 20854, Phone: (301) 255-0553, Fax: (301) 230-2891

44.018611 -70.824167), Tower, 57.9 m, 60.7 m, WPXC755, 958.350 MHz, 03/05/2013, 03/06/2023, Dan Schorr, Shulman Rogers Gandal Pordy & Ecker, 12505 Park Potomac Ave., 6th Flr, Potomac, MD 20854, (301) 255-0553, (301) 230-2891 PLEASANT MTN, Pleasant Mountain ( Lat: 44.026750 Lon: -70.822000), Type: Tower, Structure height: 30.5 m, Call Sign: WQNP295,

Assigned Frequencies: 942.575 MHz, Grant Date: 04/07/2011, Expiration Date: 04/07/2021, Cancellation Date: 10/23/2013, Certifier: David J Plourde, Registrant: State Of - Mscommnet Project Maine, 23 Leighton Road, Shs 147, Augusta, ME 04330, Phone: (207) 624-9994, Email:

44.026750 -70.822000), Tower, 30.5 m, WQNP295, 942.575 MHz, 04/07/2011, 04/07/2021, 10/23/2013, David J Plourde, State Of - Mscommnet Project Maine, 23 Leighton Road, Shs 147, Augusta, ME 04330, (207) 624-9994, PLEASANT MTN, Pleasant Mountain (Lat: 44.018611 Lon: -70.824167), Type: Tower, Structure height: 54.9 m, Call Sign: WQOL647,

Assigned Frequencies: 956.600 MHz, Grant Date: 11/08/2011, Expiration Date: 11/08/2021, Certifier: David J Plourde, Registrant: State Of Maine, O.I.T., Radio Operations, 66 Industrial Drive, Augusta, ME 04333-0147, Phone: (207) 624-9990, Email:

FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses: 16 (



FAA Registered Aircraft: 3 Aircraft: CESSNA 177B ( Category: Land, Seats: 4, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds, Speed: 108 mph), Engine: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER (180 HP) (Reciprocating)

N-Number: 34235, N34235, N-34235, Serial Number: 17701726, Year manufactured: 1972, Airworthiness Date: 04/13/1972, Certificate Issue Date: 08/08/2016

Registrant (Individual): Todd M Harris, 15 Hannibal Cir, Denmark, ME 04022

CESSNA 177B ( Land, 4, Up to 12,499 Pounds, 108 mph), LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER (180 HP) (Reciprocating) 34235, N34235, N-34235, 17701726, 1972, 04/13/1972, 08/08/2016 Todd M Harris, 15 Hannibal Cir, Denmark, ME 04022 Aircraft: CESSNA 180K ( Category: Land, Seats: 4, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds, Speed: 114 mph), Engine: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES (285 HP) (Reciprocating)

N-Number: 66182, N66182, N-66182, Serial Number: 18052923, Year manufactured: 1978, Airworthiness Date: 08/17/1999, Certificate Issue Date: 07/14/2014

Registrant (LLC): Naples Seaplane Adventures LLC, Po Box 14, Denmark, ME 04022

CESSNA 180K ( Land, 4, Up to 12,499 Pounds, 114 mph), CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES (285 HP) (Reciprocating) 66182, N66182, N-66182, 18052923, 1978, 08/17/1999, 07/14/2014 Naples Seaplane Adventures LLC, Po Box 14, Denmark, ME 04022 Aircraft: SIMONEAU ROY T KITFOX CLASSIC IV (Category: Land, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds), Engine: ROTAX SEE BOMBADIER (Reciprocating)

N-Number: 10224, N10224, N-10224, Serial Number: C0010-0263, Year manufactured: 2003, Airworthiness Date: 08/14/2003, Certificate Issue Date: 08/26/2002

Registrant (Individual): Roy T Simoneau, 170 Hilton Rd, Denmark, ME 04022

Deregistered: Cancel Date: 01/03/2018

16 ( See the full list of FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses in Denmark

Houses and condos Apartments 72.9% Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.

17.0% Wood

7.7% Bottled, tank, or LP gas

1.4% Utility gas

0.5% Electricity

0.5% Coal or coke 71.2% Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.

15.4% Wood

9.6% Bottled, tank, or LP gas

3.8% Electricity





Denmark compared to Maine state average: Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Black race population percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Hispanic race population percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Foreign-born population percentage below state average.

below Renting percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.

significantly above Number of rooms per house significantly below state average.

significantly below House age significantly below state average.

significantly below Number of college students below state average.




Dotsero, Colorado

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Population in 2010: 705.

Males: 436 (61.9%) Females: 269 (38.1%)

Median resident age: 22.0 years Colorado median age: 37.1 years

Zip codes: 81637.

Estimated median household income in 2019: $90,412

Dotsero: $90,412 CO: $77,127

Estimated per capita income in 2019: $47,674



Dotsero CDP income, earnings, and wages data



Estimated median house or condo value in 2019: $646,326 Dotsero: $646,326 CO: $394,600

Mean prices in 2019: all housing units: $191,737; detached houses: $323,989; mobile homes: $80,131 $90,412$47,674$646,326$191,737;$323,989;$80,131

Median gross rent in 2019: $947.

March 2019 cost of living index in Dotsero: 92.2 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)

Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2019: 1.6%

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Most recent value % change since 2k Data: Median household income ($) Median household income (% change since 2000) Household income diversity Ratio of average income to average house value (%) Ratio of average income to average rent Median household income ($) - White Median household income ($) - Black or African American Median household income ($) - Asian Median household income ($) - Hispanic or Latino Median household income ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native Median household income ($) - Multirace Median household income ($) - Other Race Median household income for houses/condos with a mortgage ($) Median household income for apartments without a mortgage ($) Races - White alone (%) Races - White alone (% change since 2000) Races - Black alone (%) Races - Black alone (% change since 2000) Races - American Indian alone (%) Races - American Indian alone (% change since 2000) Races - Asian alone (%) Races - Asian alone (% change since 2000) Races - Hispanic (%) Races - Hispanic (% change since 2000) Races - Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone (%) Races - Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone (% change since 2000) Races - Two or more races (%) Races - Two or more races (% change since 2000) Races - Other race alone (%) Races - Other race alone (% change since 2000) Racial diversity Unemployment (%) Unemployment (% change since 2000) Unemployment (%) - White Unemployment (%) - Black or African American Unemployment (%) - Asian Unemployment (%) - Hispanic or Latino Unemployment (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Unemployment (%) - Multirace Unemployment (%) - Other Race Population density (people per square mile) Population - Males (%) Population - Females (%) Population - Males (%) - White Population - Males (%) - Black or African American Population - Males (%) - Asian Population - Males (%) - Hispanic or Latino Population - Males (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Population - Males (%) - Multirace Population - Males (%) - Other Race Population - Females (%) - White Population - Females (%) - Black or African American Population - Females (%) - Asian Population - Females (%) - Hispanic or Latino Population - Females (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Population - Females (%) - Multirace Population - Females (%) - Other Race Coronavirus confirmed cases (Nov 22, 2021) Deaths caused by coronavirus (Nov 22, 2021) Coronavirus confirmed cases (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) Deaths caused by coronavirus (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) Daily increase in number of cases (Nov 22, 2021) Weekly increase in number of cases (Nov 22, 2021) Cases doubled (in days) (Nov 22, 2021) Hospitalized patients (Nov 22, 2021) Negative test results (Nov 22, 2021) Total test results (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses distributed (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses administered (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses distributed (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses administered (Nov 22, 2021) Likely homosexual households (%) Likely homosexual households (% change since 2000) Likely homosexual households - Lesbian couples (%) Likely homosexual households - Lesbian couples (% change since 2000) Likely homosexual households - Gay men (%) Likely homosexual households - Gay men (% change since 2000) Cost of living index Median gross rent ($) Median contract rent ($) Median monthly housing costs ($) Median house or condo value ($) Median house or condo value ($ change since 2000) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 1, detached ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 1, attached ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 2 ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure by units in structure - 3 or 4 ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 5 or more ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - Boat, RV, van, etc. ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - Mobile home ($) Median house or condo value ($) - White Median house or condo value ($) - Black or African American Median house or condo value ($) - Asian Median house or condo value ($) - Hispanic or Latino Median house or condo value ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native Median house or condo value ($) - Multirace Median house or condo value ($) - Other Race Median resident age Resident age diversity Median resident age - Males Median resident age - Females Median resident age - White Median resident age - Black or African American Median resident age - Asian Median resident age - Hispanic or Latino Median resident age - American Indian and Alaska Native Median resident age - Multirace Median resident age - Other Race Median resident age - Males - White Median resident age - Males - Black or African American Median resident age - Males - Asian Median resident age - Males - Hispanic or Latino Median resident age - Males - American Indian and Alaska Native Median resident age - Males - Multirace Median resident age - Males - Other Race Median resident age - Females - White Median resident age - Females - Black or African American Median resident age - Females - Asian Median resident age - Females - Hispanic or Latino Median resident age - Females - American Indian and Alaska Native Median resident age - Females - Multirace Median resident age - Females - Other Race Commute - mean travel time to work (minutes) Travel time to work - Less than 5 minutes (%) Travel time to work - Less than 5 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 5 to 9 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 5 to 9 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 10 to 19 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 10 to 19 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 20 to 29 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 20 to 29 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 30 to 39 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 30 to 39 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 40 to 59 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 40 to 59 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 60 to 89 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 60 to 89 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 90 or more minutes (%) Travel time to work - 90 or more minutes (% change since 2000) Marital status - Never married (%) Marital status - Now married (%) Marital status - Separated (%) Marital status - Widowed (%) Marital status - Divorced (%) Median family income ($) Median family income (% change since 2000) Median non-family income ($) Median non-family income (% change since 2000) Median per capita income ($) Median per capita income (% change since 2000) Median family income ($) - White Median family income ($) - Black or African American Median family income ($) - Asian Median family income ($) - Hispanic or Latino Median family income ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native Median family income ($) - Multirace Median family income ($) - Other Race Median year house/condo built Median year apartment built Year house built - Built 2005 or later (%) Year house built - Built 2000 to 2004 (%) Year house built - Built 1990 to 1999 (%) Year house built - Built 1980 to 1989 (%) Year house built - Built 1970 to 1979 (%) Year house built - Built 1960 to 1969 (%) Year house built - Built 1950 to 1959 (%) Year house built - Built 1940 to 1949 (%) Year house built - Built 1939 or earlier (%) Average household size Household density (households per square mile) Average household size - White Average household size - Black or African American Average household size - Asian Average household size - Hispanic or Latino Average household size - American Indian and Alaska Native Average household size - Multirace Average household size - Other Race Occupied housing units (%) Vacant housing units (%) Owner occupied housing units (%) Renter occupied housing units (%) Vacancy status - For rent (%) Vacancy status - For sale only (%) Vacancy status - Rented or sold, not occupied (%) Vacancy status - For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use (%) Vacancy status - For migrant workers (%) Vacancy status - Other vacant (%) Residents with income below the poverty level (%) Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level (%) Children below poverty level (%) Poor families by family type - Married-couple family (%) Poor families by family type - Male, no wife present (%) Poor families by family type - Female, no husband present (%) Poverty status for native-born residents (%) Poverty status for foreign-born residents (%) Poverty among high school graduates not in families (%) Poverty among people who did not graduate high school not in families (%) Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - White Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Black or African American Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Asian Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Hispanic or Latino Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Multirace Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Other Race Air pollution - Air Quality Index (AQI) Air pollution - CO Air pollution - NO2 Air pollution - SO2 Air pollution - Ozone Air pollution - PM10 Air pollution - PM25 Air pollution - Pb Crime - Murders per 100,000 population Crime - Rapes per 100,000 population Crime - Robberies per 100,000 population Crime - Assaults per 100,000 population Crime - Burglaries per 100,000 population Crime - Thefts per 100,000 population Crime - Auto thefts per 100,000 population Crime - Arson per 100,000 population Crime - City-data.com crime index Crime - Violent crime index Crime - Property crime index Crime - Murders per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Rapes per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Robberies per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Assaults per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Burglaries per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Thefts per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Auto thefts per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Arson per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - City-data.com crime index (5 year average) Crime - Violent crime index (5 year average) Crime - Property crime index (5 year average) 1996 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Clinton) 1996 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Dole) 1996 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2000 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Gore) 2000 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Bush) 2000 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2004 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Kerry) 2004 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Bush) 2004 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2008 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Obama) 2008 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (McCain) 2008 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2012 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Obama) 2012 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Romney) 2012 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2016 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Clinton) 2016 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Trump) 2016 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2020 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Biden) 2020 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Trump) 2020 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other Ancestries Reported - Arab (%) Ancestries Reported - Czech (%) Ancestries Reported - Danish (%) Ancestries Reported - Dutch (%) Ancestries Reported - English (%) Ancestries Reported - French (%) Ancestries Reported - French Canadian (%) Ancestries Reported - German (%) Ancestries Reported - Greek (%) Ancestries Reported - Hungarian (%) Ancestries Reported - Irish (%) Ancestries Reported - Italian (%) Ancestries Reported - Lithuanian (%) Ancestries Reported - Norwegian (%) Ancestries Reported - Polish (%) Ancestries Reported - Portuguese (%) Ancestries Reported - Russian (%) Ancestries Reported - Scotch-Irish (%) Ancestries Reported - Scottish (%) Ancestries Reported - Slovak (%) Ancestries Reported - Subsaharan African (%) Ancestries Reported - Swedish (%) Ancestries Reported - Swiss (%) Ancestries Reported - Ukrainian (%) Ancestries Reported - United States (%) Ancestries Reported - Welsh (%) Ancestries Reported - West Indian (%) Ancestries Reported - Other (%) Educational Attainment - No schooling completed (%) Educational Attainment - Less than high school (%) Educational Attainment - High school or equivalent (%) Educational Attainment - Less than 1 year of college (%) Educational Attainment - 1 or more years of college (%) Educational Attainment - Associate degree (%) Educational Attainment - Bachelor's degree (%) Educational Attainment - Master's degree (%) Educational Attainment - Professional school degree (%) Educational Attainment - Doctorate degree (%) School Enrollment - Nursery, preschool (%) School Enrollment - Kindergarten (%) School Enrollment - Grade 1 to 4 (%) School Enrollment - Grade 5 to 8 (%) School Enrollment - Grade 9 to 12 (%) School Enrollment - College undergrad (%) School Enrollment - Graduate or professional (%) School Enrollment - Not enrolled in school (%) School enrollment - Public schools (%) School enrollment - Private schools (%) School enrollment - Not enrolled (%) Median number of rooms in houses and condos Median number of rooms in apartments Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities (%) Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities (%) Density of houses Urban houses (%) Rural houses (%) Households with people 60 years and over (%) Households with people 65 years and over (%) Households with people 75 years and over (%) Households with one or more nonrelatives (%) Households with no nonrelatives (%) Population in households (%) Family households (%) Nonfamily households (%) Population in families (%) Family households with own children (%) Median number of bedrooms in owner occupied houses Mean number of bedrooms in owner occupied houses Median number of bedrooms in renter occupied houses Mean number of bedrooms in renter occupied houses Median number of vehichles in owner occupied houses Mean number of vehichles in owner occupied houses Median number of vehichles in renter occupied houses Mean number of vehichles in renter occupied houses Mortgage status - with mortgage (%) Mortgage status - with second mortgage (%) Mortgage status - with home equity loan (%) Mortgage status - with both second mortgage and home equity loan (%) Mortgage status - without a mortgage (%) Average family size Average family size - White Average family size - Black or African American Average family size - Asian Average family size - Hispanic or Latino Average family size - American Indian and Alaska Native Average family size - Multirace Average family size - Other Race Geographical mobility - Same house 1 year ago (%) Geographical mobility - Moved within same county (%) Geographical mobility - Moved from different county within same state (%) Geographical mobility - Moved from different state (%) Geographical mobility - Moved from abroad (%) Place of birth - Born in state of residence (%) Place of birth - Born in other state (%) Place of birth - Native, outside of US (%) Place of birth - Foreign born (%) Housing units in structures - 1, detached (%) Housing units in structures - 1, attached (%) Housing units in structures - 2 (%) Housing units in structures - 3 or 4 (%) Housing units in structures - 5 to 9 (%) Housing units in structures - 10 to 19 (%) Housing units in structures - 20 to 49 (%) Housing units in structures - 50 or more (%) Housing units in structures - Mobile home (%) Housing units in structures - Boat, RV, van, etc. (%) House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago) Renter moved in on average (years ago) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1999 to March 2000 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1995 to 1998 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1990 to 1994 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1980 to 1989 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1970 to 1979 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1969 or earlier (%) Means of transportation to work - Drove car alone (%) Means of transportation to work - Carpooled (%) Means of transportation to work - Public transportation (%) Means of transportation to work - Bus or trolley bus (%) Means of transportation to work - Streetcar or trolley car (%) Means of transportation to work - Subway or elevated (%) Means of transportation to work - Railroad (%) Means of transportation to work - Ferryboat (%) Means of transportation to work - Taxicab (%) Means of transportation to work - Motorcycle (%) Means of transportation to work - Bicycle (%) Means of transportation to work - Walked (%) Means of transportation to work - Other means (%) Working at home (%) Industry diversity Most Common Industries - Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining (%) Most Common Industries - Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (%) Most Common Industries - Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (%) Most Common Industries - Construction (%) Most Common Industries - Manufacturing (%) Most Common Industries - Wholesale trade (%) Most Common Industries - Retail trade (%) Most Common Industries - Transportation and warehousing, and utilities (%) Most Common Industries - Transportation and warehousing (%) Most Common Industries - Utilities (%) Most Common Industries - Information (%) Most Common Industries - Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing (%) Most Common Industries - Finance and insurance (%) Most Common Industries - Real estate and rental and leasing (%) Most Common Industries - Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services (%) Most Common Industries - Professional, scientific, and technical services (%) Most Common Industries - Management of companies and enterprises (%) Most Common Industries - Administrative and support and waste management services (%) Most Common Industries - Educational services, and health care and social assistance (%) Most Common Industries - Educational services (%) Most Common Industries - Health care and social assistance (%) Most Common Industries - Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services (%) Most Common Industries - Arts, entertainment, and recreation (%) Most Common Industries - Accommodation and food services (%) Most Common Industries - Other services, except public administration (%) Most Common Industries - Public administration (%) Occupation diversity Most Common Occupations - Management, business, science, and arts occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Management, business, and financial occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Management occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Business and financial operations occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Computer, engineering, and science occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Computer and mathematical occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Architecture and engineering occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Life, physical, and social science occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Education, legal, community service, arts, and media occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Community and social service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Legal occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Education, training, and library occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Health technologists and technicians (%) Most Common Occupations - Service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Healthcare support occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Protective service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Fire fighting and prevention, and other protective service workers including supervisors (%) Most Common Occupations - Law enforcement workers including supervisors (%) Most Common Occupations - Food preparation and serving related occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Personal care and service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Sales and office occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Sales and related occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Office and administrative support occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Construction and extraction occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Production occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Transportation occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Material moving occupations (%) People in Group quarters - Institutionalized population (%) People in Group quarters - Correctional institutions (%) People in Group quarters - Federal prisons and detention centers (%) People in Group quarters - Halfway houses (%) People in Group quarters - Local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups) (%) People in Group quarters - Military disciplinary barracks (%) People in Group quarters - State prisons (%) People in Group quarters - Other types of correctional institutions (%) People in Group quarters - Nursing homes (%) People in Group quarters - Hospitals/wards, hospices, and schools for the handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Hospitals/wards and hospices for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Hospices or homes for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Military hospitals or wards for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Other hospitals or wards for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Hospitals or wards for drug/alcohol abuse (%) People in Group quarters - Mental (Psychiatric) hospitals or wards (%) People in Group quarters - Schools, hospitals, or wards for the mentally retarded (%) People in Group quarters - Schools, hospitals, or wards for the physically handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Institutions for the deaf (%) People in Group quarters - Institutions for the blind (%) People in Group quarters - Orthopedic wards and institutions for the physically handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Wards in general hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere (%) People in Group quarters - Wards in military hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere (%) People in Group quarters - Juvenile institutions (%) People in Group quarters - Long-term care (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for abused, dependent, and neglected children (%) People in Group quarters - Residential treatment centers for emotionally disturbed children (%) People in Group quarters - Training schools for juvenile delinquents (%) People in Group quarters - Short-term care, detention or diagnostic centers for delinquent children (%) People in Group quarters - Type of juvenile institution unknown (%) People in Group quarters - Noninstitutionalized population (%) People in Group quarters - College dormitories (includes college quarters off campus) (%) People in Group quarters - Military quarters (%) People in Group quarters - On base (%) People in Group quarters - Barracks, unaccompanied personnel housing (UPH), (Enlisted/Officer), ;and similar group living quarters for military personnel (%) People in Group quarters - Transient quarters for temporary residents (%) People in Group quarters - Military ships (%) People in Group quarters - Group homes (%) People in Group quarters - Homes or halfway houses for drug/alcohol abuse (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for the mentally ill (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for the mentally retarded (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for the physically handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Other group homes (%) People in Group quarters - Religious group quarters (%) People in Group quarters - Dormitories (%) People in Group quarters - Agriculture workers' dormitories on farms (%) People in Group quarters - Job Corps and vocational training facilities (%) People in Group quarters - Other workers' dormitories (%) People in Group quarters - Crews of maritime vessels (%) People in Group quarters - Other nonhousehold living situations (%) People in Group quarters - Other noninstitutional group quarters (%) Residents speaking English at home (%) Residents speaking English at home - Born in the United States (%) Residents speaking English at home - Native, born elsewhere (%) Residents speaking English at home - Foreign born (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home - Born in the United States (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home - Native, born elsewhere (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home - Foreign born (%) Residents speaking other language at home (%) Residents speaking other language at home - Born in the United States (%) Residents speaking other language at home - Native, born elsewhere (%) Residents speaking other language at home - Foreign born (%) Class of Workers - Employee of private company (%) Class of Workers - Self-employed in own incorporated business (%) Class of Workers - Private not-for-profit wage and salary workers (%) Class of Workers - Local government workers (%) Class of Workers - State government workers (%) Class of Workers - Federal government workers (%) Class of Workers - Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business and Unpaid family workers (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Utility gas (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Bottled, tank, or LP gas (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Electricity (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Coal or coke (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Wood (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Solar energy (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Other fuel (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - No fuel used (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Utility gas (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Bottled, tank, or LP gas (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Electricity (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Coal or coke (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Wood (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Solar energy (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Other fuel (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - No fuel used (%) Armed forces status - In Armed Forces (%) Armed forces status - Civilian (%) Armed forces status - Civilian - Veteran (%) Armed forces status - Civilian - Nonveteran (%) Fatal accidents locations in years 2005-2019 Fatal accidents locations in 2005 Fatal accidents locations in 2006 Fatal accidents locations in 2007 Fatal accidents locations in 2008 Fatal accidents locations in 2009 Fatal accidents locations in 2010 Fatal accidents locations in 2011 Fatal accidents locations in 2012 Fatal accidents locations in 2013 Fatal accidents locations in 2014 Fatal accidents locations in 2015 Fatal accidents locations in 2016 Fatal accidents locations in 2017 Fatal accidents locations in 2018 Fatal accidents locations in 2019 Alcohol use - People drinking some alcohol every month (%) Alcohol use - People not drinking at all (%) Alcohol use - Average days/month drinking alcohol Alcohol use - Average drinks/week Alcohol use - Average days/year people drink much Audiometry - Average condition of hearing (%) Audiometry - People that can hear a whisper from across a quiet room (%) Audiometry - People that can hear normal voice from across a quiet room (%) Audiometry - Ears ringing, roaring, buzzing (%) Audiometry - Had a job exposure to loud noise (%) Audiometry - Had off-work exposure to loud noise (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Has high blood pressure (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Checking blood pressure at home (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Frequently checking blood cholesterol (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Has high cholesterol level (%) Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on food at supermarket/grocery store Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on food at other stores Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on eating out Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on carryout/delivered foods Consumer Behavior - Income spent on food at supermarket/grocery store (%) Consumer Behavior - Income spent on food at other stores (%) Consumer Behavior - Income spent on eating out (%) Consumer Behavior - Income spent on carryout/delivered foods (%) Current Health Status - General health condition (%) Current Health Status - Blood donors (%) Current Health Status - Has blood ever tested for HIV virus (%) Current Health Status - Left-handed people (%) Dermatology - People using sunscreen (%) Diabetes - Diabetics (%) Diabetes - Had a blood test for high blood sugar (%) Diabetes - People taking insulin (%) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Diet health (%) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Milk product consumption (# of products/month) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Meals not home prepared (#/week) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Meals from fast food or pizza place (#/week) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Ready-to-eat foods (#/month) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Frozen meals/pizza (#/month) Drug Use - People that ever used marijuana or hashish (%) Drug Use - Ever used hard drugs (%) Drug Use - Ever used any form of cocaine (%) Drug Use - Ever used heroin (%) Drug Use - Ever used methamphetamine (%) Health Insurance - People covered by health insurance (%) Kidney Conditions-Urology - Avg. # of times urinating at night Medical Conditions - People with asthma (%) Medical Conditions - People with anemia (%) Medical Conditions - People with psoriasis (%) Medical Conditions - People with overweight (%) Medical Conditions - Elderly people having difficulties in thinking or remembering (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever received blood transfusion (%) Medical Conditions - People having trouble seeing even with glass/contacts (%) Medical Conditions - People with arthritis (%) Medical Conditions - People with gout (%) Medical Conditions - People with congestive heart failure (%) Medical Conditions - People with coronary heart disease (%) Medical Conditions - People with angina pectoris (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever had heart attack (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever had stroke (%) Medical Conditions - People with emphysema (%) Medical Conditions - People with thyroid problem (%) Medical Conditions - People with chronic bronchitis (%) Medical Conditions - People with any liver condition (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever had cancer or malignancy (%) Mental Health - People who have little interest in doing things (%) Mental Health - People feeling down, depressed, or hopeless (%) Mental Health - People who have trouble sleeping or sleeping too much (%) Mental Health - People feeling tired or having little energy (%) Mental Health - People with poor appetite or overeating (%) Mental Health - People feeling bad about themself (%) Mental Health - People who have trouble concentrating on things (%) Mental Health - People moving or speaking slowly or too fast (%) Mental Health - People having thoughts they would be better off dead (%) Oral Health - Average years since last visit a dentist Oral Health - People embarrassed because of mouth (%) Oral Health - People with gum disease (%) Oral Health - General health of teeth and gums (%) Oral Health - Average days a week using dental floss/device Oral Health - Average days a week using mouthwash for dental problem Oral Health - Average number of teeth Pesticide Use - Households using pesticides to control insects (%) Pesticide Use - Households using pesticides to kill weeds (%) Physical Activity - People doing vigorous-intensity work activities (%) Physical Activity - People doing moderate-intensity work activities (%) Physical Activity - People walking or bicycling (%) Physical Activity - People doing vigorous-intensity recreational activities (%) Physical Activity - People doing moderate-intensity recreational activities (%) Physical Activity - Average hours a day doing sedentary activities Physical Activity - Average hours a day watching TV or videos Physical Activity - Average hours a day using computer Physical Functioning - People having limitations keeping them from working (%) Physical Functioning - People limited in amount of work they can do (%) Physical Functioning - People that need special equipment to walk (%) Physical Functioning - People experiencing confusion/memory problems (%) Physical Functioning - People requiring special healthcare equipment (%) Prescription Medications - Average number of prescription medicines taking Preventive Aspirin Use - Adults 40+ taking low-dose aspirin (%) Reproductive Health - Vaginal deliveries (%) Reproductive Health - Cesarean deliveries (%) Reproductive Health - Deliveries resulted in a live birth (%) Reproductive Health - Pregnancies resulted in a delivery (%) Reproductive Health - Women breastfeeding newborns (%) Reproductive Health - Women that had a hysterectomy (%) Reproductive Health - Women that had both ovaries removed (%) Reproductive Health - Women that have ever taken birth control pills (%) Reproductive Health - Women taking birth control pills (%) Reproductive Health - Women that have ever used Depo-Provera or injectables (%) Reproductive Health - Women that have ever used female hormones (%) Sexual Behavior - People 18+ that ever had sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever had vaginal sex with a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever performed oral sex on a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever had anal sex with a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever had any sex with a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever had vaginal sex with a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever performed oral sex on a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever had anal sex with a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever had any kind of sex with a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Average age people first had sex Sexual Behavior - Average number of female sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of female vaginal sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average age people first performed oral sex on a woman (18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of woman performed oral sex on in lifetime (18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male anal sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average age people first performed oral sex on a man (18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male oral sex partners in lifetime (18+) Sexual Behavior - People using protection when performing oral sex (%) Sexual Behavior - Average number of times people have vaginal or anal sex a year Sexual Behavior - People having sex without condom (%) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male sex partners in lifetime (females 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male vaginal sex partners in lifetime (females 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of female sex partners in lifetime (females 18+) Sexual Behavior - Circumcised males 18+ (%) Sleep Disorders - Average hours sleeping at night Sleep Disorders - People that has trouble sleeping (%) Smoking-Cigarette Use - People smoking cigarettes (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ having problems with smell (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ having problems with taste (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had wisdom teeth removed (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had tonsils teeth removed (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had a loss of consciousness because of a head injury (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had a broken nose or other serious injury to face or skull (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had two or more sinus infections (%) Weight - Average height (inches) Weight - Average weight (pounds) Weight - Average BMI Weight - People that are obese (%) Weight - People that ever were obese (%) Weight - People trying to lose weight (%) Settings Get link Loading data... Based on 2000-2020 data Loading data...

123 Hide US histogram



716 77.7% Hispanic 213 23.1% White alone

Races in Dotsero detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth





According to our research of Colorado and other state lists, there was 1 registered sex offender living in Dotsero, Colorado as of November 22, 2021.

The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Dotsero is 948 to 1.

The ratio of registered sex offenders to all residents in this city is lower than the state average.





Ancestries: English (13.4%), American (2.7%), Italian (2.0%).

Current Local Time: MST time zone

Elevation: 6150 feet

485 residents are foreign born (52.6% Latin America). This place: 52.6% Colorado: 9.7%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2019: $2,380 (0.7%)

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2019: $224 (1.9%)



Latitude: 39.65 N, Longitude: 107.06 W

Area code commonly used in this area: 970

Unemployment in November 2020:

Here: 7.8% Colorado: 6.2%

Air pollution and air quality trends

(lower is better) AQI NO 2 Ozone PM 10 PM 2.5

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2018 was 59.0. This is better than average. City: 59.0 U.S.: 74.2

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO 2 ) [ppb] level in 2015 was 4.72. This is about average. Closest monitor was 16.0 miles away from the city center. City: 4.72 U.S.: 5.56

Ozone [ppb] level in 2018 was 32.5. This is about average. Closest monitor was 12.5 miles away from the city center. City: 32.5 U.S.: 33.3

Particulate Matter (PM 10 ) [g/m3] level in 2015 was 11.5. This is significantly better than average. Closest monitor was 15.9 miles away from the city center. City: 11.5 U.S.: 19.6

Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 ) [g/m3] level in 2015 was 5.22. This is significantly better than average. Closest monitor was 16.0 miles away from the city center. City: 5.22 U.S.: 8.46

Earthquake activity: Dotsero-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Colorado state average. It is 1044% greater than the overall U.S. average.



On 8/18/1959 at 06:37:13, a magnitude 7.7 (7.7 UK, Class: Major, Intensity: VIII - XII) earthquake occurred 386.8 miles away from the city center, causing $26,000,000 total damage

On 10/28/1983 at 14:06:06, a magnitude 7.3 (6.2 MB, 7.3 MS, 7.0 MW) earthquake occurred 462.7 miles away from the city center, causing 2 deaths (2 shaking deaths) and 3 injuries, causing $15,000,000 total damage

On 10/3/1915 at 06:52:48, a magnitude 7.6 (7.6 UK) earthquake occurred 555.4 miles away from Dotsero center

On 3/28/1975 at 02:31:05, a magnitude 6.2 (6.1 MB, 6.0 MS, 6.2 ML, Class: Strong, Intensity: VII - IX) earthquake occurred 327.0 miles away from Dotsero center

On 10/18/1984 at 15:30:23, a magnitude 5.5 (5.4 MB, 5.1 MS, 5.5 ML, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 205.2 miles away from the city center

On 2/3/1995 at 15:26:10, a magnitude 5.3 (5.3 MB, 4.6 MS, Depth: 0.6 mi) earthquake occurred 187.8 miles away from Dotsero center

Magnitude types: body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters: The number of natural disasters in Eagle County (6) is a lot smaller than the US average (15).

Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 2

Emergencies Declared: 2



Causes of natural disasters: Fires: 2, Drought: 1, Flood: 1, Hurricane: 1, Landslide: 1, Mudslide: 1, Storm: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).

Hospitals and medical centers near Dotsero: COLUMBINE HOME HEALTH INC (Home Health Center, about 16 miles away; GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO)

HOSPICE OF THE ROCKIES (Hospital, about 16 miles away; GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO)

Amtrak stations near Dotsero: 13 miles: EAGLE (432 GRAND ST.) - Bus Station

EAGLE (432 GRAND ST.) - Bus Station 16 miles: GLENWOOD SPRINGS (413 7TH ST.) . Services: ticket office, partially wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, call for car rental service.

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Dotsero: Colorado Mountain College ( about 16 miles; Glenwood Springs, CO ; Full-time enrollment: 3,463)

16 ; 3,463) Western State Colorado University ( about 77 miles; Gunnison, CO ; FT enrollment: 2,023)

77 ; 2,023) Colorado Mesa University ( about 89 miles; Grand Junction, CO ; FT enrollment: 7,671)

89 ; 7,671) Colorado School of Mines ( about 98 miles; Golden, CO ; FT enrollment: 5,507)

98 ; 5,507) University of Colorado Boulder ( about 99 miles; Boulder, CO ; FT enrollment: 28,328)

99 ; 28,328) Red Rocks Community College ( about 102 miles; Lakewood, CO ; FT enrollment: 6,185)

102 ; 6,185) Colorado Christian University (about 105 miles; Lakewood, CO; FT enrollment: 2,959)

Eagle County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Moderate Potential

Average household size: This place: 4.0 people Colorado: 2.5 people

Percentage of family households: This place: 86.5% Whole state: 63.9%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners: This place: 5.1% Whole state: 6.5%



Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households) Lesbian couples: 0.6% of all households

0.6% Gay men: 0.0% of all households

For population 15 years and over in Dotsero: Never married: 32.3%

32.3% Now married: 50.7%

50.7% Separated: 4.7%

4.7% Widowed: 0.0%

0.0% Divorced: 12.3%

For population 25 years and over in Dotsero: High school or higher: 69.6%

69.6% Bachelor's degree or higher: 16.9%

16.9% Graduate or professional degree: 0.9%

Education Gini index (Inequality in education) Here: 15.4 Colorado average: 11.2



Religion statistics for Dotsero, CO (based on Eagle County data) Religion Adherents Congregations Catholic 11,373 6 Evangelical Protestant 2,199 18 Mainline Protestant 1,627 6 Other 882 6 None 36,116 - Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics: Number of grocery stores: 15 Eagle County : 2.95 / 10,000 pop. Colorado : 1.50 / 10,000 pop. Number of supercenters and club stores: 1 Eagle County : 0.20 / 10,000 pop. Colorado : 0.15 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (no gas): 1 Eagle County : 0.20 / 10,000 pop. Colorado : 0.45 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (with gas): 14 Eagle County : 2.75 / 10,000 pop. Colorado : 3.13 / 10,000 pop. Number of full-service restaurants: 121 Eagle County : 23.78 / 10,000 pop. State : 8.99 / 10,000 pop. Adult diabetes rate: Eagle County : 3.2% Colorado : 5.3% Adult obesity rate: This county : 13.0% State : 18.4% Low-income preschool obesity rate: This county : 13.3% Colorado : 9.6%

10.25% of this county's 2016 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2015 ($85,863 average adjusted gross income) Here: 10.25% Colorado average: 10.99% 10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries between 2015 and 2016.

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2015 and 2016:

from Pitkin County, CO 0.71% ($85,975 average AGI) from Denver County, CO 0.67% ($74,792) from Garfield County, CO 0.60% ($53,109)



10.30% of this county's 2015 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2016 ($63,829 average adjusted gross income) Here: 10.30% Colorado average: 9.96% 0.29% of residents moved to foreign countries ($370 average AGI) Eagle County: 0.29% Colorado average: 0.10%

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2015 and 2016:

to Garfield County, CO 0.88% ($68,569 average AGI) to Denver County, CO 0.77% ($88,206) to Pitkin County, CO 0.55% ($80,632)

Strongest AM radio stations in Dotsero: KSKE (610 AM; 5 kW; VAIL, CO; Owner: PILGRIM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)

PILGRIM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.) KNZZ (1100 AM; 50 kW; GRAND JUNCTION, CO; Owner: M B C GRAND BROADCASTING, INC.)

M B C GRAND BROADCASTING, INC.) KKZN (760 AM; 50 kW; THORNTON, CO; Owner: JACOR BROADCASTING OF COLORADO, INC.)

JACOR BROADCASTING OF COLORADO, INC.) KLTT (670 AM; 50 kW; COMMERCE CITY, CO; Owner: KLZ RADIO, INC.)

KLZ RADIO, INC.) KGLN (980 AM; 1 kW; GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO; Owner: COLORADO WEST BROADCASTING, INC.)

COLORADO WEST BROADCASTING, INC.) KOA (850 AM; 50 kW; DENVER, CO; Owner: JACOR BROADCASTING OF COLORADO, INC.)

JACOR BROADCASTING OF COLORADO, INC.) KMXA (1090 AM; 50 kW; AURORA, CO; Owner: ENTRAVISION HOLDINGS, LLC)

ENTRAVISION HOLDINGS, LLC) KLMO (1060 AM; 30 kW; LONGMONT, CO; Owner: PILGRIM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)

PILGRIM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.) KRAI (550 AM; 5 kW; CRAIG, CO; Owner: WILD WEST RADIO, INC.)

WILD WEST RADIO, INC.) KJOL (620 AM; 10 kW; GRAND JUNCTION, CO; Owner: UNITED MINISTRIES)

UNITED MINISTRIES) KCUV (1510 AM; 25 kW; LITTLETON, CO; Owner: PEOPLE WIRELESS, INC.)

PEOPLE WIRELESS, INC.) KRKY (930 AM; 5 kW; GRANBY, CO; Owner: GRAND COUNTY WIRELESS, INC.)

GRAND COUNTY WIRELESS, INC.) KTWO (1030 AM; 50 kW; CASPER, WY; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.) Strongest FM radio stations in Dotsero: K259AC (99.7 FM; GYPSUM, ETC., CO; Owner: COMMUNITY RADIO FOR NORTHERN COLORADO)

COMMUNITY RADIO FOR NORTHERN COLORADO) KTUN (101.5 FM; EAGLE, CO; Owner: SALISBURY BROADCASTING COLORADO, LLC)

SALISBURY BROADCASTING COLORADO, LLC) KKCH (92.7 FM; GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO; Owner: AGM-ROCKY MOUNTAIN BROADCASTING I, L.L.C.)

AGM-ROCKY MOUNTAIN BROADCASTING I, L.L.C.) KRVG (95.5 FM; GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO; Owner: WESTERN SLOPE COMMUNICATIONS LLC)

WESTERN SLOPE COMMUNICATIONS LLC) KDNK (90.5 FM; CARBONDALE, CO; Owner: CARBONDALE COMM. ACCESS RADIO, INC.)

CARBONDALE COMM. ACCESS RADIO, INC.) K247AD (97.3 FM; CARBONDALE, CO; Owner: PITKIN COUNTY TRANSLATOR)

PITKIN COUNTY TRANSLATOR) KLXV (91.9 FM; GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO; Owner: EDUCATIONAL MEDIA FOUNDATION)

EDUCATIONAL MEDIA FOUNDATION) KZKS-FM2 (105.3 FM; CARBONDALE, CO; Owner: WESTERN SLOPE COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C)

WESTERN SLOPE COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C) KPVW (107.1 FM; ASPEN, CO; Owner: ENTRAVISION HOLDINGS, LLC)

ENTRAVISION HOLDINGS, LLC) KZKS (105.3 FM; RIFLE, CO; Owner: WESTERN SLOPE COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C.)

WESTERN SLOPE COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C.) K256AD (99.1 FM; PALISADE, CO; Owner: NORTH FORK VALLEY PUBLIC RADIO, INC.)

NORTH FORK VALLEY PUBLIC RADIO, INC.) K205CK (88.9 FM; GRAND JUNCTION, CO; Owner: CALVARY CHAPEL OF TWIN FALLS, INC.)

CALVARY CHAPEL OF TWIN FALLS, INC.) K214CA (90.7 FM; GRAND JUNCTION, CO; Owner: FAMILY STATIONS, INC.)

FAMILY STATIONS, INC.) KRKM (106.3 FM; KREMMLING, CO; Owner: GRAND COUNTY WIRELESS, INC.)

GRAND COUNTY WIRELESS, INC.) K276AI (103.1 FM; RIFLE, CO; Owner: MBC GRAND BROADCASTING, INC.)

MBC GRAND BROADCASTING, INC.) KFMU-FM (104.1 FM; OAK CREEK, CO; Owner: SALISBURY BROADCASTING COLORADO, LLC)

SALISBURY BROADCASTING COLORADO, LLC) KNFO (106.1 FM; BASALT, CO; Owner: SALISBURY BROADCASTING COLORADO, LLC)

SALISBURY BROADCASTING COLORADO, LLC) K216ES (91.1 FM; CARDIFF, CO; Owner: MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOUNDATION, INC.)

MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOUNDATION, INC.) KZKS-FM3 (105.3 FM; GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO; Owner: WESTERN SLOPE COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C.)

Dotsero, Colorado

Fatal accident count 10

Vehicles involved in fatal accidents 12

Fatal accidents involving drunk persons: 3

Fatalities 11

Persons involved in fatal accidents 31

Pedestrians involved in fatal accidents 0 Colorado average

Fatal accident count 4304

Vehicles involved in fatal accidents 6428

Fatal accidents involving drunk persons 1792

Fatalities 4841

Persons involved in fatal accidents 11752

Pedestrians involved in fatal accidents 578 See more detailed statistics of Dotsero fatal car crashes and road traffic accidents for 1975 - 2019 here

National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics

11 Number of bridges

Number of bridges 210ft / 64.3m Total length

Total length $13,845,000 Total costs

Total costs 63,908 Total average daily traffic

Total average daily traffic 9,585 Total average daily truck traffic

Total average daily truck traffic 94,769 Total future (year 2027) average daily traffic

New bridges - historical statistics

2 1930-1939

8 1980-1989

1 2010-2018 See full National Bridge Inventory statistics for Dotsero, CO



FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers: 2 BLOWOUT MTN MOBILES, Lat: 39.682361 Lon: -107.036444, Call Sign: KJF225,

Assigned Frequencies: 160.530 MHz, 160.920 MHz, Grant Date: 05/31/2013, Expiration Date: 06/28/2023, Registrant: Prokarma, 222 So 15th St So Suite 505n, Omaha, NE 68102, Phone: (402) 522-5068, Fax: (402) 346-6676, Email:

39.682361 -107.036444, KJF225, 160.530 MHz, 160.920 MHz, 05/31/2013, 06/28/2023, Prokarma, 222 So 15th St So Suite 505n, Omaha, NE 68102, (402) 522-5068, (402) 346-6676, MP 344.38, Mp 344.38, Glenwood Springs Sub (Lat: 39.632028 Lon: -107.096556), Type: Bant, Structure height: 4 m, Call Sign: WQPW741,

Assigned Frequencies: 160.920 MHz, 160.455 MHz, Grant Date: 09/04/2012, Expiration Date: 09/04/2022, Certifier: Thomas J Mcgovern, Registrant: Prokarma, 222 So 15th St. Suite 505n, Omaha, NE 68102, Phone: (402) 522-5068, Fax: (402) 346-6676, Email:

FCC Registered Microwave Towers: 2 BLOWOUT MAS, Blowout Hill 2.6 Mi Ne Of Dotsero ( Lat: 39.682278 Lon: -107.036250), Type: Tower, Structure height: 18.2 m, Call Sign: WPWF239,

Assigned Frequencies: 932.381 MHz, 941.381 MHz, Grant Date: 10/25/2012, Expiration Date: 11/01/2022, Certifier: Brad G Zielie, Registrant: Union Pacific Railroad Company, 1400 Douglas St Stop 0650, Omaha, NE 68179, Phone: (402) 544-1777, Fax: (402) 233-3179, Email:

39.682278 -107.036250), Tower, 18.2 m, WPWF239, 932.381 MHz, 941.381 MHz, 10/25/2012, 11/01/2022, Brad G Zielie, Union Pacific Railroad Company, 1400 Douglas St Stop 0650, Omaha, NE 68179, (402) 544-1777, (402) 233-3179, Dotsero, Lat: 39.649194 Lon: -107.078000, Call Sign: WQAQ598,

Assigned Frequencies: 956.443 MHz, 956.443 MHz, Grant Date: 06/13/2014, Expiration Date: 07/20/2024, Certifier: Joseph Listengart, Registrant: Sourcegas Distribution LLC, 655 East Millsap Road, Suite 104, Fayetteville, AR 72703, Phone: (877) 404-7207, Fax: (479) 582-7802, Email:



Houses and condos Apartments 57.6% Utility gas

22.3% Electricity

20.1% Bottled, tank, or LP gas 80.0% Bottled, tank, or LP gas

20.0% Electricity





Dotsero compared to Colorado state average: Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Black race population percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Hispanic race population percentage significantly above state average.

significantly above Median age significantly below state average.

significantly below Foreign-born population percentage significantly above state average.

significantly above Renting percentage below state average.

below Length of stay since moving in below state average.

below House age significantly below state average.

significantly below Number of college students below state average.

below Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher below state average.

Dotsero on our top lists: #6 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the most residents born in Central America (population 500+)"

#6 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the most residents born in Mexico (population 500+)"

#6 on the list of "Top 100 least-educated cities"

#9 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the most residents born in Latin America (population 500+)"

#10 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the most residents born in Americas (population 500+)"

#18 on the list of "Top 100 low-educated but high-earning cities"

#37 on the list of "Top 100 cities with highest percentage of foreign-born residents"

#56 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the lowest percentage of English-only speaking households, population 500+" #8 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest number of deaths per 1000 residents 2007-2013"

#39 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest number of children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000"

#80 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents relocating to foreign countries in 2011"

#82 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents relocating to other counties in 2011"




Etna, Ohio

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Population in 2010: 1,215.

Males: 633 (52.1%) Females: 582 (47.9%)

Median resident age: 33.0 years Ohio median age: 39.6 years

Estimated median household income in 2019: $66,013

Etna: $66,013 OH: $58,642

Estimated per capita income in 2019: $34,173



Etna CDP income, earnings, and wages data



Estimated median house or condo value in 2019: $194,200 Etna: $194,200 OH: $157,200

Mean prices in 2019: all housing units: $171,257; detached houses: $170,592 $66,013$34,173$194,200$171,257;$170,592

Median gross rent in 2019: $1,177.

March 2019 cost of living index in Etna: 97.2 (near average, U.S. average is 100)

Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2019: 0.0%

Business Search - 14 Million verified businesses

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Most recent value % change since 2k Data: Median household income ($) Median household income (% change since 2000) Household income diversity Ratio of average income to average house value (%) Ratio of average income to average rent Median household income ($) - White Median household income ($) - Black or African American Median household income ($) - Asian Median household income ($) - Hispanic or Latino Median household income ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native Median household income ($) - Multirace Median household income ($) - Other Race Median household income for houses/condos with a mortgage ($) Median household income for apartments without a mortgage ($) Races - White alone (%) Races - White alone (% change since 2000) Races - Black alone (%) Races - Black alone (% change since 2000) Races - American Indian alone (%) Races - American Indian alone (% change since 2000) Races - Asian alone (%) Races - Asian alone (% change since 2000) Races - Hispanic (%) Races - Hispanic (% change since 2000) Races - Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone (%) Races - Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone (% change since 2000) Races - Two or more races (%) Races - Two or more races (% change since 2000) Races - Other race alone (%) Races - Other race alone (% change since 2000) Racial diversity Unemployment (%) Unemployment (% change since 2000) Unemployment (%) - White Unemployment (%) - Black or African American Unemployment (%) - Asian Unemployment (%) - Hispanic or Latino Unemployment (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Unemployment (%) - Multirace Unemployment (%) - Other Race Population density (people per square mile) Population - Males (%) Population - Females (%) Population - Males (%) - White Population - Males (%) - Black or African American Population - Males (%) - Asian Population - Males (%) - Hispanic or Latino Population - Males (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Population - Males (%) - Multirace Population - Males (%) - Other Race Population - Females (%) - White Population - Females (%) - Black or African American Population - Females (%) - Asian Population - Females (%) - Hispanic or Latino Population - Females (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Population - Females (%) - Multirace Population - Females (%) - Other Race Coronavirus confirmed cases (Nov 22, 2021) Deaths caused by coronavirus (Nov 22, 2021) Coronavirus confirmed cases (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) Deaths caused by coronavirus (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) Daily increase in number of cases (Nov 22, 2021) Weekly increase in number of cases (Nov 22, 2021) Cases doubled (in days) (Nov 22, 2021) Hospitalized patients (Nov 22, 2021) Negative test results (Nov 22, 2021) Total test results (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses distributed (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses administered (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses distributed (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses administered (Nov 22, 2021) Likely homosexual households (%) Likely homosexual households (% change since 2000) Likely homosexual households - Lesbian couples (%) Likely homosexual households - Lesbian couples (% change since 2000) Likely homosexual households - Gay men (%) Likely homosexual households - Gay men (% change since 2000) Cost of living index Median gross rent ($) Median contract rent ($) Median monthly housing costs ($) Median house or condo value ($) Median house or condo value ($ change since 2000) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 1, detached ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 1, attached ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 2 ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure by units in structure - 3 or 4 ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 5 or more ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - Boat, RV, van, etc. ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - Mobile home ($) Median house or condo value ($) - White Median house or condo value ($) - Black or African American Median house or condo value ($) - Asian Median house or condo value ($) - Hispanic or Latino Median house or condo value ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native Median house or condo value ($) - Multirace Median house or condo value ($) - Other Race Median resident age Resident age diversity Median resident age - Males Median resident age - Females Median resident age - White Median resident age - Black or African American Median resident age - Asian Median resident age - Hispanic or Latino Median resident age - American Indian and Alaska Native Median resident age - Multirace Median resident age - Other Race Median resident age - Males - White Median resident age - Males - Black or African American Median resident age - Males - Asian Median resident age - Males - Hispanic or Latino Median resident age - Males - American Indian and Alaska Native Median resident age - Males - Multirace Median resident age - Males - Other Race Median resident age - Females - White Median resident age - Females - Black or African American Median resident age - Females - Asian Median resident age - Females - Hispanic or Latino Median resident age - Females - American Indian and Alaska Native Median resident age - Females - Multirace Median resident age - Females - Other Race Commute - mean travel time to work (minutes) Travel time to work - Less than 5 minutes (%) Travel time to work - Less than 5 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 5 to 9 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 5 to 9 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 10 to 19 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 10 to 19 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 20 to 29 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 20 to 29 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 30 to 39 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 30 to 39 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 40 to 59 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 40 to 59 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 60 to 89 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 60 to 89 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 90 or more minutes (%) Travel time to work - 90 or more minutes (% change since 2000) Marital status - Never married (%) Marital status - Now married (%) Marital status - Separated (%) Marital status - Widowed (%) Marital status - Divorced (%) Median family income ($) Median family income (% change since 2000) Median non-family income ($) Median non-family income (% change since 2000) Median per capita income ($) Median per capita income (% change since 2000) Median family income ($) - White Median family income ($) - Black or African American Median family income ($) - Asian Median family income ($) - Hispanic or Latino Median family income ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native Median family income ($) - Multirace Median family income ($) - Other Race Median year house/condo built Median year apartment built Year house built - Built 2005 or later (%) Year house built - Built 2000 to 2004 (%) Year house built - Built 1990 to 1999 (%) Year house built - Built 1980 to 1989 (%) Year house built - Built 1970 to 1979 (%) Year house built - Built 1960 to 1969 (%) Year house built - Built 1950 to 1959 (%) Year house built - Built 1940 to 1949 (%) Year house built - Built 1939 or earlier (%) Average household size Household density (households per square mile) Average household size - White Average household size - Black or African American Average household size - Asian Average household size - Hispanic or Latino Average household size - American Indian and Alaska Native Average household size - Multirace Average household size - Other Race Occupied housing units (%) Vacant housing units (%) Owner occupied housing units (%) Renter occupied housing units (%) Vacancy status - For rent (%) Vacancy status - For sale only (%) Vacancy status - Rented or sold, not occupied (%) Vacancy status - For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use (%) Vacancy status - For migrant workers (%) Vacancy status - Other vacant (%) Residents with income below the poverty level (%) Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level (%) Children below poverty level (%) Poor families by family type - Married-couple family (%) Poor families by family type - Male, no wife present (%) Poor families by family type - Female, no husband present (%) Poverty status for native-born residents (%) Poverty status for foreign-born residents (%) Poverty among high school graduates not in families (%) Poverty among people who did not graduate high school not in families (%) Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - White Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Black or African American Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Asian Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Hispanic or Latino Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Multirace Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Other Race Air pollution - Air Quality Index (AQI) Air pollution - CO Air pollution - NO2 Air pollution - SO2 Air pollution - Ozone Air pollution - PM10 Air pollution - PM25 Air pollution - Pb Crime - Murders per 100,000 population Crime - Rapes per 100,000 population Crime - Robberies per 100,000 population Crime - Assaults per 100,000 population Crime - Burglaries per 100,000 population Crime - Thefts per 100,000 population Crime - Auto thefts per 100,000 population Crime - Arson per 100,000 population Crime - City-data.com crime index Crime - Violent crime index Crime - Property crime index Crime - Murders per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Rapes per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Robberies per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Assaults per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Burglaries per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Thefts per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Auto thefts per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Arson per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - City-data.com crime index (5 year average) Crime - Violent crime index (5 year average) Crime - Property crime index (5 year average) 1996 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Clinton) 1996 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Dole) 1996 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2000 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Gore) 2000 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Bush) 2000 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2004 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Kerry) 2004 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Bush) 2004 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2008 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Obama) 2008 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (McCain) 2008 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2012 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Obama) 2012 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Romney) 2012 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2016 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Clinton) 2016 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Trump) 2016 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2020 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Biden) 2020 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Trump) 2020 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other Ancestries Reported - Arab (%) Ancestries Reported - Czech (%) Ancestries Reported - Danish (%) Ancestries Reported - Dutch (%) Ancestries Reported - English (%) Ancestries Reported - French (%) Ancestries Reported - French Canadian (%) Ancestries Reported - German (%) Ancestries Reported - Greek (%) Ancestries Reported - Hungarian (%) Ancestries Reported - Irish (%) Ancestries Reported - Italian (%) Ancestries Reported - Lithuanian (%) Ancestries Reported - Norwegian (%) Ancestries Reported - Polish (%) Ancestries Reported - Portuguese (%) Ancestries Reported - Russian (%) Ancestries Reported - Scotch-Irish (%) Ancestries Reported - Scottish (%) Ancestries Reported - Slovak (%) Ancestries Reported - Subsaharan African (%) Ancestries Reported - Swedish (%) Ancestries Reported - Swiss (%) Ancestries Reported - Ukrainian (%) Ancestries Reported - United States (%) Ancestries Reported - Welsh (%) Ancestries Reported - West Indian (%) Ancestries Reported - Other (%) Educational Attainment - No schooling completed (%) Educational Attainment - Less than high school (%) Educational Attainment - High school or equivalent (%) Educational Attainment - Less than 1 year of college (%) Educational Attainment - 1 or more years of college (%) Educational Attainment - Associate degree (%) Educational Attainment - Bachelor's degree (%) Educational Attainment - Master's degree (%) Educational Attainment - Professional school degree (%) Educational Attainment - Doctorate degree (%) School Enrollment - Nursery, preschool (%) School Enrollment - Kindergarten (%) School Enrollment - Grade 1 to 4 (%) School Enrollment - Grade 5 to 8 (%) School Enrollment - Grade 9 to 12 (%) School Enrollment - College undergrad (%) School Enrollment - Graduate or professional (%) School Enrollment - Not enrolled in school (%) School enrollment - Public schools (%) School enrollment - Private schools (%) School enrollment - Not enrolled (%) Median number of rooms in houses and condos Median number of rooms in apartments Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities (%) Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities (%) Density of houses Urban houses (%) Rural houses (%) Households with people 60 years and over (%) Households with people 65 years and over (%) Households with people 75 years and over (%) Households with one or more nonrelatives (%) Households with no nonrelatives (%) Population in households (%) Family households (%) Nonfamily households (%) Population in families (%) Family households with own children (%) Median number of bedrooms in owner occupied houses Mean number of bedrooms in owner occupied houses Median number of bedrooms in renter occupied houses Mean number of bedrooms in renter occupied houses Median number of vehichles in owner occupied houses Mean number of vehichles in owner occupied houses Median number of vehichles in renter occupied houses Mean number of vehichles in renter occupied houses Mortgage status - with mortgage (%) Mortgage status - with second mortgage (%) Mortgage status - with home equity loan (%) Mortgage status - with both second mortgage and home equity loan (%) Mortgage status - without a mortgage (%) Average family size Average family size - White Average family size - Black or African American Average family size - Asian Average family size - Hispanic or Latino Average family size - American Indian and Alaska Native Average family size - Multirace Average family size - Other Race Geographical mobility - Same house 1 year ago (%) Geographical mobility - Moved within same county (%) Geographical mobility - Moved from different county within same state (%) Geographical mobility - Moved from different state (%) Geographical mobility - Moved from abroad (%) Place of birth - Born in state of residence (%) Place of birth - Born in other state (%) Place of birth - Native, outside of US (%) Place of birth - Foreign born (%) Housing units in structures - 1, detached (%) Housing units in structures - 1, attached (%) Housing units in structures - 2 (%) Housing units in structures - 3 or 4 (%) Housing units in structures - 5 to 9 (%) Housing units in structures - 10 to 19 (%) Housing units in structures - 20 to 49 (%) Housing units in structures - 50 or more (%) Housing units in structures - Mobile home (%) Housing units in structures - Boat, RV, van, etc. (%) House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago) Renter moved in on average (years ago) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1999 to March 2000 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1995 to 1998 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1990 to 1994 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1980 to 1989 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1970 to 1979 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1969 or earlier (%) Means of transportation to work - Drove car alone (%) Means of transportation to work - Carpooled (%) Means of transportation to work - Public transportation (%) Means of transportation to work - Bus or trolley bus (%) Means of transportation to work - Streetcar or trolley car (%) Means of transportation to work - Subway or elevated (%) Means of transportation to work - Railroad (%) Means of transportation to work - Ferryboat (%) Means of transportation to work - Taxicab (%) Means of transportation to work - Motorcycle (%) Means of transportation to work - Bicycle (%) Means of transportation to work - Walked (%) Means of transportation to work - Other means (%) Working at home (%) Industry diversity Most Common Industries - Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining (%) Most Common Industries - Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (%) Most Common Industries - Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (%) Most Common Industries - Construction (%) Most Common Industries - Manufacturing (%) Most Common Industries - Wholesale trade (%) Most Common Industries - Retail trade (%) Most Common Industries - Transportation and warehousing, and utilities (%) Most Common Industries - Transportation and warehousing (%) Most Common Industries - Utilities (%) Most Common Industries - Information (%) Most Common Industries - Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing (%) Most Common Industries - Finance and insurance (%) Most Common Industries - Real estate and rental and leasing (%) Most Common Industries - Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services (%) Most Common Industries - Professional, scientific, and technical services (%) Most Common Industries - Management of companies and enterprises (%) Most Common Industries - Administrative and support and waste management services (%) Most Common Industries - Educational services, and health care and social assistance (%) Most Common Industries - Educational services (%) Most Common Industries - Health care and social assistance (%) Most Common Industries - Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services (%) Most Common Industries - Arts, entertainment, and recreation (%) Most Common Industries - Accommodation and food services (%) Most Common Industries - Other services, except public administration (%) Most Common Industries - Public administration (%) Occupation diversity Most Common Occupations - Management, business, science, and arts occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Management, business, and financial occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Management occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Business and financial operations occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Computer, engineering, and science occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Computer and mathematical occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Architecture and engineering occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Life, physical, and social science occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Education, legal, community service, arts, and media occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Community and social service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Legal occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Education, training, and library occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Health technologists and technicians (%) Most Common Occupations - Service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Healthcare support occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Protective service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Fire fighting and prevention, and other protective service workers including supervisors (%) Most Common Occupations - Law enforcement workers including supervisors (%) Most Common Occupations - Food preparation and serving related occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Personal care and service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Sales and office occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Sales and related occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Office and administrative support occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Construction and extraction occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Production occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Transportation occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Material moving occupations (%) People in Group quarters - Institutionalized population (%) People in Group quarters - Correctional institutions (%) People in Group quarters - Federal prisons and detention centers (%) People in Group quarters - Halfway houses (%) People in Group quarters - Local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups) (%) People in Group quarters - Military disciplinary barracks (%) People in Group quarters - State prisons (%) People in Group quarters - Other types of correctional institutions (%) People in Group quarters - Nursing homes (%) People in Group quarters - Hospitals/wards, hospices, and schools for the handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Hospitals/wards and hospices for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Hospices or homes for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Military hospitals or wards for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Other hospitals or wards for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Hospitals or wards for drug/alcohol abuse (%) People in Group quarters - Mental (Psychiatric) hospitals or wards (%) People in Group quarters - Schools, hospitals, or wards for the mentally retarded (%) People in Group quarters - Schools, hospitals, or wards for the physically handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Institutions for the deaf (%) People in Group quarters - Institutions for the blind (%) People in Group quarters - Orthopedic wards and institutions for the physically handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Wards in general hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere (%) People in Group quarters - Wards in military hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere (%) People in Group quarters - Juvenile institutions (%) People in Group quarters - Long-term care (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for abused, dependent, and neglected children (%) People in Group quarters - Residential treatment centers for emotionally disturbed children (%) People in Group quarters - Training schools for juvenile delinquents (%) People in Group quarters - Short-term care, detention or diagnostic centers for delinquent children (%) People in Group quarters - Type of juvenile institution unknown (%) People in Group quarters - Noninstitutionalized population (%) People in Group quarters - College dormitories (includes college quarters off campus) (%) People in Group quarters - Military quarters (%) People in Group quarters - On base (%) People in Group quarters - Barracks, unaccompanied personnel housing (UPH), (Enlisted/Officer), ;and similar group living quarters for military personnel (%) People in Group quarters - Transient quarters for temporary residents (%) People in Group quarters - Military ships (%) People in Group quarters - Group homes (%) People in Group quarters - Homes or halfway houses for drug/alcohol abuse (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for the mentally ill (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for the mentally retarded (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for the physically handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Other group homes (%) People in Group quarters - Religious group quarters (%) People in Group quarters - Dormitories (%) People in Group quarters - Agriculture workers' dormitories on farms (%) People in Group quarters - Job Corps and vocational training facilities (%) People in Group quarters - Other workers' dormitories (%) People in Group quarters - Crews of maritime vessels (%) People in Group quarters - Other nonhousehold living situations (%) People in Group quarters - Other noninstitutional group quarters (%) Residents speaking English at home (%) Residents speaking English at home - Born in the United States (%) Residents speaking English at home - Native, born elsewhere (%) Residents speaking English at home - Foreign born (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home - Born in the United States (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home - Native, born elsewhere (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home - Foreign born (%) Residents speaking other language at home (%) Residents speaking other language at home - Born in the United States (%) Residents speaking other language at home - Native, born elsewhere (%) Residents speaking other language at home - Foreign born (%) Class of Workers - Employee of private company (%) Class of Workers - Self-employed in own incorporated business (%) Class of Workers - Private not-for-profit wage and salary workers (%) Class of Workers - Local government workers (%) Class of Workers - State government workers (%) Class of Workers - Federal government workers (%) Class of Workers - Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business and Unpaid family workers (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Utility gas (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Bottled, tank, or LP gas (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Electricity (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Coal or coke (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Wood (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Solar energy (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Other fuel (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - No fuel used (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Utility gas (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Bottled, tank, or LP gas (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Electricity (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Coal or coke (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Wood (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Solar energy (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Other fuel (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - No fuel used (%) Armed forces status - In Armed Forces (%) Armed forces status - Civilian (%) Armed forces status - Civilian - Veteran (%) Armed forces status - Civilian - Nonveteran (%) Fatal accidents locations in years 2005-2019 Fatal accidents locations in 2005 Fatal accidents locations in 2006 Fatal accidents locations in 2007 Fatal accidents locations in 2008 Fatal accidents locations in 2009 Fatal accidents locations in 2010 Fatal accidents locations in 2011 Fatal accidents locations in 2012 Fatal accidents locations in 2013 Fatal accidents locations in 2014 Fatal accidents locations in 2015 Fatal accidents locations in 2016 Fatal accidents locations in 2017 Fatal accidents locations in 2018 Fatal accidents locations in 2019 Alcohol use - People drinking some alcohol every month (%) Alcohol use - People not drinking at all (%) Alcohol use - Average days/month drinking alcohol Alcohol use - Average drinks/week Alcohol use - Average days/year people drink much Audiometry - Average condition of hearing (%) Audiometry - People that can hear a whisper from across a quiet room (%) Audiometry - People that can hear normal voice from across a quiet room (%) Audiometry - Ears ringing, roaring, buzzing (%) Audiometry - Had a job exposure to loud noise (%) Audiometry - Had off-work exposure to loud noise (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Has high blood pressure (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Checking blood pressure at home (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Frequently checking blood cholesterol (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Has high cholesterol level (%) Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on food at supermarket/grocery store Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on food at other stores Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on eating out Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on carryout/delivered foods Consumer Behavior - Income spent on food at supermarket/grocery store (%) Consumer Behavior - Income spent on food at other stores (%) Consumer Behavior - Income spent on eating out (%) Consumer Behavior - Income spent on carryout/delivered foods (%) Current Health Status - General health condition (%) Current Health Status - Blood donors (%) Current Health Status - Has blood ever tested for HIV virus (%) Current Health Status - Left-handed people (%) Dermatology - People using sunscreen (%) Diabetes - Diabetics (%) Diabetes - Had a blood test for high blood sugar (%) Diabetes - People taking insulin (%) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Diet health (%) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Milk product consumption (# of products/month) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Meals not home prepared (#/week) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Meals from fast food or pizza place (#/week) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Ready-to-eat foods (#/month) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Frozen meals/pizza (#/month) Drug Use - People that ever used marijuana or hashish (%) Drug Use - Ever used hard drugs (%) Drug Use - Ever used any form of cocaine (%) Drug Use - Ever used heroin (%) Drug Use - Ever used methamphetamine (%) Health Insurance - People covered by health insurance (%) Kidney Conditions-Urology - Avg. # of times urinating at night Medical Conditions - People with asthma (%) Medical Conditions - People with anemia (%) Medical Conditions - People with psoriasis (%) Medical Conditions - People with overweight (%) Medical Conditions - Elderly people having difficulties in thinking or remembering (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever received blood transfusion (%) Medical Conditions - People having trouble seeing even with glass/contacts (%) Medical Conditions - People with arthritis (%) Medical Conditions - People with gout (%) Medical Conditions - People with congestive heart failure (%) Medical Conditions - People with coronary heart disease (%) Medical Conditions - People with angina pectoris (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever had heart attack (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever had stroke (%) Medical Conditions - People with emphysema (%) Medical Conditions - People with thyroid problem (%) Medical Conditions - People with chronic bronchitis (%) Medical Conditions - People with any liver condition (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever had cancer or malignancy (%) Mental Health - People who have little interest in doing things (%) Mental Health - People feeling down, depressed, or hopeless (%) Mental Health - People who have trouble sleeping or sleeping too much (%) Mental Health - People feeling tired or having little energy (%) Mental Health - People with poor appetite or overeating (%) Mental Health - People feeling bad about themself (%) Mental Health - People who have trouble concentrating on things (%) Mental Health - People moving or speaking slowly or too fast (%) Mental Health - People having thoughts they would be better off dead (%) Oral Health - Average years since last visit a dentist Oral Health - People embarrassed because of mouth (%) Oral Health - People with gum disease (%) Oral Health - General health of teeth and gums (%) Oral Health - Average days a week using dental floss/device Oral Health - Average days a week using mouthwash for dental problem Oral Health - Average number of teeth Pesticide Use - Households using pesticides to control insects (%) Pesticide Use - Households using pesticides to kill weeds (%) Physical Activity - People doing vigorous-intensity work activities (%) Physical Activity - People doing moderate-intensity work activities (%) Physical Activity - People walking or bicycling (%) Physical Activity - People doing vigorous-intensity recreational activities (%) Physical Activity - People doing moderate-intensity recreational activities (%) Physical Activity - Average hours a day doing sedentary activities Physical Activity - Average hours a day watching TV or videos Physical Activity - Average hours a day using computer Physical Functioning - People having limitations keeping them from working (%) Physical Functioning - People limited in amount of work they can do (%) Physical Functioning - People that need special equipment to walk (%) Physical Functioning - People experiencing confusion/memory problems (%) Physical Functioning - People requiring special healthcare equipment (%) Prescription Medications - Average number of prescription medicines taking Preventive Aspirin Use - Adults 40+ taking low-dose aspirin (%) Reproductive Health - Vaginal deliveries (%) Reproductive Health - Cesarean deliveries (%) Reproductive Health - Deliveries resulted in a live birth (%) Reproductive Health - Pregnancies resulted in a delivery (%) Reproductive Health - Women breastfeeding newborns (%) Reproductive Health - Women that had a hysterectomy (%) Reproductive Health - Women that had both ovaries removed (%) Reproductive Health - Women that have ever taken birth control pills (%) Reproductive Health - Women taking birth control pills (%) Reproductive Health - Women that have ever used Depo-Provera or injectables (%) Reproductive Health - Women that have ever used female hormones (%) Sexual Behavior - People 18+ that ever had sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever had vaginal sex with a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever performed oral sex on a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever had anal sex with a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever had any sex with a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever had vaginal sex with a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever performed oral sex on a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever had anal sex with a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever had any kind of sex with a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Average age people first had sex Sexual Behavior - Average number of female sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of female vaginal sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average age people first performed oral sex on a woman (18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of woman performed oral sex on in lifetime (18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male anal sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average age people first performed oral sex on a man (18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male oral sex partners in lifetime (18+) Sexual Behavior - People using protection when performing oral sex (%) Sexual Behavior - Average number of times people have vaginal or anal sex a year Sexual Behavior - People having sex without condom (%) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male sex partners in lifetime (females 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male vaginal sex partners in lifetime (females 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of female sex partners in lifetime (females 18+) Sexual Behavior - Circumcised males 18+ (%) Sleep Disorders - Average hours sleeping at night Sleep Disorders - People that has trouble sleeping (%) Smoking-Cigarette Use - People smoking cigarettes (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ having problems with smell (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ having problems with taste (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had wisdom teeth removed (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had tonsils teeth removed (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had a loss of consciousness because of a head injury (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had a broken nose or other serious injury to face or skull (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had two or more sinus infections (%) Weight - Average height (inches) Weight - Average weight (pounds) Weight - Average BMI Weight - People that are obese (%) Weight - People that ever were obese (%) Weight - People trying to lose weight (%) Settings Get link Loading data... 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903 91.6% White alone 45 4.6% Two or more races 35 3.5% Asian alone

Races in Etna detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth





According to our research of Ohio and other state lists, there were 4 registered sex offenders living in Etna, Ohio as of November 22, 2021.

The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Etna is 283 to 1.





Ancestries: English (28.5%), German (26.4%), Irish (11.9%), Scottish (3.0%), Polish (2.6%).

Current Local Time: EST time zone

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2019: $3,239 (1.7%)



Latitude: 39.96 N, Longitude: 82.68 W

Area code commonly used in this area: 740

Unemployment in November 2020:

Here: 4.2% Ohio: 5.2%

Air pollution and air quality trends

(lower is better) AQI CO NO 2 SO 2 Ozone PM 10 PM 2.5

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2018 was 68.7. This is about average. City: 68.7 U.S.: 74.2

Carbon Monoxide (CO) [ppm] level in 2018 was 0.108. This is significantly better than average. Closest monitor was 15.9 miles away from the city center. City: 0.108 U.S.: 0.267

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO 2 ) [ppb] level in 2018 was 9.91. This is significantly worse than average. Closest monitor was 14.5 miles away from the city center. City: 9.91 U.S.: 5.56

Sulfur Dioxide (SO 2 ) [ppb] level in 2018 was 0.0364. This is significantly better than average. Closest monitor was 14.7 miles away from the city center. City: 0.0364 U.S.: 1.7894

Ozone [ppb] level in 2018 was 33.1. This is about average. Closest monitor was 4.1 miles away from the city center. City: 33.1 U.S.: 33.3

Particulate Matter (PM 10 ) [g/m3] level in 2006 was 23.7. This is worse than average. Closest monitor was 1.0 miles away from the city center. City: 23.7 U.S.: 19.6

Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 ) [g/m3] level in 2018 was 7.40. This is about average. Closest monitor was 11.3 miles away from the city center. City: 7.40 U.S.: 8.46

Tornado activity: Etna-area historical tornado activity is near Ohio state average. It is 8% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 2/22/1971, a category F3 (max. wind speeds 158-206 mph) tornado 9.3 miles away from the Etna place center injured 7 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages. On 4/3/1974, a category F5 (max. wind speeds 261-318 mph) tornado 48.8 miles away from the place center killed 36 people and injured 1150 people and caused between $50,000,000 and $500,000,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity: Etna-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Ohio state average. It is 9% smaller than the overall U.S. average.



On 7/27/1980 at 18:52:21, a magnitude 5.2 (5.1 MB, 4.7 MS, 5.0 UK, 5.2 UK, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 138.8 miles away from Etna center

On 9/25/1998 at 19:52:52, a magnitude 5.2 (4.8 MB, 4.3 MS, 5.2 LG, 4.5 MW, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 160.0 miles away from the city center

On 8/23/2011 at 17:51:04, a magnitude 5.8 (5.8 MW, Depth: 3.7 mi) earthquake occurred 291.9 miles away from the city center

On 1/31/1986 at 16:46:43, a magnitude 5.0 (5.0 MB) earthquake occurred 138.9 miles away from the city center

On 7/12/1986 at 08:19:37, a magnitude 4.5 (4.5 MB, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 97.8 miles away from Etna center

On 9/7/1988 at 02:28:09, a magnitude 4.6 (4.5 MB, 4.6 LG) earthquake occurred 141.0 miles away from Etna center

Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters: The number of natural disasters in Licking County (15) is near the US average (15).

Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 11

Emergencies Declared: 3



Causes of natural disasters: Storms: 9, Floods: 7, Tornadoes: 3, Mudslides: 2, Winds: 2, Blizzard: 1, Heavy Rain: 1, Hurricane: 1, Landslide: 1, Snow: 1, Snowstorm: 1, Tropical Depression: 1, Winter Storm: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).

Hospitals and medical centers near Etna: PATASKALA OAKS CARE CENTER (Nursing Home, about 4 miles away; PATASKALA, OH)

PATASKALA DIALYSIS (Dialysis Facility, about 4 miles away; PATASKALA, OH)

PINE KIRK CARE CENTER (Nursing Home, about 5 miles away; KIRKERSVILLE, OH)

AUTUMN SPRINGS HEALTH CARE SERVICES, INC (Home Health Center, about 6 miles away; REYNOLDSBURG, OH)

DISTINGUISHED ORTHOPEDIC HOME CARE (Home Health Center, about 6 miles away; REYNOLDSBURG, OH)

MID OHIO HOME HEALTH CARE, LLC (Home Health Center, about 6 miles away; REYNOLDSBURG, OH)

ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE OF COLUMBUS (Hospital, about 6 miles away; REYNOLDSBURG, OH)

Amtrak station near Etna: 17 miles: COLUMBUS (111 EAST TOWN ST.) - Bus Station . Services: enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones.

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Etna: Denison University ( about 12 miles; Granville, OH ; Full-time enrollment: 2,268)

12 ; 2,268) Capital University ( about 14 miles; Columbus, OH ; FT enrollment: 3,029)

14 ; 3,029) DeVry University-Ohio ( about 14 miles; Columbus, OH ; FT enrollment: 3,896)

14 ; 3,896) Ohio Dominican University ( about 14 miles; Columbus, OH ; FT enrollment: 2,045)

14 ; 2,045) Ohio State University-Newark Campus ( about 15 miles; Newark, OH ; FT enrollment: 2,028)

15 ; 2,028) Central Ohio Technical College ( about 15 miles; Newark, OH ; FT enrollment: 2,995)

15 ; 2,995) Columbus State Community College (about 17 miles; Columbus, OH; FT enrollment: 24,488) Private high school in Etna: LIBERTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY-EAST CAMPUS (Students: 326, Location: 10447 REFUGEE RD SW, Grades: PK-12)

Licking County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Highest Potential

Drinking water stations with addresses in Etna and their reported violations in the past: COUNTRY VIEW ESTATES (Serves IN, Population served: 26, Groundwater): Past health violations: MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In JAN-2007, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (FEB-19-2007), St Violation/Reminder Notice (FEB-19-2007), St Public Notif received (2 times from MAY-01-2007 to MAY-01-2007), St Compliance achieved (MAY-17-2010) Past monitoring violations: Monitoring, Repeat Major (TCR) - In JAN-2007 , Contaminant: Coliform (TCR) . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (FEB-19-2007), St Violation/Reminder Notice (FEB-19-2007), St Public Notif received (2 times from MAY-01-2007 to MAY-01-2007), St Compliance achieved (MAY-17-2010)

JAN-2007 Coliform (TCR) St Public Notif requested (FEB-19-2007), St Violation/Reminder Notice (FEB-19-2007), St Public Notif received (2 MAY-01-2007 MAY-01-2007), St Compliance achieved (MAY-17-2010) 6 routine major monitoring violations COUNTRY VIEW ESTATES (IN26Groundwater):

Average household size: This place: 3.0 people Ohio: 2.4 people

Percentage of family households: This place: 81.5% Whole state: 65.0%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners: This place: 7.5% Whole state: 6.8%



Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households) Lesbian couples: 0.5% of all households

0.5% Gay men: 0.7% of all households

For population 15 years and over in Etna: Never married: 42.0%

42.0% Now married: 49.9%

49.9% Separated: 0.0%

0.0% Widowed: 1.5%

1.5% Divorced: 6.5%

For population 25 years and over in Etna: High school or higher: 92.8%

92.8% Bachelor's degree or higher: 17.0%

17.0% Graduate or professional degree: 12.4%

Education Gini index (Inequality in education) Here: 8.4 Ohio average: 10.8



Religion statistics for Etna, OH (based on Licking County data) Religion Adherents Congregations Evangelical Protestant 21,879 97 Mainline Protestant 17,189 82 Catholic 16,000 7 Other 1,167 6 Black Protestant 697 3 None 109,560 - Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics: Number of grocery stores: 25 Licking County : 1.60 / 10,000 pop. Ohio : 1.89 / 10,000 pop. Number of supercenters and club stores: 2 Licking County : 0.13 / 10,000 pop. Ohio : 0.13 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (no gas): 10 Here : 0.64 / 10,000 pop. Ohio : 1.25 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (with gas): 49 Licking County : 3.13 / 10,000 pop. State : 2.93 / 10,000 pop. Number of full-service restaurants: 69 Here : 4.40 / 10,000 pop. Ohio : 6.25 / 10,000 pop. Adult diabetes rate: Licking County : 11.1% Ohio : 10.3% Adult obesity rate: Here : 30.1% Ohio : 29.1% Low-income preschool obesity rate: Here : 12.7% State : 11.9%

6.45% of this county's 2016 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2015 ($54,914 average adjusted gross income) Here: 6.45% Ohio average: 5.23% 10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries between 2015 and 2016.

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2015 and 2016:

from Franklin County, OH 2.79% ($54,974 average AGI) from Fairfield County, OH 0.56% ($54,803) from Muskingum County, OH 0.33% ($41,898)



5.87% of this county's 2015 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2016 ($48,801 average adjusted gross income) Here: 5.87% Ohio average: 5.51% 10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries between 2015 and 2016.

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2015 and 2016:

to Franklin County, OH 2.25% ($44,073 average AGI) to Fairfield County, OH 0.47% ($49,070) to Muskingum County, OH 0.29% ($41,933)

Businesses in Etna, OH FedEx: 1

1 Subway: 1

Strongest AM radio stations in Etna: WTVN (610 AM; 50 kW; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)

CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.) WRFD (880 AM; daytime; 23 kW; COLUMBUS-WORTHINGTON, OH; Owner: SALEM MEDIA OF OHIO, INC.)

SALEM MEDIA OF OHIO, INC.) WBNS (1460 AM; 5 kW; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: RADIOHIO, INCORPORATED)

RADIOHIO, INCORPORATED) WOSU (820 AM; 5 kW; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY)

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY) WLW (700 AM; 50 kW; CINCINNATI, OH; Owner: JACOR BROADCASTING CORPORATION)

JACOR BROADCASTING CORPORATION) WHTH (790 AM; 1 kW; HEATH, OH; Owner: RUNNYMEDE, INC.)

RUNNYMEDE, INC.) WKNR (850 AM; 50 kW; CLEVELAND, OH; Owner: CARON BROADCASTING, INC.)

CARON BROADCASTING, INC.) WWVA (1170 AM; 53 kW; WHEELING, WV; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) WTAM (1100 AM; 50 kW; CLEVELAND, OH; Owner: JACOR BROADCASTING CORPORATION)

JACOR BROADCASTING CORPORATION) WHK (1220 AM; 50 kW; CLEVELAND, OH; Owner: CARON BROADCASTING, INC.)

CARON BROADCASTING, INC.) WLOH (1320 AM; 1 kW; LANCASTER, OH)

WDLR (1550 AM; 4 kW; DELAWARE, OH; Owner: THE FIFTEEN FIFTY CORPORATION)

THE FIFTEEN FIFTY CORPORATION) WMNI (920 AM; 1 kW; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: NORTH AMERICAN BROADCASTING CO.) Strongest FM radio stations in Etna: W201AK (88.1 FM; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: THE CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY)

THE CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY) WOSU-FM (89.7 FM; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY)

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY) WNKO (101.7 FM; NEWARK, OH; Owner: RUNNYMEDE, INC.)

RUNNYMEDE, INC.) WUFM (88.7 FM; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: SPIRIT COMMUNICATIONS, INC)

SPIRIT COMMUNICATIONS, INC) WBZX (99.7 FM; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: NORTH AMERICAN BROADCASTING CO., INC)

NORTH AMERICAN BROADCASTING CO., INC) WBNS-FM (97.1 FM; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: RADIO OHIO, INC.)

RADIO OHIO, INC.) WCOL-FM (92.3 FM; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)

CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.) WXMG (98.9 FM; UPPER ARLINGTON, OH; Owner: BLUE CHIP BROADCASTING LICENSES, LTD)

BLUE CHIP BROADCASTING LICENSES, LTD) WLVQ (96.3 FM; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: INFINITY RADIO OPERATIONS INC.)

INFINITY RADIO OPERATIONS INC.) WCVO (104.9 FM; GAHANNA, OH; Owner: CHRISTIAN VOICE OF CENTRAL OHIO)

CHRISTIAN VOICE OF CENTRAL OHIO) WHOK-FM (95.5 FM; LANCASTER, OH; Owner: INFINITY RADIO SUBSIDIARY OPERATIONS INC.)

INFINITY RADIO SUBSIDIARY OPERATIONS INC.) WSNY (94.7 FM; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: FRANKLIN COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)

FRANKLIN COMMUNICATIONS, INC.) WNCI (97.9 FM; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)

CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.) WCBE (90.5 FM; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: BD.OF EDUC.,CITY SCH.DIST.,COLUMBUS)

BD.OF EDUC.,CITY SCH.DIST.,COLUMBUS) WFJX (105.7 FM; HILLIARD, OH; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)

CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.) WFCB (93.3 FM; CHILLICOTHE, OH; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)

CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.) WCLT-FM (100.3 FM; NEWARK, OH; Owner: WCLT RADIO, INC.)

WCLT RADIO, INC.) WJZA (103.5 FM; LANCASTER, OH; Owner: SKYWAY BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.)

SKYWAY BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.) WRVT (88.7 FM; RUTLAND, VT; Owner: VERMONT PUBLIC RADIO)

VERMONT PUBLIC RADIO) WCKX (107.5 FM; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: BLUE CHIP BROADCASTING LICENSES, LTD) TV broadcast stations around Etna: WOSU-TV ( Channel 34; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY)

34; COLUMBUS, OH; THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY) WSYX ( Channel 6; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: WSYX LICENSEE, INC.)

6; COLUMBUS, OH; WSYX LICENSEE, INC.) WBNS-TV ( Channel 10; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: WBNS-TV, INC.)

10; COLUMBUS, OH; WBNS-TV, INC.) WTTE ( Channel 28; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: COLUMBUS (WTTE-TV) LICENSEE, INC.)

28; COLUMBUS, OH; COLUMBUS (WTTE-TV) LICENSEE, INC.) WCMH-TV ( Channel 4; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: OUTLET BROADCASTING, INC.)

4; COLUMBUS, OH; OUTLET BROADCASTING, INC.) WINJ-LP ( Channel 8; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: THE NEW LIFE FELLOWSHIP OF CHURCHES)

8; COLUMBUS, OH; THE NEW LIFE FELLOWSHIP OF CHURCHES) WCLL-LP ( Channel 19; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: JONATHAN W. OWENS)

19; COLUMBUS, OH; JONATHAN W. OWENS) WDEM-LP ( Channel 17; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: TRIPLETT & ASSOCIATES, INC.)

17; COLUMBUS, OH; TRIPLETT & ASSOCIATES, INC.) WWHO ( Channel 53; CHILLICOTHE, OH; Owner: UPN STATIONS GROUP INC.)

53; CHILLICOTHE, OH; UPN STATIONS GROUP INC.) W23BZ ( Channel 23; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: NATIONAL MINORITY T.V., INC.)

23; COLUMBUS, OH; NATIONAL MINORITY T.V., INC.) W43BZ ( Channel 43; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: VENTANA TELEVISION, INC.)

43; COLUMBUS, OH; VENTANA TELEVISION, INC.) WSFJ-TV ( Channel 51; NEWARK, OH; Owner: GUARDIAN VISION INTERNATIONAL, INC.)

51; NEWARK, OH; GUARDIAN VISION INTERNATIONAL, INC.) WCPX-LP ( Channel 48; COLUMBUS, OH; Owner: PAXSON COMMUNICATIONS LICENSE COMPANY, LLC)

48; COLUMBUS, OH; PAXSON COMMUNICATIONS LICENSE COMPANY, LLC) WMFD-TV (Channel 68; MANSFIELD, OH; Owner: MID-STATE TELEVISION,INC.)

Etna, Ohio

Fatal accident count 8

Vehicles involved in fatal accidents 13

Fatal accidents involving drunk persons: 3

Fatalities 8

Persons involved in fatal accidents 15

Pedestrians involved in fatal accidents 2 Ohio average

Fatal accident count 5132

Vehicles involved in fatal accidents 8296

Fatal accidents involving drunk persons 1727

Fatalities 5580

Persons involved in fatal accidents 11816

Pedestrians involved in fatal accidents 835 See more detailed statistics of Etna fatal car crashes and road traffic accidents for 1975 - 2019 here

National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics

14 Number of bridges

Number of bridges 151ft / 46.2m Total length

Total length 223,393 Total average daily traffic

Total average daily traffic 45,092 Total average daily truck traffic

New bridges - historical statistics

1 1900-1909

1 1940-1949

8 1960-1969

1 1980-1989

2 1990-1999

1 2010-2018 See full National Bridge Inventory statistics for Etna, OH

FCC Registered Antenna Towers: 11 (



FCC Registered Private Land Mobile Towers: 2 Lat: 39.955000 Lon: -82.738056, Call Sign: WQBD590,

Assigned Frequencies: 896.000 MHz, Grant Date: 09/23/2004, Expiration Date: 09/23/2014, Cancellation Date: 11/08/2014, Certifier: Robin J Cohen, Registrant: Sprint Nextel Corporation, 12502 Sunrise Valley Drive, M/S: Varesa0209, Reston, VA 20196, Phone: (703) 433-4000, Fax: (703) 433-4483

39.955000 -82.738056, WQBD590, 896.000 MHz, 09/23/2004, 09/23/2014, 11/08/2014, Robin J Cohen, Sprint Nextel Corporation, 12502 Sunrise Valley Drive, M/S: Varesa0209, Reston, VA 20196, (703) 433-4000, (703) 433-4483 3 Mi W (Lat: 39.955000 Lon: -82.738056), Type: Tower, Structure height: 70 m, Overall height: 71 m, Call Sign: WQBD598,

Assigned Frequencies: 936.175 MHz, 936.187 MHz, 936.200 MHz, 936.212 MHz, 936.225 MHz, Grant Date: 09/23/2004, Expiration Date: 09/23/2014, Cancellation Date: 11/08/2014, Certifier: Robin J Cohen, Registrant: Sprint Nextel Corporation, 12502 Sunrise Valley Drive, M/S: Varesa0209, Reston, VA 20196, Phone: (703) 433-4000, Fax: (703) 433-4483

FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers: 2 Lat: 39.967028 Lon: -82.729333, Call Sign: WRHZ704,

Assigned Frequencies: 452.687 MHz, 457.687 MHz, Grant Date: 07/21/2020, Expiration Date: 07/21/2030, Certifier: Jason Mitchell, Registrant: Bearcom Operating LLC, P.O. Box 559001, Dallas, TX 75355-9001, Phone: (800) 458-9887, Email:

39.967028 -82.729333, WRHZ704, 452.687 MHz, 457.687 MHz, 07/21/2020, 07/21/2030, Jason Mitchell, Bearcom Operating LLC, P.O. Box 559001, Dallas, TX 75355-9001, (800) 458-9887, Lat: 39.956000 Lon: -82.681722, Call Sign: WRJZ491,

Assigned Frequencies: 72.1000 MHz, Grant Date: 11/24/2020, Expiration Date: 11/24/2030, Certifier: Jeff Cameron, Registrant: Primex Wireless, Inc., 965 Wells St., Lake Geneva, WI 53147, Phone: (262) 249-2327, Fax: (262) 248-0061, Email:

FCC Registered Microwave Towers: 3 Etna TS, Lat: 39.943250 Lon: -82.705194, Type: Nnltann, Structure height: 79.2 m, Overall height: 85.3 m, Call Sign: WQKM631,

Assigned Frequencies: 3650.00 MHz, Grant Date: 06/05/2019, Expiration Date: 10/17/2020, Cancellation Date: 12/19/2020, Certifier: Jason D Griffith, Registrant: American Electric Power Service Corporation, 850 Tech Center Drive, Gahanna, OH 43230, Phone: (614) 883-7265, Fax: (614) 883-6917, Email:

39.943250 -82.705194, Nnltann, 79.2 m, 85.3 m, WQKM631, 3650.00 MHz, 06/05/2019, 10/17/2020, 12/19/2020, Jason D Griffith, American Electric Power Service Corporation, 850 Tech Center Drive, Gahanna, OH 43230, (614) 883-7265, (614) 883-6917, ETNA, 3.0 Miles W Of ( Lat: 39.955056 Lon: -82.737944), Overall height: 71 m, Call Sign: WFY841, Licensee ID: L00265137,

Assigned Frequencies: 6197.20 MHz, 6197.24 MHz, 6226.90 MHz, 6226.90 MHz, 6197.20 MHz, 6226.90 MHz, 6256.50 MHz, 6256.50 MHz, 6256.54 MHz, 6286.20 MHz... (+18 more), Grant Date: 02/21/2001, Expiration Date: 02/01/2011, Cancellation Date: 04/09/2011, Certifier: R D Meiszer, Registrant: Lb Tower Company LLC, 441 Vine Street, Suite 3900, Cincinnati, OH 45202-3011, Phone: (513) 381-7775, Fax: (513) 381-1292

39.955056 -82.737944), 71 m, WFY841, L00265137, 6197.20 MHz, 6197.24 MHz, 6226.90 MHz, 6226.90 MHz, 6197.20 MHz, 6226.90 MHz, 6256.50 MHz, 6256.50 MHz, 6256.54 MHz, 6286.20 MHz... (+18 more), 02/21/2001, 02/01/2011, 04/09/2011, R D Meiszer, Lb Tower Company LLC, 441 Vine Street, Suite 3900, Cincinnati, OH 45202-3011, (513) 381-7775, (513) 381-1292 Etna TS, Int Palmer & Tollgate Rds Sw Of (Lat: 39.943250 Lon: -82.705194), Type: Tower, Structure height: 79.2 m, Overall height: 85.3 m, Call Sign: WIA584, Licensee ID: L00268142,

Assigned Frequencies: 6785.00 MHz, 6765.00 MHz, Grant Date: 09/11/2012, Expiration Date: 10/29/2022, Certifier: Daniel L Gibbens, Registrant: American Electric Power Service Corporation

FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses: 21 (



FAA Registered Aircraft: 4 Aircraft: TODD DARRELL VANS AIRCRAFT RV9A ( Category: Land, Seats: 2, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds), Engine: LYCOMING IO-320 SERIES (150 HP) (Reciprocating)

N-Number: 389RV, N389RV, N-389RV, Serial Number: 90329, Year manufactured: 2010, Airworthiness Date: 09/21/2010, Certificate Issue Date: 07/23/2010

Registrant (LLC): Rv Niners LLC, 8718 Summit Rd Sw, Etna, OH 43068

TODD DARRELL VANS AIRCRAFT RV9A ( Land, 2, Up to 12,499 Pounds), LYCOMING IO-320 SERIES (150 HP) (Reciprocating) 389RV, N389RV, N-389RV, 90329, 2010, 09/21/2010, 07/23/2010 Rv Niners LLC, 8718 Summit Rd Sw, Etna, OH 43068 Aircraft: QUAD CITY ULTRALIGHTS CHALLENGER II ( Category: Land, Seats: 2, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds), Engine: ROTAX 503 DCDI (52 HP) (2 Cycle)

N-Number: 9132V, N9132V, N-9132V, Serial Number: CH2-0204-2445, Year manufactured: 2007, Airworthiness Date: 05/02/2007, Certificate Issue Date: 06/21/2018

Registrant (Individual): Roger Digel-Barrett, 533 Ballman Rd, Etna, OH 43068

QUAD CITY ULTRALIGHTS CHALLENGER II ( Land, 2, Up to 12,499 Pounds), ROTAX 503 DCDI (52 HP) (2 Cycle) 9132V, N9132V, N-9132V, CH2-0204-2445, 2007, 05/02/2007, 06/21/2018 Roger Digel-Barrett, 533 Ballman Rd, Etna, OH 43068 Aircraft: BENSEN B-8M ( Category: Land, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds, Speed: 45 mph), Engine: AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG (2 Cycle)

N-Number: 402RD, N402RD, N-402RD, Serial Number: 42006, Year manufactured: 2006, Airworthiness Date: 09/06/2007

Registrant (Individual): Pending Registration, 533 Ballman Rd, Etna, OH 43068

Deregistered: Cancel Date: 06/05/2018

BENSEN B-8M ( Land, Up to 12,499 Pounds, 45 mph), AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG (2 Cycle) 402RD, N402RD, N-402RD, 42006, 2006, 09/06/2007 Pending Registration, 533 Ballman Rd, Etna, OH 43068 06/05/2018 Aircraft: NEWBOLD EDWARD NEWBOLD 2000 (Category: Land, Seats: 2, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds), Engine: AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG (Reciprocating)

N-Number: 90413, N90413, N-90413, Serial Number: 012007, Year manufactured: 2007, Airworthiness Date: 02/14/2007

Registrant (Individual): Pending Registration, 533 Ballman Rd, Etna, OH 43068

11 ( See the full list of FCC Registered Antenna Towers in Etna 21 ( See the full list of FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses in Etna

Houses and condos Apartments 100.0% Utility gas 100.0% Utility gas





Etna compared to Ohio state average: Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Black race population percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Hispanic race population percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Median age significantly below state average.

significantly below Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Renting percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below House age significantly below state average.

Etna on our top lists: #76 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the most people leaving home to go to work at strange times (12 PM - 5 AM) (population 500+)" #29 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents relocating to foreign countries in 2011"

#101 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest decrease in the number of births per 1000 residents 2000-2006 to 2007-2013 (pop 50,000+)"

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Glen Campbell, Pennsylvania

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Population in 2019: 227 (0% urban, 100% rural).

Population change since 2000: -25.8%

227 (0% urban, 100% rural).-25.8%

Males: 132 (58.3%) Females: 95 (41.7%)

Median resident age: 44.3 years Pennsylvania median age: 40.8 years

Zip codes: 15742.

Estimated median household income in 2019: $40,506 (it was $24,063 in 2000)

Glen Campbell: $40,506 PA: $63,463

Estimated per capita income in 2019: $20,151 (it was $12,039 in 2000)



Glen Campbell borough income, earnings, and wages data



Estimated median house or condo value in 2019: $69,077 (it was $32,700 in 2000) Glen Campbell: $69,077 PA: $192,600

Mean prices in 2019: all housing units: $154,340; detached houses: $164,630; townhouses or other attached units: $167,157; in 2-unit structures: $132,667; in 3-to-4-unit structures: $176,080; in 5-or-more-unit structures: $180,223; mobile homes: $71,479; occupied boats, rvs, vans, etc.: $43,164 $40,506 ($24,063$20,151 ($12,039$69,077 ($32,700$154,340;$164,630;$167,157;$132,667;$176,080;$180,223;$71,479;$43,164

Median gross rent in 2019: $720.

March 2019 cost of living index in Glen Campbell: 91.2 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)

Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2019: 9.1%

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Most recent value % change since 2k Data: Median household income ($) Median household income (% change since 2000) Household income diversity Ratio of average income to average house value (%) Ratio of average income to average rent Median household income ($) - White Median household income ($) - Black or African American Median household income ($) - Asian Median household income ($) - Hispanic or Latino Median household income ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native Median household income ($) - Multirace Median household income ($) - Other Race Median household income for houses/condos with a mortgage ($) Median household income for apartments without a mortgage ($) Races - White alone (%) Races - White alone (% change since 2000) Races - Black alone (%) Races - Black alone (% change since 2000) Races - American Indian alone (%) Races - American Indian alone (% change since 2000) Races - Asian alone (%) Races - Asian alone (% change since 2000) Races - Hispanic (%) Races - Hispanic (% change since 2000) Races - Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone (%) Races - Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone (% change since 2000) Races - Two or more races (%) Races - Two or more races (% change since 2000) Races - Other race alone (%) Races - Other race alone (% change since 2000) Racial diversity Unemployment (%) Unemployment (% change since 2000) Unemployment (%) - White Unemployment (%) - Black or African American Unemployment (%) - Asian Unemployment (%) - Hispanic or Latino Unemployment (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Unemployment (%) - Multirace Unemployment (%) - Other Race Population density (people per square mile) Population - Males (%) Population - Females (%) Population - Males (%) - White Population - Males (%) - Black or African American Population - Males (%) - Asian Population - Males (%) - Hispanic or Latino Population - Males (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Population - Males (%) - Multirace Population - Males (%) - Other Race Population - Females (%) - White Population - Females (%) - Black or African American Population - Females (%) - Asian Population - Females (%) - Hispanic or Latino Population - Females (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Population - Females (%) - Multirace Population - Females (%) - Other Race Coronavirus confirmed cases (Nov 22, 2021) Deaths caused by coronavirus (Nov 22, 2021) Coronavirus confirmed cases (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) Deaths caused by coronavirus (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) Daily increase in number of cases (Nov 22, 2021) Weekly increase in number of cases (Nov 22, 2021) Cases doubled (in days) (Nov 22, 2021) Hospitalized patients (Nov 22, 2021) Negative test results (Nov 22, 2021) Total test results (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses distributed (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses administered (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses distributed (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses administered (Nov 22, 2021) Likely homosexual households (%) Likely homosexual households (% change since 2000) Likely homosexual households - Lesbian couples (%) Likely homosexual households - Lesbian couples (% change since 2000) Likely homosexual households - Gay men (%) Likely homosexual households - Gay men (% change since 2000) Cost of living index Median gross rent ($) Median contract rent ($) Median monthly housing costs ($) Median house or condo value ($) Median house or condo value ($ change since 2000) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 1, detached ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 1, attached ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 2 ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure by units in structure - 3 or 4 ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 5 or more ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - Boat, RV, van, etc. ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - Mobile home ($) Median house or condo value ($) - White Median house or condo value ($) - Black or African American Median house or condo value ($) - Asian Median house or condo value ($) - Hispanic or Latino Median house or condo value ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native Median house or condo value ($) - Multirace Median house or condo value ($) - Other Race Median resident age Resident age diversity Median resident age - Males Median resident age - Females Median resident age - White Median resident age - Black or African American Median resident age - Asian Median resident age - Hispanic or Latino Median resident age - American Indian and Alaska Native Median resident age - Multirace Median resident age - Other Race Median resident age - Males - White Median resident age - Males - Black or African American Median resident age - Males - Asian Median resident age - Males - Hispanic or Latino Median resident age - Males - American Indian and Alaska Native Median resident age - Males - Multirace Median resident age - Males - Other Race Median resident age - Females - White Median resident age - Females - Black or African American Median resident age - Females - Asian Median resident age - Females - Hispanic or Latino Median resident age - Females - American Indian and Alaska Native Median resident age - Females - Multirace Median resident age - Females - Other Race Commute - mean travel time to work (minutes) Travel time to work - Less than 5 minutes (%) Travel time to work - Less than 5 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 5 to 9 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 5 to 9 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 10 to 19 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 10 to 19 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 20 to 29 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 20 to 29 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 30 to 39 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 30 to 39 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 40 to 59 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 40 to 59 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 60 to 89 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 60 to 89 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 90 or more minutes (%) Travel time to work - 90 or more minutes (% change since 2000) Marital status - Never married (%) Marital status - Now married (%) Marital status - Separated (%) Marital status - Widowed (%) Marital status - Divorced (%) Median family income ($) Median family income (% change since 2000) Median non-family income ($) Median non-family income (% change since 2000) Median per capita income ($) Median per capita income (% change since 2000) Median family income ($) - White Median family income ($) - Black or African American Median family income ($) - Asian Median family income ($) - Hispanic or Latino Median family income ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native Median family income ($) - Multirace Median family income ($) - Other Race Median year house/condo built Median year apartment built Year house built - Built 2005 or later (%) Year house built - Built 2000 to 2004 (%) Year house built - Built 1990 to 1999 (%) Year house built - Built 1980 to 1989 (%) Year house built - Built 1970 to 1979 (%) Year house built - Built 1960 to 1969 (%) Year house built - Built 1950 to 1959 (%) Year house built - Built 1940 to 1949 (%) Year house built - Built 1939 or earlier (%) Average household size Household density (households per square mile) Average household size - White Average household size - Black or African American Average household size - Asian Average household size - Hispanic or Latino Average household size - American Indian and Alaska Native Average household size - Multirace Average household size - Other Race Occupied housing units (%) Vacant housing units (%) Owner occupied housing units (%) Renter occupied housing units (%) Vacancy status - For rent (%) Vacancy status - For sale only (%) Vacancy status - Rented or sold, not occupied (%) Vacancy status - For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use (%) Vacancy status - For migrant workers (%) Vacancy status - Other vacant (%) Residents with income below the poverty level (%) Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level (%) Children below poverty level (%) Poor families by family type - Married-couple family (%) Poor families by family type - Male, no wife present (%) Poor families by family type - Female, no husband present (%) Poverty status for native-born residents (%) Poverty status for foreign-born residents (%) Poverty among high school graduates not in families (%) Poverty among people who did not graduate high school not in families (%) Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - White Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Black or African American Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Asian Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Hispanic or Latino Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Multirace Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Other Race Air pollution - Air Quality Index (AQI) Air pollution - CO Air pollution - NO2 Air pollution - SO2 Air pollution - Ozone Air pollution - PM10 Air pollution - PM25 Air pollution - Pb Crime - Murders per 100,000 population Crime - Rapes per 100,000 population Crime - Robberies per 100,000 population Crime - Assaults per 100,000 population Crime - Burglaries per 100,000 population Crime - Thefts per 100,000 population Crime - Auto thefts per 100,000 population Crime - Arson per 100,000 population Crime - City-data.com crime index Crime - Violent crime index Crime - Property crime index Crime - Murders per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Rapes per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Robberies per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Assaults per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Burglaries per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Thefts per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Auto thefts per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Arson per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - City-data.com crime index (5 year average) Crime - Violent crime index (5 year average) Crime - Property crime index (5 year average) 1996 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Clinton) 1996 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Dole) 1996 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2000 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Gore) 2000 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Bush) 2000 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2004 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Kerry) 2004 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Bush) 2004 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2008 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Obama) 2008 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (McCain) 2008 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2012 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Obama) 2012 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Romney) 2012 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2016 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Clinton) 2016 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Trump) 2016 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2020 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Biden) 2020 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Trump) 2020 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other Ancestries Reported - Arab (%) Ancestries Reported - Czech (%) Ancestries Reported - Danish (%) Ancestries Reported - Dutch (%) Ancestries Reported - English (%) Ancestries Reported - French (%) Ancestries Reported - French Canadian (%) Ancestries Reported - German (%) Ancestries Reported - Greek (%) Ancestries Reported - Hungarian (%) Ancestries Reported - Irish (%) Ancestries Reported - Italian (%) Ancestries Reported - Lithuanian (%) Ancestries Reported - Norwegian (%) Ancestries Reported - Polish (%) Ancestries Reported - Portuguese (%) Ancestries Reported - Russian (%) Ancestries Reported - Scotch-Irish (%) Ancestries Reported - Scottish (%) Ancestries Reported - Slovak (%) Ancestries Reported - Subsaharan African (%) Ancestries Reported - Swedish (%) Ancestries Reported - Swiss (%) Ancestries Reported - Ukrainian (%) Ancestries Reported - United States (%) Ancestries Reported - Welsh (%) Ancestries Reported - West Indian (%) Ancestries Reported - Other (%) Educational Attainment - No schooling completed (%) Educational Attainment - Less than high school (%) Educational Attainment - High school or equivalent (%) Educational Attainment - Less than 1 year of college (%) Educational Attainment - 1 or more years of college (%) Educational Attainment - Associate degree (%) Educational Attainment - Bachelor's degree (%) Educational Attainment - Master's degree (%) Educational Attainment - Professional school degree (%) Educational Attainment - Doctorate degree (%) School Enrollment - Nursery, preschool (%) School Enrollment - Kindergarten (%) School Enrollment - Grade 1 to 4 (%) School Enrollment - Grade 5 to 8 (%) School Enrollment - Grade 9 to 12 (%) School Enrollment - College undergrad (%) School Enrollment - Graduate or professional (%) School Enrollment - Not enrolled in school (%) School enrollment - Public schools (%) School enrollment - Private schools (%) School enrollment - Not enrolled (%) Median number of rooms in houses and condos Median number of rooms in apartments Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities (%) Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities (%) Density of houses Urban houses (%) Rural houses (%) Households with people 60 years and over (%) Households with people 65 years and over (%) Households with people 75 years and over (%) Households with one or more nonrelatives (%) Households with no nonrelatives (%) Population in households (%) Family households (%) Nonfamily households (%) Population in families (%) Family households with own children (%) Median number of bedrooms in owner occupied houses Mean number of bedrooms in owner occupied houses Median number of bedrooms in renter occupied houses Mean number of bedrooms in renter occupied houses Median number of vehichles in owner occupied houses Mean number of vehichles in owner occupied houses Median number of vehichles in renter occupied houses Mean number of vehichles in renter occupied houses Mortgage status - with mortgage (%) Mortgage status - with second mortgage (%) Mortgage status - with home equity loan (%) Mortgage status - with both second mortgage and home equity loan (%) Mortgage status - without a mortgage (%) Average family size Average family size - White Average family size - Black or African American Average family size - Asian Average family size - Hispanic or Latino Average family size - American Indian and Alaska Native Average family size - Multirace Average family size - Other Race Geographical mobility - Same house 1 year ago (%) Geographical mobility - Moved within same county (%) Geographical mobility - Moved from different county within same state (%) Geographical mobility - Moved from different state (%) Geographical mobility - Moved from abroad (%) Place of birth - Born in state of residence (%) Place of birth - Born in other state (%) Place of birth - Native, outside of US (%) Place of birth - Foreign born (%) Housing units in structures - 1, detached (%) Housing units in structures - 1, attached (%) Housing units in structures - 2 (%) Housing units in structures - 3 or 4 (%) Housing units in structures - 5 to 9 (%) Housing units in structures - 10 to 19 (%) Housing units in structures - 20 to 49 (%) Housing units in structures - 50 or more (%) Housing units in structures - Mobile home (%) Housing units in structures - Boat, RV, van, etc. (%) House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago) Renter moved in on average (years ago) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1999 to March 2000 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1995 to 1998 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1990 to 1994 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1980 to 1989 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1970 to 1979 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1969 or earlier (%) Means of transportation to work - Drove car alone (%) Means of transportation to work - Carpooled (%) Means of transportation to work - Public transportation (%) Means of transportation to work - Bus or trolley bus (%) Means of transportation to work - Streetcar or trolley car (%) Means of transportation to work - Subway or elevated (%) Means of transportation to work - Railroad (%) Means of transportation to work - Ferryboat (%) Means of transportation to work - Taxicab (%) Means of transportation to work - Motorcycle (%) Means of transportation to work - Bicycle (%) Means of transportation to work - Walked (%) Means of transportation to work - Other means (%) Working at home (%) Industry diversity Most Common Industries - Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining (%) Most Common Industries - Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (%) Most Common Industries - Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (%) Most Common Industries - Construction (%) Most Common Industries - Manufacturing (%) Most Common Industries - Wholesale trade (%) Most Common Industries - Retail trade (%) Most Common Industries - Transportation and warehousing, and utilities (%) Most Common Industries - Transportation and warehousing (%) Most Common Industries - Utilities (%) Most Common Industries - Information (%) Most Common Industries - Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing (%) Most Common Industries - Finance and insurance (%) Most Common Industries - Real estate and rental and leasing (%) Most Common Industries - Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services (%) Most Common Industries - Professional, scientific, and technical services (%) Most Common Industries - Management of companies and enterprises (%) Most Common Industries - Administrative and support and waste management services (%) Most Common Industries - Educational services, and health care and social assistance (%) Most Common Industries - Educational services (%) Most Common Industries - Health care and social assistance (%) Most Common Industries - Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services (%) Most Common Industries - Arts, entertainment, and recreation (%) Most Common Industries - Accommodation and food services (%) Most Common Industries - Other services, except public administration (%) Most Common Industries - Public administration (%) Occupation diversity Most Common Occupations - Management, business, science, and arts occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Management, business, and financial occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Management occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Business and financial operations occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Computer, engineering, and science occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Computer and mathematical occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Architecture and engineering occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Life, physical, and social science occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Education, legal, community service, arts, and media occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Community and social service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Legal occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Education, training, and library occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Health technologists and technicians (%) Most Common Occupations - Service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Healthcare support occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Protective service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Fire fighting and prevention, and other protective service workers including supervisors (%) Most Common Occupations - Law enforcement workers including supervisors (%) Most Common Occupations - Food preparation and serving related occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Personal care and service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Sales and office occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Sales and related occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Office and administrative support occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Construction and extraction occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Production occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Transportation occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Material moving occupations (%) People in Group quarters - Institutionalized population (%) People in Group quarters - Correctional institutions (%) People in Group quarters - Federal prisons and detention centers (%) People in Group quarters - Halfway houses (%) People in Group quarters - Local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups) (%) People in Group quarters - Military disciplinary barracks (%) People in Group quarters - State prisons (%) People in Group quarters - Other types of correctional institutions (%) People in Group quarters - Nursing homes (%) People in Group quarters - Hospitals/wards, hospices, and schools for the handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Hospitals/wards and hospices for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Hospices or homes for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Military hospitals or wards for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Other hospitals or wards for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Hospitals or wards for drug/alcohol abuse (%) People in Group quarters - Mental (Psychiatric) hospitals or wards (%) People in Group quarters - Schools, hospitals, or wards for the mentally retarded (%) People in Group quarters - Schools, hospitals, or wards for the physically handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Institutions for the deaf (%) People in Group quarters - Institutions for the blind (%) People in Group quarters - Orthopedic wards and institutions for the physically handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Wards in general hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere (%) People in Group quarters - Wards in military hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere (%) People in Group quarters - Juvenile institutions (%) People in Group quarters - Long-term care (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for abused, dependent, and neglected children (%) People in Group quarters - Residential treatment centers for emotionally disturbed children (%) People in Group quarters - Training schools for juvenile delinquents (%) People in Group quarters - Short-term care, detention or diagnostic centers for delinquent children (%) People in Group quarters - Type of juvenile institution unknown (%) People in Group quarters - Noninstitutionalized population (%) People in Group quarters - College dormitories (includes college quarters off campus) (%) People in Group quarters - Military quarters (%) People in Group quarters - On base (%) People in Group quarters - Barracks, unaccompanied personnel housing (UPH), (Enlisted/Officer), ;and similar group living quarters for military personnel (%) People in Group quarters - Transient quarters for temporary residents (%) People in Group quarters - Military ships (%) People in Group quarters - Group homes (%) People in Group quarters - Homes or halfway houses for drug/alcohol abuse (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for the mentally ill (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for the mentally retarded (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for the physically handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Other group homes (%) People in Group quarters - Religious group quarters (%) People in Group quarters - Dormitories (%) People in Group quarters - Agriculture workers' dormitories on farms (%) People in Group quarters - Job Corps and vocational training facilities (%) People in Group quarters - Other workers' dormitories (%) People in Group quarters - Crews of maritime vessels (%) People in Group quarters - Other nonhousehold living situations (%) People in Group quarters - Other noninstitutional group quarters (%) Residents speaking English at home (%) Residents speaking English at home - Born in the United States (%) Residents speaking English at home - Native, born elsewhere (%) Residents speaking English at home - Foreign born (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home - Born in the United States (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home - Native, born elsewhere (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home - Foreign born (%) Residents speaking other language at home (%) Residents speaking other language at home - Born in the United States (%) Residents speaking other language at home - Native, born elsewhere (%) Residents speaking other language at home - Foreign born (%) Class of Workers - Employee of private company (%) Class of Workers - Self-employed in own incorporated business (%) Class of Workers - Private not-for-profit wage and salary workers (%) Class of Workers - Local government workers (%) Class of Workers - State government workers (%) Class of Workers - Federal government workers (%) Class of Workers - Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business and Unpaid family workers (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Utility gas (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Bottled, tank, or LP gas (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Electricity (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Coal or coke (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Wood (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Solar energy (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Other fuel (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - No fuel used (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Utility gas (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Bottled, tank, or LP gas (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Electricity (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Coal or coke (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Wood (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Solar energy (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Other fuel (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - No fuel used (%) Armed forces status - In Armed Forces (%) Armed forces status - Civilian (%) Armed forces status - Civilian - Veteran (%) Armed forces status - Civilian - Nonveteran (%) Fatal accidents locations in years 2005-2019 Fatal accidents locations in 2005 Fatal accidents locations in 2006 Fatal accidents locations in 2007 Fatal accidents locations in 2008 Fatal accidents locations in 2009 Fatal accidents locations in 2010 Fatal accidents locations in 2011 Fatal accidents locations in 2012 Fatal accidents locations in 2013 Fatal accidents locations in 2014 Fatal accidents locations in 2015 Fatal accidents locations in 2016 Fatal accidents locations in 2017 Fatal accidents locations in 2018 Fatal accidents locations in 2019 Alcohol use - People drinking some alcohol every month (%) Alcohol use - People not drinking at all (%) Alcohol use - Average days/month drinking alcohol Alcohol use - Average drinks/week Alcohol use - Average days/year people drink much Audiometry - Average condition of hearing (%) Audiometry - People that can hear a whisper from across a quiet room (%) Audiometry - People that can hear normal voice from across a quiet room (%) Audiometry - Ears ringing, roaring, buzzing (%) Audiometry - Had a job exposure to loud noise (%) Audiometry - Had off-work exposure to loud noise (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Has high blood pressure (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Checking blood pressure at home (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Frequently checking blood cholesterol (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Has high cholesterol level (%) Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on food at supermarket/grocery store Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on food at other stores Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on eating out Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on carryout/delivered foods Consumer Behavior - Income spent on food at supermarket/grocery store (%) Consumer Behavior - Income spent on food at other stores (%) Consumer Behavior - Income spent on eating out (%) Consumer Behavior - Income spent on carryout/delivered foods (%) Current Health Status - General health condition (%) Current Health Status - Blood donors (%) Current Health Status - Has blood ever tested for HIV virus (%) Current Health Status - Left-handed people (%) Dermatology - People using sunscreen (%) Diabetes - Diabetics (%) Diabetes - Had a blood test for high blood sugar (%) Diabetes - People taking insulin (%) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Diet health (%) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Milk product consumption (# of products/month) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Meals not home prepared (#/week) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Meals from fast food or pizza place (#/week) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Ready-to-eat foods (#/month) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Frozen meals/pizza (#/month) Drug Use - People that ever used marijuana or hashish (%) Drug Use - Ever used hard drugs (%) Drug Use - Ever used any form of cocaine (%) Drug Use - Ever used heroin (%) Drug Use - Ever used methamphetamine (%) Health Insurance - People covered by health insurance (%) Kidney Conditions-Urology - Avg. # of times urinating at night Medical Conditions - People with asthma (%) Medical Conditions - People with anemia (%) Medical Conditions - People with psoriasis (%) Medical Conditions - People with overweight (%) Medical Conditions - Elderly people having difficulties in thinking or remembering (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever received blood transfusion (%) Medical Conditions - People having trouble seeing even with glass/contacts (%) Medical Conditions - People with arthritis (%) Medical Conditions - People with gout (%) Medical Conditions - People with congestive heart failure (%) Medical Conditions - People with coronary heart disease (%) Medical Conditions - People with angina pectoris (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever had heart attack (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever had stroke (%) Medical Conditions - People with emphysema (%) Medical Conditions - People with thyroid problem (%) Medical Conditions - People with chronic bronchitis (%) Medical Conditions - People with any liver condition (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever had cancer or malignancy (%) Mental Health - People who have little interest in doing things (%) Mental Health - People feeling down, depressed, or hopeless (%) Mental Health - People who have trouble sleeping or sleeping too much (%) Mental Health - People feeling tired or having little energy (%) Mental Health - People with poor appetite or overeating (%) Mental Health - People feeling bad about themself (%) Mental Health - People who have trouble concentrating on things (%) Mental Health - People moving or speaking slowly or too fast (%) Mental Health - People having thoughts they would be better off dead (%) Oral Health - Average years since last visit a dentist Oral Health - People embarrassed because of mouth (%) Oral Health - People with gum disease (%) Oral Health - General health of teeth and gums (%) Oral Health - Average days a week using dental floss/device Oral Health - Average days a week using mouthwash for dental problem Oral Health - Average number of teeth Pesticide Use - Households using pesticides to control insects (%) Pesticide Use - Households using pesticides to kill weeds (%) Physical Activity - People doing vigorous-intensity work activities (%) Physical Activity - People doing moderate-intensity work activities (%) Physical Activity - People walking or bicycling (%) Physical Activity - People doing vigorous-intensity recreational activities (%) Physical Activity - People doing moderate-intensity recreational activities (%) Physical Activity - Average hours a day doing sedentary activities Physical Activity - Average hours a day watching TV or videos Physical Activity - Average hours a day using computer Physical Functioning - People having limitations keeping them from working (%) Physical Functioning - People limited in amount of work they can do (%) Physical Functioning - People that need special equipment to walk (%) Physical Functioning - People experiencing confusion/memory problems (%) Physical Functioning - People requiring special healthcare equipment (%) Prescription Medications - Average number of prescription medicines taking Preventive Aspirin Use - Adults 40+ taking low-dose aspirin (%) Reproductive Health - Vaginal deliveries (%) Reproductive Health - Cesarean deliveries (%) Reproductive Health - Deliveries resulted in a live birth (%) Reproductive Health - Pregnancies resulted in a delivery (%) Reproductive Health - Women breastfeeding newborns (%) Reproductive Health - Women that had a hysterectomy (%) Reproductive Health - Women that had both ovaries removed (%) Reproductive Health - Women that have ever taken birth control pills (%) Reproductive Health - Women taking birth control pills (%) Reproductive Health - Women that have ever used Depo-Provera or injectables (%) Reproductive Health - Women that have ever used female hormones (%) Sexual Behavior - People 18+ that ever had sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever had vaginal sex with a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever performed oral sex on a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever had anal sex with a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever had any sex with a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever had vaginal sex with a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever performed oral sex on a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever had anal sex with a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever had any kind of sex with a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Average age people first had sex Sexual Behavior - Average number of female sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of female vaginal sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average age people first performed oral sex on a woman (18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of woman performed oral sex on in lifetime (18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male anal sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average age people first performed oral sex on a man (18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male oral sex partners in lifetime (18+) Sexual Behavior - People using protection when performing oral sex (%) Sexual Behavior - Average number of times people have vaginal or anal sex a year Sexual Behavior - People having sex without condom (%) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male sex partners in lifetime (females 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male vaginal sex partners in lifetime (females 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of female sex partners in lifetime (females 18+) Sexual Behavior - Circumcised males 18+ (%) Sleep Disorders - Average hours sleeping at night Sleep Disorders - People that has trouble sleeping (%) Smoking-Cigarette Use - People smoking cigarettes (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ having problems with smell (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ having problems with taste (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had wisdom teeth removed (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had tonsils teeth removed (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had a loss of consciousness because of a head injury (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had a broken nose or other serious injury to face or skull (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had two or more sinus infections (%) Weight - Average height (inches) Weight - Average weight (pounds) Weight - Average BMI Weight - People that are obese (%) Weight - People that ever were obese (%) Weight - People trying to lose weight (%) Settings Get link Loading data... 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According to our research of Pennsylvania and other state lists, there were 3 registered sex offenders living in Glen Campbell, Pennsylvania as of November 22, 2021.

The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Glen Campbell is 75 to 1.







Latest news from Glen Campbell, PA collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: German (35.0%), European (12.5%), Slovak (12.5%), English (10.0%), Irish (7.5%), Pennsylvania German (7.5%).

Current Local Time: EST time zone

Elevation: 1500 feet

Land area: 0.93 square miles. Population density: 243 people per square mile (very low).

2 residents are foreign born This borough: 0.7% Pennsylvania: 4.1%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2019: $604 (0.7%)

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2019: $637 (1.2%)



Latitude: 40.82 N, Longitude: 78.83 W

Area code: 814

Unemployment in November 2020:

Here: 5.6% Pennsylvania: 6.1%

Most common industries in Glen Campbell, PA (%) Both Males Females

Construction (18.0%)

Educational services (9.0%)

Other transportation, support activities, couriers (6.0%)

Repair & maintenance (6.0%)

Furniture & related product manufacturing (5.0%)

Used merchandise, gift, novelty, souvenir, other miscellaneous stores (4.0%)

Truck transportation (4.0%)

Construction (26.2%)

Repair & maintenance (9.2%)

Educational services (7.7%)

Truck transportation (6.2%)

Metal & metal products (4.6%)

Other transportation, support activities, couriers (4.6%)

Accommodation & food services (4.6%)

Educational services (11.4%)

Printing & related support activities (8.6%)

Miscellaneous manufacturing (8.6%)

Furniture & related product manufacturing (8.6%)

Other transportation, support activities, couriers (8.6%)

Pharmacies & drug stores (5.7%)

Used merchandise, gift, novelty, souvenir, other miscellaneous stores (5.7%) Most common occupations in Glen Campbell, PA (%) Both Males Females

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (10.0%)

Construction laborers (9.0%)

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (7.0%)

Retail sales workers, except cashiers (6.0%)

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers (6.0%)

Information and record clerks, except customer service representatives (5.0%)

Other food preparation and serving workers, including supervisors (5.0%)

Construction laborers (13.8%)

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (10.8%)

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers (9.2%)

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (7.7%)

Retail sales workers, except cashiers (6.2%)

Supervisors, construction and extraction workers (6.2%)

Construction traders workers except carpenters, electricians, painters, plumbers, and construction laborers (6.2%)

Information and record clerks, except customer service representatives (14.3%)

Customer service representatives (8.6%)

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (8.6%)

Top executives (5.7%)

Teachers, secondary school (5.7%)

Other food preparation and serving workers, including supervisors (5.7%)

Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists (5.7%)

Average climate in Glen Campbell, Pennsylvania Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Air pollution and air quality trends

(lower is better) AQI NO 2 SO 2 Ozone

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2018 was 53.3. This is better than average. City: 53.3 U.S.: 74.2

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO 2 ) [ppb] level in 2008 was 5.69. This is about average. Closest monitor was 18.4 miles away from the city center. City: 5.69 U.S.: 5.56

Sulfur Dioxide (SO 2 ) [ppb] level in 2018 was 0.666. This is significantly better than average. Closest monitor was 18.4 miles away from the city center. City: 0.666 U.S.: 1.789

Ozone [ppb] level in 2018 was 32.7. This is about average. Closest monitor was 18.4 miles away from the city center. City: 32.7 U.S.: 33.3

Tornado activity: Glen Campbell-area historical tornado activity is slightly below Pennsylvania state average. It is 34% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 5/31/1985, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 26.3 miles away from the Glen Campbell borough center caused between $5,000,000 and $50,000,000 in damages. On 6/3/1980, a category F4 tornado 39.0 miles away from the borough center injured 140 people and caused between $50,000,000 and $500,000,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity: Glen Campbell-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Pennsylvania state average. It is 60% smaller than the overall U.S. average.



On 8/23/2011 at 17:51:04, a magnitude 5.8 (5.8 MW, Depth: 3.7 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 206.8 miles away from the city center

On 9/25/1998 at 19:52:52, a magnitude 5.2 (4.8 MB, 4.3 MS, 5.2 LG, 4.5 MW, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 94.0 miles away from Glen Campbell center

On 1/31/1986 at 16:46:43, a magnitude 5.0 (5.0 MB) earthquake occurred 133.0 miles away from the city center

On 1/16/1994 at 01:49:16, a magnitude 4.6 (4.6 MB, 4.6 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 150.4 miles away from the city center

On 10/7/1983 at 10:18:46, a magnitude 5.3 (5.1 MB, 5.3 LG, 5.1 ML) earthquake occurred 315.3 miles away from Glen Campbell center

On 12/31/2011 at 20:05:01, a magnitude 4.0 (4.0 ML, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 99.3 miles away from the city center

Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters: The number of natural disasters in Indiana County (14) is near the US average (15).

Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 10

Emergencies Declared: 4



Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 5, Hurricanes: 2, Snowstorms: 2, Storms: 2, Winter Storms: 2, Blizzard: 1, Heavy Rain: 1, Mudslide: 1, Snowfall: 1, Tropical Depression: 1, Tropical Storm: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).

Hospitals and medical centers near Glen Campbell: RESTA HOME HEALTH LLC (Home Health Center, about 12 miles away; NORTHERN CAMBRIA, PA)

MULBERRY SQUARE (Nursing Home, about 12 miles away; PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA)

DCI OF HASTINGS (Dialysis Facility, about 13 miles away; HASTINGS, PA)

MINERS MEDICAL CENTER Acute Care Hospitals (about 13 miles away; HASTINGS, PA)

Acute Care Hospitals PUNXSUTAWNEY HOME HEALTH CARE (Home Health Center, about 13 miles away; PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA)

PRODIGY DIALYSIS, LLC - CARROLLTOWN (Dialysis Facility, about 16 miles away; CARROLLTOWN, PA)

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Glen Campbell: Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus ( about 23 miles; Indiana, PA ; Full-time enrollment: 14,471)

23 ; 14,471) Saint Francis University ( about 24 miles; Loretto, PA ; FT enrollment: 2,636)

24 ; 2,636) Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona ( about 30 miles; Altoona, PA ; FT enrollment: 3,656)

30 ; 3,656) Wyo Tech-Blairsville ( about 34 miles; Blairsville, PA ; FT enrollment: 2,602)

34 ; 2,602) University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown ( about 39 miles; Johnstown, PA ; FT enrollment: 2,815)

39 ; 2,815) Clarion University of Pennsylvania ( about 40 miles; Clarion, PA ; FT enrollment: 5,771)

40 ; 5,771) Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (about 51 miles; University Park, PA; FT enrollment: 45,483)

Indiana County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Highest Potential

Average household size: This borough: 2.6 people Pennsylvania: 2.5 people

Percentage of family households: This borough: 67.7% Whole state: 65.0%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners: This borough: 6.5% Whole state: 6.6%



No gay or lesbian households reported





32 people in other noninstitutional group quarters in 2000

For population 15 years and over in Glen Campbell: Never married: 24.4%

24.4% Now married: 47.5%

47.5% Separated: 0.0%

0.0% Widowed: 6.9%

6.9% Divorced: 21.2%

For population 25 years and over in Glen Campbell: High school or higher: 84.3%

84.3% Bachelor's degree or higher: 13.8%

13.8% Graduate or professional degree: 8.8%

8.8% Unemployed: 28.1%

28.1% Mean travel time to work (commute): 29.1 minutes

Education Gini index (Inequality in education) Here: 8.8 Pennsylvania average: 11.3



Religion statistics for Glen Campbell, PA (based on Indiana County data) Religion Adherents Congregations Mainline Protestant 16,441 82 Catholic 12,383 17 Evangelical Protestant 10,777 100 Other 1,348 7 Orthodox 423 6 Black Protestant 233 2 None 47,275 - Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics: Number of grocery stores: 12 Here : 1.37 / 10,000 pop. Pennsylvania : 2.04 / 10,000 pop. Number of supercenters and club stores: 1 This county : 0.11 / 10,000 pop. Pennsylvania : 0.09 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (no gas): 3 Indiana County : 0.34 / 10,000 pop. Pennsylvania : 0.88 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (with gas): 30 This county : 3.43 / 10,000 pop. Pennsylvania : 2.52 / 10,000 pop. Number of full-service restaurants: 48 This county : 5.48 / 10,000 pop. State : 7.12 / 10,000 pop. Adult diabetes rate: Indiana County : 8.8% Pennsylvania : 9.1% Adult obesity rate: This county : 27.9% Pennsylvania : 27.2% Low-income preschool obesity rate: Here : 10.6% Pennsylvania : 11.5%

Local government employment and payroll (March 2017) Function Full-time employees Monthly full-time payroll Average yearly full-time wage Part-time employees Monthly part-time payroll Other and Unallocable 0 $0 1 $970 Financial Administration 0 $0 1 $775 Streets and Highways 0 $0 2 $176 Water Supply 0 $0 3 $950 Totals for Government 0 $0 7 $2,871

Expenditure Revenue Glen Campbell government finances - Expenditure in 2017 (per resident): Current Operations - Water Utilities: $57,000 ($251.10) Sewerage: $39,000 ($171.81) Central Staff Services: $31,000 ($136.56) General - Other: $14,000 ($61.67) Regular Highways: $8,000 ($35.24) Local Fire Protection: $1,000 ($4.41)

$57,000 ($251.10) General - Interest on Debt: $5,000 ($22.03) Glen Campbell government finances - Revenue in 2017 (per resident): Charges - Sewerage: $46,000 ($202.64)

$46,000 ($202.64) Miscellaneous - Fines and Forfeits: $1,000 ($4.41)

$1,000 ($4.41) Revenue - Water Utilities: $55,000 ($242.29)

$55,000 ($242.29) State Intergovernmental - Other: $19,000 ($83.70)

$19,000 ($83.70) Tax - Individual Income: $12,000 ($52.86) Property: $10,000 ($44.05) Documentary and Stock Transfer: $3,000 ($13.22) Public Utility License: $1,000 ($4.41) Occupation and Business License - Other: $1,000 ($4.41) Glen Campbell government finances - Debt in 2017 (per resident): Long Term Debt - Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $136,000 ($599.12) Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $129,000 ($568.28) Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $6,000 ($26.43)

3.95% of this county's 2016 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2015 ($40,203 average adjusted gross income) Here: 3.95% Pennsylvania average: 4.58% 10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries between 2015 and 2016.

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2015 and 2016:

from Westmoreland County, PA 0.72% ($43,253 average AGI) from Cambria County, PA 0.41% ($24,864) from Allegheny County, PA 0.32% ($38,979)



5.03% of this county's 2015 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2016 ($38,816 average adjusted gross income) Here: 5.03% Pennsylvania average: 4.96% 10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries between 2015 and 2016.

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2015 and 2016:

to Westmoreland County, PA 0.73% ($33,781 average AGI) to Allegheny County, PA 0.46% ($45,375) to Cambria County, PA 0.33% ($35,000)

Strongest AM radio stations in Glen Campbell: WECZ (1540 AM; daytime; 5 kW; PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA)

WCCS (1160 AM; 10 kW; HOMER CITY, PA; Owner: RENDA RADIO, INC.)

RENDA RADIO, INC.) KDKA (1020 AM; 50 kW; PITTSBURGH, PA; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.)

INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.) WCED (1420 AM; 5 kW; DU BOIS, PA; Owner: VOX ALLEGANY, LLC)

VOX ALLEGANY, LLC) WLYE (850 AM; 10 kW; JOHNSTOWN, PA; Owner: FOREVER OF JOHNSTOWN, INC.)

FOREVER OF JOHNSTOWN, INC.) WNCC (950 AM; 1 kW; BARNESBORO, PA)

WCPA (900 AM; 3 kW; CLEARFIELD, PA; Owner: CLEARFIELD BROADCASTERS, INC.)

CLEARFIELD BROADCASTERS, INC.) WPHB (1260 AM; 5 kW; PHILIPSBURG, PA)

WVAM (1430 AM; 5 kW; ALTOONA, PA; Owner: VITAL LICENSES, LLC)

VITAL LICENSES, LLC) WFBG (1290 AM; 5 kW; ALTOONA, PA; Owner: FOREVER OF PA, LLC)

FOREVER OF PA, LLC) WCBM (680 AM; 50 kW; BALTIMORE, MD; Owner: WCBM MARYLAND, INC.)

WCBM MARYLAND, INC.) WAVL (910 AM; 5 kW; APOLLO, PA; Owner: EVANGEL HEIGHTS ASSEMBLY OF GOD)

EVANGEL HEIGHTS ASSEMBLY OF GOD) WWVA (1170 AM; 53 kW; WHEELING, WV; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) Strongest FM radio stations in Glen Campbell: WPCL (97.3 FM; NORTHERN CAMBRIA, PA; Owner: HE'S ALIVE INCORPORATED)

HE'S ALIVE INCORPORATED) WBRX (94.3 FM; PATTON, PA; Owner: SHERLOCK BROADCASTING, INC)

SHERLOCK BROADCASTING, INC) WOWQ (102.1 FM; DU BOIS, PA; Owner: FIRST MEDIA RADIO, LLC)

FIRST MEDIA RADIO, LLC) WOKW (102.9 FM; CURWENSVILLE, PA; Owner: RAYMARK BROADCASTING CO., INC.)

RAYMARK BROADCASTING CO., INC.) WQYX (93.1 FM; CLEARFIELD, PA; Owner: CLEARFIELD BROADCASTERS, INC.)

CLEARFIELD BROADCASTERS, INC.) WPRR (100.1 FM; ALTOONA, PA; Owner: VITAL LICENSES, LLC)

VITAL LICENSES, LLC) WMAJ-FM (104.9 FM; HOLLIDAYSBURG, PA; Owner: FOREVER OF PA, LLC)

FOREVER OF PA, LLC) WFGY (98.1 FM; ALTOONA, PA; Owner: FOREVER OF PA, LLC)

FOREVER OF PA, LLC) WKYE-FM1 (95.5 FM; JOHNSTOWN, PA; Owner: WINSTON RADIO CORPORATION)

WINSTON RADIO CORPORATION) W294AE (106.7 FM; ALTOONA, PA; Owner: THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY)

THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY) WALY (103.9 FM; BELLWOOD, PA; Owner: FOREVER OF JOHNSTOWN, INC.)

FOREVER OF JOHNSTOWN, INC.) WHPA (93.5 FM; BARNESBORO, PA; Owner: VERNAL ENTERPRISES INC.)

VERNAL ENTERPRISES INC.) W267AC (101.3 FM; ALTOONA, PA; Owner: ALLEGHENY MOUNTAIN NETWORK)

ALLEGHENY MOUNTAIN NETWORK) WQEJ (89.7 FM; JOHNSTOWN, PA; Owner: WQED MULTIMEDIA)

WQED MULTIMEDIA) WBRX-FM1 (94.7 FM; ALTOONA, PA; Owner: SHERLOCK BROADCASTING, INC)

SHERLOCK BROADCASTING, INC) WKYE (95.5 FM; JOHNSTOWN, PA; Owner: FOREVER OF JOHNSTOWN, INC.)

FOREVER OF JOHNSTOWN, INC.) WFRJ (88.9 FM; JOHNSTOWN, PA; Owner: FAMILY STATIONS, INC.)

FAMILY STATIONS, INC.) WQKK (92.1 FM; JOHNSTOWN, PA; Owner: DAME BROADCASTING, LLC)

DAME BROADCASTING, LLC) WPXZ-FM (104.1 FM; PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA; Owner: RENDA RADIO, INC.)

RENDA RADIO, INC.) WBXQ (94.7 FM; CRESSON, PA; Owner: SOUNDS GOOD, INC.) TV broadcast stations around Glen Campbell: WPSX-TV ( Channel 3; CLEARFIELD, PA; Owner: THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY)

3; CLEARFIELD, PA; THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY) WLLS-LP (Channel 49; INDIANA, PA; Owner: LARRY L. SCHRECONGOST)

Glen Campbell fatal accident list: Oct 11, 2002 02:30 AM, Sr-286, Lat: 40.813920, Lon: -78.835856, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 2, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1

Jan 1, 2001 11:00 PM, Sr-286, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 1, Fatalities: 1

Jul 17, 2001 06:30 AM, Sr-286, Vehicles: 3, Persons: 3, Fatalities: 1

May 23, 2001 08:40 PM, Sr-286, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 1, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1

May 8, 1999 07:10 AM, Sr-286, Lat: 40.816296, Lon: -78.821160, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 1, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1

Oct 22, 1999 11:00 PM, Sr-286, Lat: 40.813920, Lon: -78.835856, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 1, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1

Nov 24, 1998 10:10 PM, Sr-286, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 1, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1



National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics

8 Number of bridges

Number of bridges 33ft / 10.3m Total length

Total length $588,000 Total costs

Total costs 4,263 Total average daily traffic

Total average daily traffic 493 Total average daily truck traffic

Total average daily truck traffic 4,756 Total future (year 2028) average daily traffic

FCC Registered Antenna Towers: 12 (



FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers: 1 1.5 Mi Fm Int Twp Rt 436 & Rt 938 (Lat: 40.798111 Lon: -78.833083), Call Sign: KZD947,

Assigned Frequencies: 31.3600 MHz, Grant Date: 09/25/1995, Expiration Date: 10/01/2000, Cancellation Date: 12/03/2000, Registrant: Peles Coal Co, Rd 1, Glen Campbell, PA 15742, Phone: (814) 845-2263

FCC Registered Microwave Towers: 1 INDI31, Kinter Hill, Indiana County Tower Sse Of Rochester Mills, Pa (Lat: 40.797278 Lon: -78.970444), Type: Tower, Structure height: 54.9 m, Overall height: 61 m, Call Sign: WQFF207,

Assigned Frequencies: 6856.25 MHz, 6851.25 MHz, Grant Date: 04/12/2016, Expiration Date: 06/29/2026, Certifier: Charles K Leto, Registrant: Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania, 8001 Brtetz Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17112, Phone: (717) 346-8058, Fax: (717) 772-8097, Email:

FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses: 5 Call Sign: KC3BR, Previous Call Sign: KA3HEJ, Licensee ID: L00234890, Grant Date: 10/24/2013, Expiration Date: 11/02/2023, Registrant: Chris C Chichy, 617 Fire Tower Road, Glen Campbell, PA 15742

KC3BR, KA3HEJ, L00234890, 10/24/2013, 11/02/2023, Chris C Chichy, 617 Fire Tower Road, Glen Campbell, PA 15742 Call Sign: N3WYZ, Licensee ID: L01122519, Grant Date: 12/22/2015, Expiration Date: 03/18/2026, Registrant: Allan W Varner Sr, 27619 Dowlers Hwy, Glen Campbell, PA 15742

N3WYZ, L01122519, 12/22/2015, 03/18/2026, Allan W Varner Sr, 27619 Dowlers Hwy, Glen Campbell, PA 15742 Call Sign: KB3GLK, Licensee ID: L00347881, Grant Date: 04/18/2001, Expiration Date: 04/18/2011, Cancellation Date: 04/19/2013, Certifier: Edward Salsgiver, Registrant: Edward Salsgiver, 2446 Wilgus Rd, Glen Campbell, PA 15742-7415

KB3GLK, L00347881, 04/18/2001, 04/18/2011, 04/19/2013, Edward Salsgiver, Edward Salsgiver, 2446 Wilgus Rd, Glen Campbell, PA 15742-7415 Call Sign: KB3NMF, Licensee ID: L01146622, Grant Date: 03/22/2016, Expiration Date: 05/02/2026, Certifier: Cameron D Fry, Registrant: Cameron D Fry, 139 Railroad Street #158, Glen Campbell, PA 15742

KB3NMF, L01146622, 03/22/2016, 05/02/2026, Cameron D Fry, Cameron D Fry, 139 Railroad Street #158, Glen Campbell, PA 15742 Call Sign: KB3OBN, Licensee ID: L01202618, Grant Date: 10/16/2006, Expiration Date: 10/16/2016, Cancellation Date: 10/17/2018, Certifier: Raye A Fry, Registrant: Raye A Fry, Glen Campbell, PA 15742

12 ( See the full list of FCC Registered Antenna Towers in Glen Campbell

Most common first names in Glen Campbell, PA among deceased individuals Name Count Lived (average) John 26 77.8 years William 17 77.3 years Mary 15 80.3 years Anna 12 78.3 years George 12 77.2 years Joseph 12 80.2 years James 11 73.4 years Robert 9 78.4 years Frank 9 74.0 years Charles 8 72.4 years Most common last names in Glen Campbell, PA among deceased individuals Last name Count Lived (average) Smith 16 78.0 years Pennington 12 77.9 years Huey 10 76.5 years Gardner 9 78.6 years Kraynak 8 82.1 years Lamkie 7 79.7 years Brady 6 68.3 years Farmery 6 82.8 years Blose 6 80.7 years Ellsmore 6 74.0 years

Houses and condos Apartments 80.2% Utility gas

6.2% Electricity

6.2% Coal or coke

2.5% Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.

2.5% Wood

2.5% Other fuel 100.0% Utility gas





Glen Campbell compared to Pennsylvania state average: Median household income below state average.

below Median house value significantly below state average.

significantly below Unemployed percentage above state average.

above Black race population percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Hispanic race population percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Median age significantly above state average.

significantly above Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Renting percentage below state average.

below Number of college students significantly below state average.

significantly below Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher below state average.




Hillsboro, Iowa

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Population in 2019: 177 (0% urban, 100% rural).

Population change since 2000: -13.7%

177 (0% urban, 100% rural).-13.7%

Males: 91 (51.7%) Females: 86 (48.3%)

Median resident age: 34.1 years Iowa median age: 38.5 years

Zip codes: 52630.

Estimated median household income in 2019: $33,339 (it was $35,500 in 2000)

Hillsboro: $33,339 IA: $61,691

Estimated per capita income in 2019: $16,458 (it was $11,985 in 2000)



Hillsboro city income, earnings, and wages data



Estimated median house or condo value in 2019: $36,338 (it was $37,500 in 2000) Hillsboro: $36,338 IA: $158,900

Mean prices in 2019: all housing units: $37,015; detached houses: $39,563; mobile homes: $18,582 $33,339 ($35,500$16,458 ($11,985$36,338 ($37,500$37,015;$39,563;$18,582

Median gross rent in 2019: $665.

March 2019 cost of living index in Hillsboro: 81.5 (low, U.S. average is 100)

Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2019: 34.2%

Business Search - 14 Million verified businesses

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Most recent value % change since 2k Data: Median household income ($) Median household income (% change since 2000) Household income diversity Ratio of average income to average house value (%) Ratio of average income to average rent Median household income ($) - White Median household income ($) - Black or African American Median household income ($) - Asian Median household income ($) - Hispanic or Latino Median household income ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native Median household income ($) - Multirace Median household income ($) - Other Race Median household income for houses/condos with a mortgage ($) Median household income for apartments without a mortgage ($) Races - White alone (%) Races - White alone (% change since 2000) Races - Black alone (%) Races - Black alone (% change since 2000) Races - American Indian alone (%) Races - American Indian alone (% change since 2000) Races - Asian alone (%) Races - Asian alone (% change since 2000) Races - Hispanic (%) Races - Hispanic (% change since 2000) Races - Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone (%) Races - Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone (% change since 2000) Races - Two or more races (%) Races - Two or more races (% change since 2000) Races - Other race alone (%) Races - Other race alone (% change since 2000) Racial diversity Unemployment (%) Unemployment (% change since 2000) Unemployment (%) - White Unemployment (%) - Black or African American Unemployment (%) - Asian Unemployment (%) - Hispanic or Latino Unemployment (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Unemployment (%) - Multirace Unemployment (%) - Other Race Population density (people per square mile) Population - Males (%) Population - Females (%) Population - Males (%) - White Population - Males (%) - Black or African American Population - Males (%) - Asian Population - Males (%) - Hispanic or Latino Population - Males (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Population - Males (%) - Multirace Population - Males (%) - Other Race Population - Females (%) - White Population - Females (%) - Black or African American Population - Females (%) - Asian Population - Females (%) - Hispanic or Latino Population - Females (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Population - Females (%) - Multirace Population - Females (%) - Other Race Coronavirus confirmed cases (Nov 22, 2021) Deaths caused by coronavirus (Nov 22, 2021) Coronavirus confirmed cases (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) Deaths caused by coronavirus (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) Daily increase in number of cases (Nov 22, 2021) Weekly increase in number of cases (Nov 22, 2021) Cases doubled (in days) (Nov 22, 2021) Hospitalized patients (Nov 22, 2021) Negative test results (Nov 22, 2021) Total test results (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses distributed (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses administered (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses distributed (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses administered (Nov 22, 2021) Likely homosexual households (%) Likely homosexual households (% change since 2000) Likely homosexual households - Lesbian couples (%) Likely homosexual households - Lesbian couples (% change since 2000) Likely homosexual households - Gay men (%) Likely homosexual households - Gay men (% change since 2000) Cost of living index Median gross rent ($) Median contract rent ($) Median monthly housing costs ($) Median house or condo value ($) Median house or condo value ($ change since 2000) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 1, detached ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 1, attached ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 2 ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure by units in structure - 3 or 4 ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 5 or more ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - Boat, RV, van, etc. ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - Mobile home ($) Median house or condo value ($) - White Median house or condo value ($) - Black or African American Median house or condo value ($) - Asian Median house or condo value ($) - Hispanic or Latino Median house or condo value ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native Median house or condo value ($) - Multirace Median house or condo value ($) - Other Race Median resident age Resident age diversity Median resident age - Males Median resident age - Females Median resident age - White Median resident age - Black or African American Median resident age - Asian Median resident age - Hispanic or Latino Median resident age - American Indian and Alaska Native Median resident age - Multirace Median resident age - Other Race Median resident age - Males - White Median resident age - Males - Black or African American Median resident age - Males - Asian Median resident age - Males - Hispanic or Latino Median resident age - Males - American Indian and Alaska Native Median resident age - Males - Multirace Median resident age - Males - Other Race Median resident age - Females - White Median resident age - Females - Black or African American Median resident age - Females - Asian Median resident age - Females - Hispanic or Latino Median resident age - Females - American Indian and Alaska Native Median resident age - Females - Multirace Median resident age - Females - Other Race Commute - mean travel time to work (minutes) Travel time to work - Less than 5 minutes (%) Travel time to work - Less than 5 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 5 to 9 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 5 to 9 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 10 to 19 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 10 to 19 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 20 to 29 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 20 to 29 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 30 to 39 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 30 to 39 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 40 to 59 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 40 to 59 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 60 to 89 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 60 to 89 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 90 or more minutes (%) Travel time to work - 90 or more minutes (% change since 2000) Marital status - Never married (%) Marital status - Now married (%) Marital status - Separated (%) Marital status - Widowed (%) Marital status - Divorced (%) Median family income ($) Median family income (% change since 2000) Median non-family income ($) Median non-family income (% change since 2000) Median per capita income ($) Median per capita income (% change since 2000) Median family income ($) - White Median family income ($) - Black or African American Median family income ($) - Asian Median family income ($) - Hispanic or Latino Median family income ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native Median family income ($) - Multirace Median family income ($) - Other Race Median year house/condo built Median year apartment built Year house built - Built 2005 or later (%) Year house built - Built 2000 to 2004 (%) Year house built - Built 1990 to 1999 (%) Year house built - Built 1980 to 1989 (%) Year house built - Built 1970 to 1979 (%) Year house built - Built 1960 to 1969 (%) Year house built - Built 1950 to 1959 (%) Year house built - Built 1940 to 1949 (%) Year house built - Built 1939 or earlier (%) Average household size Household density (households per square mile) Average household size - White Average household size - Black or African American Average household size - Asian Average household size - Hispanic or Latino Average household size - American Indian and Alaska Native Average household size - Multirace Average household size - Other Race Occupied housing units (%) Vacant housing units (%) Owner occupied housing units (%) Renter occupied housing units (%) Vacancy status - For rent (%) Vacancy status - For sale only (%) Vacancy status - Rented or sold, not occupied (%) Vacancy status - For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use (%) Vacancy status - For migrant workers (%) Vacancy status - Other vacant (%) Residents with income below the poverty level (%) Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level (%) Children below poverty level (%) Poor families by family type - Married-couple family (%) Poor families by family type - Male, no wife present (%) Poor families by family type - Female, no husband present (%) Poverty status for native-born residents (%) Poverty status for foreign-born residents (%) Poverty among high school graduates not in families (%) Poverty among people who did not graduate high school not in families (%) Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - White Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Black or African American Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Asian Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Hispanic or Latino Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Multirace Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Other Race Air pollution - Air Quality Index (AQI) Air pollution - CO Air pollution - NO2 Air pollution - SO2 Air pollution - Ozone Air pollution - PM10 Air pollution - PM25 Air pollution - Pb Crime - Murders per 100,000 population Crime - Rapes per 100,000 population Crime - Robberies per 100,000 population Crime - Assaults per 100,000 population Crime - Burglaries per 100,000 population Crime - Thefts per 100,000 population Crime - Auto thefts per 100,000 population Crime - Arson per 100,000 population Crime - City-data.com crime index Crime - Violent crime index Crime - Property crime index Crime - Murders per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Rapes per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Robberies per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Assaults per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Burglaries per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Thefts per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Auto thefts per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Arson per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - City-data.com crime index (5 year average) Crime - Violent crime index (5 year average) Crime - Property crime index (5 year average) 1996 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Clinton) 1996 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Dole) 1996 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2000 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Gore) 2000 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Bush) 2000 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2004 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Kerry) 2004 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Bush) 2004 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2008 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Obama) 2008 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (McCain) 2008 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2012 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Obama) 2012 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Romney) 2012 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2016 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Clinton) 2016 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Trump) 2016 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2020 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Biden) 2020 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Trump) 2020 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other Ancestries Reported - Arab (%) Ancestries Reported - Czech (%) Ancestries Reported - Danish (%) Ancestries Reported - Dutch (%) Ancestries Reported - English (%) Ancestries Reported - French (%) Ancestries Reported - French Canadian (%) Ancestries Reported - German (%) Ancestries Reported - Greek (%) Ancestries Reported - Hungarian (%) Ancestries Reported - Irish (%) Ancestries Reported - Italian (%) Ancestries Reported - Lithuanian (%) Ancestries Reported - Norwegian (%) Ancestries Reported - Polish (%) Ancestries Reported - Portuguese (%) Ancestries Reported - Russian (%) Ancestries Reported - Scotch-Irish (%) Ancestries Reported - Scottish (%) Ancestries Reported - Slovak (%) Ancestries Reported - Subsaharan African (%) Ancestries Reported - Swedish (%) Ancestries Reported - Swiss (%) Ancestries Reported - Ukrainian (%) Ancestries Reported - United States (%) Ancestries Reported - Welsh (%) Ancestries Reported - West Indian (%) Ancestries Reported - Other (%) Educational Attainment - No schooling completed (%) Educational Attainment - Less than high school (%) Educational Attainment - High school or equivalent (%) Educational Attainment - Less than 1 year of college (%) Educational Attainment - 1 or more years of college (%) Educational Attainment - Associate degree (%) Educational Attainment - Bachelor's degree (%) Educational Attainment - Master's degree (%) Educational Attainment - Professional school degree (%) Educational Attainment - Doctorate degree (%) School Enrollment - Nursery, preschool (%) School Enrollment - Kindergarten (%) School Enrollment - Grade 1 to 4 (%) School Enrollment - Grade 5 to 8 (%) School Enrollment - Grade 9 to 12 (%) School Enrollment - College undergrad (%) School Enrollment - Graduate or professional (%) School Enrollment - Not enrolled in school (%) School enrollment - Public schools (%) School enrollment - Private schools (%) School enrollment - Not enrolled (%) Median number of rooms in houses and condos Median number of rooms in apartments Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities (%) Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities (%) Density of houses Urban houses (%) Rural houses (%) Households with people 60 years and over (%) Households with people 65 years and over (%) Households with people 75 years and over (%) Households with one or more nonrelatives (%) Households with no nonrelatives (%) Population in households (%) Family households (%) Nonfamily households (%) Population in families (%) Family households with own children (%) Median number of bedrooms in owner occupied houses Mean number of bedrooms in owner occupied houses Median number of bedrooms in renter occupied houses Mean number of bedrooms in renter occupied houses Median number of vehichles in owner occupied houses Mean number of vehichles in owner occupied houses Median number of vehichles in renter occupied houses Mean number of vehichles in renter occupied houses Mortgage status - with mortgage (%) Mortgage status - with second mortgage (%) Mortgage status - with home equity loan (%) Mortgage status - with both second mortgage and home equity loan (%) Mortgage status - without a mortgage (%) Average family size Average family size - White Average family size - Black or African American Average family size - Asian Average family size - Hispanic or Latino Average family size - American Indian and Alaska Native Average family size - Multirace Average family size - Other Race Geographical mobility - Same house 1 year ago (%) Geographical mobility - Moved within same county (%) Geographical mobility - Moved from different county within same state (%) Geographical mobility - Moved from different state (%) Geographical mobility - Moved from abroad (%) Place of birth - Born in state of residence (%) Place of birth - Born in other state (%) Place of birth - Native, outside of US (%) Place of birth - Foreign born (%) Housing units in structures - 1, detached (%) Housing units in structures - 1, attached (%) Housing units in structures - 2 (%) Housing units in structures - 3 or 4 (%) Housing units in structures - 5 to 9 (%) Housing units in structures - 10 to 19 (%) Housing units in structures - 20 to 49 (%) Housing units in structures - 50 or more (%) Housing units in structures - Mobile home (%) Housing units in structures - Boat, RV, van, etc. (%) House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago) Renter moved in on average (years ago) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1999 to March 2000 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1995 to 1998 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1990 to 1994 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1980 to 1989 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1970 to 1979 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1969 or earlier (%) Means of transportation to work - Drove car alone (%) Means of transportation to work - Carpooled (%) Means of transportation to work - Public transportation (%) Means of transportation to work - Bus or trolley bus (%) Means of transportation to work - Streetcar or trolley car (%) Means of transportation to work - Subway or elevated (%) Means of transportation to work - Railroad (%) Means of transportation to work - Ferryboat (%) Means of transportation to work - Taxicab (%) Means of transportation to work - Motorcycle (%) Means of transportation to work - Bicycle (%) Means of transportation to work - Walked (%) Means of transportation to work - Other means (%) Working at home (%) Industry diversity Most Common Industries - Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining (%) Most Common Industries - Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (%) Most Common Industries - Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (%) Most Common Industries - Construction (%) Most Common Industries - Manufacturing (%) Most Common Industries - Wholesale trade (%) Most Common Industries - Retail trade (%) Most Common Industries - Transportation and warehousing, and utilities (%) Most Common Industries - Transportation and warehousing (%) Most Common Industries - Utilities (%) Most Common Industries - Information (%) Most Common Industries - Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing (%) Most Common Industries - Finance and insurance (%) Most Common Industries - Real estate and rental and leasing (%) Most Common Industries - Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services (%) Most Common Industries - Professional, scientific, and technical services (%) Most Common Industries - Management of companies and enterprises (%) Most Common Industries - Administrative and support and waste management services (%) Most Common Industries - Educational services, and health care and social assistance (%) Most Common Industries - Educational services (%) Most Common Industries - Health care and social assistance (%) Most Common Industries - Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services (%) Most Common Industries - Arts, entertainment, and recreation (%) Most Common Industries - Accommodation and food services (%) Most Common Industries - Other services, except public administration (%) Most Common Industries - Public administration (%) Occupation diversity Most Common Occupations - Management, business, science, and arts occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Management, business, and financial occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Management occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Business and financial operations occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Computer, engineering, and science occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Computer and mathematical occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Architecture and engineering occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Life, physical, and social science occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Education, legal, community service, arts, and media occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Community and social service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Legal occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Education, training, and library occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Health technologists and technicians (%) Most Common Occupations - Service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Healthcare support occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Protective service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Fire fighting and prevention, and other protective service workers including supervisors (%) Most Common Occupations - Law enforcement workers including supervisors (%) Most Common Occupations - Food preparation and serving related occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Personal care and service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Sales and office occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Sales and related occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Office and administrative support occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Construction and extraction occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Production occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Transportation occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Material moving occupations (%) People in Group quarters - Institutionalized population (%) People in Group quarters - Correctional institutions (%) People in Group quarters - Federal prisons and detention centers (%) People in Group quarters - Halfway houses (%) People in Group quarters - Local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups) (%) People in Group quarters - Military disciplinary barracks (%) People in Group quarters - State prisons (%) People in Group quarters - Other types of correctional institutions (%) People in Group quarters - Nursing homes (%) People in Group quarters - Hospitals/wards, hospices, and schools for the handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Hospitals/wards and hospices for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Hospices or homes for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Military hospitals or wards for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Other hospitals or wards for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Hospitals or wards for drug/alcohol abuse (%) People in Group quarters - Mental (Psychiatric) hospitals or wards (%) People in Group quarters - Schools, hospitals, or wards for the mentally retarded (%) People in Group quarters - Schools, hospitals, or wards for the physically handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Institutions for the deaf (%) People in Group quarters - Institutions for the blind (%) People in Group quarters - Orthopedic wards and institutions for the physically handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Wards in general hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere (%) People in Group quarters - Wards in military hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere (%) People in Group quarters - Juvenile institutions (%) People in Group quarters - Long-term care (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for abused, dependent, and neglected children (%) People in Group quarters - Residential treatment centers for emotionally disturbed children (%) People in Group quarters - Training schools for juvenile delinquents (%) People in Group quarters - Short-term care, detention or diagnostic centers for delinquent children (%) People in Group quarters - Type of juvenile institution unknown (%) People in Group quarters - Noninstitutionalized population (%) People in Group quarters - College dormitories (includes college quarters off campus) (%) People in Group quarters - Military quarters (%) People in Group quarters - On base (%) People in Group quarters - Barracks, unaccompanied personnel housing (UPH), (Enlisted/Officer), ;and similar group living quarters for military personnel (%) People in Group quarters - Transient quarters for temporary residents (%) People in Group quarters - Military ships (%) People in Group quarters - Group homes (%) People in Group quarters - Homes or halfway houses for drug/alcohol abuse (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for the mentally ill (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for the mentally retarded (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for the physically handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Other group homes (%) People in Group quarters - Religious group quarters (%) People in Group quarters - Dormitories (%) People in Group quarters - Agriculture workers' dormitories on farms (%) People in Group quarters - Job Corps and vocational training facilities (%) People in Group quarters - Other workers' dormitories (%) People in Group quarters - Crews of maritime vessels (%) People in Group quarters - Other nonhousehold living situations (%) People in Group quarters - Other noninstitutional group quarters (%) Residents speaking English at home (%) Residents speaking English at home - Born in the United States (%) Residents speaking English at home - Native, born elsewhere (%) Residents speaking English at home - Foreign born (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home - Born in the United States (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home - Native, born elsewhere (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home - Foreign born (%) Residents speaking other language at home (%) Residents speaking other language at home - Born in the United States (%) Residents speaking other language at home - Native, born elsewhere (%) Residents speaking other language at home - Foreign born (%) Class of Workers - Employee of private company (%) Class of Workers - Self-employed in own incorporated business (%) Class of Workers - Private not-for-profit wage and salary workers (%) Class of Workers - Local government workers (%) Class of Workers - State government workers (%) Class of Workers - Federal government workers (%) Class of Workers - Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business and Unpaid family workers (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Utility gas (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Bottled, tank, or LP gas (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Electricity (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Coal or coke (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Wood (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Solar energy (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Other fuel (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - No fuel used (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Utility gas (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Bottled, tank, or LP gas (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Electricity (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Coal or coke (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Wood (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Solar energy (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Other fuel (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - No fuel used (%) Armed forces status - In Armed Forces (%) Armed forces status - Civilian (%) Armed forces status - Civilian - Veteran (%) Armed forces status - Civilian - Nonveteran (%) Fatal accidents locations in years 2005-2019 Fatal accidents locations in 2005 Fatal accidents locations in 2006 Fatal accidents locations in 2007 Fatal accidents locations in 2008 Fatal accidents locations in 2009 Fatal accidents locations in 2010 Fatal accidents locations in 2011 Fatal accidents locations in 2012 Fatal accidents locations in 2013 Fatal accidents locations in 2014 Fatal accidents locations in 2015 Fatal accidents locations in 2016 Fatal accidents locations in 2017 Fatal accidents locations in 2018 Fatal accidents locations in 2019 Alcohol use - People drinking some alcohol every month (%) Alcohol use - People not drinking at all (%) Alcohol use - Average days/month drinking alcohol Alcohol use - Average drinks/week Alcohol use - Average days/year people drink much Audiometry - Average condition of hearing (%) Audiometry - People that can hear a whisper from across a quiet room (%) Audiometry - People that can hear normal voice from across a quiet room (%) Audiometry - Ears ringing, roaring, buzzing (%) Audiometry - Had a job exposure to loud noise (%) Audiometry - Had off-work exposure to loud noise (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Has high blood pressure (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Checking blood pressure at home (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Frequently checking blood cholesterol (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Has high cholesterol level (%) Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on food at supermarket/grocery store Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on food at other stores Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on eating out Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on carryout/delivered foods Consumer Behavior - Income spent on food at supermarket/grocery store (%) Consumer Behavior - Income spent on food at other stores (%) Consumer Behavior - Income spent on eating out (%) Consumer Behavior - Income spent on carryout/delivered foods (%) Current Health Status - General health condition (%) Current Health Status - Blood donors (%) Current Health Status - Has blood ever tested for HIV virus (%) Current Health Status - Left-handed people (%) Dermatology - People using sunscreen (%) Diabetes - Diabetics (%) Diabetes - Had a blood test for high blood sugar (%) Diabetes - People taking insulin (%) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Diet health (%) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Milk product consumption (# of products/month) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Meals not home prepared (#/week) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Meals from fast food or pizza place (#/week) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Ready-to-eat foods (#/month) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Frozen meals/pizza (#/month) Drug Use - People that ever used marijuana or hashish (%) Drug Use - Ever used hard drugs (%) Drug Use - Ever used any form of cocaine (%) Drug Use - Ever used heroin (%) Drug Use - Ever used methamphetamine (%) Health Insurance - People covered by health insurance (%) Kidney Conditions-Urology - Avg. # of times urinating at night Medical Conditions - People with asthma (%) Medical Conditions - People with anemia (%) Medical Conditions - People with psoriasis (%) Medical Conditions - People with overweight (%) Medical Conditions - Elderly people having difficulties in thinking or remembering (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever received blood transfusion (%) Medical Conditions - People having trouble seeing even with glass/contacts (%) Medical Conditions - People with arthritis (%) Medical Conditions - People with gout (%) Medical Conditions - People with congestive heart failure (%) Medical Conditions - People with coronary heart disease (%) Medical Conditions - People with angina pectoris (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever had heart attack (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever had stroke (%) Medical Conditions - People with emphysema (%) Medical Conditions - People with thyroid problem (%) Medical Conditions - People with chronic bronchitis (%) Medical Conditions - People with any liver condition (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever had cancer or malignancy (%) Mental Health - People who have little interest in doing things (%) Mental Health - People feeling down, depressed, or hopeless (%) Mental Health - People who have trouble sleeping or sleeping too much (%) Mental Health - People feeling tired or having little energy (%) Mental Health - People with poor appetite or overeating (%) Mental Health - People feeling bad about themself (%) Mental Health - People who have trouble concentrating on things (%) Mental Health - People moving or speaking slowly or too fast (%) Mental Health - People having thoughts they would be better off dead (%) Oral Health - Average years since last visit a dentist Oral Health - People embarrassed because of mouth (%) Oral Health - People with gum disease (%) Oral Health - General health of teeth and gums (%) Oral Health - Average days a week using dental floss/device Oral Health - Average days a week using mouthwash for dental problem Oral Health - Average number of teeth Pesticide Use - Households using pesticides to control insects (%) Pesticide Use - Households using pesticides to kill weeds (%) Physical Activity - People doing vigorous-intensity work activities (%) Physical Activity - People doing moderate-intensity work activities (%) Physical Activity - People walking or bicycling (%) Physical Activity - People doing vigorous-intensity recreational activities (%) Physical Activity - People doing moderate-intensity recreational activities (%) Physical Activity - Average hours a day doing sedentary activities Physical Activity - Average hours a day watching TV or videos Physical Activity - Average hours a day using computer Physical Functioning - People having limitations keeping them from working (%) Physical Functioning - People limited in amount of work they can do (%) Physical Functioning - People that need special equipment to walk (%) Physical Functioning - People experiencing confusion/memory problems (%) Physical Functioning - People requiring special healthcare equipment (%) Prescription Medications - Average number of prescription medicines taking Preventive Aspirin Use - Adults 40+ taking low-dose aspirin (%) Reproductive Health - Vaginal deliveries (%) Reproductive Health - Cesarean deliveries (%) Reproductive Health - Deliveries resulted in a live birth (%) Reproductive Health - Pregnancies resulted in a delivery (%) Reproductive Health - Women breastfeeding newborns (%) Reproductive Health - Women that had a hysterectomy (%) Reproductive Health - Women that had both ovaries removed (%) Reproductive Health - Women that have ever taken birth control pills (%) Reproductive Health - Women taking birth control pills (%) Reproductive Health - Women that have ever used Depo-Provera or injectables (%) Reproductive Health - Women that have ever used female hormones (%) Sexual Behavior - People 18+ that ever had sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever had vaginal sex with a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever performed oral sex on a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever had anal sex with a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever had any sex with a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever had vaginal sex with a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever performed oral sex on a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever had anal sex with a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever had any kind of sex with a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Average age people first had sex Sexual Behavior - Average number of female sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of female vaginal sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average age people first performed oral sex on a woman (18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of woman performed oral sex on in lifetime (18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male anal sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average age people first performed oral sex on a man (18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male oral sex partners in lifetime (18+) Sexual Behavior - People using protection when performing oral sex (%) Sexual Behavior - Average number of times people have vaginal or anal sex a year Sexual Behavior - People having sex without condom (%) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male sex partners in lifetime (females 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male vaginal sex partners in lifetime (females 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of female sex partners in lifetime (females 18+) Sexual Behavior - Circumcised males 18+ (%) Sleep Disorders - Average hours sleeping at night Sleep Disorders - People that has trouble sleeping (%) Smoking-Cigarette Use - People smoking cigarettes (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ having problems with smell (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ having problems with taste (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had wisdom teeth removed (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had tonsils teeth removed (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had a loss of consciousness because of a head injury (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had a broken nose or other serious injury to face or skull (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had two or more sinus infections (%) Weight - Average height (inches) Weight - Average weight (pounds) Weight - Average BMI Weight - People that are obese (%) Weight - People that ever were obese (%) Weight - People trying to lose weight (%) Settings Get link Loading data... Based on 2000-2020 data Loading data...

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According to our research of Iowa and other state lists, there were 2 registered sex offenders living in Hillsboro, Iowa as of November 22, 2021.

The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Hillsboro is 115 to 1.







Latest news from Hillsboro, IA collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: German (35.3%), American (28.4%), Czech (13.7%), Irish (13.7%), English (2.0%), Scottish (2.0%).

Current Local Time: CST time zone

Land area: 0.51 square miles. Population density: 348 people per square mile (very low).

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2019: $585 (1.5%)

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2019: $505 (1.4%)



Latitude: 40.84 N, Longitude: 91.71 W

Area code: 319

Unemployment in November 2020:

Here: 3.0% Iowa: 3.1%

Population change in the 1990s: +35 (+20.6%).

Most common industries in Hillsboro, IA (%) Both Males Females

Transportation equipment (10.1%)

Repair & maintenance (9.2%)

Metal & metal products (8.3%)

Health care (7.3%)

Educational services (5.5%)

Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, similar organizations (4.6%)

Paper (4.6%)

Transportation equipment (15.3%)

Repair & maintenance (13.9%)

Metal & metal products (12.5%)

Paper (6.9%)

Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, similar organizations (6.9%)

Machinery (5.6%)

Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (4.2%)

Health care (21.6%)

Educational services (16.2%)

Broadcasting & telecommunications (8.1%)

Accommodation & food services (8.1%)

Chemicals (5.4%)

Computer & electronic products (5.4%)

Miscellaneous manufacturing (5.4%) Most common occupations in Hillsboro, IA (%) Both Males Females

Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (9.2%)

Other production occupations, including supervisors (9.2%)

Laborers and material movers, hand (8.3%)

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers (7.3%)

Metal workers and plastic workers (5.5%)

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (5.5%)

Religious workers (4.6%)

Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (13.9%)

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers (11.1%)

Other production occupations, including supervisors (11.1%)

Laborers and material movers, hand (9.7%)

Metal workers and plastic workers (8.3%)

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (8.3%)

Religious workers (6.9%)

Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (13.5%)

Cooks and food preparation workers (13.5%)

Other healthcare support occupations (8.1%)

Secretaries and administrative assistants (8.1%)

Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (8.1%)

Other teachers, instructors, education, training, and library occupations (5.4%)

Media and communications workers (5.4%)

Average climate in Hillsboro, Iowa Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Air pollution and air quality trends

(lower is better) AQI NO 2 SO 2 Ozone PM 10 PM 2.5

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2018 was 64.2. This is about average. City: 64.2 U.S.: 74.2

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO 2 ) [ppb] level in 2018 was 2.19. This is significantly better than average. Closest monitor was 18.2 miles away from the city center. City: 2.19 U.S.: 5.56

Sulfur Dioxide (SO 2 ) [ppb] level in 2018 was 0.158. This is significantly better than average. Closest monitor was 14.9 miles away from the city center. City: 0.158 U.S.: 1.789

Ozone [ppb] level in 2018 was 32.7. This is about average. Closest monitor was 16.2 miles away from the city center. City: 32.7 U.S.: 33.3

Particulate Matter (PM 10 ) [g/m3] level in 2005 was 18.9. This is about average. Closest monitor was 17.9 miles away from the city center. City: 18.9 U.S.: 19.6

Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 ) [g/m3] level in 2018 was 7.11. This is about average. Closest monitor was 17.9 miles away from the city center. City: 7.11 U.S.: 8.46

Tornado activity: Hillsboro-area historical tornado activity is slightly below Iowa state average. It is 56% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 5/9/1959, a category F3 (max. wind speeds 158-206 mph) tornado 4.2 miles away from the Hillsboro city center injured one person and caused between $50,000 and $500,000 in damages. On 1/24/1967, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 29.1 miles away from the city center injured 2 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity: Hillsboro-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Iowa state average. It is 196% greater than the overall U.S. average.



On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.4 (5.1 MB, 4.8 MS, 5.4 MW, 5.2 MW, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 262.2 miles away from the city center

On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.2 (5.2 MW, Depth: 8.9 mi) earthquake occurred 262.2 miles away from Hillsboro center

On 6/10/1987 at 23:48:54, a magnitude 5.1 (4.9 MB, 4.4 MS, 4.6 MS, 5.1 LG) earthquake occurred 246.5 miles away from Hillsboro center

On 9/3/2016 at 12:02:44, a magnitude 5.8 (5.8 MW, Depth: 3.5 mi) earthquake occurred 415.2 miles away from Hillsboro center

On 9/26/1990 at 13:18:51, a magnitude 5.0 (4.7 MB, 4.8 LG, 5.0 LG, Depth: 7.7 mi) earthquake occurred 279.5 miles away from the city center

On 6/18/2002 at 17:37:15, a magnitude 5.0 (4.3 MB, 4.6 MW, 5.0 LG) earthquake occurred 288.1 miles away from the city center

Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters: The number of natural disasters in Henry County (14) is near the US average (15).

Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 13

Emergencies Declared: 1



Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 11, Storms: 8, Tornadoes: 5, Heavy Rain: 1, Hurricane: 1, Winter Storm: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).

Hospitals and medical centers near Hillsboro: SOUTHEASTERN RENAL DIALYSIS, L.C. - MOUNT PLEASANT (Dialysis Facility, about 12 miles away; MOUNT PLEASANT, IA)

HENRY COUNTY HEALTH CENTER (Nursing Home, about 12 miles away; MOUNT PLEASANT, IA)

HOSPICE OF CENTRAL IOWA-MT PLEASANT (Hospital, about 13 miles away; MOUNT PLEASANT, IA)

PLEASANT MANOR CARE CENTER (Nursing Home, about 13 miles away; MOUNT PLEASANT, IA)

MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE (Hospital, about 13 miles away; MOUNT PLEASANT, IA)

VAN BUREN COUNTY HOSPITAL Critical Access Hospitals (about 15 miles away; KEOSAUQUA, IA)

Critical Access Hospitals VAN BUREN COUNTY PHNS (Home Health Center, about 15 miles away; KEOSAUQUA, IA)

Amtrak station near Hillsboro: 13 miles: MOUNT PLEASANT (418 N. ADAMS ST.) . Services: ticket office, partially wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, vending machines, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for taxi service.

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Hillsboro: Southeastern Community College ( about 29 miles; West Burlington, IA ; Full-time enrollment: 2,251)

29 ; 2,251) Indian Hills Community College ( about 39 miles; Ottumwa, IA ; FT enrollment: 4,034)

39 ; 4,034) University of Iowa ( about 58 miles; Iowa City, IA ; FT enrollment: 24,735)

58 ; 24,735) Western Illinois University ( about 60 miles; Macomb, IL ; FT enrollment: 10,755)

60 ; 10,755) Truman State University ( about 64 miles; Kirksville, MO ; FT enrollment: 5,553)

64 ; 5,553) Kirkwood Community College ( about 75 miles; Cedar Rapids, IA ; FT enrollment: 11,503)

75 ; 11,503) Eastern Iowa Community College District (about 76 miles; Davenport, IA; FT enrollment: 5,507)

Library in Hillsboro: HILLSBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $8,680; Location: 100 W COMMERCIAL; 8,082 books; 59 audio materials; 714 video materials; 13 state licensed databases; 6 print serial subscriptions)

Henry County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Highest Potential

Drinking water stations with addresses in Hillsboro and their reported violations in the past: BONAPARTE WATER SUPPLY (Population served: 433, Purch surface water): Past monitoring violations: Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) - Between JUL-2007 and AUG-2007 , Contaminant: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) . Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (OCT-31-2007), St Formal NOV issued (OCT-31-2007), St Public Notif received (JUL-01-2008), St Compliance achieved (AUG-18-2008)

JUL-2007 AUG-2007 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) St Public Notif requested (OCT-31-2007), St Formal NOV issued (OCT-31-2007), St Public Notif received (JUL-01-2008), St Compliance achieved (AUG-18-2008) Follow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/R - In JUN-01-2005 , Contaminant: Lead and Copper Rule . Follow-up actions: St Formal NOV issued (NOV-22-2005), St Public Notif requested (NOV-22-2005), St Compliance achieved (JUL-03-2006)

JUN-01-2005 Lead and Copper Rule St Formal NOV issued (NOV-22-2005), St Public Notif requested (NOV-22-2005), St Compliance achieved (JUL-03-2006) One regular monitoring violation HILLSBORO WATER WORKS (Population served: 180, Purch groundwater): Past monitoring violations: Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) - Between JUL-2005 and AUG-2007 , Contaminant: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) . Follow-up actions: St Formal NOV issued (OCT-24-2007), St Public Notif requested (OCT-24-2007), St BCA signed (FEB-11-2008), St Public Notif received (JUL-28-2008), St Compliance achieved (AUG-18-2008)

JUL-2005 AUG-2007 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) St Formal NOV issued (OCT-24-2007), St Public Notif requested (OCT-24-2007), St BCA signed (FEB-11-2008), St Public Notif received (JUL-28-2008), St Compliance achieved (AUG-18-2008) One regular monitoring violation BONAPARTE WATER SUPPLY (433Purch surface water):HILLSBORO WATER WORKS (180Purch groundwater):

Average household size: This city: 2.3 people Iowa: 2.4 people

Percentage of family households: This city: 62.5% Whole state: 64.7%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners: This city: 11.3% Whole state: 6.7%



No gay or lesbian households reported





For population 15 years and over in Hillsboro: Never married: 38.7%

38.7% Now married: 41.8%

41.8% Separated: 2.0%

2.0% Widowed: 13.5%

13.5% Divorced: 4.0%

For population 25 years and over in Hillsboro: High school or higher: 88.9%

88.9% Bachelor's degree or higher: 2.6%

2.6% Graduate or professional degree: 0.9%

0.9% Unemployed: 4.4%

4.4% Mean travel time to work (commute): 29.0 minutes

Education Gini index (Inequality in education) Here: 6.2 Iowa average: 10.3



Religion statistics for Hillsboro, IA (based on Henry County data) Religion Adherents Congregations Mainline Protestant 5,334 22 Evangelical Protestant 2,572 23 Catholic 1,085 1 Other 331 3 None 10,823 - Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics: Number of grocery stores: 6 This county : 2.97 / 10,000 pop. Iowa : 2.14 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (no gas): 1 Henry County : 0.50 / 10,000 pop. Iowa : 0.43 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (with gas): 10 Here : 4.96 / 10,000 pop. State : 5.55 / 10,000 pop. Number of full-service restaurants: 19 Henry County : 9.42 / 10,000 pop. Iowa : 8.01 / 10,000 pop. Adult diabetes rate: Here : 7.8% Iowa : 7.8% Adult obesity rate: Here : 28.0% State : 27.3% Low-income preschool obesity rate: Henry County : 14.1% State : 14.5%

Local government employment and payroll (March 2017) Function Full-time employees Monthly full-time payroll Average yearly full-time wage Part-time employees Monthly part-time payroll Other Government Administration 0 $0 6 $720 Streets and Highways 0 $0 2 $40 Local Libraries 0 $0 3 $140 Water Supply 0 $0 1 $498 Financial Administration 0 $0 1 $1,063 Totals for Government 0 $0 13 $2,461

Expenditure Revenue Hillsboro government finances - Expenditure in 2017 (per resident): Construction - Solid Waste Management: $14,000 ($79.10)

$14,000 ($79.10) Current Operations - Water Utilities: $39,000 ($220.34) Sewerage: $28,000 ($158.19) Regular Highways: $23,000 ($129.94) Housing and Community Development: $14,000 ($79.10) General Public Buildings: $10,000 ($56.50) General - Other: $9,000 ($50.85) Local Fire Protection: $4,000 ($22.60) Parks and Recreation: $3,000 ($16.95) Financial Administration: $2,000 ($11.30) Judicial and Legal Services: $2,000 ($11.30) Central Staff Services: $2,000 ($11.30) Libraries: $2,000 ($11.30)

$39,000 ($220.34) General - Interest on Debt: $7,000 ($39.55)

$7,000 ($39.55) Other Capital Outlay - Local Fire Protection: $3,000 ($16.95)

$3,000 ($16.95) Total Salaries and Wages: $30,000 ($169.49) Hillsboro government finances - Revenue in 2017 (per resident): Charges - Sewerage: $35,000 ($197.74) Solid Waste Management: $20,000 ($112.99) Housing and Community Development: $14,000 ($79.10)

$35,000 ($197.74) Local Intergovernmental - Other: $31,000 ($175.14)

$31,000 ($175.14) Miscellaneous - Interest Earnings: $4,000 ($22.60)

$4,000 ($22.60) Revenue - Water Utilities: $44,000 ($248.59)

$44,000 ($248.59) State Intergovernmental - Highways: $16,000 ($90.40)

$16,000 ($90.40) Tax - Property: $40,000 ($225.99) General Sales and Gross Receipts: $14,000 ($79.10) Public Utilities Sales: $1,000 ($5.65) Hillsboro government finances - Debt in 2017 (per resident): Long Term Debt - Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $110,000 ($621.47) Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $94,000 ($531.07) Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $16,000 ($90.40) Hillsboro government finances - Cash and Securities in 2017 (per resident): Sinking Funds - Cash and Securities: $180,000 ($1016.95)

5.77% of this county's 2016 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2015 ($40,923 average adjusted gross income) Here: 5.77% Iowa average: 5.97% 10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries between 2015 and 2016.

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2015 and 2016:

from Des Moines County, IA 0.87% ($35,877 average AGI) from Washington County, IA 0.54% ($39,475) from Lee County, IA 0.43% ($37,031)



6.23% of this county's 2015 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2016 ($42,270 average adjusted gross income) Here: 6.23% Iowa average: 6.23% 10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries between 2015 and 2016.

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2015 and 2016:

to Des Moines County, IA 0.87% ($40,369 average AGI) to Washington County, IA 0.45% ($40,735) to Johnson County, IA 0.40% ($51,167)

Strongest AM radio stations in Hillsboro: WHO (1040 AM; 50 kW; DES MOINES, IA; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)

CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.) KXEL (1540 AM; 50 kW; WATERLOO, IA; Owner: KXEL BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.)

KXEL BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.) WSUI (910 AM; 5 kW; IOWA CITY, IA; Owner: THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA)

THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA) KCJJ (1630 AM; 10 kW; IOWA CITY, IA; Owner: RIVER CITY RADIO, INC.)

RIVER CITY RADIO, INC.) KILJ (1130 AM; daytime; 0 kW; MOUNT PLEASANT, IA; Owner: KILJ, INC.)

KILJ, INC.) WHB (810 AM; 50 kW; KANSAS CITY, MO; Owner: UNION BROADCASTING, INC.)

UNION BROADCASTING, INC.) KXEN (1010 AM; 50 kW; FESTUS-ST. LOUIS, MO; Owner: BDJ RADIO ENTERPRISES, LLC)

BDJ RADIO ENTERPRISES, LLC) WSCR (670 AM; 50 kW; CHICAGO, IL; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.)

INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.) WGN (720 AM; 50 kW; CHICAGO, IL; Owner: WGN CONTINENTAL BROADCASTING CO.)

WGN CONTINENTAL BROADCASTING CO.) KMOX (1120 AM; 50 kW; ST. LOUIS, MO; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.)

INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.) WTMJ (620 AM; 50 kW; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: JOURNAL BROADCAST CORPORATION)

JOURNAL BROADCAST CORPORATION) WBBM (780 AM; 50 kW; CHICAGO, IL; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.)

INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.) WLS (890 AM; 50 kW; CHICAGO, IL; Owner: WLS, INC.) Strongest FM radio stations in Hillsboro: KAYP (89.9 FM; BURLINGTON, IA; Owner: AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION)

AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION) KILJ-FM (105.5 FM; MOUNT PLEASANT, IA; Owner: KILJ, INC.)

KILJ, INC.) KOKX-FM (95.3 FM; KEOKUK, IA; Owner: W. RUSSELL WITHERS, JR.)

W. RUSSELL WITHERS, JR.) KKNL (97.3 FM; NEW LONDON, IA; Owner: PRITCHARD BROADCASTING CO.)

PRITCHARD BROADCASTING CO.) KRNQ (96.3 FM; KEOKUK, IA; Owner: DAVID M. LISTER)

DAVID M. LISTER) KRXL (94.5 FM; KIRKSVILLE, MO; Owner: KIRX, INC.)

KIRX, INC.) KDMG (103.1 FM; BURLINGTON, IA; Owner: PRITCHARD BROADCASTING COMPANY)

PRITCHARD BROADCASTING COMPANY) KIIK-FM (95.9 FM; FAIRFIELD, IA; Owner: FAIRFIELD MEIDA GROUP, INC.)

FAIRFIELD MEIDA GROUP, INC.) KBKB-FM (101.7 FM; FORT MADISON, IA; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.) TV broadcast stations around Hillsboro: KTVO ( Channel 3; KIRKSVILLE, MO; Owner: KTVO LICENSE SUBSIDIARY, INC.)

3; KIRKSVILLE, MO; KTVO LICENSE SUBSIDIARY, INC.) KGWB-TV ( Channel 26; BURLINGTON, IA; Owner: BURLINGTON TELEVISION ACQUISITION CORP.)

26; BURLINGTON, IA; BURLINGTON TELEVISION ACQUISITION CORP.) KYOU-TV ( Channel 15; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: WAITT BROADCASTING, INC.)

15; OTTUMWA, IA; WAITT BROADCASTING, INC.) K54AF ( Channel 54; KEOSAUQUA, ETC., IA; Owner: IOWA PUBLIC BROADCASTING BOARD)

54; KEOSAUQUA, ETC., IA; IOWA PUBLIC BROADCASTING BOARD) K38AB ( Channel 38; FORT MADISON, ETC., IA; Owner: IOWA PUBLIC BROADCASTING BOARD)

38; FORT MADISON, ETC., IA; IOWA PUBLIC BROADCASTING BOARD) K55GS (Channel 55; OTTUMWA, IA; Owner: MS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC)

National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics

16 Number of bridges

Number of bridges 174ft / 52.7m Total length

Total length 2,510 Total average daily traffic

Total average daily traffic 369 Total average daily truck traffic

Total average daily truck traffic 2,510 Total future (year 2035) average daily traffic

New bridges - historical statistics

1 1930-1939

4 1950-1959

2 1960-1969

3 1970-1979

1 1980-1989

2 1990-1999

2 2000-2009

1 2010-2018 See full National Bridge Inventory statistics for Hillsboro, IA



FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers: 1 Rr 1 10 Mi E Jct Hwy 1 & 16 On Hwy 16 (Lat: 40.700028 Lon: -91.748222), Call Sign: KNAN414, Licensee ID: L00026144,

Assigned Frequencies: 35.9800 MHz, Grant Date: 02/12/1996, Expiration Date: 03/21/2001, Cancellation Date: 05/27/2001, Registrant: Gary Page, Rr 1, Hillsboro, IA 52630, Phone: (319) 796-2278



Most common first names in Hillsboro, IA among deceased individuals Name Count Lived (average) William 4 83.2 years Ruth 4 84.7 years Dale 4 65.5 years Harold 4 73.5 years Dorothy 3 80.4 years Paul 3 73.4 years Rex 3 76.0 years James 3 63.3 years Richard 3 77.0 years Charles 3 83.4 years Most common last names in Hillsboro, IA among deceased individuals Last name Count Lived (average) Johnson 10 78.6 years Hoaglin 8 81.9 years Shelman 7 81.0 years Miller 4 80.8 years Ross 4 82.0 years Runyon 4 76.9 years Holtkamp 3 78.3 years Hixson 3 86.9 years Davis 3 83.3 years Coleman 3 73.7 years

Houses and condos Apartments 91.8% Bottled, tank, or LP gas

6.1% Wood

2.0% Utility gas 96.4% Bottled, tank, or LP gas

3.6% Electricity





Hillsboro compared to Iowa state average: Median household income below state average.

below Median house value significantly below state average.

significantly below Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Black race population percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Hispanic race population percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Length of stay since moving in above state average.

above House age above state average.

above Number of college students significantly below state average.

significantly below Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher significantly below state average.

no pilots and There arepilots and 1 other airmen in this city.

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Limerick, Maine

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Population in 2010: 2,892.

Population change since 2000: +29.1%

Males: 1,452 (50.2%) Females: 1,440 (49.8%)

Median resident age: 39.4 years Maine median age: 43.0 years

Zip codes: 04048.

Estimated median household income in 2019: $62,394 (it was $40,845 in 2000)

Limerick: $62,394 ME: $58,924

Estimated per capita income in 2019: $31,027 (it was $18,844 in 2000)



Limerick town income, earnings, and wages data



Estimated median house or condo value in 2019: $220,105 (it was $96,100 in 2000) Limerick: $220,105 ME: $200,500

Mean prices in 2019: all housing units: $317,665; detached houses: $335,961; townhouses or other attached units: $342,831; in 2-unit structures: $255,132; in 3-to-4-unit structures: $357,327; in 5-or-more-unit structures: $231,825; mobile homes: $73,375 $62,394 ($40,845$31,027 ($18,844$220,105 ($96,100$317,665;$335,961;$342,831;$255,132;$357,327;$231,825;$73,375

March 2019 cost of living index in Limerick: 108.6 (more than average, U.S. average is 100)

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2,790 96.5% White alone 41 1.4% Two or more races 29 1.0% Hispanic 16 0.6% American Indian alone 10 0.3% Black alone 6 0.2% Asian alone

Races in Limerick detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth





According to our research of Maine and other state lists, there were 7 registered sex offenders living in Limerick, Maine as of November 22, 2021.

The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Limerick is 413 to 1.

The ratio of registered sex offenders to all residents in this city is near the state average.







Latest news from Limerick, ME collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: English (23.8%), Irish (23.0%), French (17.9%), German (8.0%), Italian (7.9%), French Canadian (7.6%).

Current Local Time: EST time zone

Elevation: 596 feet

Land area: 27.1 square miles. Population density: 107 people per square mile (very low).

64 residents are foreign born (1.4% Europe, 1.1% North America). This town: 2.9% Maine: 2.9%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000: Limerick town: 1.3% ($1,224) Maine: 1.5% ($1,417)

Latitude: 43.68 N, Longitude: 70.77 W

Area code: 207

Single-family new house construction building permits: 1997: 17 buildings , average cost: $61,200

17 $61,200 1998: 17 buildings , average cost: $61,200

17 $61,200 1999: 19 buildings , average cost: $61,200

19 $61,200 2001: 27 buildings , average cost: $80,400

27 $80,400 2002: 57 buildings , average cost: $90,900

57 $90,900 2003: 61 buildings , average cost: $114,800

61 $114,800 2004: 43 buildings , average cost: $118,900

43 $118,900 2005: 47 buildings , average cost: $111,700

47 $111,700 2006: 19 buildings , average cost: $128,500

19 $128,500 2007: 22 buildings , average cost: $103,600

22 $103,600 2008: 10 buildings , average cost: $118,000

10 $118,000 2009: 6 buildings , average cost: $110,800

6 $110,800 2010: 10 buildings , average cost: $129,000

10 $129,000 2011: 2 buildings , average cost: $95,000

2 $95,000 2012: 2 buildings , average cost: $103,000

2 $103,000 2013: 5 buildings , average cost: $119,600

5 $119,600 2014: 4 buildings , average cost: $110,000

4 $110,000 2015: 5 buildings , average cost: $101,000

5 $101,000 2016: 19 buildings , average cost: $120,400

19 $120,400 2017: 18 buildings , average cost: $120,400

18 $120,400 2018: 23 buildings , average cost: $191,300

23 $191,300 2019: 24 buildings, average cost: $191,700

Unemployment in November 2020:

Here: 4.7% Maine: 4.7%

Most common industries in Limerick, ME (%) Both Males Females

Health care (10.4%)

Construction (9.0%)

Educational services (9.0%)

Professional, scientific, technical services (5.2%)

Accommodation & food services (4.1%)

Food & beverage stores (4.0%)

Metal & metal products (3.8%)

Construction (15.5%)

Health care (5.3%)

Administrative & support & waste management services (5.0%)

Computer & electronic products (4.8%)

Public administration (4.8%)

Metal & metal products (4.5%)

Wood products (3.5%)

Health care (16.8%)

Educational services (16.4%)

Professional, scientific, technical services (7.5%)

Accommodation & food services (5.8%)

Food & beverage stores (5.6%)

Social assistance (5.2%)

Finance & insurance (5.0%) Most common occupations in Limerick, ME (%) Both Males Females

Other production occupations, including supervisors (4.5%)

Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (4.5%)

Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing workers (4.2%)

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (3.4%)

Metal workers and plastic workers (3.3%)

Secretaries and administrative assistants (3.2%)

Engineers (3.0%)

Other production occupations, including supervisors (6.4%)

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (5.8%)

Engineers (5.5%)

Laborers and material movers, hand (4.8%)

Metal workers and plastic workers (4.8%)

Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (4.6%)

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers (4.1%)

Secretaries and administrative assistants (7.3%)

Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (5.8%)

Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (5.6%)

Registered nurses (5.4%)

Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing workers (4.8%)

Cashiers (3.9%)

Other teachers, instructors, education, training, and library occupations (3.3%)

Average climate in Limerick, Maine Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Air pollution and air quality trends

(lower is better) AQI Ozone

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2018 was 54.7. This is better than average. City: 54.7 U.S.: 74.2

Ozone [ppb] level in 2018 was 29.1. This is about average. Closest monitor was 7.4 miles away from the city center. City: 29.1 U.S.: 33.3

Tornado activity: Limerick-area historical tornado activity is significantly above Maine state average. It is 71% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 10/10/1966, a category F2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado 17.5 miles away from the Limerick town center caused between $5000 and $50,000 in damages. On 7/18/1963, a category F2 tornado 22.2 miles away from the town center caused between $5000 and $50,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity: Limerick-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Maine state average. It is 73% smaller than the overall U.S. average.



On 10/16/2012 at 23:12:25, a magnitude 4.7 (4.7 ML, Depth: 10.0 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 8.3 miles away from the city center

On 4/20/2002 at 10:50:47, a magnitude 5.3 (5.3 ML, Depth: 3.0 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 156.2 miles away from Limerick center

On 1/19/1982 at 00:14:42, a magnitude 4.7 (4.5 MB, 4.7 MD, 4.5 LG) earthquake occurred 43.4 miles away from the city center

On 4/20/2002 at 10:50:47, a magnitude 5.2 (5.2 MB, 4.2 MS, 5.2 MW, 5.0 MW) earthquake occurred 156.6 miles away from Limerick center

On 10/7/1983 at 10:18:46, a magnitude 5.3 (5.1 MB, 5.3 LG, 5.1 ML) earthquake occurred 179.1 miles away from the city center

On 8/21/1996 at 07:54:14, a magnitude 3.8 (3.8 LG, 3.6 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 45.1 miles away from Limerick center

Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), duration magnitude (MD), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters: The number of natural disasters in York County (31) is a lot greater than the US average (15).

Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 23

Emergencies Declared: 8



Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 21, Storms: 16, Winter Storms: 6, Snows: 5, Winds: 3, Heavy Rains: 2, Hurricanes: 2, Blizzard: 1, Ice Storm: 1, Mudslide: 1, Snowfall: 1, Snowstorm: 1, Tornado: 1, Tropical Storm: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Limerick: Saint Joseph's College of Maine ( about 18 miles; Standish, ME ; Full-time enrollment: 2,010)

18 ; 2,010) University of New England ( about 25 miles; Biddeford, ME ; FT enrollment: 4,539)

25 ; 4,539) University of Southern Maine ( about 25 miles; Portland, ME ; FT enrollment: 6,647)

25 ; 6,647) Southern Maine Community College ( about 28 miles; South Portland, ME ; FT enrollment: 4,666)

28 ; 4,666) University of New Hampshire-Main Campus ( about 39 miles; Durham, NH ; FT enrollment: 15,243)

39 ; 15,243) Plymouth State University ( about 47 miles; Plymouth, NH ; FT enrollment: 4,838)

47 ; 4,838) NHTI-Concord's Community College (about 50 miles; Concord, NH; FT enrollment: 2,865)

Library in Limerick: LIMERICK PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $51,481; Location: 55 WASHINGTON STREET; 17,795 books; 602 audio materials; 939 video materials; 1 local licensed databases; 52 other licensed databases; 12 print serial subscriptions)

Birthplace of: Annie Carroll Moore - Children's writer, Alpheus Felch - Politician.

York County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Highest Potential

Drinking water stations with addresses in Limerick and their reported violations in the past: LIMERICK WATER DISTRICT (Population served: 600, Groundwater): Past monitoring violations: Water Quality Parameter M/R - Between JAN-2006 and JUN-2006 , Contaminant: Lead and Copper Rule . Follow-up actions: St Violation/Reminder Notice (JUL-17-2006), St Compliance achieved (JUL-28-2006)

JAN-2006 JUN-2006 Lead and Copper Rule St Violation/Reminder Notice (JUL-17-2006), St Compliance achieved (JUL-28-2006) Initial Tap Sampling for Pb and Cu - In JUL-11-2004, Contaminant: Lead and Copper Rule. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (FEB-23-2005), St Violation/Reminder Notice (FEB-23-2005), St Public Notif received (APR-08-2005), St Compliance achieved (APR-22-2005) LIMERICK MOBILE HOME PARK (Population served: 275, Groundwater): Past health violations: MCL, Average - Between JUL-2013 and SEP-2013, Contaminant: Arsenic. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (SEP-20-2013), St Formal NOV issued (SEP-20-2013), St Public Notif received (OCT-22-2013) Past monitoring violations: Follow-up Or Routine LCR Tap M/R - In JAN-01-2008, Contaminant: Lead and Copper Rule. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (MAR-11-2008), St Formal NOV issued (MAR-11-2008), St Compliance achieved (MAR-09-2009), St Public Notif received (MAR-09-2009) LIMERICK WATER DISTRICT (600Groundwater):LIMERICK MOBILE HOME PARK (275Groundwater):

Average household size: This town: 2.6 people Maine: 2.3 people

Percentage of family households: This town: 73.0% Whole state: 62.9%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners: This town: 10.1% Whole state: 9.4%



Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households) Lesbian couples: 0.4% of all households

0.4% Gay men: 0.0% of all households Residents with income below the poverty level in 2009:

This town: 9.5% Whole state: 10.9% Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level in 2009:

This town: 3.2% Whole state: 4.1%

10 people in group homes intended for adults in 2010

5 people in homes for the mentally retarded in 2000

Banks with branches in Limerick (2011 data): Sanford Institution for Savings: Limerick Branch at 31 Main Street, branch established on 1933/12/11. Info updated 2010/01/06: Bank assets: $433.1 mil, Deposits: $320.0 mil, headquarters in Sanford, ME, positive income, Commercial Lending Specialization, 8 total offices, Holding Company: Sis Bancorp, Mhc

For population 15 years and over in Limerick: Never married: 21.4%

21.4% Now married: 58.6%

58.6% Separated: 1.0%

1.0% Widowed: 6.7%

6.7% Divorced: 12.3%

For population 25 years and over in Limerick: High school or higher: 88.4%

88.4% Bachelor's degree or higher: 19.9%

19.9% Graduate or professional degree: 4.0%

4.0% Unemployed: 4.6%

4.6% Mean travel time to work (commute): 38.5 minutes

Education Gini index (Inequality in education) Here: 9.6 Maine average: 11.2



Religion statistics for Limerick, ME (based on York County data) Religion Adherents Congregations Catholic 40,283 16 Mainline Protestant 11,480 64 Evangelical Protestant 6,086 51 Other 1,847 18 Orthodox 625 3 Black Protestant 119 1 None 136,691 - Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics: Number of grocery stores: 45 Here : 2.24 / 10,000 pop. State : 2.80 / 10,000 pop. Number of supercenters and club stores: 1 York County : 0.05 / 10,000 pop. Maine : 0.14 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (no gas): 42 Here : 2.09 / 10,000 pop. Maine : 2.20 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (with gas): 85 York County : 4.23 / 10,000 pop. Maine : 5.75 / 10,000 pop. Number of full-service restaurants: 252 York County : 12.53 / 10,000 pop. Maine : 11.02 / 10,000 pop. Adult diabetes rate: York County : 7.7% State : 8.2% Adult obesity rate: York County : 24.0% Maine : 25.0%

6.41% of this county's 2016 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2015 ($56,229 average adjusted gross income) Here: 6.41% Maine average: 5.91% 0.06% of residents moved from foreign countries ($389 average AGI) York County: 0.06% Maine average: 0.04%

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2015 and 2016:

from Cumberland County, ME 1.67% ($44,353 average AGI) from Strafford County, NH 0.57% ($49,083) from Rockingham County, NH 0.45% ($67,251)



5.79% of this county's 2015 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2016 ($56,896 average adjusted gross income) Here: 5.79% Maine average: 5.73% 0.07% of residents moved to foreign countries ($393 average AGI) York County: 0.07% Maine average: 0.06%

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2015 and 2016:

to Cumberland County, ME 1.45% ($51,464 average AGI) to Strafford County, NH 0.53% ($58,471) to Rockingham County, NH 0.37% ($65,396)

Businesses in Limerick, ME H&R Block: 1

Strongest AM radio stations in Limerick: WMTW (870 AM; 10 kW; GORHAM, ME; Owner: RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.)

RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.) WGAN (560 AM; 5 kW; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC)

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC) WGIN (930 AM; 10 kW; ROCHESTER, NH; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) WRKO (680 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC)

ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC) WZAN (970 AM; 5 kW; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC)

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC) WJAE (1440 AM; 5 kW; WESTBROOK, ME; Owner: ALTANTIC COAST RADIO, LLC)

ALTANTIC COAST RADIO, LLC) WLOB (1310 AM; 5 kW; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: ATLANTIC COAST RADIO, LLC)

ATLANTIC COAST RADIO, LLC) WASR (1420 AM; 5 kW; WOLFEBORO, NH; Owner: RADIO WOLFEBORO, INC.)

RADIO WOLFEBORO, INC.) WEEI (850 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC)

ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC) WBZ (1030 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.)

INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.) WCRN (830 AM; 50 kW; WORCESTER, MA; Owner: CARTER BROADCASTING CORPORATION)

CARTER BROADCASTING CORPORATION) WKOX (1200 AM; 50 kW; FRAMINGHAM, MA; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) WWZN (1510 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: ROSE CITY RADIO CORPORATION) Strongest FM radio stations in Limerick: WMEA (90.1 FM; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORPORATION)

MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORPORATION) WSCY (106.9 FM; MOULTONBOROUGH, NH; Owner: NORTHEAST COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)

NORTHEAST COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION) WBLM (102.9 FM; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WPKQ (103.7 FM; NORTH CONWAY, NH; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WHOM (94.9 FM; MT. WASHINGTON, NH; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WVFM (105.7 FM; CAMPTON, NH; Owner: DEVON BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.)

DEVON BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.) WPHX-FM (92.1 FM; SANFORD, ME; Owner: FNX BROADCASTING LLC)

FNX BROADCASTING LLC) WSEW (88.5 FM; SANFORD, ME; Owner: WORD RADIO EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION)

WORD RADIO EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION) WJBQ (97.9 FM; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WLKZ (104.9 FM; WOLFEBORO, NH; Owner: TELE-MEDIA COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, L.L.C.)

TELE-MEDIA COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, L.L.C.) WTHT (107.5 FM; LEWISTON, ME; Owner: RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.)

RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.) WPOR (101.9 FM; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC)

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC) WMEX (106.5 FM; FARMINGTON, NH; Owner: WIMMEX, LLC)

WIMMEX, LLC) WMTW-FM (106.7 FM; NORTH WINDHAM, ME; Owner: RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.)

RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.) WCYY (94.3 FM; BIDDEFORD, ME; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WRED (95.9 FM; SACO, ME; Owner: ATLANTIC COAST RADIO, LLC)

ATLANTIC COAST RADIO, LLC) WMSJ (89.3 FM; FREEPORT, ME; Owner: DOWNEAST CHRISTIAN COMMUNICATIONS)

DOWNEAST CHRISTIAN COMMUNICATIONS) WMEK-FM (99.9 FM; AUBURN, ME; Owner: RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.)

RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.) WUBB (95.3 FM; YORK CENTER, ME; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) WNHI (93.3 FM; BELMONT, NH; Owner: CONCORD BROADCASTING, L.L.C.) TV broadcast stations around Limerick: WMTW-TV ( Channel 8; POLAND SPRING, ME; Owner: WMTW BROADCAST GROUP, LLC)

8; POLAND SPRING, ME; WMTW BROADCAST GROUP, LLC) WCSH ( Channel 6; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: PACIFIC AND SOUTHERN COMPANY, INC.)

6; PORTLAND, ME; PACIFIC AND SOUTHERN COMPANY, INC.) WMEA-TV ( Channel 26; BIDDEFORD, ME; Owner: MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORP.)

26; BIDDEFORD, ME; MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORP.) WGME-TV ( Channel 13; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: WGME LICENSEE, LLC)

13; PORTLAND, ME; WGME LICENSEE, LLC) WPXT ( Channel 51; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: HMW, INC.)

51; PORTLAND, ME; HMW, INC.) WPME ( Channel 35; LEWISTON, ME; Owner: KB PRIME MEDIA LLC)

35; LEWISTON, ME; KB PRIME MEDIA LLC) W32CA (Channel 32; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: NATIONAL MINORITY T.V., INC.)

Limerick fatal accident statistics for 1975 - 2019

See more detailed statistics of Limerick fatal car crashes and road traffic accidents for 1975 - 2019 here

National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics

9 Number of bridges

Number of bridges 33ft / 10.4m Total length

Total length 9,669 Total average daily traffic

Total average daily traffic 480 Total average daily truck traffic

Total average daily truck traffic 14,429 Total future (year 2036) average daily traffic



FCC Registered Antenna Towers: 3 Mark L Gartley, 131 John & Marie Drive ( Lat: 43.689417 Lon: -70.785111), Type: 47.2, Overall height: 45.7 m, Registrant: Holland & Knight LLP, Pconnolly@hklaw.Com, , Washi-ngton, Phone: (202) 862-5989

43.689417 -70.785111), 47.2, 45.7 m, Holland & Knight LLP, Pconnolly@hklaw.Com, , Washi-ngton, (202) 862-5989 Mark L Gartley, 131 John & Marie Drive ( Lat: 43.689417 Lon: -70.785111), Type: 47.2, Overall height: 45.7 m, Registrant: Holland & Knight LLP, Pconnolly@hklaw.Com, , Washi-ngton, Phone: (202) 862-5989

43.689417 -70.785111), 47.2, 45.7 m, Holland & Knight LLP, Pconnolly@hklaw.Com, , Washi-ngton, (202) 862-5989 Michael J Umano, Off Elm Street (Lat: 43.665278 Lon: -70.829444), Type: 60.9, Overall height: 59.4 m, Registrant: Kevin.Delaney@induscom.Com, Phone: (781) 319-1011

FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers: 1 School St (Lat: 43.683417 Lon: -70.791167), Call Sign: KNFM421, Licensee ID: L00124117,

Assigned Frequencies: 33.8600 MHz, Grant Date: 05/01/2012, Expiration Date: 04/29/2022, Registrant: Limerick, Town Of, School St, Limerick, ME 04048, Phone: (207) 793-2687

FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses: 24 (



FAA Registered Aircraft: 7 Aircraft: ENGINEERING & RESEARCH 415-D ( Category: Land, Seats: 2, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds, Speed: 90 mph), Engine: CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES (85 HP) (Reciprocating)

N-Number: 169WS, N169WS, N-169WS, Serial Number: 856, Year manufactured: 1946, Airworthiness Date: 09/09/1976, Certificate Issue Date: 05/12/1990

Registrant (Individual): Walter W Jr Lanoue, 34 Quarry Rd, Limerick, ME 04048

ENGINEERING & RESEARCH 415-D ( Land, 2, Up to 12,499 Pounds, 90 mph), CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES (85 HP) (Reciprocating) 169WS, N169WS, N-169WS, 856, 1946, 09/09/1976, 05/12/1990 Walter W Jr Lanoue, 34 Quarry Rd, Limerick, ME 04048 Aircraft: SMITH MINIPLANE DSA-1 ( Category: Land, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds, Speed: 86 mph), Engine: LYCOMING 0-290 SERIES (140 HP) (Reciprocating)

N-Number: 4756G, N4756G, N-4756G, Serial Number: G-1, Year manufactured: 1973, Airworthiness Date: 05/05/1980, Certificate Issue Date: 04/10/1998

Registrant (Individual): Randy M Oliver, 421 Elm St, Limerick, ME 04048

SMITH MINIPLANE DSA-1 ( Land, Up to 12,499 Pounds, 86 mph), LYCOMING 0-290 SERIES (140 HP) (Reciprocating) 4756G, N4756G, N-4756G, G-1, 1973, 05/05/1980, 04/10/1998 Randy M Oliver, 421 Elm St, Limerick, ME 04048 Aircraft: CESSNA 172E ( Category: Land, Seats: 4, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds, Speed: 105 mph), Engine: CONT MOTOR 0-300 SER (145 HP) (Reciprocating)

N-Number: 5723T, N5723T, N-5723T, Serial Number: 17251623, Year manufactured: 1964, Airworthiness Date: 05/21/1964, Certificate Issue Date: 06/04/2014

Registrant (Individual): David R Coleman, 15 Clarks Bridge Rd, Limerick, ME 04048

CESSNA 172E ( Land, 4, Up to 12,499 Pounds, 105 mph), CONT MOTOR 0-300 SER (145 HP) (Reciprocating) 5723T, N5723T, N-5723T, 17251623, 1964, 05/21/1964, 06/04/2014 David R Coleman, 15 Clarks Bridge Rd, Limerick, ME 04048 Aircraft: CESSNA 172A ( Category: Land, Seats: 4, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds, Speed: 105 mph), Engine: CONT MOTOR 0-300 SER (145 HP) (Reciprocating)

N-Number: 7602T, N7602T, N-7602T, Serial Number: 47202, Year manufactured: 1959, Airworthiness Date: 12/31/1959, Certificate Issue Date: 01/07/2015

Registrant (Individual): David R Coleman, 15 Clarks Bridge Rd, Limerick, ME 04048

CESSNA 172A ( Land, 4, Up to 12,499 Pounds, 105 mph), CONT MOTOR 0-300 SER (145 HP) (Reciprocating) 7602T, N7602T, N-7602T, 47202, 1959, 12/31/1959, 01/07/2015 David R Coleman, 15 Clarks Bridge Rd, Limerick, ME 04048 Aircraft: PIPER PA-12 ( Category: Land, Seats: 3, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds, Speed: 82 mph), Engine: Reciprocating

N-Number: 7726H, N7726H, N-7726H, Serial Number: 12-622, Airworthiness Date: 10/02/1957, Certificate Issue Date: 08/08/2013

Registrant (Individual): Randy M Oliver, 421 Elm St, Limerick, ME 04048

PIPER PA-12 ( Land, 3, Up to 12,499 Pounds, 82 mph), Reciprocating 7726H, N7726H, N-7726H, 12-622, 10/02/1957, 08/08/2013 Randy M Oliver, 421 Elm St, Limerick, ME 04048 Aircraft: BELL ANDY SKYRAIDER II ( Category: Land, Seats: 2, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds), Engine: AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG (Reciprocating)

N-Number: 90AB, N90AB, N-90AB, Serial Number: SRII014, Airworthiness Date: 04/23/2002, Certificate Issue Date: 11/12/2020

Registrant (Individual): Jeffrey D Georgia, 50 Island Rd, Limerick, ME 04048

BELL ANDY SKYRAIDER II ( Land, 2, Up to 12,499 Pounds), AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG (Reciprocating) 90AB, N90AB, N-90AB, SRII014, 04/23/2002, 11/12/2020 Jeffrey D Georgia, 50 Island Rd, Limerick, ME 04048 Aircraft: ROYALL DAN M JR CHRISTEN EAGLE-II (Category: Land, Seats: 2, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds), Engine: LYCOMING AEIO-360 SER (180 HP) (Reciprocating)

N-Number: 916DR, N916DR, N-916DR, Serial Number: ROYALL-0001, Year manufactured: 1981, Airworthiness Date: 11/12/1981, Certificate Issue Date: 10/04/2005

Registrant (Individual): Randy M Oliver, 421 Elm St, Limerick, ME 04048

24 ( See the full list of FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses in Limerick

2004 - 2018 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) incidents According to the data from the years 2004 - 2018 the average number of fires per year is 16. The highest number of fire incidents - 27 took place in 2017, and the least - 4 in 2004. The data has an increasing trend.



Fire incident types reported to NFIRS in Limerick, ME



141 57.6% Structure Fires



67 27.3% Outside Fires



21 8.6% Mobile Property/Vehicle Fires



16 6.5% Other When looking into fire subcategories, the most incidents belonged to: Structure Fires (57.6%), and Outside Fires (27.3%). See full National Fire Incident Reporting System statistics for Limerick, ME

Houses and condos Apartments 84.3% Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.

10.5% Wood

3.2% Bottled, tank, or LP gas

1.4% Electricity

0.6% Utility gas 81.8% Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.

12.3% Bottled, tank, or LP gas

3.9% Wood

1.9% Electricity





Limerick compared to Maine state average: Unemployed percentage below state average.

below Black race population percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Renting percentage below state average.

below Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.

significantly above Number of rooms per house significantly below state average.

significantly below House age significantly below state average.

significantly below Number of college students below state average.

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Montague, Massachusetts

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Population in 2010: 8,437.

Population change since 2000: -0.6%

8,437.-0.6%

Males: 4,106 (48.7%) Females: 4,331 (51.3%)

Median resident age: 43.1 years Massachusetts median age: 39.2 years

Zip codes: 01351.

Estimated median household income in 2019: $49,686 (it was $33,750 in 2000)

Montague: $49,686 MA: $85,843

Estimated per capita income in 2019: $30,622 (it was $17,794 in 2000)



Montague town income, earnings, and wages data



Estimated median house or condo value in 2019: $226,870 (it was $112,600 in 2000) Montague: $226,870 MA: $418,600

Mean prices in 2019: all housing units: $268,897; detached houses: $277,997; townhouses or other attached units: $201,124; in 2-unit structures: $201,850; in 3-to-4-unit structures: $507,464; in 5-or-more-unit structures: $115,616; mobile homes: $72,385 $49,686 ($33,750$30,622 ($17,794$226,870 ($112,600$268,897;$277,997;$201,124;$201,850;$507,464;$115,616;$72,385

March 2019 cost of living index in Montague: 115.4 (more than average, U.S. average is 100)

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7,621 90.3% White alone 438 5.2% Hispanic 197 2.3% Two or more races 81 1.0% Black alone 67 0.8% Asian alone 15 0.2% American Indian alone 17 0.2% Other race alone 1 0.01% Native Hawaiian and Other

Pacific Islander alone

Races in Montague detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth





According to our research of Massachusetts and other state lists, there were 11 registered sex offenders living in Montague, Massachusetts as of November 22, 2021.

The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Montague is 767 to 1.





Crime rates in Montague by year Type 2006 2007 2008 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Murders

(per 100,000) 0

(0.0) 1

(12.0) 0

(0.0) 0

(0.0) 0

(0.0) 0

(0.0) 0

(0.0) 0

(0.0) 0

(0.0) 0

(0.0) 0

(0.0) 0

(0.0) 0

(0.0) Rapes

(per 100,000) 1

(11.8) 3

(35.9) 7

(84.2) 10

(124.3) 0

(0.0) 7

(82.0) 4

(47.5) 3

(35.9) 2

(24.1) 3

(36.4) 8

(97.4) 5

(60.7) 4

(48.2) Robberies

(per 100,000) 2

(23.6) 2

(23.9) 2

(24.0) 1

(12.4) 4

(47.1) 1

(11.7) 3

(35.6) 9

(107.6) 4

(48.2) 5

(60.7) 0

(0.0) 2

(24.3) 4

(48.2) Assaults

(per 100,000) 35

(413.8) 17

(203.4) 40

(480.9) 22

(273.5) 56

(659.8) 30

(351.3) 38

(451.4) 43

(514.0) 68

(819.3) 49

(594.5) 56

(682.0) 51

(619.3) 41

(494.1) Burglaries

(per 100,000) 58

(685.7) 59

(705.8) 59

(709.3) 47

(584.2) 75

(883.6) 81

(948.5) 72

(855.3) 56

(669.5) 44

(530.1) 65

(788.6) 51

(621.1) 22

(267.2) 18

(216.9) Thefts

(per 100,000) 90

(1,064) 87

(1,041) 116

(1,395) 84

(1,044) 132

(1,555) 127

(1,487) 147

(1,746) 140

(1,674) 127

(1,530) 111

(1,347) 71

(864.7) 71

(862.2) 64

(771.3) Auto thefts

(per 100,000) 13

(153.7) 5

(59.8) 11

(132.2) 7

(87.0) 6

(70.7) 6

(70.3) 3

(35.6) 4

(47.8) 6

(72.3) 2

(24.3) 4

(48.7) 2

(24.3) 2

(24.1) Arson

(per 100,000) 1

(11.8) 2

(23.9) 6

(72.1) 7

(87.0) 3

(35.3) 2

(23.4) 2

(23.8) 5

(59.8) 2

(24.1) 3

(36.4) 0

(0.0) 1

(12.1) 0

(0.0) City-Data.com crime index 202.2 196.3 286.7 247.5 275.8 270.8 271.6 281.4 301.7 277.2 296.3 234.9 199.8 The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. Higher means more crime, U.S. average is 270.6. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. Click on a table row to update graph

Crime rate in Montague detailed stats: murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, arson



Full-time law enforcement employees in 2019, including police officers: 21 (17 officers).

Officers per 1,000 residents here: 2.05 Massachusetts average: 2.37



Latest news from Montague, MA collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: Polish (21.1%), French (16.8%), English (14.6%), Irish (14.3%), German (9.2%), French Canadian (6.6%).

Current Local Time: EST time zone

Elevation: 235 feet

Land area: 30.4 square miles. Population density: 278 people per square mile (very low).

349 residents are foreign born (1.9% Europe, 1.2% Asia, 0.5% Latin America, 0.5% North America). This town: 4.1% Massachusetts: 12.2%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000: Montague town: 1.6% ($1,748) Massachusetts: 1.3% ($2,336)

Latitude: 42.57 N, Longitude: 72.54 W

Area code: 413

Single-family new house construction building permits: 1997: 20 buildings , average cost: $113,800

20 $113,800 1998: 15 buildings , average cost: $105,700

15 $105,700 1999: 26 buildings , average cost: $109,800

26 $109,800 2000: 15 buildings , average cost: $128,600

15 $128,600 2001: 13 buildings , average cost: $131,600

13 $131,600 2002: 17 buildings , average cost: $124,000

17 $124,000 2003: 18 buildings , average cost: $124,000

18 $124,000 2004: 11 buildings , average cost: $176,600

11 $176,600 2005: 19 buildings , average cost: $160,000

19 $160,000 2006: 11 buildings , average cost: $174,500

11 $174,500 2007: 8 buildings , average cost: $139,600

8 $139,600 2008: 5 buildings , average cost: $165,500

5 $165,500 2009: 4 buildings , average cost: $150,000

4 $150,000 2010: 4 buildings , average cost: $141,300

4 $141,300 2011: 1 building , cost: $150,000

1 $150,000 2012: 2 buildings , average cost: $277,500

2 $277,500 2014: 2 buildings , average cost: $178,500

2 $178,500 2015: 7 buildings , average cost: $226,800

7 $226,800 2017: 5 buildings , average cost: $220,000

5 $220,000 2018: 2 buildings , average cost: $356,100

2 $356,100 2019: 4 buildings, average cost: $227,500

Unemployment in November 2020:

Here: 7.3% Massachusetts: 6.2%

Most common industries in Montague, MA (%) Both Males Females

Educational services (19.3%)

Health care (11.8%)

Construction (6.6%)

Metal & metal products (3.9%)

Public administration (3.8%)

Accommodation & food services (3.6%)

Miscellaneous manufacturing (3.6%)

Educational services (14.1%)

Construction (12.7%)

Metal & metal products (5.9%)

Public administration (4.7%)

Miscellaneous manufacturing (4.6%)

Health care (4.2%)

Administrative & support & waste management services (3.7%)

Educational services (24.8%)

Health care (19.9%)

Accommodation & food services (4.5%)

Social assistance (4.3%)

Finance & insurance (4.3%)

Food & beverage stores (4.2%)

Department & other general merchandise stores (3.1%) Most common occupations in Montague, MA (%) Both Males Females

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (5.1%)

Other production occupations, including supervisors (4.5%)

Secretaries and administrative assistants (3.8%)

Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (3.7%)

Metal workers and plastic workers (3.3%)

Retail sales workers, except cashiers (3.0%)

Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing workers (2.9%)

Other production occupations, including supervisors (6.6%)

Metal workers and plastic workers (5.3%)

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (4.8%)

Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (4.7%)

Laborers and material movers, hand (4.0%)

Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters (3.9%)

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (3.8%)

Secretaries and administrative assistants (7.4%)

Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (5.6%)

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (5.5%)

Information and record clerks, except customer service representatives (5.2%)

Registered nurses (4.8%)

Cooks and food preparation workers (4.5%)

Cashiers (3.6%)

Average climate in Montague, Massachusetts Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Air pollution and air quality trends

(lower is better) AQI SO 2 Ozone PM 2.5

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2018 was 68.6. This is about average. City: 68.6 U.S.: 74.2

Sulfur Dioxide (SO 2 ) [ppb] level in 2018 was 0.353. This is significantly better than average. Closest monitor was 3.1 miles away from the city center. City: 0.353 U.S.: 1.789

Ozone [ppb] level in 2018 was 24.6. This is better than average. Closest monitor was 0.4 miles away from the city center. City: 24.6 U.S.: 33.3

Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 ) [g/m3] level in 2018 was 5.97. This is significantly better than average. Closest monitor was 4.0 miles away from the city center. City: 5.97 U.S.: 8.46

Tornado activity: Montague-area historical tornado activity is above Massachusetts state average. It is 12% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 6/9/1953, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 19.9 miles away from the Montague town center killed 90 people and injured 1228 people and caused between $50,000,000 and $500,000,000 in damages. On 10/3/1979, a category F4 tornado 36.9 miles away from the town center killed 3 people and injured 500 people and caused between $50,000,000 and $500,000,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity: Montague-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Massachusetts state average. It is 70% smaller than the overall U.S. average.



On 10/7/1983 at 10:18:46, a magnitude 5.3 (5.1 MB, 5.3 LG, 5.1 ML, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 132.0 miles away from Montague center

On 4/20/2002 at 10:50:47, a magnitude 5.3 (5.3 ML, Depth: 3.0 mi) earthquake occurred 146.5 miles away from Montague center

On 4/20/2002 at 10:50:47, a magnitude 5.2 (5.2 MB, 4.2 MS, 5.2 MW, 5.0 MW) earthquake occurred 145.3 miles away from Montague center

On 1/19/1982 at 00:14:42, a magnitude 4.7 (4.5 MB, 4.7 MD, 4.5 LG, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 79.9 miles away from Montague center

On 10/16/2012 at 23:12:25, a magnitude 4.7 (4.7 ML, Depth: 10.0 mi) earthquake occurred 118.6 miles away from the city center

On 10/2/1994 at 11:27:22, a magnitude 3.7 (3.5 LG, 3.7 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 20.3 miles away from the city center

Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), duration magnitude (MD), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters: The number of natural disasters in Franklin County (20) is greater than the US average (15).

Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 9

Emergencies Declared: 10



Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 5, Storms: 5, Hurricanes: 4, Snowstorms: 4, Winter Storms: 3, Blizzards: 2, Snows: 2, Snowfall: 1, Tropical Storm: 1, Wind: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).

Hospitals and medical centers near Montague: NURSE'S HOUSE CALL - GREENFIELD (Home Health Center, about 4 miles away; GREENFIELD, MA)

YANKEE FAMILY DIALYSIS CENTER (Dialysis Facility, about 4 miles away; GREENFIELD, MA)

POET'S SEAT HEALTH CARE CENTER (Nursing Home, about 4 miles away; GREENFIELD, MA)

BAYSTATE FRANKLIN MEDICAL CENTER Acute Care Hospitals (about 4 miles away; GREENFIELD, MA)

Acute Care Hospitals HOSPICE OF FRANKLIN COUNTY (Hospital, about 4 miles away; GREENFIELD, MA)

GENTIVA HEALTH SERVICES (Home Health Center, about 4 miles away; GREENFIELD, MA)

HOME CARE PRN INC (Home Health Center, about 4 miles away; GREENFIELD, MA)

Airports located in Montague: Turners Falls Airport (0B5) (Runways: 1, Air Taxi Ops: 100, Itinerant Ops: 5,000, Local Ops: 12,500)

Amtrak stations near Montague: 14 miles: AMHERST (RAILROAD ST.) . Services: enclosed waiting area, public payphones, free short-term parking, paid long-term parking, call for car rental service, call for taxi service, public transit connection.

AMHERST (RAILROAD ST.) . enclosed waiting area, public payphones, free short-term parking, paid long-term parking, call for car rental service, call for taxi service, public transit connection. 19 miles: BRATTLEBORO (VERNON RD.) . Services: enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, call for car rental service, call for taxi service.

Operable nuclear power plant near Montague: 14 miles: Vermont Yankee in Vernon, VT.



Local government website: www.montague.net

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Montague: University of Massachusetts-Amherst ( about 13 miles; Amherst, MA ; Full-time enrollment: 26,583)

13 ; 26,583) Smith College ( about 19 miles; Northampton, MA ; FT enrollment: 3,549)

19 ; 3,549) Mount Holyoke College ( about 22 miles; South Hadley, MA ; FT enrollment: 2,573)

22 ; 2,573) Holyoke Community College ( about 27 miles; Holyoke, MA ; FT enrollment: 4,911)

27 ; 4,911) Keene State College ( about 28 miles; Keene, NH ; FT enrollment: 5,098)

28 ; 5,098) Mount Wachusett Community College ( about 29 miles; Gardner, MA ; FT enrollment: 3,143)

29 ; 3,143) Franklin Pierce University (about 29 miles; Rindge, NH; FT enrollment: 2,139) Public high school in Montague: TURNERS FALL HIGH (Students: 384, Location: 222 TURNPIKE RD, Grades: 9-12) Public elementary/middle school in Montague: GREAT FALLS MIDDLE (Students: 178, Location: 224 TURNPIKE RD, Grades: 6-8) See full list of schools located in Montague

Birthplace of: John W. Haigis - Politician, Cornelia Clapp - Zoologist, Samuel L. Montague - Politician, James F. Powers - Politician.

Franklin County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Moderate Potential

Drinking water stations with addresses in Montague and their reported violations in the past: MONTAGUE CENTER WATER DISTRICT (Population served: 450, Groundwater): Past monitoring violations: One regular monitoring violation MONTAGUE CENTER WATER DISTRICT (450Groundwater):

Average household size: This town: 2.3 people Massachusetts: 2.5 people

Percentage of family households: This town: 57.1% Whole state: 63.0%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners: This town: 10.1% Whole state: 7.0%



Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households) Lesbian couples: 1.1% of all households

1.1% Gay men: 0.2% of all households Residents with income below the poverty level in 2009:

This town: 13.1% Whole state: 9.3% Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level in 2009:

This town: 3.8% Whole state: 4.4%

people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities in 2010

20 people in emergency and transitional shelters (with sleeping facilities) for people experiencing homelessness in 2010

People in group quarters in Montague in 2000: 117 people in nursing homes

19 people in other nonhousehold living situations

3 people in homes or halfway houses for drug/alcohol abuse

3 people in other group homes

2 people in other noninstitutional group quarters 121in 201020in 2010

For population 15 years and over in Montague: Never married: 25.3%

25.3% Now married: 50.0%

50.0% Separated: 2.7%

2.7% Widowed: 8.2%

8.2% Divorced: 13.7%

For population 25 years and over in Montague: High school or higher: 84.0%

84.0% Bachelor's degree or higher: 19.0%

19.0% Graduate or professional degree: 7.6%

7.6% Unemployed: 5.8%

5.8% Mean travel time to work (commute): 23.0 minutes

Education Gini index (Inequality in education) Here: 11.5 Massachusetts average: 13.1



Religion statistics for Montague, MA (based on Franklin County data) Religion Adherents Congregations Catholic 16,509 15 Mainline Protestant 4,617 38 Evangelical Protestant 2,079 20 Other 1,580 21 None 46,587 - Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics: Number of grocery stores: 26 Franklin County : 3.63 / 10,000 pop. State : 1.98 / 10,000 pop. Number of supercenters and club stores: 1 Franklin County : 0.14 / 10,000 pop. Massachusetts : 0.05 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (no gas): 12 This county : 1.67 / 10,000 pop. Massachusetts : 2.22 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (with gas): 23 Franklin County : 3.21 / 10,000 pop. Massachusetts : 1.77 / 10,000 pop. Number of full-service restaurants: 58 Franklin County : 8.10 / 10,000 pop. Massachusetts : 8.76 / 10,000 pop. Adult diabetes rate: Franklin County : 7.5% Massachusetts : 8.1% Adult obesity rate: Here : 22.2% Massachusetts : 22.5% Low-income preschool obesity rate: This county : 15.1% State : 16.5%

5.49% of this county's 2016 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2015 ($45,963 average adjusted gross income) Here: 5.49% Massachusetts average: 5.79% 10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries between 2015 and 2016.

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2015 and 2016:

from Hampshire County, MA 1.59% ($43,790 average AGI) from Worcester County, MA 0.66% ($34,201) from Hampden County, MA 0.44% ($40,594)



6.07% of this county's 2015 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2016 ($42,410 average adjusted gross income) Here: 6.07% Massachusetts average: 6.31% 10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries between 2015 and 2016.

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2015 and 2016:

to Hampshire County, MA 1.39% ($42,432 average AGI) to Worcester County, MA 0.78% ($38,071) to Hampden County, MA 0.50% ($35,000)

Strongest AM radio stations in Montague: WIZZ (1520 AM; daytime; 10 kW; GREENFIELD, MA; Owner: P. & M. RADIO, LLC)

P. & M. RADIO, LLC) WNNZ (640 AM; 50 kW; WESTFIELD, MA; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)

CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.) WHMQ (1240 AM; 1 kW; GREENFIELD, MA; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC)

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC) WCRN (830 AM; 50 kW; WORCESTER, MA; Owner: CARTER BROADCASTING CORPORATION)

CARTER BROADCASTING CORPORATION) WVNE (760 AM; daytime; 25 kW; LEICESTER, MA; Owner: BLOUNT MASSCOM, INC.)

BLOUNT MASSCOM, INC.) WCAT (700 AM; daytime; 3 kW; ORANGE-ATHOL, MA; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WPNI (1430 AM; 5 kW; AMHERST, MA; Owner: WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS RADIO COMPANY)

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS RADIO COMPANY) WRKO (680 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC)

ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC) WTIC (1080 AM; 50 kW; HARTFORD, CT; Owner: INFINITY RADIO OPERATIONS INC.)

INFINITY RADIO OPERATIONS INC.) WEEI (850 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC)

ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC) WALE (990 AM; 50 kW; GREENVILLE, RI; Owner: NORTH AMERICAN BROADCASTING CO., INC.)

NORTH AMERICAN BROADCASTING CO., INC.) WKOX (1200 AM; 50 kW; FRAMINGHAM, MA; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) WHYN (560 AM; 5 kW; SPRINGFIELD, MA; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.) Strongest FM radio stations in Montague: WHAI (98.3 FM; GREENFIELD, MA; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC)

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC) WGAJ (91.7 FM; DEERFIELD, MA; Owner: TRUATEES OF DEERFIELD ACADEMY)

TRUATEES OF DEERFIELD ACADEMY) WRSI (93.9 FM; TURNERS FALLS, MA; Owner: GREAT NORTHERN RADIO, LLC)

GREAT NORTHERN RADIO, LLC) WPVQ (95.3 FM; GREENFIELD, MA; Owner: GREAT NORTHERN RADIO, L.L.C.)

GREAT NORTHERN RADIO, L.L.C.) WFCR (88.5 FM; AMHERST, MA; Owner: UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS)

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS) WAMC-FM (90.3 FM; ALBANY, NY; Owner: WAMC)

WAMC) WAMH (89.3 FM; AMHERST, MA; Owner: TRUSTEES OF AMHERST COLLEGE)

TRUSTEES OF AMHERST COLLEGE) WYRY (104.9 FM; HINSDALE, NH; Owner: TRI-VALLEY BROADCASTING CORPORATION)

TRI-VALLEY BROADCASTING CORPORATION) WJDF (97.3 FM; ORANGE, MA; Owner: DEANE BROTHERS BROADCASTING CORP.)

DEANE BROTHERS BROADCASTING CORP.) WHYN-FM (93.1 FM; SPRINGFIELD, MA; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)

CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.) W246AM (97.1 FM; AMHERST, MA; Owner: GREAT NORTHERN RADIO, LLC)

GREAT NORTHERN RADIO, LLC) WVAY (100.7 FM; WILMINGTON, VT; Owner: GREAT NORTHERN RADIO, L.L.C.)

GREAT NORTHERN RADIO, L.L.C.) WRNX (100.9 FM; AMHERST, MA; Owner: WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS RADIO COMPANY)

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS RADIO COMPANY) WEQX (102.7 FM; MANCHESTER, VT; Owner: NORTHSHIRE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)

NORTHSHIRE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.) WRSY (101.5 FM; MARLBORO, VT; Owner: GREAT NORTHERN RADIO, L.L.C.)

GREAT NORTHERN RADIO, L.L.C.) WJAN (95.1 FM; SUNDERLAND, VT; Owner: 6 JOHNSON ROAD LICENSES, INC.)

6 JOHNSON ROAD LICENSES, INC.) WOQL (98.7 FM; WINCHESTER, NH; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, LLC)

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, LLC) WLZX (99.3 FM; NORTHAMPTON, MA; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC)

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC) WFEX (92.1 FM; PETERBOROUGH, NH; Owner: FNX BROADCASTING OF NEW HAMPSHIRE LLC)

FNX BROADCASTING OF NEW HAMPSHIRE LLC) WHDQ (106.1 FM; CLAREMONT, NH; Owner: GREAT NORTHERN RADIO, L.L.C.) TV broadcast stations around Montague: WYDN ( Channel 48; WORCESTER, MA; Owner: EDUCATIONAL PUBLIC TV CORPORATION)

48; WORCESTER, MA; EDUCATIONAL PUBLIC TV CORPORATION) WUNI ( Channel 27; WORCESTER, MA; Owner: ENTRAVISION HOLDINGS, LLC)

27; WORCESTER, MA; ENTRAVISION HOLDINGS, LLC) W35BK (Channel 35; PLAINFIELD, MA; Owner: LYDIA SYLVANE STOCKWELL)

Montague fatal accident statistics for 1975 - 2019

See more detailed statistics of Montague fatal car crashes and road traffic accidents for 1975 - 2019 here

National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics

18 Number of bridges

Number of bridges 151ft / 45.5m Total length

Total length $30,085,000 Total costs

Total costs 40,143 Total average daily traffic

Total average daily traffic 2,601 Total average daily truck traffic

Total average daily truck traffic 60,296 Total future (year 2031) average daily traffic

New bridges - historical statistics

1 Before 1900

1 1910-1919

7 1930-1939

2 1950-1959

1 1960-1969

1 1980-1989

1 1990-1999

3 2000-2009

1 2010-2018 See full National Bridge Inventory statistics for Montague, MA



FCC Registered Antenna Towers: 6 Christopher J Mahoney, Federal Street ( Lat: 42.519556 Lon: -72.525611), Type: 48.9, Overall height: 48.9 m, Registrant: National Grid Communications, Inc., Martin.Cohen@gridcom.Com, , Westb-orough, Phone: (508) 389-3000

42.519556 -72.525611), 48.9, 48.9 m, National Grid Communications, Inc., Martin.Cohen@gridcom.Com, , Westb-orough, (508) 389-3000 Christopher F Ciolfi, Federal Street ( Lat: 42.519556 Lon: -72.525611), Type: 48.9, Overall height: 48.9 m, Registrant: National Grid Communications, Inc., Martin.Cohen@gridcom.Com, , Westb-orough, Phone: (508) 389-3000

42.519556 -72.525611), 48.9, 48.9 m, National Grid Communications, Inc., Martin.Cohen@gridcom.Com, , Westb-orough, (508) 389-3000 Christopher F Ciolfi, Federal Street ( Lat: 42.519556 Lon: -72.525611), Type: 48.9, Overall height: 48.9 m, Registrant: National Grid Communications, Inc., Laura.Room@us.Ngridwireless.Com, , Boxbo-rough, Phone: (978) 264-6030

42.519556 -72.525611), 48.9, 48.9 m, National Grid Communications, Inc., Laura.Room@us.Ngridwireless.Com, , Boxbo-rough, (978) 264-6030 Edward G Roach, Federal Street ( Lat: 42.519556 Lon: -72.525611), Type: 48.9, Overall height: 48.9 m, Registrant: Sba Towers Ii LLC, Eroach@sbasite.Com, , Boca -Raton, Phone: (561) 995-7670

42.519556 -72.525611), 48.9, 48.9 m, Sba Towers Ii LLC, Eroach@sbasite.Com, , Boca -Raton, (561) 995-7670 Edward G Roach, 12 Woodland Dr. (Ma13725-A) ( Lat: 42.519556 Lon: -72.525611), Type: 51.8, Structure height: 25011 m, Overall height: 48.5 m, Registrant: Sba Towers Ii LLC, Eroach@sbasite.Com, , Boca -Raton, Phone: (561) 995-7670

42.519556 -72.525611), 51.8, 25011 m, 48.5 m, Sba Towers Ii LLC, Eroach@sbasite.Com, , Boca -Raton, (561) 995-7670 Edward G Roach, 12 Woodland Dr. (Ma13725-A) (Lat: 42.519556 Lon: -72.525611), Type: 51.8, Structure height: 25011 m, Overall height: 48.5 m, Registrant: Sba Towers Ii LLC, Eroach@sbasite.Com, , Boca -Raton, Phone: (561) 995-7670

FCC Registered Broadcast Land Mobile Towers: 4 Cabot Generating Station ( Lat: 42.587583 Lon: -72.579250), Call Sign: KCC214, Licensee ID: L00007153,

Assigned Frequencies: 47.9800 MHz, Grant Date: 11/24/1998, Expiration Date: 11/24/2003, Cancellation Date: 07/12/2002, Registrant: Northeast Utilities Service Company, Hartford, CT 06141-0270

42.587583 -72.579250), KCC214, L00007153, 47.9800 MHz, 11/24/1998, 11/24/2003, 07/12/2002, Northeast Utilities Service Company, Hartford, CT 06141-0270 No 1 Gate House Main St Turners Falls ( Lat: 42.610083 Lon: -72.554250), Type: Tower, Structure height: 19 m, Call Sign: KTS486,

Assigned Frequencies: 48.0400 MHz, Grant Date: 10/29/2003, Expiration Date: 11/24/2013, Cancellation Date: 01/11/2006, Registrant: Keller And Heckman LLP, 1001 G Street Nw Suite 500 West, Washington, DC 20001, Phone: (202) 434-4130, Fax: (202) 434-4646, Email:

42.610083 -72.554250), Tower, 19 m, KTS486, 48.0400 MHz, 10/29/2003, 11/24/2013, 01/11/2006, Keller And Heckman LLP, 1001 G Street Nw Suite 500 West, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 434-4130, (202) 434-4646, Cabot Generating Sta ( Lat: 42.587583 Lon: -72.579250), Call Sign: WNJQ740,

Assigned Frequencies: 37.6000 MHz, Grant Date: 05/30/2012, Expiration Date: 08/12/2022, Certifier: Stephen Herman, Registrant: Firstlight Power Resources Services, LLC, 99 Millers Falls Road, Northfield, MA 01360, Phone: (413) 536-9531, Fax: (413) 536-9513, Email:

42.587583 -72.579250), WNJQ740, 37.6000 MHz, 05/30/2012, 08/12/2022, Stephen Herman, Firstlight Power Resources Services, LLC, 99 Millers Falls Road, Northfield, MA 01360, (413) 536-9531, (413) 536-9513, No 1 Gate House Main St Turners Falls (Lat: 42.610083 Lon: -72.554250), Call Sign: WNPL252, Licensee ID: L00007153,

Assigned Frequencies: 37.6000 MHz, Grant Date: 11/24/1998, Expiration Date: 11/24/2003, Cancellation Date: 07/12/2002, Registrant: Northeast Utilities Service Company, Hartford, CT 06141-0270, Phone: (203) 634-5748

FCC Registered Microwave Towers: 5 STATION, Turners Falls ( Lat: 42.610639 Lon: -72.553417), Structure height: 6.1 m, Call Sign: WNTQ635,

Assigned Frequencies: 22025.0 MHz, Grant Date: 01/05/2008, Expiration Date: 03/18/2018, Cancellation Date: 05/19/2018, Certifier: Stephen Herman, Registrant: Firstlight Power Resources Services, LLC, 99 Millers Falls Road, Northfield, MA 01360, Phone: (413) 536-9531, Fax: (413) 536-9513, Email:

42.610639 -72.553417), 6.1 m, WNTQ635, 22025.0 MHz, 01/05/2008, 03/18/2018, 05/19/2018, Stephen Herman, Firstlight Power Resources Services, LLC, 99 Millers Falls Road, Northfield, MA 01360, (413) 536-9531, (413) 536-9513, CABOT, Cabot Generating Station ( Lat: 42.587583 Lon: -72.578972), Type: Bant, Structure height: 18.3 m, Call Sign: WNTT678,

Assigned Frequencies: 6790.00 MHz, 5974.85 MHz, 5974.85 MHz, 5974.85 MHz, 5974.85 MHz, Grant Date: 05/17/2019, Expiration Date: 06/23/2029, Certifier: Stephen Herman, Registrant: Firstlight Power Resources Services, LLC, 99 Millers Falls Rd, Northfield, MA 01360, Phone: (413) 659-4416, Fax: (413) 659-4409, Email:

42.587583 -72.578972), Bant, 18.3 m, WNTT678, 6790.00 MHz, 5974.85 MHz, 5974.85 MHz, 5974.85 MHz, 5974.85 MHz, 05/17/2019, 06/23/2029, Stephen Herman, Firstlight Power Resources Services, LLC, 99 Millers Falls Rd, Northfield, MA 01360, (413) 659-4416, (413) 659-4409, COUNTRY HILL, Off Ellis Rd ( Lat: 42.561111 Lon: -72.475889), Type: Tower, Structure height: 21.3 m, Call Sign: WPRU301,

Assigned Frequencies: 942.375 MHz, Grant Date: 12/24/2020, Expiration Date: 01/30/2031, Certifier: Richard Hanlon, Registrant: Massachusetts, Commonwealth Of, 470 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA 01702, Phone: (774) 462-3767, Email:

42.561111 -72.475889), Tower, 21.3 m, WPRU301, 942.375 MHz, 12/24/2020, 01/30/2031, Richard Hanlon, Massachusetts, Commonwealth Of, 470 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA 01702, (774) 462-3767, COUNTRY HILL, County Hill ( Montague, Ma ) ( Lat: 42.560833 Lon: -72.475889), Type: Mast, Structure height: 30 m, Call Sign: WQDV762,

Assigned Frequencies: 10618.7 MHz, Grant Date: 08/12/2015, Expiration Date: 11/09/2025, Certifier: Linda Dunlavy, Registrant: Franklin Regional Council Of Governments, 12 Olive Street, Suite 2, Greenfield, MA 01301, Phone: (413) 774-3167, Fax: (413) 774-3169, Email:

42.560833 -72.475889), Mast, 30 m, WQDV762, 10618.7 MHz, 08/12/2015, 11/09/2025, Linda Dunlavy, Franklin Regional Council Of Governments, 12 Olive Street, Suite 2, Greenfield, MA 01301, (413) 774-3167, (413) 774-3169, COUNTRY HILL, Off Ellis Road (Lat: 42.561111 Lon: -72.475889), Type: Tower, Structure height: 36.6 m, Call Sign: WQNC857,

Assigned Frequencies: 6197.24 MHz, 6226.89 MHz, 6560.00 MHz, Grant Date: 09/29/2020, Expiration Date: 12/21/2030, Certifier: Charles B Sutherland, Registrant: Massachusetts, Commonwealth Of, 470 Worcester Rd., Framingham, MA 01702, Phone: (774) 462-3767, Email:

FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses: 14 (

14 ( See the full list of FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses in Montague

2002 - 2018 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) incidents According to the data from the years 2002 - 2018 the average number of fire incidents per year is 8. The highest number of fires - 19 took place in 2010, and the least - 2 in 2004. The data has a rising trend.



Fire incident types reported to NFIRS in Montague, MA



72 52.6% Structure Fires



59 43.1% Outside Fires



4 2.9% Other



2 1.5% Mobile Property/Vehicle Fires When looking into fire subcategories, the most incidents belonged to: Structure Fires (52.6%), and Outside Fires (43.1%). See full National Fire Incident Reporting System statistics for Montague, MA

Houses and condos Apartments 68.6% Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.

13.7% Utility gas

8.5% Electricity

5.3% Wood

3.6% Bottled, tank, or LP gas

0.3% Coal or coke 39.0% Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.

24.1% Electricity

22.0% Utility gas

8.9% Bottled, tank, or LP gas

2.7% Wood

1.7% Other fuel

1.5% No fuel used





Montague compared to Massachusetts state average: Median household income below state average.

below Median house value below state average.

below Unemployed percentage below state average.

below Black race population percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Hispanic race population percentage below state average.

below Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.

significantly above Number of rooms per house significantly below state average.

significantly below House age significantly below state average.

significantly below Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher below state average.

Montague on our top lists: #4 on the list of "Top 101 cities with largest percentage of males in occupations: pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters (population 5,000+)"

#11 on the list of "Top 101 cities with largest percentage of males in industries: fuel dealers (population 5,000+)"

#26 on the list of "Top 101 cities with largest percentage of females in industries: sewing, needlework, and piece goods stores (population 5,000+)"

#27 on the list of "Top 101 cities with largest percentage of males in industries: miscellaneous manufacturing (population 5,000+)"

#32 on the list of "Top 101 cities with largest percentage of males in industries: sewing, needlework, and piece goods stores (population 5,000+)"

#36 on the list of "Top 101 cities with largest percentage of males in industries: private households (population 5,000+)"

#38 on the list of "Top 101 cities with largest percentage of males in industries: rail transportation (population 5,000+)"

#46 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the largest percentage of likely lesbian couples (counted as self-reported female-female unmarried-partner households) (population 5,000+)"

#47 on the list of "Top 101 cities with largest percentage of females in occupations: business operations specialists (population 5,000+)"

#49 on the list of "Top 101 cities with largest percentage of males in industries: other direct selling establishments (population 5,000+)"

#54 on the list of "Top 101 cities with largest percentage of males in occupations: other teachers and instructors, education, training, and library occupations (population 5,000+)"

#56 on the list of "Top 101 cities with largest percentage of males in occupations: food processing workers (population 5,000+)"

#57 on the list of "Top 101 cities with largest percentage of males in occupations: painters and paperhangers (population 5,000+)"

#58 on the list of "Top 101 cities with largest percentage of females in occupations: cooks and food preparation workers (population 5,000+)"

#64 on the list of "Top 101 cities with largest percentage of males in industries: plastics and rubber products (population 5,000+)"

#74 on the list of "Top 101 cities with largest percentage of males in industries: health and personal care, except drug, stores (population 5,000+)"

#82 on the list of "Top 101 cities with largest percentage of females in industries: furniture and home furnishings, and household appliance stores (population 5,000+)"

#85 on the list of "Top 101 cities with largest percentage of males in industries: music stores (population 5,000+)"

#98 on the list of "Top 101 cities with largest percentage of females in industries: motor vehicles, parts and supplies merchant wholesalers (population 5,000+)"

#101 on the list of "Top 101 cities with largest percentage of males in industries: book stores and news dealers (population 5,000+)" #21 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents that drank alcohol in the past 30 days"

#65 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest average weight of females"

#84 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest surface withdrawal of fresh water for public supply (pop. 50,000+)"

#88 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the best general health status score of residents (1-5), 3 years of data"

#92 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents that smoked 100+ cigarettes in their lives"

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Neapolis, Ohio

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Population in 2010: 423.

Males: 229 (54.4%) Females: 194 (45.6%)

Median resident age: 50.9 years Ohio median age: 39.6 years

Zip codes: 43547.

Estimated median household income in 2019: $49,448

Neapolis: $49,448 OH: $58,642

Estimated per capita income in 2019: $29,871



Neapolis CDP income, earnings, and wages data



Estimated median house or condo value in 2019: $124,200 Neapolis: $124,200 OH: $157,200

Mean prices in 2019: all housing units: $138,839; detached houses: $188,489; mobile homes: $65,081 $49,448$29,871$124,200$138,839;$188,489;$65,081

Median gross rent in 2019: $770.

March 2019 cost of living index in Neapolis: 84.9 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)

Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2019: 12.8%

(10.2% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 30.2% for Hispanic or Latino residents)

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Most recent value % change since 2k Data: Median household income ($) Median household income (% change since 2000) Household income diversity Ratio of average income to average house value (%) Ratio of average income to average rent Median household income ($) - White Median household income ($) - Black or African American Median household income ($) - Asian Median household income ($) - Hispanic or Latino Median household income ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native Median household income ($) - Multirace Median household income ($) - Other Race Median household income for houses/condos with a mortgage ($) Median household income for apartments without a mortgage ($) Races - White alone (%) Races - White alone (% change since 2000) Races - Black alone (%) Races - Black alone (% change since 2000) Races - American Indian alone (%) Races - American Indian alone (% change since 2000) Races - Asian alone (%) Races - Asian alone (% change since 2000) Races - Hispanic (%) Races - Hispanic (% change since 2000) Races - Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone (%) Races - Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone (% change since 2000) Races - Two or more races (%) Races - Two or more races (% change since 2000) Races - Other race alone (%) Races - Other race alone (% change since 2000) Racial diversity Unemployment (%) Unemployment (% change since 2000) Unemployment (%) - White Unemployment (%) - Black or African American Unemployment (%) - Asian Unemployment (%) - Hispanic or Latino Unemployment (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Unemployment (%) - Multirace Unemployment (%) - Other Race Population density (people per square mile) Population - Males (%) Population - Females (%) Population - Males (%) - White Population - Males (%) - Black or African American Population - Males (%) - Asian Population - Males (%) - Hispanic or Latino Population - Males (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Population - Males (%) - Multirace Population - Males (%) - Other Race Population - Females (%) - White Population - Females (%) - Black or African American Population - Females (%) - Asian Population - Females (%) - Hispanic or Latino Population - Females (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Population - Females (%) - Multirace Population - Females (%) - Other Race Coronavirus confirmed cases (Nov 22, 2021) Deaths caused by coronavirus (Nov 22, 2021) Coronavirus confirmed cases (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) Deaths caused by coronavirus (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) Daily increase in number of cases (Nov 22, 2021) Weekly increase in number of cases (Nov 22, 2021) Cases doubled (in days) (Nov 22, 2021) Hospitalized patients (Nov 22, 2021) Negative test results (Nov 22, 2021) Total test results (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses distributed (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses administered (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses distributed (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses administered (Nov 22, 2021) Likely homosexual households (%) Likely homosexual households (% change since 2000) Likely homosexual households - Lesbian couples (%) Likely homosexual households - Lesbian couples (% change since 2000) Likely homosexual households - Gay men (%) Likely homosexual households - Gay men (% change since 2000) Cost of living index Median gross rent ($) Median contract rent ($) Median monthly housing costs ($) Median house or condo value ($) Median house or condo value ($ change since 2000) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 1, detached ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 1, attached ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 2 ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure by units in structure - 3 or 4 ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 5 or more ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - Boat, RV, van, etc. ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - Mobile home ($) Median house or condo value ($) - White Median house or condo value ($) - Black or African American Median house or condo value ($) - Asian Median house or condo value ($) - Hispanic or Latino Median house or condo value ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native Median house or condo value ($) - Multirace Median house or condo value ($) - Other Race Median resident age Resident age diversity Median resident age - Males Median resident age - Females Median resident age - White Median resident age - Black or African American Median resident age - Asian Median resident age - Hispanic or Latino Median resident age - American Indian and Alaska Native Median resident age - Multirace Median resident age - Other Race Median resident age - Males - White Median resident age - Males - Black or African American Median resident age - Males - Asian Median resident age - Males - Hispanic or Latino Median resident age - Males - American Indian and Alaska Native Median resident age - Males - Multirace Median resident age - Males - Other Race Median resident age - Females - White Median resident age - Females - Black or African American Median resident age - Females - Asian Median resident age - Females - Hispanic or Latino Median resident age - Females - American Indian and Alaska Native Median resident age - Females - Multirace Median resident age - Females - Other Race Commute - mean travel time to work (minutes) Travel time to work - Less than 5 minutes (%) Travel time to work - Less than 5 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 5 to 9 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 5 to 9 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 10 to 19 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 10 to 19 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 20 to 29 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 20 to 29 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 30 to 39 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 30 to 39 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 40 to 59 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 40 to 59 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 60 to 89 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 60 to 89 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 90 or more minutes (%) Travel time to work - 90 or more minutes (% change since 2000) Marital status - Never married (%) Marital status - Now married (%) Marital status - Separated (%) Marital status - Widowed (%) Marital status - Divorced (%) Median family income ($) Median family income (% change since 2000) Median non-family income ($) Median non-family income (% change since 2000) Median per capita income ($) Median per capita income (% change since 2000) Median family income ($) - White Median family income ($) - Black or African American Median family income ($) - Asian Median family income ($) - Hispanic or Latino Median family income ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native Median family income ($) - Multirace Median family income ($) - Other Race Median year house/condo built Median year apartment built Year house built - Built 2005 or later (%) Year house built - Built 2000 to 2004 (%) Year house built - Built 1990 to 1999 (%) Year house built - Built 1980 to 1989 (%) Year house built - Built 1970 to 1979 (%) Year house built - Built 1960 to 1969 (%) Year house built - Built 1950 to 1959 (%) Year house built - Built 1940 to 1949 (%) Year house built - Built 1939 or earlier (%) Average household size Household density (households per square mile) Average household size - White Average household size - Black or African American Average household size - Asian Average household size - Hispanic or Latino Average household size - American Indian and Alaska Native Average household size - Multirace Average household size - Other Race Occupied housing units (%) Vacant housing units (%) Owner occupied housing units (%) Renter occupied housing units (%) Vacancy status - For rent (%) Vacancy status - For sale only (%) Vacancy status - Rented or sold, not occupied (%) Vacancy status - For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use (%) Vacancy status - For migrant workers (%) Vacancy status - Other vacant (%) Residents with income below the poverty level (%) Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level (%) Children below poverty level (%) Poor families by family type - Married-couple family (%) Poor families by family type - Male, no wife present (%) Poor families by family type - Female, no husband present (%) Poverty status for native-born residents (%) Poverty status for foreign-born residents (%) Poverty among high school graduates not in families (%) Poverty among people who did not graduate high school not in families (%) Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - White Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Black or African American Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Asian Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Hispanic or Latino Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Multirace Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Other Race Air pollution - Air Quality Index (AQI) Air pollution - CO Air pollution - NO2 Air pollution - SO2 Air pollution - Ozone Air pollution - PM10 Air pollution - PM25 Air pollution - Pb Crime - Murders per 100,000 population Crime - Rapes per 100,000 population Crime - Robberies per 100,000 population Crime - Assaults per 100,000 population Crime - Burglaries per 100,000 population Crime - Thefts per 100,000 population Crime - Auto thefts per 100,000 population Crime - Arson per 100,000 population Crime - City-data.com crime index Crime - Violent crime index Crime - Property crime index Crime - Murders per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Rapes per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Robberies per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Assaults per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Burglaries per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Thefts per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Auto thefts per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Arson per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - City-data.com crime index (5 year average) Crime - Violent crime index (5 year average) Crime - Property crime index (5 year average) 1996 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Clinton) 1996 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Dole) 1996 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2000 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Gore) 2000 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Bush) 2000 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2004 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Kerry) 2004 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Bush) 2004 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2008 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Obama) 2008 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (McCain) 2008 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2012 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Obama) 2012 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Romney) 2012 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2016 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Clinton) 2016 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Trump) 2016 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2020 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Biden) 2020 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Trump) 2020 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other Ancestries Reported - Arab (%) Ancestries Reported - Czech (%) Ancestries Reported - Danish (%) Ancestries Reported - Dutch (%) Ancestries Reported - English (%) Ancestries Reported - French (%) Ancestries Reported - French Canadian (%) Ancestries Reported - German (%) Ancestries Reported - Greek (%) Ancestries Reported - Hungarian (%) Ancestries Reported - Irish (%) Ancestries Reported - Italian (%) Ancestries Reported - Lithuanian (%) Ancestries Reported - Norwegian (%) Ancestries Reported - Polish (%) Ancestries Reported - Portuguese (%) Ancestries Reported - Russian (%) Ancestries Reported - Scotch-Irish (%) Ancestries Reported - Scottish (%) Ancestries Reported - Slovak (%) Ancestries Reported - Subsaharan African (%) Ancestries Reported - Swedish (%) Ancestries Reported - Swiss (%) Ancestries Reported - Ukrainian (%) Ancestries Reported - United States (%) Ancestries Reported - Welsh (%) Ancestries Reported - West Indian (%) Ancestries Reported - Other (%) Educational Attainment - No schooling completed (%) Educational Attainment - Less than high school (%) Educational Attainment - High school or equivalent (%) Educational Attainment - Less than 1 year of college (%) Educational Attainment - 1 or more years of college (%) Educational Attainment - Associate degree (%) Educational Attainment - Bachelor's degree (%) Educational Attainment - Master's degree (%) Educational Attainment - Professional school degree (%) Educational Attainment - Doctorate degree (%) School Enrollment - Nursery, preschool (%) School Enrollment - Kindergarten (%) School Enrollment - Grade 1 to 4 (%) School Enrollment - Grade 5 to 8 (%) School Enrollment - Grade 9 to 12 (%) School Enrollment - College undergrad (%) School Enrollment - Graduate or professional (%) School Enrollment - Not enrolled in school (%) School enrollment - Public schools (%) School enrollment - Private schools (%) School enrollment - Not enrolled (%) Median number of rooms in houses and condos Median number of rooms in apartments Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities (%) Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities (%) Density of houses Urban houses (%) Rural houses (%) Households with people 60 years and over (%) Households with people 65 years and over (%) Households with people 75 years and over (%) Households with one or more nonrelatives (%) Households with no nonrelatives (%) Population in households (%) Family households (%) Nonfamily households (%) Population in families (%) Family households with own children (%) Median number of bedrooms in owner occupied houses Mean number of bedrooms in owner occupied houses Median number of bedrooms in renter occupied houses Mean number of bedrooms in renter occupied houses Median number of vehichles in owner occupied houses Mean number of vehichles in owner occupied houses Median number of vehichles in renter occupied houses Mean number of vehichles in renter occupied houses Mortgage status - with mortgage (%) Mortgage status - with second mortgage (%) Mortgage status - with home equity loan (%) Mortgage status - with both second mortgage and home equity loan (%) Mortgage status - without a mortgage (%) Average family size Average family size - White Average family size - Black or African American Average family size - Asian Average family size - Hispanic or Latino Average family size - American Indian and Alaska Native Average family size - Multirace Average family size - Other Race Geographical mobility - Same house 1 year ago (%) Geographical mobility - Moved within same county (%) Geographical mobility - Moved from different county within same state (%) Geographical mobility - Moved from different state (%) Geographical mobility - Moved from abroad (%) Place of birth - Born in state of residence (%) Place of birth - Born in other state (%) Place of birth - Native, outside of US (%) Place of birth - Foreign born (%) Housing units in structures - 1, detached (%) Housing units in structures - 1, attached (%) Housing units in structures - 2 (%) Housing units in structures - 3 or 4 (%) Housing units in structures - 5 to 9 (%) Housing units in structures - 10 to 19 (%) Housing units in structures - 20 to 49 (%) Housing units in structures - 50 or more (%) Housing units in structures - Mobile home (%) Housing units in structures - Boat, RV, van, etc. (%) House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago) Renter moved in on average (years ago) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1999 to March 2000 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1995 to 1998 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1990 to 1994 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1980 to 1989 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1970 to 1979 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1969 or earlier (%) Means of transportation to work - Drove car alone (%) Means of transportation to work - Carpooled (%) Means of transportation to work - Public transportation (%) Means of transportation to work - Bus or trolley bus (%) Means of transportation to work - Streetcar or trolley car (%) Means of transportation to work - Subway or elevated (%) Means of transportation to work - Railroad (%) Means of transportation to work - Ferryboat (%) Means of transportation to work - Taxicab (%) Means of transportation to work - Motorcycle (%) Means of transportation to work - Bicycle (%) Means of transportation to work - Walked (%) Means of transportation to work - Other means (%) Working at home (%) Industry diversity Most Common Industries - Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining (%) Most Common Industries - Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (%) Most Common Industries - Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (%) Most Common Industries - Construction (%) Most Common Industries - Manufacturing (%) Most Common Industries - Wholesale trade (%) Most Common Industries - Retail trade (%) Most Common Industries - Transportation and warehousing, and utilities (%) Most Common Industries - Transportation and warehousing (%) Most Common Industries - Utilities (%) Most Common Industries - Information (%) Most Common Industries - Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing (%) Most Common Industries - Finance and insurance (%) Most Common Industries - Real estate and rental and leasing (%) Most Common Industries - Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services (%) Most Common Industries - Professional, scientific, and technical services (%) Most Common Industries - Management of companies and enterprises (%) Most Common Industries - Administrative and support and waste management services (%) Most Common Industries - Educational services, and health care and social assistance (%) Most Common Industries - Educational services (%) Most Common Industries - Health care and social assistance (%) Most Common Industries - Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services (%) Most Common Industries - Arts, entertainment, and recreation (%) Most Common Industries - Accommodation and food services (%) Most Common Industries - Other services, except public administration (%) Most Common Industries - Public administration (%) Occupation diversity Most Common Occupations - Management, business, science, and arts occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Management, business, and financial occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Management occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Business and financial operations occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Computer, engineering, and science occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Computer and mathematical occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Architecture and engineering occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Life, physical, and social science occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Education, legal, community service, arts, and media occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Community and social service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Legal occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Education, training, and library occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Health technologists and technicians (%) Most Common Occupations - Service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Healthcare support occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Protective service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Fire fighting and prevention, and other protective service workers including supervisors (%) Most Common Occupations - Law enforcement workers including supervisors (%) Most Common Occupations - Food preparation and serving related occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Personal care and service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Sales and office occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Sales and related occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Office and administrative support occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Construction and extraction occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Production occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Transportation occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Material moving occupations (%) People in Group quarters - Institutionalized population (%) People in Group quarters - Correctional institutions (%) People in Group quarters - Federal prisons and detention centers (%) People in Group quarters - Halfway houses (%) People in Group quarters - Local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups) (%) People in Group quarters - Military disciplinary barracks (%) People in Group quarters - State prisons (%) People in Group quarters - Other types of correctional institutions (%) People in Group quarters - Nursing homes (%) People in Group quarters - Hospitals/wards, hospices, and schools for the handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Hospitals/wards and hospices for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Hospices or homes for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Military hospitals or wards for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Other hospitals or wards for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Hospitals or wards for drug/alcohol abuse (%) People in Group quarters - Mental (Psychiatric) hospitals or wards (%) People in Group quarters - Schools, hospitals, or wards for the mentally retarded (%) People in Group quarters - Schools, hospitals, or wards for the physically handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Institutions for the deaf (%) People in Group quarters - Institutions for the blind (%) People in Group quarters - Orthopedic wards and institutions for the physically handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Wards in general hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere (%) People in Group quarters - Wards in military hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere (%) People in Group quarters - Juvenile institutions (%) People in Group quarters - Long-term care (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for abused, dependent, and neglected children (%) People in Group quarters - Residential treatment centers for emotionally disturbed children (%) People in Group quarters - Training schools for juvenile delinquents (%) People in Group quarters - Short-term care, detention or diagnostic centers for delinquent children (%) People in Group quarters - Type of juvenile institution unknown (%) People in Group quarters - Noninstitutionalized population (%) People in Group quarters - College dormitories (includes college quarters off campus) (%) People in Group quarters - Military quarters (%) People in Group quarters - On base (%) People in Group quarters - Barracks, unaccompanied personnel housing (UPH), (Enlisted/Officer), ;and similar group living quarters for military personnel (%) People in Group quarters - Transient quarters for temporary residents (%) People in Group quarters - Military ships (%) People in Group quarters - Group homes (%) People in Group quarters - Homes or halfway houses for drug/alcohol abuse (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for the mentally ill (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for the mentally retarded (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for the physically handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Other group homes (%) People in Group quarters - Religious group quarters (%) People in Group quarters - Dormitories (%) People in Group quarters - Agriculture workers' dormitories on farms (%) People in Group quarters - Job Corps and vocational training facilities (%) People in Group quarters - Other workers' dormitories (%) People in Group quarters - Crews of maritime vessels (%) People in Group quarters - Other nonhousehold living situations (%) People in Group quarters - Other noninstitutional group quarters (%) Residents speaking English at home (%) Residents speaking English at home - Born in the United States (%) Residents speaking English at home - Native, born elsewhere (%) Residents speaking English at home - Foreign born (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home - Born in the United States (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home - Native, born elsewhere (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home - Foreign born (%) Residents speaking other language at home (%) Residents speaking other language at home - Born in the United States (%) Residents speaking other language at home - Native, born elsewhere (%) Residents speaking other language at home - Foreign born (%) Class of Workers - Employee of private company (%) Class of Workers - Self-employed in own incorporated business (%) Class of Workers - Private not-for-profit wage and salary workers (%) Class of Workers - Local government workers (%) Class of Workers - State government workers (%) Class of Workers - Federal government workers (%) Class of Workers - Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business and Unpaid family workers (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Utility gas (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Bottled, tank, or LP gas (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Electricity (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Coal or coke (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Wood (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Solar energy (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Other fuel (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - No fuel used (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Utility gas (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Bottled, tank, or LP gas (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Electricity (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Coal or coke (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Wood (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Solar energy (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Other fuel (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - No fuel used (%) Armed forces status - In Armed Forces (%) Armed forces status - Civilian (%) Armed forces status - Civilian - Veteran (%) Armed forces status - Civilian - Nonveteran (%) Fatal accidents locations in years 2005-2019 Fatal accidents locations in 2005 Fatal accidents locations in 2006 Fatal accidents locations in 2007 Fatal accidents locations in 2008 Fatal accidents locations in 2009 Fatal accidents locations in 2010 Fatal accidents locations in 2011 Fatal accidents locations in 2012 Fatal accidents locations in 2013 Fatal accidents locations in 2014 Fatal accidents locations in 2015 Fatal accidents locations in 2016 Fatal accidents locations in 2017 Fatal accidents locations in 2018 Fatal accidents locations in 2019 Alcohol use - People drinking some alcohol every month (%) Alcohol use - People not drinking at all (%) Alcohol use - Average days/month drinking alcohol Alcohol use - Average drinks/week Alcohol use - Average days/year people drink much Audiometry - Average condition of hearing (%) Audiometry - People that can hear a whisper from across a quiet room (%) Audiometry - People that can hear normal voice from across a quiet room (%) Audiometry - Ears ringing, roaring, buzzing (%) Audiometry - Had a job exposure to loud noise (%) Audiometry - Had off-work exposure to loud noise (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Has high blood pressure (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Checking blood pressure at home (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Frequently checking blood cholesterol (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Has high cholesterol level (%) Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on food at supermarket/grocery store Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on food at other stores Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on eating out Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on carryout/delivered foods Consumer Behavior - Income spent on food at supermarket/grocery store (%) Consumer Behavior - Income spent on food at other stores (%) Consumer Behavior - Income spent on eating out (%) Consumer Behavior - Income spent on carryout/delivered foods (%) Current Health Status - General health condition (%) Current Health Status - Blood donors (%) Current Health Status - Has blood ever tested for HIV virus (%) Current Health Status - Left-handed people (%) Dermatology - People using sunscreen (%) Diabetes - Diabetics (%) Diabetes - Had a blood test for high blood sugar (%) Diabetes - People taking insulin (%) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Diet health (%) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Milk product consumption (# of products/month) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Meals not home prepared (#/week) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Meals from fast food or pizza place (#/week) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Ready-to-eat foods (#/month) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Frozen meals/pizza (#/month) Drug Use - People that ever used marijuana or hashish (%) Drug Use - Ever used hard drugs (%) Drug Use - Ever used any form of cocaine (%) Drug Use - Ever used heroin (%) Drug Use - Ever used methamphetamine (%) Health Insurance - People covered by health insurance (%) Kidney Conditions-Urology - Avg. # of times urinating at night Medical Conditions - People with asthma (%) Medical Conditions - People with anemia (%) Medical Conditions - People with psoriasis (%) Medical Conditions - People with overweight (%) Medical Conditions - Elderly people having difficulties in thinking or remembering (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever received blood transfusion (%) Medical Conditions - People having trouble seeing even with glass/contacts (%) Medical Conditions - People with arthritis (%) Medical Conditions - People with gout (%) Medical Conditions - People with congestive heart failure (%) Medical Conditions - People with coronary heart disease (%) Medical Conditions - People with angina pectoris (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever had heart attack (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever had stroke (%) Medical Conditions - People with emphysema (%) Medical Conditions - People with thyroid problem (%) Medical Conditions - People with chronic bronchitis (%) Medical Conditions - People with any liver condition (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever had cancer or malignancy (%) Mental Health - People who have little interest in doing things (%) Mental Health - People feeling down, depressed, or hopeless (%) Mental Health - People who have trouble sleeping or sleeping too much (%) Mental Health - People feeling tired or having little energy (%) Mental Health - People with poor appetite or overeating (%) Mental Health - People feeling bad about themself (%) Mental Health - People who have trouble concentrating on things (%) Mental Health - People moving or speaking slowly or too fast (%) Mental Health - People having thoughts they would be better off dead (%) Oral Health - Average years since last visit a dentist Oral Health - People embarrassed because of mouth (%) Oral Health - People with gum disease (%) Oral Health - General health of teeth and gums (%) Oral Health - Average days a week using dental floss/device Oral Health - Average days a week using mouthwash for dental problem Oral Health - Average number of teeth Pesticide Use - Households using pesticides to control insects (%) Pesticide Use - Households using pesticides to kill weeds (%) Physical Activity - People doing vigorous-intensity work activities (%) Physical Activity - People doing moderate-intensity work activities (%) Physical Activity - People walking or bicycling (%) Physical Activity - People doing vigorous-intensity recreational activities (%) Physical Activity - People doing moderate-intensity recreational activities (%) Physical Activity - Average hours a day doing sedentary activities Physical Activity - Average hours a day watching TV or videos Physical Activity - Average hours a day using computer Physical Functioning - People having limitations keeping them from working (%) Physical Functioning - People limited in amount of work they can do (%) Physical Functioning - People that need special equipment to walk (%) Physical Functioning - People experiencing confusion/memory problems (%) Physical Functioning - People requiring special healthcare equipment (%) Prescription Medications - Average number of prescription medicines taking Preventive Aspirin Use - Adults 40+ taking low-dose aspirin (%) Reproductive Health - Vaginal deliveries (%) Reproductive Health - Cesarean deliveries (%) Reproductive Health - Deliveries resulted in a live birth (%) Reproductive Health - Pregnancies resulted in a delivery (%) Reproductive Health - Women breastfeeding newborns (%) Reproductive Health - Women that had a hysterectomy (%) Reproductive Health - Women that had both ovaries removed (%) Reproductive Health - Women that have ever taken birth control pills (%) Reproductive Health - Women taking birth control pills (%) Reproductive Health - Women that have ever used Depo-Provera or injectables (%) Reproductive Health - Women that have ever used female hormones (%) Sexual Behavior - People 18+ that ever had sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever had vaginal sex with a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever performed oral sex on a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever had anal sex with a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever had any sex with a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever had vaginal sex with a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever performed oral sex on a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever had anal sex with a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever had any kind of sex with a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Average age people first had sex Sexual Behavior - Average number of female sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of female vaginal sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average age people first performed oral sex on a woman (18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of woman performed oral sex on in lifetime (18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male anal sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average age people first performed oral sex on a man (18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male oral sex partners in lifetime (18+) Sexual Behavior - People using protection when performing oral sex (%) Sexual Behavior - Average number of times people have vaginal or anal sex a year Sexual Behavior - People having sex without condom (%) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male sex partners in lifetime (females 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male vaginal sex partners in lifetime (females 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of female sex partners in lifetime (females 18+) Sexual Behavior - Circumcised males 18+ (%) Sleep Disorders - Average hours sleeping at night Sleep Disorders - People that has trouble sleeping (%) Smoking-Cigarette Use - People smoking cigarettes (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ having problems with smell (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ having problems with taste (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had wisdom teeth removed (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had tonsils teeth removed (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had a loss of consciousness because of a head injury (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had a broken nose or other serious injury to face or skull (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had two or more sinus infections (%) Weight - Average height (inches) Weight - Average weight (pounds) Weight - Average BMI Weight - People that are obese (%) Weight - People that ever were obese (%) Weight - People trying to lose weight (%) Settings Get link Loading data... Based on 2000-2020 data Loading data...

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410 86.1% White alone 66 13.9% Hispanic

Races in Neapolis detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth





According to our research of Ohio and other state lists, there was 1 registered sex offender living in Neapolis, Ohio as of November 22, 2021.

The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Neapolis is 369 to 1.





Ancestries: Irish (21.8%), German (20.1%), American (11.1%), English (7.7%).

Current Local Time: EST time zone

Elevation: 665 feet

22 residents are foreign born (4.7% Latin America). This place: 4.7% Ohio: 4.6%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2019: $1,415 (1.3%)



Latitude: 41.49 N, Longitude: 83.87 W

Area code: 419

Unemployment in November 2020:

Here: 6.2% Ohio: 5.2%

Air pollution and air quality trends

(lower is better) AQI SO 2 Ozone PM 10

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2018 was 47.3. This is significantly better than average. City: 47.3 U.S.: 74.2

Sulfur Dioxide (SO 2 ) [ppb] level in 2018 was 0.674. This is significantly better than average. Closest monitor was 4.1 miles away from the city center. City: 0.674 U.S.: 1.789

Ozone [ppb] level in 2018 was 31.0. This is about average. Closest monitor was 8.0 miles away from the city center. City: 31.0 U.S.: 33.3

Particulate Matter (PM 10 ) [g/m3] level in 2012 was 23.5. This is about average. Closest monitor was 17.7 miles away from the city center. City: 23.5 U.S.: 19.6

Tornado activity: Neapolis-area historical tornado activity is slightly above Ohio state average. It is 48% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 11/10/2002, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 14.9 miles away from the Neapolis place center killed 4 people and injured 17 people and caused $30 million in damages. On 4/11/1965, a category F4 tornado 18.7 miles away from the place center killed 18 people and injured 236 people and caused between $5,000,000 and $50,000,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity: Neapolis-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Ohio state average. It is 26% smaller than the overall U.S. average.



On 9/25/1998 at 19:52:52, a magnitude 5.2 (4.8 MB, 4.3 MS, 5.2 LG, 4.5 MW, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 180.1 miles away from the city center

On 1/31/1986 at 16:46:43, a magnitude 5.0 (5.0 MB) earthquake occurred 140.7 miles away from Neapolis center

On 7/12/1986 at 08:19:37, a magnitude 4.5 (4.5 MB, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 71.0 miles away from Neapolis center

On 7/27/1980 at 18:52:21, a magnitude 5.2 (5.1 MB, 4.7 MS, 5.0 UK, 5.2 UK) earthquake occurred 227.4 miles away from Neapolis center

On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.4 (5.1 MB, 4.8 MS, 5.4 MW, 5.2 MW) earthquake occurred 299.1 miles away from the city center

On 5/2/2015 at 16:23:07, a magnitude 4.2 (4.2 MW, Depth: 2.8 mi) earthquake occurred 95.2 miles away from the city center

Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters: The number of natural disasters in Lucas County (13) is near the US average (15).

Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 8

Emergencies Declared: 4



Causes of natural disasters: Storms: 8, Floods: 7, Tornadoes: 4, Snowstorms: 2, Blizzard: 1, Hurricane: 1, Power Outage: 1, Wind: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).

Hospitals and medical centers near Neapolis: BITTERSWEET FARMS (Hospital, about 3 miles away; WHITEHOUSE, OH)

WHITEHOUSE COUNTRY MANOR (Nursing Home, about 4 miles away; WHITEHOUSE, OH)

GRAND RAPIDS CARE CENTER (Nursing Home, about 6 miles away; GRAND RAPIDS, OH)

SWANTON VALLEY CARE AND REHABILITATION CENTER (Nursing Home, about 7 miles away; SWANTON, OH)

HEARTLAND OF WATERVILLE (Nursing Home, about 7 miles away; WATERVILLE, OH)

SWANTON HEALTH CARE RETIREMENT (Nursing Home, about 7 miles away; SWANTON, OH)

ARBORS AT WATERVILLE (Nursing Home, about 8 miles away; WATERVILLE, OH)

Amtrak station near Neapolis: 20 miles: TOLEDO (415 EMERALD AVE.) . Services: ticket office, fully wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, vending machines, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for car rental service, taxi stand, public transit connection.

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Neapolis: Bowling Green State University-Main Campus ( about 15 miles; Bowling Green, OH ; Full-time enrollment: 16,357)

15 ; 16,357) University of Toledo ( about 18 miles; Toledo, OH ; FT enrollment: 18,409)

18 ; 18,409) Owens Community College ( about 19 miles; Perrysburg, OH ; FT enrollment: 9,416)

19 ; 9,416) Northwest State Community College ( about 23 miles; Archbold, OH ; FT enrollment: 2,406)

23 ; 2,406) Siena Heights University ( about 30 miles; Adrian, MI ; FT enrollment: 2,009)

30 ; 2,009) The University of Findlay ( about 33 miles; Findlay, OH ; FT enrollment: 3,649)

33 ; 3,649) Monroe County Community College (about 36 miles; Monroe, MI; FT enrollment: 2,553)

Lucas County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Moderate Potential

Average household size: This place: 2.7 people Ohio: 2.4 people

Percentage of family households: This place: 76.6% Whole state: 65.0%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners: This place: 6.3% Whole state: 6.8%



No gay or lesbian households reported





For population 15 years and over in Neapolis: Never married: 18.9%

18.9% Now married: 71.9%

71.9% Separated: 1.3%

1.3% Widowed: 0.0%

0.0% Divorced: 7.9%

For population 25 years and over in Neapolis: High school or higher: 93.1%

93.1% Bachelor's degree or higher: 4.9%

4.9% Graduate or professional degree: 4.9%

Education Gini index (Inequality in education) Here: 6.5 Ohio average: 10.8



Religion statistics for Neapolis, OH (based on Lucas County data) Religion Adherents Congregations Catholic 92,283 35 Evangelical Protestant 40,272 145 Mainline Protestant 39,991 115 Black Protestant 15,134 44 Other 7,578 29 Orthodox 2,680 4 None 243,877 - Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics: Number of grocery stores: 74 Lucas County : 1.67 / 10,000 pop. Ohio : 1.89 / 10,000 pop. Number of supercenters and club stores: 6 Lucas County : 0.14 / 10,000 pop. Ohio : 0.13 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (no gas): 98 Lucas County : 2.22 / 10,000 pop. State : 1.25 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (with gas): 132 This county : 2.98 / 10,000 pop. State : 2.93 / 10,000 pop. Number of full-service restaurants: 334 Here : 7.55 / 10,000 pop. Ohio : 6.25 / 10,000 pop. Adult diabetes rate: Lucas County : 10.6% State : 10.3% Adult obesity rate: This county : 30.0% Ohio : 29.1% Low-income preschool obesity rate: Lucas County : 10.6% State : 11.9%

4.12% of this county's 2016 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2015 ($47,662 average adjusted gross income) Here: 4.12% Ohio average: 5.23% 0.01% of residents moved from foreign countries ($165 average AGI) Lucas County: 0.01% Ohio average: 0.03%

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2015 and 2016:

from Wood County, OH 0.90% ($45,438 average AGI) from Monroe County, MI 0.42% ($42,333) from Fulton County, OH 0.19% ($48,458)



4.74% of this county's 2015 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2016 ($56,813 average adjusted gross income) Here: 4.74% Ohio average: 5.51% 0.02% of residents moved to foreign countries ($775 average AGI) Lucas County: 0.02% Ohio average: 0.04%

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2015 and 2016:

to Wood County, OH 0.89% ($53,919 average AGI) to Monroe County, MI 0.36% ($57,759) to Franklin County, OH 0.24% ($40,453)

Strongest AM radio stations in Neapolis: WFDF (910 AM; 50 kW; FLINT, MI; Owner: ABC, INC.)

ABC, INC.) WJR (760 AM; 50 kW; DETROIT, MI; Owner: ABC, INC.)

ABC, INC.) WDFN (1130 AM; 50 kW; DETROIT, MI; Owner: AMFM RADIO LICENSES, L.L.C.)

AMFM RADIO LICENSES, L.L.C.) WCHB (1200 AM; 50 kW; TAYLOR, MI; Owner: RADIO ONE OF DETROIT, LLC)

RADIO ONE OF DETROIT, LLC) WTOD (1560 AM; daytime; 5 kW; TOLEDO, OH; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.)

CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.) WSPD (1370 AM; 5 kW; TOLEDO, OH; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)

CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.) WWJ (950 AM; 50 kW; DETROIT, MI; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.)

INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.) WXYT (1270 AM; 50 kW; DETROIT, MI; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING CORP. OF DETROIT)

INFINITY BROADCASTING CORP. OF DETROIT) WOWO (1190 AM; 50 kW; FORT WAYNE, IN; Owner: PATHFINDER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)

PATHFINDER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION) WJYM (730 AM; 1 kW; BOWLING GREEN, OH; Owner: FAMILY WORSHIP CENTER CHURCH, INC.)

FAMILY WORSHIP CENTER CHURCH, INC.) WKNR (850 AM; 50 kW; CLEVELAND, OH; Owner: CARON BROADCASTING, INC.)

CARON BROADCASTING, INC.) WTKA (1050 AM; 10 kW; ANN ARBOR, MI; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) WOAP (1080 AM; 50 kW; OWOSSO, MI) Strongest FM radio stations in Neapolis: WRWK (106.5 FM; DELTA, OH; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.)

CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.) WXQQ (96.9 FM; WAUSEON, OH; Owner: CORNERSTONE CHURCH, INC.)

CORNERSTONE CHURCH, INC.) WRQN (93.5 FM; BOWLING GREEN, OH; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.)

CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.) WJUC (107.3 FM; SWANTON, OH; Owner: WELCH COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)

WELCH COMMUNICATIONS, INC.) WVKS (92.5 FM; TOLEDO, OH; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)

CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.) WGTE-FM (91.3 FM; TOLEDO, OH; Owner: THE PUBLIC B/C FOUNDATION OF NW OHIO)

THE PUBLIC B/C FOUNDATION OF NW OHIO) WPOS-FM (102.3 FM; HOLLAND, OH; Owner: THE MAUMEE VALLEY BROADCASTING ASSN.)

THE MAUMEE VALLEY BROADCASTING ASSN.) WOTL (90.3 FM; TOLEDO, OH; Owner: FAMILY STATIONS, INC.)

FAMILY STATIONS, INC.) WRVF (101.5 FM; TOLEDO, OH; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)

CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.) WYSZ (89.3 FM; MAUMEE, OH; Owner: SIDE BY SIDE, INC.)

SIDE BY SIDE, INC.) WMTR-FM (96.1 FM; ARCHBOLD, OH; Owner: NOBCO, INC.)

NOBCO, INC.) WWWM-FM (105.5 FM; SYLVANIA, OH; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.)

CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.) WAAQ (88.3 FM; ONSTED, MI; Owner: GREAT LAKES COMMUNITY BROADCASTING, INC.)

GREAT LAKES COMMUNITY BROADCASTING, INC.) WIOT (104.7 FM; TOLEDO, OH; Owner: JACOR BROADCASTING CORPORATION)

JACOR BROADCASTING CORPORATION) WKKO (99.9 FM; TOLEDO, OH; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.)

CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.) WYSA (88.5 FM; WAUSEON, OH; Owner: SIDE BY SIDE, INC.)

SIDE BY SIDE, INC.) W264AK (100.7 FM; TOLEDO, OH; Owner: CALVARY CHAPEL OF TWIN FALLS, INC.)

CALVARY CHAPEL OF TWIN FALLS, INC.) W205AT (88.9 FM; HAMLER, OH; Owner: CALVARY CHAPEL OF TWIN FALLS, INC.)

CALVARY CHAPEL OF TWIN FALLS, INC.) WBCY (89.5 FM; ARCHBOLD, OH; Owner: TAYLOR UNIVERSITY BROADCASTING, INC.)

TAYLOR UNIVERSITY BROADCASTING, INC.) WNDH (103.1 FM; NAPOLEON, OH; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.) TV broadcast stations around Neapolis: WTOL ( Channel 11; TOLEDO, OH; Owner: LIBCO, INC.)

11; TOLEDO, OH; LIBCO, INC.) WUPW ( Channel 36; TOLEDO, OH; Owner: WUPW BROADCASTING, LLC)

36; TOLEDO, OH; WUPW BROADCASTING, LLC) WNWO-TV ( Channel 24; TOLEDO, OH; Owner: RAYCOM NATIONAL, INC.)

24; TOLEDO, OH; RAYCOM NATIONAL, INC.) WBGU-TV ( Channel 27; BOWLING GREEN, OH; Owner: BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY)

27; BOWLING GREEN, OH; BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY) WGTE-TV ( Channel 30; TOLEDO, OH; Owner: THE PUBLIC BROADCASTING FOUNDATION OF NW OHIO)

30; TOLEDO, OH; THE PUBLIC BROADCASTING FOUNDATION OF NW OHIO) WTVG ( Channel 13; TOLEDO, OH; Owner: WTVG, INC.)

13; TOLEDO, OH; WTVG, INC.) WLMB ( Channel 40; TOLEDO, OH; Owner: DOMINION BROADCASTING, INC.)

40; TOLEDO, OH; DOMINION BROADCASTING, INC.) W64BM ( Channel 64; TOLEDO, OH; Owner: VENTANA TELEVISION, INC.)

64; TOLEDO, OH; VENTANA TELEVISION, INC.) W22CO ( Channel 22; TOLEDO, OH; Owner: NATIONAL MINORITY T.V., INC.)

22; TOLEDO, OH; NATIONAL MINORITY T.V., INC.) W59DC ( Channel 59; HOUGHTON LAKE, MI; Owner: MS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC)

59; HOUGHTON LAKE, MI; MS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC) WBTL-LP ( Channel 34; TOLEDO, OH; Owner: VENTURE TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC)

34; TOLEDO, OH; VENTURE TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC) WNGT-LP ( Channel 48; TOLEDO, OH; Owner: L & M VIDEO PRODUCTIONS, INC.)

48; TOLEDO, OH; L & M VIDEO PRODUCTIONS, INC.) WLQP-LP ( Channel 18; LIMA, OH; Owner: METRO VIDEO PRODUCTIONS, INC.)

18; LIMA, OH; METRO VIDEO PRODUCTIONS, INC.) W09CG (Channel 9; FINDLAY, OH; Owner: NATIONAL MINORITY T.V., INC.)

Neapolis fatal accident list: Nov 29, 2015 01:28 PM, Cr-109 Prov Neapolis Swanton R, Cr-141 Mohler Rd, Lat: 41.487681, Lon: -83.874719, Vehicles: 2, Persons: 4, Fatalities: 2, Drunk persons involved: 1



National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics

17 Number of bridges

Number of bridges 66ft / 19.6m Total length

Total length $159,000 Total costs

Total costs 23,550 Total average daily traffic

Total average daily traffic 2,983 Total average daily truck traffic

Total average daily truck traffic 16,045 Total future (year 2039) average daily traffic

New bridges - historical statistics

2 1920-1929

1 1930-1939

1 1940-1949

3 1960-1969

2 1970-1979

1 1980-1989

2 1990-1999

3 2000-2009

2 2010-2018 See full National Bridge Inventory statistics for Neapolis, OH



FCC Registered Antenna Towers: 7 Steven F Lux, Cor Cr V & Cr 3 2.7 Mi Sw ( Lat: 41.473056 Lon: -83.917222), Type: 70.0, Overall height: 70 m, Registrant: Toledo Edison Company, Akron, Phone: (330) 384-5498

41.473056 -83.917222), 70.0, 70 m, Toledo Edison Company, Akron, (330) 384-5498 Steven F Lux, Cor Cr V & Cr 3 2.7 Mi Sw ( Lat: 41.473056 Lon: -83.917222), Type: 70.0, Overall height: 70 m, Registrant: Toledo Edison Company, Akron, Phone: (330) 384-5498

41.473056 -83.917222), 70.0, 70 m, Toledo Edison Company, Akron, (330) 384-5498 Steven F Lux, Cor Cr V & Cr 3 2.7 Mi Sw ( Lat: 41.473056 Lon: -83.917222), Type: 70.0, Overall height: 70 m, Registrant: Toledo Edison Company, Akron, Phone: (330) 384-5498

41.473056 -83.917222), 70.0, 70 m, Toledo Edison Company, Akron, (330) 384-5498 rODNEY D Kaufman, Cor Cr V & Cr 3 2.7 Mi Sw ( Lat: 41.473056 Lon: -83.917222), Type: 70.0, Overall height: 70 m, Registrant: Felhc, Fcc_license_admin@firstenergycorp.Com, , 44308 Akron, Phone: (330) 436-2226

41.473056 -83.917222), 70.0, 70 m, Felhc, Fcc_license_admin@firstenergycorp.Com, , 44308 Akron, (330) 436-2226 Rodney D Kaufman, Cor Cr V & Cr 3 2.7 Mi Sw ( Lat: 41.473056 Lon: -83.917222), Type: 56.7, Structure height: 39069 m, Overall height: 54.9 m, Registrant: Felhc, Fcc_license_admin@firstenergycorp.Com, , Akron, Phone: (330) 436-2208

41.473056 -83.917222), 56.7, 39069 m, 54.9 m, Felhc, Fcc_license_admin@firstenergycorp.Com, , Akron, (330) 436-2208 Rodney D Kaufman, Cor Cr V & Cr 3 2.7 Mi Sw ( Lat: 41.473056 Lon: -83.917222), Type: 56.7, Structure height: 39069 m, Overall height: 54.9 m, Registrant: Felhc, Fcc_license_admin@firstenergycorp.Com, , Akron, Phone: (330) 436-2208

41.473056 -83.917222), 56.7, 39069 m, 54.9 m, Felhc, Fcc_license_admin@firstenergycorp.Com, , Akron, (330) 436-2208 Cor Cr V & Cr 3 2.7 Mi Sw (Lat: 41.473056 Lon: -83.917222), Type: 70.0, Overall height: 70 m, Registrant: Toledo Edison Company, 94661 MS IND212 Cleve-land, Phone: (216) 447-3315

FCC Registered Microwave Towers: 2 STATION, Cor Cr V And Cr 3 2.7 Mi Sw ( Lat: 41.473083 Lon: -83.917139), Overall height: 78.9 m, Call Sign: WSQ48,

Assigned Frequencies: 6806.25 MHz, Grant Date: 02/26/2020, Expiration Date: 03/01/2030, Certifier: Steven F Lux, Registrant: Felhc, Inc., 76 South Main St, Akron, OH 44308, Phone: (330) 436-2226, Fax: (330) 761-7203, Email:

41.473083 -83.917139), 78.9 m, WSQ48, 6806.25 MHz, 02/26/2020, 03/01/2030, Steven F Lux, Felhc, Inc., 76 South Main St, Akron, OH 44308, (330) 436-2226, (330) 761-7203, MIDWAY, Cor Cr V & Cr 3 2.7 Mi Sw (Lat: 41.473056 Lon: -83.917222), Type: Ltower, Structure height: 70 m, Call Sign: WQYG275,

Assigned Frequencies: 6197.24 MHz, Grant Date: 09/17/2016, Expiration Date: 09/17/2026, Certifier: Rodney D Kaufman, Registrant: Felhc. Inc, 341 White Pond Dr., Akron, OH 44320, Phone: (330) 436-2208, Fax: (330) 761-7203, Email:

FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses: 1 Call Sign: KC8DPN, Licensee ID: L01113165, Grant Date: 01/31/2006, Expiration Date: 05/01/2016, Cancellation Date: 05/02/2018, Certifier: Daniel L Kipplen, Registrant: Daniel L Kipplen, 13914 Meredith St, Neapolis, OH 43547

FAA Registered Aircraft: 1 Aircraft: PIPER PA-22-150 (Category: Land, Seats: 4, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds, Speed: 94 mph), Engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 HP) (Reciprocating)

N-Number: 3638P, N3638P, N-3638P, Serial Number: 22-3389, Year manufactured: 1955, Airworthiness Date: 01/11/1957, Certificate Issue Date: 03/15/2019

Registrant (Individual): John F Jr Roehl, Po Box 573, Neapolis, OH 43547



Houses and condos Apartments 75.3% Utility gas

14.0% Bottled, tank, or LP gas

10.7% Electricity 100.0% Utility gas





Neapolis compared to Ohio state average: Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Black race population percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Hispanic race population percentage significantly above state average.

significantly above Renting percentage below state average.

below Length of stay since moving in above state average.

above Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher significantly below state average.




Newfield, Maine

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Population in 2010: 1,522.

Population change since 2000: +14.6%

1,522.+14.6%

Males: 773 (50.8%) Females: 749 (49.2%)

Median resident age: 44.3 years Maine median age: 43.0 years

Zip codes: 04095.

Estimated median household income in 2019: $59,047 (it was $38,654 in 2000)

Newfield: $59,047 ME: $58,924

Estimated per capita income in 2019: $26,805 (it was $16,280 in 2000)



Newfield town income, earnings, and wages data



Estimated median house or condo value in 2019: $217,815 (it was $95,100 in 2000) Newfield: $217,815 ME: $200,500

Mean prices in 2019: all housing units: $317,665; detached houses: $335,961; townhouses or other attached units: $342,831; in 2-unit structures: $255,132; in 3-to-4-unit structures: $357,327; in 5-or-more-unit structures: $231,825; mobile homes: $73,375 $59,047 ($38,654$26,805 ($16,280$217,815 ($95,100$317,665;$335,961;$342,831;$255,132;$357,327;$231,825;$73,375

March 2019 cost of living index in Newfield: 109.6 (more than average, U.S. average is 100)

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1,485 97.6% White alone 12 0.8% Two or more races 12 0.8% Hispanic 10 0.7% American Indian alone 2 0.1% Black alone 1 0.07% Asian alone

Races in Newfield detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth





According to our research of Maine and other state lists, there were 3 registered sex offenders living in Newfield, Maine as of November 22, 2021.

The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Newfield is 507 to 1.

The ratio of registered sex offenders to all residents in this city is near the state average.







Latest news from Newfield, ME collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: English (26.7%), French (15.4%), Irish (13.7%), German (8.5%), French Canadian (7.7%), United States (5.4%).

Current Local Time: EST time zone

Elevation: 406 feet

Land area: 32.3 square miles. Population density: 47 people per square mile (very low).

28 residents are foreign born (1.0% Europe, 0.7% North America, 0.3% Latin America). This town: 2.1% Maine: 2.9%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000: Newfield town: 0.9% ($902) Maine: 1.5% ($1,417)

Latitude: 43.64 N, Longitude: 70.91 W

Area code commonly used in this area: 207

Single-family new house construction building permits: 1997: 7 buildings , average cost: $55,300

7 $55,300 1998: 9 buildings , average cost: $56,600

9 $56,600 1999: 11 buildings , average cost: $56,500

11 $56,500 2000: 14 buildings , average cost: $80,000

14 $80,000 2001: 11 buildings , average cost: $68,200

11 $68,200 2002: 14 buildings , average cost: $70,700

14 $70,700 2003: 52 buildings , average cost: $125,000

52 $125,000 2004: 39 buildings , average cost: $120,800

39 $120,800 2005: 23 buildings , average cost: $97,800

23 $97,800 2006: 12 buildings , average cost: $150,000

12 $150,000 2007: 11 buildings , average cost: $140,500

11 $140,500 2008: 5 buildings , average cost: $150,000

5 $150,000 2009: 7 buildings , average cost: $150,000

7 $150,000 2010: 6 buildings , average cost: $141,700

6 $141,700 2011: 9 buildings , average cost: $142,600

9 $142,600 2012: 8 buildings , average cost: $175,000

8 $175,000 2013: 6 buildings , average cost: $104,200

6 $104,200 2014: 8 buildings , average cost: $104,200

8 $104,200 2015: 5 buildings , average cost: $151,000

5 $151,000 2016: 2 buildings , average cost: $105,000

2 $105,000 2017: 3 buildings , average cost: $151,000

3 $151,000 2018: 7 buildings , average cost: $266,000

7 $266,000 2019: 5 buildings, average cost: $220,000

Unemployment in November 2020:

Here: 6.3% Maine: 4.7%

Most common industries in Newfield, ME (%) Both Males Females

Educational services (10.4%)

Construction (8.3%)

Health care (7.7%)

Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (5.1%)

Accommodation & food services (4.6%)

Motor vehicle & parts dealers (4.3%)

Public administration (3.8%)

Construction (14.2%)

Educational services (10.2%)

Motor vehicle & parts dealers (7.6%)

Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (6.5%)

Repair & maintenance (4.2%)

Public administration (3.7%)

Groceries & related products merchant wholesalers (3.1%)

Health care (15.1%)

Educational services (10.7%)

Accommodation & food services (8.1%)

Finance & insurance (7.0%)

Professional, scientific, technical services (5.9%)

Social assistance (5.5%)

Administrative & support & waste management services (4.8%) Most common occupations in Newfield, ME (%) Both Males Females

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers (6.1%)

Retail sales workers, except cashiers (3.8%)

Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (3.7%)

Secretaries and administrative assistants (3.7%)

Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (3.5%)

Carpenters (3.5%)

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (3.4%)

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers (10.8%)

Carpenters (6.2%)

Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (5.4%)

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (5.4%)

Fishing, hunting, and forestry occupations (4.2%)

Retail sales workers, except cashiers (4.0%)

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (4.0%)

Secretaries and administrative assistants (7.7%)

Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (7.4%)

Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (5.5%)

Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (5.5%)

Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (4.1%)

Cooks and food preparation workers (4.1%)

Art and design workers (3.7%)

Average climate in Newfield, Maine Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Air pollution and air quality trends

(lower is better) AQI Ozone

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2018 was 54.7. This is better than average. City: 54.7 U.S.: 74.2

Ozone [ppb] level in 2018 was 30.9. This is about average. Closest monitor was 4.1 miles away from the city center. City: 30.9 U.S.: 33.3

Tornado activity: Newfield-area historical tornado activity is significantly above Maine state average. It is 68% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 7/18/1963, a category F2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado 14.7 miles away from the Newfield town center caused between $5000 and $50,000 in damages. On 10/10/1966, a category F2 tornado 16.1 miles away from the town center caused between $5000 and $50,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity: Newfield-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Maine state average. It is 73% smaller than the overall U.S. average.



On 10/16/2012 at 23:12:25, a magnitude 4.7 (4.7 ML, Depth: 10.0 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 13.2 miles away from Newfield center

On 4/20/2002 at 10:50:47, a magnitude 5.3 (5.3 ML, Depth: 3.0 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 150.9 miles away from the city center

On 1/19/1982 at 00:14:42, a magnitude 4.7 (4.5 MB, 4.7 MD, 4.5 LG) earthquake occurred 35.9 miles away from Newfield center

On 4/20/2002 at 10:50:47, a magnitude 5.2 (5.2 MB, 4.2 MS, 5.2 MW, 5.0 MW) earthquake occurred 151.2 miles away from the city center

On 10/7/1983 at 10:18:46, a magnitude 5.3 (5.1 MB, 5.3 LG, 5.1 ML) earthquake occurred 172.6 miles away from Newfield center

On 8/21/1996 at 07:54:14, a magnitude 3.8 (3.8 LG, 3.6 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 43.4 miles away from Newfield center

Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), duration magnitude (MD), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters: The number of natural disasters in York County (31) is a lot greater than the US average (15).

Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 23

Emergencies Declared: 8



Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 21, Storms: 16, Winter Storms: 6, Snows: 5, Winds: 3, Heavy Rains: 2, Hurricanes: 2, Blizzard: 1, Ice Storm: 1, Mudslide: 1, Snowfall: 1, Snowstorm: 1, Tornado: 1, Tropical Storm: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).

Hospitals and medical centers near Newfield: MOUNTAIN VIEW NURSING HOME (Nursing Home, about 12 miles away; OSSIPEE, NH)

HUGGINS HOSPITAL Critical Access Hospitals (about 16 miles away; WOLFEBORO, NH)

Critical Access Hospitals VNA HOSPICE OF S CARROLL CO AND VICINITY (Hospital, about 16 miles away; WOLFEBORO, NH)

WOLFEBORO BAY CARE AND REHABILITATION CENTER (Nursing Home, about 16 miles away; WOLFEBORO, NH)

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Newfield: Saint Joseph's College of Maine ( about 25 miles; Standish, ME ; Full-time enrollment: 2,010)

25 ; 2,010) University of New England ( about 30 miles; Biddeford, ME ; FT enrollment: 4,539)

30 ; 4,539) University of Southern Maine ( about 32 miles; Portland, ME ; FT enrollment: 6,647)

32 ; 6,647) Southern Maine Community College ( about 35 miles; South Portland, ME ; FT enrollment: 4,666)

35 ; 4,666) University of New Hampshire-Main Campus ( about 36 miles; Durham, NH ; FT enrollment: 15,243)

36 ; 15,243) Plymouth State University ( about 40 miles; Plymouth, NH ; FT enrollment: 4,838)

40 ; 4,838) NHTI-Concord's Community College (about 43 miles; Concord, NH; FT enrollment: 2,865)

Library in Newfield: NEWFIELD VILLAGE LIBRARY/READING ROOM (Operating income: $18,325; Location: 637 WATER STREET; 3,365 books; 16 audio materials; 199 video materials; 9 state licensed databases; 28 other licensed databases; 26 print serial subscriptions)

York County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Highest Potential

Drinking water stations with addresses in Newfield and their reported violations in the past: WILLOWBROOK MUSEUM VILLAGE (Address: 70 ELM STREET Population served: 80, Groundwater): Past health violations: MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In AUG-2009, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (AUG-26-2009), St Formal NOV issued (AUG-26-2009), St Public Notif received (SEP-09-2009), St Compliance achieved (SEP-07-2011) Past monitoring violations: 2 routine major monitoring violations WILLOWBROOK MUSEUM VILLAGE (70 ELM STREET 80Groundwater):

Average household size: This town: 2.4 people Maine: 2.3 people

Percentage of family households: This town: 72.0% Whole state: 62.9%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners: This town: 8.3% Whole state: 9.4%



Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households) Lesbian couples: 0.3% of all households

0.3% Gay men: 0.5% of all households Residents with income below the poverty level in 2009:

This town: 10.4% Whole state: 10.9% Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level in 2009:

This town: 4.0% Whole state: 4.1%

4 people in homes for the mentally retarded in 2000

For population 15 years and over in Newfield: Never married: 23.0%

23.0% Now married: 61.7%

61.7% Separated: 1.3%

1.3% Widowed: 4.2%

4.2% Divorced: 9.8%

For population 25 years and over in Newfield: High school or higher: 84.1%

84.1% Bachelor's degree or higher: 15.5%

15.5% Graduate or professional degree: 5.2%

5.2% Unemployed: 4.4%

4.4% Mean travel time to work (commute): 37.8 minutes

Education Gini index (Inequality in education) Here: 9.6 Maine average: 11.2



Religion statistics for Newfield, ME (based on York County data) Religion Adherents Congregations Catholic 40,283 16 Mainline Protestant 11,480 64 Evangelical Protestant 6,086 51 Other 1,847 18 Orthodox 625 3 Black Protestant 119 1 None 136,691 - Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics: Number of grocery stores: 45 York County : 2.24 / 10,000 pop. State : 2.80 / 10,000 pop. Number of supercenters and club stores: 1 York County : 0.05 / 10,000 pop. Maine : 0.14 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (no gas): 42 This county : 2.09 / 10,000 pop. Maine : 2.20 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (with gas): 85 This county : 4.23 / 10,000 pop. Maine : 5.75 / 10,000 pop. Number of full-service restaurants: 252 This county : 12.53 / 10,000 pop. State : 11.02 / 10,000 pop. Adult diabetes rate: This county : 7.7% Maine : 8.2% Adult obesity rate: Here : 24.0% Maine : 25.0%

6.41% of this county's 2016 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2015 ($56,229 average adjusted gross income) Here: 6.41% Maine average: 5.91% 0.06% of residents moved from foreign countries ($389 average AGI) York County: 0.06% Maine average: 0.04%

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2015 and 2016:

from Cumberland County, ME 1.67% ($44,353 average AGI) from Strafford County, NH 0.57% ($49,083) from Rockingham County, NH 0.45% ($67,251)



5.79% of this county's 2015 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2016 ($56,896 average adjusted gross income) Here: 5.79% Maine average: 5.73% 0.07% of residents moved to foreign countries ($393 average AGI) York County: 0.07% Maine average: 0.06%

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2015 and 2016:

to Cumberland County, ME 1.45% ($51,464 average AGI) to Strafford County, NH 0.53% ($58,471) to Rockingham County, NH 0.37% ($65,396)

Strongest AM radio stations in Newfield: WMTW (870 AM; 10 kW; GORHAM, ME; Owner: RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.)

RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.) WGIN (930 AM; 10 kW; ROCHESTER, NH; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) WASR (1420 AM; 5 kW; WOLFEBORO, NH; Owner: RADIO WOLFEBORO, INC.)

RADIO WOLFEBORO, INC.) WRKO (680 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC)

ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC) WGAN (560 AM; 5 kW; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC)

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC) WEEI (850 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC)

ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC) WZAN (970 AM; 5 kW; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC)

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC) WBZ (1030 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.)

INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.) WJAE (1440 AM; 5 kW; WESTBROOK, ME; Owner: ALTANTIC COAST RADIO, LLC)

ALTANTIC COAST RADIO, LLC) WCRN (830 AM; 50 kW; WORCESTER, MA; Owner: CARTER BROADCASTING CORPORATION)

CARTER BROADCASTING CORPORATION) WLOB (1310 AM; 5 kW; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: ATLANTIC COAST RADIO, LLC)

ATLANTIC COAST RADIO, LLC) WKOX (1200 AM; 50 kW; FRAMINGHAM, MA; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) WWZN (1510 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: ROSE CITY RADIO CORPORATION) Strongest FM radio stations in Newfield: WMEA (90.1 FM; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORPORATION)

MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORPORATION) WSCY (106.9 FM; MOULTONBOROUGH, NH; Owner: NORTHEAST COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)

NORTHEAST COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION) WPKQ (103.7 FM; NORTH CONWAY, NH; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WHOM (94.9 FM; MT. WASHINGTON, NH; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WBLM (102.9 FM; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WVFM (105.7 FM; CAMPTON, NH; Owner: DEVON BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.)

DEVON BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.) WLKZ (104.9 FM; WOLFEBORO, NH; Owner: TELE-MEDIA COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, L.L.C.)

TELE-MEDIA COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, L.L.C.) WPHX-FM (92.1 FM; SANFORD, ME; Owner: FNX BROADCASTING LLC)

FNX BROADCASTING LLC) WSEW (88.5 FM; SANFORD, ME; Owner: WORD RADIO EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION)

WORD RADIO EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION) WMEX (106.5 FM; FARMINGTON, NH; Owner: WIMMEX, LLC)

WIMMEX, LLC) WJBQ (97.9 FM; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WNHI (93.3 FM; BELMONT, NH; Owner: CONCORD BROADCASTING, L.L.C.)

CONCORD BROADCASTING, L.L.C.) WPNH-FM (100.1 FM; PLYMOUTH, NH; Owner: NORTHEAST COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)

NORTHEAST COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION) WTHT (107.5 FM; LEWISTON, ME; Owner: RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.)

RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.) WUBB (95.3 FM; YORK CENTER, ME; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) WPOR (101.9 FM; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC)

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC) WVMJ (104.5 FM; CONWAY, NH; Owner: MT. WASHINGTON RADIO & GRAMOPHONE, L.L.C.)

MT. WASHINGTON RADIO & GRAMOPHONE, L.L.C.) WMWV (93.5 FM; CONWAY, NH; Owner: MT. WASHINGTON RADIO & GRAMOPHONE, L.L.C.)

MT. WASHINGTON RADIO & GRAMOPHONE, L.L.C.) WCYY (94.3 FM; BIDDEFORD, ME; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WMTW-FM (106.7 FM; NORTH WINDHAM, ME; Owner: RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.) TV broadcast stations around Newfield: WMTW-TV ( Channel 8; POLAND SPRING, ME; Owner: WMTW BROADCAST GROUP, LLC)

8; POLAND SPRING, ME; WMTW BROADCAST GROUP, LLC) WMEA-TV ( Channel 26; BIDDEFORD, ME; Owner: MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORP.)

26; BIDDEFORD, ME; MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORP.) WCSH ( Channel 6; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: PACIFIC AND SOUTHERN COMPANY, INC.)

6; PORTLAND, ME; PACIFIC AND SOUTHERN COMPANY, INC.) WGME-TV ( Channel 13; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: WGME LICENSEE, LLC)

13; PORTLAND, ME; WGME LICENSEE, LLC) WPXT ( Channel 51; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: HMW, INC.)

51; PORTLAND, ME; HMW, INC.) WPME (Channel 35; LEWISTON, ME; Owner: KB PRIME MEDIA LLC)

Newfield fatal accident list: May 11, 2012 09:55 PM, Sr-11, Lat: 43.634194, Lon: -70.898239, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 2, Fatalities: 2, Drunk persons involved: 1

Jun 28, 2006 12:14 AM, Sr-11, Lat: 43.686300, Lon: -70.795620, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 1, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1

Aug 20, 2002 12:23 AM, Sr-11, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 1, Fatalities: 1

Oct 12, 1994 02:30 PM, 11, Vehicles: 2, Persons: 2, Fatalities: 1

Jul 6, 1992 02:30 AM, Maplewood, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 1, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1

May 99, 1988 87:99 PM, 21272140, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 1, Fatalities: 1, Drunk persons involved: 1



National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics

1 Number of bridges

Number of bridges 7ft / 2.3m Total length

Total length 1,060 Total average daily traffic

Total average daily traffic 53 Total average daily truck traffic

Total average daily truck traffic 1,590 Total future (year 2036) average daily traffic



FCC Registered Antenna Towers: 3 Michael J Umano, Off Wakefield Road ( Lat: 43.641167 Lon: -70.916028), Type: 60.9, Overall height: 59.4 m, Registrant: Kevin.Delaney@induscom.Com, Phone: (781) 319-1011

43.641167 -70.916028), 60.9, 59.4 m, Kevin.Delaney@induscom.Com, (781) 319-1011 Michael J Umano, Off Gile Road ( Lat: 43.607222 Lon: -70.890694), Type: 60.9, Overall height: 59.4 m, Registrant: Kevin.Delaney@induscom.Com, Phone: (781) 319-1011

43.607222 -70.890694), 60.9, 59.4 m, Kevin.Delaney@induscom.Com, (781) 319-1011 Michael J Umano, Off Wakefield Road (Lat: 43.641167 Lon: -70.916028), Type: 60.9, Structure height: 23031 m, Overall height: 59.4 m, Registrant: Kevin.Delaney@induscom.Com, Phone: (781) 319-1011

FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses: 5 Call Sign: KA1WAO, Licensee ID: L00171378, Grant Date: 08/24/2000, Expiration Date: 11/20/2010, Cancellation Date: 11/21/2012, Registrant: Charles F Hicks, Newfield, ME 04056

KA1WAO, L00171378, 08/24/2000, 11/20/2010, 11/21/2012, Charles F Hicks, Newfield, ME 04056 Call Sign: KB1MRF, Licensee ID: L01072525, Grant Date: 10/12/2005, Expiration Date: 10/12/2015, Cancellation Date: 01/10/2006, Certifier: Laura L Harvey, Registrant: Laura L Harvey, 31 Coolidge St, W Newfield, ME 04095

KB1MRF, L01072525, 10/12/2005, 10/12/2015, 01/10/2006, Laura L Harvey, Laura L Harvey, 31 Coolidge St, W Newfield, ME 04095 Call Sign: WB1RDS, Previous Call Sign: KB1MRF, Licensee ID: L01072525, Grant Date: 01/10/2006, Expiration Date: 01/10/2016, Cancellation Date: 01/11/2018, Certifier: Laura L Harvey, Registrant: Laura L Harvey, 31 Coolidge St, W Newfield, ME 04095

WB1RDS, KB1MRF, L01072525, 01/10/2006, 01/10/2016, 01/11/2018, Laura L Harvey, Laura L Harvey, 31 Coolidge St, W Newfield, ME 04095 Call Sign: KB1NZJ, Licensee ID: L01199544, Grant Date: 10/05/2006, Expiration Date: 10/05/2016, Cancellation Date: 10/28/2006, Certifier: Maureen M Stone, Registrant: Maureen M Stone, 281 Garland Rd, W Newfield, ME 04095

KB1NZJ, L01199544, 10/05/2006, 10/05/2016, 10/28/2006, Maureen M Stone, Maureen M Stone, 281 Garland Rd, W Newfield, ME 04095 Call Sign: K1PHF, Previous Call Sign: KB1NZJ, Licensee ID: L01199544, Grant Date: 11/01/2016, Expiration Date: 11/01/2026, Certifier: Maureen M Stone, Registrant: Maureen M Stone, 281 Garland Rd, W Newfield, ME 04095



Houses and condos Apartments 71.5% Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.

16.4% Wood

9.5% Bottled, tank, or LP gas

1.2% Solar energy

0.9% Electricity

0.5% Utility gas 60.9% Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.

21.9% Bottled, tank, or LP gas

14.1% Wood

3.1% Electricity





Newfield compared to Maine state average: Unemployed percentage below state average.

below Black race population percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Hispanic race population percentage below state average.

below Foreign-born population percentage below state average.

below Renting percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.

significantly above Number of rooms per house significantly below state average.

significantly below House age significantly below state average.

significantly below Number of college students below state average.

below Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher below state average.

no pilots and There arepilots and 1 other airmen in this city.

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Union Grove, Wisconsin

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Population in 2019: 5,111 (97% urban, 3% rural).

Population change since 2000: +18.3%

5,111 (97% urban, 3% rural).+18.3%

Males: 2,354 (46.1%) Females: 2,757 (53.9%)

Median resident age: 38.0 years Wisconsin median age: 39.9 years

Zip codes: 53182.

Estimated median household income in 2019: $66,793 (it was $50,636 in 2000)

Union Grove: $66,793 WI: $64,168

Estimated per capita income in 2019: $32,868 (it was $20,445 in 2000)



Union Grove village income, earnings, and wages data



Estimated median house or condo value in 2019: $198,632 (it was $125,300 in 2000) Union Grove: $198,632 WI: $197,200

Mean prices in 2019: all housing units: $236,303; detached houses: $243,770; townhouses or other attached units: $181,850; in 2-unit structures: $154,172; in 3-to-4-unit structures: $160,831; in 5-or-more-unit structures: $152,489; mobile homes: $121,987 $66,793 ($50,636$32,868 ($20,445$198,632 ($125,300$236,303;$243,770;$181,850;$154,172;$160,831;$152,489;$121,987

Median gross rent in 2019: $856.

March 2019 cost of living index in Union Grove: 95.5 (near average, U.S. average is 100)

Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2019: 20.6%

(18.6% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 56.1% for Black residents, 19.3% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 59.7% for two or more races residents)

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Most recent value % change since 2k Data: Median household income ($) Median household income (% change since 2000) Household income diversity Ratio of average income to average house value (%) Ratio of average income to average rent Median household income ($) - White Median household income ($) - Black or African American Median household income ($) - Asian Median household income ($) - Hispanic or Latino Median household income ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native Median household income ($) - Multirace Median household income ($) - Other Race Median household income for houses/condos with a mortgage ($) Median household income for apartments without a mortgage ($) Races - White alone (%) Races - White alone (% change since 2000) Races - Black alone (%) Races - Black alone (% change since 2000) Races - American Indian alone (%) Races - American Indian alone (% change since 2000) Races - Asian alone (%) Races - Asian alone (% change since 2000) Races - Hispanic (%) Races - Hispanic (% change since 2000) Races - Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone (%) Races - Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone (% change since 2000) Races - Two or more races (%) Races - Two or more races (% change since 2000) Races - Other race alone (%) Races - Other race alone (% change since 2000) Racial diversity Unemployment (%) Unemployment (% change since 2000) Unemployment (%) - White Unemployment (%) - Black or African American Unemployment (%) - Asian Unemployment (%) - Hispanic or Latino Unemployment (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Unemployment (%) - Multirace Unemployment (%) - Other Race Population density (people per square mile) Population - Males (%) Population - Females (%) Population - Males (%) - White Population - Males (%) - Black or African American Population - Males (%) - Asian Population - Males (%) - Hispanic or Latino Population - Males (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Population - Males (%) - Multirace Population - Males (%) - Other Race Population - Females (%) - White Population - Females (%) - Black or African American Population - Females (%) - Asian Population - Females (%) - Hispanic or Latino Population - Females (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Population - Females (%) - Multirace Population - Females (%) - Other Race Coronavirus confirmed cases (Nov 22, 2021) Deaths caused by coronavirus (Nov 22, 2021) Coronavirus confirmed cases (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) Deaths caused by coronavirus (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) Daily increase in number of cases (Nov 22, 2021) Weekly increase in number of cases (Nov 22, 2021) Cases doubled (in days) (Nov 22, 2021) Hospitalized patients (Nov 22, 2021) Negative test results (Nov 22, 2021) Total test results (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses distributed (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses administered (per 100k population) (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses distributed (Nov 22, 2021) COVID Vaccine doses administered (Nov 22, 2021) Likely homosexual households (%) Likely homosexual households (% change since 2000) Likely homosexual households - Lesbian couples (%) Likely homosexual households - Lesbian couples (% change since 2000) Likely homosexual households - Gay men (%) Likely homosexual households - Gay men (% change since 2000) Cost of living index Median gross rent ($) Median contract rent ($) Median monthly housing costs ($) Median house or condo value ($) Median house or condo value ($ change since 2000) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 1, detached ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 1, attached ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 2 ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure by units in structure - 3 or 4 ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - 5 or more ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - Boat, RV, van, etc. ($) Mean house or condo value by units in structure - Mobile home ($) Median house or condo value ($) - White Median house or condo value ($) - Black or African American Median house or condo value ($) - Asian Median house or condo value ($) - Hispanic or Latino Median house or condo value ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native Median house or condo value ($) - Multirace Median house or condo value ($) - Other Race Median resident age Resident age diversity Median resident age - Males Median resident age - Females Median resident age - White Median resident age - Black or African American Median resident age - Asian Median resident age - Hispanic or Latino Median resident age - American Indian and Alaska Native Median resident age - Multirace Median resident age - Other Race Median resident age - Males - White Median resident age - Males - Black or African American Median resident age - Males - Asian Median resident age - Males - Hispanic or Latino Median resident age - Males - American Indian and Alaska Native Median resident age - Males - Multirace Median resident age - Males - Other Race Median resident age - Females - White Median resident age - Females - Black or African American Median resident age - Females - Asian Median resident age - Females - Hispanic or Latino Median resident age - Females - American Indian and Alaska Native Median resident age - Females - Multirace Median resident age - Females - Other Race Commute - mean travel time to work (minutes) Travel time to work - Less than 5 minutes (%) Travel time to work - Less than 5 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 5 to 9 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 5 to 9 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 10 to 19 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 10 to 19 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 20 to 29 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 20 to 29 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 30 to 39 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 30 to 39 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 40 to 59 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 40 to 59 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 60 to 89 minutes (%) Travel time to work - 60 to 89 minutes (% change since 2000) Travel time to work - 90 or more minutes (%) Travel time to work - 90 or more minutes (% change since 2000) Marital status - Never married (%) Marital status - Now married (%) Marital status - Separated (%) Marital status - Widowed (%) Marital status - Divorced (%) Median family income ($) Median family income (% change since 2000) Median non-family income ($) Median non-family income (% change since 2000) Median per capita income ($) Median per capita income (% change since 2000) Median family income ($) - White Median family income ($) - Black or African American Median family income ($) - Asian Median family income ($) - Hispanic or Latino Median family income ($) - American Indian and Alaska Native Median family income ($) - Multirace Median family income ($) - Other Race Median year house/condo built Median year apartment built Year house built - Built 2005 or later (%) Year house built - Built 2000 to 2004 (%) Year house built - Built 1990 to 1999 (%) Year house built - Built 1980 to 1989 (%) Year house built - Built 1970 to 1979 (%) Year house built - Built 1960 to 1969 (%) Year house built - Built 1950 to 1959 (%) Year house built - Built 1940 to 1949 (%) Year house built - Built 1939 or earlier (%) Average household size Household density (households per square mile) Average household size - White Average household size - Black or African American Average household size - Asian Average household size - Hispanic or Latino Average household size - American Indian and Alaska Native Average household size - Multirace Average household size - Other Race Occupied housing units (%) Vacant housing units (%) Owner occupied housing units (%) Renter occupied housing units (%) Vacancy status - For rent (%) Vacancy status - For sale only (%) Vacancy status - Rented or sold, not occupied (%) Vacancy status - For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use (%) Vacancy status - For migrant workers (%) Vacancy status - Other vacant (%) Residents with income below the poverty level (%) Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level (%) Children below poverty level (%) Poor families by family type - Married-couple family (%) Poor families by family type - Male, no wife present (%) Poor families by family type - Female, no husband present (%) Poverty status for native-born residents (%) Poverty status for foreign-born residents (%) Poverty among high school graduates not in families (%) Poverty among people who did not graduate high school not in families (%) Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - White Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Black or African American Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Asian Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Hispanic or Latino Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - American Indian and Alaska Native Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Multirace Residents with income below the poverty level (%) - Other Race Air pollution - Air Quality Index (AQI) Air pollution - CO Air pollution - NO2 Air pollution - SO2 Air pollution - Ozone Air pollution - PM10 Air pollution - PM25 Air pollution - Pb Crime - Murders per 100,000 population Crime - Rapes per 100,000 population Crime - Robberies per 100,000 population Crime - Assaults per 100,000 population Crime - Burglaries per 100,000 population Crime - Thefts per 100,000 population Crime - Auto thefts per 100,000 population Crime - Arson per 100,000 population Crime - City-data.com crime index Crime - Violent crime index Crime - Property crime index Crime - Murders per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Rapes per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Robberies per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Assaults per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Burglaries per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Thefts per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Auto thefts per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - Arson per 100,000 population (5 year average) Crime - City-data.com crime index (5 year average) Crime - Violent crime index (5 year average) Crime - Property crime index (5 year average) 1996 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Clinton) 1996 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Dole) 1996 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2000 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Gore) 2000 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Bush) 2000 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2004 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Kerry) 2004 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Bush) 2004 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2008 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Obama) 2008 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (McCain) 2008 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2012 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Obama) 2012 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Romney) 2012 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2016 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Clinton) 2016 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Trump) 2016 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other 2020 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Democratic Party (Biden) 2020 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Republican Party (Trump) 2020 Presidential Elections Results (%) - Other Ancestries Reported - Arab (%) Ancestries Reported - Czech (%) Ancestries Reported - Danish (%) Ancestries Reported - Dutch (%) Ancestries Reported - English (%) Ancestries Reported - French (%) Ancestries Reported - French Canadian (%) Ancestries Reported - German (%) Ancestries Reported - Greek (%) Ancestries Reported - Hungarian (%) Ancestries Reported - Irish (%) Ancestries Reported - Italian (%) Ancestries Reported - Lithuanian (%) Ancestries Reported - Norwegian (%) Ancestries Reported - Polish (%) Ancestries Reported - Portuguese (%) Ancestries Reported - Russian (%) Ancestries Reported - Scotch-Irish (%) Ancestries Reported - Scottish (%) Ancestries Reported - Slovak (%) Ancestries Reported - Subsaharan African (%) Ancestries Reported - Swedish (%) Ancestries Reported - Swiss (%) Ancestries Reported - Ukrainian (%) Ancestries Reported - United States (%) Ancestries Reported - Welsh (%) Ancestries Reported - West Indian (%) Ancestries Reported - Other (%) Educational Attainment - No schooling completed (%) Educational Attainment - Less than high school (%) Educational Attainment - High school or equivalent (%) Educational Attainment - Less than 1 year of college (%) Educational Attainment - 1 or more years of college (%) Educational Attainment - Associate degree (%) Educational Attainment - Bachelor's degree (%) Educational Attainment - Master's degree (%) Educational Attainment - Professional school degree (%) Educational Attainment - Doctorate degree (%) School Enrollment - Nursery, preschool (%) School Enrollment - Kindergarten (%) School Enrollment - Grade 1 to 4 (%) School Enrollment - Grade 5 to 8 (%) School Enrollment - Grade 9 to 12 (%) School Enrollment - College undergrad (%) School Enrollment - Graduate or professional (%) School Enrollment - Not enrolled in school (%) School enrollment - Public schools (%) School enrollment - Private schools (%) School enrollment - Not enrolled (%) Median number of rooms in houses and condos Median number of rooms in apartments Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities (%) Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities (%) Density of houses Urban houses (%) Rural houses (%) Households with people 60 years and over (%) Households with people 65 years and over (%) Households with people 75 years and over (%) Households with one or more nonrelatives (%) Households with no nonrelatives (%) Population in households (%) Family households (%) Nonfamily households (%) Population in families (%) Family households with own children (%) Median number of bedrooms in owner occupied houses Mean number of bedrooms in owner occupied houses Median number of bedrooms in renter occupied houses Mean number of bedrooms in renter occupied houses Median number of vehichles in owner occupied houses Mean number of vehichles in owner occupied houses Median number of vehichles in renter occupied houses Mean number of vehichles in renter occupied houses Mortgage status - with mortgage (%) Mortgage status - with second mortgage (%) Mortgage status - with home equity loan (%) Mortgage status - with both second mortgage and home equity loan (%) Mortgage status - without a mortgage (%) Average family size Average family size - White Average family size - Black or African American Average family size - Asian Average family size - Hispanic or Latino Average family size - American Indian and Alaska Native Average family size - Multirace Average family size - Other Race Geographical mobility - Same house 1 year ago (%) Geographical mobility - Moved within same county (%) Geographical mobility - Moved from different county within same state (%) Geographical mobility - Moved from different state (%) Geographical mobility - Moved from abroad (%) Place of birth - Born in state of residence (%) Place of birth - Born in other state (%) Place of birth - Native, outside of US (%) Place of birth - Foreign born (%) Housing units in structures - 1, detached (%) Housing units in structures - 1, attached (%) Housing units in structures - 2 (%) Housing units in structures - 3 or 4 (%) Housing units in structures - 5 to 9 (%) Housing units in structures - 10 to 19 (%) Housing units in structures - 20 to 49 (%) Housing units in structures - 50 or more (%) Housing units in structures - Mobile home (%) Housing units in structures - Boat, RV, van, etc. (%) House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago) Renter moved in on average (years ago) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1999 to March 2000 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1995 to 1998 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1990 to 1994 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1980 to 1989 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1970 to 1979 (%) Year householder moved into unit - Moved in 1969 or earlier (%) Means of transportation to work - Drove car alone (%) Means of transportation to work - Carpooled (%) Means of transportation to work - Public transportation (%) Means of transportation to work - Bus or trolley bus (%) Means of transportation to work - Streetcar or trolley car (%) Means of transportation to work - Subway or elevated (%) Means of transportation to work - Railroad (%) Means of transportation to work - Ferryboat (%) Means of transportation to work - Taxicab (%) Means of transportation to work - Motorcycle (%) Means of transportation to work - Bicycle (%) Means of transportation to work - Walked (%) Means of transportation to work - Other means (%) Working at home (%) Industry diversity Most Common Industries - Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining (%) Most Common Industries - Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (%) Most Common Industries - Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (%) Most Common Industries - Construction (%) Most Common Industries - Manufacturing (%) Most Common Industries - Wholesale trade (%) Most Common Industries - Retail trade (%) Most Common Industries - Transportation and warehousing, and utilities (%) Most Common Industries - Transportation and warehousing (%) Most Common Industries - Utilities (%) Most Common Industries - Information (%) Most Common Industries - Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing (%) Most Common Industries - Finance and insurance (%) Most Common Industries - Real estate and rental and leasing (%) Most Common Industries - Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services (%) Most Common Industries - Professional, scientific, and technical services (%) Most Common Industries - Management of companies and enterprises (%) Most Common Industries - Administrative and support and waste management services (%) Most Common Industries - Educational services, and health care and social assistance (%) Most Common Industries - Educational services (%) Most Common Industries - Health care and social assistance (%) Most Common Industries - Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services (%) Most Common Industries - Arts, entertainment, and recreation (%) Most Common Industries - Accommodation and food services (%) Most Common Industries - Other services, except public administration (%) Most Common Industries - Public administration (%) Occupation diversity Most Common Occupations - Management, business, science, and arts occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Management, business, and financial occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Management occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Business and financial operations occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Computer, engineering, and science occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Computer and mathematical occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Architecture and engineering occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Life, physical, and social science occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Education, legal, community service, arts, and media occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Community and social service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Legal occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Education, training, and library occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Health technologists and technicians (%) Most Common Occupations - Service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Healthcare support occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Protective service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Fire fighting and prevention, and other protective service workers including supervisors (%) Most Common Occupations - Law enforcement workers including supervisors (%) Most Common Occupations - Food preparation and serving related occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Personal care and service occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Sales and office occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Sales and related occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Office and administrative support occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Construction and extraction occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Production, transportation, and material moving occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Production occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Transportation occupations (%) Most Common Occupations - Material moving occupations (%) People in Group quarters - Institutionalized population (%) People in Group quarters - Correctional institutions (%) People in Group quarters - Federal prisons and detention centers (%) People in Group quarters - Halfway houses (%) People in Group quarters - Local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups) (%) People in Group quarters - Military disciplinary barracks (%) People in Group quarters - State prisons (%) People in Group quarters - Other types of correctional institutions (%) People in Group quarters - Nursing homes (%) People in Group quarters - Hospitals/wards, hospices, and schools for the handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Hospitals/wards and hospices for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Hospices or homes for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Military hospitals or wards for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Other hospitals or wards for chronically ill (%) People in Group quarters - Hospitals or wards for drug/alcohol abuse (%) People in Group quarters - Mental (Psychiatric) hospitals or wards (%) People in Group quarters - Schools, hospitals, or wards for the mentally retarded (%) People in Group quarters - Schools, hospitals, or wards for the physically handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Institutions for the deaf (%) People in Group quarters - Institutions for the blind (%) People in Group quarters - Orthopedic wards and institutions for the physically handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Wards in general hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere (%) People in Group quarters - Wards in military hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere (%) People in Group quarters - Juvenile institutions (%) People in Group quarters - Long-term care (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for abused, dependent, and neglected children (%) People in Group quarters - Residential treatment centers for emotionally disturbed children (%) People in Group quarters - Training schools for juvenile delinquents (%) People in Group quarters - Short-term care, detention or diagnostic centers for delinquent children (%) People in Group quarters - Type of juvenile institution unknown (%) People in Group quarters - Noninstitutionalized population (%) People in Group quarters - College dormitories (includes college quarters off campus) (%) People in Group quarters - Military quarters (%) People in Group quarters - On base (%) People in Group quarters - Barracks, unaccompanied personnel housing (UPH), (Enlisted/Officer), ;and similar group living quarters for military personnel (%) People in Group quarters - Transient quarters for temporary residents (%) People in Group quarters - Military ships (%) People in Group quarters - Group homes (%) People in Group quarters - Homes or halfway houses for drug/alcohol abuse (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for the mentally ill (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for the mentally retarded (%) People in Group quarters - Homes for the physically handicapped (%) People in Group quarters - Other group homes (%) People in Group quarters - Religious group quarters (%) People in Group quarters - Dormitories (%) People in Group quarters - Agriculture workers' dormitories on farms (%) People in Group quarters - Job Corps and vocational training facilities (%) People in Group quarters - Other workers' dormitories (%) People in Group quarters - Crews of maritime vessels (%) People in Group quarters - Other nonhousehold living situations (%) People in Group quarters - Other noninstitutional group quarters (%) Residents speaking English at home (%) Residents speaking English at home - Born in the United States (%) Residents speaking English at home - Native, born elsewhere (%) Residents speaking English at home - Foreign born (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home - Born in the United States (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home - Native, born elsewhere (%) Residents speaking Spanish at home - Foreign born (%) Residents speaking other language at home (%) Residents speaking other language at home - Born in the United States (%) Residents speaking other language at home - Native, born elsewhere (%) Residents speaking other language at home - Foreign born (%) Class of Workers - Employee of private company (%) Class of Workers - Self-employed in own incorporated business (%) Class of Workers - Private not-for-profit wage and salary workers (%) Class of Workers - Local government workers (%) Class of Workers - State government workers (%) Class of Workers - Federal government workers (%) Class of Workers - Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business and Unpaid family workers (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Utility gas (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Bottled, tank, or LP gas (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Electricity (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Coal or coke (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Wood (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Solar energy (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - Other fuel (%) House heating fuel used in houses and condos - No fuel used (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Utility gas (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Bottled, tank, or LP gas (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Electricity (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Coal or coke (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Wood (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Solar energy (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - Other fuel (%) House heating fuel used in apartments - No fuel used (%) Armed forces status - In Armed Forces (%) Armed forces status - Civilian (%) Armed forces status - Civilian - Veteran (%) Armed forces status - Civilian - Nonveteran (%) Fatal accidents locations in years 2005-2019 Fatal accidents locations in 2005 Fatal accidents locations in 2006 Fatal accidents locations in 2007 Fatal accidents locations in 2008 Fatal accidents locations in 2009 Fatal accidents locations in 2010 Fatal accidents locations in 2011 Fatal accidents locations in 2012 Fatal accidents locations in 2013 Fatal accidents locations in 2014 Fatal accidents locations in 2015 Fatal accidents locations in 2016 Fatal accidents locations in 2017 Fatal accidents locations in 2018 Fatal accidents locations in 2019 Alcohol use - People drinking some alcohol every month (%) Alcohol use - People not drinking at all (%) Alcohol use - Average days/month drinking alcohol Alcohol use - Average drinks/week Alcohol use - Average days/year people drink much Audiometry - Average condition of hearing (%) Audiometry - People that can hear a whisper from across a quiet room (%) Audiometry - People that can hear normal voice from across a quiet room (%) Audiometry - Ears ringing, roaring, buzzing (%) Audiometry - Had a job exposure to loud noise (%) Audiometry - Had off-work exposure to loud noise (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Has high blood pressure (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Checking blood pressure at home (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Frequently checking blood cholesterol (%) Blood Pressure & Cholesterol - Has high cholesterol level (%) Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on food at supermarket/grocery store Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on food at other stores Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on eating out Consumer Behavior - Money monthly spent on carryout/delivered foods Consumer Behavior - Income spent on food at supermarket/grocery store (%) Consumer Behavior - Income spent on food at other stores (%) Consumer Behavior - Income spent on eating out (%) Consumer Behavior - Income spent on carryout/delivered foods (%) Current Health Status - General health condition (%) Current Health Status - Blood donors (%) Current Health Status - Has blood ever tested for HIV virus (%) Current Health Status - Left-handed people (%) Dermatology - People using sunscreen (%) Diabetes - Diabetics (%) Diabetes - Had a blood test for high blood sugar (%) Diabetes - People taking insulin (%) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Diet health (%) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Milk product consumption (# of products/month) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Meals not home prepared (#/week) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Meals from fast food or pizza place (#/week) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Ready-to-eat foods (#/month) Diet Behavior & Nutrition - Frozen meals/pizza (#/month) Drug Use - People that ever used marijuana or hashish (%) Drug Use - Ever used hard drugs (%) Drug Use - Ever used any form of cocaine (%) Drug Use - Ever used heroin (%) Drug Use - Ever used methamphetamine (%) Health Insurance - People covered by health insurance (%) Kidney Conditions-Urology - Avg. # of times urinating at night Medical Conditions - People with asthma (%) Medical Conditions - People with anemia (%) Medical Conditions - People with psoriasis (%) Medical Conditions - People with overweight (%) Medical Conditions - Elderly people having difficulties in thinking or remembering (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever received blood transfusion (%) Medical Conditions - People having trouble seeing even with glass/contacts (%) Medical Conditions - People with arthritis (%) Medical Conditions - People with gout (%) Medical Conditions - People with congestive heart failure (%) Medical Conditions - People with coronary heart disease (%) Medical Conditions - People with angina pectoris (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever had heart attack (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever had stroke (%) Medical Conditions - People with emphysema (%) Medical Conditions - People with thyroid problem (%) Medical Conditions - People with chronic bronchitis (%) Medical Conditions - People with any liver condition (%) Medical Conditions - People who ever had cancer or malignancy (%) Mental Health - People who have little interest in doing things (%) Mental Health - People feeling down, depressed, or hopeless (%) Mental Health - People who have trouble sleeping or sleeping too much (%) Mental Health - People feeling tired or having little energy (%) Mental Health - People with poor appetite or overeating (%) Mental Health - People feeling bad about themself (%) Mental Health - People who have trouble concentrating on things (%) Mental Health - People moving or speaking slowly or too fast (%) Mental Health - People having thoughts they would be better off dead (%) Oral Health - Average years since last visit a dentist Oral Health - People embarrassed because of mouth (%) Oral Health - People with gum disease (%) Oral Health - General health of teeth and gums (%) Oral Health - Average days a week using dental floss/device Oral Health - Average days a week using mouthwash for dental problem Oral Health - Average number of teeth Pesticide Use - Households using pesticides to control insects (%) Pesticide Use - Households using pesticides to kill weeds (%) Physical Activity - People doing vigorous-intensity work activities (%) Physical Activity - People doing moderate-intensity work activities (%) Physical Activity - People walking or bicycling (%) Physical Activity - People doing vigorous-intensity recreational activities (%) Physical Activity - People doing moderate-intensity recreational activities (%) Physical Activity - Average hours a day doing sedentary activities Physical Activity - Average hours a day watching TV or videos Physical Activity - Average hours a day using computer Physical Functioning - People having limitations keeping them from working (%) Physical Functioning - People limited in amount of work they can do (%) Physical Functioning - People that need special equipment to walk (%) Physical Functioning - People experiencing confusion/memory problems (%) Physical Functioning - People requiring special healthcare equipment (%) Prescription Medications - Average number of prescription medicines taking Preventive Aspirin Use - Adults 40+ taking low-dose aspirin (%) Reproductive Health - Vaginal deliveries (%) Reproductive Health - Cesarean deliveries (%) Reproductive Health - Deliveries resulted in a live birth (%) Reproductive Health - Pregnancies resulted in a delivery (%) Reproductive Health - Women breastfeeding newborns (%) Reproductive Health - Women that had a hysterectomy (%) Reproductive Health - Women that had both ovaries removed (%) Reproductive Health - Women that have ever taken birth control pills (%) Reproductive Health - Women taking birth control pills (%) Reproductive Health - Women that have ever used Depo-Provera or injectables (%) Reproductive Health - Women that have ever used female hormones (%) Sexual Behavior - People 18+ that ever had sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever had vaginal sex with a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever performed oral sex on a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever had anal sex with a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Males 18+ that ever had any sex with a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever had vaginal sex with a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever performed oral sex on a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever had anal sex with a man (%) Sexual Behavior - Females 18+ that ever had any kind of sex with a woman (%) Sexual Behavior - Average age people first had sex Sexual Behavior - Average number of female sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of female vaginal sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average age people first performed oral sex on a woman (18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of woman performed oral sex on in lifetime (18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male anal sex partners in lifetime (males 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average age people first performed oral sex on a man (18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male oral sex partners in lifetime (18+) Sexual Behavior - People using protection when performing oral sex (%) Sexual Behavior - Average number of times people have vaginal or anal sex a year Sexual Behavior - People having sex without condom (%) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male sex partners in lifetime (females 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of male vaginal sex partners in lifetime (females 18+) Sexual Behavior - Average number of female sex partners in lifetime (females 18+) Sexual Behavior - Circumcised males 18+ (%) Sleep Disorders - Average hours sleeping at night Sleep Disorders - People that has trouble sleeping (%) Smoking-Cigarette Use - People smoking cigarettes (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ having problems with smell (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ having problems with taste (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had wisdom teeth removed (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had tonsils teeth removed (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had a loss of consciousness because of a head injury (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had a broken nose or other serious injury to face or skull (%) Taste & Smell - People 40+ that ever had two or more sinus infections (%) Weight - Average height (inches) Weight - Average weight (pounds) Weight - Average BMI Weight - People that are obese (%) Weight - People that ever were obese (%) Weight - People trying to lose weight (%) Settings Get link Loading data... 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4,510 90.4% White alone 173 3.5% Hispanic 162 3.2% Two or more races 108 2.2% Black alone 19 0.4% Asian alone

Races in Union Grove detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth





According to our research of Wisconsin and other state lists, there were 8 registered sex offenders living in Union Grove, Wisconsin as of November 22, 2021.

The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Union Grove is 613 to 1.

The ratio of registered sex offenders to all residents in this city is lower than the state average.







Latest news from Union Grove, WI collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: German (31.3%), Irish (11.8%), European (6.0%), Norwegian (5.8%), French (4.6%), Dutch (2.5%).

Current Local Time: CST time zone

Elevation: 770 feet

Land area: 1.71 square miles. Population density: 2,986 people per square mile (average).

225 residents are foreign born (2.4% Europe, 1.7% Latin America). This village: 4.5% Wisconsin: 5.0%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2019: $3,637 (1.9%)

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2019: $3,623 (1.9%)



Latitude: 42.69 N, Longitude: 88.05 W

Area code: 262

Single-family new house construction building permits: 1997: 32 buildings , average cost: $120,300

32 $120,300 1998: 45 buildings , average cost: $117,300

45 $117,300 1999: 28 buildings , average cost: $122,100

28 $122,100 2000: 31 buildings , average cost: $133,800

31 $133,800 2001: 35 buildings , average cost: $137,900

35 $137,900 2002: 18 buildings , average cost: $181,500

18 $181,500 2003: 26 buildings , average cost: $180,900

26 $180,900 2004: 11 buildings , average cost: $162,700

11 $162,700 2005: 12 buildings , average cost: $173,800

12 $173,800 2006: 4 buildings , average cost: $183,900

4 $183,900 2007: 7 buildings , average cost: $195,200

7 $195,200 2008: 2 buildings , average cost: $203,100

2 $203,100 2009: 1 building , cost: $145,000

1 $145,000 2015: 12 buildings , average cost: $199,700

12 $199,700 2016: 7 buildings , average cost: $235,100

7 $235,100 2017: 1 building , cost: $241,500

1 $241,500 2018: 1 building, cost: $223,000

Unemployment in November 2020:

Here: 5.2% Wisconsin: 4.5%



Population change in the 1990s: +751 (+21.0%). +751 (+21.0%).

Most common industries in Union Grove, WI (%) Both Males Females

Health care (13.3%)

Construction (8.9%)

Public administration (8.6%)

Machinery (7.0%)

Educational services (5.9%)

Plastics & rubber products (5.4%)

Finance & insurance (3.6%)

Construction (17.1%)

Public administration (11.1%)

Machinery (8.0%)

Truck transportation (6.4%)

Plastics & rubber products (6.3%)

Metal & metal products (5.0%)

Educational services (4.1%)

Health care (24.8%)

Educational services (7.6%)

Public administration (6.1%)

Machinery (6.0%)

Department & other general merchandise stores (5.7%)

Finance & insurance (5.4%)

Plastics & rubber products (4.4%) Most common occupations in Union Grove, WI (%) Both Males Females

Other production occupations, including supervisors (6.0%)

Metal workers and plastic workers (5.0%)

Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (4.8%)

Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (4.2%)

Retail sales workers, except cashiers (3.9%)

Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing workers (3.9%)

Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (3.8%)

Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (7.0%)

Metal workers and plastic workers (6.6%)

Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (6.1%)

Other production occupations, including supervisors (5.9%)

Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (4.7%)

Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (4.6%)

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers (4.4%)

Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (9.7%)

Other production occupations, including supervisors (6.2%)

Retail sales workers, except cashiers (6.0%)

Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (5.5%)

Material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing workers (5.1%)

Secretaries and administrative assistants (4.4%)

Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (3.8%)

Average climate in Union Grove, Wisconsin Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Air pollution and air quality trends

(lower is better) AQI CO NO 2 Ozone PM 10 PM 2.5 Pb

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2018 was 87.3. This is about average. City: 87.3 U.S.: 74.2

Carbon Monoxide (CO) [ppm] level in 2002 was 0.445. This is significantly worse than average. Closest monitor was 12.5 miles away from the city center. City: 0.445 U.S.: 0.267



Ozone [ppb] level in 2018 was 29.9. This is about average. Closest monitor was 0.2 miles away from the city center. City: 29.9 U.S.: 33.3

Particulate Matter (PM 10 ) [g/m3] level in 2008 was 17.3. This is about average. Closest monitor was 12.9 miles away from the city center. City: 17.3 U.S.: 19.6

Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 ) [g/m3] level in 2018 was 7.36. This is about average. Closest monitor was 17.5 miles away from the city center. City: 7.36 U.S.: 8.46

Lead (Pb) [g/m3] level in 2006 was 0.0169. This is significantly worse than average. Closest monitor was 0.3 miles away from the city center. City: 0.0169 U.S.: 0.0098

Tornado activity: Union Grove-area historical tornado activity is near Wisconsin state average. It is 24% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 9/28/1972, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 24.5 miles away from the Union Grove village center injured 20 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages. On 4/27/1984, a category F4 tornado 26.1 miles away from the village center killed one person and injured 14 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity: Union Grove-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Wisconsin state average. It is 21% greater than the overall U.S. average.



On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.4 (5.1 MB, 4.8 MS, 5.4 MW, 5.2 MW, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 292.9 miles away from the city center

On 6/10/1987 at 23:48:54, a magnitude 5.1 (4.9 MB, 4.4 MS, 4.6 MS, 5.1 LG) earthquake occurred 267.4 miles away from the city center

On 6/28/2004 at 06:10:52, a magnitude 4.2 (4.2 MW, Depth: 6.2 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 95.3 miles away from the city center

On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.2 (5.2 MW, Depth: 8.9 mi) earthquake occurred 293.0 miles away from Union Grove center

On 2/10/2010 at 09:59:35, a magnitude 3.8 (3.8 MW, Depth: 6.2 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 54.6 miles away from the city center

On 5/2/2015 at 16:23:07, a magnitude 4.2 (4.2 MW, Depth: 2.8 mi) earthquake occurred 137.3 miles away from the city center

Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters: The number of natural disasters in Racine County (15) is near the US average (15).

Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 11

Emergencies Declared: 4



Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 9, Storms: 8, Tornadoes: 3, Winter Storms: 3, Snowstorms: 2, Blizzard: 1, Hurricane: 1, Snow: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).

Hospitals and medical centers in Union Grove: SOUTHERN WI CTR FDD (21425 SPRING ST)

OAK RIDGE CARE CTR (1400 8TH AVE)

WI VETERANS HOME-BOLAND HALL (21425 E SPRING ST)

Amtrak station near Union Grove: 8 miles: STURTEVANT (2904 WISCONSIN ST.) . Services: enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for taxi service, public transit connection.

Library in Union Grove: GRAHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $263,385; Location: 1215 MAIN ST.; 39,225 books; 8,805 e-books; 4,986 audio materials; 1,364 video materials; 28 state licensed databases; 1 other licensed databases; 99 print serial subscriptions)

Points of interest: Click to draw/clear village borders Notable locations in Union Grove: Union Grove - Yorkville Fire Department (A) , Union Grove Municipal Building (B) , Town of Yorkville Office (C) , Graham Public Library (D) . Display/hide their locations on the map Churches in Union Grove include: Union Grove United Methodist Church (A) , Union Post United Church of Christ (B) , Union Grove Church of God (C) , Union Grove Baptist Church (D) , Saint Pauls Lutheran Church (E) , First Assembly of God Church (F) . Display/hide their locations on the map Parks in Union Grove include: American Legion Memorial Park (1) , Leider Park (2) . Display/hide their locations on the map Court: Union Grove Village - Clerk- Court (925 15th Avenue).

Racine County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Moderate Potential

Drinking water stations with addresses in Union Grove and their reported violations in the past: HARVEST VIEW ESTATES (Population served: 400, Groundwater): Past monitoring violations: Monitoring, Source Water (GWR) - In AUG-2010 , Contaminant: E. COLI . Follow-up actions: St Violation/Reminder Notice (AUG-20-2010), St Public Notif requested (AUG-20-2010), St Public Notif received (JUN-10-2011), St Public Notif issued (JUN-14-2011), St Compliance achieved (FEB-10-2014)

AUG-2010 E. COLI St Violation/Reminder Notice (AUG-20-2010), St Public Notif requested (AUG-20-2010), St Public Notif received (JUN-10-2011), St Public Notif issued (JUN-14-2011), St Compliance achieved (FEB-10-2014) Monitoring, Source Water (GWR) - In AUG-2010 , Contaminant: E. COLI . Follow-up actions: St Violation/Reminder Notice (AUG-20-2010), St Public Notif requested (AUG-20-2010), St Public Notif issued (JUN-10-2011), St Public Notif received (JUN-14-2011), St Compliance achieved (2 times from AUG-18-2011 to AUG-18-2011)

AUG-2010 E. COLI St Violation/Reminder Notice (AUG-20-2010), St Public Notif requested (AUG-20-2010), St Public Notif issued (JUN-10-2011), St Public Notif received (JUN-14-2011), St Compliance achieved (2 AUG-18-2011 AUG-18-2011) Monitoring, Source Water (GWR) - In AUG-2010 , Contaminant: E. COLI . Follow-up actions: St Violation/Reminder Notice (AUG-20-2010), St Public Notif requested (AUG-20-2010), St Public Notif issued (JUN-10-2011), St Public Notif received (JUN-14-2011), St Compliance achieved (FEB-10-2014)

AUG-2010 E. COLI St Violation/Reminder Notice (AUG-20-2010), St Public Notif requested (AUG-20-2010), St Public Notif issued (JUN-10-2011), St Public Notif received (JUN-14-2011), St Compliance achieved (FEB-10-2014) Monitoring, Source Water (GWR) - In AUG-2010 , Contaminant: E. COLI . Follow-up actions: St Violation/Reminder Notice (AUG-20-2010), St Public Notif requested (AUG-20-2010), St Public Notif issued (JUN-10-2011), St Public Notif received (JUN-14-2011), St Compliance achieved (FEB-10-2014)

AUG-2010 E. COLI St Violation/Reminder Notice (AUG-20-2010), St Public Notif requested (AUG-20-2010), St Public Notif issued (JUN-10-2011), St Public Notif received (JUN-14-2011), St Compliance achieved (FEB-10-2014) One routine major monitoring violation

73 regular monitoring violations HICKORY HAVEN (Population served: 303, Groundwater): Past monitoring violations: One routine major monitoring violation

26 regular monitoring violations TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN (Population served: 250, Groundwater): Past health violations: MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In FEB-2005, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Formal NOV issued (FEB-09-2005), St Boil Water Order (FEB-09-2005), St Public Notif requested (FEB-09-2005), St Public Notif received (FEB-20-2005), St Compliance achieved (MAR-08-2005) YORKVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (Population served: 116, Groundwater): Past monitoring violations: Lead Consumer Notice - In OCT-01-2012 , Contaminant: Lead and Copper Rule . Follow-up actions: St Other (OCT-01-2012), St Compliance achieved (OCT-23-2012)

OCT-01-2012 Lead and Copper Rule St Other (OCT-01-2012), St Compliance achieved (OCT-23-2012) Lead Consumer Notice - In APR-01-2012, Contaminant: Lead and Copper Rule. Follow-up actions: St Other (APR-20-2012), St Violation/Reminder Notice (JUN-17-2013), St Compliance achieved (JUN-25-2013) Drinking water stations with addresses in Union Grove that have no violations reported: MARTIN FORD ( Population served: 72 , Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)

72 Groundwater) THE TIN CUP ( Population served: 50 , Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)

50 Groundwater) ROGER PALMEN CHEVROLET INC ( Population served: 45 , Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)

45 Groundwater) ST MARYS DOVER ( Population served: 37 , Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)

37 Groundwater) PELIA PETROLEUM COUNTRY MART ( Population served: 34 , Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)

34 Groundwater) MICHAELS ON THE LAKE ( Population served: 27 , Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)

27 Groundwater) PARIS MOTEL ( Population served: 26 , Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)

26 Groundwater) THE IRONWOOD CHOP HOUSE AND SALOON ( Population served: 25 , Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater)

25 Groundwater) STUMBLE INN (Population served: 25, Primary Water Source Type: Groundwater) HARVEST VIEW ESTATES (400Groundwater):HICKORY HAVEN (303Groundwater):TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN (250Groundwater):YORKVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (116Groundwater):

Average household size: This village: 2.5 people Wisconsin: 2.4 people

Percentage of family households: This village: 67.5% Whole state: 64.4%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners: This village: 6.8% Whole state: 7.3%



Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households) Lesbian couples: 0.1% of all households

0.1% Gay men: 0.1% of all households

people in group homes intended for adults in 2010

72 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities in 2010

People in group quarters in Union Grove in 2000: 64 people in nursing homes

16 people in other noninstitutional group quarters

7 people in homes or halfway houses for drug/alcohol abuse 127in 201072in 2010

Banks with branches in Union Grove (2011 data): Community State Bank: at 1500 Main Street , branch established on 1903/01/01 . Info updated 2006/11/03: Bank assets: $276.3 mil , Deposits: $242.0 mil , local headquarters , positive income , Commercial Lending Specialization , 9 total offices , Holding Company: Community State Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan And Trust

1500 Main Street 1903/01/01 2006/11/03: $276.3 mil $242.0 mil , Commercial Lending Specialization 9 Community State Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan And Trust Talmer Bank and Trust: Union Grove Branch at 1201 Main Street , branch established on 1996/01/26 . Info updated 2011/05/03: Bank assets: $2,126.7 mil , Deposits: $1,722.6 mil , headquarters in Troy, MI , positive income , Commercial Lending Specialization , 56 total offices , Holding Company: Talmer Bancorp Inc.

1201 Main Street 1996/01/26 2011/05/03: $2,126.7 mil $1,722.6 mil Troy, MI , Commercial Lending Specialization 56 Talmer Bancorp Inc. North Shore Bank, FSB: Union Grove Branch at 1101 Main Street, branch established on 1912/01/01. Info updated 2011/07/21: Bank assets: $1,769.3 mil, Deposits: $1,357.7 mil, headquarters in Brookfield, WI, negative income in the last year, Commercial Lending Specialization, 47 total offices

For population 15 years and over in Union Grove: Never married: 36.6%

36.6% Now married: 43.8%

43.8% Separated: 0.0%

0.0% Widowed: 3.0%

3.0% Divorced: 16.6%

For population 25 years and over in Union Grove: High school or higher: 91.1%

91.1% Bachelor's degree or higher: 23.3%

23.3% Graduate or professional degree: 7.0%

7.0% Unemployed: 3.9%

3.9% Mean travel time to work (commute): 22.7 minutes

Education Gini index (Inequality in education) Here: 9.2 Wisconsin average: 10.3



Religion statistics for Union Grove, WI (based on Racine County data) Religion Adherents Congregations Catholic 43,335 21 Mainline Protestant 21,224 48 Evangelical Protestant 20,564 79 Black Protestant 3,520 14 Orthodox 2,020 5 Other 1,213 10 None 103,532 - Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics: Number of grocery stores: 37 Here : 1.86 / 10,000 pop. State : 1.86 / 10,000 pop. Number of supercenters and club stores: 2 This county : 0.10 / 10,000 pop. Wisconsin : 0.11 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (no gas): 7 This county : 0.35 / 10,000 pop. State : 0.38 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (with gas): 70 Racine County : 3.52 / 10,000 pop. Wisconsin : 4.12 / 10,000 pop. Number of full-service restaurants: 125 This county : 6.28 / 10,000 pop. Wisconsin : 8.64 / 10,000 pop. Adult diabetes rate: Racine County : 8.3% State : 7.6% Adult obesity rate: Racine County : 28.0% Wisconsin : 27.5% Low-income preschool obesity rate: Racine County : 13.3% Wisconsin : 13.0%

Health and Nutrition: Healthy diet rate: Union Grove: 50.4% Wisconsin: 49.5%

Average overall health of teeth and gums: This city: 48.5% State: 46.6%

Average BMI: This city: 28.4 Wisconsin: 28.7

People feeling badly about themselves: Union Grove: 18.1% State: 21.4%

People not drinking alcohol at all: Union Grove: 7.8% State: 10.2%

Average hours sleeping at night: Union Grove: 6.8 Wisconsin: 6.8

Overweight people: Union Grove: 35.1% Wisconsin: 34.0%

General health condition: This city: 57.7% Wisconsin: 56.3%

Average condition of hearing: This city: 79.9% Wisconsin: 78.5%

More about Health and Nutrition of Union Grove, WI Residents

Local government employment and payroll (March 2017) Function Full-time employees Monthly full-time payroll Average yearly full-time wage Part-time employees Monthly part-time payroll Solid Waste Management 7 $40,336 $69,147 0 $0 Water Supply 2 $11,480 $68,880 0 $0 Sewerage 2 $12,051 $72,306 0 $0 Other Government Administration 2 $7,140 $42,840 9 $4,532 Financial Administration 1 $7,528 $90,336 0 $0 Parks and Recreation 0 $0 1 $1,617 Local Libraries 0 $0 7 $15,047 Judicial and Legal 0 $0 1 $444 Totals for Government 14 $78,535 $67,316 18 $21,640

Expenditure Revenue Debt Union Grove government finances - Expenditure in 2017 (per resident): Construction - General - Other: $76,000 ($14.87) Regular Highways: $33,000 ($6.46) Parks and Recreation: $6,000 ($1.17)

$76,000 ($14.87) Current Operations - Sewerage: $1,092,000 ($213.66) Water Utilities: $865,000 ($169.24) Regular Highways: $857,000 ($167.68) Police Protection: $420,000 ($82.18) Local Fire Protection: $405,000 ($79.24) Central Staff Services: $360,000 ($70.44) Libraries: $258,000 ($50.48) Solid Waste Management: $226,000 ($44.22) Judicial and Legal Services: $69,000 ($13.50) General - Other: $67,000 ($13.11) Financial Administration: $64,000 ($12.52) Protective Inspection and Regulation - Other: $56,000 ($10.96) Parks and Recreation: $54,000 ($10.57) General Public Buildings: $49,000 ($9.59) Health - Other: $41,000 ($8.02)

$1,092,000 ($213.66) General - Interest on Debt: $481,000 ($94.11)

$481,000 ($94.11) Other Capital Outlay - Sewerage: $402,000 ($78.65) Solid Waste Management: $236,000 ($46.17) Water Utilities: $83,000 ($16.24) Central Staff Services: $41,000 ($8.02)

$402,000 ($78.65) Total Salaries and Wages: $926,000 ($181.18) Union Grove government finances - Revenue in 2017 (per resident): Charges - Sewerage: $1,381,000 ($270.20) Regular Highways: $247,000 ($48.33) Parks and Recreation: $73,000 ($14.28) Other: $13,000 ($2.54)

$1,381,000 ($270.20) Federal Intergovernmental - Housing and Community Development: $15,000 ($2.93)

$15,000 ($2.93) Local Intergovernmental - Other: $121,000 ($23.67) Sewerage: $21,000 ($4.11)

$121,000 ($23.67) Miscellaneous - Fines and Forfeits: $58,000 ($11.35) Sale of Property: $57,000 ($11.15) Interest Earnings: $27,000 ($5.28) Rents: $24,000 ($4.70) General Revenue - Other: $23,000 ($4.50) Donations From Private Sources: $6,000 ($1.17) Special Assessments: $1,000 ($0.20)

$58,000 ($11.35) Revenue - Water Utilities: $744,000 ($145.57)

$744,000 ($145.57) State Intergovernmental - General Local Government Support: $435,000 ($85.11) Highways: $288,000 ($56.35) Education: $85,000 ($16.63) Other: $31,000 ($6.07)

$435,000 ($85.11) Tax - Property: $2,077,000 ($406.38) Other License: $107,000 ($20.94) Occupation and Business License - Other: $52,000 ($10.17) Other: $18,000 ($3.52) Union Grove government finances - Debt in 2017 (per resident): Long Term Debt - Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $14,178,000 ($2774.02) Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $13,267,000 ($2595.77) Beginning Outstanding - Public Debt for Private Purpose: $2,837,000 ($555.08) Outstanding Nonguaranteed - Industrial Revenue: $2,466,000 ($482.49) Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $911,000 ($178.24) Retired Nonguaranteed - Public Debt for Private Purpose: $371,000 ($72.59) Union Grove government finances - Cash and Securities in 2017 (per resident): Bond Funds - Cash and Securities: $988,000 ($193.31)

$988,000 ($193.31) Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $5,883,000 ($1151.05)

$5,883,000 ($1151.05) Sinking Funds - Cash and Securities: $3,216,000 ($629.23)

5.08% of this county's 2016 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2015 ($49,937 average adjusted gross income) Here: 5.08% Wisconsin average: 5.63% 10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries between 2015 and 2016.

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2015 and 2016:

from Milwaukee County, WI 1.33% ($51,548 average AGI) from Kenosha County, WI 1.08% ($43,422) from Waukesha County, WI 0.31% ($61,121)



5.21% of this county's 2015 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2016 ($54,313 average adjusted gross income) Here: 5.21% Wisconsin average: 5.85% 10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries between 2015 and 2016.

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2015 and 2016:

to Milwaukee County, WI 1.14% ($48,370 average AGI) to Kenosha County, WI 0.78% ($43,226) to Waukesha County, WI 0.40% ($69,082)

Businesses in Union Grove, WI Name Count Name Count Burger King 1 Subway 1 Chevrolet 1 True Value 1 Dairy Queen 1 U-Haul 1 FedEx 1 UPS 1 H&R Block 1

Strongest AM radio stations in Union Grove: WTMJ (620 AM; 50 kW; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: JOURNAL BROADCAST CORPORATION)

JOURNAL BROADCAST CORPORATION) WISN (1130 AM; 50 kW; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) WGN (720 AM; 50 kW; CHICAGO, IL; Owner: WGN CONTINENTAL BROADCASTING CO.)

WGN CONTINENTAL BROADCASTING CO.) WBBM (780 AM; 50 kW; CHICAGO, IL; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.)

INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.) WSCR (670 AM; 50 kW; CHICAGO, IL; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.)

INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.) WMCS (1290 AM; 5 kW; GREENFIELD, WI; Owner: MILWAUKEE RADIO ALLIANCE, LLC)

MILWAUKEE RADIO ALLIANCE, LLC) WMVP (1000 AM; 50 kW; CHICAGO, IL; Owner: ABC, INC.)

ABC, INC.) WOKY (920 AM; 5 kW; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)

CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.) WEMP (1250 AM; 5 kW; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: ENTERCOM MILWAUKEE LICENSE, LLC)

ENTERCOM MILWAUKEE LICENSE, LLC) WAUK (1510 AM; daytime; 10 kW; WAUKESHA, WI; Owner: WALT-WEST WISCONSIN, INC.)

WALT-WEST WISCONSIN, INC.) WLS (890 AM; 50 kW; CHICAGO, IL; Owner: WLS, INC.)

WLS, INC.) WKSH (1640 AM; 10 kW; SUSSEX, WI; Owner: ABC, INC.)

ABC, INC.) WYLL (1160 AM; 50 kW; CHICAGO, IL; Owner: SCA LICENSE CORPORATION) Strongest FM radio stations in Union Grove: WKKV-FM (100.7 FM; RACINE, WI; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)

CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.) WEZY (92.1 FM; RACINE, WI; Owner: RACINE BROADCASTING, L.L.C.)

RACINE BROADCASTING, L.L.C.) WEXT (104.7 FM; STURTEVANT, WI; Owner: NM LICENSING, LLC)

NM LICENSING, LLC) WIIL (95.1 FM; KENOSHA, WI; Owner: NM LICENSING, LLC)

NM LICENSING, LLC) WWDV (96.9 FM; ZION, IL; Owner: BONNEVILLE HOLDING COMPANY)

BONNEVILLE HOLDING COMPANY) WJZI (93.3 FM; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: MILWAUKEE RADIO ALLIANCE, LLC)

MILWAUKEE RADIO ALLIANCE, LLC) WFZH (105.3 FM; MUKWONAGO, WI; Owner: CARON BROADCASTING, INC.)

CARON BROADCASTING, INC.) WMIL-FM (106.1 FM; WAUKESHA, WI; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)

CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.) WKTI-FM (94.5 FM; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: JOURNAL BROADCAST CORPORATION)

JOURNAL BROADCAST CORPORATION) WVCY-FM (107.7 FM; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: VCY AMERICA, INC.)

VCY AMERICA, INC.) WUWM (89.7 FM; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: BOARD OF REGENTS, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM)

BOARD OF REGENTS, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM) WLTQ (97.3 FM; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) WMYX-FM (99.1 FM; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: ENTERCOM MILWAUKEE LICENSE, LLC)

ENTERCOM MILWAUKEE LICENSE, LLC) WXSS (103.7 FM; WAUWATOSA, WI; Owner: ENTERCOM MILWAUKEE LICENSE, LLC)

ENTERCOM MILWAUKEE LICENSE, LLC) WKLH (96.5 FM; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: LAKEFRONT COMMUNICATIONS, LLC)

LAKEFRONT COMMUNICATIONS, LLC) WMWK (88.1 FM; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: FAMILY STATIONS, INC.)

FAMILY STATIONS, INC.) WLUM-FM (102.1 FM; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: MILWAUKEE RADIO ALLIANCE, LLC)

MILWAUKEE RADIO ALLIANCE, LLC) WHAD (90.7 FM; DELAFIELD, WI; Owner: STATE OF WISCONSIN - EDUCATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS BOARD)

STATE OF WISCONSIN - EDUCATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS BOARD) WRIT-FM (95.7 FM; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)

CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.) WLZR (102.9 FM; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: LAKEFRONT COMMUNICATIONS, LLC) TV broadcast stations around Union Grove: WJJA ( Channel 49; RACINE, WI; Owner: TV-49, INC.)

49; RACINE, WI; TV-49, INC.) W64CQ ( Channel 64; ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL; Owner: TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK)

64; ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL; TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK) WPXE ( Channel 55; KENOSHA, WI; Owner: PAXSON MILWAUKEE LICENSE, INC.)

55; KENOSHA, WI; PAXSON MILWAUKEE LICENSE, INC.) WMVS ( Channel 10; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: MILWAUKEE AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD)

10; MILWAUKEE, WI; MILWAUKEE AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD) WMVT ( Channel 36; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: MILWAUKEE AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD)

36; MILWAUKEE, WI; MILWAUKEE AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD) WCGV-TV ( Channel 24; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: WCGV LICENSEE, LLC)

24; MILWAUKEE, WI; WCGV LICENSEE, LLC) WDJT-TV ( Channel 58; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: WDJT-TV LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

58; MILWAUKEE, WI; WDJT-TV LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) WISN-TV ( Channel 12; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: WISN HEARST-ARGYLE TV, INC. (CA CORP.))

12; MILWAUKEE, WI; WISN HEARST-ARGYLE TV, INC. (CA CORP.)) WTMJ-TV ( Channel 4; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: JOURNAL BROADCAST CORPORATION)

4; MILWAUKEE, WI; JOURNAL BROADCAST CORPORATION) WVTV ( Channel 18; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: WVTV LICENSEE, INC.)

18; MILWAUKEE, WI; WVTV LICENSEE, INC.) WMLW-CA ( Channel 46; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: CHANNEL 41 AND 63 LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

46; MILWAUKEE, WI; CHANNEL 41 AND 63 LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) W63CU ( Channel 63; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: CHANNEL 41 AND 63 LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

63; MILWAUKEE, WI; CHANNEL 41 AND 63 LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) W34CK ( Channel 34; ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL; Owner: FIRST UNITED, INC.)

34; ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL; FIRST UNITED, INC.) WVCY-TV ( Channel 30; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: VCY AMERICA, INC.)

30; MILWAUKEE, WI; VCY AMERICA, INC.) WMKE-CA ( Channel 7; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: KM LPTV OF MILWAUKEE, L.L.C.)

7; MILWAUKEE, WI; KM LPTV OF MILWAUKEE, L.L.C.) WITI ( Channel 6; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: WITI LICENSE,INC.)

6; MILWAUKEE, WI; WITI LICENSE,INC.) WGBO-TV ( Channel 66; JOLIET, IL; Owner: WGBO LICENSE PARTNERSHIP, G.P.)

66; JOLIET, IL; WGBO LICENSE PARTNERSHIP, G.P.) WTAS-LP (Channel 43; WAUKESHA, WI; Owner: WAUKESHA TOWER ASSOCIATES)

Union Grove fatal accident statistics for 1975 - 2019



Union Grove fatal accident list: Sep 29, 1994 03:25 PM, 45, Vehicles: 1, Persons: 2, Pedestrians: 1, Fatalities: 1



Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Aggregated Statistics For Year 2009

(Based on 1 partial tract) A) FHA, FSA/RHS & VA

Home Purchase Loans B) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans C) Refinancings

D) Home Improvement Loans

Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 1 $145,300 2 $219,000 16 $173,399 1 $72,480 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 0 $0 0 $0 1 $142,260 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 0 $0 1 $77,000 3 $211,137 0 $0 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 0 $0 0 $0 2 $223,510 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Aggregated Statistics For Year 2008

(Based on 1 partial tract) B) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans C) Refinancings

D) Home Improvement Loans

F) Non-occupant Loans on

< 5 Family Dwellings (A B C & D) Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 3 $190,473 9 $171,850 1 $30,350 1 $207,810 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 1 $82,600 1 $163,310 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 1 $102,600 3 $222,063 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 0 $0 1 $255,740 0 $0 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 1 $149,340 0 $0 0 $0 Aggregated Statistics For Year 2007

(Based on 1 partial tract) B) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans C) Refinancings

D) Home Improvement Loans

F) Non-occupant Loans on

< 5 Family Dwellings (A B C & D) G) Loans On Manufactured

Home Dwelling (A B C & D) Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 4 $160,943 10 $161,319 1 $109,580 1 $129,910 1 $31,920 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 0 $0 2 $125,305 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 1 $98,890 4 $175,690 1 $51,440 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 0 $0 2 $183,730 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Aggregated Statistics For Year 2006

(Based on 1 partial tract) B) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans C) Refinancings

D) Home Improvement Loans

F) Non-occupant Loans on

< 5 Family Dwellings (A B C & D) G) Loans On Manufactured

Home Dwelling (A B C & D) Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 6 $165,378 10 $142,989 1 $49,020 1 $103,980 1 $31,970 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 0 $0 1 $247,570 1 $33,110 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 1 $78,710 3 $168,167 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 1 $119,510 3 $153,423 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 1 $153,950 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Aggregated Statistics For Year 2005

(Based on 1 partial tract) B) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans C) Refinancings

D) Home Improvement Loans

F) Non-occupant Loans on

< 5 Family Dwellings (A B C & D) G) Loans On Manufactured

Home Dwelling (A B C & D) Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 7 $147,684 12 $144,737 2 $66,380 1 $158,600 1 $33,440 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 0 $0 1 $124,450 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 1 $105,310 3 $130,863 0 $0 0 $0 1 $26,600 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 1 $162,830 3 $185,060 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 2 $166,750 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Aggregated Statistics For Year 2004

(Based on 1 partial tract) B) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans C) Refinancings

D) Home Improvement Loans

G) Loans On Manufactured

Home Dwelling (A B C & D) Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 6 $167,390 12 $138,158 1 $75,860 1 $46,980 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 1 $123,310 1 $131,150 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 1 $159,650 4 $133,630 0 $0 1 $22,850 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 1 $55,810 2 $141,455 0 $0 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 2 $109,060 0 $0 0 $0 Aggregated Statistics For Year 2003

(Based on 1 partial tract) A) FHA, FSA/RHS & VA

Home Purchase Loans B) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans C) Refinancings

D) Home Improvement Loans

F) Non-occupant Loans on

< 5 Family Dwellings (A B C & D) Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 1 $73,010 5 $156,618 29 $124,136 1 $28,790 1 $70,970 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 0 $0 1 $62,130 2 $130,245 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 0 $0 1 $67,070 5 $135,536 1 $12,780 0 $0 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 0 $0 0 $0 2 $124,120 0 $0 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0 Aggregated Statistics For Year 2002

(Based on 1 partial tract) A) FHA, FSA/RHS & VA

Home Purchase Loans B) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans C) Refinancings

D) Home Improvement Loans

F) Non-occupant Loans on

< 5 Family Dwellings (A B C & D) Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 1 $60,130 6 $134,132 21 $119,824 1 $41,370 1 $72,480 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 0 $0 0 $0 2 $112,910 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 0 $0 1 $56,340 3 $106,543 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 0 $0 0 $0 2 $121,150 0 $0 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 0 $0 1 $116,140 0 $0 0 $0 Aggregated Statistics For Year 2001

(Based on 1 partial tract) B) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans C) Refinancings

D) Home Improvement Loans

Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 5 $129,134 17 $111,991 1 $34,530 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 0 $0 1 $85,410 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 1 $43,750 4 $90,750 0 $0 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 0 $0 2 $135,445 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 1 $107,070 0 $0 Aggregated Statistics For Year 2000

(Based on 1 partial tract) B) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans C) Refinancings

D) Home Improvement Loans

F) Non-occupant Loans on

< 5 Family Dwellings (A B C & D) Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 6 $106,487 4 $78,328 1 $21,850 1 $49,020 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 0 $0 1 $68,350 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 1 $60,520 1 $93,430 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 1 $61,560 1 $113,950 0 $0 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 1 $59,330 0 $0 0 $0 Aggregated Statistics For Year 1999

(Based on 1 partial tract) A) FHA, FSA/RHS & VA

Home Purchase Loans B) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans C) Refinancings

D) Home Improvement Loans

F) Non-occupant Loans on

< 5 Family Dwellings (A B C & D) Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 1 $68,400 7 $108,871 7 $89,491 3 $11,187 1 $54,650 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 0 $0 1 $41,900 2 $66,740 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 0 $0 1 $76,840 2 $66,905 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 0 $0 0 $0 2 $64,820 0 $0 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 0 $0 1 $70,630 0 $0 0 $0 Choose year: 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999

Detailed HMDA statistics for the following Tracts: 0018.00



Private Mortgage Insurance Companies Aggregated Statistics For Year 2008

(Based on 1 partial tract) A) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 1 $129,440 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 0 $0 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 Aggregated Statistics For Year 2007

(Based on 1 partial tract) A) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans B) Refinancings

Number Average Value Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 1 $195,180 1 $147,870 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 0 $0 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 0 $0 Aggregated Statistics For Year 2006

(Based on 1 partial tract) A) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 1 $147,580 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 0 $0 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 Aggregated Statistics For Year 2005

(Based on 1 partial tract) A) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 1 $161,600 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 0 $0 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 Aggregated Statistics For Year 2004

(Based on 1 partial tract) A) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 1 $207,010 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 0 $0 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 Aggregated Statistics For Year 2003

(Based on 1 partial tract) A) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans B) Refinancings

Number Average Value Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 2 $129,890 1 $208,430 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 0 $0 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 0 $0 Aggregated Statistics For Year 2002

(Based on 1 partial tract) A) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans B) Refinancings

Number Average Value Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 1 $143,640 1 $148,490 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 0 $0 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 0 $0 Aggregated Statistics For Year 2001

(Based on 1 partial tract) A) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans B) Refinancings

Number Average Value Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 1 $129,100 1 $193,940 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 0 $0 0 $0 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 0 $0 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 0 $0 Aggregated Statistics For Year 2000

(Based on 1 partial tract) A) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 1 $115,330 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 0 $0 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 Aggregated Statistics For Year 1999

(Based on 1 partial tract) A) Conventional

Home Purchase Loans Number Average Value LOANS ORIGINATED 1 $136,800 APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED 0 $0 APPLICATIONS DENIED 0 $0 APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN 0 $0 FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS 0 $0 Choose year: 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999

Detailed PMIC statistics for the following Tracts: 0018.00





2002 - 2018 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) incidents According to the data from the years 2002 - 2018 the average number of fire incidents per year is 69. The highest number of reported fires - 94 took place in 2014, and the least - 39 in 2016. The data has a dropping trend.



Fire incident types reported to NFIRS in Union Grove, WI



520 44.0% Structure Fires



330 27.9% Outside Fires



277 23.5% Mobile Property/Vehicle Fires



54 4.6% Other When looking into fire subcategories, the most incidents belonged to: Structure Fires (44.0%), and Outside Fires (27.9%). See full National Fire Incident Reporting System statistics for Union Grove, WI

Most common first names in Union Grove, WI among deceased individuals Name Count Lived (average) John 62 70.8 years William 51 74.8 years Robert 36 66.1 years Mary 36 69.7 years James 34 63.8 years George 30 74.7 years Margaret 26 80.2 years Charles 24 63.5 years Walter 24 74.5 years Donald 22 60.7 years Most common last names in Union Grove, WI among deceased individuals Last name Count Lived (average) Nelson 22 77.8 years Hansen 14 77.4 years Anderson 14 78.7 years Peterson 14 75.4 years Hanson 13 74.3 years Johnson 13 78.8 years Smith 11 78.0 years Vyvyan 9 83.7 years Davis 9 56.1 years Price 9 83.3 years

Houses and condos Apartments 93.8% Utility gas

4.1% Electricity

2.1% Bottled, tank, or LP gas 68.5% Utility gas

27.5% Electricity

2.1% No fuel used

1.9% Other fuel





Union Grove compared to Wisconsin state average: Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Black race population percentage below state average.

below Hispanic race population percentage below state average.

below Median age below state average.

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Wayne, Maine

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Population in 2010: 1,189.

Population change since 2000: +6.9%

1,189.+6.9%

Males: 600 (50.5%) Females: 589 (49.5%)

Median resident age: 49.1 years Maine median age: 43.0 years

Zip codes: 04284.

Estimated median household income in 2019: $69,240 (it was $45,625 in 2000)

Wayne: $69,240 ME: $58,924

Estimated per capita income in 2019: $45,537 (it was $26,015 in 2000)



Wayne town income, earnings, and wages data



Estimated median house or condo value in 2019: $253,146 (it was $125,900 in 2000) Wayne: $253,146 ME: $200,500

Mean prices in 2019: all housing units: $195,094; detached houses: $211,393; townhouses or other attached units: $175,581; in 2-unit structures: $139,149; in 3-to-4-unit structures: $205,301; in 5-or-more-unit structures: $178,587; mobile homes: $68,894 $69,240 ($45,625$45,537 ($26,015$253,146 ($125,900$195,094;$211,393;$175,581;$139,149;$205,301;$178,587;$68,894

March 2019 cost of living index in Wayne: 95.0 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)

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1,175 98.8% White alone 9 0.8% Hispanic 3 0.3% Two or more races 2 0.2% Asian alone

Races in Wayne detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth





According to our research of Maine and other state lists, there were 2 registered sex offenders living in Wayne, Maine as of November 22, 2021.

The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Wayne is 595 to 1.

The ratio of registered sex offenders to all residents in this city is near the state average.







Latest news from Wayne, ME collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: English (32.7%), Irish (13.5%), French (12.4%), German (10.4%), Scottish (8.1%), French Canadian (6.1%).

Current Local Time: EST time zone

Elevation: 291 feet

Land area: 19.2 square miles. Population density: 62 people per square mile (very low).

23 residents are foreign born (1.0% Europe, 0.5% North America). This town: 2.1% Maine: 2.9%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000: Wayne town: 1.5% ($1,937) Maine: 1.5% ($1,417)

Latitude: 44.35 N, Longitude: 70.06 W

Area code commonly used in this area: 207

Single-family new house construction building permits: 1997: 7 buildings , average cost: $65,100

7 $65,100 1998: 6 buildings , average cost: $81,700

6 $81,700 1999: 8 buildings , average cost: $77,500

8 $77,500 2000: 7 buildings , average cost: $111,900

7 $111,900 2001: 11 buildings , average cost: $95,200

11 $95,200 2002: 15 buildings , average cost: $90,800

15 $90,800 2003: 15 buildings , average cost: $115,100

15 $115,100 2004: 9 buildings , average cost: $191,100

9 $191,100 2005: 12 buildings , average cost: $152,900

12 $152,900 2006: 6 buildings , average cost: $221,200

6 $221,200 2007: 7 buildings , average cost: $344,300

7 $344,300 2008: 2 buildings , average cost: $199,000

2 $199,000 2009: 4 buildings , average cost: $196,300

4 $196,300 2012: 2 buildings , average cost: $172,500

2 $172,500 2013: 3 buildings , average cost: $156,700

3 $156,700 2014: 2 buildings , average cost: $210,000

2 $210,000 2015: 1 building , cost: $210,000

1 $210,000 2018: 4 buildings , average cost: $208,800

4 $208,800 2019: 4 buildings, average cost: $208,800

Unemployment in November 2020:

Here: 2.5% Maine: 4.7%

Most common industries in Wayne, ME (%) Both Males Females

Educational services (20.4%)

Health care (12.5%)

Professional, scientific, technical services (8.6%)

Public administration (7.9%)

Construction (6.1%)

Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (3.2%)

Utilities (3.0%)

Educational services (14.3%)

Construction (11.4%)

Public administration (9.6%)

Professional, scientific, technical services (7.9%)

Health care (5.7%)

Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (5.0%)

Paper (3.6%)

Educational services (26.4%)

Health care (19.3%)

Professional, scientific, technical services (9.3%)

Public administration (6.1%)

Utilities (3.2%)

Real estate & rental & leasing (2.9%)

Accommodation & food services (2.5%) Most common occupations in Wayne, ME (%) Both Males Females

Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (9.6%)

Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (6.4%)

Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (5.5%)

Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists (4.8%)

Computer specialists (3.4%)

Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (3.4%)

Physicians and surgeons (3.0%)

Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (7.5%)

Computer specialists (5.4%)

Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (4.3%)

Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (4.3%)

Top executives (3.9%)

Physicians and surgeons (3.9%)

Teachers, secondary school (3.2%)

Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (15.0%)

Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists (6.8%)

Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (6.8%)

Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (5.4%)

Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (5.0%)

Registered nurses (4.6%)

Other teachers, instructors, education, training, and library occupations (3.2%)

Average climate in Wayne, Maine Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Air pollution and air quality trends

(lower is better) AQI NO 2 SO 2 PM 2.5

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2018 was 51.1. This is significantly better than average. City: 51.1 U.S.: 74.2

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO 2 ) [ppb] level in 2018 was 3.28. This is significantly better than average. Closest monitor was 12.3 miles away from the city center. City: 3.28 U.S.: 5.56

Sulfur Dioxide (SO 2 ) [ppb] level in 2018 was 0.402. This is significantly better than average. Closest monitor was 10.3 miles away from the city center. City: 0.402 U.S.: 1.789

Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 ) [g/m3] level in 2018 was 5.18. This is significantly better than average. Closest monitor was 13.6 miles away from the city center. City: 5.18 U.S.: 8.46

Earthquake activity: Wayne-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Maine state average. It is 76% smaller than the overall U.S. average.



On 4/20/2002 at 10:50:47, a magnitude 5.3 (5.3 ML, Depth: 3.0 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 180.1 miles away from the city center

On 10/16/2012 at 23:12:25, a magnitude 4.7 (4.7 ML, Depth: 10.0 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 60.0 miles away from Wayne center

On 4/20/2002 at 10:50:47, a magnitude 5.2 (5.2 MB, 4.2 MS, 5.2 MW, 5.0 MW) earthquake occurred 181.1 miles away from the city center

On 10/7/1983 at 10:18:46, a magnitude 5.3 (5.1 MB, 5.3 LG, 5.1 ML) earthquake occurred 214.4 miles away from Wayne center

On 1/19/1982 at 00:14:42, a magnitude 4.7 (4.5 MB, 4.7 MD, 4.5 LG) earthquake occurred 96.8 miles away from Wayne center

On 2/26/1999 at 03:38:43, a magnitude 3.8 (3.8 LG, Depth: 2.0 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 28.0 miles away from Wayne center

Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), duration magnitude (MD), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters: The number of natural disasters in Kennebec County (21) is greater than the US average (15).

Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 16

Emergencies Declared: 4



Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 13, Storms: 11, Snows: 5, Hurricanes: 3, Heavy Rains: 2, Blizzard: 1, Ice Storm: 1, Snowfall: 1, Wind: 1, Other: 2 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).

Hospitals and medical centers near Wayne: HERITAGE REHAB AND LIVING CTR (Nursing Home, about 6 miles away; WINTHROP, ME)

KENNEBEC KIDNEY CENTER (Dialysis Facility, about 13 miles away; AUGUSTA, ME)

KENNEBEC VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER (Hospital, about 14 miles away; AUGUSTA, ME)

VICTORIAN VILLA NURSING HOME (Nursing Home, about 15 miles away; CANTON, ME)

RIVERVIEW PSYCHIATRIC CENTER (Hospital, about 15 miles away; AUGUSTA, ME)

SUPPORTIVE LIVING SYSTEMS INC (Home Health Center, about 15 miles away; AUGUSTA, ME)

MAINE GENERAL REHAB AND NURSING AT GLENRIDGE (Nursing Home, about 15 miles away; AUGUSTA, ME)

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Wayne: University of Maine at Augusta ( about 13 miles; Augusta, ME ; Full-time enrollment: 3,204)

13 ; 3,204) University of Maine at Farmington ( about 23 miles; Farmington, ME ; FT enrollment: 2,036)

23 ; 2,036) Saint Joseph's College of Maine ( about 42 miles; Standish, ME ; FT enrollment: 2,010)

42 ; 2,010) University of Southern Maine ( about 49 miles; Portland, ME ; FT enrollment: 6,647)

49 ; 6,647) Southern Maine Community College ( about 50 miles; South Portland, ME ; FT enrollment: 4,666)

50 ; 4,666) University of New England ( about 64 miles; Biddeford, ME ; FT enrollment: 4,539)

64 ; 4,539) Husson University (about 71 miles; Bangor, ME; FT enrollment: 2,421) Public elementary/middle school in Wayne: WAYNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Location: 48 POND ROAD, Grades: KG-5) See full list of schools located in Wayne

Library in Wayne: CARY MEMORIAL LIBRARY-WAYNE (Operating income: $38,303; Location: 17 OLD WINTHROP ROAD; 15,134 books; 525 audio materials; 500 video materials; 52 other licensed databases; 39 print serial subscriptions)

Birthplace of: George K. Broomhall - Union Army General.

Kennebec County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Highest Potential

Drinking water stations with addresses in Wayne and their reported violations in the past: CAMP ANDROSCOGGIN JR-SR (Population served: 320, Groundwater): Past health violations: MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In JUL-2011, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (JUL-18-2011), St Formal NOV issued (JUL-18-2011), St Public Notif received (AUG-15-2011), St Compliance achieved (SEP-12-2011) Past monitoring violations: One routine major monitoring violation

2 regular monitoring violations LADD RECREATION AREA (Population served: 40, Groundwater): Past monitoring violations: 9 routine major monitoring violations CAMP ANDROSCOGGIN JR-SR (320Groundwater):LADD RECREATION AREA (40Groundwater):

Average household size: This town: 2.3 people Maine: 2.3 people

Percentage of family households: This town: 69.6% Whole state: 62.9%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners: This town: 8.9% Whole state: 9.4%



Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households) Lesbian couples: 0.6% of all households

0.6% Gay men: 0.0% of all households Residents with income below the poverty level in 2009:

This town: 5.9% Whole state: 10.9% Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level in 2009:

This town: 1.7% Whole state: 4.1%

For population 15 years and over in Wayne: Never married: 18.9%

18.9% Now married: 61.5%

61.5% Separated: 0.0%

0.0% Widowed: 8.7%

8.7% Divorced: 10.9%

For population 25 years and over in Wayne: High school or higher: 89.6%

89.6% Bachelor's degree or higher: 43.9%

43.9% Graduate or professional degree: 16.8%

16.8% Unemployed: 2.9%

2.9% Mean travel time to work (commute): 26.5 minutes

Education Gini index (Inequality in education) Here: 11.3 Maine average: 11.2



Religion statistics for Wayne, ME (based on Kennebec County data) Religion Adherents Congregations Catholic 21,758 11 Mainline Protestant 8,999 60 Evangelical Protestant 5,829 56 Other 2,466 17 None 83,099 - Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics: Number of grocery stores: 24 This county : 1.99 / 10,000 pop. State : 2.80 / 10,000 pop. Number of supercenters and club stores: 2 This county : 0.17 / 10,000 pop. Maine : 0.14 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (no gas): 17 This county : 1.41 / 10,000 pop. State : 2.20 / 10,000 pop. Number of convenience stores (with gas): 77 Kennebec County : 6.38 / 10,000 pop. Maine : 5.75 / 10,000 pop. Number of full-service restaurants: 105 Kennebec County : 8.70 / 10,000 pop. Maine : 11.02 / 10,000 pop. Adult diabetes rate: This county : 8.6% Maine : 8.2% Adult obesity rate: This county : 28.2% State : 25.0%

5.51% of this county's 2016 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2015 ($44,517 average adjusted gross income) Here: 5.51% Maine average: 5.91% 10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries between 2015 and 2016.

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2015 and 2016:

from Somerset County, ME 0.72% ($35,189 average AGI) from Androscoggin County, ME 0.60% ($41,631) from Cumberland County, ME 0.53% ($42,981)



5.59% of this county's 2015 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2016 ($47,228 average adjusted gross income) Here: 5.59% Maine average: 5.73% 0.27% of residents moved to foreign countries ($3,664 average AGI) Kennebec County: 0.27% Maine average: 0.06%

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2015 and 2016:

to Somerset County, ME 0.71% ($35,563 average AGI) to Cumberland County, ME 0.53% ($47,178) to Androscoggin County, ME 0.49% ($36,402)

Strongest AM radio stations in Wayne: WFAU (1280 AM; 5 kW; GARDINER, ME; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) WTME (780 AM; 10 kW; RUMFORD, ME; Owner: MOUNTAIN VALLEY BROADCASTING, INC.)

MOUNTAIN VALLEY BROADCASTING, INC.) WSKW (1160 AM; 10 kW; SKOWHEGAN, ME; Owner: MOUNTAIN WIRELESS, INCORPORATED)

MOUNTAIN WIRELESS, INCORPORATED) WLAM (1470 AM; 5 kW; LEWISTON, ME; Owner: RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.)

RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.) WMTW (870 AM; 10 kW; GORHAM, ME; Owner: RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.)

RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.) WGAN (560 AM; 5 kW; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC)

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC) WMDR (1340 AM; 1 kW; AUGUSTA, ME; Owner: LIGHT OF LIFE MINISTRIES, INC.)

LIGHT OF LIFE MINISTRIES, INC.) WRKO (680 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC)

ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC) WEZW (1400 AM; 1 kW; AUGUSTA, ME; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WEEI (850 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC)

ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC) WCNM (1240 AM; 1 kW; LEWISTON, ME; Owner: CHRISTIAN FAMILY RADIO, INC.)

CHRISTIAN FAMILY RADIO, INC.) WBZ (1030 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.)

INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.) WCRN (830 AM; 50 kW; WORCESTER, MA; Owner: CARTER BROADCASTING CORPORATION) Strongest FM radio stations in Wayne: WCYI (93.9 FM; LEWISTON, ME; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WPKQ (103.7 FM; NORTH CONWAY, NH; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WHOM (94.9 FM; MT. WASHINGTON, NH; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WABK-FM (104.3 FM; GARDINER, ME; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) WLOB-FM (96.3 FM; RUMFORD, ME; Owner: ATLANTIC COAST RADIO, LLC)

ATLANTIC COAST RADIO, LLC) WTOS-FM (105.1 FM; SKOWHEGAN, ME; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) WKCG (101.3 FM; AUGUSTA, ME; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) WTBM (100.7 FM; MEXICO, ME; Owner: MOUNTAIN VALLEY BROADCASTING, INC.)

MOUNTAIN VALLEY BROADCASTING, INC.) WBLM (102.9 FM; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WMEA (90.1 FM; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORPORATION)

MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORPORATION) WWWA (95.3 FM; WINSLOW, ME; Owner: LIGHT OF LIFE MINISTRIES, INC.)

LIGHT OF LIFE MINISTRIES, INC.) WMME-FM (92.3 FM; AUGUSTA, ME; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WTHT (107.5 FM; LEWISTON, ME; Owner: RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.)

RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.) WBCI (105.9 FM; BATH, ME; Owner: BLOUNT COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)

BLOUNT COMMUNICATIONS, INC.) WMEP (90.5 FM; CAMDEN, ME; Owner: MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORP.)

MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORP.) WQSS (102.5 FM; CAMDEN, ME; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)

CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.) WHQO (107.9 FM; SKOWHEGAN, ME; Owner: MOUNTAIN WIRELESS, INC.)

MOUNTAIN WIRELESS, INC.) WJBQ (97.9 FM; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY) WMEK-FM (99.9 FM; AUBURN, ME; Owner: RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.)

RADIO PARTNERS OF MAINE, L.P.) WKTJ-FM (99.3 FM; FARMINGTON, ME; Owner: FRANKLIN BROADCASTING CORPORATION) TV broadcast stations around Wayne: WPFO ( Channel 23; WATERVILLE, ME; Owner: CMCG PORTLAND LICENSE LLC)

23; WATERVILLE, ME; CMCG PORTLAND LICENSE LLC) WCBB ( Channel 10; AUGUSTA, ME; Owner: MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORP.)

10; AUGUSTA, ME; MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORP.) WGME-TV ( Channel 13; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: WGME LICENSEE, LLC)

13; PORTLAND, ME; WGME LICENSEE, LLC) WMTW-TV ( Channel 8; POLAND SPRING, ME; Owner: WMTW BROADCAST GROUP, LLC)

8; POLAND SPRING, ME; WMTW BROADCAST GROUP, LLC) WCSH ( Channel 6; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: PACIFIC AND SOUTHERN COMPANY, INC.)

6; PORTLAND, ME; PACIFIC AND SOUTHERN COMPANY, INC.) WPXT ( Channel 51; PORTLAND, ME; Owner: HMW, INC.)

51; PORTLAND, ME; HMW, INC.) W21BI ( Channel 21; FARMINGTON, ME; Owner: TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK)

21; FARMINGTON, ME; TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK) WFYW-LP (Channel 69; FAIRFIELD/WATERVILLE, ME; Owner: THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK, INC.)

Wayne, Maine

Fatal accident count 10

Vehicles involved in fatal accidents 11

Fatal accidents involving drunk persons: 5

Fatalities 10

Persons involved in fatal accidents 16

Pedestrians involved in fatal accidents 0 Maine average

Fatal accident count 1539

Vehicles involved in fatal accidents 2193

Fatal accidents involving drunk persons 641

Fatalities 1701

Persons involved in fatal accidents 3612

Pedestrians involved in fatal accidents 91 See more detailed statistics of Wayne fatal car crashes and road traffic accidents for 1975 - 2019 here

National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics

10 Number of bridges

Number of bridges 121ft / 36.6m Total length

Total length 134,978 Total average daily traffic

Total average daily traffic 12,606 Total average daily truck traffic

Total average daily truck traffic 189,275 Total future (year 2036) average daily traffic

New bridges - historical statistics

1 1930-1939

3 1950-1959

2 1960-1969

3 1970-1979

1 1980-1989 See full National Bridge Inventory statistics for Wayne, ME



FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses: 6 Call Sign: KA1MVB, Licensee ID: L00229332, Grant Date: 12/05/1995, Expiration Date: 12/05/2005, Cancellation Date: 12/06/2007, Registrant: Duane R Crosby, Wayne, ME 04284

KA1MVB, L00229332, 12/05/1995, 12/05/2005, 12/06/2007, Duane R Crosby, Wayne, ME 04284 Call Sign: N1EBR, Grant Date: 01/23/1996, Expiration Date: 01/23/2006, Cancellation Date: 01/24/2008, Registrant: Deborah R Crosby, Rfd 1 Box 2740, Wayne, ME 04284

N1EBR, 01/23/1996, 01/23/2006, 01/24/2008, Deborah R Crosby, Rfd 1 Box 2740, Wayne, ME 04284 Call Sign: N1YJR, Licensee ID: L01204728, Grant Date: 10/20/2006, Expiration Date: 01/10/2017, Cancellation Date: 02/12/2019, Certifier: Gary W Carr, Registrant: Gary W Carr, 22 Berry Road, Wayne, ME 04284

N1YJR, L01204728, 10/20/2006, 01/10/2017, 02/12/2019, Gary W Carr, Gary W Carr, 22 Berry Road, Wayne, ME 04284 Call Sign: N1ZIU, Licensee ID: L00234452, Grant Date: 03/02/2017, Expiration Date: 05/29/2027, Certifier: Carroll Paradis, Registrant: Carroll Paradis, 607 Main St, Wayne, ME 04284

N1ZIU, L00234452, 03/02/2017, 05/29/2027, Carroll Paradis, Carroll Paradis, 607 Main St, Wayne, ME 04284 Call Sign: W1IJW, Licensee ID: L00240777, Grant Date: 05/17/2000, Expiration Date: 08/07/2010, Cancellation Date: 08/08/2012, Registrant: Alexander F Smith, Rfd 1 Box 3323, Wayne, ME 04284

W1IJW, L00240777, 05/17/2000, 08/07/2010, 08/08/2012, Alexander F Smith, Rfd 1 Box 3323, Wayne, ME 04284 Call Sign: KC1BSS, Licensee ID: L01860479, Grant Date: 04/24/2014, Expiration Date: 04/24/2024, Certifier: Steven M Booth, Registrant: Steven M Booth, 56 Mount Pisgah Rd, Wayne, ME 04284



2003 - 2018 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) incidents According to the data from the years 2003 - 2018 the average number of fires per year is 7. The highest number of reported fire incidents - 17 took place in 2007, and the least - 0 in 2004. The data has a growing trend.



Fire incident types reported to NFIRS in Wayne, ME



79 66.9% Structure Fires



29 24.6% Outside Fires



8 6.8% Mobile Property/Vehicle Fires



2 1.7% Other When looking into fire subcategories, the most incidents belonged to: Structure Fires (66.9%), and Outside Fires (24.6%). See full National Fire Incident Reporting System statistics for Wayne, ME

Houses and condos Apartments 77.8% Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.

16.3% Wood

5.4% Bottled, tank, or LP gas

0.5% Other fuel 78.0% Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.

11.9% Wood

10.2% Coal or coke





Wayne compared to Maine state average: Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Black race population percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Hispanic race population percentage below state average.

below Median age above state average.

above Foreign-born population percentage below state average.

below Renting percentage significantly below state average.

significantly below Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.

significantly above Number of rooms per house significantly below state average.

significantly below House age significantly below state average.

significantly below Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher above state average.

no other airmen in this city. There is 1 pilot andother airmen in this city.

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At the end of the day, Israel does have the upper hand. Its created for itself alternatives to its relationship with Turkey. So today, compared to 10 years ago, Israel is much less in need of Ankara than it was previously, said Gallia Lindenstrauss, a senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies.

The post Israeli officials fear Turkeys Erdogan will exploit imprisoned Israeli couple as political pawns appeared first on JNS.org.
There are few things more precious than your freedom or that of a loved one. A close second is personal reputation. Both of these can be at risk in a criminal prosecution.
Beachwood, OH (44122)

Today

Some early morning breaks in the overcast, otherwise cloudy. High 36F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 28F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 14)  Pharmally Pharmaceutical executives Mohit and Twinkle Dargani were arrested by Senate security personnel at the Davao City International Airport on Sunday afternoon.

Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Rene Samonte said the Dargani siblings were scheduled to board a chartered plane to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia but were intercepted by the Senate security team at the airport. They are now detained at the Senate building.

Photo courtesy: Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Rene Samonte

The Darganis were cited in contempt by senators last Oct. 19 for refusing to submit subpoenaed financial documents related to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee probe on alleged irregularities in the procurement of pandemic response supplies.

Senate security personnel failed to arrest the Dargani siblings in their three condominium units in Taguig and San Juan.

Mohit served as Pharmally Pharmaceuticals corporate secretary, who handles the companys financial statements, while Twinkle is the company president.

The Senate is investigating the firms deal with the Department of Budget and Managements Procurement Service for the purchase of allegedly overpriced personal protective equipment and testing kits worth 8.68 billion.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 14)  The camp of Vice President Leni Robredo says she will curb terrorism in the country with a whole-of-government approach if she secures the presidency in 2022.

"Ang posisyon ni VP Leni, una kaklaruhin ko, importante ang patuloy na laban natin sa terorismo," OVP spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said on DZXL RMN's Biserbisyong LENI program on Sunday. "Pero ang kailangan nating approach yung whole-of-government approach."

[Translation: VP Leni's position, I would like to clarify, is that she wants to stress the importance of continuing the fight against terrorism. But the approach we need is a whole-of-government approach.]

Gutierrez said that the government's National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) even created more enemies even if it was meant to suppress insurgency.

He also noted that Robredo's stand to abolish NTF-ELCAC does not mean that she supports terrorism. The Vice President, in fact, would like to collaborate with other government agencies and civil society to further address the issue.

"Ako nadidismaya ako sa posisyon na dahil pinuna ang NTF-ELCAC, hindi na siya kontra sa terorismo. Kalokohan 'yun," he said.

[Translation: I am dismayed by the position that criticizing NTF-ELCAC meant she was not against terrorism. That's foolish.]

The Senate committee on finance slashed 24 billion from the proposed 2022 budget of NTF-ELCAC last week. The task force's budget is now down to 4 billion after some senators pointed out the need to realign the rest of the budget to the government's COVID-19 response.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 14)  The Senate security team again failed to arrest the former head of the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM), after he could not be located in his addresses in Visayas and Mindanao.

Former Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao, who was cited in contempt for snubbing the Blue Ribbon Committee hearings on the governments pandemic response supply deals, could not be found either in his Metro Manila address last week.

The Senates Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) attempted to serve a warrant of arrest to Lao in his condominium unit in Zapatera, Cebu City last Friday, Nov. 12. The team discovered that the unit is now being rented by a relative of Laos wife.

Meanwhile, another team from the Senate OSAA also failed to find Lao in his posh residence in Maa, Davao City on Saturday, Nov. 13. Although they were able to secure a certificate from Filinvest Land Incorporation that the property was registered and owned by the former government official, the house was empty.

Lao skipped the past four hearings of the Senate committee probe. He stopped appearing after President Rodrigo Duterte barred Cabinet members from attending the inquiry.

But committee chairman Richard Gordon pointed out that Lao was not covered by the President's order since he was no longer a government official.

The Senate is investigating PS-DBM's deal with Pharmally Pharmaceutical for the procurement of allegedly overpriced personal protective equipment and COVID-19 testing kits.
Columbia, SC (29201)

Today

A shower or two possible this morning with partly cloudy skies for the afternoon. High 62F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Scattered frost possible. Low 32F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
NEVADA

Feds decide against flooding Grand Canyon amid drought

LAS VEGAS  The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation decided not to send water rushing through the Grand Canyon this month to rebuild beaches for campers and sandbars for fish because of persistent drought, officials said.

An abundance of sand in the Colorado River system gives the agency an opportunity to flood the waterway to spread the sediment throughout the canyon. Despite favorable conditions after a remarkable monsoon, the November flood is a no-go.

Officials determined opening the bypass tubes at the Glen Canyon Dam would have reduced the elevation of Lake Powell on the Utah-Arizona border by about 2 feet  contrary to actions taken over the summer to boost the lake by releasing water upstream and ensure the dam can generate power.

Any more time spent below 3,525 feet above sea level is considered risky, Lee Traynham, a program manager for the Bureau of Reclamation, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The agency also cited the potential effects of releasing warmer water, the risk of non-native fish moving below the dam and projected losses in hydropower. The Western Area Power Administration already has been struggling to keep up with demand.

Controlled floods have been called off before. In 2015, the Bureau of Reclamation decided against one because it was trying to stop the spread of invasive fish.

Controlled floods are supposed to mimic the natural flow of the river before it was dammed to create Lake Powell in the 1960s. The floods have worked as intended, but the results are short-lived.

The most recent controlled flood occurred in the fall of 2018.

MONTANA

Canada lynx to keep species protections under legal deal

BILLINGS  U.S. wildlife officials have agreed to keep federal protections in place for the snow-loving Canada lynx, under a court settlement approved Nov. 1 by a judge in Montana.

The settlement by the U.S. Interior Department comes after wildlife advocates sued to retain protections for the rare and elusive wild cats, which have been listed as a threatened species since 2000.

Under the Trump administration, officials said lynx had recovered in some areas and protections were no longer needed.

Independent scientists and wildlife advocates warned climate change could undo that progress by reducing lynx habitat and the availability of a key food source  snowshoe hares.

Canada lynx are about the size of bobcats, but with huge paws to help them navigate deep snow. There is no reliable estimate of their population. That has left officials to rely on information about lynx habitat and hare populations to gauge the species' status.

Their protected status has interrupted numerous logging and road-building projects on federal lands, frustrating industry groups and Western lawmakers.

The animals also are found in Colorado, Maine, Montana, Minnesota, Idaho, Washington state and occasionally Michigan.

A new recovery plan for lynx is due by 2024 under the terms of the deal approved Monday by U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy in Missoula, Montana.

KANSAS

GOP leader pushing to protect Kansas workers refusing shots

TOPEKA  A top Republican lawmaker pushed on Nov. 9 to protect Kansas workers' ability to claim religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccine mandates and to provide unemployment benefits if they won't get inoculated.

Senate President Ty Masterson outlined his proposals during a meeting of a joint legislative committee looking for ways for Kansas to resist COVID-19 vaccine mandates imposed by President Joe Biden. The committee was expected to take up Masterson's proposals.

Masterson told reporters that he's more seriously considering having lawmakers call themselves into special session to consider such proposals. The full GOP-controlled legislature isn't scheduled to reconvene until January.

Masterson, an Andover Republican, said he wants to make sure that employers can't second-guess the beliefs of workers seeking religious exemptions to vaccine mandates.

Other Republicans have raised the issue of unemployment benefits for people who get fired for refusing to get vaccinated. State law is not clear, and Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has said decisions will be made case by case.

Kelly first expressed her opposition to the Democratic president's mandates in early November but hasn't yet advocated specific state policies.

NEW MEXICO

State considers hourly $15 minimum for state workers

SANTA FE  Momentum appears to be building behind proposals to lift minimum pay in New Mexico state government to $15 an hour for at least 1,200 public workers who make less than that, amid a state budget surplus and national trends toward higher wages.

State Personnel Office Director Ricky Serna confirmed on Nov. 5 that efforts are underway to increase bottom-tier salaries and boost overall state government payroll for rank-and-file employees at executive agencies. His agency oversees compensation guidelines for nearly 17,000 employees at executive agencies, with an $870 million annual payroll.

At a legislative hearing in late October, Serna outlined preliminary targets, including a $15-per-hour minimum and a 7% increase in annual payroll. Those estimates are for pay at executive agencies overseen by the governor and other elected officials such as the state attorney general, auditor and treasurer.

The $10.50 statewide minimum wage for all sectors of the economy steps up to $11.50 on Jan. 1, 2022.

Salaries have surged among many political appointees in the upper echelons of state government since Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham took office in 2019. At the same time, legislators have scaled back annual pay increases for rank-and-file workers in permanent state jobs since the outset of the coronavirus pandemic.

Democratic state Rep. Patricia Lundstrom of Gallup, chairwoman of the Legislature's lead budget writing committee, said New Mexico is having trouble recruiting and retaining public workers on the low end of the pay scale  wasting resources in the process.

New Mexico government salaries lost ground to private-sector competition in the decade following the mortgage lending crisis and Great Recession, from 2008-2017, according to the Legislature's budget and accountability office.

UNM disenrolling 256 students for shirking vaccine mandate

ALBUQUERQUE  The University of New Mexico is disenrolling 256 students from classes for not complying with university's requirement for vaccination against COVID-19.

University spokeswoman Cinnamon Blair said the students being disenrolled took no action to comply with the requirement by the Nov. 5 deadline despite receiving daily messages for more than a month, the Albuquerque Journal reported.

Under the requirement, students must show proof of vaccination or acquire an exemption for medical or religious reasons or only take remote-study classes off campus.

Exempted students on campus are required to submit weekly COVID-19 tests to the UNM vaccine verification site. For the fall semester only, students who have not been vaccinated or exempted are permitted to remain at UNM if they submit weekly COVID-19 tests results.

UNM's online vaccination site shows 92.2% of students on the Albuquerque campus have been vaccinated and that 91.8% of students throughout the university system are vaccinated.

Blair said disenrolled students do not have to return financial aid received during the fall term, but disenrollment may affect their chances to get aid in the future.

In another development, the Las Cruces school district has seen a big spike in COVID-19 cases among students and staff after several weeks of steady increases, totaling over 900 cases since classes began on Aug. 9, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported.

The district had 194 new cases in the week ending Nov. 4, almost four time the weekly numbers through early October.
Cottonwood Center for the Arts is home to more than 100 creatives who rent studio space. The nonprofit arts complex also offers a variety of classes, a monthly exhibit and support for community artists. A day in the life of the center reveals painters, potters, photographers, woodworkers and more who often make a living off their craft.
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
Funeral service for Otis C. Harrison, Jr., 47, formerly of Oakwood, passed away November 6, 2021 in Cypress, CA. Viewing will be on, Monday, November 22 at Emanuel Funeral Home of Palestine from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Funeral will be held on Tuesday, November 23, at True Vine DOXA Center, Fairfie
Influenced by Ambedkar, Guruji has special concern for the poor and the marginalised and their education, particularly girls

Bhadant Gyaneshwar came to serve his Guru in Kushinagar on August 5, 1963 and since then he has been living here and has completely merged himself in the Indian Buddhist traditions including the local language. He has been working for the upliftment of the marginalised people here.



It is fascinating to hear him and how he rebuilt the historical places where lots of fighting happened to control the places as well as for the land. To get acquainted with India and the language, Bhadant Gyaneshwar got himself registered at the local schools and passed his High School in 1968, intermediate in 1970, BA in 1973 and MA in 1975 from Buddha Degree College, Kushinagar. He did not stop here and got a degree in Pali Sahitya Ratna as well as in Law too.

This year, the Myanmar government gave its highest religious award for great services and understanding to Bhadant Gyaneshwar. Due to Covid restrictions, he could not go there hence the Ambassador of Myanmar came down to Kushingar to handover the title Abhidhazammahrathguru to him in June 2021. Prior to this, the Myanmar government gave him other honorary titles of Abhidaja Aggamaha Thaddamma Jotika in 2016, Aggamaha Pandita in 1993 and Aggamaha Thaddamma Jotika Daza in 2005 for his services towards Buddhism. Bhadant Gyaneshwar has been an Indian citizen since 1978. Currently, he is the President of Kushinagar Bhikshu Sangha, Main Temple Kushinagar.

Bhadant Gyaneshwar has been associated with various Buddhist religious and charitable organisations and was a member of Bodhgaya Mahavihar Administrative body appointed by the government of Bihar from 1990-2018. When I asked him the question whether Bodh Gaya should not be handed over to the Buddhists as this is the holiest shrine for the Buddhists, he reflected and said, all the Buddhist places should be handed over to Buddhist.

He was also disturbed that most of the Buddhist shrines in India are under Archaeological Survey of India, which is perfectly fine given their importance but he feels that people from world over come to visit these places not because of their archaeology but because for Buddhists world over, India is the land of Buddha and they want to visit all the holy shrines based here.

Many of his followers and disciples have become important Bhikkhus themselves and are working to strengthen the Buddhist movement in India. Dr Nand Ratan Bhante Thero, came in touch with him in 1995 when he used to live in Shravasti. He got his higher education under Guruji, as Bhadant Gyaneshwar is referred to by his followers and disciples. Guru ji sent him to Myanmar in 1998 to study at International Theravada Buddhist University. He returned to Kushinagar in 1999.

Dr Nand Ratan Bhante says: Guru ji has special concern and association with the poorest and marginalised people and their education particularly of the girls. He is worried about the caste discrimination and untouchability and has condemned it. There are thousands of his followers all over the country as well as abroad. Under the Maitri Association, Buddhists devotees from Japan contributed for the education of hundreds of children within the periphery of 10 kilometres at the behest of Guruji. He is still very active and concerned about Kushinagar and its development.

Every year Guruji has been organising Deepakotsava in Kushinagar when thousands of his Buddhist followers come and celebrate the Buddhist way of doing it. I asked this question whether Deepawali ever was a Buddhist festival and he claimed that originally, it was a Buddhist festival. Ofcourse, this has been an issue of great contention among Buddhists in India as many feel it is a Brahmanical infiltration in Buddhism however Guruji has a different view on it and he says it with authority.

Bhadant Gyaneshwar has dedicated his life for the cause of Dhamma and has taken it to the most marginalised. He has felt the impact of caste identities in India and says he was never aware of it as his country might have different ethnic identities and groups but no hierarchy among them. Hailing from the Rakhine State, he knew poverty and gave various examples of different ethnicities in Myanmar and their differences but there was no hierarchy or caste system.

As we all celebrate his 86th birthday, we wish him more strength and good health in hope that his work will further strengthen the cause of Buddhist movement in India which will help us realise the dreams of Baba Saheb Ambedkar for building an enlightened India or what could be termed as Prabudhha Bharat. ---

*Human rights defender. Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/vbrawat. Twitter @freetohumanity How ironic it is that it is the monks and dedicated followers from outside India who have taken the task of bringing back the glory of Buddhism here. Bhadant Gyaneshwar remains one such stalwart whose life is an inspiration for all of us who want to see the growth of Buddha's path in India. Bhadant has sharp memory and enormous strength to sit with you and share his vast treasure of experience and understanding. He meets disciples and peoples from various walks of life and discusses issues with them. Language was a big issue when he came here but now, he is fluent in not only Hindi but Bhojpuri too. He is also looking after many charitable activities initiated by Bhadant Chandramani Mahasthivir. After coming to India, he did not leave his roots though he could not visit Myanmar.It is fascinating to hear him and how he rebuilt the historical places where lots of fighting happened to control the places as well as for the land. To get acquainted with India and the language, Bhadant Gyaneshwar got himself registered at the local schools and passed his High School in 1968, intermediate in 1970, BA in 1973 and MA in 1975 from Buddha Degree College, Kushinagar. He did not stop here and got a degree in Pali Sahitya Ratna as well as in Law too.This year, the Myanmar government gave its highest religious award for great services and understanding to Bhadant Gyaneshwar. Due to Covid restrictions, he could not go there hence the Ambassador of Myanmar came down to Kushingar to handover the title Abhidhazammahrathguru to him in June 2021. Prior to this, the Myanmar government gave him other honorary titles of Abhidaja Aggamaha Thaddamma Jotika in 2016, Aggamaha Pandita in 1993 and Aggamaha Thaddamma Jotika Daza in 2005 for his services towards Buddhism. Bhadant Gyaneshwar has been an Indian citizen since 1978. Currently, he is the President of Kushinagar Bhikshu Sangha, Main Temple Kushinagar.Bhadant Gyaneshwar has been associated with various Buddhist religious and charitable organisations and was a member of Bodhgaya Mahavihar Administrative body appointed by the government of Bihar from 1990-2018. When I asked him the question whether Bodh Gaya should not be handed over to the Buddhists as this is the holiest shrine for the Buddhists, he reflected and said, all the Buddhist places should be handed over to Buddhist.He was also disturbed that most of the Buddhist shrines in India are under Archaeological Survey of India, which is perfectly fine given their importance but he feels that people from world over come to visit these places not because of their archaeology but because for Buddhists world over, India is the land of Buddha and they want to visit all the holy shrines based here.Many of his followers and disciples have become important Bhikkhus themselves and are working to strengthen the Buddhist movement in India. Dr Nand Ratan Bhante Thero, came in touch with him in 1995 when he used to live in Shravasti. He got his higher education under Guruji, as Bhadant Gyaneshwar is referred to by his followers and disciples. Guru ji sent him to Myanmar in 1998 to study at International Theravada Buddhist University. He returned to Kushinagar in 1999.Dr Nand Ratan Bhante says: Guru ji has special concern and association with the poorest and marginalised people and their education particularly of the girls. He is worried about the caste discrimination and untouchability and has condemned it. There are thousands of his followers all over the country as well as abroad. Under the Maitri Association, Buddhists devotees from Japan contributed for the education of hundreds of children within the periphery of 10 kilometres at the behest of Guruji. He is still very active and concerned about Kushinagar and its development.Every year Guruji has been organising Deepakotsava in Kushinagar when thousands of his Buddhist followers come and celebrate the Buddhist way of doing it. I asked this question whether Deepawali ever was a Buddhist festival and he claimed that originally, it was a Buddhist festival. Ofcourse, this has been an issue of great contention among Buddhists in India as many feel it is a Brahmanical infiltration in Buddhism however Guruji has a different view on it and he says it with authority.Bhadant Gyaneshwar has dedicated his life for the cause of Dhamma and has taken it to the most marginalised. He has felt the impact of caste identities in India and says he was never aware of it as his country might have different ethnic identities and groups but no hierarchy among them. Hailing from the Rakhine State, he knew poverty and gave various examples of different ethnicities in Myanmar and their differences but there was no hierarchy or caste system.As we all celebrate his 86th birthday, we wish him more strength and good health in hope that his work will further strengthen the cause of Buddhist movement in India which will help us realise the dreams of Baba Saheb Ambedkar for building an enlightened India or what could be termed as Prabudhha Bharat.

Kushinagar is celebrating the life and achievements of Bhadant Gyaneshwar Mahasthivir, the Monk in Chief of Mahaparinirvan main temple. He completed his 85th birthday on November 10. Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh is one of the foremost prominent places for the Buddhists all over the world as Buddha delivered his last sermon here and met his Mahaparinirvana. Recently, Kushinagar was linked with international aviation circuit as a new airport has just been inaugurated here a couple of weeks back.Bhadant Gyaneshwar is the most revered Buddhist monk living in Kushinagar and is President of Kushinagar Bhikshu Sangh since February 21, 2005 after the Parinirvana i.e. passing away of Bhadant Aniruddha Mahathera of Lumbini. The Kushinagar Bhikshu Sangh was initiated by Bhadant Chandra Mani Mahathera on December 18th, 1952 and he remained president of it till May 8, 1972. Afterwards Bhaddant Utikheindariya Mahathera and Achutananda Mahathera became the president. That way, Bhaddant Gyaneshwar Mahathera is the sixth President of Kushinagar Bhikshu Sangha.Bhadant Gyaneswhar was born as Aaon Jaa Wey (childhood name) on November 10, 1936 in a village named as Zibenji in the district of Akyab, in Arakans province of Myanmar, on the coastal region, where Buddhism once thrived and now part of Rakhine state, which has got famed for the conflict of Rohingyas verses the natives of the region who feel that demographic changes might affect the supremacy of the locals if the Rohingyas are not thrown out or controlled.Of course, the crisis is of the recent years and not that period when Bhadant was growing. On April 12th, 1949, he got ordained as Shramaner when his Guru named him as Jannisar which got interpreted in Hindi as Gyaneshwar. He learnt Pali and got admission at the University in Rangoon, now known as Yangon, capital city of Myanmar, where he learnt Pali literature. On June 3, 1956 he became a Bhikkhu after six years of studies in Buddhism at the University.Burma, now Myanmar, was the region where Buddhism was thriving. In 1954, Burma organised sixth Buddhist Sangeeti where Bhante Dharmrakshit too participated in it. Baba Saheb Ambedkar as well as EVR Periyar too participated in this historical conference in Rangoon. Bhadant Gyaneshwar, 18 years of age that time, participated in it and got opportunity to listen and meet renowned Buddhist monks and scholars.It is here that he met Baba Saheb Ambedkar in this conference though he does not remember much about him as he says that he was too young to understand the socio-political importance of Dr Ambedkar as all were participating as those who were Buddhists. For me, any one who got an opportunity to meet Dr Ambedkar or listened him live, has a link to history and it is essential to record their conversations and understanding. Whether he was too young or not did not matter for me that way as a sense of understanding shared history.Bhikkhus from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar and various countries, where Buddhism is practiced largely, have been coming to India to visit historical places of great importance from the Buddhist perspective. Many of them were pained to see the utter neglect to these sites which Buddhists worship and feel sanctimonious. This resulted in their decision to dedicate their lives for the betterment of these historical places and spread the Buddhist culture in the country of its birth.Bhadant Chandramani was brought to Kushinagar by Anagarika Dharmpal, the Buddhist revivalist in the South Asian region. Before leaving to participate in the historic World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, Anagarika Dharmpala asked Bhadant Chandramani to look after his work to protect the historical sites as well as strengthening Buddhist work in Kushinagar. That was the year 1893 when Bhadant Chandramani decided to stay back in Kushinagar and dedicate his life for the mission of Buddhism.For, the information of all, Anagarika Dharmpala fought for reclamation of the Buddhist control over Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya and it is his monumental work that helped revive Buddhism and its heritage in South Asia. He can be simply called a global ambassador of Buddhism and its thoughts and practice. It was Bhadant Chandramani, who gave Deeksha to Baba Saheb Ambedkar in Nagpur on October 14, 1956. That way, Bhadant Chandramani was part of a historic revolution unleashed by Baba Saheb Ambedkar by bringing Buddhism back to India.Bhadant Gyaneshwars parents had known Bhadant Chandramani as his father was a follower. When Bhikkhu Dharmarakshit and Bikkhu Kittima Mahasthivir came to know about the deteriorating health condition of Bhadant Chandramani, who had become one of the most revered Bhikkhus of his time, in 1962, they were concerned and felt that somebody need to be put there in Kushinagar not merely to assist Bhadant Chandramani but also who could take the mission for future.Bhadant Chandramani had looked after the Buddhist heritage in Kushinagar and the rest of the country very well but by 1962 Bhadants health was deteriorating and became a matter of concern for all near dear ones in the Buddhist movement. It was felt that he needed someone to support him as well as carry forward the movement further and hence 27 years old Gyaneshwar was asked to come to India and straightway go to Kushinagar to be with Bhadant Chandramani.
Over 50 years before Quentin Tarantino took a few liberties with his depiction of Adolf Hitler's death in Inglourious Basterds, Marvel Comics also decided to get creative with that historical moment. Both fictional Hitlercides involve fire, but Marvel's scene wins because it's the only one where the fascist dictator is burned alive by a crime-fighting android.

Marvel Comics He's saying "OWW!" because he also stubbed his toe at that moment. Talk about bad luck.

Yes, Hitler finds this end so undignified that, as he's burning, he begs his men to tell everyone that he killed himself -- he'll take the stigma of suicide over the shame of robo-murder. The scene first appeared in Young Men #24 from 1953, the issue where the original robotic Human Torch (no relation to the Fantastic Four member) returns to action after being gone for several years. When asked what he's been up to, the Torch is like, "Oh, you know, fought some smugglers, got a haircut, single-handedly ended a world war, etc."

Since that issue, several Marvel writers have gone out of their way to reconfirm that, yes, Hitler was whacked by a perpetually burning piece of sentient machinery in this universe. In 1977, the scene was retold and expanded in What If #4, which revealed that the Torch brought along his kid sidekick, Toro, to watch the brutal tyrannicide.

Marvel Comics
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STAMFORD  The upcoming arrival of Philip Morris International has revealed a conflict Gov. Ned Lamont and other officials have with the tobacco giant.

Lamont and legislators who represent Stamford at the state Capitol and in Congress say they are non-smokers, but they are keen to tout the economic benefits of another Fortune 500 company moving to Connecticut  despite their distaste for cigarettes and recognition that tobacco use has caused thousands of deaths in the state each year.

The governor and other supporters of PMIs relocation argue that the new headquarters at 677 Washington Blvd.  the former home of UBS  can help the company fulfill its pledge to move away from cigarettes to less harmful smoke-free products. Many of those officials also maintain that PMIs presence will not discourage them from advancing anti-tobacco initiatives.

I think theyre moving in the right direction and moving the smoking population in the right direction, Lamont, who confirmed last week that he would run for reelection, said in an interview with Hearst Connecticut Media.

Good for Connecticut

PMI will move its headquarters from midtown Manhattan and open offices next summer at 677 Washington that will cover more than 71,000 square feet. The No. 101 firm on this years Fortune list intends to bring about 200 jobs to the state. It estimates the total economic impact of its Connecticut-based positions will be about $50 million in 2022.

Theyre an innovative company, which is going to be good for Connecticut, said state Rep. Daniel Fox, D-Stamford, one of the officials who attended a press conference last week at 677 Washington to welcome PMI.

PMI is not receiving state subsidies to move to Stamford. But its move followed extensive discussions involving company officials, Lamont and other members of his administration.

Regardless of my strong criticisms of the tobacco industry, I am glad that Stamford is a highly attractive destination for businesses of all kinds, said state Rep. Matt Blumenthal, D-Stamford. I look forward to continuing to work to help make it even more so.

State Rep. David Michel, D-Stamford, said backing the companys move did not indicate that he and other officials condoned smoking or that they endorsed the business practices of every company operating in the city. He cited, for instance, his disapproval of two major firms based in his district: OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, which is headquartered at 201 Tresser Blvd., and Building and Land Technology, which is the developer of the mixed-use Harbor Point complex in the citys South End.

I am glad empty offices are being filled in Stamford and surely hope the staff and families will live and thrive in our great city, Michel said in an email.

The future of smoke-free products

PMIs relocation has sparked greater scrutiny in Connecticut of the companys position as one of the worlds largest tobacco producers. It shipped more than 628 billion cigarettes around the world in 2020  down 11 percent from 2019, but still accounting for the majority of it nearly $29 billion in revenues last year. Its brands include Marlboro, L&M, Chesterfield, Philip Morris and Parliament.

Worldwide, the tobacco epidemic results in more than 8 million deaths each year, according to the World Health Organization.

PMIs products historically have not been safe. Its current products are concerning, said state Sen. Saud Anwar, D-South Windsor, a physician whose specialties include treating lung diseases and who serves as vice chairman of the state legislatures Public Health Committee. Their future products should also be considered unhealthy, and their marketing should be taken with great skepticism.

PMI does not sell or market its products in the U.S. Philip Morris USA  a subsidiary of Altria Group, from which PMI was spun off in 2008  dominates the American cigarette market. Marlboro ranks as Philip Morris USAs top-selling brand.

In the U.S., cigarette smoking is estimated to cause more than 480,000 deaths annually, including fatalities from second-hand smoke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Connecticut, 4,900 adults die each year from their own smoking, according to the state Department of Public Healths website.

PMI officials do not deny the damaging effects of tobacco. They argue, however, that it would be counterproductive for the company to abruptly exit the cigarette market.

If we pulled out, its not that the market would disappear itself; others would walk in and fill that space, Deepak Mishra, president of the Americas region for PMI, said at last weeks press conference. The others in this case very often include illicit trade, which is loss of revenues for the government and probably not the right quality of products for consumers.

Mishra added that being in the cigarette business provides an infrastructure and channels to actually reach our smokers and convince them as we have done, with 20 million people already to convert to smoke-free products. If we left the business, we wouldnt have the ability to do that.

Officials who attended the press conference said they accepted that argument.

Its a matter of weaning themselves off (cigarettes). It isnt something that theyre going to be able to just do right away, said state Sen. Patricia Billie Miller, D-Stamford. They realize the harm of cigarettes.

PMIs long-term strategy focuses on moving away from cigarettes and focusing on smoke-free products such as the heated tobacco sticks sold under its IQOS brand. Smoke-free products accounted for nearly 30 percent of PMIs net revenues in the third quarter of 2021, and the company is aiming to become a majority smoke-free company in net revenues by the end of 2025.

IQOS products are available in 69 markets worldwide. Altria sells them in the U.S., through an exclusive license provided by PMI  with IQOS American market now covering Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

PMI shipped about 76 billion heated tobacco sticks in 2020, up 28 percent from 2019.

Since there is no burning, the levels of harmful chemicals are significantly reduced compared to cigarette smoke, PMI says on its website. Our studies on IQOS heated tobacco products are progressing rapidly and indicate that it has the potential to present less risk of harm compared to continued smoking for adult smokers who switch to it completely instead of continuing to smoke.

By PMIs own admission, however, smoke-free tobacco is not harmless. Among the risks, IQOS products deliver nicotine, which is addictive.

While a few studies may suggest newer products are not as dangerous as combustible tobacco products, it is important to realize that is not a good criteria of judgment of safety, Anwar said. Their new products may be better than previous ones, but that does not mean they are safe. It is important to avoid such chemicals and delivery mechanisms because of the long-term implications.

In the past few months, PMI has further diversified with transactions that included a takeover of asthma-inhaler maker Vectura, a deal reportedly worth about $1.5 billion; an acquisition of nicotine gum maker Fertin Pharma for approximately $820 million; and the $51 million purchase of OtiTopic, which develops respiratory drugs.

At PMI, were making rapid progress toward our smoke-free future, Mishra said. A lot of that innovation will be driven right from here (in Stamford) in terms of coming up with and then commercializing products that can change the lives of smokers.

Reducing tobacco use

Despite PMIs move to Stamford, a number of officials said they would continue to pursue anti-tobacco legislation.

I have continued to fight for stronger steps against tobacco use and nicotine addiction, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, who sued Philip Morris USA in the 1990s when he was serving as state attorney general. My question about a company is not about where it is located, but what does it do.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said in a statement that as a dad to two children, having PMI in Connecticut doesnt change my belief one bit that government needs to do everything it can to combat tobacco use and attack the epidemic of youth e-cigarette use.

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, a Democrat whose district includes most of Fairfield County, including Stamford, said in a statement that his support for PMIs relocation does not conflict with him being very concerned about the rise in teenage use of nicotine products and (I) know its an important issue to parents and families.

I was proud to join my colleagues in voting for the Tobacco-Free Youth Act to raise the federal minimum age to buy all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping devices, from 18 to 21 years old, Himes added.

In Hartford, state officials have enacted a number of major smoking-related changes in recent years.

In June, Lamont signed a law that legalizes recreational marijuana use. The law also contained new smoking restrictions, including the elimination of smoking in hotel guest rooms and designated workplace lounges.

In 2019, the state raised the minimum age for buying tobacco products from 18 to 21.

But other key pieces of tobacco legislation have stalled  at least for now. In June, the state Senate rejected a measure that would have banned flavored e-cigarettes, amid complaints that it contained too many loopholes. A few weeks earlier, legislators decided to end their pursuit in the 2021 session of a ban of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes.

At the same time, some public health-focused advocacy groups are dissatisfied with funding for anti-tobacco efforts in Connecticut. Since the 2015 fiscal year, zero state dollars have been allocated to tobacco control programs, according to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the ACS nonprofit and nonpartisan advocacy organization. This year, $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds were allocated to local health districts for tobacco control  but with no regulations, direction on how the funds should be spent or oversight, according to ACS CAN officials.

Now more than ever, its time for Connecticut lawmakers to commit to restoring at least $12 million to the states tobacco control and prevention program, helping people quit tobacco use and helping prevent kids from ever picking up the deadly addiction, ACS CAN spokesperson Amber Herting said. Doing so will save the state money and, more important, it will save the state lives.

pschott@stamfordadvocate.com; twitter: @paulschott
A Central Connecticut State University professor has exploded more than a century of erroneous stories surrounding The Genius of Connecticut, the allegorical statue that stood atop the State Capitol building for 60 years before it was removed prior to World War II, only to be recast in recent years, where it has become the highlight of tours.

The real story of the statue unfolds at a time when the state is preparing to hoist a modern copy of The Genius back to the top of the gold dome at the cost of half a million dollars.

Popular history around the original 18-foot-tall winged protector of the state  with her flowing robes, crown of oak leaves representing the state tree, a wreath of dried flowers in her right hand and mountain laurel, the state flower, in the left  is the infamous Hurricane of 1938 loosened the statues moorings, prompting state officials to haul it off the 257-foot dome to safety.

Then came World War II, when the bronze was supposedly sacrificed heroically and with great fanfare for the manufacture of munitions. Fortunately, a full-sized plaster model used by sculptor Randolph Rogers dating back to opening of the State Capitol in 1878 remained.

Matthew Warshauer, a CCSU history professor and an expert on the states role and experiences in the Civil War, says in a article in the Connecticut History Review, that the story is much more nuanced and that those popular recollections are false.

Its all a myth, Warshauer said in a recent interview. He used contemporary newspaper accounts dating back to the 1800s to trace the mystery.

He opposes plans for the 5,500-pound 12-year-old copy of the original statue  which resides on a $30,000 stone pedestal inside, under the Capitol rotunda  to be hoisted back atop the dome at a projected cost of $500,000, which is included in the current state budget.

Warshauer believes there should be a statewide fundraising effort to cover the expense, similar to the effort to pay for a popular statue of State Heroine Prudence Crandall and a young Black female student by the sculptor Gabriel Koren that was the idea of Bristol school children and has been on display in the Capitol since 2009.

He believes that hundreds of thousands of dollars could be saved by enlisting a heavy-lift helicopter from Sikorsky Commercial Aircraft Division of Lockheed Martin. Hartford is always looking for a way to highlight their citys history, Warshauer said.

The Genius was not taken down specifically because of the hurricane, and patriotism did not seal her fate during World War II, Warshauer wrote. Rather, the Capitol building and the Genius who adorned it had always been debated, even controversial works of art.

The first time the statue, with her out-stretched arms symbolically protecting state residents, was removed from the top of the dome was in 1903, as disagreement raged over what to do with the piece. The second time was after the 1938 hurricane, when the dome and the statue were suffering from decades of neglect in New England weather made worse by a cracked foundation supporting it.

Her removal was not done lovingly or with a steady eye toward her return, Warshauer found of the 1938 removal. Instead, she was unceremoniously beheaded, dismembered, and lowered to the ground piece by piece.

Originally called The Angel of the Resurrection, which was also the name of a Rogers sculpture, marking the grave of firearms manufacturer Samuel Colt in Hartfords Cedar Hill Cemetery, the statue is one of 19 Civil War monuments both inside and outside the 14-acre Capitol complex, the most in any state capital in the nation. The Capitol building itself was built to commemorate the Civil War, which was still fresh in the minds of the state in 1878.

By 1903, it began to sway slightly in breezes, prompting the formation of a state commission and scaffolding to be erected. Workers found cracks in the foundation supporting the statue. That set off a public debate on whether it should be returned to the top of the Capitol.

While engineers disagreed on the best course of action, an iron support rod was replaced with a bronze rod and the statue was hauled back up to the top of the dome in 1904. But during a routine building inspection in 1935, workers saw evidence of damage to the tower supporting The Genius. In the 1870s, Architect Richard Upjohn had not planned on designing a dome to the building, but state lawmakers insisted.

When Upjohn said he needed to use 10 huge granite piers to support the dome, a legislative committee voted to save $6,000 by ordering brick piers instead. That was the first mistake, Warshauer wrote. The piers, reaching all the way into the basement, began cracking in 1878 and had to be supported by the infusion of molten metal.

The September 21 Great Hurricane, which killed 600 people in the Northeast, did not damage the statue, but did spell its doom. Within 10 days, workers cut off her head with a saw, then the rest of the body, lowering each piece by rope. There was never a long debate over saving her, as later histories of the statue claimed, Warshauer wrote.

The dismembered pieces of the statue were stored in the Capitol basement until a metal drive was held for the war effort and the statues pieces were unceremoniously tossed in the scrap bin with other metal detritus from the Capitol cellar. So much for the patriotic devotion of donating the Genius to the war effort, Warshauer wrote.

Fortunately, the full-size plaster model remained in the Capitol, so the new, lighter statue was created using high-tech lasers and computer measurements to cast the new Genius in three pieces by the Polich Tallix Fine Art Foundry in Rock Tavern, N.Y.

The effort to make a fresh copy of the Genius dates back to 2003. By 2006, there was $300,000 in the state budget to recast a new statue, along with a false narrative that the scrapping of the original was necessitated by the historic hurricane and a patriotic gesture against Fascism.

kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT
HAWKINSVILLE, Ga. (AP)  A manhunt was underway Saturday in central Georgia for five men who escaped a county jail.

Pulaski County Sheriff Danny Brannen said federal marshals, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia State Patrol and multiple sheriff's offices in the area are helping in the search.

Brannen said at 11 p.m. Friday, the inmates were supposed to be in lockdown. One of two jailers working was in a cell talking to an inmate when another inmate attacked the guard. The sheriff said the inmates told the jailer they were going to kill her, then took her car keys and attacked the other jailer on duty.

The jailers were not hurt in the attack.

Im thinking theyre not in Hawkinsville no more, Brannen said.

Capt. Larry Jackson said the inmates were traveling in a stolen, white 2015 Kia Sedona. The license plate number is CMP 8628, he said.

Authorities do not know where the men are headed.

The escaped inmates include Tyree Williams, whos charged with felony murder and home invasion for allegedly shooting a man in July 2020. Also Dennis Penix, who is accused of killing two men in 2017 in a drug deal gone bad.

The other three are Brandon Pooler, accused of child cruelty; Tyree Jackson, whos charged in car-break-ins; and Lewis Evans, accused of obstructing an officer.

Jackson said the inmates should be considered extremely dangerous and said people should not take action on their own. Anyone with information on the men's whereabouts should call 911, the Pulaski County sheriffs office at 478-783-1212 or Hawkinsville Crimestoppers at 478-783-9255.
GLASGOW, Scotland (AP)  The worlds top carbon polluters, China and the United States, agreed Wednesday to increase their cooperation and speed up action to rein in climate-damaging emissions, signaling a mutual effort on global warming at a time of tension over their other disputes.

In back-to-back news conferences at U.N. climate talks in Glasgow, Chinese climate envoy Xie Zhenhua and U.S. counterpart John Kerry said the two countries would work together to accelerate the emissions reductions required to meet the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change.

Its beneficial not only to our two countries but the world as a whole that two major powers in the world, China and the U.S., shoulder special international responsibilities and obligations, Xie told reporters. We need to think big and be responsible.

"The steps we're taking ... can answer questions people have about the pace at which China is going, and help China and us to be able to accelerate our efforts," Kerry said.

China also agreed for the first time to crack down on methane leaks, following the lead of the Biden administrations efforts to curb the potent greenhouse gas. Beijing and Washington agreed to share technology to reduce emissions.

Governments agreed in Paris to jointly cut greenhouse gas emissions enough to keep the global temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial times, with a more stringent target of trying to keep warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) preferred.

Both sides recognize that there is a gap between efforts taken globally to reduce climate pollution and the goals of the Paris deal, Xie said.

So we will jointly strengthen climate action and cooperation with respect to our respective national situations," he said.

A U.S.-China bilateral agreement in 2014 gave a huge push to the creation of the historic Paris accord the following year, but that cooperation stopped with the Trump administration, which pulled the U.S. out of the pact. The Biden administration brought the U.S. back in to that deal, but has clashed with China on other issues such as cybersecurity, human rights and Chinese territorial claims.

While this is not a gamechanger in the way the 2014 US-China climate deal was, in many ways its just as much of a step forward given the geopolitical state of the relationship, said Thom Woodroofe, an expert in U.S.-China climate talks. It means the intense level of US-China dialogue on climate can now begin to translate into cooperation.

The gesture of goodwill comes just days after President Joe Biden blamed Chinese President Xi Jinpings and Russian President Vladimir Putins failure to attend talks in person for the lack of more progress in climate negotiations.

The U.S. and China will also revive a working group that will meet regularly to address the climate crisis and advance the multilateral process, focusing on enhancing concrete actions in this decade, the declaration said.

Both Washington and Beijing intend to update the world on their new national targets for 2035 in 2025  a move that is particularly significant for China. The declaration also said China will make best efforts to accelerate its plans to reduce coal consumption in the second half of this decade.

The announcement came as governments from around the world were negotiating in Glasgow about how to build on the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect vulnerable countries from the impacts of global warming.

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres called the move an important step in the right direction.

Some experts noted the deal was short on commitments that would significantly reduce heat-trapping gases.

Its a good sign that the worlds two biggest emitters can actually work together to face the biggest crisis of humanity but theres not a lot of meat there after the methane stuff, said Byford Tsang a China policy analyst for the European think tank E3G.

Earlier Wednesday, a draft of a larger deal being negotiated by almost 200 countries in Glasgow called for accelerating the phasing out of coal  the single biggest source of man-made emissions  although it set no timeline.

Setting deadlines for phasing out fossil fuels is highly sensitive to countries that still depend on them for economic growth, including China and India, and to major exporters of coal such as Australia. The future of coal is also a hot-button issue in the U.S., where a spat among Democrats has held up one of President Joe Bidens signature climate bills.

Greenpeace International director Jennifer Morgan, a long-time climate talks observer, said that the call in the draft to phase out coal would be a first in a U.N. climate deal, but the lack of a timeline would limit the pledges effectiveness.

This isnt the plan to solve the climate emergency. This wont give the kids on the streets the confidence that theyll need, Morgan said.

The draft also expresses alarm and concern about how much Earth has already warmed and urges countries to cut carbon dioxide emissions by about half by 2030. Pledges so far from governments dont add up to that frequently stated goal.

The draft is likely to change, but it doesnt yet include full agreements on the three major goals that the U.N. set going into the negotiations: for rich nations to give poorer ones $100 billion a year in climate aid, to ensure that half of that money goes to adapting to worsening global warming, and the pledge to slash global carbon emissions by 2030.

It acknowledges with regret that rich nations have failed to live up to the climate finance pledge. Currently they are providing around $80 billion a year, which poorer nations that need financial help both in developing green energy systems and adapting to the worst of climate change say isnt enough.

Papua New Guinea Environment Minister Wera Mori said that given the lack of financial aid his country may rethink efforts to cut logging, coal mining and even coming to the U.N. talks.

The draft says the world should try to achieve net-zero (emissions) around mid-century," a target that was endorsed by leaders of the Group of 20 biggest economies in a summit just before the Glasgow talks. That means requiring countries to pump only as much greenhouse gas into the atmosphere as can be absorbed again through natural or artificial means.

In a nod to one of the big issues for poorer countries, the draft vaguely urges developed nations to compensate developing countries for loss and damage, a phrase that some rich nations don't like. But there are no concrete financial commitments.

Britain's Alok Sharma, who is chairing the negotiations, acknowledged that significant issues remain unresolved.

My big, big ask of all of you is to please come armed with the currency of compromise, he told negotiators. What we agree in Glasgow will set the future for our children and grandchildren, and I know that we will not want to fail them."

___

Associated Press journalist Helena Alves contributed to this report.

___

Follow AP's climate coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate. Follow Borenstein, Jordans and Ghosal on Twitter.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  A northern New Mexico man has been acquitted of illegal trapping charges stemming from an incident that caused a dog's strangulation death and prompted a new state law prohibiting trapping on public land.

A state District Court jury on Wednesday acquitted Marty Cordova, 44, of Chimayo of crimes regarding trapping fur-bearing animals, including trapping within 25 yards (23 meters) of a public road, failing to have identifying information on his traps and failing to check his traps daily.

Its a sense of relief, obviously, Cordova told the Santa Fe New Mexican on Thursday. Its been about three years Ive had this burden on my shoulders."

Cordova was charged after an 8-year-old heeler mix named Roxy died at Santa Cruz Lake, a federal Bureau of Land Management recreation area, east of Espanola as the dog's owner tried to free it from a snare trap.

The owner, Dave Clark of Espanola, declined to comment Thursday, the New Mexican reported.

The case prompted New Mexico legislators to approve the ban on use of traps, snares and wildlife poison on public lands. The Wildlife Conservation and Public Safety Act, also called Roxys Law, takes effect next April.

Cordova's defense lawyer, Yvonne Quintana, said the acquittal was the right outcome."

The case was overcharged, and the state and (Game and Fish Department) officers really did a disservice in regards to losing evidence.

Game and Fish deleted thousands of photographs related to the case, Quintana said, adding other pieces of evidence  such as parts of the trap that snared Roxy  were lost.

Quintana also said the dog was not on a leash as required in the Santa Cruz recreation area.

So while the traps may have been at fault for the loss of the dog, there was also that issue that if the dog had been controlled with a leash, the tragic loss of the domestic pet may never have occurred, she said.

District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies disputed Quintanas contention that the case was overcharged and said some of the evidence had been lost by the BLM during that agencys investigation.

The prosecution fought hard for accountability and what the jury did see and hear was heartbreaking testimony and evidence about how Roxy and her owner suffered, Carmack-Altwies said.

Quintana said it was difficult to empanel a jury to hear the case because many potential jurors had strong opinions regarding trapping and animal rights.

It was very inflammatory because the dog got killed, she said,

Cordova, a utility manager at Los Alamos National Laboratory, said he uses traps because he has a small farm and that coyotes and other predators sometimes kill his chickens.

He said activists who pushed for the passage of Roxys Law used him to accomplish something that had been on their agenda for some time.

They used me as a scapegoat to say, Look at how bad sportsmen are, and look at the results of trapping, he said.
Leaders from the two companies responsible for America's most-used COVID-19 vaccines looked back Saturday at how they were able to develop the lifesaving shots so quickly  and offered a glimpse of what might lie ahead in the fight against the coronavirus and other maladies.

Dr. Mikael Dolsten, chief scientific officer at Pfizer who oversees its worldwide research, and Stephane Bancel, Moderna's chief executive officer, spoke at the American Heart Association's virtual Scientific Sessions.

Dolsten said that from the start of the pandemic, Pfizer was planning not just for the immediate challenge of developing a vaccine that worked, but for everything that would follow. "We really tried to take a holistic, comprehensive approach," with "end-to-end planning."

Vaccine developers usually wait for one step of the development process to conclude before moving on to the next. "But this was a pandemic," he said.

So as soon as the company had promising data from early tests, it was setting up advanced clinical trials and preparing for manufacturing.

The approach of "working in parallel, rather than serial" paid off, Dolsten said. Not only is the company on track to deliver up to 3 billion doses of its vaccine by year's end, it recently announced promising results for an antiviral COVID-19 pill.

The process was always about finding "maximum benefit and the best safety profile," he said.

Moderna's Bancel echoed that emphasis on safety.

"The thing that was always our North Star was to never take any risk to a clinical trial participant," whom he called "the unsung heroes of the pandemic, like the health care workers, of course."

Like Pfizer, Moderna was able to do "everything in parallel, as long as it was safe. That was of course the No. 1 criteria. But we took a lot of business risks."

Those, too, paid off. Moderna, as a company, made less than 100,000 doses of any vaccine in all of 2019, he said. It is on track to ship up to 800 million doses this year.

He and Dolsten both foresee a long-lasting role for their products. "Because unfortunately, we think we're going to need more boosters," Bancel said. "COVID is going to become endemic. It's not going away."

Dolsten expects such vaccine boosters to be annual. The effectiveness of a third shot has been impressive in studies, he said. "Projections are that an annual vaccination is likely going to be very helpful to refill your immune response defense line, and to further train it for any future needs," although those needs might be different for people in high-risk groups, such as people with cancer or cardiovascular conditions.

Bancel envisions a single annual shot that would combine a COVID-19 booster; a flu vaccine that has "a much higher efficacy than what we have seen so far in older-technology vaccines;" and a vaccine for RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, an illness that's common but sometimes severe in children younger than 2.

"So one shot and you'll be set for the fall and winter," he said.

Beyond COVID-19, both men saw exciting potential in the technology behind their companies' vaccines, which use a molecule called messenger RNA, or mRNA, to deliver information that allows cells to make proteins.

With traditional technologies, the majority of promising drugs don't make it from the lab to market, Bancel said. "We think mRNA is going to change that in a very profound way," because the chemistry and process in mRNA technology is the same for all cell types.

"Once you get the mRNA inside the cells, you can make any protein you want," or combinations of proteins, he said.

Researchers are exploring mRNA treatments that might repair blood vessels harmed by diabetes, treat heart failure or repair damage from heart attacks. Moderna also is testing a vaccine for cytomegalovirus, or CMV, which sometimes causes long-term health problems such as hearing loss in babies whose mothers are infected.

As part of Saturday's presentation, Dr. Biykem Bozkurt, professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, summarized findings on COVID-19 vaccines and myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle.

Bozkurt was lead author of a study published in July in the AHA journal Circulation that looked at myocarditis and COVID-19 vaccines and concluded that the "the risk of hospitalization, ICU stay and death with COVID infection itself far outweighs the risk of myocarditis following mRNA COVID vaccination," she said.

She noted a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine, based on a national database from Israel, estimated the risk of myocarditis at one to five cases per 100,000 people vaccinated. The risk of myocarditis from a COVID-19 infection was much higher, she said, and infection also raised the risk of other problems, including heart attacks.

The risk of myocarditis after vaccination is slightly higher in young males. But overall, cases tend to be mild and resolve in four or five days, she said.

She asked whether the pharmaceutical companies would be willing to partner with others on finding the mechanisms that underlie the problem to potentially adjust the vaccines to reduce or silence those mechanisms. Both leaders agreed.

"Once we know the mechanistic understanding, there could be tweaks that allow us for the future to do even more sophisticated design," Dolsten said, "whether we speak about COVID or future viral challenges."

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MERIDIAN, Miss. (AP)  A 23-year-old man is in custody, accused of killing his mother whose body was found at their house in Mississippi.

The Lauderdale County Sheriffs Department arrested Detrick Kelton Ocampo after a relative found Tanya Ocampo's body Friday at a home in the Center Hill community.
The widespread use of absentee ballots is a relatively new phenomenon in Connecticut. Theyve long been available, but under some of the strictest conditions of any state in the union. A voter had to be out of town or physically incapable of going to the polls to qualify for one, so they have traditionally accounted for a small percentage of overall votes.

That changed with COVID. The state made a temporary change that allowed anyone to vote absentee, reasoning that many people would be leery of going into a crowded voting site at the height of a pandemic. As a result, many thousands of people voted from home. That emergency declaration was extended to this years local elections, but will require a change in the state Constitution to take effect permanently.

All the while, other states do just fine with vote-by-mail systems. Connecticut is woefully behind the times, especially considering officials here are on record as saying they want to expand access to the ballot.

But as absentee ballots take on new prominence, doubts have followed.

Some of that is politically motivated. Fears of voter fraud, real or imagined, have been the driving force behind generations of laws limiting access to the ballot box, even as one study after another has shown that fraud is infinitesimally small.

Then there was former President Donald Trump, who placed much of the blame for his 2020 loss on the widespread use of absentee ballots. There was nothing behind those claims, but it inspired a new generation of doubters.

That has apparently continued into this years local elections. West Haven was the scene of one of the closest elections in the state, with Democratic Mayor Nancy Rossi winning by just 32 votes. The vote came in the wake of a corruption scandal that saw the arrest of then-state Rep. Michael DiMassa, who also was an employee in West Haven City Hall, on charges related to pandemic relief funds.

Republican Barry Lee Cohen, who fell just short in the mayors race, then raised questions about absentee ballots, including by making a request to examine the ballots himself. To be clear, theres no indication of any wrongdoing; it was simply a close race.

Still, its not as though questions havent been raised in the past. Every talk of close races and absentee ballots in Connecticut inevitably leads to Bridgeport, which has been the site of many allegations over the years. Theres no question the local Democratic Party has a robust absentee ballot machine, and many have questioned its propriety over the years.

The most recent case was the 2019 mayoral primary, which the State Elections Enforcement Commission was still investigating as recently as this summer.

But investigations into alleged impropriety are not a reason to shut down the whole system. That would be like saying since there was allegedly fraud in West Haven that no pandemic relief funds should have been distributed. Oversight is necessary and allegations of wrongdoing should be investigated. But the overall picture on absentee ballots is one that makes it easier for people to vote and therefore allows more people to participate.

We should do everything we can to encourage that trend.
Tzach YokedHaaretzNov. 13, 2021Its Sunday around noon, in the town of Coxsackie in New York States Greene County. Old, dilapidated stone buildings line deserted streets. Planks of wood have been hammered into the window frames of abandoned houses to prevent looting. Piles of garbage overflow onto street corners. Here and there young couples can be seen sitting on the steps in front of their homes, holding glasses of beer, gazing at the few cars that pass by. Most of the storefronts are empty, the shops they once housed now out business. Outside a domestic-items store that remains open, a dour-looking elderly proprietor sits on a low wooden chair, waiting for customers who dont come. About 10,000 people live in Coxsackie, but an unsettling aura of a ghost town pervades the streets.The name Coxsackie, believed to derive from the Algonquin Indian language, reflects the rich history of the region. A two-hour drive from Manhattan, with the Hudson River to its east, bucolic hills to the west  and caught between them a locale characterized most by its shabbiness. The exception is one local establishment, which throbs with life, even as it tells the story of one of the most insular communities in the United States.The Yellow Deli is a charming place located in a brick building on the towns main street. The decor is over-the-top yellow; flowers are everywhere. I buy a coffee; the manager draws a flower on the bill he hands me. A jovial, optimistic atmosphere reigns in the deli, which gives one the impression of straddling the seamline between a hipster coffee house and a gathering place for flower children. Only there are no hipsters here, and no flower children either.The Yellow Deli is actually one of a chain of cafes owned by Twelve Tribes, a religious movement or dangerous cult, depending on the eye of the beholder. There are Yellow Deli branches across the United States, from California to the New York Island, not to mention Europe and even Australia and Argentina. The staff are all members of the group and all the raw ingredients used in preparing the food comes from farms owned by the movement and worked by its members.I have arrived at this establishment because I believe this may be the only crack through which its possible to get an in-person glimpse of the life of the Twelve Tribes, a movement that oscillates between Judaism and Christianity, between capitalism painted in shades of glaring yellow and severe ascetism, between cheerful community spirit and violent internal practices.Farm to tableTwelve Tribes has no church building, no council of sages or regular prayer meetings  only a thriving chain of 21 eateries and farms. The menus are based entirely on local farm produce: a variety of sandwiches, salads, soups, omelets and a range of desserts. Its all produced here, its all fresh and organic, direct from a nearby farm to your table.They also bake their own bread. Dozens of loaves of sourdough in different shapes lie in straw baskets, and a cordial waiter boasts that they also grind the flour themselves. Its not regular flour, he emphasizes, pointing to a loaf. Its quality spelt flour.Like all the branches, the one in Coxsackie is open six days a week. Saturday is the one day the cafe is closed; its website wishes clients Shabbat Shalom.Open gallery viewThis is in a town where youre unlikely to find even one Jewish family, still less a synagogue or any signs of Judaism. Twelve Tribes followers believe in Jesus but in certain outward ways, follow a Jewish way of life: They rest on Saturday, fast on Yom Kippur, blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah and refrain from celebrating Christian holidays, even Christmas.The holiday the children like best is Sukkot, says one staffer. An amiable man in his 50s, he has a soft tone of voice and an unchanging, broad smile. Sporting a well-trimmed beard, he is wearing a long, checked, button-down shirt and a blue, knitted skullcap hides his small man-bun. Outwardly, he looks like a cross between a Bratslaver Hasid and a kibbutznik. A quick glance at the other people working here reveals, however, that this style is not a matter of personal taste.Googling the Twelve Tribes website, I get an immediate explanation. Our men have beards because men were created with facial hair, the site states under FAQ. It is normal and natural for a man to have a beard. Besides, it is not fitting for a priest to crop his hair or to grow long, effeminate locks. In ancient Israel both unbound hair and a shaved head were public signs of mourning or some uncleanness Priests are concerned about pleasing their Creator rather than chasing after fashions or calling attention to themselves.The women, too, are not super-stylish in their fashion sense: They wear baggy pants and long-sleeved shirts that are several sizes too large for them. And, in fact, the answer to the very next FAQ is, Our women wear the clothes they do because of their desire to be modest.Twelve Tribes followers believe in Jesus but in certain outward ways, follow a Jewish way of life: They rest on Saturday, fast on Yom Kippur, blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah and refrain from celebrating Christian holidays.Meanwhile, the head cook notices that Ive been perusing the menu for some time. You have nothing to worry about, our meat is clean, he asserts, after I have identified myself as an Israeli. Theres no way youll find pork or any other non-kosher meat here. Another employee relates that the workers here dont have televisions in their homes. After my experience with members of the movement who declined to speak to me, I am careful not to ask too many questions. Here, too, the website helps out: We see human relationships as the central focus of our lives; we are learning on a daily basis to be friends and pay attention to each others real needs. TV would be a distraction and would be detrimental to learning, loving, and being normal.After some time, I manage to strike up a conversation with one of the workers, who tells me about the communitys approach to the Sabbath. We try to observe Shabbat to the best of our ability. We definitely do not work and do not use the heavy equipment on the farms. We do not cook on Shabbat and we make sure to prepare all the meals before the Sabbath starts. On the other hand, if needed we turn on the electricity, and if there is no alternative, we also drive, but in general we try not to.The cafe is packed, and the 30 or so clients dont give any sign of being troubled by the fact that the chain not only supports a messianic movement but is also a platform for missionary activity. On a table near the door are informational materials that are meant to attract the attention of visitors. I read that there must be something beyond the necessity to work at a job we hate only in order to pay for our childrens preschool while we are at work, and all of it so that one day we will end up in a Florida nursing home and wonder why we are alive.Twelve Tribes recipe for the good life includes working the land and raising livestock, following a Jewish lifeastyle, collective ownership of property, home-schooling, avoiding the internet, singing in a choir and a love of children. The group has its own interpretation of that last item, in the spirit of the verse from Proverbs, He that spareth his rod hateth his son. Indeed, they also declare openly on the website, We love our children and consider them precious and wonderful. Because we love them, we do spank them. We teach them to listen to what their parents say and to obey their parents and teachers. When they are disobedient or intentionally hurtful to others we spank them with a small reed-like rod, which only inflicts pain and not damage. Desiring to be good parents, we do not hit our children in anger, nor with our hand or fist.But reality turns out to be grimmer than what one might imagine when one thinks of educational spanking. People who have left the movement have testified that children are not allowed to play, to own toys, to whistle or to read fantasy books. Some related that any quip or nonsensical act by a child could lead to corporal punishment, because youngsters are expected to work alongside adults and to behave like them. I was beaten with a stick from neck to toe, a woman who left stated about her Twelve Tribes childhood. I was covered with bruises.Open gallery viewFertile groundIt all began in the 1970s, when many young Americans began to snap out of their dreams of world peace, of free love and sex, and of the habitual use of psychedelic drugs. It was a period, for some, of a renewed search for an alternative lifestyle, a time of transition that constituted fertile ground for the growth of movements and cults. Twelve Tribes was founded by Elbert Eugene Spriggs, a Tennessee teacher who sought to forge a new religious order whose lifestyle would be based on the early years of Christianity. He opened the first branch of The Yellow Deli in 1973, and the chain expanded from year to year until it grew morphed into an international phenomenon.[ ... ]Sinasta Colucci wrote a book about his life in the movement, where he says that new members are required to turn over all their property to the group. If you have a house, a car, money, you are required to turn over all of that. In addition, members are required to work long hours, six days a week, and to sever previous ties with relatives and friends. Anyone who changes their mind and wants to leave, is left with nothing.The whole method is based on cutting members off from everything that happens around them, Patrick OReilly, a psychiatrist and expert on cults from the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, tells Haaretz. When someone joins they get all the support they could wish, but immediately afterward the emotional manipulation begins that renders them helpless. If you leave you will lose everything  and go to hell.According to Prof. OReilly, Twelve Tribes is a dangerous cult with clear characteristics of racism and antisemitism. They blame the Jews for the murder of Jesus and view the Jewish people today as bearing responsibility for Jesus murder. I grew up in a Catholic family, and no one ever taught me that. They also believe that Black people are destined to serve the white residents of the United States. They justify slavery, condemn Martin Luther King, Jr., and admire the founder of the Ku Klux Klan. But the biggest problem is the physical punishment of young children. I am talking about physical punishment which begins as early as the age of 2, and often young children not even 10 years old work on the farms from morning to night.In general today, says cults researcher Arthur Goldberg, Messianic Judaism is gathering momentum, with hundreds of thousands of members around the world.And when it comes to pious Christians who seek to add Jewish elements to their religious identity, inasmuch as Jesus was himself a Jew, We are talking about a broader phenomenon, particularly among American evangelicals, says Goldberg, 20 percent of whom believe in the fusion of a Jewish way of life and [live in] the anticipation of the resurrection of Jesus the savior. And even among all these streams, Twelve Tribes is a notably extreme case.
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Record numbers of migrants are crossing the Channel to Britain. There were 2,449 in the week to Friday, taking the number this year to more than 23,500, almost three times as many as last years total of 8,420, itself then a record.

Everyone on those boats wants a new, better life in the United Kingdom and thats understandable, as this is the best country in the world.

But what they are doing is both wrong and illegal.

Also, they are risking their lives and keeping criminal people- traffickers in business.

This isnt just a story about human lives. It raises very important issues about Britain  about its borders and how the countrys infrastructure and services cope with the seeming inexorable daily increase in numbers of people wanting to live here.

An inflatable craft carrying men, women and children crosses the shipping lane in the English Channel on July 22 near Dover

Our politicians and border police need to fight much harder to stamp out this illegal trade. We need to identify and prosecute those driving it.

But we cannot do this alone. As illustrated by the huge numbers of people massing on the border between Belarus and Poland trying to get into the European Union, the problem affects the whole of Europe. If successful, many of these too will attempt the Channel crossing to settle in the UK.

This latest influx of refugees, cynically flown in and propelled westwards by the Belarus government, follows years of migration by people from the Middle East, Africa and beyond who have been escaping wars or economic hardship.

The initial answer to solving the problem of migrants crossing the Channel is working in tandem with the French.

Unfortunately, the French government has little interest in preventing migrants moving to its countrys northern coast in the hope of illegally making a one-way trip to England.

We need to show the French that it must change this attitude.

Crucially, we need to make it clear that by stopping people from travelling freely across the Channel, it would reduce the numbers entering France itself via its mainland borders, having already crossed the Mediterranean.

This isnt just a story about human lives. It raises very important issues about Britain, writes Tom Tugendhat (pictured)

Close that door and the appeal of France is tempered. We two countries need to close it together.

Historically, we managed to strengthen Europes borders and push them thousands of miles further east and south by joining together with NATO allies. This has meant that Britains first line of defence is not Dover but the south of Spain and Italy, Lithuania and Poland. Thats managed to keep the problem of uncontrolled migration to Britain at bay.

But now, the policy of the Belarus government  under Moscows orders  to weaponise migration is designed to undermine that success and turn European countries against each other.

We need to make sure they fail.

However, our response is woefully inadequate. In August, I witnessed for The Mail on Sunday the actions of the Belarus government for myself.

It is nothing less than a criminal operation organised by President Alexander Lukashenko. Not only has he flown in thousands of migrants and ushered them out of his country across the Polish border but he has committed acts of air piracy of different kinds.

For example, his fighter jets diverted a Ryanair passenger plane to land in Belarus so his police could arrest and detain a critic of his who was on board. In Lithuania, I saw footage of Belarusian border guards shepherding families towards the frontier. They found, or cut, openings in the fence and pushed them through.

In the camps where these migrants were being cared for, I spoke to Iraqis, Syrians and others.

They told the same story. Free air tickets from countries in the region got them on planes north to Belarus. They arrived with almost nothing but were driven into the forests and left there to fend for themselves and encouraged to cross the border into the EU.

Make no mistake, Lukashenko is shamelessly using some of the most vulnerable people in the world as pawns against his political rivals and neighbours. Its a disgraceful violation of human rights.

People gather in a migrants' makeshift camp as Polish service members are seen in the background on the Belarusian-Polish border

Along with the chairs of the committees from the parliaments of 15 other countries, I have called for Belarus to be declared a no-fly zone and sanctions to be placed on Belarusian airports that are facilitating this illicit people-trafficking.

But Belarus isnt acting alone. As a small state, it is entirely dependent on Russia and what were seeing is President Vladimir Putin using hybrid warfare against NATO.

Putin doesnt care what it costs. Hes using similar tactics in Libya where those under his influence are mistreating migrants in camps as they wait to cross the Mediterranean. Women and men are abused and raped. They are exploited and robbed. It is a horrific existence and one that should terrify anyone thinking of following them.

Yet, still, the quest for a better life drives others forward, and the mercenary and malicious forces that exploit them try to profit from their hopes.

Here, in Britain, politicians must do better than idly just watch the numbers of migrants continue to rise every day. We should not be waiting until the problem reaches our shores before we act.

By turning failing national economies into prospering societies, we have the power to establish new trading partners and thus create conditions where people dont feel the need to migrate.

By building up the defences of southern and eastern Europe, we can stem the flows of people. And by making clear how all migration is connected  from Syria to Libya and from Iraq to Belarus  we can build partnerships rather than indulge in an international blame-game. Tragically, todays crisis is a lesson in failure.

However, by using common sense and co-operation, we could turn it into a lesson in success.
Ghislane Maxwell at VIP Evening of Conversation from Women's Brain Health Initiative in 2016

Let's be clear.

If Ghislaine Maxwell, whose trial begins this week in America, is guilty, she deserves a long stretch. Sex trafficking of any kind, let alone of minors, is repulsive.

If the evidence against her is enough to convince a jury of her guilt, then her victims absolutely deserve justice.

But I must confess that I have some serious misgivings about the process to date. Not least the fact that despite the presumption of innocence being a fundamental part of the law  and a key plank of the UN Declaration of Human Rights  it seems she is being treated as if shes already been found guilty and is being punished in the most gratuitous of ways.

This much is abundantly clear from todays MoS exclusive, in which the daughter of disgraced tycoon Robert Maxwell offers an insight into her life in New Yorks notorious Metropolitan Detention Center, where she has spent the past 16 months in solitary confinement.

Of course, this isnt the first weve heard of her poor treatment. For months, stories have been circulating.

But this is the first time weve heard from her own lips just how bad conditions behind bars have been for her.

Malnutrition, assault, threats, abuse  and a seemingly unrelenting campaign designed to wear her down mentally and physically.

Her eyesight is failing, she is losing her hair and shed a dangerous amount of weight. She has been, to all intents and purposes, treated like a convicted criminal.

Indeed, some might argue worse than a convicted criminal  certainly by British standards.

And whats really extraordinary is that the Americans arent denying it. If anything, the presiding judge seems to think this is a perfectly normal way for a civilised country to treat a foreign national who has not, as yet, been found guilty of a single crime

This is not only unconstitutional, it is also illogical. After all, Maxwell is not a live threat to others.

Her crimes, if they are proven, are historical.

It is not as though, were she detained in a less high-security environment, or granted bail, she would cause harm to others.

But I suspect thats not really why shes stuck in a 10ft by 12ft prison cell with an open sewer for a toilet and a rat for company.

Shes there because of Jeffrey Epstein, and the mess the American authorities made failing to bring this convicted paedophile to justice.

She is being made to pay not only for his wickedness, but for the embarrassment of the muppets who allowed him to take his own life  or be murdered  in jail, and thus evade proper justice.

Perhaps the US authorities are hoping that, by undermining her health and morale in this way, she will eventually  like so many others in her situation  give in and submit to a plea bargain, preferring to admit culpability without trial in exchange for a reduced sentence.

That does not appear to be the case.

And it may even be, as her lawyers will argue, that her mistreatment combined with the unrestricted  and hostile  reporting of her case in the US media means that no jury can be convened that is not already prejudiced against her

If that happens, then her alleged victims might never receive proper justice. Which would itself a huge injustice.

Dont get me wrong: Ive never met the woman, never intend to and have no reason to defend her. If she is guilty she must pay.

But the bottom line is this: until any or all of the charges against her are proven she deserves  like anyone else  to be treated with respect and humanity.

That America, the so-called Land of the Free, should have failed so dismally in that respect, is something that should concern us all.

Its about the poppy NOT you, Meghan

The Duchess of Sussexs choice of a low-cut, full-length, thigh-split scarlet Carolina Herrera gown to attend a gala in New York in aid of war veterans has won praise from fashionistas. But in terms of the occasion, it could hardly have been more inappropriate.

For a start, the colour eclipsed the red of the poppy on her breast; and secondly, you dont dress like a diva to an event in honour of the fallen for the simple reason that its really not about you. I know thats a concept the Duchess and Prince Harry struggle with sometimes  but still.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, arrive at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum for the Salute to Freedom Gala

Its clear that Frances refusal to stem the flow of migrants departing its shores is a calculated attempt on behalf of President Macron to make life tricky for his political nemesis, Boris Johnson, while also trying to curry favour with Right-wing voters in the presidential election next year.

But the fact that he is prepared to sacrifice the lives of refugees while turning a blind eye to the criminality of people-smugglers tells us what kind of man he really is: a ruthless moral bankrupt who will stop at nothing to hold on to power.

Matt Hancock is reportedly in talks for a 100,000 deal to write a memoir of his time in office, detailing his heroic hands-on handling of the pandemic. Theres no doubt that hands-on and handling are two words closely associated with his time in office; whether the rest remains of interest, who can say.

One of the most irritating things about adverts these days are those weedy, warbly versions of popular hits that seem to accompany every scenario, whether it be a car on a forest road  or an alien eating mince pies, as per this years John Lewis Christmas ad, which features a breathy version of 80s hit Together In Electric Dreams. The store is now being accused by an alt-folk duo from Wells of borrowing the feeling of their version of the song.

I cant bear the ad or the soundtrack  but even by the snowflake standards of modern life, feelings are surely not subject to copyright law?

When my daughter was 11 or 12, she and her friends loved nothing more than a trip to Lush to buy glitter bath bombs.

I think I even paid for her to have a birthday party there once. More fool me. Because now it transpires that Lush is flogging chest binders  garments designed to flatten and disguise breasts  in exchange for a 7 donation to a trans outreach organisation.

Now, Im all in favour of helping trans men get the help they need, but there is something very sinister about a store that is frequented by impressionable young girls promoting a garment whose only function is to mute  and ultimately mutilate  the female form.

Im a huge Adele fan but even I admit that the hype surrounding her new album  which drops, as the young people say, on Friday  has been absurdly OTT.

Final straw was footage of her and Oprah, dressed head-to-toe in matching shades of cream and white, looking for all the world as though they were conducting proceedings from some lofty perch in the heavens.

Oprah may be a god in some circles, and there is no doubting that Adele has the voice of an angel, but they are both, nonetheless, ordinary mortals.

Sarah Vine: Im a huge Adele fan but even I admit that the hype surrounding her new album  which drops, as the young people say, on Friday  has been absurdly OTT. Adele pictured with Oprah for upcoming CBS special, Adele One Night Only

It's so foolish to write off Boris

I read with some interest Petronella Wyatts comments on the Prime Minister last week.

In it she mourns for the Boris of yore, the ebullient, rib-tickling Boris we used to love  that is to say the man she had an affair with 20 or so years ago while they were both working at The Spectator magazine (and, of course, while he was married with young children). I too knew that Boris, and I didnt love him at all. In fact, I always found him rather insufferable  arrogant, a bit lazy, complacent, occasionally cruel  indeed, exactly what you would expect from an entitled Eton-educated toff.

Whatever you think of his current travails  and there is no doubt he faces some serious challenges  Boris 2021 is a much more nuanced and thoughtful individual, humbled and battered by the pandemic, far more conscious of his own failings than the buffoon of old.

He has many enemies, and many who, like Wyatt, are intent on revenge.

But I wouldnt write him off just yet.

Authorities in Russia are considering banning unvaccinated citizens from purchasing alcohol. If my Russian friends are anything to go by, that should quickly resolve the problem of the countrys low uptake. I wonder what the equivalent would be in Britain: no jab, no cuppa?
In normal times, few people inhabit the thick forests on the border between Poland and Belarus. But these are not normal times.

Today, thousands of economic migrants are camped out in freezing conditions, all determined to make it over the razor wire into the EU. Many are heading here to Britain.

In the skies above, Russian bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons have been circling. Nato has warned it is ready to step in to help Poland, a member nation.

In an ancillary development, there are fears that the Kremlin is planning to invade Ukraine, following its illegal seizure of Crimea eight years ago.

All told, this is an explosive situation.

MICHAEL BURLEIGH: Putin is hell-bent on disrupting our cosy world view and, if necessary, breaking it apart

There is no doubting who is the immediate villain. Alexander Lukashenko, the hard-man president of Belarus reacted furiously to the EU sanctions which followed election rigging, political violence and the kidnap of a dissident from a Ryanair flight.

Thats why the Belarus state airline has, since the early summer, devised a cynical plan of flying thousands of migrants from Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Yemen to the Belarus capital, Minsk. They have all been given tourist visas and led to the border to try to gain entry to the EU.

The puppet master of this policy is sitting 600 miles to the east in Moscow. For the brutal truth is that this crisis could not have blown up without the direct approval and connivance of Russias president Vladimir Putin.

For the migrants themselves, the situation is hazardous  travelling by night through marshland and dense forest in sub-zero temperatures. If they make it to Poland, Lithuania or Latvia, they face massed security forces.

But, chillingly, there are huge dangers for the rest of Europe and the wider world.

This is no exaggeration.

On Friday, Britains senior military officer warned there was a greater risk of an accidental war with Russia now than at any time during the Cold War.

General Sir Nick Carter, chief of the defence staff, said the threat of escalation leading to miscalculation was a real challenge. Addressing Western politicians, he said the belligerent character of some of our politics can too easily lead to mistaken conflict.

WERE in a much more competitive world than we were even ten or 15 years ago. And I think the nature of the competition between states and great powers leads to greater tensions.

We have to be careful that people dont end up allowing the bellicose nature of some of our politics to end up in a position where escalation leads to miscalculation.

Even for Putin, turning migrants into weapons in a broader, hybrid war is a new low. But it is only one of several points of attack upon the West, which the Kremlin boss goads with cyberattacks, aggressive incursions by ships and aircraft  and now blackmail and extortion using desperate people and gas supplies as weapons.

Pictured: A handout photo issued by Ministry of Defence (MoD) of a RAF fighter jet intercepting a Russian military aircraft approaching a UK area of interest. On Friday, two nuclear-capable Russian Tu-160 'White Swan' bombers entered 'the UK area of interest,' the MoD confirmed after the incident, forcing the RAF to scramble its own fighter jets to escort them away

His decision to boycott the COP26 climate summit was in itself just another act of aggression.

His behaviour is a useful distraction from the problems facing his 144 million people  which include 250,000 Covid deaths, a population in steady decline and the shameful abandonment of Russias Far East, now a de facto Chinese colony.

Russia may lack the deep pockets of China, but it has found cheap ways of forcing the West to consider dropping the sanctions crippling its economy.

There are few trouble-spots where Russian-backed forces are not meddling, from Syria via Libya and Mali to the Central African Republic. And of course Ukraine, which the White House believes is once again under the threat of Russian invasion.

In unstable countries such as Mali or the Central African Republic, control of gold, bauxite, iron ore, manganese and uranium is up for grabs. Such regimes provide fresh markets for arms and exports of nuclear technology  industries in which Russia excels.

By using mercenaries to back client warlords and politicians such as those in Libya, Putin is seeking to gain a foothold in another vital oil and gas-rich state. And control of Libya means the potential to control a vast pool of would-be migrants hoping to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.

Migrants have become Putins new weapon of choice. He is well aware how, over recent years, more than a million refugees reaching the EU has destabilised the bloc.

Putin will have learnt from how the migration crisis in 2015 led the EU to pay a huge sum to President Erdogan of Turkey to stop Syrian and Iraqi migrants arriving via Greece or the Balkans. The Kremlin reckons Brussels might pay a similar ransom to countries on its eastern border.

DEPLOYING migrants as weapons of war has been added to another Putin tool of reckless diplomacy  threatening to cut energy supplies to the West.

As a major oil producer and member of the cartel known as OPEC+, Russia gets a big say in global production levels  and the price we pay at the pumps.

But it is Russias huge natural gas reserves which give Putin clout. Gas is essential not just for home heating and industrial fuel, but as a component of fertiliser and petro-chemicals. In times of acute tension, Putin has been known to turn the gas off, leaving East European customers freezing in the depth of winter. Britain takes only five per cent of its gas from Russia, but were not immune. Prices for households and industry shot up to unaffordable levels in recent weeks when Putin refused to sell surplus supplies to the West.

The EU depends on Russia energy for up to half its supplies. And this reliance will last for years to come, not least because the transition to renewable energy sources will be protracted.

The under-sea Nordstream pipeline delivering gas from Russia to Germany will soon start work, a vast monument to the Kremlins stranglehold on energy.

Perhaps the border problem with Belarus will be solved, temporarily at least, with walls, troops, more razor wire, or by applying sanctions to airlines complicit with Minsk.

But the stand-off should be a wake-up call to a West that seems to have no proper strategy to deal with Russia.

While Europe and America concentrate on China and the many threats it poses, we are ignoring the danger on our doorstep.

Putin is hell-bent on disrupting our cosy world view and, if necessary, breaking it apart.
From wearing skinny jeans, to side partings and using the laughing emoji - Gen Z have dubbed just about every millennial-loved trend as cringey and outdated.

The term 'cheugy' means 'basic' and 'opposite of trendy' and it seems that having blonde hair now falls under the umbrella of trends under scrutiny from the fashionable age group.

Celebrities including Hailey Bieber, Gigi Hadid and Florence Pugh have all recently ditched their blonde locks for a darker look - which stylists are calling 'expensive brunette'.

Celebrities have ditched their blonde locks for a darker look - which stylists are calling 'expensive brunette'. Hailey Bieber revealed her transformation from from beachy blonde to chocolate brunette on Instagram last month

Gigi Hadid is a natural blonde but has played with icy tones over the years (left in 2014) and in August she debuted her new chocolate brunette locks (right in September this year)

Dove Cameron has been blonde since her on-screen debut in 2012 (left in September) but has since opted for a chic brunette look. Right, Dove this month in Los Angeles

Mariano Ruiz, founder of Shewolf, claimed to Femail that being fully blonde is outdated, adding fashionistas are opting for 'more natural-neutral colours or fashionable and vibrant colours'.

'The traditional blonde look, super bleached, is gone. It has it's time and back then was the dream of many. The word cheugy is correct, super blonde hair goes through a very strong process where bleach is needed in order to remove any natural pigment from your hair.

'Even though there are several bond strength products in the market, over time, blonde hair has the risk of getting tired, breakage and over processed.

'Gen Z is more about being natural, embracing the hair texture, playing with it and making life much easier'.

Last month actress Florence Pugh, left at BFI film festival in London in 2014, swapped her usual long blonde locks for a cropped brunette style. It's not the first time Florence has gone brunette, with the star switching up her look for a short while last year (right)

Margot Robbie, pictured left in 2018, has gradually grown out her signature blonde locks and is donning her natural brunette tresses. Pictured right, the actress in Los Angeles in August this year

Actress Shailene Woodley decided against going blonde after trying the colour for a stint in 2017 (left) and is pictured right last year with her preferred chocolate brown locks

The hairstylist even claimed that blonde hair can be 'boring', revealing that increasing numbers of his clients are embracing their natural colour.

'Every day at the salon more and more people are asking me to go more natural, to embrace their natural colour, he said.

'What I see with this change is a brand new woman re-inventing herself right in front of me, someone full of confidence and escaping what she believed was necessary to be accepted.'

He says women are tired of high maintenance and over-processed hair, arguing that 'everything is changing to a more natural, relaxed and easy style'.

'Being blonde seems to be the 'hair goal' but the fact is that everyone looks like everyone else', he said. 'We are bored of seeing the same over and over.'

Lily James is pictured left rocking blonde locks as she attended the UK Premiere of 'Yesterday' before switching to a sleek lighter brown bob in December that year. Pictured right, Lily at the British Independent Film Awards 2019

While model Cara Delevingne has switched up her hair a lot over the years, she usually has some lighter colours running through her hair. Left, Cara during last year's Paris Fashion Week. But she recently opted for a dark brunette look (right, ahead of the Met Gala this year)

Elizabeth Olsen, pictured left in 2018, ditched her ombre blonde locks for a darker brunette look. Right, the actress in Los Angeles in May

However Jason Collier, Brand Educator for the UK's No1 Blonding brand Jerome Russell, disagrees - arguing it is certain techniques such as heavy highlights that are no longer stylish.

'Being blonde is still fashionable,' he said. 'It's more the technique that's becoming unfashionable, such as heavy highlights and balayage, as they take a lot of upkeep and people are swaying to more low maintenance styles.'

He agrees that natural looks are becoming more fashionable, and that clients are 'feeling more confident and embracing their true styles and hair colours' - but hasn't seen an influx in brunette customers.

'For my clients, there has actually been an increase in those wanting blonde', he said.

Reality star Elizabeth Sobinoff shocked her fans with a dramatic make-over last year, ditching her long bleach blonde tresses (left) for a brunette look (right)

Since leaving Made In Chelsea, Francesca Hull (left in 2011) has also swapped her signature blonde locks for a more natural brunette look (right)

'This is partly due to people growing out old hairstyles during lockdown and now needing a top up, but also those who have had a hairstyle for a long time and now want a completely new look.'

Tom Smith, hairstylist and European creative director for Evo Hair who coined the term 'expensive brunette', told Femail that darker tresses are all about achieving 'deeper hair energy, dimension and detail'.

As for the reason that so many A-listers are choosing the look, he says that now brunette tresses can look equally as 'expensive' and 'designed' as icy blondes 'it makes sense that many celebrities are interested in the deeper tones.'

Jason agreed: 'Naturally as we go into the winter months we tend to opt for darker richer looks but after the last few lockdowns, some people are simply looking for a more low maintenance style.'
A mother-of-four misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome before doctors discovered a massive tumour on her ovaries has revealed the early symptoms of ovarian cancer every woman should know.

Danielle Malafant's 'excruciating' stomach pain was dismissed as IBS before she was rushed to hospital after collapsing at a family barbecue in July 2015.

While paramedics initially believed she was suffering from appendicitis, scans showed the administrative assistant from Wollongong, NSW, had a 13.5cm tumour - half the length of a 600ml Coke bottle - growing on her right ovary.

Despite experiencing telltale signs including bloating, constipation and intense pain for years before her diagnosis, Ms Malafant says her condition was repeatedly overlooked by GPs and consultants.

Danielle Malafant (pictured) is urging women to pay attention to changes in their bodies and apply for genetic testing to determine if they are at risk of gynaecological cancer

A surgeon successfully removed the growth and the affected ovary, but when tumours grew back on the left side Ms Malafant had little choice but to have a hysterectomy - removal of the womb - to ensure her cancer would not recur.

She now wonders if the outcome could have been different.

'I feel frustrated looking back,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'It was the worst pain I've ever felt in my life - I delivered my children naturally without pain medication, and this was 10 times worse, but they told me it was just IBS.

'I think there needs to be more information available to women. I was fobbed off time and again, I was showing symptoms and they still didn't catch it.'

The mum-of-four (second from right) was repeatedly misdiagnosed with IBS before doctors discovered a 13.5cm tumour on her right ovary

Ms Malafant is one of an estimated 1,720 Australian women diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year, government health department research shows.

It is the sixth most common cause of death from cancer among Australian women, behind lung, bowel, stomach, liver and breast.

Ovarian cancer is notoriously difficult to detect because early stage symptoms are vague and easily confused with those of less sinister illnesses like IBS.

Common warning signs include abdominal bloating, feeling full after small amounts of food, an urgent need to urinate and constipation, as well as indigestion, fatigue and pain during sex.

In some cases, sufferers may also experience pain in the lower back, sudden, unexplained weight loss and discomfort in the stomach or pelvis.

Ms Malafant (right, with her husband Scott and eldest children) was forced to have a hysterectomy before her 38th birthday to prevent cancer recurring

Causes of ovarian cancer - Ageing (risk increases over 50) - Family history of ovarian, breast or bowel cancer - Early onset of periods (before 12 years) and late menopause - Childlessness - Infertility - Women who had their first child after the age of 35 - Never taking oral contraceptives - Using oestrogen only hormone replacement therapy Advertisement

Symptoms of ovarian cancer - Abdominal bloating - Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly - Frequent or urgent urination - Back, abdominal or pelvic pain - Constipation or diarrhoea - Menstrual irregularities - Fatigue - Indigestion - Pain during sex - Unexplained weight loss or weight gain Advertisement

Unlike cervical, breast and colon cancer, there are no screening programs for ovarian cancer.

A specialist blood test that detects the CA125 protein - which is produced by ovarian cancer cells - can be used to diagnose the disease.

But menstruation and conditions such as endometriosis and benign ovarian cysts also cause this protein to develop, meaning the test alone cannot be used to confirm the presence or absence of cancer.

In addition. more than 50 per cent of women with early stage ovarian cancer do not show elevated CA125 levels, which means internal ultrasounds must be performed in conjunction with the blood test for a conclusive diagnosis.

All types of ovarian cancer are highly treatable if the patient receives care in the initial stages, but mortality rates remain high due to the lack of effective measures for early detection.

Despite experiencing telltale signs including bloating and constipation for years before her diagnosis, Ms Malafant (left) says her condition was repeatedly overlooked by doctors

With a five-year survival rate of just 46 per cent, it is crucial to diagnose early and to quickly determine if a genetic mutation - which can only found via genetic testing - could be responsible.

To help women navigate this procedure, Australian gynaecological charity Pink Hope has released its first-ever 'What to Ask' checklist, a simple guide that helps those diagnosed with ovarian cancer to access the most appropriate genetic test for them

The checklist comes after a study by the charity found 47 per cent of Australians don't know or are unsure if they have a history of cancer in their family.

Ms Malafant believes she could have avoided having a hysterectomy before her 38th birthday if more was done to publicise the benefits of genetic testing.

'I'm pushing for it, I need to know for my kids,' she said.

'If they had done more testing in the beginning, I do wonder if it could have prevented everything I've gone through.'

For more information on ovarian and other types of gynaecological cancer, please visit the Pink Hope website here.
McDonald's has slashed the price of its most popular menu items as part of a massive range of deals for the month of November.

On Sunday, November 14, fans can score 20 per cent off every order over $10 by heading to the 'My Rewards' tab on the MyMacca's app - but the discount lasts for one day only.

It's the latest in a line of daily deals the fast-food giant has been running in restaurants across Australia since November 1, giving customers the chance to bag Big Macs, cheeseburgers, large fries and apple pies for as little as $1.

McDonald's has slashed the price of its most popular menu items as part of a massive range of deals for the month of November

Best-sellers including Quarter Pounders, McFlurrys, and McNuggets are being sold for $2, alongside shakes, sundaes, and double cheeseburgers.

Other standouts include a $5 McChicken meal and cheeseburger, a $6 Big Mac meal and cheeseburger, and two McNugget meals for $9.

Earlier this month, a McDonald's employee sent fans of the food king into a tailspin by revealing exactly what they can hear - and see - when customers order their meals at the drive-thru.

McDonald's November deals 1 November: $1 Big Mac 2 November: $1 Large Fries 3 November: $5 Small McChicken Meal + Cheeseburger 4 November: 40% off with $15 Minimum Spend 5 November: $9 for 2 Small Quarter Pounder Meals 6 November: $5 Small Cheeseburger Meal + Cheeseburger 7 November: $9 for 2 Small 10 McNuggets Meal 8 November: $1 Cheeseburger 9 November: $2 Quarter Pounder 10 November: $2 Large Sundae 11 November: $5 Small Chicken n Cheese Meal + Cheeseburger 12 November: $2 Double Cheeseburger 13 November: $1 Apple Pie 14 November: 20% off with $10 Minimum Spend 15 November: $2 6 McNuggets 16 November: $2 Large Shake 17 November: $1 Cheeseburger 18 November: $2 McChicken 19 November: $6 Small Big Mac Meal + Cheeseburger 20 November: 20% off with $10 Minimum Spend 21 November: $2 McFlurry 22 November: $2 Large Fries 23 November: $3 Big Mac 24 November: $2 Large Sundae 25 November: $6 Small Quarter Pounder Meal + Cheeseburger 26 November: $9 for 2 Small McChicken Meals 27 November: $5 Small Cheeseburger Meal + Cheeseburger 28 November: 20% off with $10 Minimum Spend 29 November: $2 Double Cheeseburger 30 November: $2 Filet-O-Fish From November 1, the fast food giant will run a 'deal a day' in restaurants across Australia Advertisement

McDonald's worker @charlton.a, who lives in New Zealand, shared a TikTok video of himself sitting behind the cafe counter serving drive-thru customers on October 12.

In the footage, the university student claimed workers can hear everything customers say even before they reach the counter to order.

He also revealed a mugshot photo is taken of them behind the wheel, so employees know who to hand certain orders over to.

In a final telling reveal, Charlton said the restaurant he works at sells recipe books so fast food addicts can get their McDonald's fix from home by cooking the iconic burgers and fries themselves.

TikToker Charlton (pictured) sent fans of the food king into a tailspin by revealing exactly what they can hear - and see - when customers order their meals at the drive-thru

'We can hear everything you're saying even when our mic is off,' Charlton said in the clip.

When ordering through the drive-thru lane the microphones at the ordering site are said to pick up everything customers are saying - even before it crackles to life to take your order.

This revelation left viewers embarrassed, with some claiming they have said 'things no one's allowed to know about'.

The next section of the video said: 'Our cameras take mugshot photos of you so we know which order is yours'.

Viewers were quick to rubbish the claim, with one person asking: 'So how can you still get the order wrong then?'

'If this is true: Why do you always ask if it's my order that I'm paying for?' said another.

It's understood most McDonald's stores in Australia feature security cameras that capture an exterior shot of the car to help service crew determine which order to hand out.

Viewers have been left red-faced after the worker revealed they can hear everything you say over their headpiece (pictured, McDonald's in Yallambie)

Others thought it would be funny to play tricks on the camera: 'Next time I'm going through a Maccas drive-thru I'm using a voice changer and picking my nose at the camera.'

Charlton dropped a final bombshell by suggesting there is a recipe book customers can purchase so they can recreate the Maccas meals at home.

Other McDonald's workers confirmed the claim, saying the video would see a '100 per cent rise in sales' of the books.

But not everyone was convinced.

'Now you're going to have people asking for recipe books at my store and we don't have them,' one employee wrote.

One thing is certain - fans of the fast food restaurant in Australia and New Zealand will be hesitant to say anything out-of-tune in the drive-thru from now on.
The 'low-key' traits of being rich in Australia have been revealed - and one is as unassuming as a sign on the door.

Podcaster Clare Stephens, 30, took to TikTok to reminisce on the subtle things she associated with wealth as a child, including owning a fridge with an ice dispenser, shopping at Myer and flying exclusively with Qantas.

In a series of five videos, the author said she always knew a family was well off if they knew how to ski, bought lunch at a fair or theme park instead of bringing their own, or had a sign at the front door asking for shoes to be removed inside.

'It means you've got nice floors or a fancy carpet,' she added.

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The 'low-key' traits of being rich in Australia have been revealed, including buying lunch in theme parks instead of bringing your own and knowing how to ski

Other subtle signs of wealth were said to be flying exclusively with Qantas (left) and shopping at upscale department stores like Myer (right)

Ms Stephens said it wasn't until she got to university and discovered people could ski that she realised some had very different types of holidays to the ones her family did.

Her observations about the subtle trappings of affluence Down Under, which have been viewed 378,576 times since the first video was uploaded online on Friday, sparked a wave of amusing responses.

'Shopping at David Jones means you're wealthy,' one person replied.

A second said living in a two-storey house, having an electric gate, an in-ground pool or a freestanding bathtub, and holidaying overseas are all signs you're rich.

'Low-key' things that are a sign of wealth in Australia * Flying exclusively with Qantas * Shopping at Myer or David Jones * Owning a fridge with an ice dispenser * Having a dishwasher cutlery tray instead of a basket insert * Buying lunch at a theme park instead of bringing your own * Knowing how to ski and holidaying overseas * Living in a two-storey house with an in-ground pool and electric gate Advertisement

Other signs included having a fridge with an ice dispenser (left) and having a sign at the front door asking you to remove your shoes before stepping inside (right)

Australian author and podcaster, Clare Stephens (pictured)

'When people went on holidays for leisure, and not just to visit relatives interstate,' another noted.

Others said people who have kitchens with silver appliances instead of white or a second lounge room are 'elite'.

One woman said she had always wished her parents would buy her more expensive ice creams at the beach.

'Being allowed to get a Magnum rather than a Splice, Calippo or Paddle Pop,' she wrote.

Ms Stephens shared her agreement, saying: 'Omg YES. Magnums were premium.'
A mother has discovered a 'genius' trick that doubles the space on a drying rack for wet laundry - and all you need is a box of coat hangers.

Australian cleaning blogger Liesl Elizabeth came up with a solution to the age-old problem of an overcrowded drying rack by placing large garments on hangers and hooking them around the edge.

Her 'life-changing' hack, which frees up enough space to accommodate more than 70 items, has sparked a wave of excitement since it was posted to TikTok, with many in disbelief that they never thought of it before.

A mother has discovered a 'genius' trick that doubles the space on a drying rack for wet laundry - and all you need is a box of coat hanger

'Show me the life hack that you randomly saw one day that is now unconscious standard process in your life, I'll go first,' the founder of Clean Freak Cleaning Co wrote in the caption.

The video shows a drying rack laden with 32 pieces of clothing, overlapping and squashed tight together to fit on the rail.

Liesl pans the camera to a pile of wet washing sitting on her dining table with no room to hang it up.

She then films herself hanging smaller items such as socks and underwear across the rails through the middle of the rack, while placing the remainder onto coat hangers and hooking them around the edge.

Using hangers more than doubled her drying space - and people are impressed.

Six tips that will help you save up to $500 on laundry a year 1. Wash on cold setting 2. Switch to cheaper detergent 3. Skip fabric softener 4. Only run full loads 5. Use less detergent 6. Use the dryer sparingly Source: CHOICE Australia Advertisement

Australian cleaning blogger Liesl Elizabeth (pictured) has been praised for her 'genius' space-saving hack

Liesl's video, which has racked up more than 13,000 views since it was uploaded online earlier this year, drew delighted responses.

'Can't believe how many clothes you can get on there omg,' one woman wrote.

'Such a good hack,' said a second, while a third called it 'impressive'.
Travel-starved Australians are marvelling at a 'disappearing island' off the Queensland Coast.

Sitting 27km from the shore of Airlie Beach, Langford Island is an iconic sandspit long hailed as the 'sparkling jewel' of the Whitsundays, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

Popular among divers and fishermen, the long sand cay vanishes beneath the waves when the tide comes in, leaving nothing but a tropical green bluff towering at one end.

Travel-starved Australians are 'walking through water' at a 'disappearing island' (pictured) off the Queensland Coast

Sitting 27km from the shore of Airlie Beach, Langford Island is an iconic sandspit long hailed as the 'sparkling jewel' of the Whitsundays, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef

Langford Island, 27km from the shore of Airlie Beach, Queensland

Also known as One Foot Island, the sandbar provides the perfect backdrop for magnificent Instagram photos - provided you time your visit just right.

Photos of the cay have drawn rave reviews on social media, with one man saying it is 'by far the most beautiful' of the 74 Whitsunday Islands.

'Absolute jewel,' said a second, while a third added: 'Can't get over how beautiful this is.'

And it's not the only picture perfect destination enthralling tourists on Australia's east coast.

Also known as One Foot Island, the sandbar (pictured) provides the perfect backdrop for magnificent Instagram photos - provided you time your visit just right

Popular among divers and fishermen, the long sand cay vanishes beneath the waves when the tide comes in, leaving nothing but a tropical green bluff towering at one end

A shipwreck that dates back to the darkest days of World War Two is now a spectacular diving site just a few kilometres away from Langford spit.

After being requisitioned for service the US military in July 1943, the HMS Protector was on its way to a naval base in Papua New Guinea when it was damaged in a collision with a tug boat and abandoned off the coast of Heron Island.

Almost 70 years later, the rusted wreck is one of the state's most breathtaking underwater attractions, inspiring visitors with its formidable size and incredible history.

This shipwreck was once the HMS Protector which collided with a tug boat on its way to active service in Papua New Guinea at the height of World War Two in July 1943

Almost 70 years later, the rusted wreck (left) is one of the state's most breathtaking underwater attractions, inspiring visitors with its formidable size and incredible history

Travel photographer Mark Fitz described it as one of his favourite snorkelling spots on Earth.

At low tide, the ship's hull be reached by wading through the ocean and walking along the sparkling white sand bar.

Sitting 80 kilometres north-east of Gladstone, Heron Island is a natural coral cay surrounded by 24 hectares of coral reef at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.

Famed for its spectacular coral reef, the island is home to an array of extraordinary animals including migrating whales and nesting turtles who glide between gaps in the wreck.
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Princess Mako and her new husband Komuri Kei officially began their new life as a married couple in New York, touching down in the Big Apple early on Sunday morning after a 13-hour flight from Tokyo.

Mako, 30, the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and niece of reigning Emperor Naruhito, tied the knot with university sweetheart Kei Komuro, a commoner, in Tokyo after an eight-year engagement - despite many in their native country not supporting the nuptials.

Today, the couple cut casual figures as they were pictured jetting out of Tokyo - with a crowd of spectators and photographers in attendance - bound for the Big Apple.

The newlyweds have been living in a modest Tokyo apartment together ahead of the move to New York, where Komuro works as a lawyer at the New Jersey-based law firm Lowenstein Sandler LLP.

After arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport, the young couple was seen leaving the terminal while flanked by a Japanese security detail as well as local police officers.

They grabbed their luggage and were then driven to their new home in Manhattan - a one-bedroom rented apartment.

While the apartment is a one-bedroom, the building is a luxury residential tower that offers amenities including a fitness center equipped with Peloton bikes, a yoga studio, a screening room, an in-house spa, a golf simulator section, landscaped decks with barbecues and table tennis, a library curated by Strand Book Store, and a 24-hour attended lobby.

The location, right in the heart of the Hell's Kitchen section of Manhattan, is a stone's throw away from famous New York City landmarks including Central Park and Lincoln Center.

According to the building's web site, one-bedroom apartments are available for rent for $4,809 per month. A two-bedroom apartment in the building would set the tenant back $7,085 per month.

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Princess Mako and her new husband Komuri Kei officially began their new life as a married couple in New York, touching down in the Big Apple early on Sunday morning after a long flight from Tokyo

Mako Komuro, former Japan's Princess Mako and the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, arrives with her husband Kei from Tokyo to start their new life in the U.S. at JFK International airport in New York on Sunday

The former Japanese royal and her husband wore face coverings after their arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on Sunday

Princess Mako and her husband were flanked by security as they arrived at JFK Airport in New York on Sunday

The young couple (above) were seen arriving at their new home in Manhattan on Sunday

The newlyweds have been living in a modest Tokyo apartment together ahead of the move to New York, where Komuro works as a lawyer at the New Jersey-based law firm Lowenstein Sandler LLP.

Big Apple bound: Princess Mako and her new husband Kei Komuro, both 30, cut casual figures as they were pictured leaving Tokyo's Haneda international airport on Sunday as they begin a new life together in the US

Crowds and media gathered to watch the pair, escorted by a sizeable entourage, make their way through the terminal as they jet to the US to begin a new life in New York, following their wedding in October

The couple, dragging suitcases behind them, have faced criticism in their homeland and will now reside in New York to support Komuro's law career at New Jersey firm Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Mako wore a low-key navy blue knitted jumper with button detail and co-ordinated wide-legged trousers as she pulled along a suitcase in the same colour

Princess Mako, 30, pictured ahead of leaving Tokyo on Sunday; her relationship with Komuro has dominated newspaper headlines in the country after it was discovered that his mother had not repaid a 4million yen ($35,000) loan from a former fiance, partly to pay her son's law studies tuition

Passport in hand, the former royal, who is expected to find a job of her own when the couple settle in New York, makes her way past airport officials

Komuro, who was reported to have failed some of his legal exams, led his bride through the crowds at the airport

Before landing in the US on Sunday, Mako declined the offer of 140million yen (890,000) payment to which she was entitled for leaving the imperial family, palace officials said, and is expected to find a job in New York.

Wearing white facemasks and pulling suitcases behind them, Mako and Komuro were accompanied by a sizeable entourage, as global media gathered to capture the couple at the airport in Tokyo.

For the long flight to JFK, the former princess opted for a low-key navy blue jumper with button detail and coordinated wide-legged trousers while her new husband wore a cozy knitted green cardigan and navy corduroy trousers.

Earlier this month, it was revealed Komuro had failed the New York State Bar Association exam, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK.

The couple has rented a one-bedroom apartment in a luxury residence in the Hell's Kitchen section of New York City

According to the building's web site, one-bedroom apartments are available for rent for $4,809 per month. A two-bedroom apartment in the building would set the tenant back $7,085 per month

The image above shows a one-bedroom apartment inside the building where the couple is renting an apartment

The living space appears modern and luxurious with a stand-alone kitchen and neatly tiled floors

The image above shows the bathroom in one of the apartments inside the New York City building where the couple has taken up residence

The image above shows a billiards room - one of the luxury amenities inside the apartment building

There is also a library curated by Strand Book Store (as seen in the stock image above)

The outdoor deck, which is equipped with table tennis and barbecues, offers a view of the Hudson River and New Jersey

The fitness room is equipped with Peloton bikes. There is also an adjacent yoga studio

The lobby is manned 24 hours. The image above shows the lobby of the building in the Hell's Kitchen section of Manhattan

Komuro took the exam earlier this summer, with the exam results were posted on the website of the New York State Board of Law Examiners on Friday. His name was not among the successful candidates.

According to the broadcaster, Komuro ha said he plans to continue studying and will retake the exams in February.

Meanwhile Mako has said she will continue to support her husband's studies.

Polls show that up to 80 per cent of Japanese oppose the marriage that took place with none of the usual pomp and ceremony in a register office in Tokyo.

Doting husband Komuro, wearing a seasonal knitted jumper, waits for his bride as the couple made their way through security

A huge entourage accompanied the couple as they made their way through the airport for the 12-and-a-half hour flight to New York

Kei Komuro walks pass the boarding gate amongst other passengers upon departure at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Sunday

Fellow passengers looked on as the couple made their way down the airport's travelator, with seven staff members shielding them from the general public

Around 91 per cent of Japanese people said they wouldn't support the couple's marriage, following the scandal over Komuro's finances

Earlier this year, the palace revealed that the negative reaction to her upcoming wedding had affected Mako's mental health

Mako walks pass the boarding gate as the couple prepare to get on the plane ahead of their morning flight to the US

Carrying a heavy winter coat, the Japanese royal makes her way through security at the airport

Japanese media gathered at the airport this morning as the former Princess and her husband arrived to board the flight that would see them start a new life in America

Last year, the now ex-princess begged the Japanese public to support her decision to marry her partner of eight years

Mako, the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and niece of reigning Emperor Naruhito, pictured in October at her wedding to university sweetheart Komuro

Komuro was raised by his widowed mother, Kayo. His father died when he was still in elementary school. His jobs in Japan included working in a bank and a French restaurant.

He met Mako in 2013 when they were both studying at the International Christian University outside Tokyo.

His proposal propelled him to the front page of Japanese newspapers - his only previous claim to fame had come from being named Prince of the Sea to lead a tourism campaign in the coastal town of Fujisawa.

The couple, both now 30, got 'unofficially engaged' in 2017, and planned to tie the knot in November 2018.

Initially the news was greeted with delight in Japan, but then a scandal grew up when it was discovered that Kayo had not repaid a 4million yen ($35,000) loan from a former fiance, partly to pay her son's tuition.

Komuro was raised by his widowed mother, Kayo. His father died when he was still in elementary school. He is pictured above age nine with his late dad

That led critics to suggest Komuro was only marrying the princess for money or fame.

Komuro issued a 24-page explanation about the money - claiming it was a gift not a loan. That made him even more unpopular.

Eventually he said he would repay it, although it is not known whether the money has been returned.

In an online poll just five per cent of respondents in Japan said they would congratulate the couple or celebrate, with an overwhelming 91 per cent saying they wouldn't.

But despite the turmoil Kei and Mako's love endured. Last year the now ex-princess begged the Japanese public to support her decision.

'We are irreplaceable to each other - someone to rely on during both happy and unhappy times,' she said, announcing the wedding would go ahead.

'So a marriage is a necessary choice for us to live while cherishing and protecting our feelings.'

On Tuesday, her words were nearly identical. 'For me, Kei is irreplaceable,' she said. 'Marriage was a necessary choice for us.'

Komuro has not lived in Japan for three years and only returned in September to prepare for his wedding ceremony. But his trip home only drew more negative publicity after he arrived at Narita Airport sporting a ponytail, a hairstyle that is deemed disrespectful

In prepared remarks, she also said: 'I acknowledge that there are various opinions about our marriage. I feel very sorry for the people to whom we gave trouble.

'I'm grateful for the people who have been quietly concerned about us, or those who continued supporting us without being confused by baseless information.'

She said incorrect reporting on her new husband had caused her 'great fear, stress and sadness.'

'The flow of arbitrary criticism of Kei's actions, as well as one-sided speculation that ignored my feelings, made falsehoods somehow seem like reality and turn into an unprovoked story that spread,' she added.

Komuro has not lived in Japan for three years.

Soon after the marriage was postponed, he moved to New York, studying law at Fordham University in the Bronx and then landing a job clerking at Lowenstein Sandler in Manhattan, counseling companies and investors on venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions.

He was also criticized for wearing a pin-striped suit when visiting his future in-laws in 2017 (left). He wore pinstripes again during his marriage ceremony (pictured) on Tuesday

He had become so disillusioned with his homeland that he didn't return once to see his fiancee until going back in September to prepare for his wedding.

And his trip inevitably brought more bad publicity. Conservatives were shocked that he arrived at Narita Airport sporting a ponytail - which he cut off before getting married.

They deemed his hairstyle 'disrespectful' and piled on the scorn when they noted that he visited his future in-laws wearing a pin-striped suit rather than one in a solid color. He got married in pinstripes as well.

He was also criticized for his body language - his foes say he keeps his hands in his pockets too much.

But despite the negative feeling towards Komuro, the Japan Times called him 'a polite and upstanding man.'

On the day of his marriage, he was announced as winner of the New York State Bar Association's annual student writing competition for a piece on 'compliance problems in website accessibility and implications for entrepreneurs.'

His prize was a check for $2,000, which won't go far toward the $1.35million Mako agreed to give up under pressure from an unsympathetic Japanese public. That amount has been paid to the two princesses who have previously left the royal family.

High profile: Princess Mako of Japan, right, donned a traditional Junihitoe as she took part in a procession through Tokyo's Imperial Palace to mark her uncle's formal ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019

Princess Mako of Akishin is seen left before her graduation ceremony at the International Christian University on March 26, 2014 in Mitaka, Tokyo, where she met her husband. The marriage means she will be stripped of her royal title and will not be able to return to the family even if the union ends in divorce

Only male members of the Japanese imperial family are allowed to marry 'commoners, so Mako's decision to marry for love means a whole slew of new things for her.

For a start, she is no longer considered a princess - even if the marriage ends in divorce she can never return to the family.

For the first time in her life she has a surname and will be known just as Mako Komuro.

She will also have to apply for a passport - royals don't need them - so she can move Stateside.

She can no longer live in the Imperial Palace. And any sons the couple have will not be in the line of succession for the male-only emperorship.

And that is a potential problem in Japan where there are now only three people allowed by the Imperial Household Law to succeed 61-year-old Emperor Naruhito - and one of those, his uncle Masohito, is 85.

There were also no official portraits, like these ones taken of then-Crown Prince Prince Naruhito and his wife Crown Princess Masako with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko after their wedding at the Imperial Palace June 9, 1993 in Tokyo

The other two are Nauruhito's 55-year-old brother Akishino - Mako's father - and Mako's brother Hisahito, 15.

The couple blame the negative publicity focused on Mako for the decline in her health. The Imperial Household Agency said earlier this year that she is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder brought on by the public pressure.

And that could only have been made worst by the protestors who gathered in a Tokyo park holding signs opposing the marriage.
The star of BBC One drama Showtrial says she has no problem portraying her a character dubbed by one critic as 'the least likeable woman on television.'

Celine Buckens, 25, plays Talitha Campbell in the crime thriller from the makers of Line of Duty, Bodyguard and Vigil.

In the show, 'toxic toff' Talitha, a heiress, is arrested on suspicion of murdering her university classmate.

Speaking to the Sunday Times, the Belgian-born actress discussed how she 'relishes' playing a character people hate.

She said she is not phased by people questioning her own character as a result of her role, and says she likes the fact there are now flawed and complex characters available for actresses.

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Celine Buckens, 25, plays Talitha Campbell in the crime thriller from the makers of Line of Duty, Bodyguard and Vigil - the character, an heiress, is on trial for murdering her flatmate

Talitha, the spoilt daughter of a property tycoon, pictured, has been hailed deeply unlikable by critics, something the star says she doesn't mind

'I like the fact that shes flawed. I like the fact that weve got to a stage where the female characters that we have on screen dont just have to be these strong, really likeable characters,' she said.

'They can be complex and real, and that means warts and all. People kind of hate my character, but thats OK,' she added.

Celine, who said she admired the fact the character she portrays on the show is not a 'people pleaser,' as female roles so often are.

She also revealed that some people question her own character as a result of her portrayal of Talitha, which she has chosen to take as a compliment.

Celine plays alongside Tracy Ifeachor, picured left, who plays Talitha's defense lawyer Cleo Roberts

'There have been some reactions that Ive chosen to take as a compliment, where people have said either this is a really great portrayal  or the actress is a cow in real life,' she said.

In recent years, female characters like Villanelle in Killing Eve and Queen Cersei in Games of Thrones have won acclaim for being disliked.

The series, filmed earlier this year in Bristol, explores how prejudice, politics and the media distort the legal process.

When Talitha Campbell (Celine), the estranged daughter of a wealthy property developer, is charged with conspiring to murder fellow university student Hannah Ellis, the trial that follows places victim and accused - and their families - in the eye of a media storm.

Celine, pictured as Talitha, said she likes the fact her character is complexed and flawed and not likable

Speaking of her character to the Mail on Sunday's weekend magazine, she said: I think this stroppiness and irreverence comes because she doesnt take any situation seriously.

As it gets more serious, that changes a bit, but she never behaves as youd expect. Thats kind of why shes so seductive as a character.'

Showtrial puts the focus on how Talitha's trial becomes sensationalised in the media and whether police place prejudice over due diligence.

The show gets us to look at how were influenced by our own prejudices. How we need to disregard things like gender or race to try and find the facts. Celine said.

What becomes emphasised is how strongly people start to feel about the trial, how invested they become. And that isnt just people looking in. The show was so interesting to me because it looks at the criminal justice system in a way that many dramas dont.

From arrest to verdict, Cleo and her defence vie with the prosecution to convince us of the truth about Talitha: Damaged scapegoat? Or cold-blooded killer?

The actress, pictured in 2018, said she thinks the fact people question her own character is a compliment

Earlier this year, Ben Richards, creator and writer, said: 'I am delighted with the cast that has been assembled for Showtrial.

'It is a brilliant ensemble of talented actors that feels modern, energetic, and perfectly suited for the complex characters and storylines.'

Zara Hayes, director, added: 'These scripts are thoroughly gripping and yet say something truly resonant about the justice system.

Celine made her debut in 2011, playing Emilie in Steven Spielberg's War Horse.

She also played a small role in Netflix's racy period drama Bridgerton in 2020, and played Sophie Mercer in Warrior, another period show.
A transatlantic couple have tied the knot via Zoom despite never meeting in real life.

Ayse, 26, and Darrin, 24, met online during the pandemic, after Ayse joined a Facebook group aimed at pairing up pen pals from around the world.

She started talking to a woman named Kenda, 56, who said her son Darrin was a similar age and would love to chat to someone from the UK - despite being based in Detroit.

However, distance didn't stop their love affair from blooming. The two began chatting as friends in July 2020 but were soon 'virtually' inseparable and on the phone to each other every night, even with the five-hour time difference.

Love across the Pond: Student Ayse, 26, video calls American husband Darrin, 24, whom she married over Zoom, pictured at home near Lancaster, Lancs

Ayse on her wedding day wearing a bridal gown and a bouquet of roses. The student says she now hopes to meet her husband in the flesh for the first time

After becoming an official item, Ayse began planning a trip to the States to meet her boyfriend for the first time in July - but travel restrictions to the US have, until recently, made this impossible.

The couple continued to share weekly date nights on video calls - ordering each other takeaway food and treats as a surprise each week, and on 21 May 2021 Darrin surprised Ayse even further by proposing.

Knowing it would be a long time before they'd get to meet for the first time, the couple made the brave decision to get married via Zoom, in a legal ceremony which was officiated in Utah.

On 19th August this year, Ayse and Darrin officially became husband and wife, supported by a small number of friends and family via video call.

Darrin on his wedding day: the couple say they're best friends and can wait to consummate their relationship

They are still yet to meet face-to-face but speak multiple times a day and are eagerly waiting for Ayse's visa application to be accepted so they can fully enjoy life together as a married couple.

Ayse, a cleaner, from Lancaster, Lancs, said: 'I never imagined this would happen to me in a million years.

'I don't think anyone expected this when we started talking last year.

'But we're married and it's all completely legal and official - I still can't believe it.

Ayse and Darrin show off their wedding rings over zoom, the pair fell in love after becoming pen pals when Darrin's mum suggested they'd get on

'It's been really hard not being able to meet properly, but in the long run it will make us stronger because we've had to go through all of this to be together.

'We just really love each other.'

When the UK went into lockdown, Ayse joined the Facebook group with the idea of finding a pen pal to speak to somewhere else in the world to alleviate her boredom.

As we haven't met in person yet we haven't been able to have a physical relationship, which means that our marriage is based around more than that... Ayse

She began speaking to Kenda, a carer, who mentioned her son was a similar age and was also looking for people to talk to.

'It's funny that I met my mother-in-law before I met my husband,' Ayse jokes.

'We got on so well, so when she suggested speaking to her son, I thought it was a great idea - although I was a bit nervous at first because I'd seen photos of him and he looked lovely.'

Kenda passed Ayse her son Darrin's number, and she sent a message to introduce herself.

'I told him about my hobbies, how old I was, where I was from, that sort of thing,' Ayse said.

'I knew he was from the US so didn't expect anything from it but thought it would still be interesting to chat to someone from somewhere else.'

The two began chatting as friends in July 2020 but were soon inseparable and on the phone to each other every night, even with the five-hour time difference

Ayse reaction to her marriage proposal. They are still yet to meet face-to-face but speak multiple times a day and are eagerly waiting for Ayse's visa application to be accepted so they can fully enjoy life together as a married couple

Darrin responded and the pair began chatting frequently, before he suggested they call each other on the phone.

Ayse downloaded a mobile app which allowed her to call the US for free, before calling her pen pal for the first time.

'I worried it might be awkward, but we talked for hours,' Ayse said.

'We have so much in common, including both being terrified of thunder and lightning, and both having owl tattoos with blue eyes.

Knowing it would be a long time before they'd get to meet for the first time, the couple made the brave decision to get married via Zoom, in a legal ceremony officiated in Utah

'I'm not a flirty person, but it came so naturally when I was chatting to Darrin - we got on so well straight away.'

The pair began chatting every day - via phone, video call and text - and each night would fall asleep while on the phone to each other so they felt closer.

Due to the five-hour time difference, it meant Ayse was falling asleep 2am - a sacrifice she says was 'completely worth it'.

'It was during the pandemic so I wasn't working as I'd been furloughed and just altered my sleep pattern, so I was sleeping at the same time Darrin was,' she said.

Ayse says that although she's not a flirty person, Darrin brings out a fun and flirty side of her she hasn't seen before

'We'd be on video call and just be chatting when we fall asleep - then usually when I wake up, he's still there sleeping.

'It's the closest we can get and might sound strange but it's a huge comfort.'

Darrin asked Ayse to be his girlfriend in November 2020 after a few months of chatting every day, and the couple began planning for Ayse to visit the US for them to meet for the first time.

Hoping the travel restrictions in place due to Covid19 would be lifted by the summer, Ayse booked flights to Detroit for 23rd July 2021, for herself, and mum, Elaine, 67, and dad Nigel, 74, both retired.

Student Ayse, 26, video calls Darrin, 24, from her bedroom at her home near Lancaster

Unfortunately, the US was still restricting travel from the UK, which meant Ayse and her family weren't able to fly directly.

Hoping to avoid the ban on UK arrivals but determined to meet her boyfriend in person for the first time, Ayse flew to Mexico for 15 days before catching an onward flight to Detroit.

In another heart-breaking turn of events, Ayse was then turned away at US immigration, because the immigration office claimed she 'didn't have enough money in her bank to support herself during her stay' and 'didn't have strong enough ties to the UK'.

'I think they thought that if they let me into the US then I'd never leave because of Darrin,' Ayse said.

'His address was listed as where I was staying on my tourist visa and they asked my relationship to him, so when I told them he was my boyfriend and they saw I'd been in Mexico for 15 days. I guess they thought I'd try to outstay my visa.

'I would never have done that, and it was so heart-breaking to be so close to him in the same city, but not be allowed through the border.'

'I was put on the next flight home and cried the whole way back.'

Just days after she returned to her home in Lancaster, Darrin suggested a 'special date night' where they both got dressed up to spend some virtual time together.

Darrin proposed to Ayse after she flew out to Detroit but got sent back to the UK by border patrol

'When he answered the call he seemed so nervous which was unlike him - but I soon understood why when he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him,' Ayse said.'

'I couldn't believe it. He said he'd been planning to propose when I came to Detroit but couldn't wait any longer to ask.

'Despite never meeting, there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to marry Darrin.'

The couple's engagement was fully supported by both of their families.

'I didn't tell my parents straight away when we first started talking, but they twigged there was something going on when I was on the phone all the time,' Ayse said.

'They had reservations about it to start with - but I suggested they chat to Darrin on Skype and they saw straight away how crazy we both are about each other.

'When Darrin proposed he spoke to my dad beforehand to ask his permission, which I thought was really sweet and know my dad really appreciated.

Ayse and Darrin tied the knot on 19th August, in an online ceremony officiated by the state of Utah, and are now officially husband and wife

'In our heads, as long as our family and friends are supportive, that's all we need.'

The couple initially planned to tie the knot when they finally got the chance to meet for the first time, but after reading about a new law passed that made international virtual wedding ceremonies legal in the state of Utah, US, they decided to go ahead straight away.

Ayse and Darrin tied the knot on 19th August, in an online ceremony officiated by the state of Utah, and are now officially husband and wife.

Although not a conventional wedding, Ayse wore white and was accompanied by her proud parents, and Darrin was joined by his mum and wore a smart burgundy suit to deliver his vows.

'We'll make sure we celebrate together when we can - but for now, this was perfect,' Ayse said.

'I still can't believe it - I never expected any of this but you've got to take what life throws at you.

The couple are waiting until travel restrictions are lifted to finally meet each other in person for the first time

'I miss Darrin every day but I know we'll be together one day and it'll all be worth it.'

Despite travel restrictions being lifted to the US from the UK this week, Ayse has to wait for another visa to be accepted before she can book her flights.

'We don't know when I'll be able to get over there but are trying to be as positive as we can while we wait,' Ayse said.

'Looking back it seems like so long ago we started as pen pals and now we're battling against the world together,' Darrin said.

'As we haven't met in person yet we haven't been able to have a physical relationship, which means that our marriage is based off of more than that.

'This hasn't affected our relationship like it could do others, as it's not something we see as the most important aspect, and we value other things, such as communication more.

'It's not everyday you find your best friend and the love of your life in one, so I wasn't going to let her get away simply because we live in different countries.
The makers of a doll aimed at children as young as six have come under fire from social media users - because the toy asks youngsters to fix a face of 'failed' makeup.

The Failfix dolls, which are available online at Amazon and in-store at shops such as Smyths, Hamleys, the Entertainer and Tesco, are being criticised by onlookers who claim the toys could be sending a harmful message to young girls.

The toy's premise is to get children to 'fix' a doll's smudged makeup and get them ready for the day with quotes included in the packaging exclaiming: 'Nuh-uh, I can't be seen like this' and 'My cutie buns are botched and my make-up is a flop'.

FailFix dolls, by the Australian company Moose toys, have come under fire after parents voiced their concerns over Twitter

The dolls have raised questions over whether focusing on makeup is sending the right message

A pampering face mask is applied to the doll which removes the unruly makeup.

Chief executive at gender equality organisation the Fawcett Society, Felicia Willow, told The Sunday Times: 'It's disappointing that sexist stereotypes persist.

'It's about time toy manufacturers and retailers woke up and dragged themselves out of the dark ages.'

A spokesperson for Australian company Moose toys, which makes the dolls, has previously denied that the toys suggest beauty and failure are linked, saying earlier this year: 'Moose Toys most certainly do not create toys with a view to discriminate against or stereotype anyone.

'FailFix is all about the transformation of a failed makeover not a failed person.'

The dolls 'get ready' when the children places a pampering spa mask on the dolls' faces and then remove it to reveal a freshly made up look

In April, parents raged against the brand. One person wrote, 'Hideous message that these are giving to our little girls (not that boys aren't paying attention either, just that girls are obviously the primary target!) 'Hey girls, if you don't try hard enough, you're failing to be pretty!''

Another agreed saying, 'Well that's something I can't unsee. Who the hell thought that was an ok idea? And how many focus groups did it get through?!'

A third person wrote, 'For goodness sake, and what makes you even sadder is that there are people, especially mothers, that will buy this c**p. I wonder if any women were complicit in the terrible design of this...so disappointing.'

Another parents voiced their dislike saying: 'Just horrendous! Fortunately my kids didnt get into playing with dolls at all never mind ones like this. There really should be some sort of monitoring going on- who comes up with the pitch for these?!'

A few others, however, saw a more innocent side to the dolls' messaging.

One person wrote, 'No the dolls had a bad makeup day and need help fixing it. the 'fail faces' are not ugly, just flustered, upset and silly 'eek i messed up my makeup how am i going to make it to the party! someone help!!' faces Message?: It's okay to mess up + ask for help; always brush your hair'

Meanwhile another person said, 'It's fixing a bad makeup day. You help the characters get ready in the morning. What's the issue.'
Queen Letizia looked elegant as she and King Felipe VI enjoying an evening of music in Madrid last night.

The Queen of Spain, 49, accompanied her husband, 53, to attend the premiere Of The Opera 'Partenope' at the city's Royal Theater.

For the occasion, Letizia donned a 139 black sleeveless top from Hugo Boss with wide-legged trousers from Carolina Herrera, which she paired with black accessories to achieve the glamorous evening-wear look.

A night on the tiles! Letizia Queen of Spain, 49, accompanied her husband Felipe VI, 53, to attend the premiere Of The Opera 'Partenope' at Royal Theater in Madrid last night

The mother-of-two looked stunning in an all-black look with Carolina Herrera wide-legged trousers and a shimmering sleeveless top

The mother-of-two put on a stylish display with the trendy wide-legged Palazzo trousers from the Spanish designer.

She paired it with a sleeveless top with a high neckline and glittering detail, which she tucked in the trousers to accentuate her petite frame and slender waist.

The stylish royal, who loves to recycle looks, accessorised with a square black clutch bag from Tod's that she's owned since 2007, and matching suede black pumps from Magrit that she first wore in 2018.

Letizia kept the look simple by wearing discreet jewellery, with a pair of gold drop earrings from Yanes and her favourite ring from Karen Hallam.

Letizia kept the look simple with little jewellery and all-black accessories for the evening of operatic music

Spanish style: Felipe VI, dressed in a black suit, and Letizia, cut a stylish pair for their date night

Her brown locks were styled in a low ponytail and a dash of eyeliner brought the drama to her eyes, accentuating her hazelnut gaze with a hint of mascara and eye-shadow.

Meanwhile, King Felipe VI looked smart in a pin-striped black suit and white shirt, which he paired with a dotted red tie.

The couple looked relaxed as they stepped out for a night of music in the Spanish capital.

Partenope, which premiered in London at the King's Theater in 1730, is one of Handel's only humourous pieces.

The three-act opera tells the story of four rival suitors in pursuit of Queen Partenope's love.

The Spanish Queen's bag was a small square clutch from Tod's, pictured, left. She was also wearing beautiful drop earrings from Yanes

The mother-of-two styled her hair in a low ponytail, and brought the drama above her mask with sultry eye makeup, pictured
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In the absence of the Queen, the Duchess of Cambridge took centre stage this morning as she joined the Duchess of Cornwall and Sophie Wessex on the Foreign Office balcony to pay her respects to the fallen at the Cenotaph.

On a grey day in Whitehall, Kate Middleton, 39, opted for a favourite Alexander McQueen military-style black dress coat with red epaulettes, a white collar and silver button detail as she watched Prince William and Prince Charles lay wreaths at the Whitehall war memorial below.

The Queen had been expected to attend the service but was advised against the public duty by doctors at the 11th hour, leaving senior royals Kate Middleton, Sophie Wessex and Camilla to represent the monarch at the annual service.

Kate Middleton cut a serious figure wearing the same elegant bespoke dress coat she had worn at the 2018 Remembrance Sunday service, this time accessorising with a chic, drop-brim black hat by Tiffany and diamond and pearl drop earrings.

The Duchess also wore a 19.99 Royal British Legion crystal poppy brooch alongside a trio of larger poppies.

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Kate Middleton, 39, pictured today in London. The royal wore a military-style bespoke Alexander McQueen dress coat for Remembrance Sunday - that she had previously worn for Remembrance Sunday in 2018, pictured right. Kate joined other royals for the 11am service at Whitehall this morning - the Queen had been due to attend but was advised against making the journey by doctors on Saturday

Lest we forget: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arriving at the Cenotaph earlier this morning for the ceremony

Representing the Queen: The Duchess of Cambridge took her place between the Duchess of Cornwall, left, and the Countess of Wessex, right, on the balcony at the Remembrance Sunday service, as wreaths were laid by key royals and dignitaries below

The Duchess, wearing a 19.99 Royal British Legion crystal poppy brooch alongside a trio of larger poppies, offered a smile to those gathered as she looked out over the crowds gathered for this year's Remembrance Sunday service

The Duchess joined Sophie Wessex and the Duchess of Cornwall on the third balcony above the war memorial, taking time to chat with Camilla as the ceremony began.

Camilla frequently turned towards her daughter-in-law, and the Duchess of Cambridge also appeared deep in conversation with the Countess of Wessex, as the three leading royals represented the Queen alongside other royals.

As the clock struck 11am, Boris Johnson, Prince Charles, Prince William and other members of Britain's elite marked the two-minute silence.

Buckingham Palace said the 95-year-old monarch made the decision on Sunday morning 'with great regret' and is 'disappointed' to miss the event - the first time she has not been in attendance in 22 years.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, pictured turning to chat with the Duchess of Cambridge as they await the start of the ceremony. It had been hoped the Queen would be in attendance this year, after last year's ceremony was pared down due to Covid

Camilla, who opted for a feathered black hat with a five-string set of pearls, looked serious as she chatted to Kate

The three royals look straight ahead as they sing the national anthem, God Save The Queen, on the Foreign Office balcony

On Saturday, the royal attended the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London - again the Queen was not in attendance

The Duchess of Cambridge looks on as her fellow royals consult the order of service during the Remembrance Sunday ceremony in central London

Both Camilla and Kate wore black leather gloves as they stood on the balcony on a cool November morning

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pictured in attendance at the Remembrance Sunday ceremony in London this morning

Wearing a trio of poppies and a poppy brooch, the Duchess wore her hair neatly plaited to one side under her drop brim Tiffany hat

A moment of reflection: Kate closed her eyes during the ceremony as those gathered paid their respects to fallen soldiers

Members of the royal family gather at the prestigious London building for the service: Pictured from left, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge and Sophie, Countess of Wessex

The Queen is said to be deeply disappointed to miss the service - which she regards as one of the most significant engagements of the year - and she hopes to continue as planned with her schedule of light official duties next week.

The monarch, who served in World War II as a army driver and mechanic, was due to watch the service at the war memorial in central London from the balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office building.

Her attendance at the service was confirmed by the palace on Thursday after she was ordered to rest by royal doctors just over three weeks ago and spent a night in hospital on October 20 undergoing preliminary tests.

The monarch had stated that it was her 'firm intention' to be at the Cenotaph for the traditional Remembrance Sunday event, one of the most 'sacred' events in her annual calendar.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, left, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, right, stand on the balcony of the Foreign Office during the Remembrance service where the Queen would have been standing if she had attended

On a grey day in Whitehall, Kate opted for the warm dress coat with red epaulettes, a white collar and silver button detail

The Duchess of Cornwall, who opted for a feathered black hat with a five-string set of pearls, looked serious as she chatted to Kate ahead of the service.

Today's service marked the first time the general public have been allowed to attend following the start of the Covid pandemic in March 2020.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall led the diminished family group at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London last night but the Queen was not in attendance.

They were joined by Prince William, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra.
Whats going on in universities these days? It seems that not a week passes when we dont hear of the banning or censoring of someone the students dont like or whose opinions one group doesnt agree with.

Feminist philosopher Kathleen Stock was hounded out of her job at Sussex University last month, and last week LSE students tried to storm a talk being given by the Israeli ambassador.

Theres a long list of people who have been banned from speaking at events at universities for fear of students being offended by what they have to say: Amber Rudd, Jordan Peterson, even my fellow columnist Jenni Murray.

Art critic and broadcaster Andrew Graham-Dixon was banned from speaking at a Cambridge University debating society after doing an impression of Hitler during a debate on good taste. The list just goes on and on.

Dr Max Pemberton argues universities should be a space for every idea or thought to be heard, questioned and challenged (file image)

Its getting ridiculous and all this has prompted academics to warn universities that they need to stand up to students and tell them to accept academic freedoms and differences of opinions  or leave.

How on earth have we got to this situation? Universities shouldnt be safe places: in fact, they should be the very opposite of this. They should be unsafe spaces, where every idea or thought is heard and listened to, questioned and challenged. Where things are turned on their head, re-examined, debated and dissected.

There should be no no-go areas, nothing off-limits. I mentioned this to a student the other day and he laughed and said I was a free-speech radical.

But whats radical about being able to discuss different ideas? If we cant question anything and everything in a university, where on earth can we?

What angers me about this nauseating safe space culture that has crept into our hallowed institutions like a patch of dry rot is not just the embarrassing infantilising of students that it encourages, but the subtle, insidious way students use the language of mental illness to justify their stance.

These students like to make out they are protecting their peers mental health, while clearly caring not one jot about the mental health of those they are attacking.

Rather than engaging in a calm, rational and good-natured debate, they resort to bullying, threatening, intimidating and attacking their opponents.

How on earth do they think they can claim the moral high ground in any way?

They suggest that ideas they dont agree with will trigger some form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as though the entire student body is walking around on the brink of mental collapse. Seriously, get a grip.

Dr Max Pemberton (pictured) claims having your ideas challenged by someone you dont like will not provoke mental illness

Lets be clear: having your ideas challenged by someone you dont like will not provoke mental illness. You do not have PTSD if someone says something you disagree with.

Id go so far as to venture that these students are spoilt and childish and have no place in a university.

They should drop out in order that those who actually want to engage in the rich experiences a university has to offer can take their place.

In fact, the students who advocate the safe space culture are hijacking the very good, dedicated work that has been done around tackling the stigma of mental illness, and theyre doing it to shut down debate and silence people they dont like. Its offensive to people who really do have PTSD.

Many of my patients suffer from medically-diagnosed PTSD. They dont have safe spaces or trigger warnings in their lives. They are getting on with treatment to try to get better.

The BBC has now quit the Stonewall diversity scheme and I dont blame it. Ive been saddened by what has happened to Stonewall. The LGBT charity took a wrong turn when it focused on trans rights and gave up on issues relating to gay people, effectively abandoning the people it still needs to fight for.

The reality of PTSD is that often the things that trigger it are obscure and idiosyncratic a smell, a sound, a phrase.

Sufferers go out of their way to avoid places that are associated with their trauma. But, more often than not, symptoms can come on entirely unexpectedly and the trigger is hard to identify.

Students I have seen who have PTSD will quietly mention it to a lecturer and ask to skip a lesson if they feel it might touch on something that could cause symptoms.

But its actually very rare that they need to do this and they certainly dont make a big song and dance about it.

The idea that simply having topics broached or their ideas challenged could trigger their PTSD symptoms is laughable.

For those of us in the real world, Im afraid those advocating safe spaces just come across as mollycoddled, navel-gazing and self-obsessed.

Yes, its ok to cry and be sad

Bella Hadid (pictured) has been applauded for raising awareness of mental health with pictures of herself crying in bed

The supermodel Bella Hadid posted pictures of herself crying in bed to her 47 million Instagram followers and has been applauded for raising awareness about mental illness.

While Bella has spoken about battling severe depression and anxiety since she was a teenager, and I dont wish to question her condition in any way, Im conflicted about these kind of posts. While Im pleased more of us feel able to talk about our struggles, and mental illness is now less stigmatised, Ive noticed that some people may talk about having depression and anxiety when really they mean theyre sad and worried.

Being sad and worried is not nice, but it is not a mental illness. Its part of life. People dont necessarily cry because they are depressed, but because they are having a difficult time. This is perfectly normal.

Doctors are often to blame for this medicalisation of everyday distress. I remember being referred a young man who had depression diagnosed by his GP because he cried after his mother died. Thats not depression, thats a normal reaction. It would have been stranger if he hadnt shed a tear.

What a horrific story about the couples in California who raised each others baby for three months by mistake after an IVF blunder. I cant even begin to get my head around how they must be feeling. While we have very strict rules in the UK to try to prevent things like this happening, it is inevitable that mistakes will be made. When they are, they bring up enormous ethical issues. Who owns the embryo and where does the responsibility for its welfare lie? And is it even right to talk in terms of ownership, to commodify life in this way? While there are no easy answers to the problems these errors pose, we must ensure that, regardless of how controversial or uncomfortable, we dont shy away from asking the questions.

Dr Max prescribes...

Aromatherapy on the go

This handy lipstick-sized nasal inhaler (pictured) is the brainchild of Trelonk, a small firm based in Cornwall

This is a handy lipstick-sized nasal inhaler (6, trelonkwellbeing.com) to which you can add a choice of specially made essential oil blends  Power Through #03 (24) is a good combination for easing the stress caused by acute or chronic pain. Its the brainchild of Trelonk, a small firm based in Cornwall, which also does lovely gift sets  worth considering for Christmas.
When Kelly Clarke first told her family she wanted to become a single mother at the age of 50, she encountered some resistance.

Her parents were 'desperate' to stop her going ahead with IVF, concerned that she would struggle as an older lone parent.

But she decided to go ahead with the procedure. And now, at the age of 51, her dreams have come true after welcoming little Lyla into the world earlier this year.

Miss Clarke, from Crawley, West Sussex, was known among friends for being 'great with kids' and always wanted to be a mother but had been unlucky in love.

When Kelly Clarke first told her family she wanted to become a single mother at the age of 50, she encountered some resistance. Pictured: Miss Clarke and baby Lyla Rae

As she approached her 50th birthday, she knew 'time was not on her side' and decided to fly to Greece in March last year for an IVF consultation on the recommendation of a friend.

Her next trip to the clinic in Athens was delayed by the pandemic, but when she returned a few months later in July, she was implanted with an embryo fertilised by a sperm donor.

She returned to Britain and, 12 days later, discovered she was pregnant. Her baby girl was born by caesarean section at the end of March.

Miss Clarke, a former manager at Gatwick Airport, said: 'I managed to become a mother against all odds. I've always wanted to be a mum.

She returned to Britain and, 12 days later, discovered she was pregnant. Her baby girl was born by caesarean section at the end of March

'I still can't quite believe it and am constantly overwhelmed with the joy of finally being a mum at 51. She's the perfect baby  I couldn't ask for anything more.' Despite their initial reservations, her parents are now 'incredibly supportive'.

'They were against me doing it, which was hard  I felt like I was being disowned,' Miss Clarke said. 'But I can see now it's because they love me so much.

'They worried about how I would cope if it wasn't successful, because they knew how much I wanted to be a mum. But it never even crossed my mind that it wouldn't work  I just had a feeling.

In total, she spent about 4,000, which covered treatment, fertility drugs, flights and accommodation  considerably cheaper than in the UK, where she was told the process could cost up to 15,000

'Now that Lyla's here they couldn't be better grandparents. I don't know what I'd do without them.'

In total, she spent about 4,000, which covered treatment, fertility drugs, flights and accommodation  considerably cheaper than in the UK, where she was told the process could cost up to 15,000.

'Lyla is going to know she is loved and how much I wanted her  she'll know the lengths I went to to bring her into my world,' she added.

Recent figures show almost three women over 50 gave birth every week last year as the number delaying motherhood beyond middle age soars.

At least 139 women over 50, including 14 over-55s, gave birth in NHS hospitals last year  the highest number in the past five years.
NETFLIX, AMAZON, DISNEY+, BRITBOX & APPLE TV+

Tiger King

Cast your mind back to March 2020. Tiger King was released a couple of days before the first lockdown and everybody watched it because, for many of us, there wasnt much else to do.

Now the outrageous story revolving around the strange world of private zoos is back, featuring zoo owner Jeff Lowe.

Joe Exotic, the big-cat enthusiast, is still in prison for hiring someone to kill conservationist and activist Carole Baskin, who was trying to have his operation shut down. Netflix promises more madness and mayhem.

Joe Exotic (above), the big-cat enthusiast, is still in prison for hiring someone to kill conservationist and activist Carole Baskin

Its certain to prompt more discussion about whether the jolly-japes atmosphere is appropriate for a story involving serious crimes. Netflix, from Wednesday





Rome

Co-created by John Milius, the screenwriter of Apocalypse Now, this big-budget show focuses on the exploits of two soldiers, Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) and Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson), who are caught up in the tumultuous events of the 1st Century BC. BritBox, from Thursday





No Man Left Behind

A gritty documentary series using archive footage, re-enactments and first-hand testimony to explore modern military encounters.

No Man Left Behind features the notorious Black Hawk Down incident (above), Bravo Two Zero and the shooting down of a US pilot in 1999

Featured are the notorious Black Hawk Down incident, Bravo Two Zero and the shooting down of a US pilot during the Nato bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999. Disney+, from Wednesday





Dark Waters

Defence lawyer Rob Bilott (Mark Ruffalo) accepts an apparently uninspiring case from a family friend, which goes on to see him risk everything to go head to head with chemical giant DuPont.

Full of heart-wrenching twists and turns, Dark Waters is a dramatic retelling of the case that rocked corporate America and uncovered a history of pollution on its shores. Anne Hathaway co-stars as Bilotts wife. Netflix, now





The Shrink Next Door

Anchorman stars Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd are back together in a jet-black comedy inspired by a true story.

Rudd plays psychiatrist Ike Herschkopf, who inserts himself into every area of his patient Martin Markowitzs (Ferrell) life, even moving into his home and taking charge of his business.

As youve probably guessed, it proves to be a recipe for disaster. Apple TV+, now





Legion

This weird and wonderful Marvel series from Fargos Noah Hawley is exactly the sort of unusual work Dan Stevens left Downton Abbey to do.

He plays David Haller, a powerful mutant whose apparent mental illness means he has trouble distinguishing reality from hallucination. Native American actress Amber Midthunder plays Kerry Loudermilk, a mutant with a passion for hand-to-hand combat.

Native American actress Amber Midthunder (above) plays Kerry Loudermilk, a mutant with a passion for hand-to-hand combat

Its highly stylised, visually stunning, very funny and makes brilliant use of a soundtrack that includes Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones and Ravels Bolero. Disney+, from Wednesday





The Wheel Of Time

Epic fantasy set in a world in which magic is used only by women. Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) must undertake a dangerous journey with five youngsters, one of whom could be a prophesied powerful sorcerer who will save the world  or destroy it.

There are eight episodes in the first series but, if theyre a hit, you can expect many more because there are 14 novels in Robert Jordans book series, on which the show is based. Amazon, from Friday





The Mind, Explained

Oscar-winner Emma Stone returns to narrate the second run of the neuroscience documentary series.

Each episode focuses on a different aspect of the brain, making often tricky concepts easy to follow by explaining them via interviews and animation. Netflix, from Friday





Christmas Flow

It wouldnt be the holiday season without at least one opposites-attract romance, and Netflix always delivers.

Christmas Flow is a French-language series about a romance between a famous rapper and a tenacious journalist, but their differences might stop their love story before it can really get started. Netflix, from Wednesday





Why is there such a buzz about..? Valley Of Tears (All4) In 1973, on October 6, during the Jewish religious festival of Yom Kippur  the Day of Atonement  a coalition of Arab countries led by Syria and Egypt launched a surprise attack on Israel. The country wasnt expecting aggression, having routed its enemies during the Six-Day War six years earlier, and had become somewhat complacent. This ten-part Israeli drama is the most expensive the country has ever made However, Israeli forces fought back ferociously and forced a ceasefire. Both sides sustained heavy losses and the conflict led to heightened tensions between the US and the Soviet Union, allies of Israel and the Arab coalition respectively. This ten-part Israeli drama  the most expensive the country has ever made  is based on those events, weaving together several storylines based on the testimonies of thousands of veterans and involving characters who are composites of real people. The money has clearly gone on the very intense, realistic battle scenes, filmed using refurbished tanks that were actually in the Yom Kippur War. The film-makers want their show to be compared to Band Of Brothers, and if its not quite up there with the brilliant Second World War epic, its certainly a hugely accomplished and involving piece of work that does for tank crews what Das Boot did for submariners. Neil Armstrong Advertisement

BBC iPLAYER & ALL4





Portrait Of A Lady On Fire

Powerful French romance set in the 18th Century. A woman is hired to paint the portrait of a young aristocrat about to be married to a nobleman.

Artist and subject fall in love, but both know that their forbidden relationship cannot endure.

Portrait Of A Lady On Fire features extraordinary performances from the two principal actors, Adele Haenel and Noemie Merlant (above)

Stunningly filmed by writer and director Celine Sciamma, it is filled with visually ravishing scenes and features extraordinary performances from the two principal actors, Adele Haenel and Noemie Merlant.

The final ten minutes are utterly haunting. A real treat of a film. BBC iPlayer, now





Top Gear

The original Top Gear from 1977 fizzled out due to low viewing figures. The revamped version, fronted by Jeremy Clarkson, was launched in 2002 and remains hugely popular. The BBC is streaming every episode. BBC iPlayer, now





Good Trouble

Jennifer Lopez is one of the executive producers of this glossy drama. Siblings Callie (Maia Mitchell) and Mariana (Cierra Ramirez) move to LA, where they begin careers and embark on a variety of life-changing encounters. BBC iPlayer, now





Defending The Guilty

The good news is that the legal sitcoms first series, with Katherine Parkinson, is now streaming. The bad news is there wont be any more. A pity, as there was surely more mileage in the tale of junior barrister Will and his colleagues. BBC iPlayer, now
My Monticello

Jocelyn Nicole Johnson Harvill Secker 12.99

Climate change, civil unrest and the rise of white supremacists have made life treacherous for black inhabitants of Charlottesville, Virginia.

DaNaisha Love, a direct descendant of Sally Hemings, a slave owned by Thomas Jefferson, has been burnt out of her home and is taking refuge in Monticello, the founding fathers historic plantation home, along with family and friends.

Set over only 19 days, this short debut novel feels all too real. Stunning.

Eithne Farry





The Fell

Sarah Moss Picador 14.99

Its 2020 and single mum Kate is supposed to be quarantining but is going stir-crazy, so she takes a quick walk on the moors, only to fall and injure herself. Who will save her now, in a world gripped by fear and suspicion?

The pandemic is spawning some fine writing, and this helter-skelter novel by Moss is one of the best yet. The book captures both the paranoia of the times and, just as importantly, the kindness of strangers.

Max Davidson

Lily: A Tale Of Revenge

Rose Tremain Chatto & Windus 18.99

One winters night in 1850, an hours-old baby, abandoned at the gates of an East End park, is saved from wolves and taken to the London Foundling Hospital.

Tremains latest novel more than lives up to its atmospheric, riveting beginning, tracking the child who comes to be named Lily Mortimer as she survives heartbreaking cruelty to mature into a young woman with a deadly secret.

Its consummate storytelling, and finds room for redemption as well as revenge.

Hephzibah Anderson

The Shadows Of Men

Abir Mukherjee Harvill Secker 12.99

Its 1923 and Calcutta is in turmoil. Hindu and Muslim radicals are pitted against each other, while the British rulers struggle to keep control.

Captain Wyndham and Sergeant Banerjee are caught in the middle, trying to find the murderous agent provocateurs who are bent on fanning the flames. To make matters worse, their superiors seem happy to see Banerjee take the blame.

Another compelling, thoughtful and atmospheric episode in this fine series.

John Williams
Mothering Sunday Cert: 15, 1hr 44mins

Rating:

Cry Macho Cert: 12, 1hr 44 mins

Rating:

tick, tick... Boom! Cert: 12A, 1hr 55mins

Rating:

One of the unforeseen, if not totally unsurprising, consequences of the #MeToo and Times Up campaigns is that sex and nudity  for so long staples of grown-up cinema  seemed to disappear from the big screen almost overnight.

Suddenly, an entire generation of predominantly male film-makers was having to think twice about asking leading ladies to disrobe. Not before time, many will say.

So there will be some, no doubt, who see the startling nudity and slightly more modest amounts of sex in Mothering Sunday as a backward step.

Olivia Colman (above) stars alongside Colin Firth as orphan Janes employers. The film combines passionate love, an English country house and the backdrop of war

But others, like me, raised on racy adaptations of D. H. Lawrence, will surely welcome the return of such key elements of human life, albeit now in a more gender-balanced form.

After all, this gorgeous-looking adaptation of Graham Swifts 2016 novel has been sensitively directed by a woman  the French film-maker Eva Husson.

As much male flesh is exposed as female, and most of the female nudity has more to do with class than sex.

Largely played out on the Mothering Sunday of 1924, this is the story of the illicit, upstairs-downstairs affair between orphaned housemaid Jane Fairchild (Odessa Young) and posh young English gent Paul Sheringham, played by Josh OConnor from The Crown.

But the tragic legacy of the Great War hangs over everything.

This is the story of the illicit, upstairs-downstairs affair between an orphaned housemaid and posh young English gent Paul Sheringham (Josh OConnor, above)

Of the five boys raised by the Nivens  Janes employers and played by Colin Firth and Olivia Colman  and their long-standing friends, the Sheringhams, Paul is the only survivor. No wonder both families are so invested in his future.

The combination of passionate love, an English country house and the backdrop of war is a familiar one. Echoes of Downton Abbey are never far away, either, for a film that certainly doesnt break new ground but covers the ground it does exquisitely.

The great Clint Eastwood is 91, and that, to be blunt, is the main problem with Cry Macho, a lightweight modern-era western that he makes the mistake of starring in as well as directing.

The problem is that the camera that loved him so faithfully for decades  and it pains me to say this  no longer loves him at all.

Nevertheless, here he is playing Mike Milo, a washed-up rodeo star who travels to Mexico to bring back the troubled teenage son of an old friend. This is painful watching.

Eastwood doesnt really look like Eastwood, he fluffs most of his moments of would-be comedy and its difficult to know which is more unconvincing  Mike breaking in a wild horse or essaying a sultry rumba with a dark-eyed senora.

Yes, I know shes a grandmother but even so

Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Mirandas new film, tick, tick Boom!, is essentially musical theatre honouring one of its own, in that its an all-singing, all-dancing adaptation of the second musical written by Jonathan Larson, whose third effort was the Broadway smash hit Rent.

Rent ran for 12 years in New York but Larson saw nothing of its success, dying of an aneurysm the day before it opened. He was 35.

Semi-autobiographical in nature, sprinkled with starry cameos and with Andrew Garfield giving a fabulous performance as Larson, Mirandas film is both moving tribute and generous thank-you.
When heartbroken mum Mia Scally found herself in that situation, she struggled to find the right words  which is why shes now using her voice to help other bereaved families, she tells Tanith Carey

Picture posed by models

For most parents, taking their child for their first day at school is an eagerly anticipated moment of pride and togetherness. But as Mia Scally held the hand of her four-year-old son Jasper in the playground on his first day of reception, she had never felt more alone.

The day before, Mia, 34, a lecturer in forensic psychology and criminology at Middlesex University, had buried her husband of seven years, Damon. He had died from suicide three weeks before, leaving her as the sole carer to their two young children, Jasper and Robin, six.

Damon hadnt said anything to suggest this was the route he was going to go down. It was like he was there and then he wasnt, Mia remembers. Jaspers first day at school was the day after the funeral and he was still in shock. It was like he was completely still and the rest of the world was moving around him.

On a day when he should have been so excited, I could see there was no happiness in my childs eyes. Just unbelievable sadness.

Then he looked up to me and said: My Daddy wont be coming to get me, will he? I said: No, he wont. But Mummy will always be here to pick you up. Will that make it better?

Its now been seven years since Damon, then 28, took his own life. After not turning up to work at the London head office of Ladbrokes, where he was a brand manager, his body was found at the bottom of a cliff.

It is true that we are talking more about the rising toll of male suicides, currently standing at around 4,000 a year in England and Wales, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.

Mia and Damon at the childrens baptism in 2011. He was a brilliant dad, a complete natural, says Mia of her late husband

What is less spoken about is the aftermath for the partners and children they leave behind. Every death of a parent is agonising. The child is losing not just a carer and role model but someone whose job it was to protect them.

As well as the sadness and the loss, experts say youngsters also experience feelings of anger which build, rather than fade, with time  as well as guilt that they could have somehow prevented it.

Its for these reasons that Mia and her children, who live in Buckinghamshire, have written a new book called Everything Changed, which details how they coped after Damons death and gradually moved forward with their lives.

For while suicide was an ending for Damon, it was the start of a life that Mia, Jasper, now ten, and Robin, 13, no longer recognised without him. And as if it were not difficult enough for Mia to become a single parent overnight, she also found herself being treated as though she was somehow to blame, while her children were left feeling like the death of their dad was a taboo subject.

I lay holding them, sobbing. I couldnt eat for five days after

Mia said it was a double whammy: I felt I was being held responsible when I got questions from family and friends like, Didnt you see it was coming? and, Did you have an argument before it happened?

On top of losing my husband, it seemed everyone needed a reason so they could reassure themselves that the same could never happen to them. Robin and Jasper, meanwhile, have been left wondering why their father made the choice to leave them when his job was to nurture and protect them.

All this was a future Mia never could have imagined when she fell in love with Damon after they met at sixth-form college in Lincoln in 2004. Damon was charismatic, the kind of person who always had people around him because he was telling a funny story. We got talking when I told him a joke and promised to text him the punchline. We started messaging  and it turned into a relationship.

Damon with Robin aged three at the family home, 2010

When the time came for university, the couple found it so hard to separate that both applied to study in London. As they worked for their degrees together, their relationship became so intense that in the second year, Damon produced a ring and asked Mia to marry him while she was revising for a psychology exam.

It seems very young but I said yes immediately, Mia says. Damon was my soulmate and my best friend. Our families told us to wait, but we were like: If this is the way we feel about each other, why waste time?

In the third year, they married in a ceremony in Italy, near Mias parents home  and by the time they graduated, Mia had already given birth to Robin. When Jasper arrived three years later, the young couple were already on track for high-flying careers  Damon in marketing and Mia in academic research.

The year Damon died  2014  wed bought a new house, got the kids into good schools and I thought it was the start of us being a proper family. He was a brilliant dad, a complete natural. He was the fun parent who took the kids on adventures and to the park. Nothing was ever too much.

But in the December before his death, Mia began to worry that the pressure of doing so much so young was taking its toll. He started drinking more and staying out late and not telling me why. His attitude was: Im just going to do what the hell I want.

Looking back, I guess there were signs of mental-health issues, but I interpreted them as an indication that he didnt want to be part of our family any more. We agreed he should move out and get his head together. When he didnt turn up for work, he said hed gone to his mothers.

But Damon never arrived there. Instead he drove to a cliff top. He was not found until four days later. Mia recalls: I was aware he had gone away for a few days and no one knew where he was, but I thought hed turn up. I was driving when his mother rang me. I had to pull over. She said: Damons been found and I said: Great, where? And then she said: No, they have found his body.

At first it didnt compute. I just couldnt believe that hed done something so final, something he couldnt come back from, when we had two small children together. Telling young children that their father has died is the hardest thing any parent could do, and thats when its not a suicide. But despite family and friends saying that she should just explain it away as an accident to their children, Mia felt she had to be honest from the outset.

My struggling young son would say, If Daddy loved me, why did he leave?

When I had allowed time for it to sink in, I drove home to my parents, who were looking after the kids as it was the school holidays. They were both playing so I called them over to the sofa. They saw Id been crying and asked me what was wrong. I answered, Daddys not coming home. Theres been an accident.

Jasper wasnt old enough to have an idea of the permanence of what I was saying. So he said: Its OK, Mummy. We will go to the wishing well to make a wish and hell come back. Robin, who was six, was full of questions, wanting to know every detail, like how I knew he wasnt coming home. I was working in a psychology department so I knew I needed to be clear from the start rather than let them believe it was possible he could come back. I had to say, no, he wasnt coming back and it was a choice he had made to take his own life because he wasnt very well.

The conversation lasted ten minutes until the children ran out of questions. Mia says: By the end, they just looked like statues. I chucked a blanket over the three of us and lay down holding them, sobbing. It was such a horrible situation that I couldnt eat for five days after.

The next few weeks were a blur of organising the funeral, speaking to the coroner and paperwork. When the children went back to school, Mias life became a routine of dropping them off, driving to the burial site in her car and howling with grief until it was time to go and pick them up  and trying to be both mother and father to her kids.

But just as she struggled to process it, Mia also had to cope with the very different ways her children were dealing with the suicide. She says: Jasper really struggled with the feeling that he wasnt enough to keep his father around. Wed be driving and hed say: If Daddy really did love me, why did he leave? As a mum, Im not sure how to make that go away because no matter how many times I tell him hes amazing and wonderful, those voices are in his head now.

Mia with her children in France, 2017

Jasper was also struck with terror that he might lose Mia, too. When I needed an operation in 2017, I was in hospital for seven days, she remembers. When I came back, Jasper wouldnt talk to me for a week. Hed distanced himself because he was so fearful I wasnt coming back.

For Robin, who was incredibly close to Damon, there was much more anger  anger that was directed at Mia as the surviving parent. Id ask Robin to do normal things like homework or to stop watching television. Things would quickly escalate and Robin would say: Its your fault. Why didnt you stop him?

As much as I wanted to wrap my child up in my arms at those moments, I had to reply: Can we talk about this later? Right now we are talking about your homework. Dad isnt here, but I am. I had to set the boundaries for both parents.

That really hurt because I was the one getting the rage, when it was Damon who had chosen to leave. In response, I had to explain that people planning to kill themselves keep it secret because they dont want anyone to stop them. If I had known, I explained to Robin that I would have done everything I could to stop him.

When Mia looked for books that would help her children, she found nothing written from the point of view of bereaved youngsters. She was also frustrated by the attitude of some teachers and parents at school, who took the view that suicide was a subject that children shouldnt even know about. Its like everyone wants to know what happened before a suicide. But no one wants to know what happened after. Its this hidden subject. If my kids mentioned how their dad died at school, Id get a phone call from the staff saying they were traumatising other pupils and asking them not to mention it again.

In order to fill the void, Mia suggested to her children that they write down what it had been like for them  and their diaries, observations and pictures are now a powerful book told in their words. They agreed because they wanted to help other children. For instance, Robin thought it was important to talk about the fact that as a child of a parent who has died by suicide, you will lose friends. Thats because other kids dont know what to say or parents dont want to invite you to parties because they want to avoid the subject around their children. Robin wanted to talk about how to be a good friend to someone going through this.

Today the family is stronger than ever and Mia has got used to being both parents. We have a much more intense bond because of this horrific thing weve been through, she says. Now the children dont just call me Mummy. They call me Mummy-Daddy. Im so glad that they feel they have both figures rolled into one in me.

Of course, theyre still angry because they recognise how much their life changed because of Damons decision. But then I remind them that, yes, parents are supposed to be able to fix everything, and be these formidable superheroes, but Damon was a person, too.

In her work as a psychologist, Mia is also all too aware of the research that shows that mental-health problems are more prevalent among children of parents who have killed themselves. It is a cycle that she is determined to help break  not only for her own kids, but the children of other families.

Children who have a parent who died from suicide are up to three times more likely to die from suicide themselves, she says. The only thing that reduces that risk is having clear, honest and open conversations from the outset about what happened. I also talk to Jasper and Robin about how although Daddy thought he was going to feel sad for ever, feelings pass. We talk about how there will always be dark periods in life, but just because youre feeling bad this week doesnt mean you will feel the same next week. Mental health among men of Damons age group is so hidden. The suicide figures show how many dont want to talk about it or admit there could be something going on. 'But being scared of suicide wont stop it happening. We need to talk about it.

To buy Mia, Robin and Jaspers book Everything Changed, go to amazon.co.uk. At least 50 per cent of the books profits will go to the charity Child Bereavement UK (childbereavementuk.org), which supported the family with their grief

For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit the website: samaritans.org
As Call the Midwife celebrates a decade of warming our hearts, Stephen McGann  aka Dr Patrick Turner  examines its enduring appeal, while cast and crew give us a peek behind the scenes

Where it began (from left): newly qualified midwife Jenny Lee (Jessica Raine) joins Trixie Franklin (Helen George) and Cynthia Miller (Bryony Hannah) in series one

Call the Midwife? Thats just about babies being born, isnt it? I still get that from members of the public whove never watched the programme. Those who have know that Call the Midwife is about a great deal more than that! The remark makes me smile  the assumption that being the first drama to represent the universal human experience of childbirth on pre-watershed television is somehow an achievement so trivial it deserves the word just in front of it!

Call the Midwife was never a big drama. Its virtue doesnt lie in a cavalier swagger or lavish self-confidence. It comes from something far more enduring. Quiet compassion. An unshakeable humanity. Absolute sincerity. An ability to reach out of the TV screen and grasp the hearts and minds of the viewers, week in, week out.

Series two began with Laura Main and I playing a religious sister and a widowed doctor with son Timothy [Max Macmillan], says Stephen, but our characters ended in a love that led to wedding bells

Its funny to recall a time when Id never heard the phrase Call the Midwife. The shows producer, Pippa Harris, sent my partner, the screenwriter Heidi [Thomas], a copy of Jennifer Worths bestselling book to read with a view to adapting it for television. You know, I think I might be able to do something with this... Heidi mused.

She was right, of course. And over the past decade the results have been watched all over the world. We first aired in January 2012 and by the second episode the viewing figures were so big that the BBC recommissioned it immediately. Our brave, fierce, gentle, tough little show was a great big hit. And no one saw it coming.

Midwife Lucille (Leonie Elliott) helps deliver the baby of an unmarried teenage mother. The show has famously never shied away from difficult, topical storylines and social issues. We work hard to make childbirth look as realistic as possible so we need babies only a few days old, says midwifery adviser Terri Coates. I make sure everything is clean, warm and safe

The supposed womans world of childbirth had spent years in the shadows of TV drama, reduced to a few panting seconds in the service of more masculine plotlines. The medical women in Jennifers stories were hardened by experience yet devoted to the care of those who endured lives of invisibility, indifference, pain and shame with phenomenal stoicism. If the experience of childbirth as a springboard for wider life drama was ever going to get the attention it deserved, it would be by telling their unheard stories with respect.

The programme is so popular because you see a group of women who all get on, says Emerald Fennell (pictured left). It shows friendships like ones we have. Playing Patsy Mount was Emeralds big break: shes since gone on to win an Oscar for her film Promising Young Woman

I think Call the Midwife makes people cry every week because it makes Heidi cry when she writes it. It makes us actors cry when we play it. Its celebrating its tenth anniversary because those of us involved with it absolutely mean what we do. Were as much members of the audience as our viewers. Ultimately, these stories are about all of us what we all have in common, and how we might care a bit better for each other.

In 1964 Biba had a pink gingham dress which was a galloping success, says costume designer Claire Lynch. So we re-created it for Valerie (Jennifer Kirby) to wear [above, far right, with, from left, Helen George, Fenella Woolgar and Leonie Elliott]. The actresses underwear is also important because it has such an effect on peoples outline. Luckily, the 1960s Gossard bra was very much the same shape as a modern-day M&S T-shirt bra

Filming in South Africa for the 2016 Christmas special was extraordinary, says Jenny Agutter, pictured centre right with, from left, Laura Main, Helen George, Victoria Yeates, Charlotte Ritchie and Stephen McGann. When we were moving between locations we were asked if we wanted to go in one of the official cars. We all said, No, we want to stay in the truck!

Sister Julienne and nurse Phyllis Crane (played by Jenny Agutter and Linda Bassett) push a car in a scene set in the 1963 Big Freeze. Call the Midwife is a period drama that takes place in recent history  for many people, its their own past, says Stephen McGann. Series seven provided us with a historical event that would certainly have impacted on the midwives working in early 1963. The Big Freeze was a period of brutal Arctic weather that affected the whole of Great Britain for two months, blocking roads with snowdrifts and cutting off whole communities. Filming our Big Freeze involved building up large pretend snow mounds on the street then covering everything with a specialist fake snow material that looks absolutely authentic but smells strangely of burnt paper!

An overcrowded love scene, featuring Reverend Tom Hereward and Trixie. Their characters romance was ill-fated but the pair fell in love in real life. I married Barbara [Charlotte Ritchie] in the show but Helen [who played Trixie] and I started going out together, says Jack Ashton, who played Rev Tom

This is an edited extract from Call the Midwife: A Labour of Love (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 20) To order a copy for 17 until 28 November, go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3308 9193. free UK delivery on orders over 20
Forget broomsticks and cauldrons... todays witches are more likely to be winning fans on social media. Natasha Poliszczuk joins the modern coven

If you still associate witches with pointy hats and black cats, its time to step away from Harry Potter and think again. The modern witch is indistinguishable from you and me, save for a discreet wand hidden somewhere about her person.

Witches are just normal people, explains Frankie Castanea, aka TikTok sensation Chaotic Witch Aunt (@chaoticwitchaunt). In under two years, Frankie has accrued 1.4 million followers, ranging from teenagers to (mostly) women in their 40s and 50s. We dont look different, we dont dress differently, we have normal jobs and we go to the supermarket. It could be that we wake up in the morning and do a banishing ritual to clear away negative energy. Or wear the pentagram [a symbol of faith]. Or cast spells as we cook. But other than that, witches are just like everyone else.

Frankie with grey cat Gato.

And on TikTok, or more specifically #WitchTok, witches have found the ideal place to congregate. Unlike other forms of social media  Instagram, for instance, which often focuses on glossy images of polished perfection  TikTok thrives on humour and creativity. Its no accident users call themselves creators. #WitchTok  the hashtag where witches gather and share content on the platform  is a space where this traditionally marginalised and historically persecuted group have found a community. Lets face it: you might well feel like the only witch in the village, but on WitchTok, likeminded people abound. Frankie nods in agreement: I went from more or less keeping my witchcraft practice to myself to finding this whole community of people asking questions and sharing ideas.

The 23-year-old, who lives in the US, first came to witchcraft aged 16, after asking the universe for a sign when in the throes of an emotional crisis. A blue jay appeared. This was the sign I needed. I started researching the symbolism of the blue jay [which can represent creativity and abundance] and animals in witchcraft, which in turn led to paganism and crystals  and here I am.

I put a curse on my home by mistake. now i have rules. no hexing in the house

When normal life ground to a halt in March 2020, Frankie started posting witty videos about witchcraft  and watched the views and follower count rise daily. Its been meteoric: I was getting tens of thousands of views. It just got bigger and bigger and bigger. At 800,000 followers

I realised, This isnt slowing down  and then I hit a million. It was a case of the right craft, in the right place, at the right time. Suddenly, there were a lot more people on TikTok. They were bored and scared: they felt they had no control over what was happening and the world was a terrible place. They were looking for something. Witchcraft offers the opportunity to take back control; it can change outcomes and influence your life. When I started, I was just trying to be funny, but the humour drew people in and gave me a platform to show them what a witch really looks like  maybe even change their minds about witchcraft.

Frankie shares a reading with followers

TikToks format  short, snappy videos, often set to music  is ideal for creators to share snippets of information. The algorithm learns what you want to see and shows you more of it, explains Frankie. The video content that does particularly well for Frankie (and by well were talking about anything from hundreds of thousands to more than a million views) tends to be light-hearted  like a recent series about what its like dating a witch. The success of this type of video, where witchcraft and humour collide, is key to understanding WitchToks sharp rise in popularity. Its relatable, approachable and goes some way to normalising witchcraft, which has, even in the recent past, been considered if not taboo, then certainly fringe.

Frankies altar, as shared on Instagram

Frankie is considered a celebrity on WitchTok and often gets messages from inexperienced baby witches requesting guidance and advice. This online clout, together with a significant presence on YouTube (115k subscribers) and Instagram (74k followers), led to a call from a publisher and from there to the publication of Spells for Change, the how-to guide Frankie would have liked when starting out.

Despite the strength of its community, WitchTok is not immune to conflict. Some older practitioners take issue with the younger generations tongue-in-cheek, comedic approach while there are occasional spats concerning how witchcraft is defined. Hexes (a negative spell intended to cause misfortune) are common, and there are some witches who  as in every other walk of life  just like pushing buttons and creating a drama.

Know your witch-speak Angel numbers This repeating sequence of three numbers is a way for the spiritual universe to communicate with you  for example, 111 means your dreams are being manifested, while 555 refers to big changes. You can spot them on phone numbers, clocks, car licence plates and many other places. Shadow work This takes a look at your shadow self (the side that you dont like, whether its a part of your personality, a habit or pattern) and embraces it through rituals, tarot, meditation or therapy. Deity This is a god or goddess who comes in and out of your life, depending on what you need at that time. They are different from a patron, which is the deity spirit that will guide you through your journey with witchcraft in the long term. #Babywitch The largest (and youngest) group of witches on TikTok, with 2.3 billion hashtag views, baby witches are new to the practice and still prone to making mistakes due to a lack of experience. Advertisement

Frankie, who has a close-knit group of mutuals (friends), shrugs it off. I keep to my corner and protect my energy. I think witchcraft is a very broad term, and every practice is different and personal.

There is something that will speak to you, whether youre a 50-year-old woman using spells as you cook at home, or a 17-year-old boy looking for meaning in life. Theres room for everyone.

There are different types of witches and ways of practising witchcraft. Green and hedge witches focus on herbalism and nature; kitchen witches incorporate spells into their cooking (witches believe all herbs hold innate properties), and eclectic folk witches like Frankie take elements of different traditions of witchcraft alongside everyday materials to create their own particular brand of magick. (Witches use the term magick to differentiate the practice from the pulling-rabbits-out-of-a-hat/sawing-a- woman-in-half type of performance magic.) Frankies own brand of witchcraft is devoted to divination, particularly tarot reading, protection magick, and working and communing with deities [see page 27].

So does Frankie believe that you have to experience some kind of sign or calling to become a modern witch? Not at all. Anyone can practise witchcraft  the only things you need are a willingness to learn and to make mistakes. Just gather some tools and start researching spells.

The most basic tool is the witchs wand for casting spells and directing energy. Frankies first wand was a stick which was rolled in herbs and consecrated by burning. Wands often include crystals, which have individual meanings in witchcraft. Youll also need a simple altar to work from. It can be anywhere that feels sacred to you  in Frankies case, an ordinary desk.

Simple is also best when it comes to spells, says Frankie, with things like protection of the home being a good place to start. Because, be warned: spells can  and do  go awry. Early on, a love spell to strengthen a relationship resulted in Frankies then boyfriend becoming obsessive. Suffice to say, he was not happy when Frankie ended the relationship.

Frankie has also fallen foul of the rule that curses should never be cast in your own home. I didnt protect my space before casting a painful curse, so there was an active curse on my family home for the next four years. Everything that could go wrong, did. My dad lost his job, my sister broke up with her boyfriend, I went through a bad time. We now have rules, Frankie adds with a grin. No hexing in the house.

And WitchTok will always be there to help the beginner. Its going to keep on growing, says Frankie emphatically. I can already see a whole new wave of creators coming to the fore. Who knows? Witches might even go mainstream.

Too much negative energy in your home? Try Frankies cleansing spell

 I like to smoke-cleanse with sandalwood, rosemary or frankincense, and carry the incense stick, wood or herb bundle (where herbs are tied together) around my home to rid it of unnecessary energetic clutter.

 For this ritual, you can use whatever tool for cleansing you like. I recommend bells, pots to bang together, a cedar or rosemary herb bundle, or sandalwood.

 Begin by either opening your door or windows. Start at the very top of the house by either lighting your herb bundle or incense, or by beginning to shake your bells. If you live in a one-floor house or flat, simply start in one area. I like to start at a certain point then move clockwise through the house, but you can follow your intuition for this.

 State your intent, which can be as simple as I cleanse this space of negativity. Enter the first room on that floor and begin slowly walking around the perimeter of it. You can state your intent over and over, or you can state it only as you enter a new room.

 Do this for every room on each floor, moving down slowly and stating the intent every time you need to. Make sure you end at the open door or at an open window. If you want, you can thank the energy or spirit for stopping by, and firmly say it may not return again.

TikToks Witches to Watch

Georgia (@leomoonie), 204,000 followers On top of individual tarot card and birth chart readings, Georgia also entertains her followers by answering random questions from cult divination text The Book of Answers.

Natalia (@nataliaanio), 216,000 followers Lunar witch Natalia uses her TikTok and YouTube platforms to teach her subscribers everything there is to know about spell jars, crystals and how to harness the power of a full moon.

Kiley (@oracle ofthemoon), 881,000 followers Equipped with a wand and an altar, Kiley shares all she knows about auras and divination. She also has her own page on Etsy, selling crystals and even a cauldron spell kit.

Stephanie (@theceltics brew), 543,000 followers A witch and psychic who specialises in past life readings, Stephanie has amassed a huge following by answering questions about birthmarks, dreams, soulmates and reincarnation

Spells for Change: A Guide for Modern Witches by Frankie Castanea is published by Orion Spring, price 12.99. To order a copy for 11.04 until 28 November, go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937. Free UK delivery on orders over 20

Additional reporting: Charlotte Vossen.
FIONA BRUCE opens up to Cole Moreton about holding back the tears on live TV and the one thing she refuses to talk about  even to her family

Fiona wears dress, Sandro. Shoes, Grey Matters. Earrings, Dinosaur Designs. Necklace, Shaun Leane

I laughed like a drain, says Fiona Bruce, her face lighting up. We dont often see the presenter like this. Were more used to her bossing politicians around on Question Time or projecting gravitas and decorum while reading the BBC News at Ten. But Fiona has just been reminded of an agony aunt column that appeared in a tabloid newspaper earlier this year. It said: My boyfriend is obsessed with the news and wants me to act like Fiona Bruce, she laughs. Everyone in the newsroom teased me mercilessly about it.

A journalist at the top of her game, Fiona is one of the highest paid and most respected at the BBC. Someone who is always in control, whether reading the nightly news bulletin, guessing the value of heirlooms on Antiques Roadshow or chairing Question Time.

Question Time has a bigger social media footprint than any other TV programme outside Love Island. That is an extraordinary statistic, she says. Glance at Twitter late on a Thursday night and you can see the evidence, as viewers fire opinions from their sofas. It also means the host gets a lot of attention, as Fiona has found in the two years since she took over from David Dimbleby. While cabinet ministers, business leaders and celebrities jostle to be heard in a heated debate over whatever topic is vexing Britain that week, some viewers watch like hawks to see if Fiona will give away her true feelings. On my desk is a screenshot from Twitter that shows two responses to Question Time. The first says Fiona Bruce is turning this program into a Conservative hustings and literally the next one is Shes more left-wing than Trotsky.

As this elegantly illustrates, its hard to get a handle on the broadcaster. I want to try to find out who the real Fiona Bruce is. Weve met a couple of times before: once on the set of an Antiques Roadshow episode, where she moved through the crowd like a minor royal, then delivered a brilliant piece to camera in one swift take. The other was in the media area for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, where she let a member of the American press know very firmly that he was sitting in her pew. He moved.

Blazer, trousers, and boots, Iris & Ink, theoutnet.com. Shirt, Jigsaw. Earrings, Ruby Jack. Ring, Fionas own

Today this tall, angular 57-year-old is looking relaxed in trainers, trousers and sweater, as she talks about being born in Singapore in 1964, to a father who was on his way to becoming a regional manager for Unilever. My father grew up in real poverty  where you got no presents on Christmas Day  and he pulled himself out of that in a remarkable way. He really was the loveliest of men and very driven. So I was aware that things dont just get handed to you on a plate  you have to work for what you get in life.

She was at school in the Wirral first, then Milan when her father moved for work, and finally Haberdashers Askes in South London. I had a very happy, uncomplicated childhood. By the time I came along into my parents household Id say we were comfortable.

Fiona went on to read French and Italian at Oxford but attending one of the UKs premier universities was a culture shock. No one in my family had been to university. So it was a really big deal. Then on the first day I met a baroness and thought: What the hell is going on? Its like these people are from a different planet. I felt a real fish out of water and very chippy about the whole thing. Eventually I calmed down and realised I was overgeneralising and expressing my own prejudice about other people.

I felt like a fish out of water at oxford and very chippy about it

She joined a management company after university, before moving on to an advertising agency. Then a chance encounter with Panorama editor Tim Gardam, at a wedding in 1989, gave Fiona an opportunity to get into broadcasting. It was one she seized. I met Tim at the reception and I think he was rather surprised to get a call the next day to his office from this 24-year-old saying: Can I take you out to lunch? I pitched some stories and then I just kept reminding him I would very much like to work there. Eventually, months later, he said: Were interviewing for researchers, just come and see how you get on. Probably just to get rid of me. I think you make your own chances in life. Ive always felt Im driven. If I see an opportunity, Ill go for it.

She met her husband Nigel Sharrocks around this time when she was still working at an advertising agency and he was a director. Nigel moved on to become managing director of Warner Brothers, where he oversaw the release of more than 150 movies including the Harry Potter series. The couple married in Islington, North London, in 1994 and had their first child Sam four years later, while Fiona was a reporter on Newsnight. By the time her daughter Mia was born in 2001 she was presenting The Six OClock News and Crimewatch. Fiona chose to go back to work 16 days after the birth and felt she had to justify herself by saying publicly: Im not some mad career monster. Shes at a different point in her life now, though. We took our daughter to university on Sunday, she says, grimacing. When we dropped her off she was happy, so it felt easier. Also my son is working but living at home, so were not yet empty-nesting.

Fiona started hosting Antiques Roadshow in the late 90s and for the past decade has hunted down forgeries and hidden treasures with the art expert Philip Mould in Fake Or Fortune? She took home around 409,000 from the BBC last year, according to official figures, but that was still a touch less than her newsreading contemporary Huw Edwards, who doesnt have the other high-profile shows she has. Its getting there, but theres still lots of work to be done on the pay gap. God knows if we will get a satisfactory result even in my lifetime. Isnt this proof the BBC still has a problem with its gender pay gap?

Fiona and her husband Nigel Sharrocks at Wimbledon

Fiona was the first woman to present the News at Ten, a job that puts her into peoples living rooms. Its a very big close-up. Emotions sometimes show: particularly after the Grenfell fire or reports from hospitals in the frontline during the Covid crisis. You need to tread a line between not getting in the way of the story and not being a robot. And the news does still get to her. Yesterday I wept listening to testimony by the mother of Sarah Everard [who was abducted and murdered by a serving police officer]. Who wouldnt? If Id had to read that on the news I would have struggled. I would have had to rehearse it to make sure my throat didnt catch.

Question Time is another huge job. When the audience comes back I will kiss every single one of them, whether they like it or not, she said before the start of the latest series, after a year without them because of Covid. So did she? That would probably constitute some kind of assault, she says, smiling. But Im thrilled that they have turned up and were doing the programme in this way. Its massive. When you have the people in the room, its an event. You can feel the atmosphere, hear the laughter, the clapping, the intakes of breath, the disapproval The panel and I feed off that.

The first episode back featured the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, which the minister James Cleverly failed to address. A woman shouted from the back: Shame on you: youre not answering the question at all. She had a real go at him. I remember thinking: The audience is back! Here we go It was a brilliant moment.

Im listening to this and wondering how it works in her private life. Does she sit back and listen at a dinner party or pitch in with her own political takes? It is the belief of the BBC that one has to strive to be neutral when reporting the news. That is baked into me like words through a stick of rock. I have not expressed political opinions to my friends or my family for years. Seriously? Not even in private? When my children were growing up I never did, in case they blurted out something innocently at school. It was like this omerta [vow of silence] that I imposed upon myself.

That is extraordinary. Would she stay neutral even if they were talking about hospitals and a loved one had been on a waiting list for a very long time? I absolutely would. To do otherwise would be an abuse of my position. Shes adamant. Its quite clear where Im coming from if I start doing that.

After poking around in her psyche for a bit I really do think this is who Fiona Bruce is: a conservative with a small c who is always looking for the middle ground, by instinct and by training. It goes all the way back past the BBC to school days, when she had to work out how to get by with the international students in Milan or the posh kids at Oxford. But wheres the fire in her? A big clue comes when I ask if theres anyone she would not have back to Question Time. The answer is not one of the obvious controversialists like Nigel Farage or Lawrence Fox. There was an actor whose name I forget, whos been in The Lord of The Rings. Thats put him in his place. Was it John Rhys-Davies, who she challenged for being rude to the Green MP Caroline Lucas? Yeah, he called her woman.

Foina with her daughter Mia

Actually, he went much further than that, slamming the desk with both hands and bellowing, Oh, woman! in exasperation at something she said about Donald Trump. Fiona hated that. My great regret is that I didnt go after him and say: Actually, her name is Caroline. I wouldnt have him back.

It must be so stressful, mediating a show that sometimes feels it could tip over into a proper fight. So what does she do to let off steam? If Im feeling stressed about something and Ive got a lot on I find going for a run makes me feel a bit better. Theres something else too. I started horse riding very late in life. I will always be pretty rubbish, but I love it.

Now, at last, Ive found her secret passion. Fionas face lights up again when she talks about this, and not in the way it did with the agony column. It takes me to a different place. I cant think about anything else when Im doing it. I love being around horses. I love the speed. I love being outdoors.

So next time the scrapping on Question Time is at its fiercest, see whether you can catch a glimpse of that in her eyes: Fiona Bruce on horseback, far from the fray, riding like the wind.

Question Time is on BBC One every Thursday at 10.35pm.

Picture director: Ester Malloy.

Stylist: Sorrel Kinder.

Make-up: Barrie Griffith using guerlain.

Hair: Narad Kutowaroo at Carol Hayes Management using GHD.
Tom discovers decor can be deceiving as he heads to the coast for home-cooked Italian

Handheld heaven: roasted mutton on skewers (or arrosticini), the Abruzzan speciality that gives the restaurant its name

At first glance, Rostick seems like your typical small-town British Italian restaurant, the sort of much-loved local where spaghetti comes with Bolognese, grissini are sealed in plastic and no dinners complete without a steak Diane and chips. But appearances can be deceptive, even in a room where the walls are lime green, the bar bathed in neon and the ceiling covered in twigs.

Because Rostick is one of those rare places that manages to combine the old school with the resolutely regional. Presided over by the omniscient Lorenzo, who is both chef and proprietor, we eat polpette made from beef, pork and porcini mushrooms, plump and sweetly meaty, wallowing in a sharp tomato sauce, and blanketed in a thick wodge of melted mozzarella.

Oh, and three hunks of toasted bread, baked into the melee, for mopping up every last trace of glorious Italian-American excess.

Then a terracotta jug containing a dozen arrosticini, barbecued mutton on a skewer, a speciality of Abruzzo, Lorenzos home region. He uses Italian sheep, cooked over coals, until charred, just chewy and bleating with ovine delight. Add a good dollop of his fierce, home-made chilli sauce and youre in handheld heaven. Id happily nail a dozen more of these, but theres a turbot to come, a beast, delivered fresh this morning, and brought out for a pre-cooking gawp. Eastbourne has its advantages, and spanking fresh turbot is certainly one.

It arrives half an hour later, beautifully cooked, the flesh coaxed from the bone, with a mere moment of resistance, in great opalescent chunks. Seriously, its up there with Scotts, Wiltons or Bentleys. And at a mere 30, about a third of their price too. Lorenzo takes immense pride in his fish, and you can taste why. Next time, more seafood.

And more pasta, definitely the paccheri with sausage and broccoli. But for now, a break, and an icy Dirty Martini because my friends Jonathan and Janine (who Im here with) say they mix a mean one, and they do. Its the sort of small, family-owned place where nothing is too much trouble, and everything is done with a grin. It also helps that Lorenzo is one hell of a cook. In the background, Italian radio trills merrily. A long afternoon awaits.

About 25 a head. Rostick Restaurant, 209 Terminus Road, Eastbourne; rostick.uk

DRINKS: Ollys classics on a budget

The world of classic wine really belongs to France, with the Champagne and Bordeaux regions worthy of high praise  and lofty price tags. Supermarket own-label bottles can save you money, or try wine from vineyards close to famous names  Haut Poitou Sauvignon Blanc instead of Sancerre, for instance. Pick from Frances other gems, such as Beaujolais or the Rhone for reds, and your cash soars even further.

WINE OF THE WEEK Chiroubles La Scandaleuse Domaine Metrat 2019 (13%), 12.50, thewinesociety.com. Perfumed as a rose, light yet textural. A future classic.

Pierre Sauvion Haut-Poitou Sauvignon Blanc 2020 (12.5%), 8.99, Majestic. Zingy and resonant as a whitecurrant trapped in a whistle.

M&S Classics Cremant de Bourgogne Brut NV (12%), 10. Fizz of my dreams. Aged in the bottle for 18 months, this pristine peach of a wine rivals good Champagne.

Cap Royal Bordeaux Superieur 2019 (13.5%), 10, Tesco. Scented and earthy as truffles, this savoury classic is a steal with a roast or nibble of cheddar.
An anti-vaxxer who allegedly threw a brick at a Labor MP's office window has been charged by Queensland Police.

The arrest follows MP Ali King's staff being subjected to verbal abuse and death threats in the lead up to the announcement of the state government's restrictions on people who are not fully-vaccinated.

Ms King said a community member reported the incident and praised the quick response of local police.

'They found the person in a side street nearby. The call to the police was made at about 2.30 in the morning and the person was picked up at about 4am,' Ms King told Daily Mail Australia.

Queensland Labor MP Ali King, pictured in front of her office window that was smashed by an anti-vaxxer

The vandalism followed threats that were made mostly to her electorate staff.

'My senior electorate officer received a death threat and there has been really quite serious verbal abuse and online abuse,' she said.

'If people have concerns about the Covid vaccine, please pick up the phone and call a health professional, don't pick up a brick and throw it though a window.'

She said while she is used to getting abuse, recent events have crossed a line.

'My staff work very hard to support their community and they don't deserve this. Nobody deserves to feel or be threatened when they're trying to do their job.'

Ms King said whoever smashed her office windows was trying to send a message about Covid-19.

'After smashing our front windows with the brick, this person posted up an anti-vaccination poster onto the window,' she said.

'The threats and phone calls and online abuse have also strongly been about vaccinations.'

But Ms King will not be deterred. 'This isn't going to stop me encouraging people in our community to get vaccinated.

Anti-vaccination protesters gather for a rally in Brisbane on Saturday, August 21, 2021

'My only goal is to make sure that when Covid comes to our community, and it will, that we don't see local people in hospital, in our ICUs or worse. And I don't want to see our health workers overwhelmed either.'

She said would rather be talking about the roads and hospitals the state government is building, but the most pressing issue right now is that people get vaccinated.

'We've had so many phone calls and messages of support right across the community, people have been wonderful.

'Our community is so much better than this. This is a small number of people,' she said.

Queensland MP Ali King, whose office was attacked by an anti-vaxxer, says online conspiracies can have read life consequences

Ms King said people need to recognise that online conspiracy theories and misinformation can have real life consequences.

'They hurt people in their health and they can lead to violent consequences as well,' she said.

Her electorate, Pumicestone, has the highest median age in Queensland.

'Covid would be incredibly dangerous to our community if we got uncontrolled outbreaks. We are so lucky to have a safe vaccine available,' she said.

The alleged offender was issued with a notice to appear at Caboolture Magistrates Court in December.

As of Sunday, 82.8 per cent of Australians over 16 are fully vaccinated with 90.3 per cent having had at least one dose.
An Australian doctor conducted a series of extraordinary experiments where he grafted monkey testicles onto dozens of men in a bizarre quest to find the fountain of youth in the 1930s.

Dr Henry Leighton-Jones - once one of the top health professionals in the Northern Territory - conducted multiple operations in which he grafted the testicles and ovaries of monkeys onto the corresponding glands of humans at a small hospital in New South Wales.

He hoped the unusual experiments based on the emerging field of endocrinology - a branch of medicine concerned with glands and hormones - would find the key to increasing longevity in humans.

While tales of 'Monkey' Jones have been relegated to local folklore, there are some who believe he was a ground-breaking medical pioneer who never received the recognition he deserved.

Dr Henry Leighton-Jones (pictured) conducted bizarre experiments where he grafted monkey testicles onto men in a quest to find a fountain of youth during the 1930s

Born in the NSW town of Cardiff, near Newcastle in 1868, Henry Jones left school at 14 to work as a postal clerk for a nearby coal mine.

Luck struck when a coal seam was discovered underneath his family farm and when the property was sold, he used his share to travel to America where he studied dentistry and medicine in Kentucky.

He then travelled to Britain where he joined the Edinburgh Royal College of Physicians and Glasgow Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons, which granted him license him to practice medicine back in New South Wales.

While either in the United States or Britain he dated an American girl by the name of Leighton and liked the name so much he incorporated it into his own.

Upon returning to NSW he worked as a dentist, doctor and pharmacist for a decade before taking on the role of government medical officer in the Northern Territory in 1916.

When war broke out he was stationed in the Pacific for a short stint as a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps Reserve.

He retired from his government role in 1928 when he was aged 60, and moved back south to the suburb of Eraring in Lake Macquarie where he began to pursue his interest in endocrinology which was at that point an entirely new field.

'He was a serious scientist,' retired surgeon Dr Herbert Copeman told the SMH in 2007.

Dr Copeman, who has held the positions of Honorary Consultant in General Medicine and Endocrinology at Royal Perth Hospital and President of the Australian Postgraduate Federation in Medicine in Australia, was one of the few surgeons who have taken an interest in Dr Jones' work, describing him as 'an honourable, hard-working, brilliant man'.

Dr Jones' studies into endocrinology led him to seek out Russian doctor Serge Voronoff who was the director of experimental surgery at the College de France in Paris.

Dr Voronoff previously worked as the Khedive Surgeon-General in Egypt and noticed that eunuchs in the harem would age at a faster rate compared to other men - leading him to draw the conclusion that testicles played a role in aging.

He was already performing gland grafting operations animals such as sheep and goats - which involved transplanting a slice of gland into the gland of a different animal - when Dr Leighton-Jones arrived on his doorstep.

Dr Voronoff took him in and the pair spent several months working on the technique.

The Russian would later reportedly earn a small fortune doing the gland transplants from baboons into wealthy Europeans.

His theories, however, were widely controversial and he was ridiculed and dismissed by his peers in the 1920s and 1930s.

Dr Leighton-Jones conducted multiple operations where he grafted the testicles and ovaries of monkeys onto humans but died of a heart attack before he could present his findings

Dr Jones returned to NSW in 1929 with Dr Voronoff's English secretary Nora Elizabeth Barrett - in her early twenties - and they later married.

Over the next decade Dr Jones would conduct his experiments on gland grafting - but unlike Dr Voronoff, he insisted on using Rhesus monkeys.

He would source the monkeys from the Sultan of Johor in Malaysia after he struck up a friendship several years earlier at a medical conference in Singapore.

The monkeys would be shipped over and kept in a converted water tank on his farm.

'I remember the old water tank was about 30 feet high,' Jackie Parker, who had a bread delivery run in the area as a young boy, said.

'He'd replaced the corrugated iron with cyclone wire and that's where he kept the monkeys. I remember I used to look up and see them capering about in there.'

Locals tell stories of the monkeys escaping on occasion and getting up to mischief such as tapping on the windows of perplexed townsfolk.

Author Doug Saxon who penned a book titled A History of Eraring and its School said even back then the doctor and his team of assistants made numerous headlines.

Dr Leighton-Jones had assembled a group including another surgeon, two anaesthetists and a barber to help him with the surgeries.

'I tried to give a balanced account and put his work in perspective,' Mr Saxon previously told the Newcastle Herald.

He added that people tended to put an incredulous '21st century spin' on Dr Leighton-Jones' work but that in his day he was a pioneer of the field.

Blood-type testing was done using the A.B.O. system ensuring the monkey and humans were a match.

A second blood-type system known as the Rhesus Factor wasn't understood at that point, but the doctor's decision to use Rhesus monkeys was particularly beneficial as he had a very good chance of that also matching.

Volunteers would write to Dr Leighton-Jones and ask him to perform the procedure, involving the transplanting a small slice of the Rhesus monkey donor gland, in an effort to restore their vitality.

Mr Saxon's book contains an article from 1939 in which Dr Leighton-Jones refuted claims he and Dr Voronoff's work was 'primarily sexual'.

'He thinks that everyone should be able to attain 100 years of age,' Dr Leighton-Jones said of his mentor.

An article by Dr Copeman appearing in the Medical Journal of Australia in the late 1970s described Dr Leighton-Jones as 'a well educated and very experienced doctor, dentist and pharmacist'.

The article claimed Dr Leighton-Jones work was aimed at treating 'cretins, and others thought to be deficient in hormones'.

'He performed half a dozen ovarian grafts, once using the ovary of a pregnant monkey, and about 30 testicular grafts on patients aged between 24 and 72.'

Dr Jones kept in touch with his patients and many reported they had 'a remarkable improvement in well-being' while some even returned for a second operation.

He even had Dr Voronoff perform a graft procedure on him when he returned to visit him in France.

Dr Leighton-Jones retired to Lake Macquarie in NSW where he conducted his research and medical experiments (pictured)

Having published nothing on his work he was eventually convinced through prompting by his wife to compile his meticulous records into a research paper.

But on the very day he was to speak at a postgraduate seminar at Newcastle Hospital in 1943 and unveil the findings of his decade of work, Dr Leighton-Jones, then 74-years-old, collapsed and died from a heart attack.

In her grief, his wife Nora respected his wishes that the privacy of his patients remained paramount and she burned the only copy of his paper - relegating him to medical obscurity.

One of Australia's leading endocrine surgeons, Professor Leigh Delbridge, told Daily Mail Australia he had never heard of Dr Leighton-Jones.

Professor Delbridge said although the doctor appeared to be decades ahead of the field in terms of some of his ideas - the practical application of transferring monkey glands would not have made any difference to his patients' longevity.

'I have spent most of my surgical career transplanting endocrine glands as part of routine surgery,' Professor Delbridge said.

He added the only surgeries of this nature done are 'parathyroid autotransplantation' which transplants cells from the same individual and 'islet cell transplantation' involving pancreas cells from another human.

'Testicular tissue from monkeys is a xenograft (from another species) and the cells only survive for a very short time,' he explained.

'There is a valid basis to the principles of endocrine gland transplantation, it just would not have worked using xenografts in that era prior to immunosuppression drugs.

'Probably no harm would have come from it other than to the hip pocket.'

The tale to this day is well-known by locals around the Dora Creek area of Eraring but merely as a quirky piece of the town's history.

'1938 was really the beginning of understanding hormones, when a man in America actually realised that estrogens and androgens changed the comb growth in chickens,' Dr Copeman explains.

'Dr Jones was the first endocrinologist in Australia. But endocrinologists in this country completely ignore him, because he never had anything published and never delivered his paper. It's not really known what he was going to say in Newcastle,' he added.
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

Ecuador prison gangs linked to drug cartels killed at least 68 inmates and injured 25 in a gun battle bloodbath that lasted eight hours and took at least 900 police officers to break up.

A prolonged gun battle erupted inside Litoral Penitentiary, Ecuador's largest prison, which just recently saw the country's worst prison bloodbath in September.

The carnage in the Guayaquil prison began just before dawn as a battle for control over a section of the prison between rival groups after a gang leader was released early.

'As this section of the prison was without a ringleader, other gangs tried to... enter to carry out a total massacre,' Pablo Arosemena, governor of Guayas province, told reporters Saturday.

According to Arosemena, there were about 700 prisoners in the area of the facility where the deadly riot was taking place and in the initial fighting, inmates 'tried to dynamite a wall to get into Pavilion 2 to carry out a massacre. They also burned mattresses to try to to drown (their rivals) in smoke.'

'We are fighting against drug trafficking,' Arosemena said. 'It is very hard.'

Police drones flown over the prison revealed that inmates in three pavilions were armed with guns and explosives that authorities say were smuggled into the prison through vehicles that deliver supplies and sometimes by drones.

Police lower the body of a prisoner from the roof of the Litoral penitentiary, where a deadly gun battle broke out Saturday among gangs

Members of the Ecuadorian police remove the body of an inmate on the roof

Family members of prisoners weep outside the judicial police station after the bloodshed

Gruesome videos of the deadly riot currently circulating on social media showed dead bodies lying around burning flames on the ground inside the prison appearing to be stabbed by rioters.

The situation continued for hours until after nightfall when presidential spokesman Carlos Jijon finally announced that 'the situation is controlled throughout the penitentiary' after nearly 900 police officers intervened.

On Twitter, President Guillermo Lasso offered his condolences 'to the families who have lost loved ones' and said new measures were needed to 'fight the mafias that profit from chaos'.

The bloodshed came less than two months after fighting among gangs killed 119 people at the prison, which houses more than 8,000 inmates.

The prison violence comes amid a national state of emergency decreed by President Guillermo Lasso in October that empowers security forces to fight drug trafficking and other crimes.

On Saturday Lasso criticized the Constitutional Court's recent refusal to allow the military into prisons despite the state of emergency, tweeting 'the first right that we should guarantee should be the right to life and liberty, which isn't possible if security forces can't act to protect.'

Ecuadors penitentiaries are seeing a wave of brutal violence.

President Guillermo Lasso offered his condolences 'to the families who have lost loved ones'

Security forces arrived after the rioting broke out on Saturday

People gathered outside the police station after prisoners were killed

Just this September 119 inmates were killed in the Litoral prison- the country's worst ever prison massacre.

Officials said at least five of the dead were beheaded. Last February, 79 inmates were killed in simultaneous riots in various prisons. So far this year, more than 300 prisoners have died in clashes in penitentiaries across Ecuador.

Outside the prison, relatives of inmates gathered for news of their loved ones.

'Enough of this. When will they stop the killing? This is a prison not a slaughterhouse, they are human beings,' said Francisca Chancay, whose brother has been in the prison for eight months.

Some called for Ecuadors military to take control of the prisons.

'What is Lasso waiting for? That there are more deaths? said Maritza Vera, whose son is an inmate. 'Have mercy, where are the human rights. We thought this was going to change, but its worse.'

Ecuador has about 40,000 inmates in its penitentiary system, which is far above the capacity of 30,000. Of this total, 15,000 have not been sentenced.

Arosemena said authorities in Ecuador will deal with the prison overcrowding by granting pardons, relocating inmates and transferring some foreign inmates back to their homelands.

'There will be more than 1,000 pardons, but this is part of a process,' he said.

The Guayas governor also said Ecuador will receive international aid from countries like Colombia, the United States, Israel and Spain to deal with the crisis in its prisons. The aid will be in resources and logistics.

'For example, installing a freight scanner in the Guayaquil Penitentiary to avoid the entry of arms costs $4 million,' said Arosemena.

Vera said the situation is making the families of inmates desperate.

'I feel sad and in anguish because there is too much death,' Vera said.
The BBC is to make a documentary series covering a century of its own scandals. The three-parter has been sanctioned by director-general Tim Davie (above) as a key part of its centenary celebrations next year

The BBC is to make a major documentary series covering a century of its own scandals.

The three-parter, which will be presented by David Dimbleby, has been sanctioned by director-general Tim Davie as a key part of the Corporation's centenary celebrations next year.

One insider said Mr Davie has taken the view the BBC must 'drain the swamp' if it is to survive.

The scandals likely to feature include Martin Bashir's controversial interview of Princess Diana in 1995, and the obscene phone calls broadcast on The Russell Brand Show on Radio 2 in 2008.

The comedian and guest Jonathan Ross left lewd messages on the answerphone of Fawlty Towers star Andrew Sachs, referring to the actor's granddaughter Georgina Baillie.

Regulator Ofcom later fined the BBC 150,000 over the incident and Brand resigned.

One insider said Mr Davie has taken the view the BBC must 'drain the swamp' if it is to survive. The scandals likely to feature include Martin Bashir's controversial interview of Princess Diana in 1995 (above)

Also likely to feature are the obscene phone calls broadcast on The Russell Brand Show on Radio 2 in 2008. The comedian and guest Jonathan Ross (both pictured) left lewd messages on the answerphone of Fawlty Towers star Andrew Sachs, referring to the actor's granddaughter Georgina Baillie

Georgina Baillie (pictured) was the subject of offensive remarks made by Russell Brand on his Radio 2 show. Regulator Ofcom later fined the BBC 150,000 over the incident and Brand resigned

Other subjects include the Corporation's handling of the Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal and the 2003 row which prefaced the suicide of government weapons inspector Dr David Kelly.

A source said: 'Tim Davie believes owning up to past mistakes is the only way for the BBC to secure its future.

David Dimbleby is considered the perfect man for the job.

Other subjects include the Corporation's handling of the Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal and the 2003 row which prefaced the suicide of government weapons inspector Dr David Kelly. (Above, Savile in the 1970s)

Davie is particularly mindful of the need for the BBC to be honest about its mistakes  and there have been many of them  so there is an element of self-flagellation to this.

'I think the arrival of Nadine Dorries as Culture Secretary has also been a factor in his decision.'

Ms Dorries, a critic of the BBC, has spoken of the need for it to reform.

A spokesman for the Corporation said: 'It will be a history of the BBC, exploring its role at major moments of political and cultural change, its conflicts with governments over the years, and its own public controversies.'
Stepping furtively through the streets of Paris, her face mysteriously shrouded, the figure in the heavy shawl was bound to attract attention  and so it proved.

For this was just months after the suicide of paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. And the woman who seemed so anxious to avoid attention bore a remarkable resemblance to Epsteins former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell  now the most hunted woman on the planet. Had she fled from America to France?

From the moment Epstein was found dead in his New York cell in August 2019, the focus of attention turned to longtime associate Ghislaine, even though she had never been charged with any crime. Victims of Epstein accused her of being a madam  claims she vehemently denies and will vigorously contest in court when her trial begins later this month.

Victims of Jeffrey Epstein accused Ghislaine Maxwell (Pictured) of being a madam  claims she vehemently denies and will vigorously contest in court when her trial begins later this month

A Ghislaine and brother Kevin lookalike (pictured) in Paris to dupe the worlds media and help her keep a low profile

Today, for the first time, we can reveal the lengths that Ghislaine went to in order to keep a low profile  which included the extraordinary tactic of hiring lookalikes to stroll through Paris to dupe the worlds media.

In an exclusive interview, British security expert Matt Hellyer, a decorated former Paratrooper who headed the crack security team staffed with ex-SAS members that guarded the heiress for a year, said: We went to an agency in France. A security collaborating agency. They found us two people who resembled Ghislaine and her brother Kevin.

They strolled in Paris for a couple of days and we leaked it to a newspaper. That is how we distracted the attention away from where Ghislaine really was. She was in the US at all times.

Ghislaine was not running from the authorities, she was running from the media.

And, you know, many people dont believe Epstein killed himself. So we were also hired to protect her from a potential killer.

The astonishing details of Ghislaine Maxwells year-long cat and mouse game can be revealed for the first time today.

She insists that, far from being on the run as many have accused her of being, she was, in fact, available at all times to the American authorities had they wished to question her.

Instead, she says, the FBI staged a dramatic early-morning raid on her final hideaway  an 800,000 estate in New Hampshire  to gain maximum publicity and paint her in the worst light possible.

Mr Hellyer, a friend of Ghislaines brother Kevin, was hired within hours of Epsteins death.

A friend of Ghislaines brother Kevin (pictured) Mr Hellyer, was hired within hours of Epsteins death to 'get her out of her home'

At the time, Ghislaine was living in a secluded 3 million ocean-front property in Manchester-by-Sea, Massachusets, with her husband Scott Borgerson, the couples dogs and Scotts two children.

In his first interview for a new documentary Ghislaine, which will air in the UK and US after her November 29 trial ends, Mr Hellyer said: Our assignment was to get her out of her home within 12 hours of Epsteins death. She was worried about Scotts kids. She didnt want the cameras around them or anything to happen that could affect their lives. I told her we could fly her out of the country immediately. She refused.

Ghislaine, who was turned down for bail for the fourth time this week, claims she never planned to flee the US. After all, why would she? She insists she is innocent of all charges against her of procuring young women for Epstein and of engaging in sexual assaults against them herself. Her youngest alleged victim was just 14.

Despite having UK, French and US passports, Ghislaine chose to remain in the States, a fact that she and her supporters insist shows she has nothing to hide.

But she was constantly on the move, from one safe house to another, as she tried to outrun the media.

Mr Hellyer recalled: Scott felt he could protect her but we convinced him she had to go. From then on, it was, Where in the world is Ghislaine? Everyone was speculating.

We did not hide her from the authorities. They knew that at any point if they wanted to talk to Ghislaine we would bring her safely to them.

Indeed, Ghislaines legal team claim they reached out to the FBI  but never heard back.

Some media outlets offered readers lucrative bounties for the first pictures of the elusive heiress.

At one stage, Ghislaine was photographed outside an In-N-Out burger joint in Los Angeles. Bizarrely, she was reading The Book of Honour: The Secret Lives and Deaths of CIA Operatives.

According to reports at the time, a stunned fellow diner asked: Are you who I think you are? to which she replied: Yes, I am.

The photograph was pored over, with some claiming it was a fake because a poster on a bus stop behind her had long been removed by the time the image was released, according to the ad agency who controlled the bus stop hoarding.

Yet Ghislaine really was in Los Angeles  staying at the home of an old friend. So was it a stunt?

Mr Hellyer says not, adding: We had to move her immediately after that photo came out.

Ghislaine remained on the move, even as speculation about her whereabouts reached fever pitch.

Everyone, it seemed, had a theory, each one wilder than the last. The New York Post speculated she was in Israel or even on a submarine (she is a qualified submersible pilot). There were rumours she was with Epsteins friend, former model agent Jean-Luc Brunel, in Brazil.

Was she a secret agent for Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency linked to her late father, disgraced newspaper tycoon Robert Maxwell? Was it true she had been seen being spirited away in the dead of night by Israeli agents?

There were theories that she was holed up in a private villa in the South of France, had been hidden by South African supporters deep in the bush, and even that she was in an underground bunker owned by rich and powerful friends who were terrified of the secrets she might spill if she chose to tell all.

There were sightings in New Zealand, the Caribbean, London and, yes, Paris.

The Sun newspaper reported that she had been seen there, claiming to have identified her from a distinctive signet ring.

She rarely went out, but when she did, she wore a large patterned blanket which she pulled tightly around her face and draped across her shoulders, it said.

She clearly didnt want to be recognised and was able to blend in.

The ruse was a good one. Epstein owned an apartment there on the Avenue Foch, close to the Arc de Triomphe. It is now on the market for 10 million. Ghislaines mother is French and Ghislaine was born in France and has French citizenship.

Everyone loved the Paris sighting, said a source close to the case. Sometimes its a matter of giving the people what they want. The sighting kept everyone happy for a while and sent the dogs barking down the wrong trail. She never left America.

In reality, Ghislaine would move from safe house to safe house, always under cover of darkness.

She regularly changed her phone to avoid being tracked and spoke only to her closest family.

Everything she needed was bought with cash. But by early last year, she was tired of being, in effect, homeless.

Mr Hellyer said: She missed her family. She was getting tired. She needed a home.

Ghislaine told her security team: Enough running! A refuge was found in the sleepy town of Bradford, New Hampshire, an hours drive away from the home she shared with her husband and stepchildren.

Isolated in 156 acres of rural woodland, it was the perfect spot for her to relax and stop running.

Mr Hellyer said: She and Scott and the kids reunited at weekend. We brought the family to her home, her animals. They were able to be a real, loving family.

But in the early hours of July 2, 2020, all that changed.

Ghislaine and her guards heard a small plane flying directly over the property at around 5am.

Mr Hellyer recalled: I immediately knew it was the authorities. We were in the pandemic lockdown. What small plane could it be unless it was the authorities?

He insists Ghislaine was trained to go to a safe room and did not try to flee as FBI agents broke through the door, as authorities claimed in a press conference later that day.

FBI assistant director William Sweeney told assembled reporters: She is one of the villains who slithered away to a gorgeous property where she was continuing to live a life of privilege while her victims live with the trauma inflicted upon them years ago.

But Mr Hellyer claimed: She did exactly what she was told by us. She did not run from the authorities like some have claimed.

The moment we identified it was the authorities, she cooperated.

She was not handcuffed.

She asked to say goodbye to her beloved animals.

Ghislaines brother Ian added: The authorities knew at all times where my sister was, so to have this big show, the aeroplanes, the press conference. They had an agenda. Clearly.

It is a charge the FBI denies. In court filings agents claimed they tracked her via her mobile, which she opened in the name of G Max and used to call her sister Isabel.

Regardless, Ghislaine has spent every night since then behind bars. Within weeks, a jury will decide if she will walk free  or remain locked up for ever.
Children as young as five will start getting Covid-19 jabs by late January once Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines are approved.

Australia's Covid vaccine coordinator Lieutenant-General John Frewen said the rollout could begin in early January, but will take a few weeks to ramp up.

Pfizer and Moderna gained provisional determinations for child vaccines - Moderna for six to 11-year-olds and Pfizer for kids as young as five.

Both need to be fully approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, then given the green light by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.

Australia's Covid-19 Taskforce Commander Lieutenant-General John Frewen has revealed children as young as five could begin getting Covid-19 jabs by January (stock image)

Pfizer's vaccine has 10 micrograms in each shot compared to the 30 micrograms given to those aged 12 and over.

Infants could also start getting jabs just weeks later with trials underway for vaccines to be used in children aged six months to five and 800,000 doses ordered for them.

The results are due early next year and infants aged zero to four are only likely to have one shot if vaccinations are approved.

Lieutenant-General Frewen said Australia ordered more than five million doses so the program can kick off as soon as the green light is given.

'We have already secured Pfizer five to 11 vials as part of our booster contract as a contingency if other vials were required. We have actually purchased sufficient supply for doses and boosters down to infants,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

'While it is a matter for the TGA and ATAGI [to approve the jabs], once US data is available and approvals are given, this could be for commencement at the start of January but this will depend on the independent assessment processes.

'So whens the earliest time this happens? You know, if its happening by the end of January, then I think things are going at a good speed.'

A special Pfizer vaccine has been developed for children aged 5 to 11, which has 10 micrograms in each shot compared to the 30 micrograms given to those aged over 12

Lieutenant-General John Frewen (pictured) said more than five million Pfizer doses have been secured for children aged zero to 11

Children aged five to 11 will likely receive two doses, accounting for 4.6 million doses of the Pfizer shipment.

The rollout for younger age groups is expected to predominantly take place at vaccination hubs, GP clinics, and pharmacists, with schools also a possibility.

The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention recently gave the all clear for children aged five to 11 receive the Pfizer vaccine.

Moderna's vaccine, Spikevax, could also be given to younger children after it was granted a 'provisional determination' by the TGA last week.

The grant means Moderna can apply to vary the provisional approval for the vaccine for use in children aged under 12.

As of Friday, there have been 37,554,164 doses administered in the national Covid vaccination rollout and more than 7.4 billion world wide.

About 90.3 per cent of people 16 and over in Australia have received at least their first dose and 82.8 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Australia's Covid-19 'honeymoon' could be short-lived as one of its Asian neighbours experiences a new spike in cases, an expert warns.

Singapore is in the middle of a 'controlled wave' of the virus, recording up to 4,000 cases a day as its death toll from the pandemic surges past 560.

The Southeast Asian city-state recorded its worst daily spike of 5,324 infections a fortnight ago.

Australian infectious disease specialist Dale Fisher, an advisor to the World Health Organisation and the Singaporean Government, has repeatedly warned in recent weeks that another horror wave could hit Australia's shores next year.

He believes Singapore is a prime example of how Australia may struggle to avoid an inevitable new wave once the weather cools down in March.

Singapore recorded 3,099 new cases on Friday as the recent surge infections continues

'I think you will get a bit of a (summer) honeymoon because people open the doors, windows, go outside for picnics. That's much safer,' Professor Fisher told the ABC.

'My concern, in Australia, would be more about March to April as you're going back into winter.'

Singapore recorded 3,099 cases on Friday as the recent surge continues following the country's decision in August to ease restrictions and learn to 'live with Covid'.

A predicted surge of cases has failed to occur in NSW and Victoria since lockdowns lifted in October.

Numbers remained steady with daily cases in NSW below 300 most days while Victoria remains in the triple figures.

Experts said the recent surge in Singapore is due to the waning efficacy of Covid vaccines with jabs rolled out earlier than Australia.

Many of the 94 per cent of vaccinated Singaporeans are now rolling up their sleeves for their booster shot which have also started in Australia.

Australian infectious disease specialist Dale Fisher has warned Australia could follow suit following a recent surge of cases in Singapore (pictured, travellers at Melbourne Airport)

Covid cases in Singapore have surged to record highs since restrictions eased in August

What could work in Australia's favour is its high vaccination rate among the elderly with 94 per cent of over-80s fully jabbed.

Just 86 per cent of Singapore's population are over- 80s are fully jabbed, compared to about 95 per cent between the ages of 20 and 70.

Professor Fisher warned Australia to remain 'cautious' about the easing of restrictions and to get the booster shots when they are due.

'I think there's a risk. Everyone is obviously sick of the pandemic and wants it over. But that would be my major warning,' he said.

The vast majority of 233,000 cases recorded in Singapore have asymptomatic or mild symptoms with just 0.2 per cent resulting in death.

Most of its 562 deaths were in the last three months as restrictions eased.

'What matters in Singapore is not that we have 3000 or 4000 new cases a day but that we have 75 empty ICU beds which gives us a bit of comfort,' Professor Fisher told The Australian.

Singaporeans (pictured on public transport) are now rolling up their sleeves for the third booster shot as cases continue to soar

Singapore's Covid minister Lawrence Wong recently warned most Singaporeans will 'sooner or later' end up getting the virus.

'Unlike many other European countries, we have kept infections in Singapore low for a very long time,' he said last month.

'Now they have a much higher level of natural immunity and together with the vaccination programs that they have introduced, many of these countries have reached the new Covid-stable situation.'

National University of Singapore's Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health Jeremy Lim told Fortune magazine: 'Countries that reopen from zero covid to living with endemic covid you have to expect massive numbers (of cases) and a small proportion will die. It's just the nature of the virus.'

'It's a horrendously difficult message to communicate politically. But if you don't communicate it forcefully it can make the reopening very, very messy.'
A hacker has infiltrated an FBI email account and sent thousands of emails from the agency warning recipients they're under a cyberattack on Saturday.

The fraud email hit 10,000 inboxes in two 'spam' waves - one just before 5am UTC and another shortly after 7am UTC, according to Spamhaus, a European nonprofit dedicated to tracking digital threats.

In a statement posted later in the day the FBI noted that the impacted hardware was 'taken offline quickly.'

However, the statement did warn that the situation is still 'ongoing' and Spamhaus released a screenshot of one of the emails, which warned that the FBI's intelligence was conducting a 'sophisticated chain attack.'

Spamhaus - which regards itself as an 'international threat intelligence organization' - took to Twitter to announce that early that it had been 'made aware of scary emails... that purport coming from the FBI/DHS [Department of Homeland Security].'

In the early hours of Saturday morning, a Twitter account by the name of Spamhaus - a European nonprofit dedicated to tracking digital threats - announced it had found out about the 'scary emails' sent from an FBI email address

Spamhaus released an example of one of the emails (pictured), which warned organizations that they were under a 'sophisticated chain attack'

The FBI confirmed that the federal agency sent fake cyberattack emails to 10,000 inboxes but noted that the impacted hardware was 'taken offline quickly' on Saturday

The federal agency's statement confirmed the messages were sent to thousands of organizations from a legitimate FBI email address but said the 'impacted software was taken offline quickly.'

The emails - which had the subject 'Urgent: Threat actor in systems' - were signed off by the DHS Cyber Threat Detection and Analysis Department.

'We cannot interfere physically within 4 hours, which could be enough time to cause severe damage to your infrastructure,' the email added.

The account also took to Twitter to warn that 'these fake warning emails' were being 'sent to addresses scraped from ARIN databases.'

An American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) database is a nonprofit, member-based organization that gives out IP addresses, according to the registry's website.

The FBI's statement then encouraged receivers to report any other suspicious activity to ic3.gov or cisa.gov.

The emails in question were sent from eims@ic.fbi.gov.

Spamhaus, a European nonprofit dedicated to tracking digital threats, suggested that the hacker behind the emails was possibly convincing people to shut down their systems, flood the FBI with calls or simple 'for the lulz' - or laughs.

'Maybe all of the above. Maybe something else!' the account tweeted, adding in a later post: 'Who knows what goes on in the minds of people who do these things?'

'We are not able to provide any additional information at this time,' the FBI statement read.

DailyMail.com reached out to the FBI and DHS for comment.

The FBI said in its statement that the situation is 'ongoing,' DailyMail.com has reached out to the FBI and DHS for comment

This is just the latest in cyberattacks against the FBI.

In December 2020, hackers backed by the Russian government reportedly monitored internal email traffic at the Treasury Department and the Department of Commerce for months.

The hack involved the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's office software, Microsoft's Office 365. Staff emails at the agency were monitored by the hackers for an extended period of time, sources told Reuters.

The hack was carried out by a group known as APT29 or Cozy Bear and they were said to be working for SVR, the Russian foreign intelligence service

Then, just three weeks ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin's SVR intelligence agency launched another hacking campaign against American companies.

The same Russian-based agency behind last year's massive SolarWinds cyberattack tried to hack another 140 tech companies, its latest intrusion into U.S. cyber infrastructure.

It happened just months after the United States expelled 10 diplomats over the last hack, which took place back in July when Russian hackers managed to infiltrate the email accounts of some of America's most prominent federal prosecutors, sparking fears they may have stolen sensitive information pertaining to investigations into former President Donald Trump and Ghislaine Maxwell.

The Justice Department revealed the alarming information, with 27 U.S. Attorney offices across the country having one or more of their email accounts compromised during the hacking campaign, said to have run between May and December 2020.

A department spokesman said 80 percent of Microsoft email accounts used by employees in the four U.S. Attorney offices in New York were breached.
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Shocking footage shows a tornado crossing a Long Island highway on Saturday following a freak storm in New York that swept through the Big Apple and went East, bringing quarter-sized hail and 50 mph winds.

Severe storms brought thunder, heavy rains and hail that swept across the area Saturday afternoon and even triggered a tornado warning for Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island.

One person captured their surreal drive through a tornado that crossed the Sunrise Highway just after 3:30 p.m

DailyMail.com also captured exclusive footage of clouds rotating trying to form a tornado from Sandpsit Marina, on the Great South Bay in Patchogue.

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A driver captured his surreal drive where a tornado crossed a Long Island highway leaving behind debris during a freak storm on Saturday

A large tree downed smashes the windshield and smashes through the center of a parked SUV on Saturday

An onlooker assesses the damage to an SUV badly damaged by a downed tree in Long Island

A strip mall in Shirley, Long Island was totally wrecked by Saturday's storm, leaving debris all over the parking lot

The front of a store is totally unrecognizable after storm winds rip off the sign and badly damage the ceiling of a business

Debris fills up the parking lot of a Shirley strip mall in the aftermath of a powerful storm that had wind gusts of up to 50 mph

Downed trees lay on the ground after strong winds of up to 50 mph tore through parts of Long Island causing destruction

A Chipotle sign is blown away after a severe storm made its way through parts of Long Island, causing damage to structures and businesses

A car in the parking lot of a strip mall is covered in caution tape as a car cover appears to have been blown off due to strong winds

Large pieces of hail are pictured scattered around someone's porch in Elm Park, Staten Island on Saturday

Tree branches fall on the streets of Lynbrook in Long Island following Saturday's tornado

Well that was a fun storm here on Long Island pic.twitter.com/3Tn3rOhph0  Rich Franklin (@the_red_rich) November 13, 2021

The driver can be heard yelling 'we're in a tornado, oh my God we're in it!' as he drives through while rain falls and the vehicle passes by the debris left behind.

While there have been no reported injuries, residents have taken to social media to shared the aftermath of the tornado, which includes pictures of downed trees that slammed into homes and downed powerlines.

Images also show entirely uprooted trees that landed on parked vehicles, badly damaged businesses and even a small plane flipped over in Long Island.

Levittown resident Ann Pizaro told CBS2News that the suspected tornado was the worst weather her neighborhood had seen since 2012's Hurricane Sandy.

Pizaro said Saturday's storm knocked over three trees, and that one tree that smashed into her neighbor's car also crashed into her yard.

'It was just a loud boom and the car alarms, and it was just all three trees fell at once,' she said. 'Since Sandy, nothing like this  With shingles blown off the roof and trees down, they snapped. I'm calling it a tornado.'

#BREAKING: Possible Two Tornados Are On the Ground!



#longisland I #newyork



Two Possible tornados are on the Ground Near Manorville heading towards westhampton Take Shelter Immediately Again Radar is showing two Strong Damaging tornados on the ground pic.twitter.com/6sACJNUCIv  R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) November 13, 2021

Two port-a-potties were tipped over by the severe storm that had wind gusts of up to 50 mph in Long Island

Leaves scattered across a Long Island neighborhood as strong winds and rains caused damage

A large tree in a front lawn in Bellport completely tips over and after being uprooted and crashes into powerlines

Gerardo's Pizza & Pasta in Shirley, Long Island, was forced to close after the severe storm damaged the restaurant

Downed powerlines pictured in Lynbrook following the strong storm on Saturday

A bolt of lightning hits the spire of One World Trade Center as dark thunderstorm clouds pass over the Manhattan skyline before a storm

A storm map traced two separate possible tornadoes that potentially merged over Long Island

Mayor Bill de Blasio warned New Yorkers who were outside on Saturday afternoon to exercise caution during the severe storm

A tornado warning was issued Saturday afternoon that also warned of quarter-sized hail

In Staten Island, residents shared photos of huge pieces of hail that landed on their porch.

In Manhattan incredible images captured the exact moment bright lightning appeared to perfectly strike the One World Trade Center as the city braved intense thunderstorms through the afternoon.

Prior to the severe storm touching down, videos captured ominous grey skies with spinning clouds overhead.

The severe weather affected more than 11,000 customers of the utility PSEG on Long Island and by 6:30 p.m., 355 customers had active outages.

Strong wind gusts of up to 50 mph also caused heavy damage in Metro New York, knocking down a tree that blocked traffic on the Long Island Expressway and on subway tracks in Brooklyn and Queens, the New York Post reported.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio issued a warning for New Yorkers to take precautions prior to the storm.

'It's a beautiful day in New York City but we could see some strong rain, wind gusts up to 40 MPH and even hail between the 2 - 4 PM,' he tweeted. 'Use public transportation and exercise caution if you're outside during those hours.'

The cloudy skies turned into a colorful scape, pictured, after severe storms brought hail and heavy rains that swept across Long Island

A rainbow can be seen during sunset on Saturday afternoon in Bellport, after a powerful storm swept through the area

A possible tornado loomed large over Bellport, Long Island, on Saturday after a warning for Nassau and Suffolk counties was issued

Cloudy skies pictured in Bellport following the strong storm that passed through on Saturday
The CEO of McDonald's is to meet with the families of two children who were shot and killed in the city of Chicago over the past year, one of them by the police department.

The meeting between Chris Kempczinski and the family of Adam Toledo is still to be arranged but both have come as result of text messages he sent to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, where Kempczinski seemed to blame the deaths of the black and Latino children killed in gun violence on their parents.

Kempczinski has been facing calls to resign after text messages, which were sent in April to Lightfoot, were made public.

Lanesha Walker (left), the mom of Jaslyn Adams, 7, who was shot and killed in Chicago in April, slammed McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski (right) over his recently revealed comments about the killings

Jaslyn Adams, 7, pictured, was in her dad's car when she was shot dead at a McDonald's drive-thru

Kempczinski sent the texts after meeting with her and referred to shootings that took the children's lives. Seven-year-old Jaslyn Adams, a black girl who was shot in a McDonald's drive-through lane in April, and 13-year-old Adam Toledo, a Latino boy who was shot by Chicago police in March.

Kempczinski wrote: 'With both, the parents failed those kids which I know is something you can't say. Even harder to fix.'

The mayor sidestepped the CEO's remark concerning the shootings in her reply, writing back to him: 'Thanks, Chris. Great to see you in person. Such a great work space, and your folks were terrific. I said to Joe I would be happy to reach out to the operator to offer support. He and his team members have got to be traumatized. Terrible tragedy. Thanks again, Chris.'

The exchange was made public on social media late last month following a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from Michael Kessler, an American activist living in Canada, who said he was looking into an Oregon police matter and working with Chicago-based transparency group Lucy Parsons Lab.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, pictured, privately thanked Kempczinski in response to his text message, but publicly she disavowed his remarks

Chicago organizations have been protesting for days, saying the messages were racist, ignorant and out-of-touch.

Jaslyn Adams' mother has demanded an apology from the CEO, who is white.

'This is my child, my daughter who lived with me 24/7. Mr. CEO, you have no clue what it's like to live on the South Side and West Side, in the trenches, where it gets real treacherous, just to survive, just to protect your children. You come from privilege. You can't speak about me,' Lanesha Walker said.

Kempczinski has requested to meet with the family of Adam Toledo.

'We have been told by our lawyers, Adeena Weiss Ortiz and Joel Hirschhorn, that McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski would like to meet with us,' the statement said. 'We appreciate the offer and humbly accept it. We all need to put this matter to rest as quickly as possible.

The CEO of McDonald's Chris Kempczinski appeared to blame the parents of two children who were shot and killed in the city, which is experiencing a dramatic spike in violent crime

Dressed as Ronald McDonald, Kristian Armendariz waves to cameras as Graciela Garcia speaks during a protest outside the McDonald's corporate office in Chicago's West Loop last week

A group of parents and children held a protest to criticize McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski's text message to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, which referenced the fatal shootings of 7-year-old Jaslyn Adams and 13-year-old Adam Toledo earlier in 2021

'Despite the unbearable pain of the loss of our precious 13-year-old Adam, we have done everything possible to take a peaceful, loving approach to working through this tragedy. We have been advised by our lawyers that this is a time for peace and love, not community unrest. Working together, we hope to help avoid another such tragedy in the future.

US representative Bobby Rush of Illinois called this week for Kempczinski to be removed.

The Chicago Democrat said: 'This is a deplorable message, and one that is completely unacceptable for the CEO of a powerful multinational corporation  let alone a corporation that markets aggressively to communities of color and publicly proclaims that 'black lives matter'  to espouse.'

A coalition of community groups amplified their demand for Kempczinski to resign by protesting outside the McDonald's where Jaslyn Adams was killed.

Arrested in Jaslyn's slaying were (left to right) Devontay Anderson, 22, Demond Goudy, 21, and Marion Lewis, 18

Jaslyn Adams, left, was shot April 18 while sitting in her fathers car at a McDonalds drive-thru on the citys West Side, Brown said. Her father, Jontae Adams, right, was seriously wounded in the attack

Police investigate a crime scene where Jontae Adams, 28, and his daughter Jaslyn, 7, were shot

The coalition, which called attention to other racial discrimination complaints the company has faced, called on the fast-food giant to create a $200 million dollar fund over four years to improve life in Chicago, among other things. The group includes immigrant rights activists, labour groups and churches.

Earlier this month, Kempczinski sent a note to McDonald's corporate employees in the US, saying he was thinking through his 'lens as a parent and reacted viscerally', according to The Chicago Tribune.

'I have not walked in the shoes of Adam's or Jaslyn's family and so many others who are facing a very different reality,' he said in a written apology to employees.

'Not taking the time to think about this from their viewpoint was wrong, and lacked the empathy and compassion I feel for these families. I am learning from this. I believe that starts with more listening and learning from more people whose life experiences are different from my own. This is a lesson that I will carry with me.'

McDonald's has declined to comment.

Jaslyn was in her father's car at a McDonald's drive-thru on April 18 when she was riddled with bullets and killed as part of a suspected ambush targeting her dad, who was said to be in a gang.

Adam Toledo, 13, was killed by a police officer during a foot chase in March

Three weeks prior, 13-year-old Adam Toledo was running away from the police with a gun in his hand when he was shot dead by an officer less than a second after the teen dropped or tossed the weapon aside. The CEO was also referring to that killing in his text.

Jaslyn's father Jontae Adams, 29, has admitted knowing that he was a potential target for gang retaliation, but didn't think anything would occur on the day he took her to get McDonald's.

Prosecutors say that Jaslyn and her father were in a McDonald's drive-thru in Homan Square on April 18 when three men pulled up in a silver Audi and riddled their vehicle with at least 28 bullets. Jontae Adams was shot once and injured, Jaslyn was hit multiple times and killed.

'My daughter wanted McDonald's. I tried to Uber McDonald's,' Jontae Adams said in an interview with WCGI-FM, referring to the food delivery service. 'But my baby wanted to see me.'

'As far as my actions or my past, maybe it had something to do with it. But I was a father the day my daughter died. That's all I remember being. I don't remember gang-banging. I don't remember what led to it,' he continued.

'I'd do it again. My baby wanted McDonald's, and I would take her to McDonald's again. Nothing is going to stop me from being a father and putting a smile on my baby's face.

This video police body cam image released by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) on April 15, 2021, shows a frame grab of 13 year-old Adam Toledo on the ground after he was shot by police in Chicago, Illinois on March 29, 2021

Officer Eric Stillman was pursuing Adam on foot in Little Village when he fired the fatal shot. COPA cleared Stillman of wrongdoing

Arrested in Jaslyn's slaying were Devontay Anderson, 22, Demond Goudy, 21, and Marion Lewis, 18, who was shot and injured by police and taken into custody after he crashed his vehicle trying to elude officers, and then tried to steal a family's car on the Eisenhower Expressway.

All three are being held without bond in the Cook County Jail.

The officer who shot and killed Adam Toledo during a foot chase on March 29 has not been relieved of his police powers following a review by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

Toledo's family, which previously faced questioned about his upbringing and his suspected involving with gangs, has not publicly commented on the McDonald's CEO's words of criticism.
When Justice Secretary Dominic Raab was demoted from the Foreign Office in Boris Johnsons autumn reshuffle, he was offered the title of Deputy Prime Minister as a sop to his bruised feelings.

The extra designation was mocked by many of Mr Raabs colleagues  particularly when he has failed to deputise for the Prime Minister at key Commons events, such as last weeks emergency debate on sleaze.

But at least one person in Westminster seems determined to take the title seriously  Mr Raab himself.

The new Lord Chancellor Dominic Raab arrives at the Judge's entrance to the Royal Courts of Justice on September 23 this year

A Whitehall source claims that Mr Raab  who is also Lord Chancellor  insists on his Deputy Prime Minister title being used in official correspondence, and that during recent negotiations with the Treasury over the spending review he objected to meetings with any Minister below Cabinet rank.

The source said: Official letters have gone in to Raabs private office addressing him as Lord Chancellor, but when they are answered they are signed Deputy Prime Minister. He has also been throwing his weight around. He objects to meetings if the Minister is too junior and seems to think that he can just demand to talk to Boris at will about everything.

The autumn reshuffle has also caused tensions with Mr Raabs successor at the Foreign Office, Liz Truss, over the use of the grace-and-favour Chevening House, which is usually placed at the disposal of the Foreign Secretary.

Mr Raab was told he could share access to the 17th Century Kent mansion with Ms Truss. But while she has been photographed meeting foreign dignitaries at the 115-room property, it is unclear if Mr Raab has yet been able to use it.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss meets with the three Baltic Foreign Ministers at Chevening House in Kent

Last night a source close to him said that they would not give a running commentary on his use of Chevening.

The source added: Doms private office speak to him on first-name terms and he has never asked them to insist on any title with anyone else.

He met the relevant Treasury Minister to agree the Ministry of Justices spending review settlement, and has regular meetings with ministerial colleagues.

Mr Raab has said his main policy priority is to tackle the backlog in the court system that has built up during the pandemic.
Strict rules that force those who test positive for Covid to self-isolate are set to be scrapped.

Last September, MPs extended laws that force those who catch the virus  as well as unvaccinated people who may have been exposed to it  to self-isolate for ten days.

But Government officials now assume that mandatory self-isolation will be ditched in March when the legal powers expire.

'Working assumption [is] that legal duties will cease after March,' a document written last month states.

A scheme that pays out 500 to those on low incomes who are self-isolating is expected to be axed at the same time to save cash. The Test and Trace Support Payment has paid out 167.9 million to 335,000 low-income workers during the pandemic.

Officials are also drawing up plans to slash the costs of the NHS's contact-tracing system, which attempts to find those who might have been exposed to coronavirus

Officials are also drawing up plans to slash the costs of the NHS's contact-tracing system, which attempts to find those who might have been exposed to coronavirus.

The Treasury handed the NHS a further 94 million to bankroll its tracing service until the end of this month, but officials are now poring over 'potential cost savings, including reducing staff numbers'.

Daily UK cases in the third wave peaked in July at 54,674 but then remained high for three months, hitting 52,009 on October 21. Since then the numbers fell steadily, before moving slightly upwards in recent days

The central planning assumption is known as 'leaving soon' and would have involved a peak in July of 65,000 cases a day, with 'modest levels' by October. In fact, all of the scenarios were wrong

Mr Johnson last week warned that 'storm clouds' are gathering over Europe and said cases could rise in the UK

Government officials also privately believe that a World Health Organisation target of having 70 per cent of the world vaccinated is 'unlikely to happen'. Nearly 80 countries, half of them in Africa, are set to miss a separate target of vaccinating 40 per cent of their population by the end of this year

Currently, those who self-isolate are called at home by NHS Test and Trace staff, who check they are complying with the rules. Officials, however, are preparing to recommend to Ministers that these calls be axed.

'We are undertaking a review of the future approach to tracing to improve cost efficiency,' one of the documents obtained by The Mail on Sunday states.

Unvaccinated travellers who arrive in the UK from abroad also have to self-isolate for ten days and are called every day. Those calls may also be ditched, it is suggested.

In the longer term, the UK Health Security Agency is planning to end the entire nationwide 'trace' regime as part of its 'rampdown' strategy as the country comes to live with Covid.

Instead, the responsibility could be handed over to local authorities, the documents suggest.
Covid cases across Australia have plunged as vaccination rates continue to rise, with Victoria recording its fewest infections since September.

Victoria's caseload has eased with 905 new local infections recorded on Sunday - more than 300 fewer than reported on Saturday.

Numbers also continued to fall in NSW, with 195 people testing positive in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday - 55 fewer than the day before.

One NSW resident died after testing positive to Covid the latest reporting period, while there were four more virus-related deaths in Victoria.

The NSW fatality comes after the state reported no new coronavirus deaths on Saturday for the first time in almost three months.

Victoria has recorded 905 new local Covid cases and four more deaths as infection numbers continue to fall. Pictured: Shoppers are seen promenading in Moonee Ponds in October

Some 224 people remain in NSW hospitals, four fewer than the day before, with 32 in intensive care.

Meanwhile, Victoria continues to manage more than 17,300 active cases, with 394 patients in hospital, 75 of them in intensive care and 46 requiring ventilation.

Sunday's case number marks the first time Victoria's daily count has been below 1,000 in two months.

The rapid decline in infections comes as vaccination rates climb across the nation, with both states charging past major jab targets.

Victoria is now 87 per cent double vaccinated for everyone aged 12 and over, while 91 per cent of NSW residents over 16 are fully-vaccinated.

The northern state is now charging towards the 95 per cent milestone, with 94.2 per cent of adults having had their first jab.

In the 12-15 age group, more than 80 per cent have had their first dose and 72.4 per cent both.

Now critical milestones have been hit, health authorities are urging those who are eligible to get a booster shot to maintain community protection.

NSW Health's Dr Jeremy McAnulty says now the state has passed the 90 per cent double-dose vaccination milestone, it is important for anyone aged 18 and over who has been vaccinated for six months to seek out a third jab.

There were 195 new local Covid cases recorded in NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday - 55 fewer than the day before. Pictured: People dine outdoors at Opera House Bar, in Sydney's CBD, on October 18

91 per cent of NSW residents over 16 are fully-vaccinated and 94.2 per cent of adults have had their first jab. Pictured: A woman receives a Covid vaccine at a Sydney vaccination hub in August

'While the risk of infection and disease is much higher in unvaccinated people, we do sometimes see outbreaks occurring among vaccinated people particularly in indoor settings like gyms, bars and pubs,' Dr McAnulty said on Saturday.

'Early testing, if you have the symptoms, is really critical.'

Changes to how exposure sites are managed will also come into play from next week as NSW continues to quash its Covid outbreak.

From Monday NSW Health will no longer list case locations that a Covid-19 positive person has attended and elective surgery will begin to return to full capacity in Sydney.

Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday to rally against government mandates on emergency powers and vaccines.

Protesters blocked tram lines as they marched from the state library to parliament. One man was seen carrying a homemade gallows with three nooses but there were no instances of unrest.

Former Liberal MP turned United Australia Party leader Craig Kelly addressed the protest, saying mandatory vaccinations were an 'abuse of human rights'.

'We are being governed by medical bureaucrats that are part of a mad, insane cult of vaccinists,' he told the crowd.

Victoria's deadline for construction workers to be fully vaccinated to continue working on site fell on Saturday.

The controversial edict, which sparked violent protests across Melbourne in September, requires all tradies to have had two vaccine doses.

'Pro-choice' protestors, including one in a horror movie mask, flooded Melbourne streets displaying protest banners and even a fake gallows to protest the Andrews government on Saturday

The state's aged care workers need to be fully vaccinated by Monday and about one million of the state's essential workers in total will be required to be double-jabbed by November 26.

Liberal upper house leader David Davis has called the premier's pandemic legislation a 'grab for power' but urged those who took part in Saturday's rally not to resort to violence.

'I would encourage Victorians to fight on every level against Daniel Andrews' terrible pandemic bill ... but they should make their views known in a peaceful and calm and sensible way,' he said.

The opposition has called for an early end to the state's indoor mask mandate in a bid to encourage workers back to central Melbourne.

Under the current rules, people aged over 12 must be masked indoors unless at home.

The restriction is set to lift when the state reaches 90 per cent double vaccination on or about November 24, with the exception of public transport and high risk locations.
Australian bikie gangs have been crippled by almost 100 arrests stemming from the Trojan horse encryped messaging app AN0M.

Alleged bikies and associates make up one third of the hundreds of arrests made under Operation Ironside, a long-term covert investigation into organised crime allegedly responsible for huge drug imports.

The app was created by police and spread to criminals, then millions of messages were intercepted and used to make arrests in Australia's biggest ever sting.

Of the 303 arrests across Australia so far, 99 were former alleged bikies and associates.

Hakan Ayik (pictured) remains on the run from authorities, It's alleged the fugitive unwittingly gave police direct access to the criminal underworld by encouraging his colleagues to use the encrypted AN0M messaging app

The hardest hit gang were the Comancheros with 76 arrests - three quarters of the alleged criminals rounded up from AN0M intercepts.

Another nine were allegedly linked to the Rebels, eight to the Lone Wolf gang, and a handful linked to the Mongols, Finks, and Bandidos, News Corp reported.

More charges are expected to be laid as Australian Federal Police work their way through the 25 million messages intercepted by the encrypted app.

The police sting has 'significantly impacted' the Comancheros and their business model as alleged club figures Mark Buddle and alleged drug kingpin Hakan Ayik remain on the run from authorities overseas.

'This comes from the number of significant arrests. There's obviously a lot more work to do, there's still a lot offshore who we're looking at as well,' National Anti-Gangs Squad, Detective Superintendent Jason McArthur, said.

'There will be people out there who think they're okay, because they weren't on the AN0M platform. But they're not okay. We are still coming.'

Buddle was last known to be in Iraq and Ayik is believed to be still living in Turkey and is hiding from underworld figures after he was outed as one of the 'influencers' who unwittingly spread the AN0M encrypted device.

Ayik, 42, is said to have unwittingly given police direct access to the criminal underworld by encouraging his colleagues to use the app.

He is Australia's most wanted man after fleeing Sydney for Turkey more than a decade ago when he was linked to a $230 million heroin importation syndicate.

Former Comanchero bikie gang chief Mark Buddle also remains in the run from authorities, last known to be hiding in Iraq

'I can't comment on what's happening overseas at the moment, but I think I could probably assure everyone that the AFP and its partners are definitely exploiting the Ironside information, and the networks that we've identified, and we're actively targeting some of these Comanchero members offshore,' Superintendent McArthur said.

The arrests include three sergeants-at-arms, a club president, and other office bearers.

Police seized huge cash and drug stashes, and alleged bikies now owe other dangerous crime figures significant amounts of money.

Police will allege bikie gangs bought a share of drug importations for more than $1 million alongside other criminal groups.

They claim to have disrupted those planned importations.

'The cash that we've seized, which they now owe debts on, the drugs that have been seized which they now owe debts on,' Superintendent McArthur said.

Operation Ironside officers (pictured during a raid ) have made 303 arrests in recent months. A third of those arrests are

More arrests are expected to be laid as police work their way through the 25 million messages intercepted via encrypted app AN0M

Operation Ironside, started in 2018 with a fake encrypted communication app developed in partnership with the FBI.

Alleged criminals were tricked into sending messages to their criminal associates around the world via the encrypted messaging app, 'AN0M'.

They were unaware it was run by FBI agents and the Australian Federal Police who could read their every word.

Throughout the covert operation, detectives allegedly uncovered murder plots, gun distribution, and mass drug trafficking, with mafia bosses, bikies, and reality TV stars arrested and charged.

Australian, US, and European authorities carried out raids across the world in June, with 4,000 cops in Australia arresting 224 accused organised crime figures and seizing tonnes of drugs, millions in cash, and other contraband and luxury goods.

Police are gearing up to arrest a 'significant number' of people in the coming months.

'I expect a significant number of alleged criminals to be arrested over the coming months,' Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw recently told a Senate estimates hearing.

Comancheros sergeant-at-arms of the NSW South Coast Emmanuel Vamvoukaks (pictured) is among 76 alleged Comancheros bikies arrested as part of Operation Ironside
The Royal Family could have grounds to sue Netflix over their portrayal in The Crown, after friends of the firm sought their own legal advice.

Worried about how they themselves are likely to be portrayed in the upcoming fifth series, close friends of the Royal Family reportedly approached law firms Farrer & Co and Harbottle & Lewis.

The response they received was that they may have legal grounds to sue The Crown's creators.

And The Sun reports that the Royal Family were made aware of this legal advice from their friends, which could pave the way for The Firm to sue Netflix.

The Royal Family could have grounds to sue Netflix over their portrayal in The Crown, after friends of the firm sought their own legal advice

A source told the outlet: 'The advice they received would also apply to the Royal Family.

'Although this is not direct legal advice given to the Queen and her family  they have been made aware of this advice.'

The high-profile fifth series of The Crown is set to feature controversial issues such as the divorce of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, the fallout from Diana's death and and entire episode dedicated to Martin Bashir's 1995 interview with Diana.

Another source also told The Sun that the next series could be 'very damaging', especially as many viewers believe the show to be a documentary rather than a drama.

Worried about how they are likely to be portrayed in the upcoming fifth series, close friends of the Royal Family reportedly approached law firms Farrer & Co and Harbottle & Lewis. Pictred: Imelda Staunton as the Queen in the upcoming series

The high-profile fifth series of The Crown is set to feature controversial issues such as the divorce of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, the fallout from Diana's death and and entire episode dedicated to Martin Bashir's 1995 interview with Diana. Pictured: Elizabeth Debicki as Diana in series five

In an attempt to combat this confusion, the Government previously requested showrunners to include a disclaimer, but such a message has not been included by the show yet.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment and MailOnline has contacted Netflix for comment.

If action were to be taken, it wouldn't be the first time that the Royal Family considered such a move.

Earlier this year, in August, the Queen was reportedly 'ordering' officials to plan a legal fightback against the Duke and Duchess of Sussex following their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Sources say the 'exasperated' Queen told palace officials to 'lawyer up' with libel experts after 'repeated attacks' on the Royal Family from the US-based Sussexes.

It followed claims made in the interview that an unnamed royal had raised concerns over their son Archie's skin colour before his birth.

Earlier this year, in August, the Queen was reportedly 'ordering' officials to plan a legal fightback against the Duke and Duchess of Sussex following their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey

Days later Buckingham Palace released a statement saying 'recollections may vary' in response to allegations.

But the row was reignited after it was revealed in a chapter of Finding Freedom that a source had accused the royals of 'failing to own' their part in the fallout.

Sources close to the Queen previously told the Sun that the feeling 'coming right from the top' was that 'enough is enough'.

It comes after critics described Princess Diana film Spencer as a 'horror movie' that paints the royal family as 'sadistic monsters'.

The film, which was released last weekend, is set over three-days at Sandringham in Christmas of 1991, shows the late royal's relationship with her beloved sons, the way she navigated the press and a constant battle with her in-laws.

Lead Kristen Stewart has been tipped for Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Diana, but some critics have slammed the film for painting Diana's stay at Sandringham as 'a right royal Christmas from hell'.

It comes after critics described Princess Diana film Spencer as a 'horror movie' that paints the royal family as 'sadistic monsters'

The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw added the film was an 'overwrought fantasy' that could have been directed by a tabloid editor and 'conspicuously exaggerates Diana's first-world problems with black-comic stylings, fictional flourishes and some beautiful images'.

While Royal experts branded the film 'cruel' and 'unnecessarily gratuitous', saying the movie strips the late princess of her 'respect and dignity'.

Commentators warned how Diana's sons Princes Harry and William will both by upset by scenes in the movie which show her breaking down in tears in front of William as she battles her eating disorder and self harms.

Distressing scenes in the film out on November 5 show Diana, who died in a car crash in Paris in 1997, fantasising about throwing herself down the stairs and choking on a pearl necklace gifted to her by husband Prince Charles.

Other parts of the film detail her bulimia as she vomits and even experiences hallucinations about her own death  and royal experts including Richard Fitzwilliams, Ingrid Seward and Penny Junor have all criticised the depiction.

And Royal experts have recently demanded Prince Harry tears up his 112million Netflix deal and makes a stand over The Crown's portrayal of Princess Diana.

Royal experts have recently demanded Prince Harry (pictured) tears up his 112million Netflix deal and makes a stand over The Crown's portrayal of Princess Diana

Royal biographer Angela Levin criticised the Duke of Sussex for not 'finding his voice' over the streaming giant's controversial portrayal of his mother.

It comes after Princess Diana's friend Jemima Khan withdrew her support for The Crown over its 'disrespectful' script after she broke up with the show's creator.

Levin, author of Harry: A Biography of a Prince, told The Sun: 'Harry has remained absolutely silent about Netflix.

'He should tear the deal up and make a stand for his mother. What's more important? Money or defending his mum? It's astonishing he can't find his voice on this.'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle signed a deal with the streaming service last year for their new production company to make documentaries, feature films, scripted shows and children's programming.
Border police have been blinded with lasers and strobe lights as they struggle to shore up Europes eastern frontier defences against the flow of migrants unleashed by Belarus.

Polish authorities say soldiers loyal to Alexander Lukashenko, the despotic ruler of the former Soviet republic, have been arming refugees with tear gas as he steps up his so-called hybrid war on Europe.

The latest escalation of this crisis started on Friday night as Belarus troops ripped down posts next to barbed-wire barriers that the Polish government has installed along 120 miles of the 250-mile border between the two nations.

They released video footage showing border guards targeted by strong lasers and bright strobe lighting. A spokesman for the Polish Border Force said about 100 migrants were armed with tear gas, which was used against their guards.

Pictured: A grab from a video showing a green laser is shone through a barbed wire fence

Lukashenko told a defence magazine yesterday he wanted to deploy Russian Iskander missile systems  which have a range of 300 miles and can carry conventional or nuclear warheads

The soldiers at the border shining the lights were carrying out the orders of their Minsk dictator leader Alexander Lukashenko (pictured on Friday in Minsk) to help migrants across the border to destabilise the EU

Videos have also shown Belarusian officials with wire-cutters and handing out tools to refugees to destroy fencing as they encourage the mass migration into the EU in revenge for Brussels support of the Minsk dictatorships critics.

The latest illegal incursion came as nations bordering Belarus, alarmed by the dramatically increased tensions and Russian military manoeuvres in the region, discuss whether to deploy a rarely invoked Nato treaty article that would lead to a unified response from all 30 signatories.

The treaty  underpinning Western security  means an attack against one ally is considered an attack against all allies.

Consideration of such a move demonstrates how worried neighbouring states are by Belaruss belligerence.

Donald Tusk, the Polish former EU president, has called for Nato to invoke Article Four, while Lithuanias National Defence Council met to agree on the criteria for seeking a unified Nato response to the border threat.

Lukashenko, who has ruled his country for 30 years and is Europes last dictator, has lured thousands of migrants to his country with visas and specially arranged flights.

They are then sent onwards to the EU in revenge for sanctions imposed after his crackdown on protests last year, following a fraudulent election and the illegal diverting of a Ryanair passenger flight to seize a prominent dissident in May.

The EU condemned the act of air piracy, barred Belarusian carriers from its skies and slashed imports of several key export commodities, including petroleum products and potash for fertiliser use.

The latest escalation of this crisis started on Friday night as Belarus troops ripped down posts next to barbed-wire barriers that the Polish government has installed along 120 miles of the 250-mile border between the two nations

Moscow denies orchestrating the Belarus policy. Yesterday, Putin said: We have nothing to do with it. He blamed the West for the crisis, saying its policies in the Middle East were the reason migrants wanted to flee and go to Europe.

But Lukashenko told a defence magazine yesterday he wanted to deploy Russian Iskander missile systems  which have a range of 300 miles and can carry conventional or nuclear warheads.

Meanwhile, hundreds of migrants, reported to be mainly Kurds, are sheltering in freezing conditions in a militarised no-mans zone on the border between Belarus and both Poland and Lithuania, which refuse to let them into their countries. Belarus says that there are 2,000 people in a rapidly growing camp on the Polish border, including pregnant women and children. Poland says there is double this number, with more arriving every day.

Warsaw said there were 219 attempts to illegally cross the Polish-Belarusian border on Friday. Last month, they logged 16,800 such efforts  four times more each day than for the whole of last year.

Yesterday, Poland confirmed that the body of a young Syrian was found near the border, the 11th confirmed death since the crisis flared up in the summer.

There are fears the number of fatalities will rise as the winter weather deteriorates.

Over recent weeks, I met such human pawns, hiding from Polish border forces in Europes last primeval forest. They are desperate.

Migrants and Belarusian servicemen at a camp on the Belarusian-Polish border surrounded by barbed wire and fences

There is no future in Syria, said one middle-aged man. We have lost track of who is fighting who in our country. There are no jobs, no schools for our children, no hospitals for our families no hope or future.

Most want to go to Germany  yet many have little idea they will most likely be bounced back and forth across the border or stuck for weeks in woods in freezing temperatures.

Lukashenkos diplomatic isolation has entrenched him in the embrace of Russia, with Putin having long sought to tighten his control over Belarus and other former Soviet states.

A Western diplomat in Minsk said they believed Moscow would invade Belarus if the Lukashenko regime was seen at risk.

Certainly, Lukashenkos hybrid attacks, weaponising migration to drive wedges between allies and inflame divisions across Europe, bear all the hallmarks of Putins malevolent ability to exploit volatile situations.

General Sir Nick Carter, chief of Britains defence staff, told Times Radio there was a greater risk of tensions in the new era of a multipolar world, and said authoritarian rivals were willing to use any tool at their disposal, such as migrants, gas prices, proxy forces or cyber attacks. The character of warfare has changed, he said.

Earlier last week, the US warned European leaders that Russia may be about to invade Ukraine after satellite images showed tens of thousands of troops on the border.

President Joe Biden also expressed alarm on the migrant crisis. We communicated our concern to Russia, we communicated our concern to Belarus, he said. Both Ukraine and Poland have sent thousands of extra troops to reinforce borders. The Baltic states issued a joint statement from their defence ministers last week warning that the migrant crisis could spill over into the military domain. The following day, a squad of 250 Russian paratroopers carried out snap exercises with Belarus forces just three miles from the Lithuanian border.

Since the start of this month, Grupa Granica, a migrants support group, has received calls for help from 1,000 refugees stuck in the forests, including 100 children.

Among those who have succeeded in crossing into Poland is Malak, 26, an Iraqi due to give birth in three weeks. She made the journey with her husband and three young daughters in the hope of giving them a better life in Germany.

Their first six attempts to enter Poland were thwarted by Polish border guards, despite Belarusian officials helping to cut fencing.

Malak said they left Iraq as there was no future there, adding: I would advise all those thinking of coming to do it.

This is not the message that Europe wants to hear.
Vice President Kamala Harris told French reporters that America remains 'very concerned' about Russia outside of a shop in Paris on Saturday after buying pots and skillets.

As the Biden administration warned of an imminent threat in Eastern Europe over fears of a Ukraine invasion amid an escalating crisis at the Belarus-Poland border, Harris strolled through Paris with her husband Doug Emhoff.

When asked about the Russia-Ukraine conflict the vice president said: 'I cannot talk to you about classified information' and went on to express her concerns on the crisis.

But it wasn't the first time Harris has voiced worries about Russian military movements amid the tense immigrant crisis in Belarus that has the potential to spill over into other countries in Europe.

Harris said the 'eyes of the world' are on the Belarus border as the Biden administration waded into the chaos in Eastern Europe.

The vice president spoke to French reporters as she left a Parisian shop with her husband Doug Emhoff (right) after buying pots and skillets

Fears are growing of an imminent conflict in Eastern Europe as Russia and Belarus carry out snap military drills close to where a migrant crisis is playing out on Poland's border, while Washington warns Vladimir Putin is preparing to invade Eastern Ukraine

Kamala Harris told French reporters that America remains 'very concerned' about Russia just days after saying she was worried about Russian military movements amid a tense immigrant crisis in Belarus that has the potential to spill over into other countries in Europe

The vice president spoke on the situation at a press conference in Paris - a trip she said was about 'making clear the long-standing relationship but also that we go into a new era for the world that our work will continue' while strolling the city on Saturday.

Her five-day trip was aimed at undoing some of the damage caused by a series of blunders the White House made in its dealings with the French, including the AUKUS submarine deal.

The deal - a $66 billion submarine contract between Australia and France - put relations between France and the US at an all-time low when Australia bailed on the contract to work with the United States and UK instead.

In an enraged response, France recalled its ambassadors to the US and Australia.

The vice president is the highest-ranking member of the Biden administration to visit France as a USA TODAY/Suffolk poll last week revealed that her approval rating is at a dire 28 percent.

When asked about how her trip to France - which began on Tuesday - has been so far, she said it was 'a very productive and good trip,' presumably nodding to her two-hour meeting with with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace on Wednesday.

'The partnership between the United States and France remains and will continue to be a very strong one,' she added on Saturday - her last day in Paris.

On Friday, she had stood alongside Macron at a press conference where she referenced her seemingly growing fears of an imminent conflict in Eastern Europe as Russia and Belarus carry out snap military drills close to where a migrant crisis is playing out on Poland's border.

President Joe Biden issued his own expression of concern as he left the White House for Camp David on Friday.

'Its of great concern. Weve communicated our concern to Russia. Weve communicated our concern to Belarus. We think its a problem,' he said in response to a shouted question from a reporter.

Meanwhile, Washington has warned that Putin is preparing to invade Eastern Ukraine.

'On the issue of Belarus and what is happening at the border with Poland, we are very concerned about that and closely paying attention to it,' Harris said at the press conference in Paris on Friday.

Harris made the statement after Russia conducted bombing exercises with Belarusian forces and built up troops along its border with Ukraine  prompting the US to assert its 'ironclad' commitment to Ukrainian security.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Russian President Vladimir Putin he would be making a 'serious mistake' if he invaded Ukraine while speaking with Ukraine's foreign minister on Wednesday.

Amid the tensions between Russia and Ukraine, Belarus is pressuring Europe over migrants and has threatened to cut off gas supplies to the continent by shutting the Yamal-Europe pipeline that runs through its territory (pictured)

Harris also gave a warning to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's government.

'The Lukashenko regime, I believe is engaged in very troubling activity. It is something that I discussed with President Macron, and the eyes of the world and its leaders are watching what is happening there,' she said.

Amid the chaos on Europe's doorstep, the White House warned Brussels to brace for a Russian invasion of neighboring Ukraine on Thursday night.

The CIA briefed European officials about a possible Russian assault to capture territory in eastern Ukraine similar to the 2014 annexation of the Crimean peninsula.

The EU said it is alarmed by Russian military activities close to Ukraine, which is watching the situation closely and 'looking at further steps' along with the United States and Britain.

The situation escalated on Friday with developments including:

The EU said it is alarmed by Russian military activities close to Ukraine, is watching the situation closely and 'looking at further steps' along with the United States and Britain

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Russia is waging 'hybrid warfare' on Europe using migrants

US and European delegations accused Minsk of endangering lives for political ends at UN Security Council

Former UK defense minister Tobias Ellwood called Russia's moves 'deeply concerning' and a 'test of resolve'

Turkey barred citizens from Iraq, Syrian and Yemen from flying to Belarus amid fears they will head to border

Blinken on Wednesday warned Moscow against making another 'serious mistake' in Ukraine, in reference to its 2014 invasion.

He addressed the situation once again on Friday.

'We are also very concerned by efforts by Belarus to use migration as a political weapon. I am not going to preview any possible sanctions, but we are looking at various tools that we have,' he said, speaking at a press conference with Qatari officials.

At the White House, press secretary Jen Psaki reiterated administration concerns about Russia's military moves as well as 'harsh rhetoric.'

Poland has deployed some 15,000 troops to its eastern border where they have spent much of this week trying to hold back thousands of migrants that Lukashenko's regime is accused of forcing into the region

Poland, along with the leaders of nearby Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, has been warning that the crisis has the potential to spill over into a full-blown conflict

She said the administration has made clear in discussions with Russian officials that 'escalatory aggressive actions would be of great concern to the United States.'

Russia is carrying out snap military drills in Belarus just a few miles from the Polish border today, as fears grow that Putin is preparing for an invasion in eastern Europe.

The US and European allies accuse Lukashenko of seeking to destabilize its neighbors by deliberately massing migrants from the Middle East and North Africa along the Polish border and seeking to push them across.

Thousands of migrants have been brought into Belarus, and are lined up along the border with Poland and Lithuania but are blocked from entering. The European Union calls it a 'hybrid attack' and is preparing sanctions on Minsk.

Russia has defended its ally and has denied Belarus is using the immigrants as a 'tool of war' to pressure European countries.

'Russia doesnt threaten anyone,' said Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov. 'The movement of troops on our territory shouldnt be a cause for anyones concern,' he told reporters, the Associated Press reported.

Russia's defense ministry said the unannounced drill involved paratroopers from both countries dropping at the Gozhsky range, just 20 miles from where thousands of migrants are gathered at the Polish border, where they practiced capturing bridges as well as hunting down and destroying enemy patrols.

Belarus said the drill was in response to the 'build-up of military activity' at the Polish border, where 15,000 troops have been stationed to hold back the migrants, while Russia said it was to test the 'combat readiness' of its troops.

Harris and Macron held talks for around two hours, which their aides described as constructive

Harris and Macron were seen on Wednesday at the Elysee Palace in Paris

At the same time, Polish defense minister Mariusz Baszczak revealed that British military engineers have been deployed to help strengthen the border defenses, amid warnings from all sides that the crisis risks spilling over into an armed conflict. The MoD confirmed a 'small team' has been sent to provide engineering support.

The troops are likely from the light cavalry squadron that the UK currently has stationed in Poland as part of NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence, which includes soldiers from the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers.

Amidst the tensions, RAF Typhoons from Lossiemouth & Coningsby were also scrambled to escort two Russian nuclear-capable bombers which flew over the North Sea and towards the English Channel today. They were joined on the mission by a Voyager Tanker from RAF Brize Norton, the RAF said.

Separately, Washington warned its European allies that Putin could be preparing for an invasion of Ukraine's eastern borders - hundreds of miles from where the migrant crisis is playing out - after satellites spotted troops, tanks and artillery pieces massing there.

Ukraine - which has been fighting a proxy-war against Russian-backed separatists in its eastern regions for years - has moved 8,500 more troops to the region in response.

Addressing the crisis today, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denounced what he called 'increased provocations' against Russia, saying his country 'can't stay indifferent to that; we must be on our guard.'

'We take measures to ensure our security when opponents take defiant action near our borders,' Peskov added.

Meanwhile, Sergei Shoigu, Russia's defense minister, warned his French counterparts that the military situation in Europe 'continues to deteriorate' while slamming NATO for 'building up its military presence' near Russia's border.

Speaking after a meeting with French officials in Paris, Shoigu insisted that Russia is working to 'increase predictability and reduce the risk of incidents' in the border region.

The Quebec-educated vice president, who speaks some French, spoke on Tuesday of her love for scientific principals - but was mocked for appearing to put on a French accent



Besides facing a possible impending war, Harris was also met with fierce backlash after she appeared to put on a French accent to speak to scientists at a Covid lab in Paris on Tuesday.

She was at the Institut Pasteur science lab, where Americans are working alongside Europeans to tackle Covid-19 and where her Indian-born mother researched breast cancer.

She spoke about her love of science and her dismay at how politics could not be as methodical and logical as their experiments.

'In government, we campaign with 'The Plan,' Harris said, with what some said was a French accent to discuss 'the plan.'

'Uppercase T, uppercase P, '"The Plan!"

'And then the environment is such we're expected to defend "The Plan" even when the first time we roll it out there may be some glitches and it's time to reevaluate and then do it again.'

Mike Pompeo, former President Donald Trump's secretary of state, said Harris was humiliating the United States.

'The clip from Vice President Harris is more than embarrassing on the world stage,' he told Fox News Channel's Sean Hannity on Wednesday night.

'Our adversaries watch that and see weakness. They see people who aren't serious, they see people who aren't determined - precisely the opposite of what we did for four years.'
The grieving parents of a little girl who died after waiting for hours in a hospital emergency room are demanding $5 million dollars 'minimum' from the Western Australian Government.

Aishwarya Aswath, seven, spent two hours in the waiting room at Perth Children's Hospital for a fever on April 3, before she was triaged in the second-least urgent category.

Her parents Aswath Chavittupara, 39, and Prasitha Sasidharan, 33, begged for her to be assessed by doctors after her eyes became cloudy and her hands turned cold, but it was too late - she died after she was finally seen by a specialist.

The couple are launching a multi-million dollar compensation claim in the civil court against the Western Australian Government after a report blamed her death on a series of systemic failures.

But family spokesman Suresh Rajan said the devastated parents are also planning to ask for a $5 million damages payment to be paid on top of any legal compensation.

Aishwarya Aswath, seven, (pictured) waited for two hours in the emergency room of Perth Children's Hospital only to die soon after she finally received treatment

'It is difficult for (the family) to quantify exactly how much it (an ex-gratia payment) should be,' Mr Rajan told The Australian.

'But you would expect from based on what we have seen from other ex-gratia payments, you are probably not going to be looking at anything less than $5 million.

'That would be the very minimum.'

An ex gratia is a voluntary payment offered to a party from a sense of moral obligation rather than because of any legal requirement.

Mr Rajan said the matter of the additional cash would be raised with Health Minister Roger Cook at a meeting on Thursday.

Mr Cook would not confirm whether the government would make an ex gratia payment but said he was 'always open to listening and talking' to the family.

In May, a report by WA's Child and Adolescent Health Services found Aishwarya died of sepsis after contracting an infection in group A streptococcus, with staff failing to identify the seriousness of her condition.

Aswath Chavittupara, 39, and Prasitha Sasidharan, 33, (pictured) are planning to sue the WA Government and use the funds to launch a foundation in their daughter's honour. They are also seeking a $5million 'minimum' damages payment to be paid on top

An independent inquiry by the Australia Commission on Safety and Quality and Health Care found a series of systemic issues may have contributed to the schoolgirl's death.

The inquiry described emergency department staff as 'exhausted, demoralised, and isolated'.

The ACSQHC report, released this week, made 30 recommendations for change including addressing nursing and medical staffing shortages, and recognising parental input when handling child cases.

Aishwarya's parents will not pocket any of the funds received from the state government, they will go towards setting up a foundation in Aishwarya's name to improve health services in WA.

'No amount of money can bring my daughter back. But it is important to fight for others,' Mr Chavittupara previously told The Sunday Times.

'If somebody on a previous occasion had fought against the system like me, I would probably have my daughter with me right now.'

Mr Chavittupara said he and his wife planned to dedicate the rest of their lives to building another public hospital in Perth with paediatric services.

An internal report found Perth Children's Hospital missed a series of opportunities to ramp up Aishwarya's care as her condition deteriorated

They want the facility to have 300 and are prepared to sell half of their personal business to fund the project.

Mr Rajan announced last month Aishwaryas family sought legal advice about suing the government.

'It would be a multimillion-dollar claim based on the fact that she was only seven years old and there were so many years of income earning capacity which were taken away from her,' he said at the time.

The CAHS report in mid-May also found emergency department staff missed a 'cascade' of opportunities to escalate the seven-year-old's care as she succumbed to a fatal infection on Easter Saturday.

Aishwarya's parents sought help on five separate occasions while in the waiting room.

Within 20 minutes of arriving, her hands were cold, her eyes were discoloured and her respiratory rate and heart rate were significantly elevated.

But the severity of her condition wasn't recognised until an hour and 17 minutes later, when a doctor noticed she had cold peripheries and slurred speech.

She entered a resuscitation bay but was pronounced dead within two hours.

An independent inquiry -released this week - found a series of system issues may have contributed to Aishwarya Aswath's death

The report highlighted a 30-minute period where it was left to one nurse to watch over eight waiting room cubicles as Aishwarya continued to deteriorate.

In meetings with hospital executives dating back to October last year, emergency department staff raised concerns around the safety of children in the waiting room.

Plans for the new hospital to have a triage support nurse who would check patients' vital signs did not progress after it opened in 2018.

The CAHS made 11 recommendations which the government agreed to implement at PCH by November, including improvements to triage policy.

Aishwarya's death will also be investigated by the coroner.
U.S. Border Patrol agents have encountered nearly 2,000 migrants crossing into the country illegally in the Rio Grande Valley Sector in just 24 hours, and are aware of hundreds more who slipped through without being taken into custody.

Agents in the sector, which extends inland 316 river miles from the Texas Gulf Coast, encountered 1,909 migrants on Friday, with another 262 detected on sensors but getting away because there's simple now enough manpower, a Department of Homeland Security source told Fox News.

The sector has seen a surge of illegal crossings, and this week agents there apprehended four MS-13 gang members and two migrants previously arrested on sex crime charges.

Over the 12 months ending October 1, more than 1.7 million migrants have been encountered on the U.S. southern border, including more than 192,000 in September alone.

Migrants are seen attempting to enter the United States illegally in Texas. The Rio Grande Valley Sector has seen a surge in illegal crossings with 1,909 encounters in 24 hours

Migrants are seen in a recent bust in Arizona. The surge in illegal migration has led to criticism of President Joe Biden

The surge in illegal migration has led to criticism of President Joe Biden, who ended several border policies put in place under the Trump administration.

On Wednesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott accused Biden of turning 'a blind eye' to the growing problems on the southern border while showing concern for the refugee crisis along the Belarusian-Polish border in Eastern Europe.

'President Bidens concern for other nations borders, while he turns a blind eye to the United States borders that he swore to protect and defend, is appalling,' Abbott's Press Secretary Renae Eze told DailyMail.com.

'His reckless open border policies have created an ongoing crisis along our southern border, leading to a 61-year record-high number of illegal immigrants surging into our state.'

Border Patrol agents are seen intercepting migrants in Texas earlier this month

The record-shattering number of migrants has overwhelmed state and local officials who have been pleading for help from the Biden administration and spurred further concern over the spread of COVID-19.

Abbott's press secretary claims the Lone Star state was forced to 'step up' to secure the border while Biden's government was 'absent.'

'Texas continues stepping up to secure our southern border and protect Texans in the federal governments absence,' Eze said.

'Since Governor Abbott launched Operation Lone Star in March, the National Guard and DPS have apprehended over 76,000 migrants and arrested over 8,800 who committed a state or federal crime, including smugglers and human traffickers, to crack down on illegal crossings of migrants coming from over 150 countries around the world.'

Over the 12 months ending October 1, more than 1.7 million migrants have been encountered on the US southern border, including more than 192,000 in September alone

Responding to a request for comment from DailyMail.com, a White House National Security Council official condemned the situation in Belarus and said the Biden administration would be adding 'follow-up sanctions' to punish the autocratic regime.

'We are deeply concerned by the Lukashenka regimes inhumane actions and strongly condemn their callous exploitation and coercion of vulnerable people,' the official said.

'We are preparing follow up sanctions in close coordination with the EU and other partners and Allies that hold the Lukashenka regime accountable for its ongoing attacks on democracy, human rights, and international norms.'

The official added that while the situations in Belarus and the United States are different, the Biden administration has been consistent on its condemnation of human trafficking across the world.
The U.S. Department of Justice is planning to 'vigorously defend' President Joe Biden's Covid-19 vaccine mandate after a federal court upheld a stay on it.

A three-member panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, which covers Texas, Louisiana and parts of Mississippi, affirmed its ruling on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) order in a new opinion published Friday.

That saw it order the U.S. Department of Labor to take no further steps to implement its mandate, whose deadline is January 4, 2022.

The order would have mandated enforced vaccine requirements on all businesses with 100 or more employees.

'This decision is just the beginning of the process for review of this important OSHA standard,' a spokesperson for the Justice Department said in a statement. 'The Department will continue to vigorously defend the standard and looks forward to obtaining a definitive resolution following consolidation of all of the pending cases for further review.'

The Biden administration previously argued that halting implementation of the vaccine mandate could lead to dozens or even hundreds of deaths.

However, Circuit Court Judge Kurt Engelhardt wrote in the prevailing opinion that the mandate goes too far, and that he has 'grave' concerns about whether the edict is legal or constitutional.

'The mandate is staggeringly overbroad,' the opinion said. 'The mandate is a one-size-fits-all sledgehammer that makes hardly any attempt to account for differences in workplaces (and workers).'

Attorney General Merrick Garland's (pictured) Justice Department plans to fight a stay upheld by a federal court preventing the administration from implementing a Covid-19 vaccine mandate

US 5th District Court of Appeals Judges (L-R) Edith Jones, Kurt Engelhardt and Stuart Kyle Duncan upheld their decision to put a hold on President Joe Biden's Covid-19 vaccine mandate for companies with 100 workers or more

The US 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans

Biden had issued a vaccine mandate for all employers with 100 or more workers to issue their own vaccine mandate by January 4

Lawyers for the Justice and Labor departments filed a response Monday in which they said stopping the mandate from taking effect will only prolong the COVID-19 pandemic and would 'cost dozens or even hundreds of lives per day.'

The mandate, which requires private companies with 100 or more employees to impose vaccine mandates on their workers by January 4, was officially announced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on Thursday  immediately leading to a flurry of lawsuits from Republican states and entities.

Engelhardt, on the other hand, argued that the mandate is causing more harm than good.

'From economic uncertainty to workplace strife, the mere specter of the Mandate has contributed to untold economic upheaval in recent months,' Engelhardt wrote.

At least 27 states have filed legal challenges in at least six federal appeals courts after OSHA released its rules on November 4.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday Republicans are 'getting in the way of saving lives' by fighting back against Joe Biden's new vaccine mandates

The federal government said in its court filings Monday that the cases should be consolidated and that one of the circuit courts where a legal challenge has been filed should be chosen at random on November 16 to hear it.

Vaccine mandates are deeply controversial in the United States. Supporters say they are a must to put an end to the nearly two-year coronavirus pandemic, while opponents argue they violate the Constitution and curb individual liberty.

The Fifth Circuit judges appeared to agree with the opponents.

'The public interest is also served by maintaining our constitutional structure and maintaining the liberty of individuals to make intensely personal decisions according to their own convictions - even, or perhaps particularly, when those decisions frustrate government officials,' Engelhardt wrote.

The rule was issued by OSHA and mandates that businesses with at least 100 employees require staff to get vaccinated or face weekly tests and face mask requirements.

White House officials had no immediate comment on the ruling, which was hailed as a victory by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

'Citing Texass 'compelling argument' the 5th Circuit has stayed OSHAs unconstitutional and illegal private-business vaccine mandate', Paxton said on Twitter.

Fellow Texan and Congressman Chip Roy praised the ruling as helping to stop vaccine mandates.

He tweeted: '5th Circuit reaffirms stay - because @JoeBiden is acting unlawfully and unconstitutionally in issuing order for employer vaccine mandate. #HealthcareFreedom #StopVaxMandates.'

And Libertarian commentator Robert Henneke also praised Friday's decision, writing: 'WE DID IT (AGAIN)!! 5th Cir. reaffirms grant of stay motion with 22 page published opinion explaining why #BidenAdministration private employer vaccine mandate is likely unlawful & unconstitutional.'

5th Circuit reaffirms stay - because @JoeBiden is acting unlawfully and unconstitutionally in issuing order for employer vaccine mandate. #HealthcareFreedom #StopVaxMandates https://t.co/iW2Y0qFljN  Chip Roy (@chiproytx) November 12, 2021

 WE DID IT (AGAIN)!! 5th Cir. reaffirms grant of @TPPF stay motion with 22 page published opinion explaining why #BidenAdministration private employer vaccine mandate is likely unlawful & unconstitutional. https://t.co/bVX6HiKB5g pic.twitter.com/HJOt4s6uFh  Robert Henneke (@robhenneke) November 12, 2021

5th Circuit reaffirms stay - because @JoeBiden is acting unlawfully and unconstitutionally in issuing order for employer vaccine mandate. #HealthcareFreedom #StopVaxMandates https://t.co/iW2Y0qFljN  Chip Roy (@chiproytx) November 12, 2021

Nearly 68 percent of Americans have gotten at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine

Biden imposed the requirement in September, telling Americans that 'our patience is wearing thin' with those refusing to get inoculated.

Earlier this week, The White House said it was confident that it could beat any Republican challenges to its new workplace vaccine mandate and claimed Thursday that the GOP was trying to block the Biden administration from saving lives.

'The question that we always have is and that we ask to the Republicans is why are they getting in the way?' Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during Thursday's White House press briefing.

'Why are they getting in the way of trying to protect and save lives? That's all we're trying to do,' she added.

Jean-Pierre said the White House is 'pretty confident' the new Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules imposing compulsory vaccines on private companies will hold up in court against a slew of GOP lawsuits currently being filed.

'The administration clearly has the authority to protect workers and actions announced by the president are designed to save lives and stop the spread of COVID,' Jean-Pierre said.

The debate over the mandate comes as infection rates in the US continue to drop.

On Friday, the nation reported less than 97,000 new daily cases and about 2,300 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

About 67 per cent of eligible Americans are fully vaccinated against COVID, and more than 78 per cent have gotten at least one jab.

The new rule comes as there are already concerns over impacts the mandates could have on the already stunted U.S. economy, which is experiencing a worker shortage and supply chain issues ahead of the holiday season.

'If you're asking if we think the rules impact supply chain, the answer is no, we don't think that it will,' Jean-Pierre said at Thursday's briefing.
Jacob Rees-Mogg may have breached parliamentary rules by not declaring 6 million in personal loans from his Cayman Islands-linked company, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

He is the first Cabinet Minister to be dragged into the row over MPs outside interests, and led the Governments botched attempt to soften parliamentary sleaze rules.

The Leader of the Commons borrowed up to 2.94 million a year in directors loans from his UK-based Saliston Ltd between 2018 and 2020.

Parliamentary rules require MPs to be open and frank in drawing attention to any relevant interest.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal Jacob Rees-Mogg may have breached parliamentary rules by not declaring 6 million in personal loans from his Cayman Islands-linked company. Pictured November 8 in the House of Commons

Although it does not explicitly cover directors loans, the code of conduct requires directors to declare taxable expenses, allowances and benefits.

In the MPs Register of Interests, Mr Rees-Mogg disclosed himself as an unremunerated director and shareholder of the firm, but did not say he had taken out the loans.

By using directors loans  classed by the Government as a taxable benefit  he was able to borrow the large sum at very low interest.

Mr Rees-Mogg insisted last night as the loans were not earnings, he was not required to declare them to Parliament and he had not broken any rules.

He said the 2018 loan was primarily used to buy and refurbish his 5.6 million home in Westminster. He would not say what the rest of the money was for.

But a source in the Commons sleaze watchdog said the loans should absolutely have been declared in the Register of Interests, adding: The whole point of registration is the public should be able to know what is governing your decision-making and the actions that you take.

Thangam Debbonaire, Shadow Leader of the Commons, urged Mr Rees-Mogg to come clean about his interests and called on Boris Johnson to launch an immediate investigation into his activities.

Mr Rees-Mogg bought his house, formerly Tory HQ, in February 2018 using a mortgage with Coutts bank, Land Registry documents show.

The 6 million he took in loans includes 2.94 million in 2018, 2.3 million the following year and 701,513 in 2019-2020, Companies House documents reveal.

In the first year he paid no interest, in the second he paid 46,915 and in the final year 2,030  48,945 in interest over three years, equivalent to a rate of 0.8 per cent. A typical 30,000, two-year personal loan comes with six per cent interest.

The North East Somerset MP was a director of Saliston Ltd until he joined the Cabinet in July 2019, but retains a 100 per cent shareholding and is a Person of Significant Control.

His wife remains a director.

Saliston Ltd has previously been described as a holding company by Mr Rees-Mogg.

It has 8 million property assets, understood to include a Mayfair house, and nearly 1 million in other investments.

In 2018, it took out a 2.87 million bank loan, according to its accounts, the same year it lent Mr Rees-Mogg 2.9 million.

It has a controlling stake in Somerset Capital Management LLP, the parent firm of Somerset Capital Management (Cayman) Ltd in the Cayman Islands.

The North East Somerset MP was a director of Saliston Ltd until he joined the Cabinet in July 2019, but retains a 100 per cent shareholding and is a Person of Significant Control. Pictured October 27 after attending a Cabinet meeting ahead of Rishi Sunak's Budget

Somerset Capital Management LLPs accounts show its limited-liability members were remunerated with 3.8 million in 2021. Mr Rees-Mogg said: Saliston is 100 per cent owned by me. This is declared clearly in the Commons register and to the Cabinet Office.

'It has no activities that interact with Government policy.

The loans from 2018 were primarily taken out for the purchase and refurbishment of [my home] as temporary cash flow measures.

'All loans have either been repaid with interest in accordance with HMRC rules or paid as dividends and taxed accordingly.

'I have no managerial responsibility for Somerset Capital Management. However, I know that the Cayman company purely provides a fund for non-UK investors but any and all money it makes returns to Somerset Capital Management in the UK where it pays full UK taxes.
A man jailed for throwing a six-year-old French from a 100ft viewing platform at the Tate Modern has been arrested on suspicion of raping a man in prison.

Jonty Bravery, 20, is alleged to have attacked a man in his 30s in the shower block of HMP Belmarsh where he is serving at least 15 years for attempted murder.

Police arrested Bravery inside the prison and took him for questioning to a south London police station.

Scotland Yard confirmed they had been alerted on Thursday, November 11 after an inmate at HMP Belmarsh alleged he had been raped by a fellow prisoner.

A source told the Sunday Mirror: 'Jonty was quizzed for hours.'

The Met told MailOnline: 'The incident is alleged to have happened on the morning of Tuesday, 9 November. The alleged victim, aged in his 30s, later informed another inmate and prison authorities were alerted. They then contacted police.

Jonty Bravery, pictured, has been arrested on suspicion of raping a fellow prisoner in jail shower

'The man was seen by specialist medical staff who attended the prison.

'A man aged in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of rape on Thursday afternoon and was taken to a south London police station.

'He was later released on bail back into the custody of the prison.'

A Prison Service spokesman said: 'We are working closely with the police investigation.'

Bravery is currently serving at least 15 years in jail having been convicted of the attempted murder of a six-year-old French boy.

Bravery grabbed the youngster and threw him from a viewing balcony in the gallery onto the ground some 100ft below.

The boy suffered life changing injuries but has been slowly improving back in France.

Sentencing Bravery, of Ealing in west London, Old Bailey judge Mrs Justice McGowan said: 'The fear he (the victim) must have experienced and the horror his parents felt are beyond imagination.

'You had intended to kill someone that day  you almost killed that six-year-old boy.'

She said Bravery's autism spectrum disorder (ASD) did not explain the attack, and acknowledged expert evidence he presents 'a grave and immediate risk to the public'.

Bravery is serving a minimum 15-year jail term in HMP Belmarsh, pictured. He was arrested inside the prison on Thursday and taken to a south London police station for questioning having been arrested on suspicion of raping a fellow prisoner

The judge added: 'You will spend the greater part  if not all  of your life detained you may never be released.'

Well-built Bravery, who was wearing a white T-shirt and dark shorts, sat impassively with his legs crossed and occasionally placed his hands behind his head as he watched the 20-minute hearing via videolink from Broadmoor Hospital.

The court heard Bravery had been in supported accommodation under the care of Hammersmith and Fulham Social Services, with one-to-one supervision, and had a history of lashing out at staff.

Despite this, he was allowed to leave home, unsupervised, for up to four hours at a time.

Prosecutor Deanna Heer said there was evidence Bravery had long harboured his intent to seriously hurt or kill someone, with the teenager's admissions apparently caught on a 'shocking, prophetic' secret recording made by carers. The alarm was not raised with Bravery's parents.

It was on Sunday August 4 2019 that Bravery  who has a mental disorder  left his accommodation and travelled to the Tate Modern in central London, spending at least 15 minutes stalking potential victims before 'scooping' a six-year-old boy up and over the railings as the youngster skipped slightly ahead of his family.

CCTV footage not shown in court captured the incident, then showed Bravery backing away from the railings.

The prosecutor said: 'He can be seen to be smiling, with his arms raised. At one point, he appears to shrug and laugh.'

Ms Heer told the court Bravery then told the boy's father: 'Yes I am mad.'

He was also heard to say, with a shrug: 'It's not my fault, it's social services' fault,' the lawyer said.

It later emerged that Bravery initially sought to carry out his grim attack at the Shard, Britain's tallest building, but baulked at the entry fee.

Following his arrest, Bravery was said to have asked police if he was going to be 'on the news'.

He said he had been 'seriously unhappy' recently and that he had to do anything he could to get out of his accommodation.
A local man jumped down 18-feet to save a mother and her two-year-old daughter who both narrowly survived with their lives after falling 100 feet while hiking the Multnomah Falls outside Portland on Sunday.

Shane Roundy, 33, was waiting for his daughter outside the public restrooms when he heard yelling coming from the 620 foot falls. He ran over to the small crowd of people to ask what happened when he was told two people fell off the bridge into the water.

Roundy, a mechanic, quickly sprung into action. Without thinking he jumped over the railing, hopped over fallen trees, and jumped into the icy water following the screams: 'Someone help my daughter.'

Roundy found Olivia, who he believes is in her late 20s and her two-year-old daughter Katie in the water. Olivia begged Roundy to help Katie first and he took the crying toddler and hugged her tight trying to warm her up.

Putting Katie down for a moment he rushed back to pull Olivia, who was injured, from the water. He told Katie he would be back for her and ran back to the wall to bring the crying toddler to safety.

Shane Roundy, a 33-year-old mechanic from Oregon, quickly came to the rescue jumping down an 18-foot wall to rescue Olivia, the mother, and Katie, the daughter

The mother and her toddler were 'alert and conscious' after their 100 ft fall along the hike at Multnomah Falls on Sunday. They were taken to the hospital to recover from non-life threatening injuries

'The wall I jumped over was 18 feet tall but I didnt notice until later,' he told DailyMail.com.

When he made it back to the wall where a group of about six hikers had gathered to help he noticed it was an 18-foot drop. Roundy's stepmother, girlfriend, daughter, and others held the feet of another man who hung over the railing to catch the toddler.

Roundy tossed the child up to the man who caught her. Roundy then ran back to Olivia to tell her that Katie was safe. He tried to help Katie but she asked that he go back to keep her daughter safe.

When Roundy returned to Katie, a woman ran down the trail screaming for help. Jean, Olivia's mother and Katie's grandmother, had run down the trail trying to get help for eight minutes.

When Jean was reunited with Katie, the toddler was surrounded by nearly half a dozen good Samaritans who removed their layers and took blankets and jackets from the gift shop nearby to warm the child.

After Roundy, an off-duty paramedic rushed to help Olivia until authorities arrived.

Emergency services eventually made it to the scene and helped Katie to safety. Both Olivia and Katie were rushed to Oregon Health & Science University with non-life threatening injuries and are expected to make a full recovery.

The pair fell into the water of the bottom pool of the falls after the toddler first slipped near the Benson Bridge that straddles the popular trail and her mother lost her balance trying to save her.

'I just remember thinking someone needs help I need to get to them,' Roundy said to DailyMail.com. He didn't stop to think or stumble when making the 'miraculous' rescue.

'I felt light I felt like someone was lifting me over the trees,' he said. 'I just ran as fast as I could and jumped and leaped and didnt fall miraculously because normally I would have.'

Julia Hariri (left), Erica Klein (center) and Hope Monaghan (right) were beginning their hike when they heard screams for a help a woman frantically searching for her daughter and grandbaby

Jill Willis, Vice President of Multnomah Falls Company, said fellow hikers quickly jumped into action to take care of the baby as the mother was being treated for her injuries by an off-duty paramedic who was along the trail

'It was very clear like the baby was like injured,' witness, Ericka Klein recounted to KATU. 'Someone had grabbed the baby from the mom, and then somebody else was down there with the mom, making sure she was okay. She had a broken leg, I think.'

A state park ranger warned of slippery terrain, uneven footing, and potential landslides while hiking in the area during this time of year

Kanyon Reams, a paramedic with the Corbett Fire Department, was sent to the scene where he found the mother with a fractured leg and injuries to her face and abdomen.

'There was a ton of manpower down there because of those off-duty medical personnel,' Reams said to Fox 12. 'We were quickly able to extricate the patient.'

Employees at the falls called 911 and helped to clear a path for emergency services. 'That could be a challenge out here, making sure that emergency vehicles can get down the highway because it can get very congested,' explained Willis.

Multnomah Falls, located about 30 miles northeast of Portland, is the state's tallest waterfall and the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

It is listed as a moderate trail with the bridge being reached the first few minutes of the hike. Roundy said although the full hike can he difficult: Theres always kids there.

State Park Ranger Jamen Lee explained: 'It's always challenging in the gorge for us to prepare visitors for the terrain and the conditions.' He warned of slippery terrain, uneven footing, and potential landslides during this time of year.
A row over the future of giant insurer LV has taken a dramatic twist after rival Royal London proposed a takeover that would see the company broken up.

The controversial pitch to the board of LV  a mutual owned by its members rather than shareholders  would see the insurer split with private equity giant Bain Capital. Royal London would take over many of the old LV policies, while Bain would spin off the rest of the brand into a separate business.

The deal, proposed in a secret email seen by The Mail on Sunday, throws new light on the intentions of Royal London which has so far emphasised the importance of LV retaining its mutual ownership.

It comes after the board of LV faced furious criticism for recommending a 530 million takeover offer from Bain.

Liverpool Victoria Insurance has asked its members, who would receive 100 each under the Bain deal, to support the decision in a vote set for next month

LV has asked its members, who would receive 100 each under the Bain deal, to support the decision in a vote set for next month.

The deal has drawn fire from politicians from across the parties, including Lord Heseltine who said the payment represented 30 pieces of silver and urged members to reject the offer.

The email, sent to LV chief executive Mark Hartigan, pictured, proposes an early three-way discussion between Royal London, Bain and LV should it become clear that LV members will reject the proposal

Critics have pointed at the merits of mutual ownership arguing that the 1.2 million LV members are being short-changed for backing the deal.

The email, sent to LV chief executive Mark Hartigan, proposes an early three-way discussion between Royal London, Bain and LV should it become clear that LV members will reject the proposal.

Talks between the three firms would consider if the current proposal could be enhanced in order to be more attractive to your members, the email states.
Polystyrene should be banned to prevent environmental damage and diseases linked to the toxic chemicals used in its production, campaigners say.

The smooth, brittle material  found in everything from takeaway containers to TV packaging  is one of the most common plastics in the UK.

But it is not commonly recycled due to the cost and complex process required, as well as the difficulty of collecting waste polystyrene.

Polystyrene should be banned to prevent environmental damage and diseases linked to the toxic chemicals used in its production, campaigners say

Around 1.15 billion polystyrene food and drink containers were sold in England in 2018, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Like most plastics, polystyrene is slow to biodegrade and has been linked to diseases, including some cancers.

It is produced by blasting plastic pellets with steam until they expand and become small white balls, which are bound together.

Steve Hynd, of campaign group City to Sea, said: Expanded polystyrene could be easily replaced with less damaging plastic-free and ideally reusable packaging.

Nina Schrank, senior plastics campaigner at Greenpeace UK, said: The hazards to human health posed by polystyrene are deeply concerning.

The sale of all single-use polystyrene food containers will be banned in Scotland from next June.
Almost 300 gallons of illicit booze were confiscated from inmates in a single prison over a 12-month period.

Between May 2020 and last April, staff at HMP Coldingley in Woking, Surrey, discovered 2,390 pints of cell-brewed alcohol, which works out at just under six pints per prisoner.

Inmates can make hooch, which can be as strong as 14 per cent proof, by brewing fruit, water, sugar and bread in a plastic bag.

Between May 2020 and last April, staff at HMP Coldingley (above) in Woking discovered 2,390 pints of cell-brewed alcohol, which works out at just under six pints per prisoner (file photo)

Alcohol in prisons is a major problem, with the number of discoveries in British jails rising by six per cent over the past year, according to official Ministry of Justice figures.

Cody Lachey, a former inmate and prison commentator, said: Prisoners can make a huge amount of money by brewing hooch, sometimes as much as 50 a bottle. Where youve got contraband, youve got debt. And when you have debt youve got fear, intimidation and violence.

Inspectors said the volume of hooch had increased significantly and has at times created major problems in the category C prison. Officials also confiscated 219 mobile phones and made 192 drug busts. An airport-style full-body scanner was installed in May.

Inspectors said the volume of hooch had increased significantly and has at times created major problems in the category C prison (file photo)

The prisons annual report by the Independent Monitoring Board noted: The volume of drugs and mobile phones that continue to be found in the prison are of great concern to the board. Large quantities of alcoholic liquid (hooch) are also frequently found. Inevitably, the availability of these illicit items gives rise to increased levels of violence and bullying.

Last night, a Prison Service spokesman said: Assaults have fallen in the last year and a new body scanner is helping to stem the flow of illicit items which can fuel violence  part of our 100 million investment to bolster security across the estate.

Last year, a prison officer at Coldingley was jailed for smuggling in contraband. Joshua Bossman-Brandt was caught with mobile phones, tobacco and an Xbox before a shift. Class A drugs were found in his vehicle in the prison car park. He was sentenced to six years and nine months at Guildford Crown Court in January 2020.
Watchdogs have overruled the Metropolitan Police to order a gross misconduct inquiry into one of the forces most senior officers, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

In a fresh blow to Commissioner Cressida Dick, the Independent Office for Police Conduct has ordered an inquiry into allegations that Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Horne illegally undermined a bullying probe into himself while at Essex Police.

Scotland Yard bosses refused the IOPCs initial recommendation but have now been overruled. Mr Horne was appointed in 2019 as the Mets 150,000-a-year head of professional standards  the so-called Line of Duty squad  despite being previously found guilty of three charges of misconduct while at Essex Police.

In a fresh blow to Commissioner Cressida Dick (pictured), watchdogs have overruled the Metropolitan Police to order a gross misconduct inquiry into one of the forces most senior officers

Ms Dick supported Mr Horne under questioning in Westminster earlier this year, telling MPs her colleague was a very capable man who has been doing an excellent job since he has been in the Met.

Mr Horne, who is also facing a criminal investigation over the bullying probe allegations, is now head of futures work at the Met after being relieved of his previous job while under investigation.

Dave Clark, a former City of London Police temporary commander, is also under criminal investigation over the matter, amid accusations that he illegally accessed information and passed it to Mr Horne. He will also face a gross misconduct hearing by City of London Police who agreed with the IOPCs recommendation.

An IOPC spokesman said: We can confirm that a former senior City of London Police (CoLP) officer and a senior Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officer will face gross misconduct proceedings as the result of an IOPC investigation.

'Our investigation followed a complaint lodged against the (now) former CoLP officer that, in 2018, he accessed confidential information that was subsequently passed to a senior MPS officer.

We also investigated an allegation that he disposed of his personal mobile phone after he became aware of our investigation.

We determined he had a case to answer for potential breaches of police professional standards. CoLP agreed with our recommendation and it will now be a matter for the force to hold those disciplinary proceedings.

We also investigated the senior MPS officer for allegations that in 2018 he received and made use of that confidential information as part of disciplinary proceedings.

We decided he had a case to answer for potential breaches of police professional standards. After the MPS disagreed with our recommendation, last month, we directed the force to hold disciplinary proceedings.
Australians travellers won't need another Covid-19 booster shot to head overseas, the Federal Government has confirmed.

It's been two weeks since the country reopened its international borders for the first time in 19 months, allowing vaccinated Australians to head abroad without needing to apply for an exemption.

As the rollout of a Covid-19 booster jab ramps up, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced that a third jab isn't compulsory for Australians desperate to dust off their passport this summer.

The federal government currently has no plans to make the third Covid booster jab won't be compulsory for double-jabbed Australian travellers (pictured, travellers at Sydney Airport)

'Everything is always under review but there's no plan to change that requirement at this stage,' Mr Hunt told ABC's Insiders on Sunday.

'But as we've done throughout, we'll continue to follow the medical advice. That's how we've had one of the lowest rates of loss of life in the world, one of the highest rates of vaccination.'

He stressed that while boosters shots won't be compulsory to leave the country, Australians are still urged to roll up their sleeves for the third shot.

'They are an important booster. They add to the capacity of an individual to have immunity and to have a strong immune response,' Mr Hunt said.

More than 250,000 Australians received their third jab in the first week of the nation's booster shot rollout.

Australians must wait six months after their second dose to be eligible for the booster shot.

Australians are urged to roll up their sleeves for a Covid booster shot when they're eligible

Mr Hunt had more good news for Australian travellers and international visitors on Sunday.

'Duty free is back on. It's an incremental but important step,' Mr Hunt said.

'We're opening retail and removing the biosecurity determination which prevents retail in international terminals.'

Mr Hunt expects Pfizer vaccinations for children aged 5-11 will be available from early January, subject to the approval of the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Australia Technical Advisory Group in Immunisation.

He said US clinical trials have only involved a few thousand children.

'At this stage, to the best of my knowledge, only the US has provided an emergency approval for children 5-11,' Mr Hunt said.

The health minister said he will follow medical advice regarding Covid vaccines (pictured vaccinated travellers in LA boarding a Qantas flight to Sydney

He said the TGA and ATAGI do not want to cut corners on the study.

'But they want to go as quickly as possible, which is what we're doing. The expectation that they have set is the first part of January, hopefully early January. But it is in the hands of the medical experts,' he said.

Victoria recorded 905 new COVID-19 infections, 300 fewer than announced on Saturday, and four more virus-related deaths.

NSW announced 195 new cases and one death, while there were 15 new cases in the ACT and none in Queensland.
While some of her BBC colleagues seem incapable of keeping their views to themselves, Fiona Bruce insists her friends and family have no idea of her political beliefs.

The newsreader says she took a vow of silence decades ago and even takes pride that both Right and Left-wing activists take offence at her shows.

Ms Bruce, 57, tells The Mail on Sundays You magazine today: It is the belief of the BBC that one has to strive to be neutral when reporting the news. That is baked into me like words through a stick of rock. I have not expressed political opinions to my friends or my family for years.

Fiona Bruce says she took a vow of silence decades ago and even takes pride that both Right and Left-wing activists take offence at her shows

When my children were growing up I never did, in case they blurted out something innocently at school. It was like this omerta [vow of silence].

Two years ago, Ms Bruce, the first woman to present News At Ten, took over from David Dimbleby as host of Question Time, which attracts furious reactions on social media.

But unlike her Newsnight colleague Emily Maitlis  who has been criticised for breaching BBC standards on impartiality  Ms Bruce is thrilled viewers cant discern her politics.

On my desk is a screenshot from Twitter that shows two responses to Question Time, she explains. The first says Fiona Bruce is turning this into a Conservative hustings, and literally the next one is, Shes more Left-wing than Trotsky.

Fiona Bruce: 'Sometimes I struggle not to cry'

By Jane Wharton for the Mail on Sunday

FIONA BRUCE opens up to Cole Moreton about holding back the tears on live TV and the one thing she refuses to talk about  even to her family

Fiona wears dress, Sandro. Shoes, Grey Matters. Earrings, Dinosaur Designs. Necklace, Shaun Leane

I laughed like a drain, says Fiona Bruce, her face lighting up. We dont often see the presenter like this. Were more used to her bossing politicians around on Question Time or projecting gravitas and decorum while reading the BBC News at Ten. But Fiona has just been reminded of an agony aunt column that appeared in a tabloid newspaper earlier this year. It said: My boyfriend is obsessed with the news and wants me to act like Fiona Bruce, she laughs. Everyone in the newsroom teased me mercilessly about it.

A journalist at the top of her game, Fiona is one of the highest paid and most respected at the BBC. Someone who is always in control, whether reading the nightly news bulletin, guessing the value of heirlooms on Antiques Roadshow or chairing Question Time.

Question Time has a bigger social media footprint than any other TV programme outside Love Island. That is an extraordinary statistic, she says. Glance at Twitter late on a Thursday night and you can see the evidence, as viewers fire opinions from their sofas. It also means the host gets a lot of attention, as Fiona has found in the two years since she took over from David Dimbleby. While cabinet ministers, business leaders and celebrities jostle to be heard in a heated debate over whatever topic is vexing Britain that week, some viewers watch like hawks to see if Fiona will give away her true feelings. On my desk is a screenshot from Twitter that shows two responses to Question Time. The first says Fiona Bruce is turning this program into a Conservative hustings and literally the next one is Shes more left-wing than Trotsky.

As this elegantly illustrates, its hard to get a handle on the broadcaster. I want to try to find out who the real Fiona Bruce is. Weve met a couple of times before: once on the set of an Antiques Roadshow episode, where she moved through the crowd like a minor royal, then delivered a brilliant piece to camera in one swift take. The other was in the media area for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, where she let a member of the American press know very firmly that he was sitting in her pew. He moved.

Blazer, trousers, and boots, Iris & Ink, theoutnet.com. Shirt, Jigsaw. Earrings, Ruby Jack. Ring, Fionas own

Today this tall, angular 57-year-old is looking relaxed in trainers, trousers and sweater, as she talks about being born in Singapore in 1964, to a father who was on his way to becoming a regional manager for Unilever. My father grew up in real poverty  where you got no presents on Christmas Day  and he pulled himself out of that in a remarkable way. He really was the loveliest of men and very driven. So I was aware that things dont just get handed to you on a plate  you have to work for what you get in life.

She was at school in the Wirral first, then Milan when her father moved for work, and finally Haberdashers Askes in South London. I had a very happy, uncomplicated childhood. By the time I came along into my parents household Id say we were comfortable.

Fiona went on to read French and Italian at Oxford but attending one of the UKs premier universities was a culture shock. No one in my family had been to university. So it was a really big deal. Then on the first day I met a baroness and thought: What the hell is going on? Its like these people are from a different planet. I felt a real fish out of water and very chippy about the whole thing. Eventually I calmed down and realised I was overgeneralising and expressing my own prejudice about other people.

I felt like a fish out of water at oxford and very chippy about it

She joined a management company after university, before moving on to an advertising agency. Then a chance encounter with Panorama editor Tim Gardam, at a wedding in 1989, gave Fiona an opportunity to get into broadcasting. It was one she seized. I met Tim at the reception and I think he was rather surprised to get a call the next day to his office from this 24-year-old saying: Can I take you out to lunch? I pitched some stories and then I just kept reminding him I would very much like to work there. Eventually, months later, he said: Were interviewing for researchers, just come and see how you get on. Probably just to get rid of me. I think you make your own chances in life. Ive always felt Im driven. If I see an opportunity, Ill go for it.

She met her husband Nigel Sharrocks around this time when she was still working at an advertising agency and he was a director. Nigel moved on to become managing director of Warner Brothers, where he oversaw the release of more than 150 movies including the Harry Potter series. The couple married in Islington, North London, in 1994 and had their first child Sam four years later, while Fiona was a reporter on Newsnight. By the time her daughter Mia was born in 2001 she was presenting The Six OClock News and Crimewatch. Fiona chose to go back to work 16 days after the birth and felt she had to justify herself by saying publicly: Im not some mad career monster. Shes at a different point in her life now, though. We took our daughter to university on Sunday, she says, grimacing. When we dropped her off she was happy, so it felt easier. Also my son is working but living at home, so were not yet empty-nesting.

Fiona started hosting Antiques Roadshow in the late 90s and for the past decade has hunted down forgeries and hidden treasures with the art expert Philip Mould in Fake Or Fortune? She took home around 409,000 from the BBC last year, according to official figures, but that was still a touch less than her newsreading contemporary Huw Edwards, who doesnt have the other high-profile shows she has. Its getting there, but theres still lots of work to be done on the pay gap. God knows if we will get a satisfactory result even in my lifetime. Isnt this proof the BBC still has a problem with its gender pay gap?

Fiona and her husband Nigel Sharrocks at Wimbledon

Fiona was the first woman to present the News at Ten, a job that puts her into peoples living rooms. Its a very big close-up. Emotions sometimes show: particularly after the Grenfell fire or reports from hospitals in the frontline during the Covid crisis. You need to tread a line between not getting in the way of the story and not being a robot. And the news does still get to her. Yesterday I wept listening to testimony by the mother of Sarah Everard [who was abducted and murdered by a serving police officer]. Who wouldnt? If Id had to read that on the news I would have struggled. I would have had to rehearse it to make sure my throat didnt catch.

Question Time is another huge job. When the audience comes back I will kiss every single one of them, whether they like it or not, she said before the start of the latest series, after a year without them because of Covid. So did she? That would probably constitute some kind of assault, she says, smiling. But Im thrilled that they have turned up and were doing the programme in this way. Its massive. When you have the people in the room, its an event. You can feel the atmosphere, hear the laughter, the clapping, the intakes of breath, the disapproval The panel and I feed off that.

The first episode back featured the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, which the minister James Cleverly failed to address. A woman shouted from the back: Shame on you: youre not answering the question at all. She had a real go at him. I remember thinking: The audience is back! Here we go It was a brilliant moment.

Im listening to this and wondering how it works in her private life. Does she sit back and listen at a dinner party or pitch in with her own political takes? It is the belief of the BBC that one has to strive to be neutral when reporting the news. That is baked into me like words through a stick of rock. I have not expressed political opinions to my friends or my family for years. Seriously? Not even in private? When my children were growing up I never did, in case they blurted out something innocently at school. It was like this omerta [vow of silence] that I imposed upon myself.

That is extraordinary. Would she stay neutral even if they were talking about hospitals and a loved one had been on a waiting list for a very long time? I absolutely would. To do otherwise would be an abuse of my position. Shes adamant. Its quite clear where Im coming from if I start doing that.

After poking around in her psyche for a bit I really do think this is who Fiona Bruce is: a conservative with a small c who is always looking for the middle ground, by instinct and by training. It goes all the way back past the BBC to school days, when she had to work out how to get by with the international students in Milan or the posh kids at Oxford. But wheres the fire in her? A big clue comes when I ask if theres anyone she would not have back to Question Time. The answer is not one of the obvious controversialists like Nigel Farage or Lawrence Fox. There was an actor whose name I forget, whos been in The Lord of The Rings. Thats put him in his place. Was it John Rhys-Davies, who she challenged for being rude to the Green MP Caroline Lucas? Yeah, he called her woman.

Foina with her daughter Mia

Actually, he went much further than that, slamming the desk with both hands and bellowing, Oh, woman! in exasperation at something she said about Donald Trump. Fiona hated that. My great regret is that I didnt go after him and say: Actually, her name is Caroline. I wouldnt have him back.

It must be so stressful, mediating a show that sometimes feels it could tip over into a proper fight. So what does she do to let off steam? If Im feeling stressed about something and Ive got a lot on I find going for a run makes me feel a bit better. Theres something else too. I started horse riding very late in life. I will always be pretty rubbish, but I love it.

Now, at last, Ive found her secret passion. Fionas face lights up again when she talks about this, and not in the way it did with the agony column. It takes me to a different place. I cant think about anything else when Im doing it. I love being around horses. I love the speed. I love being outdoors.

So next time the scrapping on Question Time is at its fiercest, see whether you can catch a glimpse of that in her eyes: Fiona Bruce on horseback, far from the fray, riding like the wind.

Question Time is on BBC One every Thursday at 10.35pm.

Picture director: Ester Malloy.

Stylist: Sorrel Kinder.

Make-up: Barrie Griffith using guerlain.

Hair: Narad Kutowaroo at Carol Hayes Management using GHD.
Australians have reacted with horror after protestors paraded a gallows with three nooses through the streets of Melbourne.

Thousands of 'freedom' protesters stormed the CBD to demonstrate against mandatory vaccinations and Daniel Andrews' proposed pandemic laws.

Among the crowd of angry demonstrators was a large makeshift gallows hanging three nooses on a long pole - possibly a reference to their 'kill the bill' chants.

The image caused a stir on social media with one commentator saying they felt 'genuinely scared' of those carrying the outrageous prop.

Among the crowds of angry 'pro choice' demonstrators was a large makeshift gallows that hung three nooses made from rope on a long pole.

Someone in the crowd is carrying a fake gallows with three nooses hanging from it @theage pic.twitter.com/xq3curnWAF  Rachael Dexter (@rachael_dexter) November 13, 2021

'This was taken today at the Melbourne protest,' they wrote alongside the photo.

'I'm now genuinely scared of what these people are going to do. This is not ok.'

Another user posted photos of a protester's sign that read 'Unvaxxed sperm is the next bitcoin' and another of a smiling couple posing in front of the noose.

'For context, this in Melbourne yesterday where local RWNJ (right wing nut job) gatecrashed Trumps runaway win at the inaugural noose tying state champs,' he captioned the images.

Media commentator Mike Carlton tweeted the noose had made his stomach churn.

'A truly disgusting sight to see in an Australian street,' he wrote.

The terrifying image has since caused a stir on social media with one commentator saying they felt 'genuinely scared' of those carrying the despicable prop

One social media user compiled a list of things he trusted more than the Victorian premier

Journalist Bianca Hall replied to his tweet: 'We ran into the people carrying the mock gallows while walking our kids back to the car during a trip into the city buying them new shoes.

'I can't tell you how filled with rage I was. "Mummy? What's that?"'

'Trump flags and three noose effigy is shocking to the senses. A 20 minute train ride to Melbourne in a carriage full of them, unmasked, angry, intimidating. Left me shocked,' a second user responded.

'This is totally unacceptable, having hangman noose's paraded through the streets of Melbourne is beyond disgusting, Victoria Police need to find & jail these inhumane RW marches ASAP,' another agreed.

Another man described the demonstrators as 'noose-carrying monsters' and said seeing the protest convinced him to get vaccinated.

'I got coerced, my first jab today. Saw the Melbourne protests and did not want anyone thinking I'm linked to those noose-carrying monsters,' he wrote.

A photo of a male attendee proudly holding a tiny handmade noose was also criticised on social media and accused of preceding domestic terrorism.

One protestor held a sign that read 'Unvaxxed sperm is the next bitcoin' (pictured)

A photo of a male attendee proudly holding a tiny handmade noose was also criticised on social media and accused of preceding domestic terrorism (pictured)

'Whether or not this particular person thinks he's just being funny, this is the precursor to domestic terrorism (not necessarily by him); we can choose to take it seriously or not. America did not,' one user wrote.

'You let this kind of thing slide as "freedom of expression", and much worse things happen down the track,' another agreed.

However, some social media users shockingly praised the demonstrators' antics and appeared unperturbed by the presence of the makeshift noose.

'How good is that, Dan can't even walk the streets, now he has to have security full time,' one woman wrote on Facebook.

'Not surprised at all really. Victoria's mental health has been pushed to the limits by Andrews,' another commented.

'It will continue and probably get worse until the government listens,' a third added.

Former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian slammed the deplorable prop on Twitter (pictured) and said if people weren't appalled by the image they were 'part of the problem'

A man addresses the crowds gathered outside the State Parliament on Saturday (pictured)

'Freedom of choice. Nobody should be forced to have a trial drug that's been proven it doesn't work. Nobody deserves to loose their job because of it.

'Threatening someone's health and means of survival by forcing an experimental vaccine is only going to create chaos.'

Covid-19 vaccines have been proven to protect people from getting severely ill or dying if they contract the virus by training the body's immune system to recognise and clear out the virus.

The demonstrators marched through the city shouting 'kill the bill' on Saturday while carrying flags and provocative banners targeting the premier.

One man's sign depicted Andrews wearing a Nazi officer's uniform and cap, another showed him as a gremlin and others simply displayed his face above words including 'liar' and 'scum'.

Families and young children were among the crowd chanting 'sack Dan Andrews' as they headed for Victorian State Parliament.

Thousands of 'Pro-choice' and anti-vax protesters marched through showers to register their opposition to mandatory vaccination and a proposed expansion of the premier's powers

Premier Dan Andrews was the obvious target of hundreds of signs and banners and stunts, which ranged from amusing to dramatic to sick

'Pro-choice' protestors, including one in a horror movie mask, flooded Melbourne streets displaying protest banners and even a fake gallows to protest the Andrews government on Saturday

Protestors in Melbourne today carried aggressive messages and signs directed at Victorian premier Dan Andrews

At Parliament House on Spring Street, the crowd was confronted with a line of Victorian mounted police.

Many of the demonstrators claimed they were not anti-vax, just opposed to Victorians being forced to get vaccinated.

Many others appeared supportive of popular conspiracy theories too.

Some carried obvious anti-vax messages, others bore anarchy insignia, attacked major media in their signs.

One man, who wore an Akubra and the flag as a cape, proudly displayed an 'Infowars' t-shirt in reference to discredited American extremist Alex Jones.

The law the 'kill the bill' signs refers to would give the premier the power to make pandemic 'declarations' which could be extended by three-months at a time - for as long as he deemed necessary.

Many held signs, some of which read 'coercion is not consent' and 'Dan is the virus'.

The huge crowd was in the thousands - estimated as much as 20,000 by rogue MP Craig Kelly, who gave a dramatic speech

The demonstration was organised under the 'Rise Up Melbourne' banner and planned in an encrypted Telegram chat group

The crowd was mixed between 'pro-choice' marchers opposed to forced Covid-19 vaccinations, anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists

Thousands of protestors took to the streets to demonstrate against mandatory vaccinations and new laws set to be introduced by Victorian premier Daniel Andrews

Other messages included 'the ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves it children'.

The demonstration was organised under the 'Rise Up Melbourne' banner, the Herald Sun reported.

One protester, Mark, who claimed to be fully-vaccinated, said he attended because he was 'pro-choice'.

'I just want there to be options and for nothing to be forced on us,' he said.

Organisers directed plans via an encrypted Telegram group, instructing marchers to 'bring signs, megaphones and flag'.

Protestors gathered in Melbourne at the State Library to march towards State Parliament with Premier Dan Andrews and proposed Victorian government laws in their sights

Rogue MP Craig Kelly attended and claimed 20,000 were at the Melbourne march. On Friday he posted 'end the tyranny' referring to proposed Victorian laws

The huge crowd carried signs attacking the media as well as Dan Andrews

Controversial anti-vax MP Craig Kelly, of the United Australia Party, travelled from Sydney to attend.

In a speech to the crowd he said the public was 'in the face of tyranny and corruption'.

'I have decided to take a stand like many of you have here today  I hear you,' he told the crowd.

'We are no longer governed for the people or by the people.

'I stand with all those who stand for freedom.'

Earlier Kelly encouraged people to attend via Twitter, posting 'We must stop this tyranny'.

Kelly regularly tweeted during the march, claiming up to 20,000 people were present.
The Mail on Sundays exclusive revelation that an aide to the Prince of Wales offered to help a Saudi billionaire obtain a knighthood and British citizenship in exchange for generous cash donations will form the basis of police inquiries, The Mail on Sunday has learned.

Michael Fawcett dramatically resigned as chief executive of The Princes Foundation last week  more than two months after the MoS published the contents of a damning letter.

In it, Mr Fawcett said the Royal charity would be happy and willing to use its influence to help businessman Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz, who had donated thousands of pounds.

On August 18, 2017, Mr Fawcett wrote to Busief Lamlum, an aide to Dr Bin Mahfouz, saying: In light of the ongoing and most recent generosity of His Excellency I am happy to confirm to you, in confidence, that we are willing and happy to support and contribute to the application for Citizenship.

Michael Fawcett dramatically resigned as chief executive of The Princes Foundation last week  more than two months after the MoS published the contents of a damning letter

I can further confirm that we are willing to make [an] application to increase His Excellencys honour from Honorary CBE to that of KBE in accordance with Her Majestys Honours Committee.

The sheikh received an honorary CBE for services to charity from Prince Charles in a private Buckingham Palace ceremony in 2016.

Yet in a letter obtained by the MoS, which will now form the basis for police inquiries, Mr Fawcett makes a direct link between Dr Bin Mahfouzs incoming financial support and the support he will get in return for the knighthood and citizenship application.

Writing on headed notepaper in his then capacity as chief executive of the Dumfries House Trust, Mr Fawcett said: Both of these applications will be made in response to the most recent and anticipated support [of] The Trust, and in connection with his ongoing commitment generally within the United Kingdom. I hope that this confirmation is sufficient in allowing us to go forward.

Within hours of The Mail on Sunday contacting the Foundation about the existence of the letter, Mr Fawcett announced that he was stepping aside.

An independent inquiry was launched by the charity, but last week it was confirmed that he would not return to his 95,000- a-year post and had been replaced permanently by chief operating officer Emily Cherrington.

Prince Charles touring the Granary Accommodation, with Lord Thurso (pictured left) and Michael Fawcett (right) in 2019

A spokesman for The Princes Foundation confirmed that Mr Fawcett had resigned as chief executive, and said its inquiry, led by an external firm of forensic accountants, was ongoing.

Friends of Mr Fawcett say he is fragile and in a bad way after stepping down, having served the Royal Family for 40 years.

The Prince of Waless former valet became one of Charless most trusted advisers. His wife Debbie, who buys gifts on behalf of Charles, will leave her role in January.

A spokesman for Dr Bin Mahfouz said he had never sought to request or influence arrangements regarding citizenship or a knighthood with Mr Fawcett or anyone connected to the Prince or his Foundation.

The Mail on Sunday understands that while a full investigation is yet to be launched, initial inquiries were well under way.

Former Minister Norman Baker has urged Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick to set up a full investigation. A Met spokesman said: Officers are carrying out an assessment of the information within the letter and are making initial inquiries.
The Queen will this year face her first Christmas without Prince Philip by her side.

But The Mail on Sunday has established that the monarch will also be without four key staff members, who have left Sandringham in what courtiers called the end of an era.

A loyal housekeeper recently retired after 32 years, and in the past two months three other members of staff, all friends, have quit. A source said: Theres been an exodus. Theres an end-of-an-era feeling after the Duke passed away. The household will have to fill those roles quickly as Christmas is the busiest time of year at Sandringham.

The Queen visited the private estate in Norfolk earlier this month to check on her horses in the company of John Warren, her trusted bloodstock manager. She stayed at Wood Farm, a cottage where Philip made his home in his latter years.

The Mail on Sunday has established that the Queen will be without four key staff members this Christmas after they left Sandringham in what courtiers called the end of an era

Every Christmas, the rest of the family descend for a traditional Christmas Eve dinner in the main house at Sandringham. On Christmas morning, the Royal Family are seen attending church together. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stay at their home in nearby Anmer Hall, while the rest of the family stay in the house.

It is thought the Royal Family have issued an open invitation to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to visit over Christmas, but it is not known if they have accepted.

A source close to the family said: The Queen has made it clear she wants to see Archie again and to meet Lilibet, who she has not yet had the chance to meet. In spite of everything, they are still very much seen as part of the family.

The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Sussex and the Duke of Sussex arriving to attend the Christmas Day morning church service in Sandringham in 2020

The Queen is expected to attend todays annual Remembrance Sunday service. A spokesman said: The Queen will view the service from the balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office building. A wreath will be laid on her behalf by the Prince of Wales.

Last night, the Queen was absent from the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. In her absence, the event was attended by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

Buckingham Palace last night declined to comment on staff departures.
Antifa members who support BLM clashed with a group of far-right protesters rallying against vaccine mandates outside of Gracie Mansion in New York City on Saturday night.

'F*** Antifa,' members of group America First - also known as Groypers - shouted while wearing blue hats and carrying flags donning 'America First.'

They were protesting against the city's Covid-19 mandate. Outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio recently revealed that he's considering requiring children aged five to 11 to show proof of vaccination once enough have gotten their shots.

The idea infuriated parents - many who have expressed severe hesitancy about giving their children shots and noting the low Covid rate among children - and anti-vaxxers alike.

While Mayor-elect Eric Adams hinted that he'll reverse De Blasio's widely-criticized vaccine mandate when he takes office on January 1, it didn't stop the fired-up groups from protesting outside the mayor's residence.

Antifa members (right) clashed with white supremacist group America First (left) while rallying against vaccine mandates outside of Gracie Mansion in New York City on Saturday night

Multiple Proud Boys can be seen flipping off a counter-demonstrator, while another shoves a rosary into counter-demonstrators' faces exclaiming, "Accept Christ as your lord and savior! Accept Christ! Accept him!" pic.twitter.com/oOTKLPVuvX  Karla (@KarlaCotePhoto) November 14, 2021

Videos circulating social media gave a glimpse of the clashing protests, where Groypers were seen chanting: 'F*** Antifa!'

The Groypers, which Antifa referred to as the Groyper Army - was led by far-right activist and internet influencer Nick Fuentes (pictured), who ran a podcast titled America First. The audio show was cancelled after the internet influencer attended the Capitol riot

Conservative members wore blue hats and carried flags donning 'America First'

'We need to revisit how we address the vaccine mandates. What I'm going to encourage him to do is to sit down with the unions. We can work this out,' Adams said during an appearance on MSNBC's Morning Joe last week.

The Groypers, which Antifa referred to as the Groyper Army - was led by far-right activist and internet influencer Nick Fuentes.

Fuentes headed a podcast titled America First where he openly supported closing America's borders to immigrants and opposed 'liberal' values such as feminism and LGBTQ+ rights, according to Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) website.

But he had his audio show banned after he attended the January 6 Capitol riot and has since also been kicked off YouTube, Twitter, Reddit, TikTok, Spotify and Venmo for violating hate speech terms.

In videos circulating social media the high-pitched sirens counter-demonstrators planted to drown out the shouting can be heard in the background but they appeared to have little effect.

In another clip, a Groyper donning a shirt that read: 'I will not comply' above an image of a broken needle was seen repeatedly yelling an Antifa member: 'This is my city, p****.'

'Do something about it,' an off-camera voice said in response as the Groyper continued to call the man a 'f****t.'

More clashing between Nick Fuentes and BLM outside Protest held at Gracie Mansion In NYC #NYC #BreakingNews #NoVaccineMandates pic.twitter.com/ZPlBAPNR3p  Leeroy Johnson (@LeeroyPress) November 13, 2021

Fuentes addressed members of the far-right during the protest against De Blasio's vaccine mandate

Hundreds of Groypers - formally known as America First members - protested outside of Gracie Mansion, the governor's residence

Fuentes was seen shouting shouting with one of his supporters and holding up their middle fingers. Other members held Fuentes back, presumably to avoid a physical altercation

Many Groypers held crucifixes and wrapped rosary beads around their fists as they punched the air and as they chanted: 'Christ is king!'

Unmasked NYPD officers stood in a line to separate the group from the opposing Antifa members

In yet another video Fuentes was seen shouting in a man on the opposing side's face and holding up his middle fingers. Other members held Fuentes back, presumably to avoid a physical altercation.

Many members also held crucifixes and wrapped rosary beads around their fists as they punched the air and as they chanted: 'Christ is king!'

ADL's website described Groypers: 'Like the alt-right and other White supremacists, Groypers believe they are working to defend against demographic and cultural changes that are destroying the "true America - a White, Christian nation."'

However, Saturday night's events are just the latest in a string of anti-vaccine protests across the Big Apple.

Two weeks ago NYC firefighters and anti-vaxx demonstrators rallied outside De Blasio's residence to protest his vaccine mandate ahead of the city's October 28 deadline for city workers to get the shot.

During the protest at Gracie Mansion FDNY union members reiterated the catastrophic consequences of a possible shortage of firefighters and EMS personnel, predicting a 20 percent drop in staff.

Around 160,000 municipal employees, including cops, firefighters, and sanitation workers, rallied outside De Blasio's residence to protest his vaccine mandate ahead of the city's October 28 deadline for city workers to get the shot

Protestors held up American flags and one placard readd: 'F*** your mandate'

UFA President Andrew Ansbro spoke to hundreds of city workers at the rally outside Gracie Mansion

Around 160,000 municipal employees, including cops, firefighters and sanitation workers, had until 5pm the day of the deadline to get the jab or face being placed on leave without pay.

Meanwhile, De Blasio said he was 'not having second thoughts,' about the mandate during a Covid-19 press briefing. 'We expected that a lot of the vaccinations would happen toward the end of the deadline. We also know a lot of people make the decision once they really realize that they're not going to get paid. That's just the human reality.'

Despite union leaders' remarks that the rally was not political nor anti-vaccine - just anti-mandate - some marchers held banners with racist rhetoric.

Andrew Ansbro, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, said that his members felt 'insulted' by Mayor De Blasio's order, and warned that firehouses would have to close.

'I have told my members that if they choose to remain unvaccinated, they must still report for duty,' Ansbro told a news conference last month.

'If they are told they cannot work, it will be the department and city of New York that sends them home. And it will be the department and the city of New York that has failed to protect the citizens of New York,' he added.
A police investigation has been launched into allegations that a school board president kept a secret online dossier with the personal information of parents who oppose Critical Race theory and mask mandates.

The Scottsdale Police Department said in a statement Saturday that it was 'aware of the allegations against Scottsdale Unified School District President Jann-Michael Greenburg.'

'We are conducting an investigation into the matter and will report our findings once it is complete,' the department said.

The shocking dossier, which included details such as Social Security numbers, financial information and divorce records of parents, came to light after Greenburg accidentally shared a link to the file with a mom.

School district officials had announced Friday that the district will hire an outside forensic investigator to see if any school resources were utilized in the creation of the Google Drive folders on certain parents.

Scottsdale Unified School District President Jann-Michael Greenburg (left) now faces a police investigation into allegations he had access to a secret dossier on parents. Scottsdale Police Chief Jeff Walther is seen right

Scottsdale's school board (above) is also hiring an outside investigator to probe whether district resources were used in creating the dossier

Greenburg, a 27-year-old business executive and attorney, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com on Saturday.

It was not immediately clear what charges could potentially be brought in the case, although Arizona has laws restricting the use and dissemination of personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers.

In a statement, Superintendent Scott Menzel said the private dossier was allegedly created by the father of Greenburg 'and shared by the latter.'

Menzel stressed that the district was not involved with the dossier, and he said no information from student records were in the folders.

He said that board members would only have access to student information if they are overseeing discipline cases.

Tensions between parents and school leadership have run high across the country in recent months, with heated debates over curriculums, school reopenings and mask and vaccine mandates.

In Scottsdale, the secret dossier tied to Greenburg, which was reviewed at length by DailyMail.com, appeared to be an attempt to collect damaging information on parents who opposed CRT, mask mandates and remote learning policies.

Some of this information was then crafted into meme-like images, with rambling text disclosing purportedly embarrassing personal or financial information.

Amy Carney, who is calling for Greenburg's resignation, speaks on behalf of parents during a protest last May against critical race theory being taught at Scottsdale schools

Scottsdale moms Amy Carney (left) and Michelle Dillard (right) spoke out on Friday, after the school board president's secret dossier on them and other mothers was revealed

The district blames Greenburg's father Mark, who shares a home and computer with his son, for creating the bizarre dossier, and the school board president has denied involvement, vowing an investigation by 'forensic IT staff'.

Scottsdale Unified is one of the largest suburban school districts in metro Phoenix. It serves most of Scottsdale as well as parts of Phoenix, Paradise Valley and Tempe.

Like many school boards nationwide, Scottsdale's has clashed with some parents over coronavirus-related policies.

One parent targeted in the dossier, Amy Carney, appeared in an interview with Fox News on Friday alongside fellow mom Michelle Dillard to voice outrage over the scandal.

'This latest scandal in Scottsdale just shows -- is proof -- who the label domestic terrorist really belongs to. It's not the parents,' said Carney, who is running for a position on the school board next year.

'Parents are so disappointed by the district trying to deflect what was going on,' Carney said of the district letter responding to the scandal. 'That was just for damage control, but I mean we really need the district to step up and send out an apology and let us know they are investigating this.'

'We are calling for the resignation of this president because parents felt threatened, they felt endangered and this is not something the district can just brush to the side,' Carney added.

The drive contains a disorganized collection of hundreds of screenshots of Facebook posts, memes mocking parents, and an investigative background report on certain parents

Another parent, Amanda Wray, told AZFamily.com a fellow parent noticed a link to the Google Drive in a computer screenshot attached to an email from Greenburg.

She says they found folders on nearly 50 parents. Each had background information like divorce decrees, Social Security numbers and property records.

Hundreds of parents and other community members have signed a petition calling for Greenburg to resign his elected seat on the board.

The existence of the Scottsdale dossier first came to light when Jann-Michael Greenburg apparently sent a screenshot of a Facebook conversation to area resident Kim Stafford, accusing her of anti-Jewish sentiment.

Stafford dismissed the accusation in a reply, saying that Greenburg had read the conversation out of order and misinterpreted her post accusing someone else of anti-Islamic sentiment.

However, the mom noticed that at the top of the screenshot, a Google Drive address was visible, and when she entered the address into her browser, found that the cloud drive was publicly accessible.

The drive has since been set to private, but a copy of its contents has been reviewed by DailyMail.com.

The link to the Google Drive was accidentally made public when Greenburg shared this screenshot with a parent, who discovered that the drive was public

The sprawling drive contains folders with names including 'SUSD Wackos,' 'Press Conference Psychos' and 'Anti Mask Lunatics.'

It contains a disorganized collection of hundreds of screenshots of Facebook posts and conversations in Facebook groups dedicated to the Scottsdale school system, with the apparent theme of tracking the political sentiments of various parents.

Some of the files include memes mocking certain parents, PTA leaders and local elected officials.

Disturbingly, the drive also contains a background report that appears to have been generated by a private investigator, which includes personal details such as financial and criminal records of parents.

Among the files are bodycam videos that appear to have been filmed by Mark Greenburg, the school board president's father, as he rides his motorcycle.

In one video, Mark Greenburg is heard confiding with friendly parents in the parking lot of a school, apparently before a school board meeting.

'Somewhere around here, we have a private investigator, who's writing down all their plates,' he can be heard saying.

'That you've hired?' asks one of the allied moms.

'Yeah, I did. Yeah. I had our law firm do it so that it's protected. So that we can get the information,' Mark Greenburg is heard saying.

Mark Greenburg was listed as the owner of the original Google Drive, and Jann-Michael Greenburg had editing access, according to Independent Newsmedia.

In a phone interview with the outlet, Jann-Michael Greenburg furiously denied that he was behind the sprawling dossier.

'I categorically deny having anything to do with any of this. If you are going to claim in a story right now, that I had anything to do with this, I would argue that crosses the line,' Jann-Michael said, while his father was also on the call.

'We are going to have forensic IT staff look into this and figure out what that is. You can file with law enforcement.'

Asked if his father had access to the Google Drive, he replied: 'I am not my father's keeper.'

'I think that has been made clear previously,' he added, apparently referring to his father's creation of a parody website targeting a former SUSD board member.

'I have been sent screenshots on what is done on [a parent's Facebook group]. I have been sent videos, and, yes, from parents, including my own father,' he said.

'Yes, people send me emails and text messages, but I don't store them and I don't know who stores them if that is what you are asking.'

Jann-Michael Greenburg has filed to run for re-election in November 2022.
ABC chair Ita Buttrose has unleashed a scathing attack accusing Scott Morrison's government of 'political interference' and 'intimidation'.

Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg launched an Senate inquiry into the complaints handling processes at the national broadcaster and SBS on Thursday following alleged 'public concerns' about current procedures.

It comes just weeks after the ABC commissioned its first independent review in 12 years into its in-house complaints process.

Buttrose hit back with a furious statement on Sunday, claiming the Senate inquiry was a 'blatant attempt to usurp the role of the broadcaster's board and undermine its operational independence'.

ABC chair Ita Buttrose (pictured) has accused the Morrison government of 'political interference' and 'intimidation'.

'This is an act of political interference designed to intimidate the ABC and mute its role as this country's most trusted source of public interest journalism,' she wrote.

'Any incursion of this kind into the ABC's independence should be seen by Australians for what it is: an attempt to weaken the community's trust in the public broadcaster.'

'If politicians determine the operation of the national broadcaster's complaints system, they can influence what is reported by the ABC.'

Buttrose wrote that the broadcaster's independent review was well underway and already interviewed Senator Bragg.

'I will leave it to Senator Bragg to explain his motives, but the impact of this action is clear. As chair of the ABC board I am duty-bound to call out any action that seeks to undermine the independence of the national broadcaster,' she said

'A fundamental democratic principle underpinning the ABC has been its independence from interference by those motivated by political outcomes.

Senator Andrew Bragg (pictured) will lead an Senate inquiry into the complaints handling processes at the national broadcaster and SBS

'Politicians, like all citizens, are welcome to criticise anything they find wrong or objectionable that is published by the ABC but they cannot be allowed to tell the ABC what it may or may not say.'

Buttrose ended the lengthy statement by calling on the Senate to terminate or suspend the inquiry until the independent process commissioned by the ABC board was completed, when parliament resumed later in November.

Senator Bragg announced the Senate inquiry into the ABC and SBS last week, claiming public concerns were raised over the current system.

'As a strong supporter of the ABC, I am worried that complaints are not being seriously addressed and this is undermining the organisation,' he said.

'If mistakes are made, Australians expect the national broadcaster to swiftly resolve them.

'Having made extensive complaints myself, I am concerned this is not the case.'

Ita Buttrose claimed a new Senate inquiry into the broadcaster is a 'blatant attempt to usurp the role of the ABC board'

The Senate's Environment and Communications Committee will take submissions and hold public hearings in the coming months, with the committee due to report by the end of next February.

The ABC will also seek public submissions for its own 'rigorous and thorough' review with findings will be released by the broadcaster two months later in April.

Opposition Labor's communications spokeswoman Michelle Rowland vowed to defend the national broadcaster.

'This Senate inquiry has nothing to do with improving the national broadcasters and everything to do with the Morrison Government's aversion to scrutiny and accountability,' she said.
Police are desperately trying to track down a woman who allegedly fled a hotel quarantine facility by dodging security guards and racing down a fire escape.

The mystery woman entered South Australia on a flight from Darwin at about 2.45pm on Saturday before being taken to the Pullman medi-hotel on Hindmarsh Square in Adelaide, where she was required to remain for 14 days.

Assistant Commissioner Craig Patterson said shortly after arriving at 7.45pm, she made a run for it - becoming the third person to allegedly breach South Australia's Covid quarantine system since August.

It was later claimed by police that the driver's licence she was travelling on was a fake.

Police are desperately trying to track down a woman (pictured on CCTV) who they accuse of fleeing a hotel quarantine facility by dodging security guards and climbing down a fire escape

The alleged escape was captured on CCTV and witnessed by a member of security on the ground floor at the exit, but the guard was unable to stop her, police say.

Assistant Commissioner Patterson explained that security guards 'don't actually have any authority to go hands-on and stop the person' as the medi-hotels are 'not a prison'.

CCTV cameras allegedly captured the woman, who tested negative for coronavirus, getting into a taxi at the nearby intersection of Pulteney Street and Rundle Mall.

The driver dropped her to a block of flats in Keswick in the southwest of the city.

The mystery woman entered South Australia on a flight from Darwin at about 2:45pm on Saturday before being taken to the Pullman medi-hotel on Hindmarsh Square in Adelaide (pictured), where she was required to remain for 14 days

The woman, who has dark hair, was last wearing a tan-coloured dress with thongs and a black handbag.

Anyone with any information about her identity or whereabouts is urged to contact police immediately.

The incidents comes after two highly-publicised breaches of the public health orders in the state.

One month earlier a woman, 18, and a man, 22, were arrested after they were allegedly caught in the same room of a medi-hotel in Adelaide.

In August, a New South Wales man was sentenced to 14 days in prison for skipping out on hotel quarantine to go out for a beer at a nearby pub.
They were truly offal scenes.

Two Coalition politicians had to be pulled apart from a gutsy battle on the floor of NSW Parliament over a cheap jibe about chopped liver.

The giblets jab came as Liberal MP Shayne Mallard hailed the work of the Raise The Warragamba Dam Wall committee - but overlooked Nationals MP Wes Fang.

The offcut omission sparked a visceral reaction from Mr Fang, who demanded: 'What am I? Am I chopped liver, mate?'

Government Whip Mallard, 57, charged over to Mr Fang to deliver his own galling response before returning to his chair.

The allegedly jaundiced comments were not picked up by Hansard, the official record of Parliamentary proceedings.

The giblets jab came as Liberal MP Shayne Mallard hailed the work of the Raise The Warragamba Dam Wall committee - but overlooked Nationals MP Wes Fang (pictured).

But witnesses to the innards workings of Parliament told the Daily Telegraph that Mr Fang, 44, was left shellshocked for several minutes by the remarks.

Rather than let the foie gras faux pas lie though, he was then seen pacing back over to Mr Mallard's chair to confront him with more hepatic feedback.

It took the intervention of Women's Minister Bronnie Taylor physically stepping in between the pair to bring an end to the bilious rage.

Although there was no official account of the cirrhotic clash, One Nation NSW Upper House MP Mark Latham made sure the tripe was reported on Twitter.

Government Whip Shayne Mallard, 57, (pictured) charged over to Mr Fang to deliver his own galling response before returning to his seat

'Heading in to NSW upper house today, looking forward to Mallard v Fang, Round 2,' he posted.

'I'm not used to these rough-house parliamentary brawlers, and had expected the LC to be quite genteel.

'My money's on Fire-Up Fang, who looks to have a reach advantage over The (Mallard) Duck.'

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party MP Mark Banasiak piped in with a gif of WWE wrestlers slapping each other and posted: 'Bit of excitement in the house last night.

'[Fang and Mallard] squaring up to each other off camera. Had to be dragged outside the chamber. Dramatic re-enactment below.'

Mr Fang joined in the kidneying around and tweeted back :'Come on Mallard still has his teeth this morning. Clearly, I wasnt trying

'To be fair, there was no Round 1 if there was, I assure you there would be no need for a Round 2!'

He later added: 'We wont tolerate being disrespected by anyone, not even members on our own side of the chamber.'

Mr Mallard decided to show intestinal fortitude and chose not to get involved with the Twitter row.

Daily Mail Australia - the vital organ of news - has contacted him for comment.
A NYC firefighter who worked at Ground Zero on 9/11 is now putting in for retirement because he doesn't want a COVID vaccine, having already recovered from the virus.

Gary Debiase, 55, who served with Ladder 109 in Staten Island for 23-and-a-half years, told DailyMail.com that he still loves his job. But he added that outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio's edict forcing all municipal city workers to have the shot by November 1 forced him out.

Debiase told DailyMail.com: 'I wanna go back but I dont want a shot. Were in a position where we can go without for a few more weeks. Forcing someone to take a vaccine is coercion.

'Ill absolutely go back to work if they let me... Everybody is ready to work. Nobody wants to go home.'

'I wanna go back but I dont want a shot. Were in a position where we can go without for a few more weeks,' Debiase (pictured) told DailyMail.com. 'Forcing someone to take a vaccine is coercion'

'My wife and I are in a position where we could hold out a few weeks but after that I'm going to put in for my retirement and that's it.

'I don't want to retire. But they won't let me work. They're saying "you can't go to a school", "you can't go to a hospital", "you can't do this, you can't do that."'

Both he and his wife, Anna Rose Carpiento, a sonographer at public Bellevue Hospital, lost their city jobs after refusing the jab, and say they feel like they are being treated as 'second class citizens' because they're unvaccinated.

Speaking at an anti-vaccine mandate in Manhattan on Wednesday, Debiase told of stepping over dead bodies on the day of the 9/11 attacks: 'I was knee deep in ash, and the chief said if you step over anyone, see if theyre alive. If theyre not, leave them.

On September 12, 2001, he went straight back to work despite the apocalyptical scene he described.

But on Monday, he was sent home from his Staten Island firehouse when he didn't show up with a vaccine card in-hand.

Firefighters told DailyMail.com that at least 150 other retirement-age firefighters were spurred to hang up their gear for good.

As of today, 21 percent of New York's 11,000-strong fire department - approximately 2,310 people - are unvaccinated, and have been sent home.

That is a two per cent drop from the 23 percent of firefighters who hadn't been jabbed on Monday, suggesting that de Blasio's mandate is having some effect.

As of today, 21 percent of New York's 11,000-strong fire department - approximately 2,310 people - are unvaccinated, and have been sent home

It is unclear whether firefighters who have applied for exemptions due to religious and other concerns are included in that number - their claims are currently being processed by the city.

Firefighters said that the city of New York was asking those who opted out of vaccination due to their religion to provide their place of worship on paperwork, then calling those establishments to verify that they were indeed parishioners.

Debiase, a life-long Staten Island resident, told DailyMail.com that he would get the jab if it were a 'real vaccine' - one that would come with a guarantee that you wouldn't get sick - and fears the precedent that could be set by the city's mandate.

'In the end, if we don't win this fight, they will do whatever they want from now on,' he said amid a crowd of protestors at City Hall Park. 'Mandates will be the new norm - Now you do this, now you do that.'

Scientists insist COVID vaccines are safe and effective - although 'breakthrough' cases of the virus who've already had the jab have gone some way towards undermining public confidence in them.

Gary Debiase, 55 (pictured right), who served with L 109 for 23-and-a-half years told DailyMail.com of stepping over dead bodies on the day of the 9/11 attacks. He refuses to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and was sent home from work on Monday as a result. Anna Rose Carpiento, 54 (left) has been out of her job as a sonographer at Bellevue Hospital for five weeks after she, too, refused the jab. The pair said they felt like 'second-class citizens'

Debiase's wife, Bellevue Hospital sonographer Anna Rose Carpiento, hasn't been back to work for five weeks after refusing to comply with the mandate: 'I don't like anyone telling me what to do. I was never afraid of COVID in the first place.'

She is just three years off being able to retire, but now faces an uncertain future because of the vaccine mandates.

The pair said they had already contracted COVID-19 in August. Now, they said, they are 'second-class citizens' without a vaccine card in the city.

'You can't even sit down to eat. Are you kidding me? We made a sandwich at home because we can't even sit in any of these places, we'll eat it on the ferry on the way home.'

Since the mandate went into effect on Monday, the number of out-of-service firehouses each day has been difficult to ascertain. Union heads said at a Tuesday press conference that members of different firehouses were being 'shuffled around' to feign the impression that the majority of firehouses are operational.

On Wednesday, it was reported that 12 had closed, while on Thursday, this number is said to have dropped to 10, although Mayor de Blasio said the number had dropped as low as four.

'They can never get the media outside a firehouse saying "this fire house is closed," one firefighter told DailyMail.com.
An 11-year-old girl was the only survivor of a fatal plane crash on an island in Northern Lake Michigan that killed four on Saturday afternoon.

The unidentified girl - the daughter of one of the victims, Mike Perdue - is fighting for her life at McClaren Northern Michigan Hospital after a plane crashed on Beaver Island, authorities said.

Kate Lease and Adam Kendal were also killed in the crash. They had just moved to the island and were reportedly planning on opening a vineyard together called Antho Vineyards.

The couple referred to themselves as 'travelers-turned-farmers' on their social media profile.

The pilot killed in the crash has yet to be identified.

Kate Lease (right) and Adam Kendal (left) were two victims of Saturday's plane crash, which also killed Mike Perdue and the pilot, who has yet to be identified. Perdue's daughter, 11, was the only survivor

Two dogs were also killed in the crash. Lease and Kendal had two dogs (pictured), who they often shared photos of on social media, but it is unknown if their dogs were onboard the flight at the time of the accident

The Beaver Island Fire Department released a picture of the scene (above) after the plane crashed on its way into Welke Airport

The three were onboard an Island Airways passenger flight along with two dogs, who also died, when the plane crashed as it was flying from Beaver Island Airport in Charlevoix into Welke Airport, according to the Petosky News-Review.

Lease and Kendal had two dogs, who they often shared photos of on social media, but it is unknown if their dogs were onboard the flight at the time of the accident.

The Charlevoix County Sheriff's Office said that the plane took off at 1.32pm with the five passengers and crashed when nearing the airport at 1.47pm.

A Coast Guard helicopter was conducting training when they received the emergency alarm of the accident. They could reportedly see debris on the island and local medical teams already responding.

The helicopter airlifted two people to the hospital - a man and the 11-year-old girl. Only the youngster survived.

The Coast Guard said that officers were performing chest compressions on her while she was being rushed to the hospital. As of Saturday night her condition is unknown.

According to Island Airways, this is the first crash the airline has ever had.

The cause of the crash has yet to be determined and the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.

Another airline operating out of Beaver Island experienced a fatal crash on a foggy day in February 2001 when a pilot and passenger were killed when the plane landed in a thicket of trees nearly two miles short of the airport runway.

A mother and her three children survived and waited in the woods to be rescued, withstanding winter temperatures for more than 15 hours, according to the News-Review.
The attorney for the man accused of robbing and pushing an Asian woman onto the subway tracks in New York City's Times Square says he was acting in self-defense.

Carlos Ortiz, 32, was charged with assault after allegedly snatching the purse of a 36-year-old woman at the 42nd Street subway station on Friday afternoon and shoving her into the tracks.

Good Samaritans rescued the victim from the track and detained the Ortiz until police arrived to arrest him.

But during a court appearance on Saturday, Ortiz's attorney, Francis White of Legal Aid, told the court that witnesses assumed without evidence that Ortiz was a 'mugger' or 'snatcher,' and relayed that to police and the media, the New York Post reported.

'It seems the people have a very weak case,' White said.

White claimed instead that Ortiz was a 'victim' who was actually acting in self-defense against the woman who attacked him, a claim Assistant District Attorney Jacqueline Sudley said was supported by video evidence that appears to show the victim hitting Ortiz moments before he pushed her on the tracks.

'There is a video of the complainant assaulting or attempting to assault the defendant in the moments preceding the defendant pushing the complainant onto the subway tracks,' she said. 'There is also an eyewitness that stated the complainant was striking the defendant prior to the push.'

Carlos Ortiz, 32, pictured Saturday in court, is accused of snatching the purse of a 36-year-old woman at the 42nd Street subway station on Friday afternoon and shoving her into the tracks

His lawyer says he was acting in self-defense

The victim was rescued from the tracks by Good Samaritans. She is pictured with a bandage around her head and blood on her face

A request for Ortiz to be freed on supervised release was denied by Judge Robert Rosenthal, who set his bail at $5,000 cash and $30,000 bond, the Post reported.

The incident came less than three days after a man was accosted by a group of teenagers, who slashed him in the face and stabbed him in the neck just steps away from Times Square.

The stabbing took place before dawn on Wednesday at the corner of West 42nd Street and Eighth Avenue.

The victim was taken to a hospital in stable condition. No arrests have been announced in connection with that case.

The incident took place on the uptown R train platform in Times Square on Friday (pictured)

An FDNY truck is pictured outside the busy subway hub in Times Square

Overall crime in New York City continues to steadily grow

New York City continues to be in the throes of a massive crime surge, even as it welcomes back international tourists after the U.S. ended its 20-month COVID travel restrictions.

Visitors from 33 countries, including the UK, Russia and China, can now travel to the US provided they are fully vaccinated, a landmark moment in New York's bid to recover economically from the pandemic.

About 8.5 million foreign tourists are expected to visit New York in 2022.

The latest data show that felony assaults went up 8.3 percent compared to the same time last year. Robberies have gone up 2.1 percent, and transit crime spiked nearly 14 percent during the same time period.

While murders dropped 2.4 percent and shootings decreased 1.3 per cent, overall crime is still up 1.73 percent from last year.
A Black Lives Matter activist ended up walking out of an interview on Fox News on Saturday night after refusing to answer questions about rioting and vandalism linked to his group, and his promise of more riots in New York City if the incoming mayor doesn't cooperate.

Hawk Newsome, who is co-founder of BLM in New York City, was asked by host Dan Bongino for his stance on violence linked to the group's protests in recent years and a threat he made earlier in the week as he claimed new policing plans for New York City by incoming Mayor Eric Adams would trigger 'riots and bloodshed' in the streets.

'Do you condemn rioting and burning down buildings?' Bongino asked during the interview.

'No. What I'll say is, I understand when a police officer unjustifiably kills someone, why people lash out. I understand that completely,' Newsome said. 'I'm not going to condemn, nor am I going to condone it.'

Bongino did not appear happy with the answer and pushed once again, asking Newsome if his comment was 'cowardly.'

The two continued to butt heads, with Newsome at one point saying Bongino was 'trying to bait' him before removing his audio wire and ending the interview.

Saturday's interview came following a speech Newsome made on Wednesday outside Brooklyn Borough Hall, which saw him deliver some harsh words for the incoming mayor, should he go through with his plans to reinstate the NYPD's plainclothes cop units.

Hawk Newsome, right, who is co-founder of BLM in New York City was asked by Fox News host Dan Bongino, left, about his stance on violence linked to the group's protests in recent years

'If he thinks that they're going to go back to the old ways of policing, then we are going to take to the streets again. There will be riots, there will be fire and there will be bloodshed because we believe in defending our people,' Newsome told reporters earlier in the week

Hawk Newsome (pictured) told reporters last week 'There will be riots. There will be fire, and there will be bloodshed,' if Mayor-elect Eric Adams reinstates the NYPD's anti-crime units

BLM Greater New York Chapter co-founder Hawk Newsome REFUSES to answer @dbongino's question: "You don't want riots, correct? And violence?" pic.twitter.com/DPKvQERqyS  Unfiltered with Dan Bongino (@UnfilteredOnFox) November 14, 2021

'If he thinks that they're going to go back to the old ways of policing, then we are going to take to the streets again. There will be riots, there will be fire and there will be bloodshed because we believe in defending our people,' Newsome had told reporters.

Newsome told the New York Daily News Friday that he made his 'riot' comments because he was triggered by a question about plainclothes officers.

'It made me think about the death of Eric Garner, it made me think about the death of Breonna Taylor, it made me think of the death of George Floyd,' he told the Daily News in a phone interview, referring to three black Americans killed by cops. 'And to think that Eric Adams is legitimately wanting to put our children in danger  it scares me.'

Bongino who used to be a former officer with the NYPD and worked as a Secret Service agent asked Newsome a seemingly simple question about protests and rioting on the streets of NYC

On Saturday evening, Bongino - who used to be a former officer with the NYPD and worked as a Secret Service agent - asked Newsome a seemingly simple question about protests and rioting on the street.

'Do you condemn riots and the burning down of buildings after a police use-of-force incident you don't like?' Bongino asked.

'Dr. King said riots are the voice of the unheard,' Newsome said. 'It is a natural occurrence that people can continue to be oppressed, they will lash out. That's it.'

'Do you condemn rioting and burning down buildings?' Bongino responded.

'No. What I'll say is, I understand when a police officer unjustifiably kills someone, why people lash out. I understand that completely,' Newsome continued. 'I'm not going to condemn, nor am I going to condone it.'

Bongino did not appear happy with the answer and pushed once again.

'Isn't that cowardly? "I'm not going to condemn it, but I'm not going to condone it -- so I don't want to take a stand?"  You seem to talk a lot of junk and then when I put you on the spot you won't answer a damn question. Do you condone violence or you condemn violence? You're all over the place. Just condemn violence and burning of buildings down. How hard is it?'

BLM activist Newsome (pictured) said that Adams was trying to distract from the real issue by zeroing in on his threat

Thousands of New Yorkers joined by religious leaders and elected officials gathered at Brooklyn Borough Hall in June 2020 for a massive march over the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan, demanding Justice for all victims of police brutality making a loud call to defund the NYPD and invest in communities

Newsome attempted to make a counterpart as he compared the response of Black Live Matter protesters to that of the U.S. Government's approach following the 9/11 terror attacks.

'OK, so when Osama bin Laden attacked the World Trade Center, did you say America should deal with it peacefully?' Newsome asked.

'You're not answering the question, man,' Bongino jumped in. 'That has nothing to do with people burning down businesses in New York City. You're not gonna answer the question, Hawk...'

Becoming flustered, Newsome attempted a rebuttal. 'I don't condone it, I don't promote it, but I will not condemn it.'

'Man, that's just cowardly. That's just cowardly,' Bongino said responded, at which point Newsome pulled out his earpiece and walked off set ending the interview prematurely.

'You're trying to bait me!' Newsome said, before the camera cut away.

'You're trying to bait me,' Newsome answered, before removing his audio wire and ending the interview.

Newsome, a controversial New York figure who has labeled members of the U.S. government 'terrorists' because the 'government goes and pillages different countries,' on Wednesday slammed the mayor-elect's hard-nosed approach to bring back the units, which were disbanded in 2020 at the height of the violent BLM protests.

When the BLM leader asked during their sit-down if the stop-and-frisk is coming back, the mayor-elect responded: 'Stop-and-frisk never went away, brother.'

'Its about bringing back a sense of protection in our city and not the disorder we feel at this time,' Adams had said earlier this month prior to being elected, regarding his plan to clean up the city streets - which have seen an influx of violent crime since the start of the pandemic.

Newsome told attendees outside Brooklyn Borough Hall on Wednesday that if Adams brings back the axed units, history will be doomed to repeat itself.

Speaking after the sit-down to the New York Post, Newsome said: 'To ignore that history and say you're bringing it back means that he's tone deaf.'

He also told the New York Daily News: 'There is no way that he is going to let some Gestapo come in here and harm our people. We pray for peace but ... prepare for the worst.'

Adams, a moderate candidate, defeated progressive rivals in June's Democratic primary on a law-and-order ticket, pledging to crack down on violent crime that has soared in New York City since the coronavirus pandemic.

However, on the campaign trail last year, he was criticized by progressive candidates for vowing to reinstate the anti-crime unit.

Chivona Newsome, a BLM co-founder and sister of Hawk Newsome, made similar threats should the unit be brought back.

'We will shut the city down. We will shut down City Hall, and we will give him hell and make it a nightmare,' she said.

New York BLM co-founder Hawk Newsome, pictured during an NYC press conference in September 2021, has threatened 'riots' and 'bloodshed' in the streets if Mayor-elect Eric Adams reinstates the NYPD's anti-crime units
An out-of-control inferno has ripped through a hand sanitiser warehouse sending thick black plumes of toxic smoke hundreds of meters into the sky.

About 180 firefighters were sent to the raging fire at the Weston Aluminium site near Kurri Kurri in the Hunter Valley, with some emergency personnel making the 200km journey north from Sydney to assist.

The blaze erupted at the multiple purpose industrial site which also processes aluminum slag, medical waste and various highly flammable chemicals, at about 10am on Sunday and is expected to keep burning long into the night.

An out-of-control inferno has ripped through a hand sanitiser warehouse in the Hunter Valley (pictured) sending thick black plumes of toxic smoke hundreds of meters into the sky

The blaze erupted at the multiple purpose industrial site which also processes aluminium slag, medical waste and various highly flammable chemicals, at about 10am on Sunday and is expected to keep burning long into the night

Superintendent Luke Unsworth from Fire and Rescue NSW said strong winds made the massive blaze even more difficult to contain for firefighters.

'They discovered some pallets of ethanol hand sanitiser which had caught fire,' he told the ABC.

'Because of the strong winds around at the moment that fire had also spread to surrounding bush and grass.

'So along with Rural Fire Service crews we got to work to attack that fire. Through the process of trying to extinguish the fire, it has spread to some other materials.'

Locals in Kurri Kurri watch on in horror as the industrial fire burns near their homes

About 180 firefighters were sent to the raging fire at the Weston Aluminium site near Kurri Kurri in the Hunter Valley, with some emergency personnel making the 200km journey north from Sydney to assist

Specialist firefighting foam used for chemical infernos was rapidly deployed at the site but little could be done to slow the blaze.

'The fire just continued to spread faster than we could extinguish it and that's what's now causing it to escalate,' Unsworth said.

'Any material when it burns will produce toxic fumes. At this point in time there's no direct threat to the community because of the isolated nature of the building in Kurri Kurri.'

Luckily the building was unoccupied at the time and no injuries have been reported.

Specialist firefighting foam used for chemical infernos was rapidly deployed at the site but little could be done to slow the blaze

Luckily the building was unoccupied at the time and no injuries have been reported

Anyone suffering from a respiratory condition is advised to 'avoid the area and seek medical assistance if required'

But police have warned the public to 'stay home with your windows closed and air-conditioning on' adding that anyone who suffers from a respiratory condition is advised to 'avoid the area and seek medical assistance if required'.

Motorists have also been warned to avoid the area.

It is not yet known what caused the blaze.
An Australian teenager has spoken out after being wrongly identified as having been killed in a crush at an outdoor concert in Texas.

Amelyn Nguyen, a 17-year-old Sydney schoolgirl, was inundated with messages of sympathy from US rap fans after she was wrongly named as one of the nine victims of a stampede at a Travis Scott show.

Ms Nguyen, from Sydney, shared a series of messages she had received through social media via her TikTok account on Monday after she was named and pictured by several accounts as having died on Friday night.

'Woke up and the world pronounced me dead,' she wrote on TikTok.

'I was honestly very confused and was wondering how people found my pictures,' she said.

An Australian woman has been inundated with messages of sympathy from rap fans around the world after she was misidentified as a deceased victim of the Travis Scott stampede

Nine people lost their lives during or after Travis Scott's set at the Astroworld Festival in Houston, Texas last weekend.

Ms Nguyen said she does not know the people who posted about her or why they picked her out for the faked story.

'I am not a Travis Scott fan, before and after the incident,' she told Buzzfeed.

She is thankful her family was not notified of her fake death, but people had sent her direct messages on Instagram, hoping they could get in touch with her grieving relatives.

Ms Nguyen's viral TikTok about the mix-up has more than one million likes, with many supportive comments.

'That made me feel so much better about the whole false death accusations, I told my close mutuals and we all had a good laugh,' she said.

Amely Nguyen (pictured) shared a series of messages she'd received through social media after she was wrongly named and pictured by several accounts as having died on Friday night

One witness described it as a 'floor of bodies' and fans were screaming at to 'stop the show' at the Astroworld Festival on Friday

Nine people have died as a result of the stampede so far, with several more still fighting for their life in hospital.

The victims are aged between 14 and 27, with vigils being held across America for the deceased.

A Twitter account first shared an image of Ms Nguyen on Friday claiming she was the first of the dead to be identified.

'Amelia Nguyen is the first person to be announced dead today at St Andrews Hospital after the Astroworld festival,' a woman tweeted, which was reportedly liked more than 70,000 times and retweeted 30,000 times.

The young Sydney woman also shared other posts, including several people posting pictures of her and tagging her account.

'Rest in Peace. She died in the Astro Festival,' one person posted on their Instagram story.

A twitter account first shared an image of Ms Nguyen on Friday claiming she was the first of the dead to be identified

The 17-year-old Sydney girl shared posts, including several people posting pictures of her and tagging her account

Social media profiles around the world began to wrongly pay tribute to Ms Nguyen after people identified her as a victim of the fatal stampede at the Astroworld concert

Approximately 50,000 people attended the sold-out Astroworld Festival at NRG Park. Witnesses said the chaos broke out after Scott took the stage to perform

One man sent her a series of messages and even tried to call her account, asking if her mother was reading the correspondence.

'I know your daughter has passed. If you have her phone I am sorry for the lost (sic),' he wrote.

The man then sent the account a TikTok video, before continuing to send messages.

'My highschool in Toronto has made a GONFUNDME for your daughter,' he wrote.

Ms Nguyen filmed herself laughing as she read the misdirected messages of sympathy.

Other accounts shared images from Ms Nguyen's videos, saying she was the 'first death' and lamented her 'being only 17'.

'Please if you can share this and tag her so that her family can see we're all here for AMELIA,' a Canadian man wrote.

'So a little back story, this girl's name is Amelia, she died during the Travis Scott Astroworld Festival.'

My Nguyen's 1,800 followers peppered the video with comments, with many mocking the misidentification.

'Sometimes it feels like she's still making TikToks,' one person joked.

'Stage one: denial,' another said.

'THEY MADE A GOFUNDME LMAO,' another TikTok user replied.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Nguyen for comment.

Other accounts shared images from Ms Nguyen's videos, saying she was the 'first death' and lamented her 'being only 17'

Scott shared a message on his Instagram on Saturday, where he told fans he was 'devastated' and was 'working closely with authorities'

Approximately 50,000 people attended the sold-out Astroworld Festival at NRG Park on Friday. Witnesses said the chaos broke out after Scott took the stage to perform.

The surge happened at 9.15pm and the 'mass casualty incident' was declared. Nearly an hour later, at 10.10pm, the concert producer Live Nation halted the show.

Earlier that day, hundreds of people were filmed stampeding through a VIP entrance at the Live Nation-organised event, sparking fears of overcrowding and poor crowd control.

Scott, 29, continued to perform after eight people were crushed to death - including two victims aged just 14 and 16 - in what one witness described as a 'floor of bodies.'

A ninth victim later died in hospital.

Videos circulating on Twitter show fans chanting 'stop the show' as concertgoers were being knocked down and crushed by other attendees.

Although he completed his 75-minute performance, at one point Scott was filmed calling for help. In another video he stood on a platform with his microphone while chaos unfolded beneath him.
Britain could face up to 100,000 migrants arriving each year unless it strikes a deal with France, a former Border Force chief has warned, after record numbers crossed the Channel this week.

Tony Smith, the former director-general of Border Force, said numbers were in danger of reaching 'epidemic' levels.

His comments come after a record 1,185 migrants crossed the Channel on Thursday and three who fell from kayaks were feared dead. The French stopped 99 migrants that day.

Mr Smith said the numbers of migrants arriving in the UK could reach levels last seen in the Sangatte crisis in 2001, when thousands of migrants tried to smuggle themselves into Britain, unless France agreed to take back people intercepted at sea or those who reached the UK.

Tony Smith, the former head of UK Border Force who has warned a failure by the UK to reach a new agreement with France on how to deal with migrant crossings could lead to 100,000 migrants arriving each year

Mr Smith, who himself helped implement the deal to halt the crisis in the early 2000s, told The Telegraph: 'If you're talking about 1,000 a day you are getting to the epidemic proportions I predicted we might reach in 2001.

'That's when we had 100,000 in a year with the vast majority coming across the Channel.

'They were sleeping in the streets in Dover.

'There was a huge injection of money into the Home Office to cope with that.

'If we accept those numbers are going to continue, we are going to have to build facilities for the migrants to be properly looked after.'

Mr Smith's comments come after a record 1,185 migrants crossed the Channel on Thursday and three who fell from kayaks were feared dead. The French stopped 99 migrants that day

The deal struck between Britain in France in 2003 led to border controls including ID checks on the French side, and millions spent on improving security around ports.

Earlier this week, Boris Johnson urged France to 'close off' the flow of migrants crossing into their country to stop them from sailing to the UK.

Thursday's total surpassed the previous single-day record for the current crisis of 853 set earlier this month as the November figure soared past 3,500, more than four times last November's 791.

The figure for this year is almost 24,000  close to three times as many as in 2020.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said Brexit would not disrupt a deal between Britain and France as she called the crisis a 'shared problem' with France and its neighbours that required a 'shared solution'.

She added: 'Stopping this criminal activity is too important to let anything get in the way and suggestions that wider issues are affecting cooperation are wide of the mark.

'Our police and border force teams work hand in glove, day in, day out.

'Together we are arresting and prosecuting organised criminals, preventing numerous departures and saving lives.

'But last week showed we must do more.

'I want to go further and faster and that's why I will be holding talks with [French interior minister] Gerald Darmanin this week.'

Thursday's total surpassed the previous single-day record for the current crisis of 853 set earlier this month as the November figure soared past 3,500, more than four times last November's 791

However, Mr Smith said he was not confident Emmanuel Macron's administration was willing to negotiate, adding: 'The French are not interested in sitting down with Priti Patel about this because they don't want migrants back.'

On Friday, Boris Johnson hit out at Emmanuel Macron's Government for not policing their beaches to stop migrants from sailing to Britain on small boats, arguing it is difficult for UK Border Force to turn migrants back safely in the English Channel as he defended Priti Patel's border policies.

Speaking at a vaccination centre in Old Bexley and Sidcup, south east London, Mr Johnson insisted that the UK was dealing with the migrant crisis in the 'most effective' way, as he called on France to shut their borders to 'close off' the flow of migrants arriving in the country with the purpose of sailing across the Channel to reach the UK.

He told Sky News: 'They are coming from France. In the end, if the French authorities will not or cannot control those departures it is very difficult for us to turn them back at sea. We want to do that in a safe and in a humane way but it's very difficult.

'You have to work with the French and you have to try to persuade them to police the beaches that are sending these people over to us.'

Whitehall sources blasted France for 'ceding sovereign territory to people smugglers' in an incendiary attack on Emmanuel Macron's government as a record daily number of migrants crossed the English Channel.

Boris Johnson defended the Government's policy on migrants and instead hit out at the French president arguing that France need to shut their borders to prevent migrants from sailing across the English Channel to reach the UK

Speaking at a vaccination centre in Old Bexley and Sidcup, London, Mr Johnson hit out at Emmanuel Macron's government (pictured) for not policing their beaches, arguing it is difficult for UK Border Force to turn migrants back safely at sea

The Prime Minister went on to hit out at France for not closing down their borders or policing their beaches, arguing that migrants are arriving in France with the purpose of sailing across the English Channel.

He said: 'We are working all the time with our French colleagues, the whole of Europe faces a migration crisis as you can see with what is happening in Belarus and elsewhere, but we need to focus on those French beaches.

'What I would say to our French friends is if you close off the door to the corridor at the far end, then people won't come into the corridor at the other end.

'We need to close down that movement from the French beaches to the UK, if you want to stop people coming into France to come to the UK.'

Mr Johnson also defended Priti Patel's controversial new borders bill, which aims to deter illegal entry into the UK and could see people arriving by an illegal route, such as by sailing across the Channel, could have their claim ruled as inadmissible and receive a jail sentence of up to four years.

He said that the law could make a distinction 'between those who arrive here legally, and those who come here illegally', arguing that it will make an 'important difference' in the migrant crisis.

He continued: 'It won't be the end of the story but it will make an important difference in the way that we are able to treat people who arrive here illegally.'
Boris Johnson made perhaps his biggest admission of failure over the sleaze row engulfing his government tonight - as yet another poll showed the Tories being hammers by voters.

The Prime Minister, who has previously refused to say sorry for sparking a standards row through attempts to overturn punishment for ex-minister Owen Paterson, spoke as he fronted a televised press conference in Downing Street.

It came after an Opinium poll for the Observer gave Sir Keir Starmer's Labour a tight one-point lead after days and days of accusations against mainly Tory MPs over lucrative second jobs and rental payments for homes.

It is the first time Labour have been ahead with Opinium since January and follows several polls last week showing the party leap-frogging the Conservatives.

Mr Johnson appeared to take umbrage at repeated questions on sleaze at an event he called to discuss the result of the Cop26 climate change summit in Glasgow.

He refused to confirm reports that he has apologised in private to Cabinet ministers for trying to reform parliamentary sleaze rules, only to U-turn within hours.

But eventually he admitted: 'Of course I think that things should certainly have been handled better, let me put it that way. By me.'

At the same time Mr Johnson faced accusations that he promised to use his own political power to help US tech entrepreneur Jennifer Arcuri while they were in a relationship.

In a diary extract seen by the Observer, American businesswoman Ms Arcuri said he pledged to help her firm in order to 'win my love' while he was mayor of London.

Labour this afternoon wrote to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) asking it to 'look again' at its decision to rule out a formal investigation into the conduct of the PM during his time running the capital.

The Prime Minister, who has previously refused to say sorry for sparking a standards row through attempts to overturn punishment for ex-minister Owen Paterson, spoke as he fronted a televised press conference in Downing Street.

It is the first time Labour have been ahead with Opinium since January and follows several polls last week showing the party leap-frogging the Conservatives.

Mr Johnson (pictured today) faced accusations that he promised to use his own political power to help US tech entrepreneur Jennifer Arcuri while they were in a relationship

In a diary extract seen by the Observer, American businesswoman Ms Arcuri said he pledged to help her firm in order to 'win my love' while he was mayor of London.

Labour's Starmer dragged into sleaze row over office use Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was dragged into the MPs' sleaze row last night for allegedly using his Commons office for party political campaigning. He faced claims that he may have broken the MPs' code of conduct by using his taxpayer-funded office for 'Call Keir' Zoom calls. The Labour leader was pictured in his Westminster HQ launching a programme of 'virtual public meetings' last year. According to party supporters, that first event, in spring 2020, was followed by a second 'Call Keir' meeting in the Labour leader's office in October last year. The programme of hour-long Zoom meetings was advertised on the Labour Party website as events where 'Keir Starmer will listen to and answer questions from the public'. However, the Commons code of conduct states that 'Members shall ensure that their use of public resources is always in support of their parliamentary duties'. Last night, Harry Fone, grassroots campaign manager at the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'Taxpayers will be angry that facilities they have funded are being used for party political purposes.' Advertisement

Mr Johnson also told the press conference all MPs should work 'above all' for their constituents.

He said: 'It's very important that all MPs work primarily, and above all, for their constituents.

'Anybody who lobbies on behalf of a commercial interest is clearly in breach of the rules.

'You can take from what I've said that all MPs should follow the rules, and I think that the rules are there to protect them, protect the public, they're very simple to understand, and we should just get on with it.'

As sleaze accusations continue to harm the Conservatives one MP told the Sun the PM should offer a 'Liverpool apology' - a reference to a mea culpa he was ordered to give to the city after insulting them as a junior minister in the early 2000s.

At the same time, the Department for Transport was forced today to deny that Cabinet minister Grant Shapps, a keen pilot, is using a lobbying body to protect airfields from development.

In Ms Arcuri's diary extracts revealed in the Observer Mr Johnson is said to have offered to be 'the thrust  the throttle' behind her career.

A Government spokesperson said: 'As mayor, Boris Johnson followed all the legal requirements in the Greater London Assembly's [sic] code of conduct at the time.'

With the political sleaze row continuing to dominate headlines, the Sunday Times reported the Transport Secretary - who the newspaper says owns a 100,000 aeroplane - 'set-up and diverted public money' to a new team within the Civil Aviation Authority which is designed to lobby against planning developments that infringe on airstrips.

The newspaper said objections by the Airfield Advisory Team had helped to frustrate Homes England's plans for 3,000 homes at Chalgrove, an airfield in south Oxfordshire, while also opposing ambitions to build a battery gigafactory on Coventry airport.

But Department for Transport (DfT) officials said the team was not a lobbying body and instead provided 'support to general aviation on a range of matters affecting their operations'.

The Sunday Times article also suggested Mr Shapps' flying hobby had 'undermined' Government efforts to repatriate Britons after the collapse of travel agent Thomas Cook in 2019, and had taken up 'valuable time' while the DfT dealt with post-Brexit and coronavirus travel disruption.

But a source told PA the claims were 'utterly bogus and demonstrably false'.

Opinium also recorded a slip in the Prime Minister's approval rating to a new low, with a net rating of minus 21 per cent.

The drop in support for the Tories since its botched handling of the Owen Paterson affair has been recorded in a number of polls in recent days, with a Savanta ComRes poll for the Daily Mail putting Labour six points ahead and a YouGov survey finding the rival parties neck-and-neck.

A separate survey by Redfield & Wilton Strategies on Wednesday put Labour two points ahead of the Tories.

The findings come after the Government attempted to rip up the current Commons standards system to delay former Tory cabinet minister Mr Paterson's suspension for breaking lobbying rules, and revelations former attorney general Sir Geoffrey Cox voted by proxy while offering legal services in the Caribbean.

The Sunday Times reported that Transport Secretary Grant Shapps 'set-up and diverted public money' to a new team within the Civil Aviation Authority which is designed to lobby against planning developments that infringe on airstrips

He is reported to own a 100,000 Piper Saratoga aircraft similar to the one above

Mr Paterson opted to resign as MP for North Shropshire after 24 years after ministers U-turned on their standards reforms when opposition parties made clear they would not support them.

The messy handling of the affair has since thrust how much time and money MPs raise from second jobs back into the spotlight, along with scrutiny of second home arrangements.

Another Tory MP was accused of profiting from consultancy roles last night - wityh claims he has four jobs on the side.

Richard Fuller, who represents North East Bedfordshire, has received 700,000 from firms including a private equity outfit, Investcorp, which has invested in spy technology in China, the Sunday Mirror claims.

Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner told the paper: 'The corruption scandal that has engulfed the Conservative Party gets worse by the day.

'We need an investigation to get to the bottom of whether this relationship has put our national security at risk and whether this technology has aided human rights abuses in China.'

Mr Fuller told the Mirror: 'My constituents will read your article and if they want me to respond I guess I can talk to them about it.'

Transport Secretary and flying enthusiast Grant Shapps is accused of lobbying his OWN Government to stop houses being built on airfields Transport secretary Grant Shapps has today been accused of fighting plans by his own Government to build homes on little-used airfields. Mr Shapps, a keen pilot said to own his own 100,000 aircraft, is said to have used a lobbying body to protect airfields from development. He disputes claims made in the Sunday Times today that he 'set-up and diverted public money' to a new team within the Civil Aviation Authority designed to lobby against planning developments that infringe on airstrips. The newspaper said objections by the Airfield Advisory Team had helped to frustrate Homes England's plans for 3,000 homes at Chalgrove, an airfield in south Oxfordshire, while also opposing ambitions to build a battery gigafactory on Coventry airport. But Department for Transport (DfT) officials said the team was not a lobbying body and instead provided 'support to general aviation on a range of matters affecting their operations'. A Government source said: 'This body is not a lobbying body, it is an advisory body to help general aviation with problems they may have, which may be planning or anything else. 'It is not essentially anti-housing - indeed, housing can sometimes be a solution for financing an airfield. 'As Secretary of State for Transport, it is his function to protect general aviation and we've seen a decline in the number of airfields across the country.' A DfT spokeswoman said: 'It is right that the Transport Secretary works to promote all aspects of the department's brief including the general aviation sector, which contributes 4 billion to the economy and supports 40,000 jobs, especially as we focus on our recovery from the pandemic and on building a diverse workforce that's fit for the future.' The Sunday Times article also suggested Mr Shapps' flying hobby had 'undermined' Government efforts to repatriate Britons after the collapse of travel agent Thomas Cook in 2019, and had taken up 'valuable time' while the DfT dealt with post-Brexit and coronavirus travel disruption. But a source said claims were 'utterly bogus and demonstrably false'. Mr Shapps is believed to have held a pilot's licence since 1995, before he entered Parliament. In 2017, while out of Government, he was elected chairman of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on Aviation. On taking on the role he said: 'Grant Shapps said: The All-Party Parliamentary Group on General Aviation seeks to be the strong voice in Parliament that general aviation needs to help promote jobs and growth in this country. 'We will seek to do this by inspiring young and old to look to the skies to help develop the kind of high-tech jobs and skills we all want to see. I am delighted to have been elected chair and look forward to championing such an important part of our economy.' He resigned the role on becoming Secretary of State for Transport in place of Chris Grayling in 2019. Advertisement

Jacob Rees-Mogg may have broken rules by 'not declaring 6million in cheap loans from his Cayman Islands-linked company'

Jacob Rees-Mogg may have breached parliamentary rules by not declaring 6 million in personal loans from his Cayman Islands-linked company, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

He is the first Cabinet Minister to be dragged into the row over MPs' outside interests, and led the Government's botched attempt to soften parliamentary sleaze rules.

The Leader of the Commons borrowed up to 2.94 million a year in 'director's loans' from his UK-based Saliston Ltd between 2018 and 2020.

Parliamentary rules require MPs to be 'open and frank in drawing attention to any relevant interest'.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal Jacob Rees-Mogg may have breached parliamentary rules by not declaring 6 million in personal loans from his Cayman Islands-linked company. Pictured November 8 in the House of Commons

Although it does not explicitly cover director's loans, the code of conduct requires directors to declare 'taxable expenses, allowances and benefits'.

In the MPs' Register of Interests, Mr Rees-Mogg disclosed himself as an 'unremunerated director' and shareholder of the firm, but did not say he had taken out the loans.

By using 'director's loans'  classed by the Government as a taxable benefit  he was able to borrow the large sum at very low interest.

Mr Rees-Mogg insisted last night as the loans were not earnings, he was not required to declare them to Parliament and he had not broken any rules.

He said the 2018 loan was 'primarily' used to buy and refurbish his 5.6 million home in Westminster. He would not say what the rest of the money was for.

But a source in the Commons sleaze watchdog said the loans should 'absolutely' have been declared in the Register of Interests, adding: 'The whole point of registration is the public should be able to know what is governing your decision-making and the actions that you take.'

Thangam Debbonaire, Shadow Leader of the Commons, urged Mr Rees-Mogg to 'come clean' about his interests and called on Boris Johnson to launch an immediate investigation into his activities.

Mr Rees-Mogg bought his house, formerly Tory HQ, in February 2018 using a mortgage with Coutts bank, Land Registry documents show.

The 6 million he took in loans includes 2.94 million in 2018, 2.3 million the following year and 701,513 in 2019-2020, Companies House documents reveal.

In the first year he paid no interest, in the second he paid 46,915 and in the final year 2,030  48,945 in interest over three years, equivalent to a rate of 0.8 per cent. A typical 30,000, two-year personal loan comes with six per cent interest.

The North East Somerset MP was a director of Saliston Ltd until he joined the Cabinet in July 2019, but retains a 100 per cent shareholding and is a 'Person of Significant Control'.

His wife remains a director.

Saliston Ltd has previously been described as a 'holding company' by Mr Rees-Mogg.

It has 8 million property assets, understood to include a Mayfair house, and nearly 1 million in other investments.

In 2018, it took out a 2.87 million bank loan, according to its accounts, the same year it lent Mr Rees-Mogg 2.9 million.

It has a controlling stake in Somerset Capital Management LLP, the parent firm of Somerset Capital Management (Cayman) Ltd in the Cayman Islands.

The North East Somerset MP was a director of Saliston Ltd until he joined the Cabinet in July 2019, but retains a 100 per cent shareholding and is a 'Person of Significant Control'. Pictured October 27 after attending a Cabinet meeting ahead of Rishi Sunak's Budget

Somerset Capital Management LLP's accounts show its limited-liability members were remunerated with 3.8 million in 2021. Mr Rees-Mogg said: 'Saliston is 100 per cent owned by me. This is declared clearly in the Commons register and to the Cabinet Office.

'It has no activities that interact with Government policy.

'The loans from 2018 were primarily taken out for the purchase and refurbishment of [my home] as temporary cash flow measures.

'All loans have either been repaid with interest in accordance with HMRC rules or paid as dividends and taxed accordingly.

'I have no managerial responsibility for Somerset Capital Management. However, I know that the Cayman company purely provides a fund for non-UK investors but any and all money it makes returns to Somerset Capital Management in the UK where it pays full UK taxes.'
A task force of up to 600 UK troops is on standby to deploy in Ukraine amid fears that Russian troops massing near the border are planning an invasion.

Units from the SAS and Parachute Regiment are preparing for an urgent deployment after defence chiefs and the head of MI6 advised Downing Street that Russian troop movement represents a clear and present danger to Ukraine and the West.

'The high readiness element of the brigade was told it may need to deploy at very short notice,' a source told the Mirror.

'Between 400 and 600 troops are ready. Their equipment is packed and they are ready to fly to Ukraine and either land or parachute in. They have trained for both eventualities.'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured) has said there are nearly 100,000 Russian soldiers near Ukraine's border

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said earlier this week there are nearly 100,000 Russian soldiers near Ukraine's border, sparking fears that Russia could be preparing to try to seize parts of Ukraine.

Zelenskiy said Western countries had shared information about active Russian troop movements with Kyiv, with the Ukrainian defence ministry placing the number of Russian troops moving near Ukraine at around 90,000 earlier this month despite warnings from the US.

'I hope the whole world can now clearly see who really wants peace and who is concentrating nearly 100,000 soldiers at our border,' Zelenskiy said earlier this week.

It comes amid rising tensions in Europe as Foreign Secretary Liz Truss urged Russia's President Vladimir Putin to intervene in the 'shameful manufactured migrant crisis' unfolding at the border between Belarus and Poland.

Liz Truss today declared that Russia has a 'clear responsibility' to end the escalating migrant stand-off, adding the UK 'will not look away' as a large number of migrants gather on the Belarusian side of the border, with Polish authorities reporting daily new attempts by the migrants to breach the divide.

The Belarusian defence ministry has accused Poland of an 'unprecedented' military build-up on the border, saying migration control did not warrant the concentration of 15,000 troops backed by tanks, air defence assets and other weapons.

The European Union has accused Belarus' authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko, of encouraging illegal border crossings as a 'hybrid attack' to retaliate against the bloc's sanctions on his government for its crackdown on domestic protests after his disputed 2020 re-election.

Belarus denies the allegations but says it will no longer stop refugees and migrants from trying to enter the EU.

This handout satellite image released by Maxar Technologies shows a view of armoured units and support equipment amid the presence of a large ground forces deployment on the northern edge of the town of Yelnya, Smolensk Oblast, Russia. The Pentagon is monitoring the Ukraine region closely amid reports of a new build-up of Russian troops on the country's border

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss (R) has urged Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L) to intervene in the 'shameful manufactured migrant crisis' unfolding at the border between Belarus and Poland

Migrants gather at the Belarus-Poland border near Grodno, Belarus. A large number of migrants are in a makeshift camp on the Belarusian side of the border, with Polish authorities reporting daily attempts by the migrants to breach the divide.

The Russian troop movements near the Ukrainian border have spurred fears of a possible attack after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 - a move which was widely condemned as illegal by world leaders.

Moscow has dismissed such suggestions as inflammatory, but satellite images released by US company Maxar Technologies have revealed thousands of armoured Russian units and troops massing in towns near the Belarusian and Ukrainian borders.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he is 'concerned' by the 'unusual Russian activity', and declared 'our commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, to its independence, to its territorial integrity is ironclad, and the international community will see through any Russian effort to resort to its previous tactics.'

British Army General Nick Carter said this morning in a SkyNews interview that 'Russia doesn't want to bring on a hot war, but they would apply all of the instruments of national power to achieve their objectives.'

Russia meanwhile has condemned increased NATO activity in recent days around the Black Sea and Crimea, and a defence ministry statement said Russian fighter jets had to escort four NATO reconnaissance over the Black Sea in 24 hours.

'The unprovoked aggressive military activities of the US and the NATO member states in the Black Sea area and the involvement of the Black Sea states in it poses a threat to regional security and strategic stability,' the statement read.

Russian ships have also been locked in a tense, close-range standoff in the Black Sea with US vessels - the defence statement said the Moskva missile cruiser, the Admiral Essen frigate, and the Pavel Derzhavin patrol ship were tracking the movements of the USS Porter destroyer and US Navy command ship Mount Whitney.

Russian ships have also been locked in a tense, close-range standoff in the Black Sea with US vessels (pictured: a Russian seaman observes the two US warships through his binoculars)

A Russian defence ministry statement said their ships were tracking the movements of the USS Porter destroyer and US Navy command ship Mount Whitney sailing through the Black Sea (pictured)

Russian Air Force and the Black Sea Fleet have been escorting NATO reconnaissance aircraft and US Navy ships in the Black Sea area amid rising tensions in Eastern Europe

Meanwhile, the Polish Border Force has reported that Belarusian soldiers engineered two mass migrant incursions into Poland last night near the towns of Dubicze Cerkiewne and Kolonia Klulowicze, away from the main focus Poland's defences.

The Border Force detained some 77 people and deported them back to Belarus but an estimated 150 others evaded capture and are now seeking sanctuary in the EU state.

A Border Force spokesman told MailOnline: 'Last night there were two attempts to cross the border from Belarus by force, at Dubicze Cerkiewne and Kolonia Klukowicze.

'Yesterday we recorded 223 attempts to illegally cross the border from Belarus.

'Deportation from the Republic of Poland orders were issued against 77 people.'

The spokesman could not explain what had happened to the 146 others who had crossed into Poland illegally.

Poland is braced for a major assault by migrants on its frontier tonight after receiving intelligence of a huge build up of enemy troops.

The attack is believed to be planned for frontier at Kuznica, one of two main crossing points from Poland to Belarus, with a Polish Border Guard spokesman saying the migrants are being armed and instructed by Belarusian soldiers.

After a "quiet" night in the vicinity of the camp in Kuznica, we are currently observing that more groups of armed officers of Belarusian services are located in the place,' he said.

We are noticing a commotion among migrants. There is also a TV broadcast van. Some tents are starting to disappear. Migrants get instructions, equipment and gas from Belarusian services.

You can see that the Belarus side is getting ready today for a big attempt at crossing the border.

Our forces are ready for action.

Satellite images released by US company Maxar Technologies earlier this month have revealed thousands of armoured Russian units and troops massing in towns near the Belarusian and Ukrainian borders

British Army General Nick Carter said this morning in a SkyNews interview that 'Russia doesn't want to bring on a hot war, but they would apply all of the instruments of national power to achieve their objectives.'

Tensions at the border escalated further this week after Russian paratroopers deployed on the Belarusian side of the border, triggering Poland to move a 15,000 strong battalion (pictured) to reinforce the integrity of their checkpoints

Ms Truss called on the Kremlin to intervene in the crisis, writing in The Sunday Telegraph: 'Russia has a clear responsibility here. It must press the Belarusian authorities to end the crisis and enter into dialogue.'

Russia and Belarus have a union agreement envisaging close political and military ties.

Ms Truss added the stand-off 'marks the latest step by the Lukashenko regime to undermine regional security.

'He is using desperate migrants as pawns in his bid to create instability and cling on to power, regardless of the human cost,' she wrote.

'The United Kingdom will not look away. We will stand with our allies in the region, who are on the frontier of freedom.'

Her comments come after a small team of British armed forces personnel was deployed to Poland amid growing tension at the border.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on Thursday a 'small team' was deployed to the area to provide 'engineering support'.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova hit back at Ms Truss' statement, saying Britain's role in the Iraq War was the root cause of the refugee crisis.

'Britain bears a clear historic responsibility for everything that happens from that moment in the region - the death of Iraqis, the destruction of Iraqi statehood, endless flows of refugees, the emergence of ISIS, humanitarian disasters in this part of the world,' she said.

'Until London is held accountable for its crimes, its officials have no right to accuse anyone.'

For most of his 27 years as the authoritarian president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko has disdained democratic norms, making his country a pariah in the West and earning him the title of 'Europe's last dictator'.

Footage released by the Polish Defence Ministry on November 13, 2021 is believed to show Belarusian forces deploying near the Kuznica border crossing

Tensions at the border escalated further this week after Russian paratroopers deployed on the Belarusian side of the border, triggering Poland to move a 15,000 strong battalion to reinforce the integrity of their checkpoints.

Lukashenko meanwhile has continued to stoke the fire, calling on ally Russia to reposition its nuclear-capable missiles to threaten the EU bloc.

'I've been pestering your president: I really need those 500km-range missile systems,' Lukashenko told a Russian journalist yesterday, while the head of Russia's Military-Technical Cooperation Service Dmitry Shugayev said: 'If there is a request, we will supply it.'

Poland has also accused Belarusian security services of giving tear gas and strobe lights to migrants and encouraging them to push through barricades.

The crisis at the Polish-Belarusian border is seen by many as a tactic of Lukashenko to flood the EU with migrants in retaliation against their condemnation of his disputed presidency.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, is seen by many to be aiding ally and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, right, in manufacturing the migrant crisis which has forced Poland, Latvia and Lithuania to declare a state of emergency in their border zones to halt illegal crossings

His government forcefully diverted an airliner flying between Greece and Lithuania that was carrying a political opponent earlier this year, a move which drew further sanctions from the EU.

Belarus responded by easing its border controls for migrants from the Middle East and Africa, allowing them to head for the EU frontier and forcing Poland, Latvia and Lithuania to declare a state of emergency in their border zones to halt illegal crossings.

Lukashenko has also raised the stakes by threatening to cut off natural gas shipments from Russia that transit Belarus - a potentially severe blow to Europe as winter settles in.

The moves are a dramatic escalation for Lukashenko, who became president in 1994 when Belarus was an obscure country that had existed less than three years.

His disdain for democratic norms and the countrys dismal human rights record has made Belarus a pariah in the West, earning him the title of 'Europes last dictator.'
A university has come under fire for including white poppies in its Remembrance wreaths because veterans fear it will devalue the red poppy as a symbol of the fallen.

Students and staff from Leicester University laid more than 50 poppy wreaths across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in recognition of the local people who made sacrifices during the First World War.

The wreaths which were laid as part of a 'poppy pilgrimage' contained both red and white poppies.

The university said the wreaths contained white poppies to represent 'a commitment to peace and in finding non-violent solutions to conflicts'.

Leicester University has come under fire for including white poppies in Remembrance wreaths because veterans fear it will devalue the red poppy as a symbol of the fallen (stock picture)

It comes after the BBC said it would permit its presenters to wear white poppies on air if they choose to do so.

In a statement, the university said: 'The red poppy, which recalls the horrors of the Western Front in the First World War, is a well-known and well-established symbol of support for the Armed Forces community and Remembrance for lives lost in all conflicts.

'Some of the wreaths laid in the region included white poppies, which represent a commitment to peace and in finding non-violent solutions to conflicts.'

But military figures have condemned the decision to include white poppies and said it is an insult to those who lost their life in war.

Colonel Richard Kemp, the former commander of the British Forces in Afghanistan, told the Sunday Telegraph: 'The white poppy is intended to undermine the sacrifice the red poppy seeks to commemorate.

'Use of the red poppy is a means of showing respect and gratitude to British and Allied troops who gave their lives fighting for their country and is entirely apolitical. The white poppy is a political symbol used by anti-war campaigners.

'It is sold only to raise funds for their propaganda campaigns. It purports to commemorate all who suffered in war and so applies equally to Nazi stormtroopers and Islamic State murderers and rapists.'

'Intertwining the hard Left political symbol of white poppies into wreaths of red poppies is a direct insult to our war dead.'

Critics say the white poppy is a political symbol of the left and that it devalues the sacrifice made by soldiers who gave their lives and who are commemorated by the use of red poppies. Pictured: a white poppy wreath is laid during the Remembrance event at Leicester University

Lord Richard Dannatt, former chief of the General Staff, told the newspaper there was room to recognise the sacrifice of civilians in wartime but that use of the white poppy would detract from the remembrance of soldiers that had died in defence of their country.

The university's Poppy Pilgrimage was observed with wreaths laid outside the Fielding Johnson Building.

Fielding Johnson, named for University founding benefactor Thomas Fielding Johnson, was the first building used by Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland University College in 1921, and served as a military hospital during the First World War.

According to the Peace Pledge Union, white poppies stand for remembrance for all victims of war, both military and civilian, of all nationalities, as well as a commitment to peace and a challenge to any attempt to glamorise war.

Kerry Law, Chief Marketing & Engagement Officer at the University of Leicester, said: 'Our Poppy Pilgrimage serves as a fitting tribute to the founding legacy of our University, and has allowed us to once again recognise the sacrifices made in our region.

'At the laying of each wreath, members of our community have repeated the words of University founder Dr Astley Clarke: 'Let us, therefore, offer Higher Education as our war memorial.'

In 2020 the University was awarded Gold Award status by the Ministry of Defence for its support of the Armed Forces community, which includes partnerships with local Reserve units and permanent membership of the East Midlands Universities Combined Military Education Committee.

The University is also committed to supporting former service personnel in their transition to civilian life through schemes like the Armed Forces into Allied Health project, which simplifies the process for veterans to transfer military qualifications in order to enter health disciplines.
The most expensive painting ever sold has been downgraded by a museum who claim Leonardo da Vinci only 'supervised' the work.

Salvator Mundi, marketed as a long-lost da Vinci and the 'male Mona Lisa' by Christie's, was sold for a record-breaking $450million (342 million) at auction in 2017 allegedly to Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.

But now the Prado Museum has downgraded the painting saying it was only 'attributed to, authorised by or supervised by' the master himself.

Salvator Mundi (above) was sold for a record-breaking $450million (342 million) at auction in 2017 allegedly to Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed bin Salman

The Prado Museum (above) has downgraded the painting saying it was only 'attributed to, authorised by or supervised by' the master himself

Salvator Mundi: Da Vinci's 'male Mona Lisa' Salvator Mundi, a depiction of Christ as saviour of the world, is thought to have been painted in around 1500 for Louis XII - shortly after the French king conquered the Duchy of Milan and took control of Genoa. The original piece is the most expensive painting ever sold at auction, breaking all records at Christie's in New York in 2017 when it was purchased by Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan Al Saud for $450,300,000. The painting depicts Jesus in Renaissance dress, making the sign of the cross with his right hand, while holding a transparent, non-refracting crystal orb in his left. Around 20 other versions of the work are known to have been created by students and followers of Da Vinci, with preparatory chalk and ink drawings of the drapery by the master held in the British Royal Collection. Advertisement

The downgrading by the Museo Nacional del Prado, the main Spanish national art museum located in central Madrid, was revealed by The Art Newspaper and is likely to have a significant impact on the paintings value.

The questions over the paintings authenticity are revealed in a catalogue for an exhibition called 'Leonardo and the Copy of the Mona Lisa', the Telegraph reported.

According to The Art Newspaper, Prado's downgrading 'represents the most critical response from a leading museum since the Christie's sale'.

The catalogue says the museum's exhibition explains 'the nature of the copies and works executed in the bottega vinciana'.

'There were moments when Leonardo found it difficult to paint due to his perfectionism and his numerous other occupations and his pupils undertook the task for him,' it says.

Contained within the catalogue are two lists: paintings by the Renaissance man himself and works attributed, authorised and supervised by da Vinci.

Salvator Mundi is in the second list.

The current location of the painting is unknown.

The painting was initially bought in 2005 for just $1,175 by a New York art dealer and restored in the United States.

Several British experts authenticated the painting as a long-lost da Vinci and it was presented as such at London's National Gallery in 2011 before being sold to a Russian oligarch for $127.5 million two years later.

It then sold for $450million at auction at Christie's in New York, breaking the record for the most expensive artwork ever sold at a public auction.

American officials have said, Prince Bader was actually used as a stand-in for Prince Mohammed bin Salman (pictured), who is the true owner of the painting

Officially, the buyer was Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan al-Saud - a little-known member of the Saudi royal family with no history as an art collector.

But, American officials have said, Prince Bader was actually used as a stand-in for Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is the true owner of the painting.

Riyadh continues to deny that Bin Salman is the true owner.
A young mum and her newborn baby are being desperately searched for by police, with the pair now missing for more than 24 hours.

Serious concerns are held for Anita Roberts, 20, who was reported missing to Lake Macquarie police officers on Saturday after she did not show up for a medical appointment.

Ms Roberts is believed to have given birth at home in recent days without medical help.

Police have serious concerns for Anita Roberts, 20, who is missing along with her newborn baby

Police have been told she may be residing in Medowie, a suburb of Port Stephens in the Hunter region of NSW.

As part of the their inquiries, the police have issued a geo-targeting SMS for the Raymond Terrace and Medowie areas.

NSW Police have been using the geo-targeting alert system to help locate high-risk missing persons across the state since July.

Ms Roberts' family and the police hold great concerns for the welfare of the pair, as she has not been in contact with family.

She is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 175cm tall, with a medium build, shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone who has information on Ms Roberts' whereabouts, or is able to help police with the case, is asked to contact Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or at https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

Any information given will be treated in strict confidence.
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Boris Johnson has reassured the public that The Queen is very well after seeing her last week.

The Prime Minister gave an update on the 95-year-old monarch's health in a Downing Street conference on Sunday evening after she missed the Remembrance Sunday ceremony today for the first time in 22 years due to a back injury.

Buckingham Palace said she made the decision not to attend the service at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday morning 'with great regret' and was 'disappointed' to miss the event.

Speaking at the conference, Mr Johnson said: I know that everybody will be wanting to offer their best wishes to Her Majesty the Queen.

I just want to reassure everybody by saying that I did see the Queen for an audience last week on Wednesday in Windsor and she is very well.

It shouldnt need saying, but I just wanted to say it anyway.

The daily list of official royal engagements showed that Mr Johnson had an audience with the Queen on Friday, as he was in Glasgow on Wednesday speaking at the Cop26 climate change summit.

Queen Elizabeth had planned on attending the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday and it would have marked her first in-person public engagement since she was advised to rest following a night in hospital last month.

It is understood the Queen's back sprain is unrelated to her doctor's recent advice to rest.

Buckingham Palace said: 'The Queen, having sprained her back, has decided this morning with great regret that she will not be able to attend today's Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph.

'Her Majesty is disappointed that she will miss the service.

'As in previous years, a wreath will be laid on Her Majesty's behalf by the Prince of Wales.

'His Royal Highness, along with the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra will be present at the Cenotaph today as planned.'

The event on Whitehall was given added poignancy by a return to pre-pandemic numbers of participating veterans and military, as well as onlookers.

The Prince of Wales and Prime Minister were among those laying a wreath at the war memorial for the National Service of Remembrance.

Boris Johnson, who appeared sombre as he laid a wreath, said it was a moment to 'come together to remember those who sacrificed everything in service of our country'.

Only the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds could be heard as thousands of people held the two-minute silence at 11am in honour of all those who have lost their lives in conflict.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer stood beside the Prime Minister while former prime ministers lined up behind Mr Johnson, with John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Theresa May all paying their respects.

The Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Wessex and Princess Royal also laid wreaths at the memorial.

Looking on from a balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office building were the Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of Cambridge and Countess of Wessex.

The Queen is said to be deeply disappointed to miss the service - which she regards as one of the most significant engagements of the year - and she hopes to continue as planned with her schedule of light official duties next week.

The monarch, who served in World War II as a army driver and mechanic, was due to watch the service at the war memorial in central London from the balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office building.

Her attendance at the service was confirmed by the palace on Thursday after she was ordered to rest by royal doctors just over three weeks ago and spent a night in hospital on October 20 undergoing preliminary tests.

The palace had previously said it was the Queen's 'firm intention' to attend the annual wreath-laying service in Whitehall.

Pictured: Prince Charles lead the royal family at this year's Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, central London and laid a wreath on behalf of his mother the Queen after she was forced to miss the event due to a back injury

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pictured in attendance at the Remembrance Sunday ceremony in London this morning

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend the service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Britain's Princess Alexandra took the Queen's place on the central balcony in Whitehall

The Queen would normally have appeared on the central balcony where the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra stood today. Members of the Royal Family (left to right) Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Countess of Wessex on the balconies

Pictured: Prince Charles laid a wreath on behalf of the Queen at the Remembrance Sunday event as she was unable to attend

Pictured: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge lays a wreath as he attends the annual service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph

Pictured: Labour leader Keir Starmer, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Former Prime Ministers Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron attend the annual National Service of Remembrance in Whitehall, central London this morning

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, left, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, right, stand on the balcony of the Foreign Office during the Remembrance service where the Queen would have been standing if she had attended

Pictured: a large crowd has gathered ahead of the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall, London

Pictured: the annual Remembrance Sunday service was held at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall, London, this morning

Pictured: Members of the public attend the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall, London

Wreaths of poppies were laid at the foot of the Cenotaph in London today as the country marked Remembrance Sunday

The monarch, who lived through the Second World War as a teenager, is head of the armed forces and attaches great importance to the poignant service and to commemorating the sacrifices made by fallen servicemen and women.

She started the Second World War as a schoolgirl but ended it in uniform as a junior commander with the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

The Queen has missed several other events, including the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening.

She returned to Windsor Castle on Tuesday after a long-planned weekend away at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

The Queen has only missed six other Cenotaph ceremonies during her reign: on four occasions when she was on overseas visits to Ghana in 1961, Brazil in 1968, Kenya in 1983 and South Africa in 1999.

She was not present during the 1959 and 1963 services as she was pregnant with her two youngest children.

Buckingham Palace said the Queen was forced to miss the Remembrance service due to a back injury. Pictured last year

Pictured: Prince Edward and Princess Anne lay wreaths at the Cenotaph as part of the Remembrance Sunday ceremony

Pictured: Crowds gather ahead of the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall, London, this morning

Former Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May have been pictured at the Remembrance event this morning

Former prime minister Tony Blair (centre) and Nadhim Zahawi (right) pictured ahead of the Remembrance Sunday event

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer stood beside the Prime Minister while former prime ministers lined up behind Mr Johnson, with John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Theresa May all paying their respects

The world's oldest and longest-reigning monarch went to hospital for 'preliminary investigations' into an unspecified ailment, and has since missed events such as the COP26 climate conference and a festival to remember the nation's war dead on Saturday evening.

While the queen has been photographed greeting dignitaries online, the palace had said the 95-year-old was determined to appear in person at the Cenotaph where members of the royal family will join leading members of the government, military and veterans to commemorate those who lost their lives in conflict.

Held on the nearest Sunday to November 11 to recall the end of World War One, the sight of the queen at the annual event is one of the defining images of her 69-year reign - head bowed, wearing black and displaying a red poppy.

Despite earlier health concerns, the Palace had confirmed the Queen would attend the annual Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph.

On Sunday it had been planned that she would watch the service from the balcony of the Foreign Office in central London while her son and heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles lays a wreath on her behalf.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer stood side-by-side as they waited to lay their wreaths at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London, on Sunday

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall led the family group, which also included Prince William, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra at the Remembrance event on Saturday night

Pictured: Members of the Royal Family took their seats at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall last night

Elizabeth was due to appear at the event for the first time since her husband of more than seven decades, Prince Philip, died earlier this year.

The Queen was forced to cancel a two-day visit to Northern Ireland at the last minute three weeks ago after being ordered to rest by doctors following a slew of public engagements.

It later emerged that she had been in hospital overnight for 'preliminary investigations', although palace official declined to comment on what these might be. She has since been ordered to rest for 'at least' another fortnight.

But the monarch had stated that it was her 'firm intention' to be at the Cenotaph for the traditional Remembrance Sunday event, one of the most 'sacred' events in her annual calendar.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall led the diminished family group at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London last night but the Queen was not in attendance.

They were joined by Prince William, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra.

Military veterans line up ahead of the march past for the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall, London

Pictured: Military marching band's uniforms are seen in detail during the annual National Service of Remembrance

Pictured: Bandsmen march past the Cenotaph during the Remembrance Sunday ceremony on Whitehall in central London

Pictured: Military services personnel attends the annual National Service of Remembrance in Whitehall

Veterans from the Chelsea Pensioners attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London

Veterans from the Chelsea Pensioners cross Horse Guards Parade to attend the Remembrance ceremony at the Cenotaph

Wheel chair bound Chelsea Pensioners parade past the Cenotaph during the remembrance Sunday service in London

A boy joined veterans of the Guards as they marched past the Cenotaph during a remembrance Sunday service in London

The Queen had spent last weekend at Sandringham while she has some time off amid her determination to be fit for Remembrance Sunday.

Penny Junor, a royal biographer, said the queen may be entering a new phase of her reign where she will not be seen as much in public.

'It's very sad for the queen, because this is the one event in the year that she really, really likes to be at,' she said.

'We're so used to seeing her out and about and looking years younger than she is that I think we've been lulled into thinking she can go on at this kind of pace forever. Clearly she can't.'

Palace insider Robert Jobson told GB News that the day would be 'emotional' for the Queen and that she would have 'very poignant memories' as the only living head of state who served in World War Two.

He said: 'Because, of course, the loss of her husband in April, he was a veteran who served in the Royal Navy with distinction and was mentioned in dispatches over the Battle of Mattapan, and so it's going to be quite emotional I think for her.

The Duke of Cambridge walks past dignitaries holding wreaths after he laid his wreath at the Cenotaph this morning

Dozens of wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph during the Remembrance Sunday ceremony held in Whitehall this morning

Pictured: Veterans march along Whitehall during Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall

Prime Minister Boris Johnson bows his head after laying his wreath at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday in Whitehall

'I wouldn't be surprised if we see her wipe away a tear because it'll be quite an emotional occasion.'

Last month, she was secretly taken to the private King Edward VII Hospital in London. Royal aides have only said that the trip was for 'preliminary investigations' with the exact reason for the trip still unknown.

At the time, the Prime Minister said that the Queen was in good spirits when they held their regular weekly audience.

Doctors will reassess the monarch at the end of her recommended fortnight of rest, with it likely that her diary could be affected for some time to come.

The Queen's eagerness to get out and about as soon as possible will ultimately be overshadowed by what her doctors think is best.

This will leave other senior royals, especially the Prince of Wales, having to attend more engagements on her behalf whenever possible.

TUESDAY -- The Queen is photographed leaving Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate to return to Windsor by helicopter

Pictured: Prince William salutes veterans marching past on Horse Guards Parade during the Remembrance Sunday ceremony

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales lays a wreath on behalf of the Queen as he attends the annual service of Remembrance

Catherine Duchess of Cambridge accompanied by HRH Prince William Duke of Cambridge attend Remembrance Sunday

Pictured: the National Service of Remembrance service at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall, London

Pictured: Prime Minister Boris Johnson lays a wreath during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London

Concerns about the Queen, who has recently been seen using a walking stick at events for the first time, were triggered last month when she cancelled a two-day tour to Northern Ireland.

The decision came just hours before she was due to fly and despite aides saying she stayed at Windsor Castle she was later whisked to hospital for her first overnight stay for eight years.

On Monday last week the Queen was photographed driving close to Windsor Castle in Berkshire in a green estate car, wearing a signature headscarf and a pair of sunglasses.

During her message to world leaders at Cop26 last Monday, the Queen issued a powerful plea to them over the climate crisis, saying they should put aside division and act now for the sake of 'our children'.

Service personnel attending the ceremony at the Cenotaph wished the Queen well.

Lance Corporal May Percival said: 'My heart goes out to her and her family. I wish her well and the best.'

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon lays a wreath during the Remembrance service at the Stone of Remembrance

Pictured left to right: Edinburgh Lord Provost Frank Ross, First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, and Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament Alison Johnstone during the Remembrance Sunday service in Edinburgh this morning

The Royal Navy parade down the Royal Mile during a service at the Stone of Remembrance outside Edinburgh City Chambers

Pictured: Remembrance service at Ham Hill war memorial, Somerset, which was held on Remembrance Sunday

Pictured: Taoiseach Michael Martin (centre) attends the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in Enniskillen

RAF Nurse Officer Stephen Andor said: 'I wish her well. The Queen has very strong links to the military. She is the head of the armed forces.

'I think that every single member of the military wishes her well.'

Royal Navy Petty Officer Ben Shread, of the Combat Camera team, said: 'It would be nice if the boss was here.

'She's the head of the armed services. I don't know if she has ever missed the Remembrance parade before. So, if there is a reason she is not here it must be a very serious one. We all wish her well.'

Baroness Scotland, the Commonwealth secretary-general, said there would be 'sadness' that the Queen has had to pull out of attending the service.

Asked on Sky News' Trevor Phillips On Sunday programme if it would be 'disappointing' for many veterans not to have the monarch able to attend, Baroness Scotland said: 'Absolutely. The Queen is adored, rightly. She has shown total commitment to the Commonwealth and she is much loved.

Labour Deputy Leader Angela Rayner lays a wreath at a Remembrance ceremony in her constituency of Ashton-under-Lyne

Pictured: Taoiseach Michael Martin lays a wreath during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in Enniskillen

Ceremonies were held across the UK. Pictured: The Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in Enniskillen

Pictured: The Remembrance Sunday service and parade held outside the town hall in Falaise Square in Henley-on-Thames

Massed pipes and drums parade down the Royal Mile past the Stone of Remembrance outside Edinburgh City Chambers

'So, an opportunity like this, to see her and to pay homage for what she herself also did, because people do forget that she was an engineer, she was making her contribution as well.

'I think there will be a lot of sadness but everyone will be wishing her well, everyone will want to see her again. She is the beating heart of most of the love that is in the Commonwealth, so we do wish her well.'

Royal Navy Petty Officer Ben Shread, of the Combat Camera team, said: 'It would be nice if the boss was here.

'She's the head of the armed services. I don't know if she has ever missed the Remembrance parade before.

'So, if there is a reason she is not here it must be a very serious one. We all wish her well.'

The oldest and youngest people marching at the Remembrance Sunday parade at the Cenotaph have a gap of 90 years between them.

Pictured: The Remembrance Sunday parade and service in Bristol. The parade was cancelled last year due to Covid

Pictured: Soldiers march through Bristol city centre as part of the Remembrance Sunday ceremony held this morning

Pictured: Cadets take part in the Remembrance Sunday event in Bristol this morning

Veteran Roy Farmiloe, 98, is the oldest person at the parade while Evie Hebden was one of a number of eight-year-olds marching with the new youth column, christened Column Y.

Evie's father Royal Marine Ralph Hebden, 32, fell from a foggy cliff while going for a run near their home in Arbroath, Scotland in 2013.

The tragic accident occurred days before Evie's birth, The Liverpool Echo reported at the time.

Ralph was described at the inquest into his death as a 'proud' marine who had served five tours of duty.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon lead Remembrance services across the rest of the UK and laid a wreath to remember the fallen in war in a ceremony at Edinburgh's Stone of Remembrance on the Royal Mile.

The Lord Provost's wreath-laying party joined the military parade before the gun was fired, at Edinburgh Castle, on the dot of 11am to mark the start of the two-minute silence.

Pictured: members of the HMS Queen Elizabeth company during a Remembrance Sunday service on the flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth, whilst on deployment with the Carrier Strike Group 21(CSG21) as part of Operation Fortis

Service personnel and veterans in Sunderland join Mayor Harry Truman at the annual Remembrance Sunday Service

Spitfire flies over crowds including veterans and their families during the Remembrance Sunday service at the IWM Duxford

Dragon Rapide drops 80,000 poppies across the airfield during the Remembrance service at IWM Duxford in Cambridgeshire

The Queen had planned to watch the memorial event (pictured) from the balcony of the foreign office this morning

Pictured: Veterans and servicemen gather on The Mall before a service is held at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in Westminster

At 11.02am a second gun ended the silence and a bugler played the last post.

Minister of St Giles Cathedral Reverend Calum MacLeod read Binyon's Lines: 'They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn, At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, We will remember them.'

Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh Frank Ross laid his wreath at the Stone of Remembrance followed by Ms Sturgeon and Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone MSP.

Meanwhile, Irish premier Micheal Martin lay a wreath to mark Remembrance Day at a service in Enniskillen.

Micheal Martin continued a tradition begun by former Taoiseach Enda Kenny in 2012 by attending the commemorative event in the Co Fermanagh town.

Mr Martin laid a laurel wreath at the war memorial on a foggy Sunday morning before standing in silence to pay his respects.

He was joined by Northern Ireland Education Minister Michelle McIlveen.

Speaking afterward, Mr Martin said: 'I'm very pleased to be here on Remembrance Sunday, in Enniskillen, in particular.

'I'm carrying on now a tradition that has gone on quite a number of years, in terms of the successive Taoisigh coming to this location.

'In terms of remembering those who died in past wars, and also what's coming to mind is the terrible atrocity of 1987 in Enniskillen, when 12 people were killed and 60 injured.

'It calls to mind the futility of destruction and violence, and the impact that it had on this community and so many communities on the island.

'That speaks to the need for ongoing work, to reconcile, to work together, to bring together the different traditions on the island, to share the agenda for the future.'

Former Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster, a native of Enniskillen, attended the event in a private capacity.

She stood alongside relatives of those killed in the Poppy Day massacre of 1987, at the Clinton Centre, the location where the bomb that killed 12 people went off.

Conservative MP and Northern Ireland Minister of State, Conor Burns, was also in attendance.

Wreaths were laid by dignitaries from the British Army, the emergency services and representatives from US and Polish consuls.

Hundreds of people turned out to mark the occasion on Sunday, after numbers were restricted last year due to the pandemic.

They observed a solemn two minutes' silence.

The event took place 34 years on from the IRA's infamous 'Poppy Day' bomb attack at the Enniskillen war memorial.

Eleven people who had gathered to pay respects to the war dead were killed and dozens more were injured in the no-warning blast in 1987 just minutes before the event was due to start. A 12th victim of the bombing died 13 years later having never woken from a coma.

Mr Kenny became the first Taoiseach to attend a Remembrance Day service in Northern Ireland when he took part in commemorations at Enniskillen in 2012.

That move was symbolic of the greater recognition now afforded in the Republic of Ireland to those Irishmen who fought and died serving in the British Army in the First World War.
Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and her boyfriend Arthur Moses spent Sunday afternoon shopping in the glitzy Potts Point area of Sydney, and wearing remarkably similar ensembles.

Ms Berejiklian, 51, seemed to be putting recent difficulties behind her as she and Mr Moses, who is a senior counsel barrister, stepped out in the matching outfits.

With blue tops, blue jeans and black boots, they were a picture of his and her happiness as they visited book and clothes shops in the inner city suburb.

Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured right) and her beau Arthur Moses (left), stroll around Potts Point in Sydney on Sunday

Mr Moses is the lawyer who represented Ms Berejiklian (pictured together on Sunday) at a corruption hearing last year into her former boyfriend Daryl Maguire

The couple was outed as an item in June in an Instagram post from Ms Berejiklian's younger sister Mary.

The post was captioned: 'After work Friday feels with these two. Glad and her boo.'

Mr Moses is the lawyer who represented Ms Berejiklian at a corruption hearing last year into her former boyfriend Daryl Maguire.

Gladys Berejiklian (centre) with Arthur Moses (left) and Ms Berejiklian's sister Mary (right)

Gladys Berejiklian (left) enjoys a shopping trip in Sydney on Sunday with her boyfriend Arthur Moses

She resigned as NSW premier on October 1 when she announced that she too was under investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

The inquiry sat for 11 days in October, with Ms Berejiklian facing a gruelling day and a half of questions.

She denied any wrongdoing and was frequently exasperated during the examination in which she was scolded several time by the commissioners for giving more context than the question required.

Gladys Berejiklian (pictured centre) and friends in Sydney's ritzy Double Bay on Friday

But on Sunday, Ms Berejiklian looked like that was all at the back of her mind as she walked around with the man who has been her rock throughout the ICAC inquiry.

The outing came just two days after she was pictured out and about on in Double Bay in Sydney's affluent eastern suburbs on Friday afternoon to let her hair down after a tumultuous few weeks.

She sported a green dress, black blazer and crossbody bag, topping off the look with red lipstick and a fresh blowdry, before a girls' night out that evening.

After concluding her evidence with ICAC in early November, the woman who led NSW through the Covid pandemic told reporters she intends to get on with her life.

'Every decision I made, in terms of the public office I held, was in the best interests of the community and the public,' she said.

'Now I intend to get on with my life.'

Gladys Berejiklian (pictured shopping with boyfriend Arthur Moses on Sunday) as NSW premier on October 1 when she announced that she too was under investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption
A former Chinese official has threatened Australia and the US with 'Armageddon' if the democratic allies move to protect Taiwan in a military conflict.

Victor Gao, who was once communist leader Deng Xiaoping's translator and now serves as a mouthpiece for the government, warned western powers to stay out of China's quest to annex the disputed territory, 180km off its coast.

The island nation, backed by the US and Japan, broke away from the mainland in 1949 after the civil war.

It has democratically-elected leaders and fiercely opposes reunification and the totalitarian rule of Beijing.

But President Xi Jinping has repeatedly stated he plans to take over Taiwan by 2027 as part of the 'great rejuvenation of China' using military force if necessary.

US President Joe Biden last month vowed American troops will stand in China's way if any attempt is made to conquer the island.

On Friday, defence minister Peter Dutton made similar remarks saying it would be 'inconceivable' that Australian troops wouldn't back up the US if such a scenario played out in the region.

The pushback has made China's tough-talking Wolf Warrior diplomats furious.

'Those who want to block unification will be doomed to fail,' Mr Gao told 60 Minutes.

'If Australia goes to fight together with US soldiers in China's drive for reunification between China's mainland and China's Taiwan, then you are talking about the worst thing you could dream of - a war between China and the United States.

'That would soon escalate out of control and that will be Armageddon, Armageddon, and Armageddon.'

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen (pictured) has remained staunch in the face of Chinese aggression vowing that the island will remain independent

Is Taiwan a country or a part of China? Taiwanese soldiers hoist the flag of Taiwan in Taipei on May 10. China considers Taiwan as a part of its territory, but many Taiwanese people want the island to be independent China and Taiwan have a long-standing dispute over the island's sovereignty. China considers Taiwan as a part of its territory, more precisely a province, but many Taiwanese want the island to be independent. From 1683 to 1895, Taiwan was ruled by China's Qing dynasty. After Japan claimed its victory in the First Sino-Japanese War, the Qing government forced to cede Taiwan to Japan. The island was under the Republic of China's ruling after World War II, with the consent of its allies the US and UK. The leader of the Chinese Nationalist Party, Chiang Kai-shek, fled to Taiwan in 1949 and established his government after losing the Civil War to the Communist Party and its leader Mao Zedong. Chiang's son continued to rule Taiwan after his father and began democratising Taiwan. In 1980, China put forward a formula called 'one country, two systems', under which Taiwan would be given significant autonomy if it accepted Chinese reunification. Taiwan rejected the offer. Taiwan today, with its own constitution and democratically-elected leaders, is widely accepted in the West as an independent state. But its political status remains unclear. Advertisement

President Xi Jinping and other Communist party loyalists have voiced their ambitions of annexing the democratic US and Japan-backed island. Pictured: People's Liberation Army tanks are seen in Beijing's Tiananmen Square during a National Day parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the People's Republic of China

The vice president for the Centre for China and Globalisation think tank went on to say Australia's recent deal with the UK and US to attain nuclear-powered subs would make the nation a target for a weapon of mass destruction by Beijing.

'The AUKUS deal will have one big consequence for Australia as it will no longer enjoy the benefit and the very rare privilege of not being targeted with nuclear weapons going forward,' Mr Gao said.

'This is what I hope the Australian people will come to realise, that you need to deal with China with respect, as much as you give to the United States.'

Moments after threatening Australia in his bizarre TV interview, Mr Gao then went on to say 'China at its heart is a country of pandas'.

'Do you think a kangaroo will fear a panda? Probably not. A panda probably will run away in front of a leg-kicking kangaroo.'

Victor Gao, who was once communist leader Deng Xiaoping's translator, warned Western powers to stay out of China's quest to annex the disputed territory, 180km off its coast (pictured, a Chinese rocket launch)

Mr Gao said Australia's AUKUS deal will make the nation a target for nuclear weapons by Beijing

What is a Wolf Warrior Diplomat? Chinese diplomats around the globe have made headlines in recent years by making aggressive public statements against democratic nations - often in to the contrary of all available evidence. Political observers say such statements are made to impress Communist Party bosses back home in Beijing so they get noticed. The term Wolf Warrior is actually a Chinese action film franchise launched in 2015. The plot of the 80s-style action films centre around a patriotic Chinese soldier who takes on enemies from all over the world and is fearless in the face of danger. Advertisement

Senator Jim Molan, who also climbed to the rank of Major General in the Australian Army, explained there are three possible scenarios of how China could take over Taiwan - a nation strategically important for its mass production of semiconductor microchips.

One possibility is that China's vast navy could set up a no-sail, no-fly blockade around Taiwan, slowing choking the island's economy to death before seizing control.

Another option is a sudden attack 'Pearl Harbour' type attack and the third possibility is a simultaneous combination of both strategies.

If any of these situations played out he warns Australia would be 'monstrously vulnerable' because we have a 'naive faith that American military power is infinite and it's not'.

'The next war is not going to be 10 or 20 years away. It's going to be in the next three to 10 years,' he said.

He said Australia should expand its defence force 'significantly' in the face of China so it does not suffer the same potential fate as Taiwan.

Taipei-based tech entrepreneur Hsin Cheng Hsaio said the the 25 million people on the island have grown more concerned after watching Beijing systematically erode the political freedoms of citizens in nearby Hong Kong.

'Our number one fear is losing all our freedoms because Taiwan has been enjoying our democracy and our liberties for the past few decades,' he said.

'It is just unimaginable to think we will be reunified with an authoritarian regime, and then surrender such freedoms. So no, it's not an option.

'Hong Kong people lost their basic right to vote, to elect their officials, to speak their minds, to protest and people just live under fear every single day and we just all hope it doesn't come to this.'

He hopes the US and its allies will move in to fend off China's dictatorial lurch across the Taiwan Strait.

'Taiwan would have to fight and although we spend heavily on military equipment, we are no match for the second largest army in the world,' Mr Hsaio said.

President Xi Jinping (pictured) has repeatedly stated he plans to take over Taiwan by 2027 as part of the 'great rejuvenation of China' using military force if necessary
Britain's Covid-19 infections have increased by 20 per cent in a week after Boris Johnson spoke of 'storm clouds' brewing over Europe amid a surge in cases across the continent.

Department of Health bosses reported a further 36,517 cases today, a rise from the 30,305 reported last Sunday.

The number of people dying with the virus saw a 1.6 per cent rise, with 63 deaths reported today compared to 62 on November 7.

Hospitalisations tumbled by 8.9 per cent on Tuesday, the most recent date that data is available, down to 968 from 1,055 and there are about 8,600 Covid patients in English hospitals now compared to more than 12,000 at the same point last year.

In addition, a further 31,806 first doses and 23,668 have also been given out which means 50,557,065 people have had at least one jab and 46,009,463 have had two.

The figures come after Boris Johnson used Europe's soaring epidemic to warn that the UK's fate this winter hinged on how many people get their boosters.

Today the Austrian government ordered a nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated people in an effort to slow the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg confirmed that millions of citizens would be placed into lockdown from tomorrow amid a worrying trend in infections.

The move, which will affect about two million people in the country of 8.9million, prohibits unvaccinated individuals from leaving their homes except for basic activities such as working, grocery shopping - or getting vaccinated.

It will not apply to children under the age of 12 because they cannot yet officially get vaccinated.

Austria has one of the lowest vaccination rates in western Europe, with only around 65 per cent of the total population fully vaccinated.

In recent weeks, the country has faced a worrying trend in infections and reported 11,552 new cases on Sunday; a week ago there were 8,554 new infections.

The seven-day infection rate stands at 775.5 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

In comparison, the rate is at 289 in neighbouring Germany, which has already also sounded the alarm over the rising numbers.

It came as angry clashes erupted between Dutch protestors and police after they objected to a partial return of lockdown introduced by The Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

This week the Prime Minister pointed to outbreaks in Europe and warned there were 'storm clouds gathering over the continent' that could hit Britain next.

He said: 'What I'm saying today is the urgency of getting that booster jab is more evident than ever. If you can get it, it's a great thing, the levels of protection it gives you are terrific and so over-50s, who we're calling forward, should come and get it.'

Yesterday 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson said that a Netherlands-style lockdown was 'unlikely' in Britain despite an 'uptick' in Covid cases in the UK.

The member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) said Britain's situation was different from other European nations as the wave of infections seems to be gradually getting smaller.

The professor at Imperial College London told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'We've had two or three weeks of declining cases and admission to hospitals - that may be petering out, it is too early to say.

'There is a hint of an uptick in the last few days.

'But we are in quite a different situation from those European countries you are talking about (the Netherlands, Germany).

Coronavirus infections in the Netherlands have been rising for a month after most social distancing measures were scrapped in late September, and reached their highest level since July in the past week

Austria's seven-day infection rate stands at 775.5 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants

Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said that that millions of citizens who have not been vaccinated would be placed into lockdown from tomorrow

JVT says Covid crisis a 'lot calmer' after Easter... but other scientist warns of EIGHT years of misery Britain's Covid crisis is set to become 'a lot calmer' after Easter, Jonathan Van-Tam predicted today  but other scientists warned it could drag on another eight years. England's deputy chief medical officer warned there will be some 'twists and bumps' along the way and admitted that the situation was becoming harder to forecast. But he told a medical conference today: 'I think, generally speaking, waters will be quite a lot calmer after Easter.' Professor Van-Tam warned this was dependent on the successful roll out of the booster doses, which are being offered to all over-50s. His words were in stark contrast to eminent epidemiologist Professor Tim Spector, who warned that it could take years to become a manageable, seasonal virus. 'We need to be thinking in terms of time scales  it is not in months, it is not by next Christmas, it is a question as to whether it will be three years or eight years,' he said. Advertisement

'We've had very high case numbers - between 30,000 and 50,000 a day - really for the last four months, since the beginning of July.

'That has obviously had some downsides. It has also paradoxically had an upside of boosting the immunity of the population compared with countries like Germany, the Netherlands and France, which have had much lower case numbers and are only now seeing an uptick.'

The epidemiologist, whose modelling helped instigated the first lockdown last year, said he hoped the UK could 'avoid' returning to social distancing restrictions this winter.

He said: 'I think it is unlikely we will get anything close to what we had last year, that catastrophic winter wave.

'We might see slow increases as we did in October, for instance, but not anything as rapid as we saw last year.

'We can't be complacent, but at the moment I don't think we'll be in a situation the Netherlands is coming into where they really do need to get on top of rising case numbers using social distancing.

'I very much hope we can avoid that in this country.'

And England's 'wall of immunity' was praised as a mass-testing study by the Office for National Statistics showed the total size of the country's Covid outbreak shrank by 16 per cent last week to below 1million.

No10 has said it will only revert to its winter Covid 'Plan B' strategy if the NHS faces 'unsustainable' pressure, which ministers argue is not the case yet despite health leaders insisting otherwise.

'I've got to be absolutely frank with people, we've been here before  and we remember what happens when a wave starts rolling in,' Mr Johnson said during a visit to a pharmacy in South London.

But Independent SAGE has demanded the Government activates its winter 'Plan B' to protect the NHS.

The pressure group, made up of eminent experts who've pushed for an Australian-style virus elimination strategy, said compulsory masks and widespread WFH were 'urgently' needed to 'save the NHS and Christmas'.

The group claimed the 'very high levels of Covid' were putting 'extreme pressure' on the health service.

'The Government needs to urgently bring in Plan B... The pressure on the NHS is extreme and increasing, the backlog of treatment is at a record high, it needs to act now,' Independent Sage said.

'Most importantly, working from home where possible and mandated face masks in indoor spaces are needed. We also believe additional protective measures should be brought in, including ensuring good ventilation in schools and other public spaces and financial support for self-isolation.'
A 92-year-old diabetic spent nearly 14 hours lying on the floor covered in blood while waiting for an ambulance.

Cyril Pepper was left with severe back pain, damage to his arm and also banged his head during a fall at his home on Monday, November 8.

Mr Pepper, of Silverdale, Staffordshire, who also suffered a stroke six years ago, managed to alert friends after by pressing a care alarm button at his home.

He said: 'I was lying on my back in so much pain. It was horrendous.'

Mr Pepper's friend and carer Debbie Ausin, 59, arrived at his home at around 3pm after she received a message from Carecall - a personal care service.

She found the pensioner lying against a radiator on the floor near his kitchen, with blood marks from where he had tried to catch his fall.

The incident comes as new figures reveal the NHS is being brought 'to its knees' even without a major Covid surge - as a swathe of official data lays bare how A&Es, ambulance crews and hospitals are already struggling to cope before the pressures of winter truly kick in.

Mr Pepper being propped up by cushions at 2.30 am, 12 hours after the first ambulance call

Mr Pepper celebrating a Christmas. The 92-year-old diabetic spent nearly 14 hours waiting for an ambulance after falling in his kitchen.

After Mr Pepper raised the alarm, an ambulance was called at 2pm but it didn't arrive until 4am the following morning, while Ms Ausin stayed with Mr Pepper for the rest of his 14-hour ordeal.

According to Ms Ausin, a self-employed cleaner, he was unable to eat and she had to help him go to the toilet three times while he lay on the floor.

She removed his false teeth to stop him from choking, but was unable to give him painkillers because Mr Pepper had trouble swallowing following a stroke.

Ms Ausin said: 'He was very upset, I noticed he had a bruise on the back off his head which had started to bulge.

'I think he was in shock about what had happened.

'I was contact with the Carecall throughout, and stayed with Cyril to monitor his breathing.

'With his diabetes too, and the damage to the skin he had from his fall, I was concerned. He also had two toes that were infected at the time.

'The district nurse turned up at 4pm - she was shocked to see what happened. She looked after his damaged arm. She broke down crying.'

'Eventually, an ambulance arrived at 4am in the following morning after Mr Pepper had gone a full 14 hours without anything to eat and would only take sips of water.

Ms Ausin added: 'It shows the resources are really stretched.'

'When paramedics arrived, they said they had been really busy and had to prioritise other patients with breathing difficulties.

'I chose to look after him because we have become close friends over the years, he has a step grandson who was in Tenerife at the time. His wife died about 30 years ago. Apart from that, he has no other family around.'

Paramedics apologised to Mr Pepper and Ms Ausin after explaining they had a lot of call-outs that day

Mr Pepper's experience is not an isolated incident, as GPs warn patients are waiting for increasing lengths of time in their practices to be transported to hospital.

The British Medical Association (BMA) warned things will 'get worse rather than bette' after NHS data showed patients were left waiting for hours at a time for an ambulance.

Dr Richard Vautrey, chairman of the BMAs general practitioners committee, said people have been left in GP waiting rooms for paramedics, forcing staff to carry out treatment and increasing waiting times for other patients.

He said: 'It leads the practices to manage said patients without the necessary equipment and expertise to do so.

'Some patients choose to go to their GP practice rather than call 999 and when the GP realises the situation, they take action and need ambulance staff to get there. Every second counts.

'There have been examples where practices have been giving oxygen to people while they wait for paramedics and have run out and have had to find further sources of oxygen.'

The NHS waiting list for routine hospital treatment in England has reached 5.83million, official data revealed today marking the eleventh month in a row that the figure has hit a record high. Some 1.6million more Britons were waiting for elective surgery  such as hip and keen operations  at the end of September compared to the start of the pandemic

A record number of 999 calls were made in England in October with 1,012,143 urgent calls for medical help made. But the time it took answer these calls also increased to a record 56 seconds

The NHS has long struggled to meet its recommended ambulance response times for Category 2 incidents which include medical emergencies such as strokes and severe burns but the last few months months have seen unprecedented rise with patients waiting nearly an hour on average for an ambulance after calling 99.

Elsewhere, doctors have reported patients are dying in the back of ambulances and in corridors because emergency units are so busy.

On Thursday, NHS England data revealed a record of 5.83million patients are now on the NHS waiting list for routine treatment - with the toll having snowballed during the pandemic.

At the same time, the average ambulance response time for heart attack and stroke patients is now nearly an hour, which paramedics admitted is putting patients' lives 'at risk'. 999 response times for category two calls are now three times above the health service's 18-minute safety target.

Doctors warned the grim performance figures were 'concerning' because winter pressures and staffing absences have yet to hit peak levels.

A poll of NHS bosses found nine in 10 felt the current situation  dealing with the pandemic-induced backlog and Covid  is 'unsustainable' and patient care is being compromised.

Deborah Ward, senior analyst at the health think tank King's Fund said: 'Today's stats reveal the worst performance since current records began for ambulance calls, A&Es and waits for planned hospital care.'

Mr Pepper celebrating his 90th birthday two years ago at his home in Silverdale, Staffordshire

At the end of Mr Pepper's 14-hour wait, both he and Ms Ausin received apologies from paramedics after 'having so many call-outs.'

Mr Pepper refused to go to hospital because he feared he would not return home again.

He said: '[Ms Ausin] is such a close friend to me and I will always be grateful for what she has done for me.

'I was annoyed that I had to wait 14 hours for an ambulance, I have worked all my life as building clerk and for the electricity board.'

West Midlands Ambulance Service said the trust would like to offer its apologies to him 'for the delay in responding'.

A spokesperson for the service stated paramedics in its control room 'spoke to the caller with the patient on several occasions to check whether his condition had changed.

'Unfortunately, high levels of demand from people with life-threatening conditions sometimes mean we are not able to respond to incidents as quickly as our patients would want.

The spokesperson added: 'We are working closely with all local health services and NHS England to reduce delays and we continue to bolster frontline and control room staffing as part of a range of measures to help manage the current high levels of demand.'
Modern humans eventually took over Europe after several failed attempts to settle in the continent, according to scientists, but doubts remain over what caused their eventual success.

A group of researchers made the discovery while they were studying the disappearance of Homo sapiens from Africa tens of thousands of years ago.

Remains of our ancestors dating back 40,000 to 50,000 years have been found in Bulgaria, Romania and the Czech Republic recently.

But analysis of these bones produced genetic profiles that do not match those of modern Europeans.

Professor Chris Stringer of the Natural History Museum, London, told the Guardian: 'These early settlements appear to have been created by groups of early modern humans who did not survive to pass on their genes.

'They are our species' lost lineages.

'The crucial point is that the demise of these early modern human settlers meant Neanderthals still occupied Europe for a further few thousand years before Homo sapiens eventually took over the continent.'

Reconstruction of an early (between 37,000 and 42,000 years old) European Homo sapiens based on bones found in the cave PeAtera cu Oase (Romania). Exhibited in the Neanderthal Museum in Mettmann, Germany

A group of researchers discovered modern humans had several failed attempts to settle in Europe before eventually taking over the continent while studying the disappearance of Homo sapiens from Africa tens of thousands of years ago

A partial skull and skeleton of a woman were found in the Zlaty Kun cave in Czech Republic.

It was initially thought these remains were about 15,000 years old, but international researchers re-examined them and new analysis showed they were about 45,000 years old.

This discovery meant this woman was one of the older members of Homo sapiens found in Europe, but that she also shared no genetic continuity with modern Europeans.

Cosimo Posth, of the Institute for Archaeological Sciences, Tubingen University, Germany - said: 'This woman did not contribute genetically to present-day Europeans.'

Modern humans first appeared in Africa around 200,000 years ago, and in Asia about 60,000 years ago.

They began spreading across the world before all other species of hominin were rendered extinct.

Neanderthals died out in Europe about 39,000 years ago.

But recent studies have shown that early attempts by Homo sapiens to settle into Europe were not successful.

As well as the skull and skeleton found in the Czech Republic, early human remains have also been found in Pestera cu Oase in Romania and Bacho Kiro cave in Bulgaria.

A partial skull and skeleton of a woman were found in the Zlaty Kun cave in Czech Republic, and early human remains have also been found in Pestera cu Oase in Romania and Bacho Kiro cave in Bulgaria

None of these were found to have made a genetic contribution to modern Europeans.

Scientists researching why later attempts by modern humans to expand into Europe were successful when others failed, have pointed to environmental factors as a possibility.

The Laschamps event, the reversal of the planet's magnetic poles, which happened around 42,000 years ago, has been noted by some scientists as causing 'cosmic radiation levels' across the globe for centuries.

A cooling of the climate in the North Atlantic and a volcanic eruption in Italy have also been raised as possible causes, but some researchers have questioned whether they were enough to lead to extinction.

Mr Stringer agrees with a theory that Homo sapiens were better at exploiting the landscape and hunted more effectively.

He said 'minor changes' in human behaviour could have been the difference between success and failure at this time, and improving the lives of men and women.

He added: 'The behaviour of Homo sapiens was a big factor in our 'success', I think

'Maybe we networked better, or accumulated knowledge more effectively, and so learned how to extract resources more intensively.

'Any slight advantage would have been critical.

'You've only got to increase survival of your babies by 1% and that is a huge advantage in a stone-age world.'

Scientists researching why later attempts by modern humans to expand into Europe were successful when others failed, have pointed to environmental factors as a possibility

Interbreeding between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals has been raised as another reason for the eventual success in Europe.

Today, people of non-African origin have genomes that are around 2% Neanderthal, according to researchers, and 40,000 years ago that proportion would have been higher.

Mr Stringer said: 'As numbers of Homo sapiens grew and we spread ever wider across Europe, it is quite possible that we 'absorbed' some species - in particular, the Neanderthals - out of existence.

'If prime-age Neanderthals were entering the modern human breeding pool, whether voluntarily or otherwise, those individuals were no longer contributing to the survival of their species.

'The result would have been straightforward extinction for the Neanderthals.'
Parliament is planning an overhaul of special interest all-party parliamentary groups over fears they could become the next source of a political sleaze scandal.

They are considering a ban on foreign funding for cross-party APPGs and the role of lobbyists in running them amid fears some whitewash controversial nation states.

APPGs are informal arrangements with no official status within Parliament, yet there are more than 700 registered covering everything from various different countries to Smoking and Health and Yoga in Society.

They produce reports and fund visits - often abroad - for MPs and peers involved with their work.

Now Speaker Lindsay Hoyle is reported by the Telegraph to have teamed up with Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg and Standards Committee chairman Chris Bryant to make them more transparent.

Research by the charity Transparency International suggests 36 APPGs about countries are run by eternal bodies, with two funded by a foreign state, 23 by campaign groups and six by private businesses.

Now Speaker Lindsay Hoyle is reported to have teamed up with Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg and Standards Committee chairman Chris Bryant to make them more transparent.

Research by the charity Transparency International suggests 36 APPGs about countries are run by eternal bodies, with two funded by a foreign state, 23 by campaign groups and six by private businesses

Its anti-corruption expert, Alex Runswick, told the Telegraph: 'While APPGs can benefit both Parliament and wider society, they are also a way for vested interests, including foreign governments, to gain access to Lords and MPs.

'Despite these groups being a wellknown backdoor for lobbying, there are weak safeguards to protect against undue influence and the perception that money can buy influence in our politics.

'We know that corrupt and repressive regimes have sponsored APPGs to whitewash their appalling track records on human rights and corruption.

'Through the use of all-expenses-paid trips and choreographed photo opportunities with their leaders, some despotic regimes have sought a veneer of legitimacy from their engagement with our parliamentarians.'

Earlier this year Parliament's two speakers had to intervene to ban China's ambassador to the UK from visiting Westminster after an invitation from the APPG on China.

Zheng Zeguang was told by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and his counterpart in the upper chamber, Lord McFall, that he could not enter the estate for a talk scheduled for September.

He was due to meet the APPG, which is led by Tory MP Richard Graham.

But Sir Lindsay argued it would not be 'appropriate' for the ambassador to meet at the Commons while seven parliamentarians remain sanctioned by Beijing for criticising the Communist regime.

Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and other sanctioned politicians welcomed the 'strong principled stand' taken by the speakers.

But Mr Graham expressed his 'regret' that he would have to postpone the talk.
The Government is set to commission an official history of the Troubles to deter fears of revisionism aimed at changing the narrative of the conflict in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis has developed proposals that would see a 'balanced' team of historians, independent from ministers, draw up an official record of events from the 1960s to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

The record is expected to take years to complete and will cover the role of the Government and Armed Forces in the protracted conflict, including Bloody Sunday in 1972 which saw 13 civilians shot dead by troops.

It will also seek to prevent what ministers deem revisionist history from clouding or playing down the impact of IRA atrocities and terror attacks, according to sources cited by The Telegraph.

It comes after the Government announced earlier this year it would introduce a statute of limitations to end criminal prosecutions of crimes committed during the Troubles.

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis has developed proposals that would see a 'balanced' team of historians, independent from ministers, draw up an official record of events from the 1960s to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998

In this May 5, 1981 file photo British troops, in foreground, clash with demonstrators in a Catholic dominated area of Belfast, Northern Ireland

Photo dated December 7, 1982, showing the devastation caused by a time bomb exploded by the Irish National Liberation Army the evening before at the Droppin Well pub in Ballykelly

The plans being drawn up by Lewis signify another push to 'draw a line under the Troubles' - a statement made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in July when the Government confirmed it aims to ban further prosecutions for crimes dating back to the conflict.

The compilation of historical records, footage, images, documents and other materials is expected to take several years and would be similar to the Government's drive to document and chronicle the First World War in the years following the bloodshed.

The move is likely to be received positively by Unionist parties, who believe that Republicans have tried to play down the role of the IRA in the conflict, but is equally expected to incur a considerable backlash from the nationalist party Sinn Fein.

Unionists wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom, while Irish nationalists and Republicans pushed for Northern Ireland to leave the UK to instead create a 'united Ireland'.

The Grand Hotel in Brighton, after a bomb attack by the IRA, October 12, 1984. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and many other politicians were staying at the hotel during the Conservative Party conference, but most were unharmed.

The Government's intention to introduce a statute of limitations concerning the Troubles has drawn criticism from all sides, despite Lewis and Boris Johnson insisting the amnesty would allow those involved in the conflict on all sides to escape investigation.

The effective amnesty will apply to British veterans, former members of the security services and Royal Ulster Constabulary, as well as the IRA and loyalist paramilitaries.

Lewis believes shifting the focus from legal battles over events decades past towards a process of information collection and recognition would better allow families and communities affected by the conflict to move on.

'We know that the prospect of the end of criminal prosecutions will be difficult for some to accept, and this is not a position that we take lightly,' said Lewis in July.

'But we have arrived at the view that this would be the best way to facilitate an effective information retrieval and provision process, and the best way to help Northern Ireland move further along the road to reconciliation.

'It is a painful recognition of the reality of where we are.'

Meanwhile, a group of historians are expected to be appointed by the Government on privy council terms to undertake the project of information collection and collation.

Ministers are also considering asking the Northern Ireland centenary historical advisory panel, chaired by historian Lord Bew, to lend their support and expertise.

The panel was created to develop plans to mark 100 years since the creation of Northern Ireland 'in a spirit of mutual respect, inclusiveness and reconciliation'.

Northern Ireland celebrated its 100-year anniversary on 3rd May 2021.
Shamima Begum has said that 'she fears for her life' after an arson attempt last week.

The 22-year-old jihadi bride was targeted by ISIS fanatics who firebombed her tent in the Kurdish-run refugee camp al-Roj in northern Syria.

Begum is allegedly the main target after denouncing the terror group as she pleads with lawyers to help her leave the camp.

Shamima Begum (pictured) has said that 'she fears for her life' after an arson attempt last week

In September, Begum appeared on Good Morning Britain (above) and begged the UK public for forgiveness and to be allowed to return

IS wives apparently want to kill the former child bride from Bethnal Green, east London.

'Wearing trainers and make-up has angered the wives,' a source told the Sun.

It comes after her jihadi husband refused to condemn beheadings or the use of sex slaves and said he still hopes to see a caliphate established.

Speaking in an interview from detention centre in northern Syria, Yago Riedijk, 29, described the couple's 'beautiful' former life under the extremist group.

He said ISIS-claimed attacks on the West were not 'Islamicly responsible' because they involved killing innocent people which is 'prohibited in Islam' but refused to condemn the group's violence against Yazidis, who were sold as sex slaves, and other Muslims.

Begum (pictured) is being held in Kurdish-run refugee camp al-Hol in northern Syrian amid an ongoing battle to return to the UK after she was stripped of her citizenship in February 2019

Riedijk also stayed silent on ISIS beheadings, saying only 'I can't really comment' when pushed to condemn the extremist group's brutal punishments.

The 29-year-old later said he did not believe ISIS was finished and said he still hoped to see a caliphate which adheres to 'Islamic traditions' established.

He smiled as he spoke about married life with Begum in the caliphate and described 'beautiful memories' of baking cakes as a family.

The Dutch husband of Shamima Begum, Yago Riedijk, (pictured) has described 'beautiful memories' of their family life under the ISIS caliphate in an interview from prison

The Dutch extremist married Begum days after she arrived in Syria from East London, aged 15, in 2015 and the couple had three children together, all of whom have died.

Begum is being held in Kurdish-run refugee camp al-Roj in northern Syrian amid an ongoing battle to return to the UK after she was stripped of her citizenship in February 2019.

Riedijk is being held in a detention centre in the same region. He was convicted in a Netherlands court in 2018 for joining the extremist group and will face a six-year jail term if he ever tries to return to Europe.
A stranded family-of-four's final picture before getting bogged down in the outback is a stark reminder of how quickly things can turn from good to very bad.

After arriving in remote Birdsville, Queensland, the Zavros family, who are travelling Australia in a van with their two young children, posted on Instagram on Thursday that 'after three days of driving, we made it! Bring on the Simpson Desert.'

But it is in the Simpson Desert in South Australia where the family - parents Orios and Lindsey and their children Zoe and Zane - have been stranded for the past six days after torrential rains saw their van bogged in the middle of nowhere.

A young Perth family has been stranded in the Simpson Desert in South Australia for six days - with this their eerie last Instagram post before disaster struck

Posts on the family's Instagram account shows little Zane and Zoe enjoying a swim in Fraser Island, a paddle-board in the Whitsundays and moments of everyday life in the van

The Zavros family set off an emergency beacon on Friday morning after their campervan became stuck about 150km north-west of Oodnadatta.

The beacon led to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority sending a plane from Melbourne's Essendon Airport to deliver essential supplies to the Perth family.

Along with food and water, DVDs, sweets and nappies were included in the delivery, as well as a letter from Mr Zavros' parents.

Mum Theo and dad Lagis Zavros spoke with their son and his family on 'a very crackly satellite phone' on Sunday.

They were hugely relieved to find the family is coping well with their predicament.

Orios, Zane, Lindsey and Zoe Zavros (pictured) have been travelling around Australia in a campervan

'If you could pick the worst place in Australia to break down it would be there,' Lagis Zavros told The West Australian.

Mrs Zavros said the four-hour wait to get confirmation her family was safe had been 'hectic and horrible'.

AMSA and SA Police are coordinating a rescue effort which will begin when weather conditions improve in the coming days.

Though flying the family out of where they are stranded was considered, the preferred option is to dig their campervan out of the mud so they can make their own way out - but conditions still aren't good enough.

The Zavros family could be stranded for another two weeks after their van became bogged (pictured), but supplies have been dropped to them

Mrs Zavros said three-year-old Zoe and two-year-old Zane were both coping well, but that the older child is more sensitive and understands some of what is going on.

Zane told his grandmother on the call: 'Yaya, I love you'. Yaya is Greek for grandmother.

Mr Zavros said the family waited two days before setting off their emergency beacon as they had hoped someone would be travelling past.

But when that didn't happen they realised they needed to alert the authorities about what happened.

Recovery efforts on land have been hindered by bad weather with police statements estimating the family could be stranded for weeks.

'Vanlife' couple Orios and Lindsey Zavros and their children Zoe and Zane (pictured) are currently stranded in the Simpson Desert in outback South Australia

The cold front responsible for the heavy showers hit South Australia on Wednesday, bringing gale-force winds and a near-record amount of rain.

The wild weather caused power outages in Adelaide and the Alberga River in the state's far north to flow for the first time in 18 months.

The family has been careening across Australia since November 2020, with the modified vehicle taking them from the west coast of WA, across the south and east of South Australia, Darwin, and Queensland.

They documented their outback adventures in their 'truck and home built camper' on an Instagram account Trucking Oz.

The account boasts more than 4,000 followers with an accompanying YouTube channel also giving followers an inside look at the highs and lows of van life.
A Scottish soldier who got drunk before falling from a Polish hotel balcony may have died because alcohol restrictions on military bases are too strict, an inquest heard.

Corporal Ryan Lovatt, 25, died from his injuries in August 2019 while on a break from army duties in Warsaw.

He was serving with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), and had been deployed for diplomatic services with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

An inquest heard that Corporal Ryan Lovatt, pictured, got drunk before falling from a Polish hotel balcony

He had been deployed to Eastern Europe as part of Operation Cabrit, a codename for the UK's contribution to NATO's enhanced Forward Presence.

Cpl Lovatt was one of around 150 British soldiers deployed to Poland, where they form of a part of the US-led battlegroup in order to show 'transatlantic strength' against Russia.

On a break, the inquest heard Cpl Lovatt was drinking heavily on the evening of 31 July 2019 and early hours of 1 August and was pepper-sprayed by a bouncer on leaving a club.

Senior Coroner David Salter said: 'There were two incidents outside clubs where some members of the group were pepper-sprayed by door staff but, on the evidence I heard, this appears to be unprovoked and heavy-handed.

Cpl Lovatt was helped to his room at the City Comfort Hotel in Warsaw (general view pictured) the night of his death

'Cpl Lovatt was pepper-sprayed during the second incident and returned to the hotel in a taxi with a colleague who took him to his room.'

He was put to bed by a fellow soldier in his room at the City Comfort Hotel, Warsaw, but he later fell accidentally and unwitnessed from the balcony of his room to his death.

There was no evidence this was intentional or any suspicious circumstances.

The inquest heard there was a 'two can rule' on alcohol during the deployment which was described as 'fairly restrictive'.

The facilities at the camp also 'left a lot to be desired and morale was not high', Oxford Coroner's Court was told.

The Coroner issued the Ministry of Defence a report to prevent future deaths suggesting the military policy on alcohol was too strict which led to binge drinking when soldiers were off-duty.

Mr Salter said: 'The deployment appears to sit between an operational tour and being normalised.

'The result of this appears to be a systemic problem with regard to understanding the policy and complying with it.

'It is possible that a restrictive alcohol policy and poor conditions in the base might lead to excessive/binge drinking when on a trip such as this one.

'Rather than tightening the policy, it is possible that less restrictive conditions at the base is part of the answer.

'Whichever view is taken of the above, whether it is a two can rule, four can rule or more, an important safeguard is the requirement for a soldier, normally an NCO, to be nominated as a shark watch and to remain sober and vigilant.

The facilities at the camp 'left a lot to be desired and morale was not high', Oxford Coroner's Court (general view pictured) was told

'It is a well known and common-sense concept.

'It is not clear to me if there is a formalised policy. I anticipate the system may operate differently depending on the personnel and location.

'In this case, the system did not operate effectively as the person nominated as shark watch did not appear to know that he had been nominated.

'Others who gave evidence were unclear about the existence or requirements of such a system.

'In short, my concern is that there is not a realistic, workable or widely understood policy that is capable of being enforced with regard to alcohol on Operation Cabrit and that, furthermore, the role of shark watch is not given greater prominence.'

An MoD spokesperson said: 'The health and well-being of our personnel is of the utmost importance, which is why commanders offer extensive guidance to help personnel make informed decisions.

'In addition to the treatment for those struggling with serious alcohol misuse, all three Services are developing holistic programmes as part of an overarching healthy lifestyle strategy.'

Following Cpl Lovatt's death, his family said in a statement: 'We're devastated by the loss of our son Ryan.

'We never would've expected for him to be hurt on a deployment like this.'
Australian women who had their underwear ripped off before enduring invasive gynaecological exams in Qatar have demanded someone is held accountable for their horrific treatment, as the brave group reveal the harrowing details of the ordeal.

Thirteen innocent women were waiting on the tarmac on board a Sydney-bound Qatar Airlines flight from London on October 2 last year when their excruciating ordeal began.

Authorities in the hard line Islamic nation were hunting for the mother of a newly-born baby found alive in a bin at the Hamad International Airport.

Police and security personnel rounded up all women of childbearing age who were in the vicinity and subjected them to 'humiliating' and 'traumatising' medical exams.

No apology has ever been made and the victims but now they're fighting back after their Middle East nightmare, taking the wealthy Persian Gulf state to court over its human rights violation.

CCTV footage released by local media showed first responders crowded around the baby (pictured) at Doha Airport

The ordeal began when a disturbing message came over the intercom on the flight, demanding that all women onboard disembark the plane with their passports.

The confused passengers, some of whom feared it was a terrorist incident, were then taken by guards on an elevator to awaiting ambulances - with no idea what was in store for them.

'I thought we were going to be kidnapped or held as legal pawns. I feared we were going to be raped and that my child is going to be taken and that we will never see family again,' a woman on board Flight 908 named Anna told 60 Minutes.

'It was the scariest moment of my life.

'I was crying and shaking and squeezing my baby. I didn't want to get on an elevator with armed guards not knowing where we were going and where we were being taken.'

Once inside the ambulance a nurse briefly explained what was going on and told her to lay down on the bed.

Sophie (pictured on 60 Minutes) said the ordeal at the hands of Qatar authorities has been traumatising

Staff strip searched the women - who had been on a Qatar Airways flight - without their consent after allegedly discovering an abandoned baby in an airport bathroom

'She grabbed under my pants and my underwear and she stripped them,' Anna said.

'It was a humiliation, an abuse of power and a breach of my human rights.'

'No one is allowed to touch me, no one is allowed to strip me naked without my consent and that is what happened to me in a major airport, one of the biggest airports in the world with a major airline.'

Fellow passenger Sophie, who notified the Australian Federal Police when she arrived home, said the experience has left her traumatised.

'I felt very angry and full of rage leaving the ambulance that I didn't have a stronger voice that I allowed that to take place, that I didn't protest enough. I felt powerless.'

Grandmother Kim Mills also recounted what happened inside the ambulance.

'She told me to pull my pants down and that they needed to examine my vagina,' the Australian woman told the Guardian.

'I said, "I'm not doing that" and she did not explain anything to me. She just kept saying "we need to see it, we need to see it".'

Don't be fooled by the seeming modernity, glittering towers, conspicuous wealth and love of high-end western fashion brands - Qatar (pictured, Doha) is a hard line nation with restrictive laws for women

The woman said she tried to escape, but there was nowhere to run and she eventually relented.

'I was panicking. Everyone had gone white and was shaking,' she said.

Ms Mills said the women were then brought to an interview room and told to provide their flight information.

By the time she arrived back on the plane, she said her legs were 'just wobbling' and she asked why they weren't told what was going on.

'I can't imagine what it was like for those poor young girls, it must have been horrendous,' she said.

'I'm a mother of three daughters and when I got back on the plane and reflected on it and thought, I am so glad it wasn't any of my girls.'

Anna (pictured on 60 Minutes) said it was the scariest moment of her life when guards took her off the plane

Another young woman named Jane remembered thinking 'this is bizarre, like why am I having to remove my pants?' when ordered inside of the ambulance.

'She said "I need to remove your underwear" and I said "I don't feel comfortable with removing my underwear".

'I was physically holding them up and she said "no, no they need to come down".'

'I said "why, why?" and I was in shock. I remember laying there thinking this isn't right, this isn't how this should be happening. This isn't how this should be done.'

Although there was a strong reaction from Qatar authorities at the time, no meaningful action has been taken over the mass assaults which were also carried out on an unknown number of women of other nationalities.

The Persian Gulf state blamed the entire incident on one guard who reportedly received a suspended sentence.

Kim Mills was on the Sydney-bound flight from Hamad International Airport (pictured) in Doha on October 2 when she was hauled off the plane with 13 other Australian women

The Australian government formally registered serious concerns with Qatari authorities but no meaningful action has been taken (pictured, Doha Airport)

Although the Qatar government initially called the incident 'unacceptable', they are yet to apologise to the women affected.

Qatar Airways have also failed to apologise to the victims, they say.

'We were led into these ambulances with no choice, but we have a choice now and we are going to take action,' Sophie said.

The group are now suing state-owned Qatar Airways and the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority accusing them of assault, battery and deprivation of liberty.

'The incident was in breach of many international covenants and obviously in breach of human rights,' the man heading up their legal battle, Damian Sturzaker from law firm Marque, said.

'One can see it was a massive overreaction to the circumstances the airport authorities found themselves in. One certainly can't ever imagine that happening at Mascot or Tullamarine (airports in Australia).

'We want a reasonable outcome and for positive steps to be taken guarantee the safety of women and more generally people in general travelling through Doha.'
The Austrian government has ordered a nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated people in an effort to slow the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg today confirmed that millions of citizens would be placed into lockdown from tomorrow amid a worrying trend in infections.

The move, which will affect about two million people in the country of 8.9million, prohibits unvaccinated individuals from leaving their homes except for basic activities such as working, grocery shopping - or getting vaccinated.

It will not apply to children under the age of 12 because they cannot yet officially get vaccinated.

It comes after hundreds of Dutch protestors had a water cannon turned on them by police last night after they objected to the partial return of lockdown introduced by The Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Earlier today hundreds of people descended upon the streets of Ballhausplatz in Vienna during an anti-vaccination rally.

Hundreds of protesters walk through a street in Vienna during an anti-vaccination demonstration

A group of demonstrators hold a placard reading 'no to compulsory vaccination' during an anti-vaccination protest at the Ballhausplatz in Vienna

Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said that that millions of citizens who have not been vaccinated would be placed into lockdown from tomorrow

Protesters held placards in their hands reading 'no compulsory vaccination' as they walked through the streets.

On Sunday, Mr Schallenberg told reporters in Vienna: 'It's our job as the government of Austria to protect the people.

'Therefore we decided that starting Monday ... there will be a lockdown for the unvaccinated.'

The lockdown will initially last for ten days and police have been asked to check people outside to make sure they are vaccinated, Mr Schallenberg said.

Austria has one of the lowest vaccination rates in western Europe, with only around 65 per cent of the total population fully vaccinated.

In recent weeks, the country has faced a worrying trend in infections and reported 11,552 new cases on Sunday; a week ago there were 8,554 new infections.

The seven-day infection rate stands at 775.5 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

In comparison, the rate is at 289 in neighbouring Germany, which has already also sounded the alarm over the rising numbers.

Last night the streets in the Netherlands were deserted as new government rules dictated all restaurants and bars close their doors for trade at 8pm.

Restaurants, bars and all nightlife have been ordered to close for business each day no later than 8pm, leaving many streets around the country deserted on what would normally be a bustling time for nightlife.

It came as angry clashes erupted between Dutch protestors and police after they objected to the partial return of lockdown.

Dutch police blasted a group of around 200 people in The Hague with water in a bid to disperse demonstrators who had been throwing stones and fireworks in protest on Friday evening.

Mr Schallenberg told reporters in Vienna it was the government's job 'to protect the people'

A demonstrator holds a placard saying 'against compulsory vaccination' during a protest in Vienna today

Coronavirus infections in the Netherlands have been rising for a month after most social distancing measures were scrapped in late September, and reached their highest level since July in the past week. Meanwhile, cases in the UK have trended downwards since October 24

Confirmed Covid cases have skyrocketed in the Netherlands in recent weeks, with a record-breaking 16,000 new infections recorded on Friday

Austria's seven-day infection rate stands at 775.5 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants. It also reported 11,552 new cases on Sunday; a week ago there were 8,554 new infections

Prime Minister Mark Rutte was giving a press briefing to the media when protestors clashed with riot police and mounted officers outside the Justice and Security Ministry in the Dutch city.

Later that evening, after flares, projectiles and bicycles were thrown at police, officers were seen hitting fleeing demonstrators with batons as what started as a peaceful protest descended into chaos.

Although death remain low, the Netherlands recorded their highest ever daily infection count positive Covid cases on Friday as medics warned hospitals were being put under huge pressure amid a record-breaking surge of infections.

Referring to the 'unpleasant' return of lockdown measures from this Saturday, Mr Rutte said restrictions that the Dutch people had thought had ended for good were being re-imposed for three weeks.

Meanwhile, Covid cases have tumbled in the UK over the past month, leading to prominent experts including 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson to share their optimism that the UK can avoid a return of 'Netherlands-style lockdown' restrictions this winter.

Infections have trended downwards since October 24, with independent tracking studies finding a 16 per cent weekly decline last week.

Police officers are seen in The Hague, hours after 200 people there were blasted with water in a bid to disperse demonstrators

Hundreds of anti-lockdown protestors clashed with riot police in The Hague in the Netherlands on Friday evening

Police officers stand guard in The Hague as demonstrators take to the street

Daily cases rose week-on-week for the second day in a row yesterday - up by a quarter on last week to 38,351 - but experts are hopeful this is a temporary effect of children returning to school after half term.

Hospital admissions for the virus have decreased for nearly a week straight, and are projected to fall even further in coming weeks.

Another 145 coronavirus deaths were also registered on Friday in a 25 per cent decrease compared to the toll last week.

Speaking on BBC R4's Today programme, Professor Ferguson said: 'We might see slow increases as we did in October. I think it is unlikely we will get anything close to what we had last year, that catastrophic winter wave.'

The professor at Imperial College London added: 'We've had two or three weeks of declining cases and admission to hospitals - that may be petering out, it is too early to say.

'There is a hint of an uptick in the last few days.

'But we are in quite a different situation from those European countries you are talking about (the Netherlands, Germany).

'We've had very high case numbers - between 30,000 and 50,000 a day - really for the last four months, since the beginning of July.

'That has obviously had some downsides. It has also paradoxically had an upside of boosting the immunity of the population compared with countries like Germany, the Netherlands and France, which have had much lower case numbers and are only now seeing an uptick.'
A cow's bolt for freedom in Brazil has won hearts after a video of it trotting down a waterslide was shared online.

The 700-pound bovine, destined for slaughter on a cattle ranch 500 miles west of Rio de Janeiro, managed to escape to a nearby open air swimming pool.

Once there, the cow was transfixed by a water slide and slowly plodded its way down the winding path to the pool below, the New York Post reports.

Incredibly, the slide - designed to hold just 450 pounds - did not buckle under the animal's enormous weight.

The cow has since been named Toboga, which means 'slide' in Portuguese.

It has also earned itself a reprieve and has been taken in as a family pet by the pool's owner, according to IHeartRadio.

It is not the first time cattle have made waves after staging daring escapades. In June, three dozen cows bolted from a slaughterhouse and stampeded through Pico Rivera in California.

In another recorded incident, these cows decide to turn into somebody's backyard after they bolted from a slaughterhouse and stampeded through Pico Rivera in California

A video posted on social media showed the cows appearing to follow traffic laws and trotting on the right side of the street, before ducking into someone's backyard.

Residents were also filmed trying to herd one of the cows, which started bucking and knocked one man to the ground.

The herd eventually lost steam and began grazing on people's lawns in a cul-de-sac, where local law enforcement tried to wrangle them before the group split up and tried to flee again.

By 10pm that evening, most of the cattle had been herded on to two trailers although a number of them remained at large.

'I am not a vegetarian, but fortitude and the will to fight for this cow's life is invaluable': Local politician Pawel Kukiz praised the 'fortitude' of a runaway cow (pictured) in Poland in 2018 with this image on Facebook

And in 2018, a red limousin beef cow gained celebrity status in Poland after escaping from a ranch on the way to a slaughterhouse by charging at a metal fence and breaking a farm worker's arm.

She swam to a deserted island on Lake Nysa in southern Poland and repeatedly evaded searchers by swimming between islands, keeping 70 metres ahead of her pursuers.

But the cow's valiant bid for liberty came to an end after she was finally captured. Sadly, she died while being transported back to her farm in a lorry.
A Kuwaiti who claimed he was a teenager after leading 11 migrants across the Channel in an inflatable dinghy before being caught had 'lost track of his age'.

Issa Al Tamini, 20, told a court he was just 17 when he admitted illegally facilitating entrance to the UK by steering the vessel to Dungeness, Kent, in March.

But a judge ruled that he was in fact 20 years of age following a lengthy cross-examination and blood tests.

During a Newton Hearing, where lawyers resolve factual issues without a jury being present, Al Tamini said he could not read or write.

Al Tamini, who says he cannot read or write, claims his mum keeps track of his age and added he could only remember his 14th and 15th birthdays because he was given cake

Al Tamini was arrested by police for facilitating illegal entry into the UK by steering a boat that crossed the English Channel and landed at Dungeness, Kent

He was sent to the UK for a 'prosperous' life, Canterbury Crown Court was told, after being raised in poverty on a farm in the north of Kuwait.

He said he was a part of the 'Bedoon' community of Shia Muslims, who had been rendered stateless, and said they were often left without papers.

He denied telling Border Force he was an adult after being arrested in spring and claimed he was 17.

Al Tamini, who says he cannot read or write, claims his mum keeps track of his age and added he could only remember his 14th and 15th birthdays because he was given cake.

He said he had been sent away when he was 16 and lived in Greece for a year and a half, before a friend of his father's paid 'a lot of money' for him to trek across Europe.

Al Tamini was sent to the UK for a 'prosperous' life, Canterbury Crown Court (pictured) was told, after being raised in poverty

Judge Mark Weekes said it was likely he 'lost track of time' while travelling around Europe and because he could not read.

The judge added there was no evidence he organised the crossing but 'didn't particularly need to come to the country.'

He continued: 'You had choices and it was up to you to withdraw from this dangerous sailing.'

Al Tamini was jailed in a young offenders institution for 13 months.

He will be considered for deportation upon his release.
Pupils and teachers across NSW fear today's HSC maths exam could be a repeat of last year's situation, where they got questions they had not been taught.

The vice president of the Mathematical Association of NSW said last year's exam had left many upset.

There were questions requiring students to use concepts which had been taught to advanced mathematics classes but not those in the standard course.

Last year's HSC maths exam featured some questions that had not been taught. Pupils are dreading a repeat today

'There were some very disgruntled teachers and some very upset parents and students about the annuities question,' Karen McDaid told the Daily Telegraph.

But luckily for those sitting the exam on Monday, Ms McDaid explained the Mathematical Association told the New South Wales Education Standards Authority not to let that happen again.

'They have promised they will go through a more rigorous process but we won't know until after [the exam happens],' Ms McDaid said.

A NESA spokeswoman said it had provided additional information to teachers this year.

The New South Wales Education Standards Authority has promised they have gone through a more rigorous process this year (stock image)

But celebrity maths teacher Eddie Woo - who hosts a YouTube channel - reminded pupils that even if it is a tough test, it is the same for everybody.

Mr Woo, who teaches in Cherrybrook Technology High in Sydney's north-west said the exam will challenge students.

'It is supposed to do that, it enables them to demonstrate all the things which they have learned and the skills they have developed,' he said.

Traffic to Mr Woo's YouTube channel has surged as pupils look for last-minute help.

'Every year for a long time there is a spike in the statistics on the back-end of my channel before each HSC maths exam,' he said.

Mathematics teacher Eddie Woo reminded pupils that even if it is a tough test, it is the same for everybody

So would YOU pass high school today? As Year 12 students start their final exams, a look at modern-day questions proves how tough they've REALLY got it

By Brittany Chain

Almost 70,000 students in NSW began their Higher School certificate exams this week, the culmination of 13 years of education.

The exams were postponed for four weeks due to Covid lockdown, but began on Monday when 62,000 sat their English exam.

Adults may scoff at the intensity of the three-week exam period, but the tests are designed to be tough.

So, how would you go with answering last year's HSC questions for these key subjects?

For almost 70,000 17 and 18-year-old kids from New South Wales, sitting their HSC marks the most stressful time of their lives to date. Pictured: A student at Sydney Secondary College completing her English exam

STANDARD MATHEMATICS, 2020

There are four levels of mathematics subjects students can choose to take, the easiest of which is Mathematics Standard 1.

Students are given two hours to answer 30 questions for a potential total of 80 marks. They're allowed a calculator, and certain questions require them to show their reasoning and calculations.

The first 10 questions are multiple choice, beginning with identifying which shape has the most vertical edges and working up in difficulty to choosing the correct scatterplot data sets.

One of the questions worth just three marks in the 2020 standard paper is as follows:

The time in Melbourne is 11 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The time in Honolulu is 10 hours behind UTC. A plane departs from Melbourne at 7pm on Tuesday and lands in Honolulu 9 hours later. What is the time and day in Honolulu when the plane lands?

The correct way to answer the question, according to the marking criteria, is as follows

Time difference: 11 + 10 = 21 hours

Lands at Honolulu: 7pm + 9 hours = 4am, Wednesday (Melbourne time)

Time in Honolulu: 4am  21 hours = 7am, Tuesday

One of the easier multiple choice questions worth just one mark is:

What is 0.002073 expressed in standard form with two significant figures?

A. 2.07  102

B. 2.1  102

C. 2.07  103

D. 2.1  103

Correct answer: D

To view the entire 2020 Standard Math exam, visit here

Answer: Tax = 20,797 + 0.37 (122,680  90,000) = $32,888.60 | PAYG tax = 3000  12 = $36,000 | Refund = 36,000  32,888.60 = $3111.40

Answer: 320,000

Answer: Interest in 3rd year = 0.06  12 056.71 = $723.40 | Amount owing at end of 3rd year = 12 506.71 + 723.40  4510.53 = $8269.58

Answer: Amount owing = $253.50

STANDARD ENGLISH, 2020

There are four different variations of English classes students can choose from, and doing at least one is mandatory.

Students can choose between Standard or Advanced English, and Advanced students can add on an Extension 1 or 2 class.

The English exam for Standard and Advanced is split into two papers, the first being 90 minutes long and the second lasting two hours.

The first paper is split into two sections, worth a total of 40 marks, and consists of five questions.

After analysing a previously unseen pamphlet - usually featuring poetry, images or short stories - students must answer a series of questions with in-depth analysis of how the texts relate to their studies for the year.

George Orwell's 1984 was one of the prescribed text options for general English students in 2020

The longer-form question, worth 20 marks (half the test) relates to prescribed texts students have studied throughout the year.

In 2020, students had to answer the following question: 'How effectively does your prescribed text tell stories to reveal both the personal and shared nature of human experiences?'

Students had studied a variety of texts over the year, including but not limited to George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, Arthur Miller's The Crucible, Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice and Anthony Doerr's All The Light We Cannot See.

To receive top marks for the second section, students were required to:

Just a few words separate the top marking criteria from the second-highest marks, between a 13 and 16:

After completing this paper, which is usually held on the first day of exams, students must return the next day to complete a second two-hour exam.

This is the marking rubric used to grade students on their creative writing pieces

The second paper is broken into three questions, all worth 20 marks each, and students are required to write two essays based on texts they've studied in the lead-up to the exam.

The third question requires the student to craft a piece of creative writing.

Essay questions for the 2020 paper included:

Essay One: To what extent does your prescribed text disrupt assumptions about culture? In your response, make close reference to your prescribed text.

Essay Two option: In what ways does The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time invite questions about acceptance and prejudice?

Essay Two option: In what ways does A Midsummer Nights Dream invite questions about conflict and reconciliation?

For the creative writing piece, students are encouraged to come up with an idea they've previously workshopped in class. The hope is that the question and the bones of the article will be malleable enough to adapt to the exam.

The Crucible by Arthur Miller was one of the prescribed text options for students in 2020

In 2020, students were given this criteria for their creative writing piece:

Compose a piece of imaginative writing that is set in a significant place. Begin with the words:

'This is my world now, and it can be yours too, if you like. A place can soak through your skin like sweat, and ooze into your heart and soul. Breathe it in, and let me tell you a story' - Breathe Me In by Sophie L Macdonald Extract from Underdog by Tobias Madden with courtesy of Tobias Madden

Note: You are NOT required to write out the extract as part of your response.

To view the entire Standard English 2020 exam, visit here

Questions only get harder in the advanced and extension-class exams.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, who is is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity, has announced his candidacy for the country's presidential election next month.

The dictator's one-time heir apparent submitted his candidacy papers in the southern town of Sabah, Libyas High National Elections Commission said in a statement.

Grey-bearded and wearing glasses, he appeared in an electoral commission video in traditional brown robe and turban signing documents.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, 49, pictured right, has announced his candidacy for the country's presidential election last month

The 49-year-old, whose candidacy is likely to be controversial, was captured by fighters late in 2011, the year his father was toppled in a popular uprising after more than 40 years in power.

Muammar Gaddafi was later killed amid the ensuing fighting that would turn into a civil war.

The now presidential candidate was released in June 2017 after more than five years in detention.

Libya is set to hold presidential elections on December 24, after years of UN-led attempts to usher in a more democratic future and bring the war to an end.

Before his father Muammar Gaddafi's death in 2011, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi was the presumed successor to rule Libya

The long-awaited vote still faces challenges, including unresolved issues over election laws and occasional infighting among armed groups.

Other obstacles include the deep rift that remains between the country's east and west, split for years by the war, and the presence of thousands of foreign fighters and troops.

A major conference in Paris on Friday agreed to sanction any who disrupt or prevent the vote, but with less than six weeks to go, there is still no agreement on rules to govern who should be able to run.

Gaddafi on Euronews in 2011, the year he was captured by fighters after his father was toppled in a popular uprising after more than 40 years in power

Speaking in an interview with The New York Times this July, Gaddafi said he intends to 'restore the lost unity' after a decade of chaos that came in the wake of his father's death.

Before his father's death in 2011, Gaddafi was the presumed successor to rule Libya.

He told the newspaper that in the decade since his father's capture and killing, politicians have brought Libyan's 'nothing by misery' and refused to apologise for the atrocities committed by the dictator's regime.

Gaddafi was tried in absentia in 2015 by a Tripoli court at which he appeared via videolink from Zintan

Gaddafi defended his father's record as leader and claimed most Libyans now think the government should have taken a harder stance against rebels.

He also said: 'I've been away from the Libyan people for 10 years.

'You need to come back slowly, slowly. Like a striptease. You need to play with their minds a little.'

Gaddafi was tried in absentia in 2015 by a Tripoli court at which he appeared via videolink from Zintan.

He was sentenced him to death for war crimes including killing protesters during the 2011 revolt and would likely face arrest or other dangers if he appeared publicly in the capital Tripoli.

Eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar, Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah and parliament speaker Aguila Saleh are all also candidates in the upcoming election.
The Washington State dad accused of killing his daughter's boyfriend after he allegedly sold her into a sex-trafficking ring may not be telling truth, cops said, as the dead man's family claimed the murder suspect is no 'hero.'

John Eisenman, 60, has been charged with first-degree murder and is being held on a $1 million bond at Spokane County Jail in the grisly murder of Andrew Sorensen, 19, who was repeatedly stabbed to death before his rotting body was found hidden in the trunk of an abandoned car last month.

Cpl. Nick Briggs, a spokesperson for the Spokane Police Department, said the allegations of Sorensen's involvement in sex trafficking are coming solely from Eisenman.

'We can't corroborate the veracity of any of those statements,' Briggs told The Spokesman-Review.

Eisenman's underage daughter is not being identified because she was possible a victim of sex trafficking. She now resides in California, records show.

Sorensen's parents say their son, who was born with autism and cerebral palsy, is being demonized by Eisenman and his family.

His parents adopted him out of foster care when he was just six months old and they said he 'didn't have the capability to sex traffic anybody'.

'Our son had an IQ of 81,' said Theresa Sorensen, the teen's mother. 'If anybody could be taken advantage of, it was him.'

Briggs said the investigation into Sorensen's killing is ongoing. There has been no date set for Eisenman's next court appearance.

John Eisenman, 60, (appearing in court) was charged with first-degree murder and is being held on a $1 million bond at Spokane County Jail in Washington

Aaron Sorensen's rotting corpse was found in the trunk of an abandoned car on East Everett Avenue in Spokane last month, police said. Detectives believe he was killed last November

Theresa said that her son and Eisenman's daughter had been long-term friends and that it was 'painful' to learn the details of her son's gruesome death through the news.

'We didn't get to tell our side of the story,' Theresa Sorensen said. 'Because there is so much more out there about all of this that needs to come out.'

The Sorensen family released a statement Tuesday, revealing their yearlong hope to find their son. They also described Eisenman's recent confessions as 'hurtful'.

'We spent a year searching for him and hoping he would return,' the Sorensens said in a statement. 'Claims by his confessed killer have been very hurtful and only added to our family's grief.

'The word 'alleged' means of an incident without proof. It has already been reported: Both the FBI and Washington State Patrol said there is no sex trafficking investigation into the victim.'

They family said they had been advised by their lawyer and by the police not to speak publicly about the investigation.

Amber Hellmann, a resident of Rochester Heights Park, said her boyfriend and another friend noticed that a stolen and abandoned 1991 Honda Civic had been unmoved on their street for a while

Eisenman discovered last October that his juvenile daughter had been sex trafficked into Seattle by then-boyfriend Sorensen for $1,000, according to a police press release.

He was able to rescue the girl from the city and bring her back to Spokane that month.

He then learned that Sorensen was going to be at an address in Airway Heights, so he drove there and waited for the 19-year-old to arrive.

'During that encounter Eisenman abducted the victim, tying him up and placing him in the trunk of a vehicle. Eisenman subsequently assaulted the victim by hitting him in the head with a cinder block and then stabbed him repeatedly, causing his death,' police said.

'After the homicide, Eisenman drove the vehicle to a remote area in North Spokane County and abandoned the car with the body still inside.'

The car was left in the countryside until last month when someone drove it to Spokane and left it on East Everett Avenue. Officials said they do not believe that person knew there was a corpse in the back.

The body was found when people began searching through the vehicle.

Amber Hellmann said her boyfriend and another friend said they noticed the car had been there for a while.

'They were just looking around and for some reason, they decided to look in the trunk and all I hear is, 'there's a body,''' she told KHQ-TV.

The 1991 green Honda Accord, where Sorensen's body was discovered a year after his death

Eisenman was arrested on October 29 and surrendered to officers without incident after they found a stolen car with Sorensen's rotting body in the trunk a car owned by Eisenman's fiancee Brenda Kross.

Eisenman, told local authorities the car had been stolen for about a year.

Soon after, police received an anonymous tip that Eisenman admitted to a neighbor that he killed his daughter's boyfriend before hiding the body in the trunk of a car, according to court documents. The tip included details only someone involved in the crime would know, police said.

Eisenman had no violent criminal history. However, he did have a run-in with local law enforcement two months after it was believed that Sorensen was killed.

In December 2020, Eisenman was driving a red 1988 Honda Civic, seen with a Montana license plate near Sharpe Ave. and Ruby St. just before 4 a.m., when a police officer noticed the car had been listed as stolen.

The officer pulled Eisenman over. At the time, Eisenman had said that his longtime friend had loaned him the car for about two weeks while his car was being repaired.

He had also convinced police that the car wasn't stolen and that he had seen a bill of sale for the car dated earlier that month but didn't know where it.

Police said they didn't have enough evidence to arrest Eisenman and released him. His passenger, Sean Schmidt, had an open warrant and was arrested after police found a small baggie containing methamphetamine, according to records.

Sorensen had a few run-ins with the law but none for sex trafficking, records show.

In July 2020, Sorensen pleaded not guilty to charges of fourth-degree assault, marijuana possession and intent to sell marijuana that were filed against him by the Spokane County Sheriff's Office.

In April 2019, a woman unsuccessfully attempted to be granted a temporary order of protection against Sorensen. Her motion was denied in front of a court hearing, according to available court records.

Sorensen was never involved in sex-trafficking prior to Eisenman's allegations. His grieving family said they find it difficult to believe allegations on their son, refuting that he had ever been involved in sex trafficking

After her stepfather's arrest, Ashleye Kross, started a fundraising campaign to help pay for Eisenman's defense and legal fees. As of Sunday, her Give Send Go page, the No. 1 Free Christian Crowdfunding Site, raised $59,852 out of a $100,000 goal.

'Lets banned together as a community and help raise the bond and legal fees for John B Eisenman age 60, the father who rescued his daughter after being sold to a seattle child trafficking ring,' a description on the fundraising page reads.

'This father did the unthinkable for some of us to save his little girl from an unspeakable life that causes long term scars and years of emotional damage,' the statement adds.

'He did what most of us as parents would do or think about doing in a situation like this, prior to this he had no violent offenses.'

'Many are calling him a hero. I would like to do all we can as a community to help him be a free man and have his day in court to defend his honor and the honor of his daughter.'
Donald Trump's former communications director Alyssa Farah said the ex-president previously admitted he lost the 2020 presidential election and said it's 'scary' his aides and allies were able to change his mind.

Farah told CNN in a Saturday interview 'honesty, I'm not sure' if Trump believes now that he legitimately lost the election to Joe Biden.

'I know he wants to protect his ego at all costs,' CNN anchor Pamela Brown said to Farah. 'But Trump has to know he lost because I remember at the time reporting, talking to folks in the White House saying, 'Yeah, he knows he lost, he's just coming around to it.''

'He knew,' Farah admitted. 'He told me shortly after that he knew he lost.'

She added: 'But then, you know, folks got around him, they got information in front of him and I think his mind genuinely might have been changed about that and that's scary because he did lose.'

'And the facts are out there and they've lost every court case, they've had countless times to prove any sort of fraud and haven't been able to. So it is actually kind of more scary that he believes it.'

Farah served as the White House director of strategic communications for eight months under Trump, serving in several other administration roles before that including as then-Vice President Mike Pence's press secretary for two years and the Pentagon press secretary for seven months before coming back to the White House.

Former White House director of strategic communications Alyssa Farah said it's 'scary' that her ex-boss Donald Trump doesn't know he lost the election

.@Alyssafarah to @PamelaBrownCNN: "(Trump) knew, he told me shortly after that he knew he lost. But then folks got around him, they got information in front of him and I think his mind genuinely might have been changed about that and that's scary because he did lose." pic.twitter.com/Zk0K2MAKpI  Caroline Kenny (@carolinerkenny) November 14, 2021

She quit Trump's comms team just one month before he vacated office and after the president  along with his lawyer at the time, Rudy Giuliani  launched several legal challenges over the outcome of the presidential election.

A month after Farah quit, Trump held his infamous rally in front of the White House on January 6  the day Congress moved to certify the election for Biden and a trove of Trump's supporters stormed the Capitol to stop them from doing so.

Farah was quick to turn on her old boss following the attack.

The day before the Capitol riot, Farah publicly condemned Trump supporters for harassing Senator Mitt Romney and immediately denounced the attack after it happened.

On January 8, 2021 she blamed Trump for inciting the insurrection and suggested that he should resign as the House moved to impeach the outgoing president for the second time of his administration.

Trump hasn't given up on his claims of election fraud and insisting at every rally since he's left office that Democrats cheated by using widespread mail-in ballot provisions to rig the election for Biden.

The former president has tried to block the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack from obtaining White House documents from when he was president and has tried to prevent them from subpoenaing his former aides by claiming executive privilege.

Farah served in the Trump administration from 2017-2020  quitting just one month before the January 6 Capitol attack

On Sunday morning, Trump sent out a statement questioning why Congress isn't investigating Black Lives Matter rioters and election fraud rather than focusing on probing the January 6 attack.

'Why aren't they investigating the people and states who cheated on the election causing the protest of January 6th?' the ex-president sent in a statement from his Save America political action committee. 'Why aren't they investigating the people who ruthlessly and violently burned down and took over Democrat-run cities, beating and murdering people along the way?'

He continued: 'Instead they are viciously investigating those who protested the November 3rd Presidential Election, the Crime of the Century. No investigations on Election Fraud, but if anybody was near the Capitol waving an American flag, they've had nothing but trouble.'

'American Patriots are not going to allow this subversion of justice to continue, including the use of prosecutors, local, state, and federal, to torment and destroy innocent people. All this, while our Country is going to hell!'
A Florida police department is actively recruiting NYPD officers to jump ship and take a position in the Sunshine State, and over a dozen of New York's finest have already made the move.

The migration of law enforcement is part of a larger movement across the country of police officers looking for departments in pro-police communities, with Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch telling the New York Post that NYPD officers are 'voting with their feet.'

'Many New York City cops are weighing our sub-standard salary against the ever-increasing challenges, scrutiny and abuse, and they're voting with their feet,' Lynch said.

Matt Spoto and Ryan Riveron were among 14 former NYPD officers who made the move to Lakeland, 12 of them over the last two months, after a recruiting trip by the Lakeland Police Department in April.

'It was an eye opener,' Spoto said in a video posted to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' Facebook.

In New York, 'it was almost like I was ashamed to be a law enforcement officer,' he added.

Matt Spoto, pictured, is among 14 former NYPD officers who made the move to Lakeland, 12 of them over the last two months after a recruiting trip by the Lakeland Police Department in April

Pictured, Ryan Riveron, another former NYPD Officer who made the move to Lakeland Florida, where officers starting pay is $53,000 compared to just $42,000 a year for the NYPD

With a police force of 254 cops, compared to the NYPD's 36,000 police officers, the 14 former NYPD officers now make up nearly six percent of Lakeland PD

A community of 108,000 people, about 35 miles east of Tampa, the Lakeland Police Department launched a social media campaign directed at NYPD cops earlier this year prior to sending representatives to recruit in Times Square back in April.

One Lakeland PD recruiter told Spoto 'that you could park your police vehicles in front of your house  I thought that was mind-blowing,' before telling potential recruits that the 'tools and laws' afforded to officers in New York City are not enough to allow them to succeed.

With a police force of 254 cops, compared to the NYPD's 36,000 police officers, the 14 former of New York's Finest now make up nearly six percent of Lakeland PD.

The pay raise and lack of city or state income tax were emphasized as well, with the minimum salary for officers in Lakeland making $53,000 per year according to the Lakeland Ledger,

Meanwhile, NYPD officers begin at a rate of $42,000 a year.

Pictured: Lakeland, Florida, where NYPD officers are being courted to relocate to in a social media campaign by the Lakeland PD

'They don't even need to go all the way to Florida. There are many better-paying police departments in and around NYC, and theyre hiring,' said Lynch.

'We certainly don't blame anybody for leaving. But New York City needs to wake up.'

According to Police Benevolent Association data, cops who quit before their 20-year retirement period more than doubled in 2021 at 1,051 compared with last year, which saw just 509 officers do so.

In May, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, pictured, gave first responders a $1000 pandemic bonus, before announcing plans to offer out-of-state officers a $5,000 bonus to relocate

The Post cited New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's executive-order vaccine mandate as the last straw for some officers, who were forced to be vaccinated or face being placed on unpaid leave.

While only 34 NYC cops cops refused to be vaccinated according to the Washington Post, the 14 officers who have moved to Lakeland PD represents a more damning trend for the NYPD.

'No cop, no firefighter, no nurse, nobody should be losing their jobs because of these jabs,' Gov. DeSantis said Monday.

In May, DeSantis gave all of the state's first responders a $1,000 pandemic bonus, before announcing plans recently to offer out-of-state officers a $5,000 bonus for any cop wishing to relocate to Florida.
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Poland is braced for a major assault by migrants on its frontier with Belarus tonight after receiving intelligence of a huge build up of enemy troops.

Polish Border Force guards claim their Belarusian counterparts are issuing the thousands of stranded migrants with instructions, equipment and weapons to force their way into the EU.

The attack is believed to be planned for frontier at Kuznica, one of two main crossing points from Poland to Belarus.

A spokesman for the Polish Border Force told MailOnline: 'After a 'quiet' night in the vicinity of the camp in Kuznica, we are currently observing that more groups of armed officers of Belarusian services are located in the place.

'We are noticing a commotion among migrants. There is also a TV broadcast van.'

He added: 'Some tents are starting to disappear. Migrants get instructions, equipment and gas from Belarusian services.

'You can see that the Belarus side is getting ready today for a big attempt at crossing the border.

'Our forces are ready for action.'

It comes after the Polish Border Force said Belarusian soldiers engineered two mass migrant incursions into Poland last night in which some 77 people were detained and deported.

An estimated 150 others evaded capture and are now seeking sanctuary in the EU state.

Soldiers from the Polish Armed Forces patrol the Belarus-Polish border on November 11, 2021 in Kuznica, Poland. The situation on the border between Poland and Belarus continues to intensify, as hundreds of migrants arrive at the Polish border to join the EU.

Poland's servicemen stand behind a barbed wire fence on the Belarusian-Polish border as they watch migrants camping on the Belarusian side in the Grodno region on November 14, 2021

In this handout image issued by the Polish Ministry of National Defence, soldiers from the Polish Armed Forces rest whilst patrolling the Belarus-Polish border on November 11, 2021 in Kuznica, Poland. The Polish Border Force is expecting a major surge of migrants at the border tonight

Security Services Minister Stanislaw Zaryn said that 'more people are appearing on the side of Belarus at the border with Poland, escalating the situation.'

Posting a photo of a uniformed man on Twitter, he said: 'This man fired shots in the air, then tried to damage the Polish border barrier.'

Meanwhile, Poland's Ministry of National Defence posted a video showing hundreds of migrants behind barbed wire fencing on the Belarusian side of the border, saying: 'Additional officers of the Belarusian services have arrived in the Kuznica region. There is a noticeable movement among migrants.'

Around 50 migrants are said to have broken through the Polish-Belarusian border on Saturday near the village of Starzyna.

Poland has close to 15,000 troops, border guards and police are currently on the border.

NGO Grupa Granica said in a statement it had received information about attempts by Belarus to force migrants to use violence against Polish officers.

'Due to the risk of escalation of violence we want to remind all parties that migrants are not aggressors but hostages of Lukashenko's regime,' it wrote.

The Belarusian State Border Guard Committee spokesperson Anton Bychkovsky said the accusations were disinformation. 'It does not correspond with the reality,' he said

Migrants gather for the distribution of humanitarian aid in a makeshift camp on the Belarusian-Polish border in the Grodno region, Belarus November 13, 2021. Thousands of migrants have been camped out on the border roads and in nearby forests in freezing conditions for weeks

Belarusian servicemen set a tent for migrants gathering at the Belarus-Poland border near Grodno, Belarus, Saturday, Nov. 13

A group of migrants rests by a fire at a camp near the Belarusian-Polish border in the Grodno region on November 14, 2021. Dozens of migrants have been detained after crossing into Poland from Belarus last night, but Polish authorities are expecting a bigger attack tonight

A spokesman for the Polish Border Guard told MailOnline: 'After a 'quiet' night in the vicinity of the camp in Kuznica, we are currently observing that more groups of armed officers of Belarusian services are located in the place. Some tents are starting to disappear. Migrants get instructions, equipment and gas from Belarusian services'.

The Polish Prime Minister today called on NATO to take 'concrete steps' to resolve the migrant crisis on the Belarus border, adding that Poland, Lithuania and Latvia may ask for consultations under Article 4 of the alliance's treaty.

Under Article 4, any ally can request consultations whenever they feel their territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened.

'It is not enough just for us to publicly express our concern - now we need concrete steps and the commitment of the entire alliance,' Mateusz Morawiecki told Polish state-run news agency PAP.

Morawiecki's statements came the morning after Belarusian authorities ordered troops to help asylum seekers break through the frontier fence at two remote locations last night near the towns of Dubicze Cerkiewne and Kolonia Klulowicze, away from the main focus Polands defences.

The Polish Border Force detained some 77 people and deported them back to Belarus but an estimated 150 others evaded capture and are now seeking sanctuary in the EU state.

'It is not enough just for us to publicly express our concern - now we need concrete steps and the commitment of the entire alliance,' Mateusz Morawiecki told Polish state-run news agency PAP.

A Border Force spokesman told MailOnline: Last night there were two attempts to cross the border from Belarus by force, at Dubicze Cerkiewne and Kolonia Klukowicze.

Yesterday we recorded 223 attempts to illegally cross the border from Belarus.

Deportation from the Republic of Poland orders were issued against 77 people.

The spokesman could not explain what had happened to the 146 others who had crossed into Poland illegally.

Yesterday patrols of Polish soldiers could be seen rushing up and down the border in search of the fugitive migrants.

Armed with machine guns, telescopic rifles, night-vision goggles and radios one patrol halted two groups of tourists at a well-known nature viewpoint close to the border in the Bialowieza Forest.

The day-trippers were ordered to show their ID papers and account for their movements by a nervous Polish Army officer who poured over a detailed map of the forest  which spans the frontier with Belarus.

The viewpoint looks onto woods and swamp land where moose graze and is one of the last natural habitats of the European bison.

Yesterday Warsaw revealed how Belarus was arming migrants with tear gas and knocking down border posts to push the asylum seekers over the border to Poland.

British Army engineers have been drafted in to help Poland shore up their frontier, while Russian paratroopers carried out a military exercise close to the frontier in a show of support to Belarus.
Greta Thunberg has described the Cop26 summit in Glasgow as more 'blah, blah, blah' after a new global climate deal was agreed on Saturday.

The Swedish climate change activist, 18, took to Twitter to urge her followers to 'never give up, ever' and that the 'real work continues outside these halls'.

It comes after China, whose president did not attend, and India forced a last-minute change over the language about coal.

Greta Thunberg (pictured) has described the Cop26 summit in Glasgow as more 'blah, blah, blah' after a new global climate deal was agreed on Saturday

The Swedish climate change activist, 18, took to Twitter to urge her followers to 'never give up, ever' and that the 'real work continues outside these halls'

Miss Thunberg tweeted: 'The #COP26 is over. Heres a brief summary: Blah, blah, blah.

'But the real work continues outside these halls. And we will never give up, ever.'

The Glasgow Pact was watered down at the last minute with the wording of unabated coal - the burning of coal without climate change mitigating technology - changed from 'phase out' to 'phase down', leading to angry responses from European and vulnerable countries.

Her comments were made alongside a tweet from November 7 which said: 'Unless we achieve immediate, drastic, unprecedented, annual emission cuts at the source then that means were failing when it comes to this climate crisis.

''Small steps in the right direction', 'making some progress' or 'winning slowly' equals loosing. #COP26#UprootTheSystem'

Miss Thunberg's 'blah, blah, blah' line mimics comments made earlier this year.

She slammed Joe Biden's infrastructure and climate proposal as insufficient as she opened a conference in Italy - accusing him and other leaders of making 'empty promises' over global warming.

'Build back better, blah blah blah. Green economy, blah blah blah,' the Swedish activist said at the Youth4Climate summit.

'Net zero by 2050, blah blah blah. This is all we hear from our so-called leaders. Words. Words that sound great but so far have led to no action.'

Miss Thunberg was referring to President Joe Biden's proposal to 'Build Back Better,' a wide-ranging White House plan to lower child care, drug and housing costs, cut taxes on the middle class and subsidize clean energy like wind and solar.

On September 13, Democrats in Congress laid out a series of proposals to meet the White House's goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030.

Greta Thunberg mocked world leaders and their 'empty promises' on climate change when she addressed a youth summit in Milan

Britain's president of the COP26 climate conference Alok Sharma said he was 'deeply sorry' for how the gathering concluded with last minute changes on the wording about coal

Britain's president of the conference Alok Sharma 'fought back tears' on Saturday as he told delegates he was 'deeply sorry' for how the 'process' unfolded as he brought down the gavel to signal an agreement had been passed.

His voice broke with emotion after hearing from vulnerable nations, which expressed their anger over the changes to the text, as he said: 'May I just say to all delegates I apologise for the way this process has unfolded and I am deeply sorry.'

'I also understand the deep disappointment but I think as you have noted, it's also vital that we protect this package.'

Despite fierce disagreements over the wording of the deal, it is still a progressive agreement as it is the first UN climate agreement that has made an explicit mention of fossil fuels.

Leaders at the Cop26 climate change summit reached a deal, but it prompted fury after China and India forced a last-minute change over the language about coal. Pictured: Alok Sharma

The overall deal has seen nearly 200 countries agree to keep the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels 'alive' or within reach.

The pact requests countries revisit and strengthen their 2030 national climate action targets 'as necessary to align with the Paris Agreement temperature goal by the end of 2022, taking into account different national circumstances'.

World leaders and campaigners shared their disappointment at the changes made in the agreement, with some even deeming the deal as 'weak', while others insisted that the summit made important progress for global warming.

But many world leaders expressed their optimism following the conference, arguing that the green deal is an important step in tackling the climate crisis and will make a difference in the coming years.
American crime writer Patricia Cornwell said she has to find politically correct ways to refer to people in her books because 'everybody's so worried about offending everybody'.

The best-selling author revealed she recently spent 45 minutes trying to figure out the least offensive way to refer to people who fish for a living and also criticised social media for making people 'divisive'.

In an interview with the Sunday Times, she discussed how she was abandoned by her father and psychotic mother, before focusing on the political pressures currently facing writers.

Cornwell, 65, told the newspaper some words have been forbidden because of wokeist 'progressives'.

Best-selling author Patricia Cornwell, 65, revealed she recently spent 45 minutes trying to figure out the least offensive way to refer to people who fish before settling on 'fisherfolks'

She added: 'I deal with this all the time, like you can't say a vehicle is "manned". It has to be "crewed".

'I spent about 45 minutes yesterday trying to figure out the politically correct way to refer to people who fish for a living. Can't call them '"fishermen". So I called them fisherfolks.

'Everybody's so worried about offending everybody. I mean, when are they going to say you can't call them black holes any more? What will it be? A non-white hole?'

Cornwell also criticised social media for its 'brutal categories' that cause 'endless rage'.

She added: 'Instead of pulling everybody together it's divisive.

'They keep saying we are different. We're treated different because I'm a woman, or I'm gay or I'm black or I'm white, or I'm Hispanic or trans or whatever it might be. And that is a real shame.

'This has got to change, or the planet won't survive.'

Cornwell described how her father walked out of the family home on Christmas Day when she was just five years old.

Her mother, Marilyn, became fixated with evangelist Billy Graham and even decided to move her three children from Florida to be close to the Graham family in North Carolina.

One day, she burnt her childrens' clothes and took them to the Graham house and handed Billy's wife Ruth a note saying 'please raise my children'.

The Grahams cared for the children for a short while before they were fostered.

Cornwell said that one of her foster parents was an 'abusive bully' and led her to become anorexic and depressive as a teenager.

Cornwell added: 'I've had a bizarre life.

'And I didn't ask for it and probably don't deserve it. It's been like a fairytale and sometimes a very bad fairytale. But you can't have good fairytales without bad fairytales.

'The things that were awful when you were going through them are the things that some day are your treasures.'

Patricia Cornwell also criticised social media for its 'brutal categories' that cause 'endless rage'. She said: 'Instead of pulling everybody together, it's divisive.'

Cornwell has just realised her 25th book focused on her iconic character, forensic scientist Kay Scarpetta, who she first introduced in 1990

Cornwell was married from 1980 to 1989 to Charles Cornwell but is now married to Dr Staci Gruber, who she met in 2004.

A prominent donor to the Republicans, she has a helicopter and a 2012 Ferrari FF, but admits her Harley-Davidsons are gone and she no longer keeps guns at home.

She added: 'I don't need them where I live... But don't show up uninvited just because I said I don't own a gun right now!'

Cornwell is credited with revolutionising the crime genre with the introduction of her iconic character, forensic scientist Kay Scarpetta in 1990 - who has been the protagonist in 25 of her novels.
Donald Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn called on America to have just one religion and lashed out at Nancy Pelosi over the indictment of fellow Trump loyalist Steve Bannon.

'If we are going to have one nation under God, which we must, we have to have one religion. One nation under God, and one religion under God,' Flynn said, speaking at at a 'ReAwaken America' event in San Antonio, Texas, on Friday.

Flynn, an avowed Christian, did not specify which religion the country should follow but he didn't spare the House Speaker from his Biblical wrath for persecuting Bannon, Trump's former White House strategist.

Flynn called Bannon's indictment on Friday for failing to comply with a subpoena from the House committee investigating the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol an 'abuse of freedom of speech' and argued that the investigation was 'insurrection crucifixion.'

'We've talked about this nonsense going on with what I call the insurrection crucifixion and Nancy Pelosi is the Pontius Pilate. She's the Pontius Pilate,' he said. 'This is the crucifixion of our First Amendment freedom to speak, freedom to peacefully assemble. It's unbelievable.'

He continued: 'Steve Bannon was indicted today for freedom of speech basically, an abuse of freedom of speech.'

Speaking on Friday, former national security advisor Michael Flynn argued in favor of a singular religion in the US. He said: 'If we are going to have one nation under God, which we must, we have to have one religion'

Flynn also discussed the recent indictment of Steve Bannon (left) which he claimed was an 'insurrection crucifixion' led by Nancy Pelosi (right), whom he compared to Pontius Pilate

Flynn, who was pardoned by Trump last year after pleading guilty in December 2017 to lying to the FBI, stirred up controversy with his singular religion comments.

While some Americans have reaffirmed their support for the conservative, his critics have expressed outrage, even calling the former security advisor a 'traitor'.

'We stand with General Flynn,' Rep. Josh Mandel (R-Ohio) tweeted.

'I'm Catholic and do we really want government to force everyone to go to confession?' Rep. Ted Lieu (D-California) wrote. 'Sure glad we live in a Constitutional Republic instead of a theocracy,'

Columnist and author Wajahat Ali also criticized the retired general, saying: 'Michael Flynn, who is a traitor and apparently doesn't understand or know the Constitution, was Trump's National Security Advisor.'

While some Americans have reaffirmed their support for the Flynn, his critics have expressed outrage, even calling the former security advisor a 'traitor'

Flynn is no stranger to political controversy. In fact, he was under fire last July after he made a joke about wanting to assassinate unnamed politicians.

Video showed Flynn on stage at an event as he is being presented an AR-15.

'Maybe I'll find somebody in Washington, D.C.' Flynn joked when he received the gift.

The former national security advisor also has a history of spreading conspiracy theories and at one point touting that COVID-19 vaccines were being added to salad dressing.

'Somebody sent me a thing this morning where they're talking about putting the vaccine into salad dressing, or salads,' Flynn said during a September interview. 'I'm thinking to myself, this is the Bizarro World, right?'

He also alleged that the pandemic was fabricated to distract from the 2020 presidential election.

'When you look around the world, why do all these places not have the problems that we keep getting beat over the head and shoulders on in this country when it comes to COVID?' he questioned in May.

Flynn (pictured speaking during Friday's event) recently embarked on the ReAwaken America tour with Thrivetime Show Podcast host Clay Clark and several other Trump loyalists including Roger Stone, Mike Lindell, Lin Wood and InfoWars host Alex Jones

'Why? Because everything, everything, and this is my truth, what I believe, everything is a distraction to what happened on November 3.

'Everything we hear about COVID, and how COVID started before November 3, it is all meant to control, it is all meant to gain control of a society to be able to force decisions on society, instead of allowing 'we the people' to make decisions.'

Flynn served as former President Trump's first security advisor until he resigned in February 2017 after only serving in the position for 22 days.

He pleaded guilty in December 2017 to lying to the FBI about conversations he had with the former Russian ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak. He was pardoned by Trump in 2020.

Flynn has recently embarked on the ReAwaken America tour with Thrivetime Show Podcast host Clay Clark and several other Trump loyalists, including Roger Stone, Mike Lindell, Lin Wood and InfoWars host Alex Jones.

The tour is expected to hold conferences in Dallas, Phoenix and Redmond, Oregon in the coming weeks.

The tour continues as Trump's longtime advisor Steve Bannon (pictured with the former president in 2017) was indicted Friday for refusing to testify to the congressional committee investigating the Capitol riot, the Justice Department announced

Bannon, who investigators suspect could have information on links between the White House and the Trump supporters who invaded the Capitol on Jan. 6 (pictured), was charged with two counts of contempt - for ignoring subpoenas to appear for a deposition and for failing to supply documents to the committee

It comes as Trump's longtime advisor Steve Bannon was indicted Friday for refusing to testify to the congressional committee investigating the Capitol riot, the Justice Department announced.

Bannon, who investigators suspect could have information on links between the White House and the Trump supporters who invaded the Capitol, was charged with two counts of contempt - for ignoring subpoenas to appear for a deposition and for failing to supply documents to the committee.

The House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack subpoenaed Bannon, 67, on September 23.

He was among the first of dozens of people who have been called to testify on the violent attack that shut down Congress as it convened to certify Joe Biden's election win over Trump two months earlier.
Boris Johnson posed for a selfie with veterans before joining members of the royal family and politicians for the Remembrance Sunday ceremony today.

The Prime Minister provided a glimpse of his personalised phone cover, which appeared to show his one-year-old son Wilfred and the family dog Dilyn, as he smiled for the camera and welcomed veterans at 10 Downing Street.

The scenes came just moments before the PM joined members of the royal family to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in Whitehall as hundreds of military personnel and veterans lined up around the memorial.

Earlier today Mr Johnson said the day was a moment to 'come together to remember those who sacrificed everything in service of our country' as he joined Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for the poignant service.

Boris Johnson showed off his phone cover, which appeared to show his son Wilfred and dog Dilyn, as he posed for a selfie with veterans at 10 Downing Street today

Former prime ministers lined up behind Mr Johnson, with John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Theresa May also paying their respects.

The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, the Earl of Wessex and the Princess Royal also laid wreaths at the memorial.

But the Queen was forced to miss the ceremony today for the first time in 22 years due to a back injury.

Buckingham Palace said the 95-year-old monarch made the decision on Sunday morning 'with great regret' and was 'disappointed' to miss the event.

Queen Elizabeth had planned on attending the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday and it would have marked her first in-person public engagement since she was advised to rest following a night in hospital last month.

It is understood the Queen's back sprain is unrelated to her doctor's recent advice to rest.

Buckingham Palace said: 'The Queen, having sprained her back, has decided this morning with great regret that she will not be able to attend today's Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph

'Her Majesty is disappointed that she will miss the service.

'As in previous years, a wreath will be laid on Her Majesty's behalf by the Prince of Wales.

'His Royal Highness, along with the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra will be present at the Cenotaph today as planned.'

After Royal Marine buglers sounded the 'The Last Post' today Prince Charles, 73, laid the first wreath on the queen's behalf, as he has done since 2017.

Boris Johnson joined Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for the poignant service at the Cenotaph in Whitehall today

The Prime Minster laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in Whitehall as hundreds of military personnel and veterans lined up around the memorial

The PM said the day was a moment to 'come together to remember those who sacrificed everything in service of our country'

Boris Johnson stands with former Prime Ministers Theresa May and David Cameron

Boris Johnson lays a wreath during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph

Service personnel attending the ceremony at the Cenotaph wished the Queen well.

Lance Corporal May Percival said: 'My heart goes out to her and her family. I wish her well and the best.'

And RAF Nurse Officer Stephen Andor said: 'I wish her well. The Queen has very strong links to the military. She is the head of the armed forces. I think that every single member of the military wishes her well.'

During the service today, minister of St Giles Cathedral Reverend Calum MacLeod read Binyon's Lines: 'They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn, At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, We will remember them.'

Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh Frank Ross laid his wreath at the Stone of Remembrance followed by Ms Sturgeon and Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone MSP.

Meanwhile, Irish premier Micheal Martin laid a wreath to mark Remembrance Day at a service in Enniskillen.

Mr Martin continued a tradition begun by former Taoiseach Enda Kenny in 2012 by attending the commemorative event in the Co Fermanagh town.s.

He was joined by Northern Ireland Education Minister Michelle McIlveen.

Former Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster, a native of Enniskillen, attended the event in a private capacity.

She stood alongside relatives of those killed in the Poppy Day massacre of 1987, at the Clinton Centre, the location where the bomb that killed 12 people went off.
French president Emmanuel Macron has subtly changed the colour of the French flag, it has been revealed.

The shade of blue that makes up the Tricolour is now navy, a darker shade of blue than was used previously.

The change was confirmed by the Elysee and was changed last year in a bid to reconnect with the French flag of 1793 - a symbol of the French revolution, according to Europe 1.

After: The shade of blue that makes up the Tricolour is now navy, a darker shade of blue than was used previously. It is to match the French flag of 1793 when the first republic was formed

Before: The lighter shade of blue used previously used to match the shade used for the European Union flag

The decision was the subject of much debate within Macron's government, the news outlet reports as some of officials considered the new colour ugly while Macron felt the darker shade was more elegant.

The new flag is on display at Government buildings across the capital including Elysee Palace and the National Assembly.

While the decision was made by Macron, it is understood Arnaud Jolens, his director of operations, who was behind the move.

The flag was first used in the 1790s during the French Revolution after the establishment of the first French Republic in 1792.

The republic implemented a series of radical changes under the Constitution of 1793 including a commitment to political democracy, universal manhood suffrage and equal application of the law to all.

Pictured: The old flag features a lighter shade of blue along with the traditional red and white

The Tricolour, which was designed by Jacques-Louis David, was officially adopted as the national flag in 1794.

The lighter version of the flag was introduced in 1976 by President Valery Giscard d'Estaing for use in televised governmental speeches.

According to Europe 1, this was so the flag did not clash when displayed with the flag of the European Union and so the same shade of blue was adopted.

Blue and red are the traditional colours of Paris and were used by the militia during the French Revolution.

After the formation of the republic, white was added to nationalise the symbol.

The three colours are occasionally taken to represent the three elements of the revolutionary motto, liberte (freedom: blue), egalite (equality: white), fraternite (brotherhood: red).
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A second walrus has been spotted off the coast of Britain just a month after Wally returned to the Artic.

The huge mammal was seen sleeping off the shore at Seahouses village in Northumberland this morning.

It is unclear how the creature ended up in the North East as they usually reside hundreds of miles away towards the Arctic Sea.

A second walrus has been spotted off the coast of Britain just a month after Wally returned to the Artic

The huge mammal was seen sleeping off the shore at Seahouses in Northumberland this morning

It comes just a month after the world's most famous walrus was spotted alive and well in Iceland, almost a month since he was last seen off Ireland's southwesterly coast.

The wandering walrus captured the imagination of wildlife lovers around the world with his European travels this summer, which included stops in France, Spain and the Isles of Scilly.

The four-year-old whiskery gentleman started out on his tour in March, and when he fancied a pit-stop, he'd haul his 800kg bulk onto the nearest motorboat and take a nap - sometimes for several days.

But there were concerns Wally had died after 22 days without any confirmed sightings of the marine mammal and a carcass washed up on the North Devon coast, after scientists predicted he was on route to his Arctic homeland, which is likely to be Greenland or Norway.

It is not known if this latest migrant is the same one, but people have been urged to keep their distance.

It is unclear how the creature ended up in the North East as they usually reside hundreds of miles away towards the Arctic Sea

It comes just a month after the world's most famous walrus was spotted alive and well in Iceland, almost a month since he was last seen off Ireland's southwesterly coast

Resident Jake Bates, who took the pictures, said: 'I was sat home when one of my friends who works for Serenity Boats down at Seahouses got in touch.

'He does trips to the Farne Islands and I got a message from him saying there was a walrus down there.

'He said it was super rare so I went running down to get a photo of it and it's still down there now.

'Somebody told me it this hasn't happened here in 100 years. I don't know if it's been that long, but I know it's a long time.

'When I got down there was only me, the guy who messaged me and his boat skipper who was getting a video and just a couple of other people.

'By the time I was leaving though, there was loads of other people starting to come down but they weren't getting too close.'

The RSPCA have been made aware of the discovery and Jake noticed experts arriving as he was leaving.

The 24-year-old local, who runs his own media and marketing business, added: 'It looked it was just having a nap. It would lift its head up and have a look about before going back to sleep.

'The marine medics came down as I was leaving and they were making sure people were staying back.

'From what I understand, the marine medics said it was in good health. I've never seen a walrus there before.

'We were speaking earlier and talking about where it could have come from.

'We thought that Iceland might have been the closest place it could have travelled from but there's not too many of that type there from what we understand.

'We were thinking it might have come from further afield.'

The wandering walrus captured the imagination of wildlife lovers around the world with his European travels this summer, which included stops in France, Spain and the Isles of Scilly

It is not known if this latest migrant is the same one, but people have been urged to keep their distance

The Tynemouth Seal Hospital have issued an update to urge people to respect the walrus and keep their distance.

It read: 'We are aware of the reports of a walrus in the local area, and would urge people to please give it as much space and rest as possible.

'This animal is out of it's normal area and will need to rest and build it's strength back up.

'The RSPCA and BDMLR (British Divers Marine Life Rescue) are aware.

'Please, please follow safe Wildlife distancing for this animal to make sure it stays safe.'
A jealousy-filled Florida man nearly got away with murdering his former fiancee's new lover - until the killer's estranged wife tipped off cops to his deadly plot after the two woman ran into each other while visiting him at a hospital, a shocking new report said.

Patrick De La Cerda, 25, was gunned down on the doorstep of his Deltona home in February 2018 after dating Jessica Devnani, who broke up with Gregory Bender in 2017 following a nearly decade-long relationship while he was still married to Daymara Sanchez.

Bender, 53, was convicted of the murder in May, but a new episode of 48 Hours: The Ring: The Murder of Patrick De La Cerda, lays out how the chance encounter in late 2017 between the two women while Bender was in the ICU unit of a Florida hospital helped crack the case.

'I was like, "what is she doing here?" and she's like, "What are you doing here?" And I told her I'm like his fiancee and I showed her the ring. And then she showed me her ring. She's like, "I'm his wife!"' Devnani recalled of seeing Sanchez.

'My heart just dropped. I couldn't believe it. I was in shock.'

In 2018, Gregory Bender, pictured, then a 50-year-old hedge fund manager fatally shot 25-year-old Patrick De La Cerda romantic rival

Pictured, Jessica Devnani and Patrick De La Cerda, who were engaged after she broke off a prior engagement with Bender after learning he was already married to another woman

Pictured: Bender and Devnani, an Orlando-based woman two decades Bender's junior who he had met online back in 2009

Pictured: De La Cerda's body after Bender shot him to death ambush-style in front of his front door

Devnani began dating Bender - who was two decades older than her - in 2009 and the two eventually became engaged despite his volatile jealousy that often escalated to verbal threats.

'I never feared what he could do to me, but I feared what he could do to other men,' Devnani said.

'It felt like we'd known each other all our lives ... he became my best friend.'

However, she dumped Bender after giving him an ultimatum to divorce his wife following the chance encounter at the hospital.

It was not clear why Bender was hospitalized but he told Devnani that his marriage was out of convenience so he and his wife could raise their son.

A month after moving on from Bender, Devnani met De La Cerda through a dating app in June 2017.

She tried tried to keep the new relationship under wraps so as to not incite Bender's rage.

'I was afraid that he would find out about our relationship,' Devnani said.

But Bender found out about Devnani and De La Cerda through Facebook.

He began messaging De La Cerda and threatening him within months of the relationship.

Soon after, Devnani said Bender would leave unnerving messages to them both, with Devnani eventually receiving a voicemail from him saying 'I'm giving instructions. And I'm going to have my plan put into action.'

After getting restraining orders against Bender, Devnani received another unexpected voicemail from him on February 27, 2018, and immediately tried to reach De La Cerda to make sure he was safe.

When she rushed over to De La Cerda's home, she found him dead in a pool of blood.

Deputies were called to the residence, where Devnani told them about her crazed ex.

However, it was Sanchez that gave investigators the ammunition they would need to arrest Bender. She told the cops about a 'murder plan' that Bender had written out, which detectives found inside the trash can in his home office.

'Once she told us about the murder plan, that gave us what we needed to get into the house to see, you know, what else was in there,' lead detective Chad Weaver of the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said of solving the crime.

Officers found the crumpled up murder plan in Bender's home office's trash can, police said, while also uncovering ammunition and a shell casing resembling that of the one's found at De La Cerda's crime scene.

Devnani was left to mourn her later lover, who proposed to her six months after meeting her and ordered a custom-made engagement ring.

'I was looking forward to getting married,' she told '48 Hours' of De La Cerda.

'We're going to have, like, the fairy-tale life... but he never got to give the ring to me.'

De La Cerda and Devnani were engaged to be married after she broke off a prior engagement with Bender upon learning he was still married to another woman

Bender, pictured, began sending threatening messages and voicemails to both Devnani and De La Cerda after learning she had moved on to be with another man

Devnani received an unexpected voicemail from Bender on February 27, 2018, pictured, and immediately tried to reach De La Cerda to make sure he was safe, only to find him dead

Cops found the murder plan while searching the trash bin, pictured, in Bender's home office
A Virginia police officer died on his 29th birthday just hours after he was shot while performing a welfare check early on Saturday morning.

Officer Michael Chandler of the Big Stone Gap Police Department was conducting a welfare check at around 4am on Saturday when he encountered at least one person in an abandoned home.

'When Officer Chandler arrived at the residence, he encountered at least one individual,' Virginia State Police Corinne Geller told WTVR-TV.

'It was during this encounter that Officer Chandler was shot.'

A deputy from Wise County Sheriffs Office found Chandler lying unconscious in a ditch along the homes driveway.

Chandler was then airlifted to Johnson City Medical Center in Tennessee with life-threatening injuries. He died hours later.

Officer Michael Chandler of the Big Stone Gap (Virginia) Police Department was conducting a welfare check at around 4am on Saturday when he encountered at least one person in an abandoned home

State and federal agencies then launched a manhunt for the suspect, a 33-year-old man from Big Stone Gap who was arrested at a motel some 40 miles away just over the border in Tennessee. According to WCYB-TV, the suspect was caught after he was located at Travel Inn in Kingsport (above)

The image above shows the motel room that was raided by authorities who arrested the suspect

He is being held on probation violations out of South Carolina and Wise County, Virginia

State and federal agencies then launched a manhunt for the suspect, a 33-year-old man from Big Stone Gap who was arrested at a motel some 40 miles away just over the border in Tennessee.

According to WCYB-TV, the suspect was caught after he was located at Travel Inn in Kingsport.

The suspect, whose name has not been released, was arrested without incident by Kingsport Police. He is being held on probation violations out of South Carolina and Wise County, Virginia.

The Big Stone Gap Police Department paid tribute to Chandler.

'His battle to survive today was truly miraculous,' Big Stone Gap Police Chief Stephen Hamm said.

State and federal agencies then launched a manhunt for the suspect, a 33-year-old man from Big Stone Gap who was arrested at a motel some 40 miles away just over the border in Tennessee

The motel in Kingsport, Tennessee where the arrest took place is seen above

'But, he succumbed to his injuries around 7:00pm this evening at the hospital with his family at his side.

'Mike's loss will be felt by our town and across all of Wise County.

'Not only did he serve as an officer with the Town of Big Stone Gap Police Department, but also as a volunteer with the Big Stone Gap Fire Department.

'Please keep his family in your prayers tonight, as this should have been a day to celebrate his 29th birthday - not a day to mourn his passing.'

The United States Marshals Service offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect.

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam expressed condolences on Sunday and ordered state flags lowered on the day of his internment.

Northam eulogized Chandler as a dedicated public servant, a devoted husband and father, and a trusted member of the Big Stone Gap community.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Virginia State Police at 276-228-3131 or via email at questions@vsp.virginia.gov.
Head of the armed forces Sir Nick Carter has revealed his concern over the worsening situation on the Belarus-Poland border.

It comes after Britain sent in troops to help Warsaw cope with the 'weaponised' migrants being forced to cross into the EU.

General Sir Nick Carter said Minsk were pushing migrants 'on to European Union borders' to try and destabilise the region in a scenario he described as being straight out of the 'Russian playbook.'

Appearing on BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Sir Nick was asked if he was concerned the situation could escalate and become 'something really serious.'

He said: 'Yes, I think I am.

'I think this is a classic case of the sort of hybrid playbook where you link disinformation to destabilisation and the idea of pushing migrants on to the European Union's borders is a classic example of that sort of thing.'

Polish authorities have been reporting daily attempts by migrants to breach the border divide. Pictured: Migrants stand in front of Belarusian servicemen as they gather in a camp near the Belarusian-Polish border in the Grodno region today

Many migrants, large numbers from the Middle East, are in a makeshift camp on the Belarusian side of the border.

Polish authorities have been reporting daily attempts by migrants to breach the border divide.

Belarusian defence chiefs have accused Poland of an 'unprecedented' build-up of military on the border.

They have said controlling migration did not warrant the concentration of 15,000 troops backed by tanks, air defence assets and other weapons.

Appearing on BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Sir Nick was asked if he was concerned the situation could escalate and become 'something really serious.' He said: 'Yes, I think I am. Pictured: Sir Nick in a past appearance on the Andrew Marr Show (file photo)

It was announced on Friday by the Ministry of Defence that it would send in a small team of British armed forces personnel into Poland to offer 'engineering support.'

The head of the British armed forces said that those being sent are going to build fences along the border rather than fight.

He said: 'What it shows is our unity with Poland and the fact we stand beside Poland against these sorts of threats.'

It comes after Foreign Secretary Liz Truss urged Vladimir Putin to intervene in what she described as the 'shameful manufactured migrant crisis' unfolding in Eastern Europe.

Ms Truss said Moscow had a 'clear responsibility' to end the escalating stand-off and said the UK 'will not look away' in a piece for the Sunday Telegraph.

Belarus and Russia have a union agreement which envisages close political and military ties.

Several thousand migrants have set up a tent camp on the Belarusian-Polish border. Pictured: Migrants in a tent camp on the border of Belarus with Poland

Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus' authoritarian president, has been accused by the EU of encouraging illegal border crossings.

They have seen it as an attack to retaliate against the bloc's sanctions on his government for its crackdown on domestic protests after his disputed 2020 re-election.

The allegations have been denied by Belarus but it says it will no longer stop refugees and migrants from trying to enter the EU.

Belarusian forces were said to have deployed near the Kuznica border crossing, in footage released by the Polish Defence Ministry (pictured)

It is a move that has seen Syrian, Libyan and other migrants head to the region to try and slip through.

Ms Truss said the stand-off 'marks the latest step by the Lukashenko regime to undermine regional security'.

She said: 'He is using desperate migrants as pawns in his bid to create instability and cling on to power, regardless of the human cost.

'The United Kingdom will not look away. We will stand with our allies in the region, who are on the frontier of freedom.'

Hundreds of migrants have tried to slip through the Belarusian border to get to the EU. Pictured: Migrants in a make-shift border camp

Sir Nick said he could not foresee if the situation could turn into a 'shooting war' but said that the UK and Nato should be 'on our guard.

Tension in Belarus and trouble around Ukraine was described by Sir Nick as a 'classic example of a bit of distraction.'

'If you look at the Russian playbook over the years, the idea of Maskirovka, as they call it - this sort of theatre that they apply to it - it's pretty typical of some stuff that's been going on for years and years and years.'
Arielle Jean Jackson, 32, (pictured) was arrested Saturday afternoon and charged with aggravated assault after she allegedly struck a Southwest flight attendant in the head with her closed fist

A Southwest flight attendant became the latest victim of an unruly passenger after she was was attacked during the boarding process at a Texas airport.

Arielle Jean Jackson, 32, was arrested Saturday afternoon and charged with aggravated assault after she allegedly 'struck the flight attendant with a closed fist on the head'.

Dallas police said the suspect and Southwest employee had engaged in a verbal dispute that ultimately turned physical.

The flight attendant was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition.

Southwest confirmed to DailyMail.com that the unidentified crew member was released last night and is currently at home resting.

The air carrier has wished her a 'speedy and full recovery' and said she is in their thoughts and prayers.

Officers were called to Dallas Lovefield Airport around 12:40pm after Jackson allegedly verbally and physically assaulted Southwest employees.

Police said the incident took place while Jackson was boarding a New York City-bound flight.

Jackson allegedly attacked the flight attendant during the boarding process after the two engaged in a verbal dispute

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Once she got on the plane, she 'went straight to the back' of the aircraft and had a verbal altercation with a flight attendant, who ordered her off the flight. It is unclear what the pair were arguing about.

As she was exiting at the front of the plane, Jackson engaged in a verbal dispute with another employee before hitting her in the head, police officials said

Jackson was arrested and taken to Dallas County Jail. She faces an aggravated assault charge.

Investigation into the incident remains ongoing and Southwest is reportedly cooperating with police.

'Southwest Airlines maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding any type of harassment or assault and fully support our employee as we cooperate with local authorities regarding this unacceptable incident,' the airline said in a statement Sunday.

'Our entire Southwest Family is wishing [the flight attendant] a speedy and full recovery as we send our thoughts, prayers, and love to her.'

The incident comes as a Southwest pilot is facing possible criminal charges after allegedly getting into a physical fight with a flight attendant at a California hotel.

Pilot Nick Barelli was cited for assault and battery and placed on leave by the airline after the altercation with the unnamed flight attendant, which took place on October 18 in San Jose and was reportedly about face masks.

Sergeant Christian Camarillo of the San Jose Police Department told DailyMail.com on November 3 that the pilot was being investigated for assault and battery by the Santa Clara County District Attorneys office, and that charges against him had yet to be filed.

The flight attendant (not pictured) was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition and released. Southwest says she is currently recovering at home

The San Jose sergeant went on to add that whether or not the case moves forward depends on the flight attendant.

'In cases like this is, it is up to the victim to follow through and cooperate with the investigation for any possible charges to be filed,' Camarillo stated.

Southwest placed the pilot on leave while the matter is investigated.

An airline spokesperson confirmed that an investigation was already underway - but revealed that a disciplinary ruling from the air carrier would depend on whether or not charges are filed against Barelli, and whether the pilot is found guilty of a crime.

There have been numerous attacks on airplanes in wake of pandemic-imposed restrictions.

An irate Italian woman was filmed attacking another female passenger during an argument about facemasks on a Ryanair flight from Ibiza to Milan

In May, an irate Italian woman was filmed attacking another female passenger during an argument about facemasks on a Ryanair flight from Ibiza to Milan.

The woman lashed out at flight crew as she was dragged off the plane.

The flight required all passengers to wear a facial covering for the duration of the flight to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

According to local media reports, the Italian woman had been asked by other passengers to wear her mask.

The woman reacted by verbally insulting them. As the confrontation escalated, she proceeded to spit on them and physically assault them.

Crew members escorted the woman off the plane, which had not yet taken off, as she lashed out at flight attendants.

Vyvianna Quinonez, left, allegedly grew irate when she was told to buckle her seatbelt during a flight from Sacramento to San Diego on Sunday

The flight attendant, who was not named, was pictured with a bloodied face and wheeled off the flight in a wheelchair

Also in May, a woman punched a Southwest Airlines flight attendant in the face, knocking her teeth out

Vyvianna Quinonez, 28, allegedly grew irate when she was told to buckle her seatbelt during a flight from Sacramento to San Diego and punched the flight attendant in the face.

Quinonez was escorted off the flight by Port of San Diego Harbor police as the flight attendant, who was not named, was pictured with a bloodied face and wheeled off the flight in a wheelchair.

The flight attendant lost two teeth and suffered other injuries to her face and was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital.

She was later released from the hospital and Southwest flew a friend to San Diego to be with her.

Quinonez was arrested and charged with felony battery.
A 13-year-old Seattle boy watched his father who was suffering from cardiac arrest die while waiting more than 20 minutes for help to arrive - in a tragedy that critics say was caused by a shortage of cops and medical personnel staff resulting from the woke mayor's vaccine mandates and defund the police movement.

The unidentified boy called 911 earlier this month when his 45-year-old father began struggling to breath in the citys Crown Hill neighborhood.

Firefighters arrived at the scene within 15 minutes, but an outdated note on file mistakenly indicated that the apartment occupant was aggressive, slowing their response as they waited on a police escort.

Hes conscious but hes not OK, the boy told 911 in an incident report obtained by The Jason Rantz Show on KTTH.

He added during the November 2 call, lodged at 1:24 p.m., that his dad was making a moaning noise.

The Seattle Fire Department arrived at 1:32 p.m. but was discouraged from entering the apartment without police because the man living there had a history of threatening first responders, a spokesperson told DailyMail.com.

Seattle firefighters responding to a 911 call earlier this month held off on entering the apartment until police arrived because of a note on file that said the occupant had been previously combative toward first responders. (File photo)

The vaccine mandate in Seattle is leading to a shortage of first responders. And our new staffing crisis likely contributed to a man's death -- in front of his 13-year-old son. It's a tragic story. I break it down on Tucker Carlson Tonight.



Full story: https://t.co/8VuP9zd99X pic.twitter.com/h43WA9sCEL  Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) November 13, 2021

As firefighters waited for a police escort, the boy called 911 again at 1:37 p.m.

He wasnt like this before, the teen told a dispatcher. Im just really worried.

The fire crew broke protocol and entered the unit without police at 1:39 p.m.  15 minutes after the first call for help was made.

After waiting moments for police to escort them into the unit, firefighters entered the unit alone about 15 minutes after the initial call for help was lodged

One medic told KTTH that had it been addressed early, his chance of survival would have been 60 percent.

Police and medics arrived at the scene at 1:45 p.m.  more than 20 minutes after the initial call for help  and despite attempting CPR for an hour, couldnt save the man, the outlet reported.

The Seattle Police Department did not respond to a DailyMail.com request for comment by deadline.

The Seattle Fire Department said it was following procedure when it initially held off on entering the unit.

Firefighters rely on premise notes inputted into the dispatch system to alert them of any potential dangers or provide building access information, spokesperson Kristin Tinsley told DailyMail.com.

One premise note is intended to warn responders headed toward buildings where a tenant previously had acted aggressively toward emergency crews.

The boy told an operator during his second 911 call that his dad was barely breathing

The unit firefighters responded to November 2 was flagged for being occupied by an aggressive man and a note advised firefighters to request police before entering.

We had a cautionary premise note entered into the system for that address due to experiences with a patient who had lived there that was known to be combative towards SFD and SPD, Tinsley said. Unfortunately, we learned during the most recent emergency response that the cautionary note was for a previous tenant.

Conservative radio talk show host Jason Rantz blamed the sluggish response on Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan's COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which he said 'crippled already understaffed police and fire departments.'

'They do not have enough employees to respond to emergency calls,' Rantz said in a 770 KTTH column. 'And through no fault of Seattle police or Seattle fire, a man is dead when he might have been saved.'

Tinsley said the department is now reviewing the incident and added that it is working to verify its premise notes more frequently.

The apartment where the man died as his son called 911 twice is inspected every two years, however the fire departments only have jurisdiction to inspect common areas, not individual units.

Premise notes are entered in response to emergency runs or during inspections, Tinsley said. They are re-approved or removed during follow-up emergency responses or inspections.

The Seattle Police Departments 1,125 officers are tasked with protecting more than 724,000 people

Its force took another hit after vaccine mandates were introduced that required officers to get the jab or risk losing their job by October 18. In this photo protestors are seen during an October 18, protest

Staffing at the Seattle Police Department is at lows not seen since the 1980s.

In July, it was revealed that the department had already lost at least 280 officers since the start of 2020 due to what they called an 'anti-police climate' in the city amid Black Lives Matter protests and calls to defund the police.

The Seattle Police Departments 1,125 officers are tasked with protecting more than 724,000 people.

Conservative talk show host Jason Rantz (left) said Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan's (right) COVID-19 vaccine mandate has 'crippled already understaffed police and fire departments'

Its force took another hit after vaccine mandates were introduced that required officers to get the jab or risk losing their job by October 18.

Last month, the department utilized its stage-3 mobilization plan, which puts all officers on standby to respond to 911 calls.

We used a couple of detectives in one of the precincts that were short on their staffing minimums, but otherwise we haven't had any issues, Huserik said.

Seattle Police Officers Guild President Mike Solan said in October the vaccine mandate could worsen the understaffing.

'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,' Sloan told CBS58.

As of October 18, just 24 - or two percent - of Seattle Police Department officers had not shown proof of inoculation, a city spokesperson told Dailymail.com.

A crowd of about 200 protestors are pictured an October 18 rally in Seattle

Meantime, some Washington State troopers called it quits over the mandate.

Last month, a veteran trooper who was forced out of the job by the state's vaccine mandate released a video of his final sign-off and ended it by saying 'Governor Jay Inslee can kiss my a**.'

The unidentified trooper told how he had served in the department for more than 22 years in Yakima County.

A staff shortage is being coupled by a spike in crime in Seattle, which has become so dangerous that the city can no longer protect its own employees, with security guards now escorting them after they finish work.

Police above are patrolling during a Black Lives Matter protest in summer 2020

King County's new 'walking bus' will debut on November 15, and see council workers based in Downtown Seattle and nearby Pioneer Square escorted to a nearby train station and ferry terminal each evening before being left to continue their commute home.

Crime in the Pacific Northwest city has seen a recent 35 per cent spike in shootings this year compared to last, and a 76 per cent increase compared to 2019.

So far in 2021, 73 people have been killed and another 283 have been injured by shootings in the city.
A member of the Queen's Household Cavalry appeared to faint ahead of today's Remembrance Sunday ceremony.

The female guard appeared to have fainted from the pavement onto the tarmac in front of shocked crowds at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London, on November 14.

As the troops, who were dressed in full uniform, including the red plume Albert helmet, stood professionally in position ahead of the barriers, the unnamed guard was pictured on the floor.

A member of the Household Cavalry appears to faint ahead of the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in central London, on November 14 in front of shocked crowds

Wreaths of poppies were laid at the foot of the Cenotaph in London as the country marked Remembrance Sunday

Crowds gathered on Sunday morning to mark the national two-minute silence to remember all those who have died in conflict

As the troops, who were dressed in full uniform, including the red plume Albert helmet, stood professionally in position ahead of the barriers, the unnamed guard was pictured on the floor

The soldier fainted before the two-minute silence at 11am but it is not yet known what caused the fall.

One other member of the Household Calvary looked down at his fellow guard, whilst the other's looked on.

A member of the crowd helplessly looked at the collapsed soldier with her hand covering her mouth in shock.

This year saw Remembrance Sunday crowds return to pre-pandemic numbers, however the nation noticed the absence Queen, who was forced to miss the ceremony for the first time in 22 years due to a back injury, Buckingham Palace said.

The palace said the 95-year-old monarch made the decision on Sunday morning 'with great regret' and is 'disappointed' to miss the event.

Queen Elizabeth had planned on attending the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday and it would have marked her first in-person public engagement since she was advised to rest following a night in hospital last month.

It is understood the Queen's back sprain is unrelated to her doctor's recent advice to rest.

Buckingham Palace said: 'The Queen, having sprained her back, has decided this morning with great regret that she will not be able to attend today's Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph.

Pictured: Prince Charles lead the royal family at this year's Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, central London and laid a wreath on behalf of his mother the Queen after she was forced to miss the event due to a back injury

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pictured in attendance at the Remembrance Sunday ceremony in London this morning

'Her Majesty is disappointed that she will miss the service.

'As in previous years, a wreath will be laid on Her Majesty's behalf by the Prince of Wales.

'His Royal Highness, along with the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra will be present at the Cenotaph today as planned.'

The event on Whitehall was given added poignancy by a return to pre-pandemic numbers of participating veterans and military, as well as onlookers.

The Prince of Wales and Prime Minister were among those laying a wreath at the war memorial for the National Service of Remembrance.

Boris Johnson, who appeared sombre as he laid a wreath, said it was a moment to 'come together to remember those who sacrificed everything in service of our country'.

Pictured: Crowds gather ahead of the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall, London, this morning

Wreaths of poppies were laid at the foot of the Cenotaph in London today as the country marked Remembrance Sunday

Only the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds could be heard as thousands of people held the two-minute silence at 11am in honour of all those who have lost their lives in conflict.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer stood beside the Prime Minister while former prime ministers lined up behind Mr Johnson, with John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Theresa May all paying their respects.

The Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Wessex and Princess Royal also laid wreaths at the memorial.

Looking on from a balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office building were the Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of Cambridge and Countess of Wessex.

Buckingham Palace said the Queen was forced to miss the Remembrance service due to a back injury. Pictured last year

The Queen is said to be deeply disappointed to miss the service - which she regards as one of the most significant engagements of the year - and she hopes to continue as planned with her schedule of light official duties next week.

The monarch, who served in World War II as a army driver and mechanic, was due to watch the service at the war memorial in central London from the balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office building.

Her attendance at the service was confirmed by the palace on Thursday after she was ordered to rest by royal doctors just over three weeks ago and spent a night in hospital on October 20 undergoing preliminary tests.

The palace had previously said it was the Queen's 'firm intention' to attend the annual wreath-laying service in Whitehall.

The monarch, who lived through the Second World War as a teenager, is head of the armed forces and attaches great importance to the poignant service and to commemorating the sacrifices made by fallen servicemen and women.

She started the Second World War as a schoolgirl but ended it in uniform as a junior commander with the Auxiliary Territorial Service.
Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz took aim at veteran journalist Dan Rather on Saturday, sending out a caustic message after the newsman lambasted a federal court for holding up a stay on President Joe Biden's sweeping vaccine order.

It was just hours after the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the president's mandate for private businesses employing 100 or more people was 'staggeringly overbroad' and upheld an emergency order halting its implementation.

Former CBS News anchor Rather shared a Washington Post article on Twitter titled 'Federal appeals court halts Biden administrations vaccine requirement, delivering policy a major blow.'

'Hey. Let me fix that headline for you,' Rather wrote.

He suggested instead: 'Federal appeals court halts important public health measure delivering the safety and welfare of the nation a major blow.'

The next day Cruz, who often uses his Twitter to call out political opponents with searing jabs, replied to Rather's tweet with, 'Hey. Let me fix that headline for you.'

'Federal appeals court upholds the rule of law. Leftist news anchor who was fired for chronic lying laments that the Constitution remains in force,' Cruz wrote.

Ted Cruz took aim at veteran journalist Dan Rather (right) after he attacked the court that halted Biden's vaccine mandate

Rather's long, award-winning career included a 24-year tenure as anchor of CBS Evening News, but was plagued by accusations of partisanship dating back to his coverage of the Nixon administration.

The 90-year-old retired from CBS in 2005 after a scandal that saw one one of his top producers fired and forced three others to resign.

In 2004 Rather aired a report about George W. Bush's time in the Texas Air National Guard , the basis of which were a series of alleged memos that painted his military service in a highly critical light.

After the memos were published online a number of internet sleuths and the Bush administration claimed the documents used were faked.

CBS retracted the story after the source for the memos was found to have misled the network.

At the time Rather stated, If I knew then what I know now, I would not have gone ahead with the story as it was aired,' though he told Larry King three years later that 'nobody has proved they were fraudulent.'

Their spat occurred when Rather accused the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals of dealing a 'blow' to US safety

He filed a lawsuit against CBS and its parent company Viacom in 2007 though it was thrown out by a judge.

Years after the incident, he told interviewer Bill Maher that he was fired for reporting on Bush going AWOL while in the military.

But over the weekend Cruz wasn't the only Texas Republican celebrating Biden's setback.

The Texas Attorney General's office, one of the attorneys general that petitioned the court for the emergency action, tweeted 'WE WON!' after the ruling was issued.

'Litigation will continue, but this is a massive victory for #Texas and for FREEDOM from Bidens tyranny and lawlessness,' the official account for Ken Paxton's office tweeted.

Governor Greg Abbott called the court's decision 'excellent news.'

'The Federal Court of Appeals that covers Texas issued a ruling tonight that blocks Biden's COVID vaccine mandate for businesses,' Abbott wrote.

COVID-19 cases in the US have dropped off after a summer surge but still affect parts of the country with low vaccination rates

'Employees don't have to choose between a job or a jab.'

In September Biden announced a set of vaccine orders covering roughly one-third of the entire US workforce.

He directed the Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to enact a rule for companies with 100 or more employers to ensure their staffs were fully vaccinated by January 4, and mandatory weekly testing as well as mask requirements for those who still were not.

At least 27 states have filed legal challenges in at least six federal appeals courts after OSHA released its rules on November 4.

The federal government said in its court filings Monday that the cases should be consolidated and that one of the circuit courts where a legal challenge has been filed should be chosen at random on November 16 to hear it.
The true identity of Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto could revealed in a Florida court, where a lawsuit over approximately $64billion worth of the cryptocurrency is underway.

The family of deceased David Kleiman has claimed that he and his former business partner together assumed the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto and created Bitcoin.

Now, Kleiman's family is suing programmer Craig Wright, 51, for control of Kleiman's alleged share of Nakamoto's assets.

The family reportedly plans to provide evidence proving that Wright - who has claimed to be Bitcoin's creator since 2016 - and Kleiman worked together since the cryptocurrency's inception.

'We believe the evidence will show there was a partnership to create and mine over one million bitcoin,' Kleiman family lawyer Vel Freedman told the Wall Street Journal.

Meanwhile, the defense aims to prove that Wright is the sole creator of Bitcoin.

'We believe the court will find there's nothing to indicate or record that they were in a partnership,' his lawyer Andres Rivero explained.

The true identity of Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto could be soon unveiled as a lawsuit over approximately $64billion worth of cryptocurrency is underway in Florida

Nakamoto's true identity has remained unknown since Bitcoin's inception.

In October 2008, an individual using the name reportedly wrote a nine-page letter to cryptographers explaining the electronic cash system and, a few months later, the Bitcoin network went live.

During the cryptocurrency's first year of operation, Nakamoto collected nearly one million bitcoins.

The creator, who was said to use two email addresses, remained active in Bitcoin's development process for neatly two years, writing on message boards and communicating with developers. By December 2010, Nakamoto 'essentially disappeared' and stopped posting publicly.

According to the lawsuit, the Kleimans have accused Wright of recruiting their now-deceased relative in 2008 to help write the explanatory letter and launch the company.

The family also notes that Kleiman incorporated a Florida company in 2011, two years before he died, called W&K Info Defense Research which was allegedly a partnership between the two men.

Wright has reportedly claimed outright ownership of W&K and the defense has denied a partnership.

The family of David Kleiman (left) claims that their now-deceased relative created Bitcoin in a partnership with Craig Wright (right). Wright has claimed to be the sole creator of the cryptocurrency

The Australian programmer also claimed to be Bitcoin's founder in May 2016, meeting with several cryptocurrency engineers, sitting for exclusive interviews and publishing papers about cryptography and bitcoin online.

Wright faced significant criticism and dropped the claim three days after his big announcement.

He removed all of his papers from his website and instead issued a four-paragraph apology reading in part: 'I broke. I do not have the courage. I cannot.'

Wright has since renewed his claim to be Nakamoto, the newspaper reported.

Meanwhile, cryptocurrency experts remain skeptical about whether Wright or Kleiman actually had the knowledge to needed to create Bitcoin.

'[Wright] has been hacking, bamboozling and fooling people, playing the confidence game,' said Arthur van Pelt, a bitcoin investor and Wright critic. 'There is no genuine, independent, credible proof whatsoever.'

'It's an open question,' said Ava Labs founder Emin Gun Sirer.

Gun Sirer acknowledged that Kleiman had extensive computing expertise and could have possibly created Bitcoin, but also argues he doesn't have enough information to confirm the claim.

Cryptocurrency experts remain skeptical about whether Wright or Kleiman actually had the knowledge to needed to create Bitcoin

Wright also faced scrutiny earlier this year after he launched a court action suit in May attempting to secure $7.25billion of the cryptocurrency he says he owns.

He demanded 16 developers of the cryptocurrency to allow him to retrieve around 111,000 Bitcoin held at two digital addresses that he did not have private keys for.

Wright alleged he lost the encrypted keys when his home computer network was hacked in February 2020.

According to the suit, Wright claimed developers breached their duties to act in the best interests of the rightful owner of globally-traded assets.

One of the defendants, Peter Todd, said he and others listed in the suit were not involved in day-to-day network development, that Wright had not proven his ownership and that Bitcoin should not be subject to 'arbitrary seizure.'

'As this very case shows, if we allow people to get coins seized and reassigned by court order, that puts your coins at risk of being stolen by abuses of those fallible processes,' he said.

Another defendant labeled the case as 'bogus.'

Nearly all prominent figures in the cryptocurrency world have been pinned as Nakamoto.

Nearly all prominent figures in the cryptocurrency world have been pinned as Nakamoto, including Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto who has denied the allegations

One of the most celebrated candidates was an unassuming Japanese-American engineer who found himself in the cross-hairs of Newsweek magazine in 2014.

The Newsweek story fingered Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto, a retired resident of suburban Los Angeles County, as the Bitcoin founder after citing circumstantial clues and a vague comment that Nakamoto made when confronted briefly on his front doorstep.

Dorian Nakamoto emphatically denied any involvement with bitcoin.

An earlier contender named in a 2011 New Yorker magazine piece was Michael Clear, then a graduate student in cryptography at Trinity College in Dublin.

The New Yorker cited some of Nakamoto's writings, which used British slang such as 'maths' for mathematics and 'flat' for an apartment.

It also noted that Clear had worked on currency-trading software for an Irish bank and co-authored a paper on 'peer-to-peer' technology similar to that used in bitcoin.

At first, Clear was evasive when asked at a cryptography conference if he had created bitcoin, but later denied it repeatedly.

He also suggested Finnish researcher Vili Lehdonvirta, who studied virtual currencies and created video games, may have been Bitcoin's creator.

Speculation has also focused on a Hungarian-American computer scientist named Nick Szabo, who was called a likely candidate by linguistic experts based on a 'reverse textual analysis' on an early paper by the bitcoin creator.

Szabo, who has worked on other digital currencies, has also repeatedly denied creating Bitcoin.

Several other scientists have been suggested as possible Bitcoin creators but all those suggested have denied the claims.
A manhunt was underway Saturday in central Georgia for five men - two of whom are suspected of murder - who escaped a county jail after one of them threatened to kill a female jailer before making off with her car keys.

At least two of the men are in possession of a Taser, according to authorities.

Pulaski County Sheriff Danny Brannen said federal marshals, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia State Patrol and multiple sheriffs offices in the area are helping in the search.

Brannen told reporters on Friday before noon that the inmates were supposed to be in lockdown.

One of two jailers working was in a cell talking to an inmate when another inmate attacked the guard.

Tyree Williams, 33 (left); and Dennis Penix Jr, 28 (right), two men accused of murder, are among five inmates who escaped a Georgia jail on Friday, according to authorities

The other fugitives have been identified as Brandon Pooler (far left); Tyres Jackson (center); and Lewis Evans (right)

The sheriff said the inmates told the jailer they were going to kill her, then took her car keys and attacked the other jailer on duty.

The jailers were not hurt in the attack.

'Im thinking theyre not in Hawkinsville no more,' Brannen said.

Capt. Larry Jackson said the inmates were traveling in a stolen, white 2015 Kia Sedona. The license plate number is CMP 8628, he said.

Authorities do not know where the men are headed.

The escaped inmates include Tyree Williams, whos charged with felony murder and home invasion for allegedly shooting a man in July 2020.

The five men escaped from Pulaski County Jail in Hawkinsville, Georgia, on Friday

Also Dennis Penix, who is accused of killing two men in 2017 in a drug deal gone bad.

The other three are Brandon Pooler, accused of child cruelty; Tyree Jackson, whos charged in car-break-ins; and Lewis Evans, accused of obstructing an officer.

Jackson said the inmates should be considered extremely dangerous and said people should not take action on their own.

Anyone with information on the men's whereabouts should call 911, the Pulaski County sheriffs office at 478-783-1212 or Hawkinsville Crimestoppers at 478-783-9255.
Human body parts washed up for two straight days in a Florida bay last week and local investigators are asking the public's help to identify the victim from a tattoo on one of the legs.

The additional body part was discovered in Tampa's McKay Bay just before noon on Friday when fisherman Stuart Welch spotted another body part near the 22nd Street Causeway Bridge.

The grisly find comes a day after another leg was found in the water Thursday.

'I was putting out my lines getting ready to go fishing and all of the sudden I see this lump, what looked like a catfish, start floating by and as it gets closer to me I start realizing it looks more like a human leg,' Welch told FOX13 Tampa on Friday.

The victim's lower right calf has a tattoo with three red hearts, which each have a light blue ribbon emblazoned with three names: Sean, Greg and Zach.

There were no other details on whether any other body parts were found, according to Tampa Police's news release.

It was no more than about 15 feet into the water when I saw it,' said Welch, who added that he's now worried because he usually fishes in the area.

'It doesn't surprise me that some monster dumped a human body out here, probably cut 'em up and dumped the parts where ever they could,' said Welch.

Tampa Police are hoping someone within the area can recognize a tattoo on a leg that was found in McKay Bay Friday. The tattoo has 3 hearts and 3 names emblazoned on a blue ribbon: Sean, Greg, and Zach

Angler Stuart Welch (pictured) called 911 to report that he found what appeared to be a human leg instead of a fish

Police first reported to McKay Bay on Thursday night when fishermen noticed another human leg floating in the water.

Authorities later confirmed the body part belonged to a human and launched an investigation.

A dive team was sent to the site on Thursday and it remains unclear if they were still searching for clues on Friday.

However, investigators are still trying to determine whether the body parts belong to one individual and who that person may be. As of yet, no cause of death has been determined.

Police have asked residents in the area with any information to contact Tampa officials.

Police Chief Ruben Delgado said the investigation was ongoing and that police will be using drones and watercraft to search the area for clues

An aerial view of South 22nd Street bridge where the body parts were found both on Thursday and Friday

'If you saw anything that you thought was suspicious in and around this area, we'd like for someone to call us,' interim Tampa police Chief Ruben Delgado said at a news conference Friday evening. 'Come forward and give us any bit of information you have.'

Delgado said the investigation is ongoing and that police will be using drones and watercraft to search the area.

Tampa Police will also work with the local medical examiners office to confirm any information on the case.

Police say anyone who recognizes the tattoo or might know anything about the found limbs is asked to call 813-231-6130 or contact Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-TIPS.
Almost 10,000 people have been hospitalised with stab wounds in London in just nine years it has emerged- days after another victim died.

NHS Digital Data shows there were around 9,255 admissions of patients from the Met Police area between April 2012 and March this year.

These admissions involve 53 per cent of people aged under 25 and a total of 940 people admitted to hospital after attacks in 2020-2021.

London police recorded 10,362 serious knife crimes from June 2020 to June 2021.

Across England and Wales, separate Home Office crime figures show 47,000 serious knife crimes happened in the year to June.

The data has emerged after another fatal stabbing in the capital on Friday night which saw Ali Abucar Ali , 20, (pictured) killed as he tried to help Betty Walsh, an elderly woman who was set upon

Patrick Green, CEO of the Ben Kinsella Trust, set up in memory of a young stabbing victim, said the statistics were shocking.

He said: 'These figures show that knife crime remains a significant problem for the criminal justice system and the NHS.

'But more worryingly, they show that we are failing to protect young people.

'We need to do far more to educate young people about the dangers of knife crime.'

Pictured: Ben Kinsella, who was fatally stabbed at the age of 16 in Islington, while celebrating the end of his GCSES. The Ben Kinsella Trust was set up in his name to provide anti-knife crime education

The data has emerged after another fatal stabbing in the capital on Friday night which saw Ali Abucar Ali, 20, killed as he tried to help an elderly woman who was set upon.

Mr Abucar Ali was fatally stabbed after he came to the aid of Betty Walsh, a retired barmaid, who was knifed as she went to pick up her dinner at Best Kebab and Fish Bar on Albany Parade in Brentford, West London.

He was hailed a hero for trying to help Ms Walsh before he was killed by a knife and was described as a hardworking man who had recently won a scholarship.

Betty, affectionately known as 'Betty Boo' to all her friends, has lived in Brentford all her adult life and was a barmaid at four local pubs before she retired.

Ms Walsh's family said the pensioner had undergone a kidney operation after the attack and was no longer on the critical list.

Mr Abucar Ali was fatally stabbed after he came to the aid of Betty Walsh (pictured), a retired barmaid, who was knifed as she went to pick up her dinner at Best Kebab and Fish Bar on Albany Parade in Brentford, West London

The latest tragic stabbing comes after five mothers started a campaign in April of this year to encourage Londoners to speak up about knife crime.

It is called Hard Calls Save Lives and encourages women to ring Crimestoppers about anyone carrying or using a knife.

Becky Beston spoke out in the campaign after her son Archie was stabbed to death in Kingston in February 2020 while on a night out with friends.

She spoke of having to call a stranger to get her son embalmed and said it was a call she should never have had to make.

Becky Beston spoke out in the campaign after her son Archie (pictured) was stabbed to death in Kingston in February 2020 while on a night out with friends

The youngest reported victim this year so far was Fares Maatou, 14, who was killed with a knife in a row over an e-scooter.

Ben Kinsella Trust has called for more to be done to educate children about the impact of stabbings.

Two in five stabbings across England involve young people.

A spokesman for the National Police Chiefs' Council said stop and search and targeting knife carriers has contributed to rising numbers of offensive weapon crimes.

He said: 'We believe that with the addition of officers to the service and investment into new Violence Reduction Units, informed by active communities, we can play our role in preventing more tragic deaths.'

A Government spokesman said introducing a Serious Violence Duty would ensure all parts of the public sector could work together and protect people from knife crime.

He said: 'Every life lost to knife crime is a tragedy that didn't have to happen.

'That's why we are putting 20,000 more police officers on our streets and also giving them greater powers of stop and search, so that more dangerous weapons can be seized and more lives saved.'
Poland's Border Guard agency said it has recorded over 33,000 illegal attempts to cross the border from Belarus so far this year, up from 120 last year

Top U.S. and Polish diplomats condemned the treatment of migrants by the Belarusian government in a telephone call on Saturday, the State Department said, and expressed support for Ukraine against Russian military aggression.

'Secretary (Antony) Blinken reaffirmed U.S. support for Poland in the face of the Lukashenko regime's cynical exploitation of vulnerable migrants,' spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement Sunday.

'The actions by the Lukashenko regime threaten security, sow division, and aim to distract from Russia's activities on the border with Ukraine.'

The news comes after Poland, Lithuania and Latvia are considering asking NATO to hold emergency talks as they struggle to manage a tense migration standoff on their borders with Belarus, the Polish prime minister said Sunday.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he and his two Baltic counterparts are discussing whether to ask for such talks under the NATO treaty, which allows any ally to request consultations if it feels its territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened.

Still, it's a step that has only been requested a few times in the history of the Western alliance.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reaffirmed the US' commitment to solving tensions over an influx of migrants at the Poland-Belarus border, and warns the EU to be ready for a Russian military aggression over its border with Ukraine

The migrant crisis on the border of Belarus with Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia escalated on November 8. Several thousand migrants have approached the Belarusian-Polish border and set up a tent camp there; some of them tried to cross the border by breaking a barbed wire fence

Thousands of migrants have been detained after crossing into Poland from Belarus, Warsaw said on November 14, warning of a possible larger breakthrough ahead of an EU meeting to widen sanctions on Belarus

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko (pictured) has been accused of weaponizing migration by deliberately flying in would-be refugees from the Middle East and north Africa and sending them across the border into Poland

The authoritarian Belarusian regime in Minsk has for months been orchestrating a flow of migrants across its border into the three European Union nations, which form the eastern flank of both the 27-nation EU and NATO.

In response, the three have been reinforcing their borders.

In an interview with state news agency PAP, Morawiecki vowed that Poland's border with Belarus 'will be an effective and final barrier' to actions by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

'There is no doubt that things have gone too far,' Morawiecki said.

Many migrants are now stuck in makeshift camps in freezing weather as Poland has reinforced its border with 15,000 soldiers in addition to border guards and police. Most are fleeing conflict, poverty or hopelessness in Syria and Iraq and hope to reach Germany or elsewhere in western Europe.

The situation grew more dramatic last week as a large group of migrants appeared across the border from the Polish town of Kuznica. More arrived there on Sunday, and Poland's Interior Ministry released a video showing police warning the people: 'If you don't follow the orders, force may be used against you.'

The Yamal-Europe is one of three major Russian pipelines into Europe and represents around 20 per cent of Russia's supplying capacity. Russia supplies around 50 per cent of the EU's natural gas imports. Unlike much of Europe, the UK is not reliant on Russia for its gas supply. Although Britain imports most of its gas, less than 5 per cent comes from Russia (which Gazprom delivers through the BBL Pipeline from the Netherlands, as shown on map). Most of the gas Britain imports comes from Norway.

Polish military police stay on guard at the Poland/Belarus border near Kuznica, Poland. The situation on the border between Poland and Belarus continues to intensify, as thousands of migrants arrive at the Polish border to join the EU.

Asylum-seekers, refugees and migrants, gather to receive humanitarian aid distributed by Belarusian military at a camp at the Belarus-Polish border in the Grodno region, not far from the checkpoint Bruzgi, Belarus

Group of approximately 2,000 asylum-seekers, refugees and migrants who want to obtain asylum in the European Union have been trapped at low temperatures for four days at the border

In Baghdad, the Iraqi government urged its citizens stranded at the edge of the EU to return home voluntarily on Iraqi Airways flights that the government is providing.

Ahmed al-Sahhaf, the spokesman for Iraq's Foreign Ministry, told The Associated Press on Sunday that 'large groups of Iraqi migrants are being exposed to difficult humanitarian situations.' He said the ministry has also suspended the work permit of Belarus' honorary consul in Baghdad to stop the issuing of entry visas to Belarus.

'Smuggling and human trafficking networks are working in inhuman ways and imposing risks on large numbers of Iraqi travelers,' he said.

The EU accuses Lukashenko of encouraging the migrants from the Mideast to breach the borders in retaliation for sanctions on his repressive rule. Belarus denies the allegations.

The EU's foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, said he spoke Sunday with Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei 'to raise the precarious humanitarian situation at the border.'

'The current situation is unacceptable and must stop. People should not be used as weapons,' Borrell wrote on Twitter.

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry said Makei informed Borrell of the steps Belarus was taking 'to reduce the flow of migrants from Asia, Africa and the Middle East' and to provide them with humanitarian assistance.

'The interest in the early resolution of the migration crisis was confirmed,' the ministry said, while also stressing the 'futility' of sanctions on the Belarus-EU relationship.

Polish police (pictured) has been struggling to stem the flow of Middle Eastern and African migrants crossing into Poland from Belarus. The Polish government says the migrants have been invited to Belarus by Alexander Lukashenko, the country's president, allegedly under the promise they will be able to live in the EU.

Tensions at the border escalated further this week after Russian paratroopers deployed on the Belarusian side of the border, triggering Poland to move a 15,000 strong battalion (pictured) to reinforce the integrity of their checkpoints

Migrants from the Middle East and elsewhere walk along the barbed wire fence gathering at the Belarus-Poland border near Grodno, Belarus on Sunday. Poland's as well as the EU have been saying Belarus is orchestrating a migrant crisis on their borders in retaliation for EU sanctions on Belarus for cracking down on democracy protesters

A group of migrants stands in front of Belarusian servicemen as they gather for the distribution of humanitarian aid in a camp near the Belarusian-Polish border in the Grodno region

Members of the Belarusian Red Cross show the way to migrants during the distribution of humanitarian aid in a camp near the Belarusian-Polish border in the Grodno region

Polish authorities reported Sunday that migrants who tried to cross in from Belarus the evening before attacked Polish police officers with stones, hitting one in the helmet. On Saturday, Poland said Belarusian forces were using a vehicle to try to dismantle a border fence and were using lasers to blind Polish forces.

The reported incidents are all but impossible to verify. Independent journalists face limits in Belarus and a state of emergency in Poland's border zone prevents media from entering the area.

Poland's Border Guard agency said it has recorded over 33,000 illegal attempts to cross the border from Belarus so far this year, up from 120 last year. Polish forces generally push people back across the border. Yet German authorities say they have recorded more than 9,000 migrants who have come through Belarus.

Polish police have also been detaining suspected human smugglers.

Poland's Interior Ministry is seeking to dispel rumors among migrants that Poland has agreed to let them go by bus to Germany. The government is sending alerts in English to phones in the border area saying: 'It's a total lie and nonsense! Poland will continue to protect its border with Belarus.'
A transgender woman who was arrested in San Diego last year was put in a holding cell with three men against her wishes and then beaten up so badly that she suffered a broken jaw, according to a lawsuit.

Kristina Frost alleges in federal court papers that she was a book-and-release detainee at San Diego Central Jail in November of last year.

Initially, she was placed in a holding cell alone.

She was then moved, without any reasonable justification, and against her wishes, to a minimally monitored cell with three men, according to the lawsuit filed last week in US District Court in the Southern District of California.

Frost protested, telling the jailers that her drivers license and other identifying papers indicated she was a woman.

Kristina Frost, a transgender woman who was arrested in San Diego last year, was put in a holding cell with three men against her wishes and then beaten up so badly that she suffered a broken jaw, according to a lawsuit

Frost suffered two fractures in her jaw and had to have two operations to insert and then remove hardware

At the time she was booked, Frost was wearing feminine clothing, including high-cut shorts and a bra, according to court papers.

Sadly - and foreseeably - one of the men in the cell viciously attacked Ms. Frost, according to the lawsuit.

His closed-fist punches to Ms. Frosts face resulted in serious bodily injuries, including a broken jaw, so far requiring two surgeries to repair.

Frost alleges in the lawsuit that San Diego County Sheriffs Deputy Mason Cassidy showed deliberate indifference and allowed the pummeling to take place without intervening.

There were no contact details available for Cassidy.

According to the lawsuit, she was forced to wait 12 hours before she was taken to the hospital to receive medical treatment.

Doctors diagnosed Frost with two jaw fractures. She has had to undergo two separate surgeries to insert and then remove hardware from her jaw.

According to the lawsuit, Frost's mouth was wired shut for a long period during her recovery

As part of her recovery, she had to have her mouth being wired shut for a long period of time, according to the lawsuit.

A 'book-and-release' usually entails reporting to a particular jail on a scheduled date and time - normally a weekend - where the person in question is fingerprinted, photographed, processed, and then released.

The process takes between 10 minutes and a few hours depending on how busy the jail is.

It is unclear why Frost was taken into custody.

In February, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department published a training bulleting which called for arrestees to be taken to facilities that correspond with their gender identity.

Last year, NBC News conducted an investigation which found that transgender detainees are rarely placed in cells that correspond to their gender identity.

Last month, San Diego County agreed to pay millions of dollars to the family of 43-year-old Heron Moriarty, a mentally ill man who committed suicide in his jail cell.

The family received nearly $3million after filing suit against the county.
Roughly a week before then-Vice President Mike Pence certified Joe Biden's 2020 victory, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows sent him a detailed plan written by one of Donald Trump's lawyers for how he could overturn the election results, journalist Jonathan Karl reports in his new book.

In an excerpt from the ABC correspondent's forthcoming book Betrayal: The Final Act of the Trump Show, he details how on New Years Eve last year, the president's chief of staff tried to pressure Pence into unprecedented political waters.

Meadows allegedly emailed Pence's top aide a memo written by Jenna Ellis, who along with Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell was waging an all-out legal war against a handful of states that narrowly went to Biden that November.

The memo proposed that on January 6, Pence would object to the certification of ballots from six states where Trump baselessly alleged there was fraud, according to the excerpt released by ABC News.

Ellis reportedly wrote that Pence would then give those six states until January 15 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time to send back a different set of votes.

'No electoral votes can be opened and counted from that state' if they didn't comply or missed the deadline.

The lawyer's argument was that it would then leave neither Trump nor Biden with a majority of votes, forcing the decision of who takes the White House onto each state's Congressional delegations.

Trump would then be reinstated if Republicans' 26-state majority voted along party lines, Ellis reasoned according to Karl.

Mark Meadows reportedly sent Mike Pence's top aide a memo that effectively outlined instructions for overturning the 2020 election, a new book excerpt claims

But that wasn't the end of the previously-unknown pressure campaign on Pence just days before violent Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol looking for him.

The next day on January 1, John McEntee - who served as Trump's Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office - followed up Meadows' email with another message, this time to Pence Chief of Staff Marc Short.

Karl labeled the memo 'historically incorrect.' It was titled: 'Jefferson used his position as VP to win.'

Karl details the findings in his forthcoming book on Donald Trump

The journalist said, 'his message was clear: Jefferson took advantage of his position, and Pence must do the same.'

On January 6 Trump invoked Pence's name multiple times while firing up the crowd at his Stop the Steal rally.

He said Pence needed to 'do the right thing' and that 'Mike Pence is going to have to come through for us, and if he doesn't, that will be a sad day for our country.'

In March, Karl asked Trump about a previous report that claimed Trump gave Pence a vulgar choice on the morning of January 6 ahead of the certification.

'You can be a patriot or you can be a p***y,' Trump said to Pence according to the New York Times.

Trump told Karl he 'wouldn't dispute' the account.

Karl asked, 'Really?'

'I wouldn't dispute it,' Trump allegedly repeated.

During a taped interview with Karl, obtained by Axios, Trump can be heard playing down his supporters' chants of 'Hang Mike Pence' that day, saying 'the people were very angry.'

Meadows' memo was allegedly written by Jenna Ellis, who along with Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell waged an all-out legal battle over baseless election fraud claims in a handful of states

In the clip, Karl initially asks whether Trump was worried about his Vice President.

'No, I thought he was well-protected, and I had heard that he was in good shape,' Trump replies during the interview for Karl's book 'Betrayal' at Mar-a-Lago, conducted on March 18. 'No. Because I had heard he was in very good shape.'

'Because you heard those chants  that was terrible,' Karl replies. 'He could have  well, the people were very angry,' Trump says.

'They were saying "hang Mike Pence,"' Karl pushes.

'Because it's common sense, Jon. It's common sense that you're supposed to protect,' Trump replies. 'How can you  if you know a vote is fraudulent, right?' he says, touting the false claim that the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent.

'How can you pass on a fraudulent vote to Congress? How can you do that?'

The new audio was released after a federal appeals court gave Trump lawyers until November 30 to argue that White House documents from January 6 should not be handed to the Democrat-led committee investigating the riot.
Queensland has reopened its state border to fully-vaccinated NSW and Victoria residents for the first time in months - but with tough quarantine and travel rules.

Interstate arrivals from hotspots such as Sydney and Melbourne will be able to arrive into Queensland by air from 5pm on Monday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced.

The milestone was reached four days earlier than the original November 19 deadline after the state reached 70.25 per cent of residents 16 and over who are now fully vaccinated.

'Can I say, that has come in earlier than expected, and if these rates continue, that is good news because it may even see our date in December [start] a little bit forward as well, but that depends on Queenslanders getting vaccinated,' Ms Palaszczuk said.

The reopening of the border comes with tough travel rules with Queensland only accepting arrivals by plane, forcing travellers into 14 days of quarantine and limiting their movements across the state.

The restrictions will only be eased when 80 per cent of residents have been fully-vaccinated with the target expected to be reached by December 17.

The month-long wait has sparked criticism though, with infectious disease expert Dr Paul Griffin revealing the state could safely reopen by December 6.

Queensland has reopened its state border to fully-vaccinated NSW and Victoria residents for the first time in months - but with tough quarantine and travel rules

The reopening of the border comes with tough travel rules with Queensland only accepting arrivals by plane, forcing travellers into 14 days of quarantine and limiting their movements across the state

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced visitors would finally be allowed across the border once the state hit the 70 per cent fully-vaccinated milestone

'What's clear as we move forward, the more people vaccinated in our population, the better off we will be,' he told Channel Nine's Today Show on Monday.

'We have achieved an important milestone here. It makes sense to ease the restrictions. Which we're doing in a gradual and sensible way.'

Dr Griffin said the strong uptick in vaccination meant the 80 per cent target was likely to be reached early, which meant residents could enjoy more freedoms sooner.

'What is important is what this is about, getting people protected so we can open up safe so we can withstand the virus in our community,' he said.

'Everyone who gets vaccinated contributes and will contribute to bringing forward the opening date.'

Arrivals after 5pm today must quarantine at a location with two hours drive of the airport. Family members must also quarantine with anyone arriving from an interstate hotspot who stays with them.

A townhouse or apartment can be used to quarantine in provided there is access to fresh air from its front door, Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'ath said.

They cannot leave quarantine for exercise during that period.

Upon their arrival, travellers driving from the airport must use a private car, a hire car with contactless pick-up, or a lift booked with an endorsed transport provider nominated by Queensland police.

Taxis and rideshare services are not permitted to be used by those arriving from air.

Ms D'Ath said border passes would be issued 'instantly' provide the appropriate criteria was uploaded with the application from 5pm today.

Ms Palaszczuk expressed concerns that Gold Coast residents were below the state average for vaccinations, with 67.2 per cent of those eligible now fully vaccinated.

'We really need to lift the vaccination rates up. There are people on the border who will be coming here and the Gold Coast is not ready at this stage,' she said.

Queensland closed its border with New South Wales on July 22 as Sydney's Delta outbreak began to escalate.

The first big hurdle for eligible southern visitors to get back to Queensland this month is that they must have had their second dose at least 14 days ago, Health Minister Yvette D'Ath confirmed.

That means if your second Covid-19 vaccination happened less than 14 days ago you can't go to Queensland - even if you are fully vaccinated.

Trips to the beach, partying with friends and scenic road trips are also out of the question until you've gone through a tough 14 day home quarantine stint.

Those freedoms will be possible right away when the state reaches its next big milestone next month of 80 per cent.

The month-long wait has sparked criticism with infectious disease expert Dr Paul Griffin revealing the state could safely reopen by December 6

Queensland is set to re-open to fully vaccinated domestic visitors as early as Sunday - but visiting the beach, partying with mates or a road trip is out of the question for at least two weeks after landing

Sunbaking on a Queensland beach is a rite of passage for most Aussies, but interstate visitors allowed back to the Sunshine State when it hits 70 per cent fully vaxxed won't be allowed to leave their quarantine rooms for two weeks

The first big hurdle people hoping to visit Queensland this month must face is that they must have had their second Covid-19 jab at least two weeks before flying - any less and they can't go

Rules for visiting Queensland With 70% of Queensland fully-vaxxed: - Interstate visitors only allowed - You must have received a negative test within 3 days of your flight - You must be fully vaccinated and have had your 2nd Covid-19 vaccination at least 14 days before your flight - You cannot cross the Queensland border by road - You must undergo 14 day 'home' quarantine in a dwelling with 'fresh air to the front door'. Accommodation where you reach your door through shared corridors and lifts is not acceptable - Your transport to home quarantine must be in an approved vehicle - You must reply to daily a Queensland Health SMS with geolocation on, within 10 minutes - You must undergo Covid testing while in quarantine With 80% of Queensland vaxxed (December 17 or sooner): - Same as above but: - You can arrive by road - Quarantine not required With 90% of Queensland vaccinated (likely to be early 2022): - International travellers can enter - Most restrictions ended * Unvaccinated travellers must undergo 14 day quarantine at government approved facility until further notice. Advertisement

You cannot quarantine in a building where the only access to your room is via a shared corridor and shared lifts - including most rooms in big hotels or big apartment blocks.

Queensland Health requires people in home quarantine to confirm their location each day by geolocation - within 10 minutes of receiving a text message.

They must also be re-tested for Covid-19 during home quarantine - and return a negative test.

Also, visitors cannot drive in. They must fly in - and only after they have received a negative PCR test at least 72 hours prior to take-off.

Anyone who cannot meet these conditions will need to quarantine in a government-nominated facility under supervision.

Visitors to Queensland cannot enter by road, only by air - and only if they have received a negative Covid test within 72 hours of flying

Ms D'Ath says people in NSW, ACT and Victoria hot spots can 'start booking flights' if they meet their criteria after confirming home quarantine eligibility had been expanded.

Even those from Covid hotspots can come - so long as they are eligible.

'People who meet this criteria will have the certainty to now start booking flights to come back to Queensland,' Ms D'Ath said.

You cannot drive into Queensland until after the state reaches the 80 per cent fully vaccinated milestone.

That is expected to occur by December 17.

Once 90 per cent of eligible Queenslanders are vaccinated quarantine will also be scrapped for fully jabbed international travellers who test negative to Covid.

Previously, the state government planned to allow home quarantine for fully vaccinated domestic travellers who tested negative from November 19, and only for people in the south-east.

But they expanded it after a successful trial last month.

'More than 1000 people in eight local government areas in southeast Queensland took part in the trial and their feedback has been very positive,' Ms D'Ath said.

Visitors to Queensland cannot get out and about for at least a fortnight - but they will have the freedom to go where they choose once the state reaches the milestone of being 80 per cent fully vaccinated

'This trial has helped shape a new approach to home quarantine that will make the process more comfortable and accessible for all returning Queenslanders, not just those in the south-east ... (and) eligible domestic travellers also.

'This is great news for people interstate. It's a great step forward for Queensland in opening up.'

The health minister urged Queenslanders to get fully vaccinated, saying opening the state to 'thousands' of visitors from as early as this weekend would come with a risk.

'This is the right thing to do. It is a balanced, reasonable approach to let people come into Queensland but it does come with a risk,' she said.

'Thousands of people will be able to come into Queensland from... hot spots.

'This means there is more reason than ever for people to come out and get vaccinated today to get the protection that they need because this virus is going to come into our community.'

Queensland Health opted not to make a statement, but confirmed the details of quarantine for vaccinated interstate visitors.

No new community cases of Covid were announced in Queensland on Monday. Two further overseas cases were detected in hotel quarantine.
One of Australia's top doctors has warned the Victorian government needs to 'take a long hard look' at its 'heavy-handed' response to the Covid pandemic amid further protests in Melbourne on Sunday.

Dr Nick Coatsworth, the country's former deputy chief medical officer and face of the government's vaccine rollout campaign, said he was 'troubled' by the rallies.

'People have a right to that (protest) but Victoria in many ways has become a divided state and some of that is due to the more heavy-handed approaches of government and people are pushing back against that,' Dr Coatsworth told Today on Monday.

One of Australia's top doctors said the Victorian government needs to 'take a long hard look' at their Covid lockdown response after protests continue in Melbourne (pictured: Dan Andrews on Sunday)

Dr Coatsworth said the same frequency and scale of protests being held in Melbourne - which holds the unenviable record of the world's longest lockdown - wasn't being seen in other capital cities.

'You don't see it anywhere else in Australia, and you have to ask why,' Dr Coatsworth said.

'I mean, we are all Australians. Why are Victorians taking the position that they feel the need to protest and I think the government needs to have a long hard look at itself as to why that might be.'

Melbourne has seen anti-lockdown protests of varying sizes almost weekly in recent months - with thousands turning out on Sunday in the CBD to protest proposed new pandemic response laws.

The previous weekend saw a similar turnout in the CBD while on Melbourne Cup day hundreds gathered near the entrance to Flemington racecourse chanting slogans and waving placards.

The controversial Public Health and Wellbeing (Pandemic Management) Bill 2021 at the centre of Sunday's protest has already passed the Lower House.

Former deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth (pictured) said the Victorian government was 'heavy handed' in their Covid response

In October, the protests were centred around Dan Andrews' sweeping vaccine mandates.

All authorised workers were required to get a Covid jab by October 15 with police, teachers and professional athletes needing their second dose by November 26.

Other workers required to get jabbed to stay in a job include cleaners, farmers, retail workers, personal trainers, spa workers.

In September a series of protests were held after an announcement that construction workers were required to be vaccinated to keep their jobs.

The clashes were perhaps the most violent seen with protesters hurling projectiles, scores of arrests and lines of police in riot gear deploying pepper-spray.

Other cities have also endured anti-lockdown protests but not approaching the same level seen in Melbourne.

Even at the height of Sydney's Delta outbreak, protests were infrequent.

Sydney's largest rally in July saw more than 3,000 protesters march through the NSW capital - but more protests hyped for the following weeks did not eventuate.

On Sunday, thousands protested (pictured) in Victoria with many holding signs voicing opposition to Dan Andrews pandemic response laws

The 'selfish' protests may have even helped kick-start the state's stellar vaccine rollout which took off the following month.

Protests have been almost a non-event in Sydney since with the exception of rallies around construction bans in July and August which evaporated after the Berejiklian government quickly relented and allowed construction to continue.

Dr Coatsworth added that an outbreak linked to the Melbourne Cup has already doubled in less than a week, which shows Covid is still around and can 'move quickly'.

Victoria recorded 860 Covid cases on Monday.

He also praised Victorians rolling up their sleeve for the vaccine effort, saying that was crucial to stopping the spread.

'The cases as you have just mentioned have dropped under 1,000 and that's because Victorians got themselves vaccinated.'

'Don't forget the power of vaccinations in decreasing transmission. If you have got a vaccinated person and another vaccinated person, the possibility of transmitting the virus is so much less.'

As of Sunday Victoria is 87 per cent fully vaccinated.

Saturday and Sunday's protests were perhaps the biggest Victoria has seen in months, illustrating tensions are not subsiding along with Covid case numbers.

So-called 'freedom' protesters stormed the Melbourne CBD to demonstrate against mandatory vaccinations and Daniel Andrews' proposed Covid laws.

Among the crowd of angry demonstrators was a large makeshift gallows hanging three nooses on a long pole - possibly a reference to their 'kill the bill' chants.

The image caused a stir on social media with one commentator saying they felt 'genuinely scared' of those carrying the outrageous prop.

Among the crowds of angry 'pro choice' demonstrators was a large makeshift gallows that hung three nooses made from rope on a long pole.

Someone in the crowd is carrying a fake gallows with three nooses hanging from it @theage pic.twitter.com/xq3curnWAF  Rachael Dexter (@rachael_dexter) November 13, 2021

'This was taken today at the Melbourne protest,' they wrote alongside the photo.

'I'm now genuinely scared of what these people are going to do. This is not ok.'

Another user posted photos of a protester's sign that read 'Unvaxxed sperm is the next bitcoin' and another of a smiling couple posing in front of the noose.

'For context, this in Melbourne yesterday where local RWNJ (right wing nut job) gatecrashed Trumps runaway win at the inaugural noose tying state champs,' he captioned the images.

The terrifying image has since caused a stir on social media with one commentator saying they felt 'genuinely scared' of those carrying the despicable prop

Journalist Bianca Hall said: 'We ran into the people carrying the mock gallows while walking our kids back to the car during a trip into the city buying them new shoes.

'I can't tell you how filled with rage I was. 'Mummy? What's that?''

'Trump flags and three noose effigy is shocking to the senses. A 20 minute train ride to Melbourne in a carriage full of them, unmasked, angry, intimidating. Left me shocked,' a second user responded.

'This is totally unacceptable, having hangman noose's paraded through the streets of Melbourne is beyond disgusting, Victoria Police need to find & jail these inhumane RW marches ASAP,' another agreed.

A photo of a male attendee proudly holding a tiny handmade noose was also criticised on social media and accused of preceding domestic terrorism.

One protestor held a sign that read 'Unvaxxed sperm is the next bitcoin' (pictured)

A photo of a male attendee proudly holding a tiny handmade noose was also criticised on social media and accused of preceding domestic terrorism (pictured)

'Whether or not this particular person thinks he's just being funny, this is the precursor to domestic terrorism (not necessarily by him); we can choose to take it seriously or not. America did not,' one user wrote.

'You let this kind of thing slide as 'freedom of expression', and much worse things happen down the track,' another agreed.

However, some social media users shockingly praised the demonstrators' antics and appeared unperturbed by the presence of the makeshift noose.

'How good is that, Dan can't even walk the streets, now he has to have security full time,' one woman wrote on Facebook.

'Not surprised at all really. Victoria's mental health has been pushed to the limits by Andrews,' another commented.

'It will continue and probably get worse until the government listens,' a third added.

Former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian slammed the deplorable prop on Twitter (pictured) and said if people weren't appalled by the image they were 'part of the problem'

Thousands of 'Pro-choice' and anti-vax protesters marched through showers to register their opposition to mandatory vaccination and a proposed expansion of the premier's powers

Thousands of protestors took to the streets to demonstrate against mandatory vaccinations and new laws set to be introduced by Victorian premier Daniel Andrews

Rogue MP Craig Kelly attended and claimed 20,000 were at the Melbourne march. On Friday he posted 'end the tyranny' referring to proposed Victorian laws

Controversial anti-vax MP Craig Kelly, of the United Australia Party, travelled from Sydney to attend.

In a speech to the crowd he said the public was 'in the face of tyranny and corruption'.

'I have decided to take a stand like many of you have here today  I hear you,' he told the crowd.

'We are no longer governed for the people or by the people.

'I stand with all those who stand for freedom.'

Earlier Kelly encouraged people to attend via Twitter, posting 'We must stop this tyranny'.

Kelly regularly tweeted during the march, claiming up to 20,000 people were present.
The shocking truth behind child murderer Colin Pitchforks recall to jail can be revealed tonight. In an alarming string of incidents, the freed sex killer  who raped and strangled two 15-year-old girls in the 1980s  had been approaching teenage women in the street. Sources said the 61-year-old had appeared to be trying to establish a connection with them. Tonight the mother of one of his victims said it proved there was no way the psychopath would be cured of his lust for young females. The revelations sparked calls for urgent reforms to the Parole Board, which controversially released Pitchfork despite warnings he remained a danger to the public. Pitchfork was freed from jail in September and was living at a bail hostel. But he was dramatically arrested on Friday for sidling up to young women  in their later teens and early 20s  on multiple occasions while on daily walks from his hostel. Although he did not commit any new offences, the concerning behaviour was deemed so troubling that Pitchfork was sent back to jail for breaching the terms of his release on licence. Barbara Ashworth, whose daughter Dawn was murdered by Pitchfork in 1986, said: It is worrying that he is approaching young women in this manner. It just goes to show that a leopard never changes its spots. As well as families of his victims, former justice secretary Robert Buckland called for drastic changes to be made to the parole system. Justice Secretary Dominic Raab was last night said to be looking closely at further reforms to the Parole Board, which has been under fire over a series of decisions to free dangerous offenders. He could announce changes within weeks, sources said.
Former Liberal party staffer Brittany Higgins and Australian of the Year Grace Tame have teamed up together to pose for a glamorous cover shoot as they are hailed 'Women of the Year'.

The pair grace the front cover of the December issue of Marie Claire magazine released on Monday.

The magazine declares alleged Parliament House rape victim Ms Higgins and child sexual assault survivor Grace Tame as forces of change in an edition dedicated to the 'game-changers, trailblazers and joy makers' of 2021 in a year marred by Covid-19 lockdowns.

The pair became great friends since Ms Higgins sensationally went public with claims she was raped by a colleague in a minister's office at Parliament House in 2019.

Brittany Higgins (left) and Grace Tame (right) appear on the front cover together of Marie Claire magazine

Brittany Higgins (pictured) models several outfits in a 10-page 'Women of the Year' spread in the latest issue of Marie Claire

Their friendship was cemented further during the recent photo shoot for Marie Claire in Brisbane.

Ms Higgins' partner, journalist David Sharaz was among the first to express his pride with the magazine cover.

'Two incredible humans,' he tweeted.

He later captioned a screengrab of the magazine cover: 'Hey Siri, show me out of my league'

Mr Sharaz also replied to Marie Claire's tweet promoting its latest edition.

'Places order for 75 copies,' he commented before uploading a framed photo of the cover.

The pair feature in a 10-page 'Women of the Year' spread in the magazine.

The friendship of Brittany Higgins (left) and Grace Tame (right) was cemented during the recent photo shoot for Marie Claire in Brisbane

Brittany Higgins' partner, journalist David Sharaz (pictured with her) joked on Twitter he had bought 75 copies of Marie Claire's latest edition

Ms Tame also paid tribute to her fellow cover girl and described her as a trooper.

'Brittany is fiercely intelligent, and her ability to articulate the situation and maintain diplomacy in the face of total ugliness and abhorrent behaviour is incredible,' she said.

'Doing the Marie Claire shoot together in Brisbane was so much fun and has cemented our friendship.'

Ms Higgins had similar glowing words about Ms Tame.

'There is no-one I trust more to celebrate my wins with or just ugly cry to.

'Not only does she speak with such a depth of knowledge about child sexual abuse and gendered violence but she does it in a way that is incredibly accessible to a wide range of people.

Ms Higgins, 26, made national headlines in February when she broke her silence about being allegedly raped by a male colleague in federal defence minister Linda Reynolds' Parliament House office in 2019.

Ms Higgins' claims rocked Canberra.

David Shiraz was full of praise for his partner Brittany Higgins and Australian of the Year Grace Tame

The journalist was bursting with pride about his partner being on the cover of Marie Claire

Ms Higgins returned to Parliament House weeks later to address thousands who attended Women's March4Justice rally with a powerful speech.

'This isn't a political problem. This is a human problem,' she told the crowd.

'We've all learnt over the past few weeks just how common gendered violence is in this country.

'It's time our leaders on both sides of politics stop avoiding the subject and side-stepping accountability. It's time we actually address the problem.'

The December issue of Marie Claire is on sale on stands now.
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Alec Baldwin and his family were spotted out and about in New York City on Sunday as the embattled actor took time out from dealing with the ongoing fallout over the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of his film Rust last month.

Baldwin was spotted with his wife, Hilaria, and their brood during a day trip to Central Park. The couple was joined by two nannies who helped look after the children.

Alec and Hilaria both had cups of takeaway coffee while their son was also holding a beverage of some kind.

Alec Baldwin and his family were spotted out and about in New York City on Sunday

The family gathered around Alec as he sat on a park bench to take a rest

At one point, the doting mother took her child into her arms during the family outing on Sunday

The embattled Hollywood star appeared at peace with his children during their family outing in Central Park on Sunday

Both Alec and Hilaria were spotted taking sips of takeaway coffee near Central Park on Sunday

Baldwin is likely to face several lawsuits in connection with the fatal on-set shooting of a cinematographer last month

At one point, Alec was seen checking his phone during the family outing in Central Park

The family gathered around Alec as he sat on a park bench to take a rest.

Last week, legal action was taken in connection with the shooting that killed Halyna Hutchins on the Santa Fe, New Mexico set on October 21. The director, Joel Souza, suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder.

The head of lighting on the film filed a lawsuit on Wednesday, alleging negligence that caused him 'severe emotional distress' that will haunt him forever.

Serge Svetnoy said in the suit that the bullet that killed his close friend Hutchins, narrowly missed him, and he held her head as she died.

Last week, legal action was taken in connection with the shooting that killed Halyna Hutchins on the Santa Fe, New Mexico set on October 21. Serge Svetnoy (right) said in the suit that the bullet that killed his close friend Hutchins (left), narrowly missed him, and he held her head as she died

The fatal shooting took place during rehearsals on October 21 for the filming of Rust in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Svetnoy (left), held dying Halyna Hutchins (right) in his arms after she was shot

Attorney Gary Dordick (left) speaks alongside his client Serge Svetnoy (right), chief of lighting on the Rust film set, after announcing a lawsuit against Baldwin and others on Wednesday in Beverly Hills, California

'They should never, ever, have had live rounds on this set,' Svetnoy's attorney Gary A. Dordick said at a news conference Wednesday.

The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court names nearly two dozen defendants associated with the film including Baldwin, who was both star and a producer; David Halls, the assistant director who handed Baldwin the gun; and Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who was in charge of weapons on the set.

It is the first known lawsuit of what could be many stemming from the October 21 shooting.

It was the ninth film that Svetnoy and Hutchins had worked on together, and he had taken the job at low pay because she asked him to.

'She was my friend,' Svetnoy said at the news conference.

He said he had seen guns sitting unattended in the dirt a few days earlier in the shoot, and had warned the people responsible about them.

On the day of the shooting, he was setting up lighting within 6 or 7 feet of Baldwin, the suit says.

'What happened next will haunt Plaintiff forever,' the suit says.

'He felt a strange and terrifying whoosh of what felt like pressurized air from his right. He felt what he believed was gunpowder and other residual materials directly strike the right side of his face.'

Then, with his glasses scratched and his hearing muffled, he knelt to help Hutchins, the suit said.

The lawsuit seeks both compensatory and punitive damages to be determined later. It was filed in Los Angeles County because the plaintiff and most of the defendants are based there.

Attorneys and representatives for the defendants did not immediately respond to email and phone messages seeking comment on the suit.

Gutierrez Reed's lawyer Jason Bowles said in a statement Wednesday that 'we are convinced this was sabotage and Hannah is being framed. We believe that the scene was tampered with as well before the police arrived.'

Bowles said his client has provided authorities with a full interview and continues to assist them. The statement did not address the lawsuit.

'We are asking for a full and complete investigation of all of the facts, including the live rounds themselves, how they ended up in the "dummies" box, and who put them in there,' the statement said.

Svetnoy sued Alec Baldwin, 63, for his negligence as an actor and as a producer of the movie, claiming that 'the scene did not call for Defendant Baldwin to shoot the Colt Revolver'

The experienced crew member also sued 24-year-old armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed (left) and the movie's assistant director David Hall (right), who told Baldwin that the gun was cold

Gutierrez Reed said last week that she had inspected the gun Baldwin shot but doesn't know how a live bullet ended up inside.

Santa Fe-area District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said investigators have encountered no proof of sabotage.

Her comments, first made on Good Morning America, were confirmed Wednesday by agency spokeswoman Sascha Guinn Anderson.

Carmack-Altwies says that investigators know who loaded the gun, though it remains unclear how the deadly round of ammunition got on the movie set. The district attorney said she is concerned that there were so many levels of safety failures.

Dordick said at the news conference that it was 'far-fetched' to suggest there was sabotage, but that Gutierrez Reed still had the same responsibility to know what was in the gun and who had handled it.

Authorities have said that Halls, the assistant director, handed the weapon to Baldwin and announced 'cold gun,' indicating that the weapon was safe to use.

Svetnoy shared the final photo of Halyna Hutchins (pictured holding the camera) on set in the church just moments before she was shot dead

Hutchins' October 19, 2021 Instagram post showed cast members and staffers, including Baldwin alongside Hutchins herself and armorer Gutierrez-Reed (circled left to right) on the set of Rust in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Baldwin accidentally shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins (pictured) on October 21 when he was handed prop gun with live ammunition

Halls said last week that he hoped the tragedy prompted the film industry to 'reevaluate its values and practices' to ensure no one is harmed again, but did not provide details.

Baldwin said on video on October 30 that the shooting was a 'one-in-a-trillion event' saying, 'We were a very, very well-oiled crew shooting a film together and then this horrible event happened.'

The director Souza told detectives that Baldwin was rehearsing a scene in which he drew a revolver from his holster and pointed it toward the camera, which Hutchins and Souza were behind, according to court records in New Mexico.

Souza said the scene did not call for the use of live rounds, and Gutierrez Reed said real ammo should never have been present, according to the court records.

The Los Angeles lawsuit alleges that the scene did not call for Baldwin to fire the gun at all, only to point it.

Hollywood professionals have been baffled by the circumstances of the movie-set shooting. It already has led to other production crews stepping up safety measures.
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The Queen may be forced to further scale back her public commitments after she had to miss the Cenotaph event yesterday.

The 95-year-old monarch was said to be deeply disappointed at having to take the 11th hour decision not to lead the nations remembrance of its war dead because of a back sprain.

Buckingham Palace had long said it was her firm intention to be there, despite her having to cancel a run of engagements due to ill health. And on Thursday officials announced she would be at the London ceremony.

But yesterday morning, less than two hours before she was due to arrive, a spokesman said she had suffered further ill health and could no longer attend. They stressed there was no connection with her recent hospitalisation.

She watched the ceremony live on TV at home in Windsor, where the Prince of Wales laid a wreath. The Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra also attended.

TUESDAY -- The Queen is photographed leaving Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate to return to Windsor by helicopter

Pictured: Prince Charles lead the royal family at this year's Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, central London and laid a wreath on behalf of his mother the Queen after she was forced to miss the event due to a back injury

Pictured: Prince Edward and Princess Anne lay wreaths at the Cenotaph as part of the Remembrance Sunday ceremony

Boris Johnson told a Downing Street press conference: I know that everybody will be wanting to offer their best wishes to her majesty the Queen and I just wanted to reassure everybody by saying that I did see the Queen for an audience last week on Wednesday in Windsor and shes very well.

It shouldnt need saying but I just wanted to say it anyway.

The daily list of official royal engagements showed that Mr Johnson had an audience with the Queen on Friday, as he was in Glasgow on Wednesday speaking at the Cop26 climate change summit.

The monarch, who lived through the Second World War as a teenager, is head of the armed forces and attaches great importance to the poignant service and to commemorating the sacrifices made by fallen servicemen and women.

She started the Second World War as a schoolgirl but ended it in uniform as a junior commander with the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

Buckingham Palace said the Queen was forced to miss the Remembrance service due to a back injury. Pictured last year

The Duke of Cambridge walks past dignitaries holding wreaths after he laid his wreath at the Cenotaph this morning

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, left, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, right, stand on the balcony of the Foreign Office during the Remembrance service where the Queen would have been standing if she had attended

Wreaths of poppies were laid at the foot of the Cenotaph in London today as the country marked Remembrance Sunday

A common injury that can heal quickly Back sprains such as the one apparently suffered by the Queen occur when ligaments connecting the vertebrae in the spine become torn, stretched or twisted. Although back sprains can be very painful, they are a relatively common injury and usually heal on their own after two to six weeks. They can occur after a fall, heavy lifting or a sudden twist that forces a joint out of its normal position, stretching the ligament. Back sprains usually cause a broad, aching pain across the lower back and may lead to difficulties standing up straight, walking or bending over. Patients are advised to rest for the first two days after injury but are encouraged to return to normal activities as soon as possible because immobility can delay recovery. Ice and ibuprofen can help. Advertisement

She returned to Windsor Castle on Tuesday after a long-planned weekend away at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

The Queen has only missed six other Cenotaph ceremonies during her reign: on four occasions when she was on overseas visits to Ghana in 1961, Brazil in 1968, Kenya in 1983 and South Africa in 1999.

She was not present during the 1959 and 1963 services as she was pregnant with her two youngest children.

The Queen has missed several other events, including the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening.

She was forced to cancel a two-day visit to Northern Ireland at the last minute three weeks ago after being ordered to rest by doctors following a slew of public engagements.

It later emerged that she had been in hospital overnight for 'preliminary investigations', although palace official declined to comment on what these might be. She has since been ordered to rest for 'at least' another fortnight

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall led the diminished family group at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London last night but the Queen was not in attendance.

They were joined by Prince William, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra.

The latest setback has led many in royal circles to believe that when she eventually feels well enough to return to more taxing duties, the Queen is unlikely to be overworked.

I firmly believe the public wont see her out and about as much, one source told the Daily Mail. That said, she will still be visible, carrying out less taxing engagements within palace walls.

The whole video and virtual engagement development as a result of Covid has given palace aides options they didnt have before. But there will definitely be a change in pace.

Another source went further, saying they did not believe the Queen would undertake events such as large scale investitures again.

Palace aides say nothing can be ruled out, and nothing can be ruled in, but concede that some key events such as handing out honours could be scaled back for her, perhaps with smaller sessions or one-on-ones in private.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall led the family group, which also included Prince William, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra at the Remembrance event on Saturday night

Dozens of wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph during the Remembrance Sunday ceremony held in Whitehall this morning

The Queen pictured at the Remembrance Day ceremony in 2018

Pictured: Prince William salutes veterans marching past on Horse Guards Parade during the Remembrance Sunday ceremony

Pictured: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge lays a wreath as he attends the annual service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph

The Queen would normally have appeared on the central balcony where the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra stood today. Members of the Royal Family (left to right) Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Countess of Wessex on the balconies

The last investiture conducted by the Queen was at Buckingham Palace in November 2019, when she awarded honours to more than 65 people.

The Queen has the sole right of conferring titles such as knighthoods, MBEs, OBEs and CBEs.

Recipients collect their awards from her or another member of the Royal Family at events that can last more than an hour.

For knighthoods the Queen has to wield her father King George VIs heavy ceremonial sword.

As a result, Prince Charles, Prince William and Princess Anne have been increasingly taking on the role.

It is not known how she hurt herself, but she has suffered from back pain before and did not experience a fall.

Insiders said she had unequivocally intended to be at the Cenotaph and on Friday staff were busy planning for her presence. This suggests that she began to feel uncomfortable over the weekend.

Pictured: Prince Charles laid a wreath on behalf of the Queen at the Remembrance Sunday event as she was unable to attend

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend the service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pictured in attendance at the Remembrance Sunday ceremony in London this morning

The Queen was not taken to hospital and is continuing to rest at Windsor. It is understood that her doctors told her the pain was not conducive to the drive from Windsor to London and a long period of standing on her feet.

To say that she is deeply disappointed to miss it is an understatement, said one.

It is the most inked-in commitment in her diary each year.

A royal aide added: It is obviously incredibly unfortunate timing and nobody regrets the Queens absence more than her majesty herself. She is deeply disappointed to miss the engagement which she regards as one of the most significant engagements of the year.

The Mail understands that she has one or two virtual audiences in her diary this week which staff expect her to undertake as part of her programme of rest and light duties.

The Queen was last seen in public on October 19, when she held a reception at Windsor for business leaders, tech entrepreneurs and governmental representatives. Among those present was Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates.

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Britain's Princess Alexandra took the Queen's place on the central balcony in Whitehall

Pictured: Veterans march along Whitehall during Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall

Prime Minister Boris Johnson bows his head after laying his wreath at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday in Whitehall

A boy joined veterans of the Guards as they marched past the Cenotaph during a remembrance Sunday service in London

The previous two engagements before that had seen the Queen using a walking stick in public for the first time.

Royal biographer Penny Junor said missing the Cenotaph event would be a blow for the Queen.

She added: Remembering the war dead is a very, very important part of her annual calendar.

But clearly she must follow the advice and get herself well. Its not surprising because she is 95.

'We're so used to seeing her out and about and looking years younger than she is that I think we've been lulled into thinking she can go on at this kind of pace forever. Clearly she can't.'

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, left, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge stand on the balcony of the Foreign Office during the Remembrance service where the Queen would have been standing if she had attended

Dragon Rapide drops 80,000 poppies across the airfield during the Remembrance service at IWM Duxford in Cambridgeshire

Palace insider Robert Jobson told GB News that the day would be 'emotional' for the Queen and that she would have 'very poignant memories' as the only living head of state who served in World War Two.

He said: 'Because, of course, the loss of her husband in April, he was a veteran who served in the Royal Navy with distinction and was mentioned in dispatches over the Battle of Mattapan, and so it's going to be quite emotional I think for her.
Prosecutors in Ghislaine Maxwells sex trafficking case plan to reveal emails showing her setting up powerful men with women they would like.

In a court filing, the lead attorney claims the messages show the 59-year-old British socialite using her ability to provide access to women as a form of social currency.

Maxwell, the alleged madam for paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, was eager to please the men and wanted to ingratiate herself with them by making connections with women.

Awaiting trial: Ghislaine Maxwell is accused of trafficking girls for sex

The 84-page court document does not mention the men by name.

New York prosecutors plan to offer several emails that show the defendant took steps to please other influential men [than Epstein] by providing them access to women she selected for them.

It claims: These exhibits show (1) the defendants willingness to facilitate encounters between powerful men and women they would like, and (2) the defendants understanding that providing such access is a way to ingratiate herself with powerful men.

Prince Andrew with Virginia Roberts with Maxwell pictured in 2001. Virginia claims that the Prince had sex with her, knowing she had been 'trafficked'. Prince Andrew denies any wrongdoing and claims not to remember even meeting her

At trial, it may not be obvious to a jury that an adult woman would be willing to provide Jeffrey Epstein with access to young girls.

These emails make clear that the defendant was willing to serve in such a role, and that she was eager to please wealthy and influential men by providing them with access to women.

Maxwells lawyers said that if she was trying to ingratiate herself with a friend, so what?

Their response document states: If her motive is to permit adult women to date her single friends, then it is not to pick up schoolgirls off the street to give sexual massages to Jeffrey Epstein.

And if she already had access to other powerful and influential men who were in her life, she would not need her friendship or access to Jeffrey Epstein.

Jeffrey Epstein (pictured) killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in America

The matter of the emails is set to be debated today at the final hearing before Maxwells trial.

The public phase of jury selection, known as voir dire, is set to begin in the Manhattan court room tomorrow.

Opening statements are due on November 29.

Maxwell faces six counts, including enticement of minors, sex trafficking of children and perjury.

The daughter of disgraced tycoon Robert Maxwell denies all of the counts, which carry jail sentences of up to 80 years.

She is being held in a 6ft by 9ft cell at Brooklyns bleak Metropolitan Detention Centre and has set aside 5.2million to pay for her defence.
A desperate search is underway to find a woman who mysteriously vanished with her belongings found abandoned in a backpack in a suburban street.

Kathleen Riethmuller, 28, (pictured) has been missing for more than two weeks after mysteriously vanishing from Sydney's north

Kathleen Riethmuller, 28, has been missing for more than two weeks since she was last seen visiting shops in Sydney's north on Thursday October 28.

A member of the public found her belongings, including her ID, phone, and bank cards, in a backpack on Centennial Avenue at Lane Cove that afternoon and contacted police.

Detectives launched an investigation into Kathleen's whereabouts but have not been able to find her and she has not made contact with family.

Police inquiries revealed Kathleen attended a Bunnings store on Reserve Road, Artarmon, about 11.40am on Thursday 28 October.

She was spotted again at 2.30pm the same day in North Sydney, wearing a long sleeve denim dress and black flat shoes.

Police and family hold serious concerns for her welfare as she is not able to be contacted and has not been seen.

Loved ones have launched a Facebook page dedicated to finding Kathleen, who also frequently spent time in the inner city.

'Kathleen is known to have frequented a unit on King Street in Sydney and backpackers accommodation on Sir John Young Crescent, Woolloomooloo in the weeks leading to her disappearance,' the page reads.

Police inquiries revealed Kathleen attended a retail store on Reserve Road, Artarmon, about 11.40am on Thursday 28 October, before she was spotted again at 2.30pm the same day in North Sydney, wearing a long sleeve denim dress and black flat shoes

'It is possible that she is in need of medical assistance. [Her] family is based in Brisbane and due to Covid-19 restrictions [are] unable to be on foot in Sydney.

'We are hopeful that reaching out as far and wide as possible can assist in getting her home safely.'

Kathleen is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm  175cm tall, of thin build, with long dark hair.

Police believe Kathleen may have travelled to Melbourne for employment opportunities.

A NSW Police spokesperson said the search has now been extended into Victoria.

Anyone who may have information about her whereabouts or has seen Kathleen are urged to contact Chatswood Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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Did I detect just a little extra oomph to the singing of the National Anthem? It certainly felt like it from where I was standing on Whitehall yesterday, especially when we got to the line: 'Long to reign over us'.

No one in history has attended the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph more times than the Queen. She laid her first wreath there 76 years ago as a princess. So, the fact that we had been told for many days that it was her 'firm intention' to be present, and were then told, with less than two hours to go, that she would not be coming, was a real worry.

The Queen would be the first to point out that Remembrance Sunday is all about the fallen, not the living.

Pictured: the annual Remembrance Sunday service was held at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall, London, this morning

Pictured: a large crowd has gathered ahead of the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall, London

Members of the crowd belted out the national anthem, perhaps with even more gusto since the Queen was absent due to a sprained back

The crowd gathers for the annual National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London

The Duchess of Cambridge was pictured in attendance at the Remembrance Sunday ceremony in London this morning

Prince Charles lead the royal family at this year's Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, central London and laid a wreath on behalf of his mother the Queen after she was forced to miss the event due to a back injury

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend the service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph

However, it is also a day when the entire Forces family feels immense pride in seeing its Commander-in-Chief leading the national commemorations.

In the short statement from Buckingham Palace at 9.18am yesterday, we were told that the Queen was 'disappointed' not to attend but, with 'great regret', had taken the decision 'having sprained her back'.

Many among the tens of thousands of onlookers had not heard the news.

Shortly before 11am, I watched the mobile phones pop up above the crowd like meerkats, ready to capture the royal appearance on the central Foreign Office balcony. At which point, they saw just the Duke of Kent, 86, and Princess Alexandra, 84. Blank looks all round.

Chelsea Pensioners march during the National Service Of Remembrance at Horse Guards Parade

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Britain's Princess Alexandra took the Queen's place on the central balcony in Whitehall

The Queen would normally have appeared on the central balcony where the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra stood today. Members of the Royal Family (left to right) Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Countess of Wessex on the balconies

Pictured: Prince Charles laid a wreath on behalf of the Queen at the Remembrance Sunday event as she was unable to attend

Pictured: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge lays a wreath as he attends the annual service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph

Pictured: Labour leader Keir Starmer, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Former Prime Ministers Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron attend the annual National Service of Remembrance in Whitehall, central London this morning

On the adjacent balcony to the north stood the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Countess of Wessex. On the south side stood Princess Anne's husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Down below, the Prince of Wales led the rest of the senior family out on parade (minus the two absentee dukes, Sussex and York).

But there was no sign of the Head of the Armed Forces. The Queen has missed this event six times during her reign. On four occasions, she was on a royal tour and attended a service of remembrance overseas (most recently in Durban in 1999).

The other two absences, in 1959 and 1963, were because she was expecting Princes Andrew and Edward.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, left, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, right, stand on the balcony of the Foreign Office during the Remembrance service where the Queen would have been standing if she had attended

Yet, on both those occasions, she still attended a service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor Great Park.

Yesterday was the first time she had not left home. However, an aide was adamant she had been glued to the BBC's coverage, as she had been the previous evening during the magnificent Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.

In the end, both her doctors and her back were telling her that a 50-mile round-trip by car plus half an hour of standing up were not advisable. Once again, it was a reminder to the nation that our head of state is well into her tenth decade. Sensible precautions will continue to be required.

Over at the Palace, staff pointed out that the Queen will be resuming 'light duties' this week, including video audiences with new ambassadors. Her red boxes, full of state papers and briefing notes, continue to come and go. Plans for her Christmas broadcast remain unaltered (staff are finalising the location this week).

Certainly, the news that the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were last night on their way to the Middle East, as planned, to celebrate the centenary of Jordan, was reassuring.

However, it meant that the wartime generation was yesterday led not by the monarch but by a handful of sprightly gents who, just like everyone else, were thrilled to see Whitehall full again after a two-year absence.

They included the oldest veteran present, Tim Farmiloe, 98, formerly of Coastal Command and a proud member of the Goldfish Club for those who have escaped an aircraft by parachuting into water.

Here, too, was former Royal Navy signalman, Frank Baugh, 97, from Doncaster. 'I've never known a parade quite like this. The reception has been just unbelievable,' said Mr Baugh, whose landing craft was one of the first ashore on Sword Beach, Normandy, at the crack of dawn on D-Day, loaded with 200 men of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry.

Pictured: Members of the public attend the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall, London

Wreaths of poppies were laid at the foot of the Cenotaph in London today as the country marked Remembrance Sunday

Buckingham Palace said the Queen was forced to miss the Remembrance service due to a back injury. Pictured last year

They took two direct hits and were then marooned on the beach for four hours while they patched up the holes with welding gear under enemy fire. Mr Baugh, who went on to make more return trips than he can count in the summer of 1944, witnessed some horrific injuries on that first one.

'These poor lads were crying out 'Give us something, Jack'  the soldiers called us all 'Jack'  and luckily we had these ampoules of morphine. You don't know how white a man's bones are until you see them for yourself,' he recalled. It's why he was utterly determined to be there yesterday.

This was a big anniversary year for several organisations on parade, not least the War Widows' Association, which is marking its half-century. 'It's very hard to describe just what an incredible honour it is to be there at your central national memorial with 10,000 veterans,' said the chair, Mary Moreland, 64, whose husband, Ulster Defence Regiment reservist Private John Moreland, was murdered by the IRA on his coal round nine days before Christmas in 1988.

Her two children were at school meeting Father Christmas before she could break the news  'probably the most difficult thing I've ever had to do in my life'.

A tireless champion of widows' rights, she is currently battling the ludicrous rule which means hundreds of war widows who have gone on to marry again can only retain their war widow's pension if they divorce their current spouse.

Among the units marching for the first time yesterday were Fighting With Pride, the first organisation for LGBT+ veterans, and the Casevac Club.

Pictured: Prince Edward and Princess Anne lay wreaths at the Cenotaph as part of the Remembrance Sunday ceremony

Pictured: Crowds gather ahead of the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall, London, this morning

Former Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May have been pictured at the Remembrance event this morning

Former prime minister Tony Blair (centre) and Nadhim Zahawi (right) pictured ahead of the Remembrance Sunday event

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer stood beside the Prime Minister while former prime ministers lined up behind Mr Johnson, with John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Theresa May all paying their respects

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer stood side-by-side as they waited to lay their wreaths at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London, on Sunday

The latter was founded in 2017 for those so badly wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan that they required 'casualty evacuation'.

Appropriately, the Legion had put them in the parade immediately in front of the MERT Club, former members of the medical emergency response teams whose job was to fly into the thick of the action and extract the seriously wounded.

Having spent 26 years in the RAF, former Flight Lieutenant Nigel Thorpe, 49, was thrilled to be offered an invitation to yesterday's parade and 'grabbed it with both hands'. During four tours of duty flying his Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan, his toughest MERT mission was his last when the call came to rescue several badly wounded US Rangers. 'We were on the ground for four minutes but it felt like four hours when they started firing grenades at us,' he recalled.

It wasn't just the absence of the monarch which underlined the sense of the passage of time.

One of the most moving sights was that of 45 children in the yellow and black scarves of Scotty's Little Soldiers, the charity for bereaved Forces children.

The youngest on parade were two eight-year-olds  Evie Hebden, marching in memory of father Marine Ralph Hebden, who died in 2013, and Jacob Stokoe, whose father, Sapper Alan Stokoe, died in 2019. A veteran from another group was so touched by the sight of this impressive little gang that he handed his blue beret to Jacob, who proudly wore it for the rest of the day.

The charity was set up by another determined war widow, Nikki Scott, 40, after her husband, Corporal Lee Scott of the Royal Tank Regiment, was killed in Afghanistan in 2009 aged 26. Yellow and black were his regimental colours.

Scotty's Little Soldiers now helps almost 500 children, including Mrs Scott's two. Brooke Scott, 12, was just 11 months old when she lost her father. She was on parade with her mother yesterday, carrying the charity's wreath, while son Kai, 17, preferred to honour his father near their home in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.

'I set up the charity because I just wanted to help people smile again,' Mrs Scott explained. 'Today makes all the difference for them to have people around them who have been through the same thing. It opens up conversations.'

Once they had all finished marching, they were off for an afternoon treat, a special tour of the Tower of London, along with their patron, Richard Jones, the soldier-magician who won Britain's Got Talent (and is still a proud Lance Corporal of Horse in the Household Cavalry).

Here were 45 fresh-faced reminders of why this remembrance business is as important as ever. That is why the Queen will be determined to resume her place this time next year.
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Pitched on concrete and surrounded by rubbish, this is the squalid, dangerous shanty camp where thousands of migrants wait to escape France for Britain.

Set up this year on the edge of Dunkirk, it is close to favoured launch sites and is run ruthlessly by armed traffickers. Two weeks ago, an African was shot four times in a row over the price of a crossing.

The first Afghans fleeing the Talibans takeover have arrived, as have those slipping over the border between Belarus and Poland. They were driven here, say our sources, by British traffickers in cars with UK registration plates which picked them up in Poland and made a 22-hour journey to northern France.

The migrants call the camp the New Jungle after the infamous shanty town housing 8,000 in Calais was pulled down by the French government several years ago.

Set up this year on the edge of Dunkirk, the camp is close to favoured launch sites

Set up this year on the edge of Dunkirk, the Grande Synthe migrant camp is close to favoured launch sites and is run ruthlessly by armed traffickers

In Dunkirks version, there is no electricity and the mud is ankle deep when it rains. There are too few latrines for a population that grows daily. Charity vans provide food once a day.

Even French armed police are reluctant to enter for fear a confrontation with the traffickers, and the French government turns a blind eye.

The French know conditions are appalling, said an informant inside the camp. They are deliberately creating a hostile environment so migrants want to leave and get on Channel boats.

'It has become a push factor for reaching Britain along with dreams of hotels and benefits which are not given by the French.

Police operation in the Jungle of Grande-Synthe in March, when the camp numbered in the hundreds and not the thousands

The migrants call the camp the New Jungle after the infamous shanty town housing 8,000 in Calais was pulled down by the French government several years ago.

Hundreds arrive every few days. One Afghan blagged his way on to a French military plane out of Kabul by using a British Border Force ID card he was given when he lived in Birmingham five years ago. I dream of getting back into the UK, he told French TV as he stood on the beach.

Hundreds are marshalled out to the beaches for night-time Channel crossings organised by traffickers. The source said: It is a military operation run ruthlessly.

There are five zones in the camp. Some house different nationalities, another is for children and mothers  and there is a special one for the wealthiest, the VIP Zone, for migrants with at least 6,000.

The source added: They are predominantly Vietnamese, Chinese and Albanians. They are put at the front of the queue and get the safest and fastest boats.

Others are less lucky. Destitute Africans who have been in France for years languish here as they barter over the price of a place on a rickety vessel.
Covid-19 cases continue to plummet in NSW and Victoria as vaccinations surge weeks after emerging from months of lockdown.

Victoria recorded 860 new COVID-19 infections and five deaths as childcare services in the state are sent rapid tests to help children identified as close contacts return sooner.

It's the second consecutive day new infections have dropped into triple figures after 905 cases were reported on Sunday.

NSW recorded 165 new Covid-19 cases and one death as hospitals are given the green light to resume elective surgery at full capacity.

The latest cases recorded in the 24 hours to 8pm on Sunday were down 30 on the previous day's tally while 50,453 came forward for testing.

Cases in Victoria have dropped below 1,00 for a second consecutive after a weekend of protests in Melbourne

NSW cases in hospital was down eight to 216 people, with 32 in intensive care.

Some 94.2 per cent of the NSW population aged over-16 have had at least one jab while 91.1 per cent are now fully vaccinated.

In the 12-15 age group, 80.6 per cent of teens have had their first dose, while 73.5 per cent both.

South of the border, 378 cases in Victoria hospital, with 78 with 48 on ventilators.

Health officials say virus testers processed 48,104 results in the 24 hours to Sunday evening, and 5030 people were vaccinated.

Victoria is now 87 per cent double vaccinated in those aged over 12.

The latest figures come as young children who become primary close contacts will be allowed to return to childcare after seven days, as long as they perform a rapid COVID-19 tests for 14 days.

Almost 95 per cent of the NSW population aged over-16 have had at least one jab while 91.1 per cent are now fully vaccinated. Pictured are Sydneysiders enjoying recently eased restrictions

The Victorian state government will distribute free rapid antigen testing kits to kindergartens and long daycare centres this week to help manage COVID-19 outbreaks in early childhood services.

From Monday, eligible kindergartens and long daycare services are invited to opt into a program to receive at-home rapid antigen tests for kids identified as primary close contacts.

This will halve quarantine for those children to seven days, with kids allowed to return to early childhood services after quarantine if they test negative to COVID-19 in a PCR test on day six.

To attend childcare again, children must return negative rapid antigen tests each they attend a service, from days eight to 14.

Families must report the test results to their childcare provider each morning before attending.

Meanwhile, Victoria's chief health officer has criticised the national cabinet COVID-19 roadmap for failing to mention what will happen in the pandemic 'recovery phase'.

Chief health officer Professor Brett Sutton and health economist Stephen Duckett have penned an editorial in the Medical Journal of Australia.

'Disappointingly, the (national cabinet) roadmap includes no explicit recovery phase; it as if we could all soon heave a sigh of relief and simply move on,' the article says.

Recovery would allow planning for workforce responses, prepare for worker burnout and staff recovery.

It would also include lessons from the pandemic across government, hospitals and primary care services, to discover 'what went well, what went badly'.

They called for the federal government to share in the health costs caused by the pandemic and said decision makers should spend early 2022 'assessing and developing strategies' to respond to problems brought on by the pandemic.

Kindergartens and daycare centres across Victoria will receive get free rapid antigen testing kits. Pictured is a Melbourne student getting a rapid antigen test at school

Problems included health system delays, greater disadvantage, mental health impact, long COVID and health worker burnout.

Monday signals a vaccine deadline for residential aged care workers, who must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to continue working.

NSW Health announced last week elective surgery could resume unrestricted because of the state's high vaccination rates and stable levels of community transmission of the virus.

NSW AMA president Danielle McMullen said the backlog caused by months of restrictions in hospitals can now be addressed.

'The easing of these caps means hospitals and other health services can arrange their catch up work and their usual non-COVID work ... and be able to participate in as much elective surgery as they can,' she told Sydney radio 2GB on Monday.

Meanwhile, Labor and unions have criticised a NSW government plan to roll back a special COVID-19 protection for workers as harsh, unnecessary and 'a stab in the back'.

Premier Dominic Perrottet intends scrapping a provision in the state's Workers Compensation Act allowing for the presumption that frontline workers who test positive caught the virus while on duty.

The government estimates keeping the protection could invite 25,000 extra claims over the next 12 months, forcing insurance premiums up by an average of $950.

Kindergartens and daycare services across Victoria are invited to opt into a program to receive at-home rapid antigen tests (pictured) for kids identified as primary close contacts.

COVID-19 claims could cost the workers compensation system as much as $638 million over the coming year.

The NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association says its members, who are at heightened risk of exposure from patients, visitors and other colleagues in their workplaces, are outraged by the move.

General secretary Brett Holmes said upper house members of parliament received more than 24,800 emails from public sector nurses and midwives over the weekend, begging them to block the government's planned repeal. A further 590 emails were sent to lower house MPs.

'Despite their efforts to go above and beyond for the past 22 months, essential workers who are infected with COVID-19 will face significant hurdles if this repeal goes ahead,' Mr Holmes said in a statement on Monday.

'Yes, they can make a workers compensation claim, but if they are forced through a disputed claims process it could be months before they get an outcome, or a long time without any income if they're a casual worker,' he said.

'Our health and aged care sectors have relied heavily on these workers during the pandemic and now they're being left to fend for themselves against their employers and their insurer, icare.

Business groups however welcomed the removal of the provision as it means it won't be so easy for workers in retail, healthcare, hospitality and other frontline industries to file compensation claims if they fall ill.
Footage shows the moment shots are allegedly fired a white hatchback into a house in which five children were at home in a shocking drive-by shooting.

Police are investigating after multiple shots rang out about 10pm Sunday on Columbine Avenue, Bankstown in Sydney's west.

Officers arriving on the scene found shattered glass panelling at the front of the home and a number of bullet holes in the front door.

Detectives have released footage of a white hatchback (pictured) they say the bullets were fired from

The occupants of the house  five adults and five children  were inside at the time though none were injured.

Bankstown Police Area Command were told a vehicle was seen driving from the scene shortly after the incident.

The vehicle is described as a small white hatchback  possibly a Volkswagen Polo hatchback or a model similar in description.

A crime scene has been established at the Bankstown property, which will be forensically examined by specialist police.

As inquiries into the incident continue, police are appealing for anyone with information to contact Bankstown Police on 02 9783 2199 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Shattered glass can be seen showering over a van parked in the driveway of the house in Sydney's west (pictured)

The incident is the latest in a string of shootings which have plagued suburban streets in Sydney's west in recent weeks, prompting increasing concern from police.

Just last Wednesday, officers were called to the intersection of Guildford Road and Robertson Street in Guildford after reports shots had been fired shortly after 11pm.

Projectile casings and several bullet holes were found in the front of a nearby house.

Several people were inside the house but were unharmed.

An abandoned vehicle was found alight 1.4 kilometres away in Bennett Road, South Granville, shortly after.

The location of that shooting was just a few streets over from where Toufik Hamze, 64, and his son Salim, 18, were shot and killed about three weeks ago in their driveway.

The latest Guildford shooting comes after Salim Hamze, 18, (right) and his father Toufik, 64, (left) were shot dead on nearby Osgood Street on October 20

Salim Hamze, 18, is believed to have had a minor association with the underworld conflict with the Alameddine clan. He was brutally executed in broad daylight on Wednesday

The pair were getting into a ute out the front of their Osgood Street property to go to work at a construction site when they were cut down in a hail of bullets.

Salim is understood to have became a target after getting involved in Sydney's gang scene, but his father was believed to have been an innocent victim caught in the crossfire.

Salim was reportedly on a hitlist as revenge for a drive-by shooting at Assad Alahmad's home, brother-in-law of crime boss Rafat Alameddine.

The shooting was the latest chapter in an increasingly bloody underworld feud between the Alameddine and Hamze crime gangs.

The gunmen struck as Salim and Toufik Hamze got into their battered old ute in the front yard of the home in Osgood Street (pictured) while on their way to work in the building industry

Salim Hamze and his father Toufik were found slumped in a red ute (pictured) following reports of a shooting in Guildford on Wednesday morning

On August 14, police foiled an alleged attempt to murder Ibrahem Hamze when a stolen Mercedes was spotted on North Sydney.

A week earlier Alameddine low-level associate Shady Kanj was shot in Chester Hill and found dead by police in Guildford.

And in June, leading crime boss Bilal Hamze was shot dead in Sydney's CBD in a brutal gangland execution as he left a city centre restaurant while on a date.

The war dates back almost a decade after rival chapters of the Brothers For Life bikie gang - run by Bassam Hamzy from his Supermax prison cell - began a deadly feud.

Detectives now say the war has spread beyond the families that spawned it, and they are battling professional killers recruited by the gangland warlords to execute their enemies with precision.

Bilal Hamzy, the cousin of Bassam, was executed in a drive-by shooting in Sydney's CBD in June (pictured above sequence of events)

State Crime Command Director Chief Superintendent Darren Bennett admitted police faced an army of mercenaries carrying out executions to order now. (Pictured, detectives investigate the execution of Bilan Hamze in Sydney's CBD in August)

Chief Superintendent Darren Bennett, State Crime Command Director, admitted they faced an army of mercenaries carrying out executions to order now.

'There's no doubt that there's guns for hire in south-western Sydney,' he said. 'There's no doubt that these crime families are using those people.

'We're doing our best to monitor and manage them as best we can and we're having significant success.'
A policeman was repeatedly punched trying to arrest a suspect when her handcuffs failed after being tampered with in a suspected parade ground prank.

The potentially catastrophic act has been called intolerable by angry force chiefs, who are determined to root out the culprit.

The perpetrator could face a prison sentence of up to two years if found guilty of breaching health and safety laws.

A Greater Manchester police officer was repeatedly punched trying to arrest a suspect when her handcuffs failed after being tampered with in a suspected parade ground prank

This is the latest disturbing example of policing culture amid misconduct cases against officers who shared offensive messages related to the murders of Sarah Everard and sisters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman.

The incident took place last month as the officer with Greater Manchester Police  in special measures after being branded a failing force  was on patrol in Salford.

According to a leaked internal message, she was repeatedly punched while trying to arrest a suspect.

'This assault would not have occurred had the officers handcuffs operated correctly, the memo goes on.

The officer was unable to apply the handcuffs as they had been intentionally tampered with by way of double locking.

It is believed the handcuffs were locked closed, meaning they had to be unlocked before being used, resulting in a dangerous delay.

The memo adds the sabotaging of the cuffs is strongly suspected to have been a parade ground prank by an unidentified colleague.

But, alarmingly, it says this was not an isolated incident in the district.

The police watchdog is investigating the conduct of 15 officers and one former officer linked to the Sarah Everard (pictured) case. This is the latest disturbing example of policing culture amid misconduct cases against officers who shared offensive messages related to the murders of Sarah Everard and sisters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman

The message, believed to be from a Police Federation official, went on: Im sure you will all be as shocked as I was to hear any police officer could ever think its funny to tamper with a colleagues defensive equipment.

Its issued to us for the sole purpose of keeping us safe.

According to the memo, senior officers had not wanted any mention on the internal police system for fear of it leaking and creating reputational damage.

In a statement, the force said: It is believed the cuffs had been tampered with and a senior officer spoke firmly and robustly to frontline officers to make clear such behaviour is completely intolerable.

The injured officer returned to work and is continuing to be supported by her supervisors.

Officers were being warned of the serious consequences of such behaviour, it added.

The unnamed suspect is understood to have been subsequently jailed for assault.

The incident highlights the challenge facing Chief Constable Stephen Watson, who took over this year after watchdogs revealed the force had failed to properly record 80,000 crimes.
They're some of Australia's best known household names - but these days, they may actually make more money out of the public eye.

The likes of Scotty Cam, Larry Emdur, Jennifer Hawkins and Russell Crowe all have impressive property portfolios - and some have made MILLIONS in real estate.

Flipping houses or amassing collections of stunning homes, they each have turned their passion for property into an incredible side business.

From turning profits on renovated homes to making millions on investment properties, these A-listers certainly have a knack for real estate.

Jennifer Hawkins

Buying big: She may have denied that she is a 'house flipper' but Jennifer Hawkins has accumulated a multi-million dollar real estate portfolio since winning Miss Universe in 2004. Pictured with husband Jake Wall

She may have denied that she is a 'house flipper' but Jennifer Hawkins has accumulated a multi-million dollar real estate portfolio since winning Miss Universe in 2004.

The former Myer model first entered the property market in 2006, two years after she was crowned Miss Universe.

The beauty forked out $469,000 for a double-storey house in Merewether, a suburb located in her home city of Newcastle.

Modest first home: Property records show Jennifer first entered the market in 2006, purchasing this Merewether home for $469,000

On the market: She leased out the three-bedroom, two-bathroom property for much of the time it was in her name, before she eventually sold the residence for $782,000 in 2017

She leased out the three-bedroom, two-bathroom property for much of the time it was in her name, before she eventually sold the residence for $782,000 in 2017.

Clearly bitten by the real estate bug, savvy Jennifer added two properties to her portfolio in 2007.

In January, she bought another home in Newcastle's Merewether area for the sum of $620,000.

Second investment: In January 2007, Jennifer bought another home in Newcastle's Merewether area for the sum of $620,000

Buying up the neighbourhood! Like her first property close by, the house was double-storey and featured three bedrooms and two bathrooms

Like her first property close by, the house was double-storey and featured three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Jennifer leased out the address for $530 per week, before she sold it in 2015 for $731,000.

Meanwhile, the second property Jennifer purchased in 2007 was a two-bedroom apartment in Sydney's Bondi.

Bondi apartment: Jennifer bought this swanky condo off the plan for $895,000 back in 2007. She and Jake sold it for $1.2 million seven years later

Room with a view: She bought the swanky condo off the plan for $895,000, before living at the address with Jake for several years

She bought the swanky condo off the plan for $895,000, before living at the address with Jake for several years.

It appeared they tired of the eastern suburbs some time later, selling the property in 2014 for $1.2 million.

By this time, Jen and Jake had already begun to build homes, rather than simply buy them.

Making their dreams a reality: Jennifer and Jake bought a block of land in North Curl Curl and built this stunning mansion on it

Second North Curl Curl home: The savvy couple built this resort-style residence on another block in the same suburb

In 2010, the couple purchased a cliff-side block of land in North Curl Curl for a whopping $1.3 million.

They then partnered with renowned architect Koichi Takada to create a stunning three-storey mansion.

The couple sold the North Curl Curl home in 2014, for a jaw-dropping $4.1 million.

Sold: Jennifer and Jake sold the North Curl Curl residence for around $5 million in 2016

Superstructure: Jake's J Group Projects documented the building of the couple's mega-mansion in Newport

In the meantime, Jen and Jake bought another block of land in the same suburb and had already commenced building another incredible mansion.

They paid $1.66 million in 2013 for the block, which had an old weatherboard house on it.

The couple demolished the house, before Jake's company J Group project again collaborated with Koichi Takada to build another home.

Living the good life! The couple then traded up to a mansion located in Sydney's exclusive Northern Beaches suburb of Newport

Cha-ching! Jennifer and Jake sold the stunning mansion for $20 million in June 2020, six months after listing it on the market

Jennifer and Jake sold the North Curl Curl residence for around $5 million in 2016.

The couple then traded up to their latest pad, a mansion located in Sydney's exclusive Northern Beaches suburb of Newport.

The home was built on a plot of land bought for $4 million by the couple in 2014.

Jennifer and Jake sold the stunning mansion for $20 million in June 2020, six months after listing it on the market.

Russell Crowe

Loads! Kiwi-Australian actor Russell Crowe (pictured) has an extensive property portfolio in Australia. The Daily Telegraph reports that the Oscar winner may well be 'one of NSW's largest private land owners'

Kiwi-Australian actor Russell Crowe has an extensive property portfolio in Australia.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the Oscar winner may well be 'one of NSW's largest private land owners'.

This month, it was rumoured he is selling his lavish pad in Sydney's Woolloomooloo.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald's Private Sydney, rumours are rife the 57-year-old will be putting the expansive waterfront property on the market and could very well fetch a whopping $40million for it.

Pricey: This month, it was rumoured he is selling his lavish pad in Sydney's Woolloomooloo. He will be putting the expansive waterfront property on the market and could very well fetch a whopping $40million for it

Money: He first purchased the pad back in 2003 for $14.35million and is believed to have refused an offer of $25million for it back in 2017

Russell's place features 11 bedrooms, having combined four properties in the complex, and even has its own 35-metre marina berth.

He first purchased the pad back in 2003 for $14.35million and is believed to have refused an offer of $25million for it back in 2017.

Also in 2017, he doubled his money through the sale of his Kingsford unit block.

Sold: In 2017 he doubled his money through the sale of his Kingsford unit block. He made $3.2 million for the apartment building he originally paid $1,454,000 for in 2001

He made $3.2 million for the apartment building he originally paid $1,454,000 for in 2001.

The film star bought the property 15 years ago when he was part of the rock group 30 Odd Foot Of Grunts.

He had allowed his band mates to live rent-free in the three-storey, four-unit building for an extended period of time.

Spacious: The Gladiator star, who is the co-owner of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, also owns a sprawling 400-hectare property in Nana Glen, near Coffs Harbour in NSW

The block went up for sale at the end of 2017 when Russell is understood to have told his friends who lived there it would be used 'as part of a divorce settlement' with ex-wife Danielle Spencer.

The former couple were married in 2003 and separated in October, 2012.

Likewise in 2017, Russell sold his Darlinghurst warehouse, which operated as the Riley Street Gym, for $17 million.

The Gladiator star, who is the co-owner of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, also owns a sprawling 400-hectare property in Nana Glen, near Coffs Harbour in NSW.

Costly: In 2017, Russell sold his Darlinghurst warehouse, which operated as the Riley Street Gym, for $17 million

The property, which has been hit by bush fires before, also features it's own chapel where he married ex-wife Danielle in 2003.

Back in June, Russell announced his plans to build a $400milllion Hollywood film studio in the area, in Coffs Harbour.

Russell, alongside business partners Peter Montgomery and Keith Rodger, will be building a new film studio called Pacific Bay Resort Studios and Village which will span over 100 acres.

Scott Cam

Lots! Humble TV tradesman Scott Cam (pictured) has been quietly building a multi-million dollar property empire

Humble TV tradesman Scott Cam has been quietly building a multi-million dollar property empire.

Among them is an Art Deco apartment in Port Melbourne that was renovated on The Block in 2016.

The 58-year-old, who has hosted The Block for a decade, secretly splashed $2.2 million on the bolthole in 2017, and lives there for four months of the year.

TV history: Among them is an Art Deco apartment in Port Melbourne that was renovated on The Block in 2016. The 58-year-old, who has hosted The Block for a decade, secretly splashed $2.2 million on the bolthole in 2017, and lives there for four months of the year

Snapped up: The apartment, which was built as part of a challenge on the show, wasn't auctioned off during The Block's finale, but rather was placed on the market after the show had wrapped. Pictured: an apartment inside the complex

The apartment is located inside the former J. Kitchen & Sons Art Deco soap factory, and was renovated as part of a challenge on The Block.

The apartment, which was built as part of a challenge on the show, wasn't auctioned off during The Block's finale, but rather was placed on the market after the show had wrapped.

Scott boasts an impressive property portfolio, including a lavish $6.5 million trophy home in Sydney's exclusive suburb of Vaucluse.

Fancy: Scott boasts an impressive property portfolio, including a lavish $6.5 million trophy home in Sydney's exclusive suburb of Vaucluse

Uptick: The Channel Nine star purchased the Mediterranean-style mansion for $4.6million in 2012, and it is now believed to be worth at least $6million

Pricey: Other properties include a $2 million renovated home in Rosebery

Houses: He also owns a a coastal residence at Narrawallee (pictured) on the NSW South Coast and a property at a farm near Mudgee

The Channel Nine star purchased the Mediterranean-style mansion for $4.6million in 2012, and it is now believed to be worth at least $6million.

The property has become the perfect family home for Scott, his wife Ann Cam and their three children, Sarah, Charlie and Bill.

Other properties include a $2 million renovated home in Rosebery.

He also owns a a coastal residence at Narrawallee on the NSW South Coast and a property at a farm near Mudgee.

Larry Emdur

Big spenders: Larry Emdur and his wife Sylvie have been quietly assembling an impressive property portfolio across New South Wales. Both pictured

Television personality Larry Emdur recently bought a block of land in Berowra Waters for $1million.

It's just the latest in a string of acquisitions by Larry and his wife of 26 years, Sylvie, who in recent years have been quietly assembling an impressive property portfolio across New South Wales.

Larry and Sylvie's 'derelict bushland block' is located in picturesque Neverfail Bay.

The reclusive property, along the banks of Berowra Creek, is only accessible by boat.

The great escape: Larry and Sylvie recently purchased a 'derelict bushland block' in Neverfail Bay. The block of land, which last sold for $575,000 in 1999, was purchased by the Emdurs for $1 million. Pictured: Berowra Waters

Nice? Larry shared a clip of the run down place last month, saying he and his wife Sylvie were 'going to attempt to turn this dangerously dilapidated massive termites nest into a fabulous industrial boho love nest'

The block of land, which last sold for $575,000 in 1999, was purchased by the Emdurs for $1million.

Larry shared a clip of the run down place last month, saying he and his wife Sylvie were 'going to attempt to turn this dangerously dilapidated massive termites nest into a fabulous industrial boho love nest.'

The high-flying couple's last purchase before Neverfail Bay was an architecturally designed weekender, also in Berowra Waters, two years ago.

A room with a view: The high-flying couple's last purchase before Neverfail Bay was an architecturally designed weekender (pictured), also in Berowra Waters, two years ago

The riverfront property was purchased in 2019 for $1.1million, and included a home with 5m-high ceilings and an almost entirely glass wall facing the river.

At about the same time, the Emdurs spent $2.15million on a stylish shipping-container home in Kangaroo Valley.

The house, which was designed by architect Alexander Michael in 2018, blends steel, glass and polished concrete floors with eco-friendly touches, such as solar panels with a battery bank and rainwater harvesting.

Outlook: The riverfront property was purchased in 2019 for $1.1million, and included a home with 5m-high ceilings and an almost entirely glass wall facing the river

'Magical': 'The magical bay is much quieter than Bondi,' Larry told realestate.com.au at the time

They've listed the ultra-modern property as a holiday rental for approximately $1,000 per night.

Earlier this year, Larry sold his investment apartment in Bondi Beach for $1.055million at its scheduled auction.

The former Price is Right game show host managed to secure a buyer for the home, which had been collecting $850 a week in rent.

Luxury getaway: At about the same time, the couple spent $2.15million on a chic shipping-container home in Kangaroo Valley

Stunning views: The second floor features four spacious bedrooms, each with their own ensuite bathrooms and views out to the 10 acres of picturesque bushland surrounding the property

He first bought the Art Deco pad for $400,000 in 2001, and sold it for $65,000 above the reserve price.

In 2017, Larry and Sylvie sold their clifftop mansion in Dover Heights for a record $11.5million to celebrity account Anthony Bell.

The deal was easily the biggest ever for a house in the sought-after beachside suburb, which is home to many well-heeled socialites.

Humble abode: Earlier this year, Larry sold his investment apartment in Bondi Beach for $1.055million at its scheduled auction

Nice little earner: The former Price is Right game show host managed to secure a buyer for the home, which had been collecting $850 a week in rent

Mr Bell's purchase smashed the $9.5million paid in 2014 for a similar mansion by South African tech investor Kevin Bermeister and his wife, Beverley.

The Emdurs had paid $6.8million for the luxury home in 2011.

They had lived in the suburb for more than two decades, having upgraded from the house they paid $770,000 for in 1994.

Sea change: In 2017, Larry and Sylvie sold their clifftop mansion in Dover Heights for a record $11.5million to celebrity account Anthony Bell

Record breaker: The deal was easily the biggest ever for a house in the sought-after beachside suburb, which is home to many well-heeled socialites

After selling up in Dover Heights, the couple had a change of scenery by moving into a $3million apartment in The Rocks, which had been converted from a heritage-listed Cadbury depot.

The three-bedroom property features an open plan master bedroom with its own bathtub.

Tanner Kibble Denton Architects designed the conversion of the 1924 chocolate depot into six luxury apartments.

Change: After selling up in Dover Heights, the couple had a change of scenery by moving into a $3million apartment in The Rocks, which had been converted from a heritage-listed Cadbury depot

Unique: The three-bedroom property features an open plan master bedroom with its own bathtub

Daddy's girl! In 2018, Larry and Sylvie pitched in to help their daughter, Tia (pictured), buy an apartment in Sydney's Bellevue Hill

In 2018, Larry and Sylvie pitched in to help their daughter, Tia, now 22, buy an apartment in Sydney's Bellevue Hill.

Together, the Emdur family spent $1.08million on the three-bedroom, one-bathroom unit that is only five minutes away from their former family home in Bondi.

Tia's new home had previously sold for $525,000 in 2007.
Fast and the Furious star Elsa Pataky lives in a near-$30million compound in stunning coast town of Byron Bay.

But the actress proved she's still willing to live the simple life when she went for one of her signature barefoot strolls on Friday.

The 45-year-old kept it natural as she walked with one of her sons - Tristan or Sasha, seven - in the town, with her later showing her dirty feet from the road.

Barefoot beauty! Hollywood star Elsa Pataky, 45, (pictured) showed off her gypsy feet as she went barefoot for a stroll with one of her sons in stunning in Byron Bay on Friday

The Tidelands actress looked every inch the doting mother as she lovingly put her arm around her young son.

Despite going barefoot, Elsa looked glam in a loose-fitting T-shirt with a pair of Nagnata shorts, worth a cool $260.

The shorts were created by the ex-girlfriend of actor Simon Baker, Laura May Gibbs, who recently hit the news for being against vaccine mandates. It is not suggested that Elsa shares the same views.

Oh! Elsa's feet looked a little worse for wear as she strolled barefoot down the street

Glam: Despite going barefoot Elsa looked glam in a tight-fitting t-shirt which she paired with a glam pair of Nagnata shorts, worth a cool $260

Elsa finished her look with a pair of semi-transparent sunglasses. She wore minimal makeup and wore her blonde tresses out and wavy.

The actress has been busy taking care of the kids while Chris has been in Los Angeles to continue working on film Thor: Love and Thunder.

Weeks ago, Chris and his brothers Liam and Luke made a rare public appearance together as they stepped out for dinner with their father Craig and Liam's girlfriend Gabriella Brooks.

Doting: Elsa lovingly put her arm around one of her sons as the pair strolled down the street

Chris and his family were all smiles as they left the Via Veneto restaurant in Santa Monica.

Chris and Elsa met in early 2010 and married in December that year.

The family of five spend most of their time living in Byron Bay, on the NSW North Coast, in a mega-mansion estimated to be worth $30million.

The relocated from Los Angeles in 2014.

Meanwhile, Daily Mail Australia revealed on Tuesday that Laura, 36, had quietly split from Simon Baker several months ago.

Loving: Chris and Elsa met in early 2010 and married in December that year. The relocated from Los Angeles in 2014

Laura made headlines in October after her activewear brand Nagnata announced on Instagram it would not re-open its Byron Bay store until unvaccinated customers were legally allowed to shop there.

Posting to its official page at the time, Nagnata uploaded a photo of three models of different ethnicities, alongside a declaration that the brand would 'reopen when ALL are welcome without fear of judgement'.

The lengthy caption spoke about the importance of 'inclusivity' and opposing 'discrimination' when it comes to the Covid-19 vaccine.

The designer also attended a rally at the NSW-Queensland border protesting vaccine mandates earlier this month.

The demonstration was part of a series of rallies across the country against mandatory Covid jabs for certain industries and occupations.

Vaccinations are vital to reducing the spread of preventable diseases, and any suggestion otherwise flies in the face of science and the advice of medical experts around the globe.
Simone Elliott, 42, was allegedly embroiled in a heated confrontation at a Melbourne hotspot last Friday.

The new addition to the Real Housewives of Melbourne cast exchanged words with her former partner's 'female associate', according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

The reported confrontation happened around the bar area of Melbourne's Botanical Hotel.

High drama: Simone Elliott, 42, (pictured) was allegedly embroiled in a heated confrontation at a Melbourne hotspot last Friday

According to the newspaper's sources, the incident was sparked when her ex-partner's female associate 'corrected' Simone's claim she and the man were engaged.

Simone and the man in question split for a second time in April, per the Herald.

When contacted by the publication, Ms Elliot said via her Foxtel publicist: 'It is a private family matter and I dont wish to comment further'

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Ms Elliott for comment.

'Altercation': The new addition to the Real Housewives of Melbourne cast confronted her former partner's 'female associate' according to the Sydney Morning Herald

Just days before incident, the newly-minted reality TV star had made a cryptic Instagram post hinting at bitterness with an unnamed ex.

Simone reposted a Lady Gaga quote from a 2010 Cosmopolitan interview, in which the pop star said, 'I had a boyfriend who told me I'd never succeed, never be nominated for a Grammy, never have a hit and hoped I'd fail.'

'I said to him someday, when we're not together, you won't be able to order a cup of coffee at the f***ing deli without hearing or seeing me.'

Animosity: Just days before incident, the newly-minted reality TV star had made a cryptic Instagram post hinting at bitterness with an unnamed ex. Pictured: Lady Gaga

The high drama follows Janet Roach's claim last month that some of RHOM's new stars were paid actors.

However Elliot - one of the newcomers in question - debunked the accusation in a tell-all interview with Confidential.

'I knew what I was walking into. The camera doesn't lie, you're recording the whole time you're there, even when you go to the bathroom.'

It's all REAL: Elliot last month debunked the accusation that The Real Housewives of Melbourne stars are paid actors. 'The camera doesn't lie, you're recording the whole time,' she told Confidential

'You've got to represent yourself how you are. What you'll see from me  I don't need to fake it, I don't need to talk myself up  what you see is what you get,' she added.

The mother-of-two also went on to add that she does not regret signing up for the reality show.

'I went into this going, "I just want to have a lot of fun. I don't need to have any drama, I want to have a great time and connect with a whole group of women"... and I think I did that,' she said.

Simone's comments come after Janet, 63, told New Idea on that some of the new housewives were paid actors.

'They all had managers or publicists - some were even actors,' she revealed.

Bombshell: Janet (pictured) recently claimed some of The Real Housewives of Melbourne's new cast members are actors

'Cherry [Dipietrantonio], she's an actress... Kyla [Kirkpatrick] even thought she could play director along the way and would yell "cut" during filming - you just don't do that. You just don't do that.'

Cherry and Kyla are two of RHOM's newest Housewives, along with newsreader Anjali Rao and socialite Simone.

While Janet has previously heaped praise on newbie Simone, she seems to have clashed with both Kyla and Anjali.

'They all had managers or publicists - some were even actors!' New cast members Kyla Kirkpatrick, Anjali Rao and Cherry Dipietrantonio are pictured together

Speaking to New Idea, Janet shared that Kyla, whom she has known for 10 years, 'came straight at me from day one'.

She also previously revealed that one of the new Housewives didn't make it all the way through filming and quit before the finale.

Speaking to the Unpopular podcast, Janet said the newbie 'couldn't keep up' with the glitz and glamour of the show.

'She's not a bad girl, but the real truth, let's really get down to it,' she said.

'I think she was who she said she was, but she was never gonna be a Housewife. I'm just being honest.'

'Cherry, she's an actress... Kyla even thought she could play director along the way and would yell 'cut!' during filming - you just don't do that,' Janet said of the newbies

'She couldn't keep up with times, she couldn't keep up with outfits,' Janet added.

'I think she's running around and saying, 'Oh it's fake and it's not for me,' when the fact of the matter is, I worked with her, she couldn't keep up.

'She struggled all the way through.'

Janet also said that another cast member told her the mystery quitter 'was terrified of being exposed' on the show.

Drama! Janet also shared that Kyla, whom she has known for 10 years, 'came straight at me from day one'

'I said, "Terrified of being exposed for what?" But we never got there... because we never got that far because she decided that she didn't want to do it anymore.'

While Janet didn't identify the quitter by name, she did confirm that they have a television background, leading many fans to believe she was referring to Anjali.

Anjali is best known for working as a television presenter on CNN, Sky News, Studio 10 and Dateline.

The Real Housewives of Melbourne continues 8.30pm Sunday on Foxtel.
Lisa Wilkinson has lifted the lid on her decision to join The Project after being axed from the Today show four years ago.

A chapter in Wilkinson's new memoir, It Wasn't Meant To Be Like This, tells of how she was invited by Channel Ten news boss Peter Meakin to appear as a guest on The Project in September 2017.

Meakin asked Wilkinson whether she'd be interested in discussing Rebel Wilson's recent defamation case against Woman's Day magazine, as well as the advent of tabloid media.

It WAS meant to be like this! Lisa Wilkinson, 61, (left) has revealed how Rebel Wilson's (right) legal battle with Woman's Day indirectly led her to join The Project after being axed from Today in 2017

Wilkinson's Today co-host Karl Stefanovic was at the centre of his own media firestorm at the time, following his divorce from wife Cassandra Thorburn and subsequent relationship with Jasmine Yarbrough.

As recalled by Wilkinson in her book, Meakin told her: 'With your background in magazines, and the fact that you've seen Mr Stefanovic's life at close range over the last year, you're uniquely placed to bring something interesting to that conversation.'

Wilkinson gained the approval of Nine boss Darren Wick to appear on rival network Ten immediately after being contacted by Meakin, and appeared on the show that same day.

Talking head: A chapter in Wilkinson's new memoir, It Wasn't Meant To Be Like This, tells of how she was invited by Channel Ten news boss Peter Meakin to discuss Wilson's defamation case and the advent of tabloid media on The Project

Romance: Wilkinson's Today co-host Karl Stefanovic (left) was at the centre of his own media firestorm at the time, following his divorce from wife Cassandra Thorburn and subsequent relationship with Jasmine Yarbrough (right)

While on-air, comedian Peter Helliar jokingly asked Wilkinson what Stefanovic thought of Wilson being awarded $4.56 million in damages from Woman's Day's publisher.

'Is Karl going to take a stand?' he asked.

'I couldn't tell you because I haven't spoken to Karl since the judgment, but he may have a wry smile on his face,' Wilkinson mused.

'I've gone for Channel 10!' Wilkinson joked on-air about her allegiance to Ten. Her sentiment would soon become a real possibility, as Meakin offered her a job at Ten the next day

Aly then jokingly asked whether there was 'tension on the Today set'.

'No no, that's only because he's hosting A Current Affair tonight, so we are having network wars right now!' Wilkinson assured him, prompting Helliar to interject: 'And we know which side you chose, Lisa! Well chosen!'

'I've gone for Channel Ten!' Wilkinson enthusiastically replied.

Sacking: Wilkinson was still employed by Nine at the time, but the offer would become very useful one month later after she was axed from Today amid a reported gender pay gap issue

Her sentiment would soon become a real possibility, as Meakin offered her a job at Ten the next day.

Wilkinson was still employed by Nine at the time, but the offer would become very useful one month later after she was axed from Today amid a reported gender pay gap issue.

In January the following year, Wilkinson joined Channel 10's The Project for a rumoured multimillion-dollar pay packet.
Christine McGuinness has claimed she was raped at a house party aged 13, and subsequently 'blamed' herself because she had been under the influence of alcohol.

The model, 33, said she lost her virginity when one of her classmates reportedly climbed into a bed she had been sleeping in and forced himself upon her.

In excerpts obtained by The Mirror from her upcoming autobiography, A Beautiful Nightmare, she claimed that members of staff at her school gave her 'very little sympathy' and tried to convince her that she had 'got it wrong'.

Awful: Christine McGuinness has claimed she was once raped at a house party aged 13, and subsequently 'blamed' herself because she had been under the influence of alcohol (pictured in 2020)

Detailing how she was abused, she wrote: 'I remember saying "no" and I tried to push him off, but I was so drunk I couldn't physically move him.

'After that I blamed myself massively. I know as an adult it wasn't my fault, but I still think if I wasn't drunk it wouldn't have happened. But I'm OK, thank God.'

The TV personality went on to claim she was sexually abused by 'someone close to her family' between the ages of nine and 13 who made her watch videos 'with sexual stuff in it' as well as 'tapes of people being murdered'.

Vile: The model, 33, said she lost her virginity when one of her classmates reportedly climbed into a bed she had been sleeping in and forced himself upon her (pictured in 2021)

She penned: 'He'd also take me on days out to places like the beach, and after playing in the sea he would tell me he didn't have any dry clothes. I would then have to travel home naked.'

Paddy McGuiness' wife went on to write that she had heard the man - who was 'loved' by everyone - later went to prison for abusing a child.

It followed an investigation surrounding claims of pedophilia where he wasn't prosecuted for his crimes, she said.

A survey by UN Women UK recently revealed that 80% of women of all ages in Britain have been sexually harassed.

For confidential support call Rape Crisis England & Wales on 0808 802 9999 or visit rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help for more details.

A Beautiful Nightmare by Christine McGuinness will be released to the public on November 25.
She's known for her showstopping satorial looks.

And as Jourdan Dunn stepped out in London tonight to attend the VIP dinner for A$AP Ferg's luxury belt brand Devoni's relaunch at the Maine in Mayfair she looked every inch the daring starlet.

The actress and model wore a gorgeous plunging black net ensemble as she giggled with her British rapper fiance Dion Hamilton.

Daring: Jourdan Dunn wore a gorgeous plunging black net ensemble as she giggled with her British rapper fiance Dion Hamilton

The 31-year-old paired her sheer net outfit with intricate black stilettos.

Jourdan's ensemble comprised of a plunging black bralet and net trousers.

She wore her raven tresses in an updo as she posed for cameras.

Glowing as she stepped out in London, she kept her makeup simple, donning pink lipstick and light eyeshadow.

The Brent-born beauty kept her accessories minimal, complementing her daring outfit with silver rings.

The net revealed the stunning model's toned midriff as she walked through the streets of London.

Giggles: Glowing as she stepped out in London, she kept her makeup simple, donning pastel lipstick and light eyeshadow

Her beau Dion Hamilton wrapped up warm in a green puffer jacket paired with a crisp white t-shirt, blue jeans and brown boots.

Jourdan and Dion were two of the many celebrities tonight seen stepping out in London for the relaunch of the New York rapper A$AP Ferg's luxury belt brand Devoni.

A$AP Ferg relaunched his belt brand after a 15-year break.

The rapper was a newcomer on the rap scene when he first launched the belts.

Love: Her beau Dion Hamilton wrapped up warm in a green puffer jacket paired with a crisp white t-shirt, blue jeans and brown boots

Relaunch: A$AP Ferg relaunched his belt brand after a 15-year break. The rapper was a newcomer on the scene when he first launched the belts

He had to put a pause on his belt range when he was catapulted to rap superstardom but now his Devoni collection is back.

Devoni was inspired by the work of A$AP Ferg's late father who was an iconic stalwart of fashion history.

His late father trained under Dapper Dan and A$AP Ferg was also inspired by Hermes, Ralph Lauren and watchmaker Richard Mille.

Happy: Jourdan's London night out comes after her February 2020 engagement to rapper fiance Dion Hamilton

Jourdan's London night out comes after her February 2020 engagement to rapper fiance Dion Hamilton.

Speaking to Harpers Bazaar in October 2020, she revealed she had decided to quit modelling to focus on acting after finding 'the one' .

She said: 'Before lockdown, I decided I wanted to take the time to focus on acting. When lockdown happened, it felt like the perfect time to dedicate to it. I started therapy'

Bare: The Brent-born beauty kept her accessories minimal, complementing her daring outfit with silver rings

Focusing on her acting, she said she wanted to be in Marvel films, on stage, whatever was possible for her.

The actress said she would like to be in Marvel films so that her son Riley, 11, will think she is the 'coolest mum ever.'

She is keeping the acting dream alive, speaking out previously and saying she wants to be 'flipping amazing.'

The mum-of-one also spoke out about self love, revealing in June that she is teaching her son to be positive and kind to himself.

She said she was 'very hard' on herself growing up and is trying to prevent her son from using the same negative self talk.

Chic: The actress said she would like to be in Marvel films so that her son Riley, 11, will think she is the 'coolest mum ever'

The actress also previously revealed her guilt after her son was diagnosed with sickle-cell disease at birth.

She said that she was carrying the gene which gave the disease to her child.

It was 'a lot' mentally for her despite the support of her mother and friends.
The daughters of tycoon Stuart Wheeler were hugely upset when they discovered a clause in his will stipulating that their magical family seat, Chilham Castle was to be sold and the proceeds given to charity.

But there has been a reprieve for the trio  willowy model Jacquetta, Sarah and Charlotte  because I can reveal the sale of the 15 million 300-acre estate in Kent has fallen through.

The buyer pulled out, my source tells me. The girls will be thrilled.

Jacquetta Wheeler and her sisters Sarah and Charlotte have received a reprieve after their father's will stipulated their much-loved family estate must be sold and the proceeds given to charity upon his death

The daughters of tycoon Stuart Wheeler were hugely upset when they discovered a clause in his will stipulating that their magical family seat, Chilham Castle, pictured, was to be sold and the proceeds given to charity

It has been a playground for rock royalty for decades, welcoming the likes of Mick Jagger, David Bowie and Eric Clapton over the years.

Now this stunning 15 million six-bedroom Georgian mansion in Richmond, owned by The Whos Pete Townshend, is understood to have been snapped up by art aristocracy  Damien Hirst.

He is good pals with Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, who sold the property to Pete 25 years ago.

Ronnie described it as the best house in the world.

This stunning 15 million six-bedroom Georgian mansion in Richmond, owned by The Whos Pete Townshend, is understood to have been snapped up by art aristocracy  Damien Hirst

Maybe its the stress of her ex-husbands legal battles, but it looks like Sarah Ferguson is back on the ciggies.

Shes tried to kick the habit many times over the years but was spotted with a packet of upmarket Vogue cigarettes, circled, in her bag after an evening at top Mayfair club Loulous.

It would not have been a cheap night  the Vogues would have set Fergie, 62, back 14 and its hard to find a cocktail under 20 at Loulous.

Still, she was steady on her feet as she strode to a waiting carafter midnight.

She clearly still knows how to party!

Maybe its the stress of her ex-husbands legal battles, but it looks like Sarah Ferguson is back on the ciggies

Meanwhile, the wedding celebrations of billionaire oil heiress Ivy Love Getty and photographer Tobias Alexander Engel were so decadent that guests were offered IV drips  jokingly dubbed Ivy drips in honour of the bride  to help them recuperate during the gruelling three-day schedule.

The opulence included a Mark Ronson DJ set, an Earth, Wind & Fire gig, and US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi officiating at the San Francisco ceremony.

Barbie bride Paris is truly dolled up

Demure never was in Paris Hiltons vocabulary  and so the hotel heiress seemed only too happy to emulate a Barbie doll with this neon pink dress, veil and heart-shaped sunglasses on the second day of her weekend-long wedding bash.

She and new hubby Carter Reum, both 40, hired the entire Santa Monica Pier in California to host a modestly titled Paris World carnival on Friday. Guests included musicians Demi Lovato and Billy Idol.

The couple had tied the knot in a relatively sedate affair earlier at her late grandfather Barron Hiltons Bel-Air estate.

Paris Hilton and new hubby Carter Reum, both 40, hired the entire Santa Monica Pier in California to host a modestly titled Paris World carnival on Friday. Guests included musicians Demi Lovato and Billy Idol
Hugh Jackman has shared a heartwarming birthday tribute to his mother Grace McNeil.

The Hollywood actor, 53, marked the special occasion via Instagram and Twitter on Saturday by sharing two throwback photos of the pair hugging.

'Happy birthday mum!' Hugh wrote next to the sweet photos.

'Happy birthday mum!' Hugh Jackman, 53, (right) shared a heartwarming birthday tribute to his mother Grace McNeil (left) on Saturday

In the images, a grinning Hugh is seen wrapping his arm around Grace's shoulders while posing on a leafy sidewalk.

Grace is meanwhile seen smiling back at her talented son and placing her head on his shoulder.

Hugh's relationship with his mother hasn't always been picture-perfect, however.

Family first! Hollywood actor marked the special occasion via Instagram and Twitter on Saturday by sharing two throwback photos of the pair hugging

The star was just eight years old when Grace abandoned her family in Australia and returned to the UK.

Hugh told Australia's Who magazine in January 2018 that his mother abandoning him as a child was 'traumatic'.

The Broadway star was an eight-year-old schoolboy when Grace left him without even saying goodbye.

Scars: Hugh 's relationship with his mother hasn't always been picture-perfect, however. The star was just eight years old when Grace abandoned her family in Australia and returned to the UK. Pictured: an undated photo of Hugh as a toddler

She left Australia and returned to her native England in the late '70s, leaving her husband, Christopher Jackman, to raise their children alone.

After the couple divorced, Hugh's sisters, Zoe and Sonya, went to live with Grace in the UK; Hugh and his brothers, Ian and Ralph, stayed in Sydney with their father.

'It was traumatic,' Hugh said, recalling his difficult childhood. 'I thought she was probably going to come back. And then it sort of dragged on and on.'

Moving overseas: Grace (right) left Australia and returned to her native England in the late '70s, leaving her husband, Christopher Jackman, to raise their children alone

The Greatest Showman star added that after his mother left the family, he saw her about 'once a year'.

It wasn't until he was '12 or 13' that it dawned on him his mother would never return.

In December 2012, Hugh told Australia's 60 Minutes program that he still vividly remembered 'the morning she left'.

Divided family: After Grace and Christopher divorced, Hugh's sisters, Zoe and Sonya, went to live with their mother in the UK. Hugh and his brothers, Ian and Ralph, stayed in Sydney with their father. Pictured: Hugh and his father

'I remember her being in a towel around her head and saying goodbye. [It] must have been the way she said goodbye,' he said.

'As I went off to school, when I came back, there was no one there in the house.'

He added: 'The next day there was a telegram from England. Mum was there. And then that was it. Dad used to pray every night that mum would come back.'

'I have a good relationship with her': Hugh and his mother reconciled years later, with the actor saying in 2011: 'We have definitely made our peace, which is important'

Hugh once told The Australian Women's Weekly: 'The thing I never felt - and I know this might sound strange - I never felt that my mum didn't love me.

'I've spoken about it at length with her since and I know she was struggling.

'She was in hospital after I was born suffering from post-natal depression. There wasn't a support network for her here.'

Fortunately, Hugh and his mother reconciled years later.

He told The Sun newspaper in October 2011: 'I am 43 now and we have definitely made our peace, which is important.

'I was always quite connected with my mum. I have a good relationship with her.'
He's been an active buyer and seller of Sydney property since retiring from the NRL.

And now Beau Ryan is preparing to offload one of his investment properties, with the 36-year-old listing his Drummoyne apartment with a price guide of $975,000.

The two-bedroom, north-facing unit boasts water views from the living room and main bedroom, as well as the balcony.

Selling up: Beau Ryan is preparing to offload one of his investment properties, with the 36-year-old listing his Drummoyne apartment with a price guide of $975,000. Pictured with wife Kara

The apartment, in the Bayview complex, features a floor area of almost 100sqm.

Beau and wife Kara bought the apartment back in 2013, in the second-last year of his Rugby League career.

The Amazing Race Australia host also owns investment properties in Warilla, Lake Illawarra and Windang.

Luxury living: The apartment, in the Bayview complex, features a floor area of almost 100sqm

Rooms with a view: The two-bedroom, north-facing unit boasts water views from the living room and main bedroom, as well as the balcony

Ryan and his wife of nine years reside in Cronulla, in a $2.55 million house they purchased in 2016.

The family formerly resided in Paddington.

The sale comes after Beau claimed he was earning a whopping $800,000 to host The Amazing Race Australia.

But after revealing the number last February, there were some rumblings of doubt among media insiders concerning the eye-watering six-figure sum.

New digs: Ryan and his wife of nine years reside in Cronulla, in a $2.55 million house they purchased in 2016

This figure is more likely his payment for a multi-year deal, which includes other duties at Channel 10 in addition to The Amazing Race, including appearances on The Morning Show.

TV Blackbox editor and former 10 executive Rob McKnight told Daily Mail Australia: 'It would have to be a multi-year deal. That's a lot of money for a show that rates under 600,000 [metro viewers].

'The hosts of The Project would be on just over half of that and they work all year round.'

Mr McKnight noted that $800,000 per season would amount to 'around $1.50 for every viewer watching the show'.

He added: 'Beau's great but I just can't see how 10 could justify such a cost in this environment for a short-run show. We know the [former] MasterChef judges were on a motza, but they delivered ratings and had been doing it for a long time.'
Adele is reportedly set to generate $100million for her appearance with world-famous talk show host Oprah Winfrey.

The global superstar, 33, is a mere six days away from releasing her long-awaited fourth album, 30, yet is proving that music is not the only way to rake in the cash.

Adele's One Night Only interview with the 67-year-old airs on American channel CBS on Sunday evening and the show, made by James Corden's company Fulwell 73, has completed a revenue share deal to be syndicated around the world.

Deal: Adele is set to generate '$100million for her appearance with Oprah Winfrey' - a two-hour special that will feature her first new material in six years (airing Sunday 13 November on American channel CBS)

According to reports in The Mirror, the CBS show could generate more than $100million (over 74million) with Corden's firm expected to take a cut.

The two-hour special will feature the pop songstress' first new material in six years, with an insider claiming CBS has paid 'at least $5million, but perhaps as much as $7million' to debut the interview.

'Technically, she may say the interview is free, but her song performances in the show are performance payments. TV networks across the world are shelling out significant sums for their regions and it will mean millions coming into the coffers,' a source told the publication.

Pals: According to reports in The Mirror, Adele: One Night Only could generate more than $100million (over 74million) with James Corden's (pictured in 2016) firm expected to take a cut

The source continued: 'The fees for syndication could be over $100million total. For Adele, its a simply fantastic piece of business  you promote your new record and take home a nice little earner on top.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Adele and James for comment.

Actor-turned-presenter James, 43, owns Fulwell 73 with five other people and the company also produced An Audience With Adele, which will air on ITV on November 21.

For the special across the pond, the Easy On Me hitmaker spoke to Oprah at her Montecito home  the same venue where the producer quizzed Harry and Meghan in March.

Chat: For the special across the pond, the Easy On Me hitmaker spoke to Oprah at her Montecito home  the same venue where the producer quizzed Harry and Meghan in March.

That eagerly anticipated interview became the forefront of bidding wars between broadcasters, amounting to tens of millions of dollars  and was syndicated to 70 countries.

In a sneak peek of the upcoming interview, Adele revealed that adjusting to being a single parent and her divorce was a 'process' and 'exhausting.'

Adele will discuss her split from Simon Konecki and the impact it had on their son Angelo, 9.

Star: Actor-turned-presenter James, 43, owns Fulwell 73 with five other people and the company also produced An Audience With Adele, which will air on ITV on November 21

In the teaser clip released on Friday, the star went into detail about what inspired the lyrics for her new song Hold On.

The track's verse goes as follows: 'I am such a mess, the harder that I try, I regress, I'm my own worst enemy, right now I truly hate being me.

'Everyday feels like the road I'm on might just open up and swallow me whole. How do I feel so mighty small when I struggle to feel at all...'

Asking her about the inspiration for the emotional tune, Oprah, 67, pried: 'Another new song on the album is titled Hold On, the lyrics of this song are so brutally honest, it sounds like you were in the dark, dark, dark hours there.

'Girl you can write! So what was going on there what was happening?'

Divorce: Adele has previously confirmed that her upcoming album 30, set for release on November 19, is heavily inspired by her 2019 divorce from ex Simon (pictured in 2013)

Adele responded: 'Oh thank you. My friends would always say 'hold on' when I felt like those lyrics in the verse. It was just exhausting trying to keep going with it.

'It's a process the divorce, the process of being a single parent, the process of not seeing your child every single day wasn't really the plan that I had when I became a mum.

'The process of arriving for yourself every single day, the process of turning up for yourself every single day and still running a home, running a business.'

She added: 'So many people will know what I'm talking about and I juggle those things as well and I just sometimes felt like not doing it anymore.

'And also trying to move forward but with intention, not just trying to get out of it for no reason. It made my feet hurt, walking through all that concrete!'
Hollywood bombshell Megan Fox is set to be one of the first US celebrities to fly into Australia for a promotional trip following months of lockdowns, a new report claims.

The 35-year-old is tipped to be in negotiations with a Melbourne-based tech company to bring the actress Down Under for a trip in March next year.

According to The Herald Sun, the American star is 'tempting' the brand to help spruik something they've got up their sleeve - but a deal is yet to be locked in.

Headed Down Under! Hollywood bombshell Megan Fox, 35, (pictured) is set to make her first promotional trip to Australia since lockdown

While it's unclear if her rapper boyfriend Machine Gun Kelly will be coming along for the ride, the visit would no doubt bring the brand plenty of media attention.

Should the deal be locked in, the trip would mark her second trip to Australia after visiting in 2014 to promote Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Transformers in 2007.

Fox made headlines in September when she wore a sheer nude slip dress to the MTV Awards in LA.

Star power: The Transformers actress is tipped to be in negotiations with a Melbourne-based tech company to bring her Down Under for a trip in March next year

Frequent flyer: The Hollywood mega star is no stranger to our shores, having previously visited in 2007 and 2014 to promote Transformers in 2007 (left), and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (right)

Megan and MGK's whirlwind relationship began last year while filming Randall Emmett's crime thriller, Midnight In The Switchgrass, with Bruce Willis, Emile Hirsch and Lukas Haas in Puerto Rico.

During an interview on Lala Kent's podcast, Megan said she 'knew right away that he was what I call a twin flame.'

She added: 'Instead of a soul mate, a twin flame is actually where a soul has ascended into a high enough level that it can be split into two different bodies at the same time. So we're actually two halves of the same soul, I think.'

Company? While it's unclear if her rapper boyfriend Machine Gun Kelly will be coming along for the ride, the visit would no doubt bring the Melbourne brand plenty of media attention

Megan would have been with her ex Brian Austin Green at the time of this first meeting, with whom she shares sons Noah, nine, Body, seven, and Journey, five, with.

'This weird thing happened,' Megan told British GQ Style. 'We didn't see each other. I don't remember [his] face. I just remember this tall, blond, ghostly creature and I looked up and I was like, "You smell like weed."

'He looked down at me and he was like, "I am weed." Then, I swear to God, he disappeared like a ninja in a smoke bomb.'

She added: 'Our souls chose this to absolutely have to face our shadow selves; to face things about ourselves we didnt want to have to know, that we tried to push away.'
The Spice Girls are thought to be in very confidential talks to front a world tour in 2023, following the success of their UK stadium concerts in 2019.

Mel B, Emma Bunton and Geri Horner were each spotted making low-key arrivals at the swanky Mandeville Hotel in London on Friday.

Melanie C reportedly joined her bandmembers via Zoom from Los Angeles, as the four-piece continue to convince absent Victoria Beckham to appear at one show.

Exciting: The Spice Girls are thought to be in 'very confidential' talks to front a world tour in 2023, following the success of their UK stadium concerts in 2019 (pictured in 2019)

An insider told The Sun: 'The four girls have been discussing a world tour for a while, and this  very confidential  meeting was put in the diary so they could iron out the final details.

'The current plan is the tour will begin in Australia and go from there.

'They are all very excited that the wheels are now in motion, and are hoping to give their fans a 2023 tour bigger and better than 2019.'

Unsure: Melanie C reportedly joined her bandmembers via Zoom from Los Angeles, as the four-piece continue to convince absent Victoria Beckham to appear at one show (Victoria pictured in 2019)

The source went on to claim that 'superfan' Adele will 'definitely' be in the audience after telling Mel B that attending their most recent show at Wembley Stadium 'made her year'.

The Wannabe hitmakers famously toured the UK two years ago without the fashion designer after she decided not to partake - and raked in a cool 4million between them.

Posh Spice was the only member of the band not to take part.

She told Vogue Germany at the time: 'It took me a lot of courage not to go on tour with the Spice Girls again, but to be the one who says, "You know, I'm not doing it because things feel different now than they used to."

Wow! The source went on to claim that 'superfan' Adele (centre) will 'definitely' be in the audience after telling Mel B that attending their most recent show at Wembley Stadium 'made her year' (pictured in 2019)

Reunion: The Wannabe hitmakers famously toured the UK as a four-piece in 2019, after Victoria decided not to partake, and raked in a cool 4million between them (L-R, Mel B, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell and Melanie C pictured in 2019)

'I'd rather concentrate on my family and my company.'

The mum-of-four also reportedly turned down the recent opportunity to 'record pieces in front of the camera' for an online game alongside her former band members.

The girls met for the first time in a year but Victoria was said to have 'no interest' in the project.

The remaining four members headed to Black Island Studios in London while Victoria remained in America with her daughter Harper.

No thanks: 'It took me a lot of courage not to go on tour with the Spice Girls again,' she said (pictured in 1997)

A source told The Sun: 'The Spice Girls are exploring a whole manner of new projects but this one was really exciting to them  their very own Spice game.

They continued: 'The hope is that it won't be too long before they get to show it to the fans because it's something they've had in the pipeline for a while.

'It is one of several things they are working on, including an animated film, and they hope it will help celebrate the Spice Girls' legacy.'

The band's representatives, as well as that of Mel B, Melanie C, Geri, Emma and Victoria have been contacted for comment by MailOnline. Mel and Geri's declined.
Rihanna was spotted emerging from her boyfriend A$AP Rocky's luxurious home in Los Angeles this weekend.

The 33-year-old songstress cut a California casual figure in a comfortable-looking grey hoodie jumpsuit on her latest outing.

Flaunting a bit of cleavage in the plunging outfit, she shielded her eyes from the rays with a sleek pair of sunglasses.

On the go: Rihanna was spotted emerging from her boyfriend A$AP Rocky's luxurious home in Los Angeles this weekend

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky have been friends for years, and he even opened for her on her Diamonds World Tour in 2013.

Relationship rumors had been swirling about them for years, but they both dated other people until late last year.

Around the end of 2020 Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were glimpsed kissing on a boat during a vacation to her native Barbados.

Then by May of this year he had featured in a GQ profile where he called Rihanna 'My lady' and gushed that she is 'The love of my life.'

Legging it: The 33-year-old songstress cut a California casual figure in a comfortable-looking grey hoodie jumpsuit on her latest outing

He called her 'The One' and spilled that: 'She amounts to probably, like, a million of the other ones,' adding: 'I think when you know, you know. She's the One.'

Rocky, the son of a Barbadian immigrant to the United States, also spoke about the feeling of 'homecoming' he experienced during his trip with Rihanna.

'It was crazy. I always imagined what it would be like for my dad, before he came to America,' the Babushka Boi rapper shared.

The look: Flaunting a bit of cleavage in the plunging outfit, she shielded her eyes from the rays with a sleek pair of sunglasses

'And I got to visit those places, and believe it or not, there was something nostalgic about it. It was foreign but familiar,' said he.

A People source dished in August: 'This romance evolved since they were friends first. They already knew and respected each other and it has just grown from there.'

They had constructed a 'great foundation' and 'loved to laugh and have a blast together before they even dated' which 'makes for a solid romance now.'
Kirsten Dunst is not ruling out a possible return to the Spider-Verse.

The 39-year-old actress, who last played Peter Parker/Spider-Man's love interest Mary Jane 'MJ' Watson in 2007's Spider-Man 3, confirmed that she was open to rejoining the franchise.

'I would do it. Why not? That would be fun,' Kirsten told Variety at the AFI Fest screening of her new film The Power of the Dog.

Coming back? Kirsten Dunst is not ruling out a possible return to the Spider-Verse

'I would never say no to something like that,' she continued.

She then joked, 'I'd be old MJ at this point with little Spidey babies.'

Kirsten first played MJ opposite Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker in 2002's Spider-Man and went on to reprise her role in the Sam Raimi-directed film's two sequels.

Love interest: Kirsten first played MJ opposite Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker in 2002's Spider-Man and went on to reprise her role in the Sam Raimi-directed film's two sequels

Emma Stone took over the role of MJ in 2012's The Amazing Spider-Man and its 2014 sequel The Amazing Spider-Man 2 with Andrew Garfield playing the Web Slinger.

In 2016's Captain America: Civil War, Tom Holland joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a new iteration of Peter Parker/Spider-Man.

Zendaya played the role of Michelle Jones 'MJ', an original character in the MCU that pays homage to Spider-man's longtime love interest.

She starred alongside Tom in 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming and 2019's Spider-Man: Far From Home.

New cast: Emma Stone took over the role of MJ in 2012's The Amazing Spider-Man and its 2014 sequel The Amazing Spider-Man 2 with Andrew Garfield playing the Web Slinger.

A recent photo leak appeared to confirm rumors that Garfield and Maguire would be appearing in Marvel/Sony's upcoming Spider-Man: No Way Home.

In one of the images, all three actors were seen together in one frame wearing their Spider-Man costumes.

However, the actors have continued to deny that they are appearing in the movie together.

Exciting: A recent photo leak appeared to confirm rumors that Garfield and Maguire would be appearing in Marvel/Sony's upcoming Spider-Man: No Way Home

Kirsten also denied that she would be making an appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

'I'm not in that movie, no. I know there's rumors, right?' she told Total Film.

After it was pointed out that Alfred Molina and Willem Dafoe were reprising their roles in the upcoming movie, Dunst said, 'No, I'm the only one [not back]. "Can't put an old girl in there!"'
Ben Higgins is officially off the market.

The former Bachelor star married his girlfriend of three years, Jessica Clarke, on Saturday in a gorgeous setting at The Estate in Cherokee Dock, which is near Nashville, Tennessee, the couple confirmed to People.

'I am so excited,' Higgins, 32, gushed during an interview with the publication, before adding, 'We have so much to look forward to. And I know we will have a beautiful marriage.'

Just married! Ben Higgins married his girlfriend of three years, Jessica Clarke, on Saturday in a gorgeous setting at The Estate in Cherokee Dock, which is near Nashville, Tennessee, the couple confirmed to People

In keeping with a safety first motto, amid COVID-19, guests were required to be vaccinated or present a negative COVID-19 test to attend.

The guest list included Bachelor Nation couples: Ashley Iaconetti and Jared Haibon, Becca Kufrin and Thomas Jacobs and Dean Unglert and Caelynn Miller-Keyes.

There was also franchise alums such as Nick Viall and Wells Adams, who also served as a groomsman.

Earlier this month, Higgins revealed to Us Weekly that Chase McNary, Blake Horstmann, Elyse Dehlbom, Shawn Booth, Chris Soules, and Becca Tilley would also be on hand for the festivities.

Excited: 'I am so excited,' Higgins, 32, gushed during an interview with the publication, before adding, 'We have so much to look forward to. And I know we will have a beautiful marriage'

Described as a 'simple and beautiful' ceremony, the bride walked down the aisle decked out in a gown by Anne Barge, while the groom wore a tuxedo.

Clarke and Higgins exchanged personalized vows during the ceremony, which also featured a scripture reading and quotes from Winnie-the-Pooh that were specially selected by the couple.

After the ceremony, guests soaked in the sights of the lakeside reception, where cocktails and dinner were served - which included the couple's favorite foods like pizza and sliders.

Three days earlier, with the big day fast approaching, Higgins took to Instagram and shared some heartfelt emotions flooding his mind, body and soul.

'My heart is at peace and my amazement continues that I get to marry @jessclarke_,' he wrote alongside a photo of the couple smiling together on the front stoop of a home. 'She brings me to praise and thankfulness everyday (for the last 3 years). This is something I have dreamed of, my family has prayed for, and now we will celebrate!'

Scenic: The couple exchanged their vows at The Estate in Cherokee Dock, which is near Nashville, Tennessee, that sits along a gorgeous lake

Clarke and Higgins exchanged personalized vows during the ceremony, which also featured a scripture reading and quotes from Winnie-the-Pooh that were specially selected by the couple.

The Indiana native also announced he would be putting his camera phone down so he can gladly soak in the 'joy and excitement' of his wedding. He promised to share photos and videos of their celebration on social media 'soon after the week ahead.'

Clarke, 25, has also been taking to her social media platforms to gush over the groom.

'Ben doesn't just make me want to be a better person, but he actually makes me a better person,' Clarke told People, adding, 'He assures me in all of my dreams and all of my goals. I never thought I'd have a partner that accepted every part of me.'

Higgins, who made his debut on Bachelor Nation when he competed for Kaitlyn Bristowe's heart on season 11 of The Bachelorette, met Clarke through Instagram in 2018.

Feeling the sparks flying, the pair's relationship got serious quick, and by late March 2020 they announced their engagement on social media.

'From my first date in life to the moments in between they all led me to getting down on one knee in front of you @jessclarke_,' Higgins said of his proposal on March 30.

Lakeside view: After the ceremony, guests moved to the lakeside reception, where cocktails and dinner were served, which included the couple's favorite foods like pizza and sliders

He continued, 'This weekend I asked Jessica to give me the honor of being her partner for life. She said YES! I now officially have the most beautiful, kind hearted, supportive, well intentioned person to spend life with! Our adventurous ride through life together is just starting @jessclarke_! Let's celebrate...but for now let's stay home and isolate.'

He ended by sharing the photo credit to @r_petey, and an explanation on the safety precautions taken amid the growing coronavirus crisis, which was deemed a pandemic a couple weeks earlier.

For her engagement announcement, Clarke shared a photo of Higgins proposing one one knee.

'I don't remember everything you said, but I know that I said yes. I woke up in a dream today and I get to live in this dream every day from now on (eeeep),' she wrote in the caption.

After his initial spot on The Bachelorette in 2015, Higgins went on to appear in the 20th season of The Bachelor in 2016, and star alongside his then fiancee Lauren Bushnell in the reality show Ben and Lauren, Happily Ever After?

He also became a contestant on the reality show The Bachelor Winter Games in 2018 but left the show early after not connecting with anyone romantically.

It was later that year that Higgins met his bride, Jessica Clarke, on Instagram.
It's the style of cloth cap that Lenin  and later Jeremy Corbyn  would adopt to show solidarity with the working man.

But theres nothing proletarian about the headgear Killing Eve star Jodie Comer was seen wearing in London last week  as it comes with a 355 price tag.

The actress seems to have inherited a love of designer labels from her assassin alter-ego Villanelle as she opted for a black woollen Abby design from Maison Michel Paris.

The Killing Eve actress pictured in the chichi Primrose Hill neighbourhood of London wearing a 90 pair of Converse winter trainers

Ms Comer, who was pictured in the chichi Primrose Hill neighbourhood with her mother Donna, completed the look with a 90 pair of Converse winter trainers.

The 28-year-old last year told how she still lives in her childhood home in Childwall, Liverpool, with her parents and younger brother, and previously said: Id live with my mum and dad till I was old and grey if I could.

Jodie Comer takes some downtime from her heavy schedule and went for lunch in Primrose Hill at Celebrity favourite Lemonia restaurant with mother Donna

Jeremy Corbyn would adopt to show solidarity with the working man by wearing the cloth cap

And she clearly still enjoys home cooking, after sharing a photograph of herself holding up a baking tray of Yorkshire puddings, chicken and vegetables last year, captioned: All the emotions Nothing gets in the way of me and my mums roast.

Ms Comer has been filming the fourth series of Killing Eve in London, including shooting climactic scenes with her co-star Sandra Oh on a Thames paddle-steamer.

Last week, she insisted the fourth series would be the last, saying: We never, ever want for that [quality] to drop, or to carry on a story for the sake of carrying on, whether that be greed or whatever the reason.

'It feels natural that weve come to this point where we can really focus on the ending.
Bella Hadid gushed over her 'best friend' Lauren Perez' wedding in a series of Insta Stories she posted this Saturday.

The little sister of Gigi Hadid attended the Thursday ceremony amid a star-studded guest list that included her supermodel pals Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber.

In one of her pictures Bella, 25, could be seen flashing her megawatt smile as she posed for a selfie with the bride and groom as well as other guests.

So sweet: Bella Hadid gushed over her 'best friend' Lauren Perez' wedding in a series of Insta Stories she posted this Saturday

'Can't tell you how much serotonin it brought into my brain to watch my best friend get married to the love of her life.... It's the little things!' she gushed.

Bella, who along with Kendall appears to have been a bridesmaid, could be seen in a heartwarming snap helping Lauren adjust the hem of her dress.

She also included a video in which she and a woman who appeared to be Kendall dashed about and tinkered with Lauren's train before the big ceremony.

However the sea air kept sweeping into the bridal tent and blowing the veil and the train about, making the task a bit of an uphill climb.

Bella and Kendall: The little sister of Gigi Hadid attended the Thursday ceremony amid a star-studded guest list that included her supermodel pals Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber

'It's the little things!': In one of her pictures Bella, 25, could be seen flashing her megawatt smile as she posed for a selfie with the bride and groom as well as other guests

Bella at one point could be seen in her casual pre-wedding outfit lovingly taking a picture of the bride, who was sitting in the hair and makeup chair.

In another heart-melting snap Bella could be seen standing behind the makeup chair and warmly embracing her pal.

During the wedding Bella and Kendall were wearing matching blue frocks that appeared to be bridesmaids dresses and holding bouquets.

Hailey, who was in a brown sequined Magda Butrym and had no bouquet, was nevertheless seated on the same row as Kendall and Bella for the ceremony.

So sweet: Bella, who along with Kendall appears to have been a bridesmaid, could be seen in a heartwarming snap helping Lauren adjust the hem of her dress

The wedding itself took place on the beach with seats arranged on the sand, so the delighted supermodels were sitting barefoot as Lauren tied the knot.

Kendall went viral that evening for flashing the flesh in a revealing black peekaboo ensemble during the reception.

Meanwhile Bella's family is involved with a scandal involving her mother Yolanda Hadid and Gigi's ex Zayn Malik, with whom Gigi shares a one-year-old daughter.

Wow: She also included a video in which she and a woman who appeared to be Kendall dashed about and tinkered with Lauren's train before the big ceremony

Zayn and Yolanda allegedly had an altercation recently, and although he has denied claims he was physically violent, he pled no contest to four harassment charges.

He cannot have any contact with Yolanda or the security guard who saw the incident, and must complete an anger management course and 360 days probation.

The fracas reportedly started when Yolanda entered Gigi and Zayn's Pennsylvania home without Zayn's permission while Gigi was in Paris for work.
Jordana Brewster looked smitten with her fiance Mason Morfit as they attended the star-studded Baby2Baby 10th anniversary gala in West Hollywood on Saturday night.

The 41-year-old actress clung onto the 45-year-old businessman while striking poses on the red carpet ahead of the festivities.

Brewster slipped her enviably slender frame into a fitted black floor-length gown.

Arrival: Jordana Brewster looked smitten with her fiance Mason Morfit as they attended the star-studded Baby2Baby 10th anniversary gala in West Hollywood on Saturday night

The Fast And The Furious star added a bit of glitz to her getup by rocking a black sequin bandeau top beneath her dress.

Her raven tresses were styled into a high ponytail and she left out several pieces around her face.

Morfit looked dapper in an undone black suit jacket, white dress shirt, and slacks.

The lovebirds got engaged in September after a little over a year of dating.

Stars flooded into the Pacific Design Center on Melrose Avenue for the Baby2Baby.

Sleek: Brewster slipped her enviably slender frame into a fitted black floor-length gown

Kobe Bryant's widow Vanessa is the guest of honor at the fete where she will be presented with the Giving Tree Award.

She is following in the footsteps of previous celebrity honorees ranging from Jessica Alba to Gwyneth Paltrow, per the Baby2Baby website.

A negative COVID-19 test plus proof of vaccination are allegedly required for entry, according to the blog Average Socialite.

The Hollywood Boulevard bar The Spare Room, located a stone's throw from the famed TCL Chinese Theatre, will be providing custom cocktails.

Several local restaurants are also lending their talents to the bash including Baadmash, Guelaguetza, Konbi and the celebrity hot spot Craig's.

Glitz: The Fast And The Furious star added a bit of glitz to her getup by rocking a black sequin bandeau top beneath her dress

The famous McConnell's Fine Ice Creams, whose famous fans include Barbra Streisand, will be one of the establishments contributing to the desserts.

Presiding over the food and drink will be the smash hit hospitality duo of Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, whose restaurants include Jon & Vinny's.

Baby2Baby is a Los Angeles-based charity whose aim is to get essential goods like diapers and clothes to underprivileged children.

Its board of directors includes but is not limited to a number of famous figures like Nicole Richie, Jessica Alba, Rachel Zoe, Kelly Rowland and Julie Bowen.

Emma Grede, who helped co-found Good American with Khloe Kardashian, is also one of the members of the board.
Hes lived in Cronulla ever since finishing his NRL career with the club in 2014.

And Beau Ryan and his family hit a secret spot in the area for a swim on Sunday, based on the 36-year-old's Instagram Stories.

Beau showed he's maintained his peak physical condition even since retiring from professional sport by flaunting his ripped frame in the images.

Still got it: Beau Ryan and his family hit a secret spot in the area for a swim on Sunday, based on the 36-year-old's Instagram Stories

In the photos, the former Wests Tigers star held his three-year-old son Jesse and a small dog.

Beau and his son were joined by Beau's wife Kara, although eight-year-old daughter Remi was not seen in the posts.

The outing comes after Beau listed his Drummoyne apartment with a price guide of $975,000.

The two-bedroom, north-facing unit boasts water views from the living room and main bedroom, as well as the balcony.

Peak form: Beau showed he's maintained his peak physical condition even since retiring from professional sport by flaunted his ripped frame in the images

Selling up: Beau Ryan is preparing to offload one of his investment properties, with the 36-year-old listing his Drummoyne apartment with a price guide of $975,000. Pictured with wife Kara

The apartment, in the Bayview complex, features a floor area of almost 100sqm.

Beau and wife Kara bought the apartment back in 2013, in the second-last year of his Rugby League career.

The Amazing Race Australia host also owns investment properties in Warilla, Lake Illawarra and Windang.

Luxury living: The apartment, in the Bayview complex, features a floor area of almost 100sqm

Rooms with a view: The two-bedroom, north-facing unit boasts water views from the living room and main bedroom, as well as the balcony

Ryan and his wife of nine years reside in Cronulla, in a $2.55 million house they purchased in 2016.

The family formerly resided in Paddington.

The sale comes after Beau claimed he was earning a whopping $800,000 to host The Amazing Race Australia.

But after revealing the number last February, there were some rumblings of doubt among media insiders concerning the eye-watering six-figure sum.

New digs: Ryan and his wife of nine years reside in Cronulla, in a $2.55 million house they purchased in 2016

This figure is more likely his payment for a multi-year deal, which includes other duties at Channel 10 in addition to The Amazing Race, including appearances on The Morning Show.

TV Blackbox editor and former 10 executive Rob McKnight told Daily Mail Australia: 'It would have to be a multi-year deal. That's a lot of money for a show that rates under 600,000 [metro viewers].

'The hosts of The Project would be on just over half of that and they work all year round.'

Mr McKnight noted that $800,000 per season would amount to 'around $1.50 for every viewer watching the show'.

He added: 'Beau's great but I just can't see how 10 could justify such a cost in this environment for a short-run show. We know the [former] MasterChef judges were on a motza, but they delivered ratings and had been doing it for a long time.'
Kate Hudson looked like a floral fantasy as she arrived with her fiance Danny Fujikawa at the star-studded Baby2Baby 10th anniversary gala in West Hollywood on Saturday night.

The 42-year-old Almost Famous actress slipped her fit frame into a bold one-shoulder gown covered in vibrant red roses.

Hudson and Fujikawa, who have been romantically linked since 2017 and share three-year-old daughter Rani, got engaged in September.

Arrival: Kate Hudson looked like a floral fantasy as she arrived with her fiance Danny Fujikawa at the star-studded Baby2Baby 10th anniversary gala in West Hollywood on Saturday night

Kate's eye-catching gown featured a hot pink waist belt and a modest train.

The mother of three's signature blonde hair was parted down the middle and styled into a sleek bun.

She accessorized with a pair of glitzy gold earrings and drew attention to her pout with a precise application of ruby red lipstick.

Danny, 35, towered over his bride-to-be in a stylish red velvet tuxedo that he paired with a button up shirt and a black bow tie.

Floral fantasy: The 42-year-old Almost Famous actress slipped her fit frame into a bold one-shoulder gown covered in vibrant red roses

Stars flooded into the Pacific Design Center on Melrose Avenue for the Baby2Baby 10th anniversary gala in West Hollywood on Saturday.

Kobe Bryant's widow Vanessa is the guest of honor at the fete where she will be presented with the Giving Tree Award.

She is following in the footsteps of previous celebrity honorees ranging from Jessica Alba to Gwyneth Paltrow, per the Baby2Baby website.

A negative COVID-19 test plus proof of vaccination are allegedly required for entry, according to the blog Average Socialite.

The Hollywood Boulevard bar The Spare Room, located a stone's throw from the famed TCL Chinese Theatre, will be providing custom cocktails.

Engaged: Hudson and Fujikawa, who have been romantically linked since 2017 and share three-year-old daughter Rani, got engaged in September

Several local restaurants are also lending their talents to the bash including Baadmash, Guelaguetza, Konbi and the celebrity hot spot Craig's.

The famous McConnell's Fine Ice Creams, whose famous fans include Barbra Streisand, will be one of the establishments contributing to the desserts.

Presiding over the food and drink will be the smash hit hospitality duo of Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, whose restaurants include Jon & Vinny's.

Baby2Baby is a Los Angeles-based charity whose aim is to get essential goods like diapers and clothes to underprivileged children.

Its board of directors includes but is not limited to a number of famous figures like Nicole Richie, Jessica Alba, Rachel Zoe, Kelly Rowland and Julie Bowen.

Emma Grede, who helped co-found Good American with Khloe Kardashian, is also one of the members of the board.
Kerry Washington looked radiant as she hit the red carpet at the Baby2Baby 10th anniversary gala in Los Angeles on Saturday night.

The 44-year-old actress showed off her sculpted arms in a bedazzled off-the-shoulder gown in a lovely shade of pink.

The gown featured a small slit in the back that allowed Kerry to show off her pink satin heels.

Arrival: Kerry Washington looked radiant as she hit the red carpet at the Baby2Baby 10th anniversary gala in Los Angeles on Saturday night

The Scandal star's raven tresses were styled into a voluminous updo, which allowed her to showcase her enviable bone structure.

Her complexion was noticeably glowy and she opted for soft brown shadows and a pale pink lip to complete her makeup look.

Stars flooded into the Pacific Design Center on Melrose Avenue for the Baby2Baby 10th anniversary gala in West Hollywood on Saturday.

Kobe Bryant's widow Vanessa is the guest of honor at the fete where she will be presented with the Giving Tree Award.

She is following in the footsteps of previous celebrity honorees ranging from Jessica Alba to Gwyneth Paltrow, per the Baby2Baby website.

Dazzling: The 44-year-old actress showed off her sculpted arms in a bedazzled off-the-shoulder gown in a lovely shade of pink

A negative COVID-19 test plus proof of vaccination are allegedly required for entry, according to the blog Average Socialite.

The Hollywood Boulevard bar The Spare Room, located a stone's throw from the famed TCL Chinese Theatre, will be providing custom cocktails.

Several local restaurants are also lending their talents to the bash including Baadmash, Guelaguetza, Konbi and the celebrity hot spot Craig's.

The famous McConnell's Fine Ice Creams, whose famous fans include Barbra Streisand, will be one of the establishments contributing to the desserts.

Peek-a-boo: The gown featured a small slit in the back that allowed Kerry to show off her pink satin heels

Presiding over the food and drink will be the smash hit hospitality duo of Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, whose restaurants include Jon & Vinny's.

Baby2Baby is a Los Angeles-based charity whose aim is to get essential goods like diapers and clothes to underprivileged children.

Its board of directors includes but is not limited to a number of famous figures like Nicole Richie, Jessica Alba, Rachel Zoe, Kelly Rowland and Julie Bowen.

Emma Grede, who helped co-found Good American with Khloe Kardashian, is also one of the members of the board.
Phoebe Burgess is the latest star to jump on to the infrared sauna craze.

The former NRL WAG shared a steamy selfie from a wellness centre in Bowral, New South Wales, to her Instagram Stories on Sunday, joining the likes of Pip Edwards, Michael Clarke, model Kelly Gale, fitness trainer Jono Castano and Elle Macpherson.

Sessions cost on average $35 for a 45 minute session and offer benefits such as improved digestion, chronic pain relief, skin detoxification and muscle relaxation.

Some like it hot! Phoebe Burgess (pictured), 31, has joined Pip Edwards' 'sweaty brigade' as she posted a steamy selfie to Instagram Stories on Sunday from an infrared sauna

Phoebe, 31, told fans that she was after some 'self love' and is now 'a sauna fan' as she shared a sizzling selfie following an infrared sauna session.

The mother of two went topless, using just a towel to protect her modesty, and beamed for the camera, showing off a sweaty yet glowing complexion.

Phoebe is now a member of the 'sweaty brigade' with fashion designer Pip Edwards, 41, often taking to Instagram to post one of her many sizzling infrared sauna selfies.

Pip is known to show off her enviably toned physique in revealing swimsuits while luxuriating inside a cedarwood sauna in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Pampering: The former NRL WAG told fans that she was after some 'self love' and is now 'a sauna fan' as she shared a sizzling selfie following an infrared sauna session

Devotee: Pip Edwards (pictured), 41, often takes to Instagram to post one of her many sizzling infrared sauna selfies. Pip is known to show off her enviably toned physique in revealing swimsuits while luxuriating inside a cedarwood sauna in Sydney's eastern suburbs

An infrared sauna is different to your standard sauna as it warms the body directly using heat and light technology, as opposed to heating up the area around you.

Some of the benefits include muscle relaxation, increased creativity, hangover relief, skin purification, improved digestion, increased circulation and a boosted immunity.

Pip's on-off beau Michael Clarke, 40, is also a fan, having previously shared a shirtless selfie to Instagram while recovering in an infrared sauna after an intense workout session.

'And recover!!!' he wrote over the black and white photo.

Catching on: Pip's on-off beau Michael Clarke (pictured), 40, is also a fan, having previously shared a shirtless selfie to Instagram while recovering in an infrared sauna after an intense workout session

Fitness guru: Celebrity personal trainer Jono Castano (pictured), 31, often makes use of the infrared sauna at his gym

Also using infrared saunas as a post-gym recovery is model Megan Blake Irwin, 27.

In an Instagram Story post in June, the beauty teased her abs in a skimpy black crop top as she sweated it out in a sauna after a gruelling workout.

Megan panned the camera to reveal a glimpse of her toned tummy in the racy top and shot a sultry gaze at the camera.

Fellow model Kelly Gale, 26, is also known to sweat it out in the sauna.

Model behaviour: Also using infrared saunas as a post-gym recovery is model Megan Blake Irwin (pictured), 27. In an Instagram Story post in June, the beauty teased her abs in a skimpy black crop top as she sweated it out in a sauna after a gruelling workout

She was previously seen posing topless, also drawing attention to her washboard stomach in skimpy tan bikini bottoms.

'Got my sauna outfit on,' Kelly cheekily captioned the clip.

Meanwhile former beauty pageant queen Rachael Finch, 33, took things a step further when she splurged on a $12,000 custom-built infrared sauna back in 2019.

In an Instagram post in May last year, the mother of two described it as one of the 'best investments' she's ever made for her health.

Too hot to handle! Fellow model Kelly Gale (pictured), 26, is also known to sweat it out in the sauna. She was previously seen posing topless, also drawing attention to her washboard stomach in skimpy tan bikini bottoms

Rachael, who is also the founder of health and fitness program Body by Finch, explained she has regular 20-minute sessions in the sauna to 'eliminate heavy metals and harmful toxins' from her body.

Infrared saunas are usually used by athletes to speed recovery time and Rachael said she immediately notices a difference following a workout.

'I sleep better. I feel better (and) I'm a better wife,' Rachael, who is married to her former Dancing With The Stars partner, Michael Miziner, said.

Luxe life: Meanwhile former beauty pageant queen Rachael Finch (pictured), 33, took things a step further when she splurged on a $12,000 custom-built infrared sauna back in 2019.

The secret to her glow! Rachael previously revealed she would have regular 20-minute sessions in order to 'eliminate metals and toxins from her body'

Another celebrity with the cash to splash is supermodel Elle Macpherson, 57, who often makes use of a portable infrared sauna, that looks more like a sumo wrestler suit.

A previous Instagram post captioned 'sauna time' saw Elle slipping her slender frame into a padded white sauna with infrared light panels.

The mother of two went on to list numerous health benefits in her caption, including the elimination of toxins from the body and 'stimulating lymphatic drainage'.

According to Therasage's website, the $1,400 (AUD) sauna 'enhances cell energy and blood circulation, relieves pain and burns calories'.

Epic: Another celebrity with the cash to splash is supermodel Elle Macpherson (pictured), 57, who often makes use of a portable infrared sauna, that looks more like a sumo wrestler suit

Benefits: The mother of two previously listed numerous health benefits, including the elimination of toxins from the body and 'stimulating lymphatic drainage'
Stars flooded into the Pacific Design Center on Melrose Avenue for the Baby2Baby 10th anniversary gala in West Hollywood on Saturday.

Jennifer Garner was among the high-profile guests to show off her fashion sense when she stepped out on to the red carpet for the event.

The evening's festivities included Kobe Bryant's widow, Vanessa Bryant, serving as the guest of honor, where she was presented with the Giving Tree Award.

With the honor, she follows in the footsteps of previous celebrity honorees ranging from Jessica Alba to Gwyneth Paltrow, per the Baby2Baby website.

A vision: Jennifer Garner, 49, turned heads when she arrived at the Baby2Baby 10th anniversary gala in West Hollywood on Saturday

Garner, 49, showed off her infectious smile and personality as she struck a number of poses in her black strapless gown.

The dress featured a structured corset that contrasted beautifully against the flowy nature of the skirt.

For color contrast, she carried a small green clutch purse, and styled her dark brown tresses long and flowing well past her shoulders with a part just off the center.

Glowing: Garner showed off her infectious smile and personality as she struck a number of poses in her black strapless gown

To attend the gala, guest needed to have a negative COVID-19 test plus proof of vaccination, according to the blog Average Socialite.

Baby2Baby is a Los Angeles-based charity whose aim is to get essential goods like diapers and clothes to underprivileged children.

Its board of directors includes, but is not limited to, a number of famous figures like Nicole Richie, Jessica Alba, Rachel Zoe, Kelly Rowland and Julie Bowen.

Emma Grede, who helped co-found Good American with Khloe Kardashian, is also one of the members of the board.

Flirty: The actress gave a hint of leg with the slit near the left side of the gown

The Hollywood Boulevard bar The Spare Room, located a stone's throw from the famed TCL Chinese Theatre, will be providing custom cocktails.

Several local restaurants are also lending their talents to the bash including Baadmash, Guelaguetza, Konbi and the celebrity hot spot Craig's.

The famous McConnell's Fine Ice Creams, whose famous fans include Barbra Streisand, will be one of the establishments contributing to the desserts.

Presiding over the food and drink will be the smash hit hospitality duo of Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, whose restaurants include Jon & Vinny's.
Bindi Irwin delivered a sweet tribute to her husband Chandler Powell as he celebrated his 25th birthday on Sunday.

The conservationist, 23, shared a series of intimate family photos to Instagram of the couple with their seven-month-old daughter Grace Warrior.

'Celebrating my best friend,' she captioned the sweet post.

Celebration: Bindi Irwin shared intimate family photos with her daughter Grace Warrior as she celebrated her husband Chandler Powell's birthday on Sunday

In one picture, Bindi and Chandler smiled while holding Grace and standing behind a birthday cake.

In another candid photo, the couple laughed as they posed for the camera with their daughter.

Bindi and Chandler announced their daughter's birth on March 26, just one day after she was born on their first wedding anniversary.

Special moments: The conservationist shared a series of family photos of the couple with their seven-month-old daughter Grace Warrior and wrote: 'Celebrating my best friend'

'March25, 2021. Celebrating the two loves of my life. Happy first wedding anniversary to my sweetheart husband and day of birth to our beautiful daughter,' Bindi wrote on Instagram.

'Grace is named after my great-grandmother, and relatives in Chandler's family dating back to the 1700s,' she wrote.

'Her middle names, Warrior Irwin, are a tribute to my dad and his legacy as the most incredible Wildlife Warrior.

Family: Bindi and Chandler announced their daughter's birth on March 26, just one day after she was born on their first wedding anniversary

'Her last name is Powell and she already has such a kind soul just like her dad.'

Bindi first met Chandler in 2013, when the American former wakeboarder went on a guided tour of Australia Zoo in Queensland.

The pair married in a surprise ceremony at Australia Zoo in March last year.
Jessica Alba turned heads on the red carpet with husband Cash Warren when they attended the Baby2Baby 10 year Gala at the Pacific Design Centre in Hollywood on Saturday.

The Some Kind of Beautiful star. 40, looked oozed glamour in a black asymmetrical sleeveless floor length gown.

The gorgeous dress boasted a quirky cut at the cleavage and showcased her toned shoulders and arms.

Happy couple:Jessica Alba turned heads on the red carpet with husband Cash Warren when they attended the Baby2Baby 10 year Gala at the Pacific Design Centre in Hollywood on Saturday

The classy number pinched slightly at the waist to highlight her svelte figure.

She opted to keep the jewellery minimal by just wearing a statement bangles on each arm.

Jessica went full glam with the make-up by choosing a brown smokey eye with a detailed black eyeliner and mascara finish.

She opted for a soft pink gloss that accentuated her full sensual pout.

Sexy: The Some Kind of Beautiful star. 40, looked oozed glamour in a black asymmetrical sleeveless floor length gown

Glamour: Jessica showcased her radiant complexion as she posed up a storm

She finished her stunning look by wearing her tresses in a classic middle part and allowing her long hair to fall loosely over her shoulders.

She was joined by her husband film producer Cash Warren, who looked equally as stylish in a black tuxedo and bow tie which her paired with a crisp white shirt.

The couple were joined by a host of stars at Pacific Design Centre on Melrose Avenue for the Baby2Baby 10th anniversary gala.

Kobe Bryant's widow Vanessa is the guest of honour at the fete where she will be presented with the Giving Tree Award.

Baby2Baby Co-CEOs Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer Patricof previously spoke to People and told the media outlet that they were happy to be able to honor the model during the gala.

'We are so proud to announce Vanessa Bryant as this year's honouree at a time when it's even more critical for us to come together for the children we serve because of the impact of the pandemic on families in poverty,' they said.

Although the social media personality had been involved with the group for an extended period of time, they highlighted her under-the-radar dedication to philanthropy.

'It has been the behind the scenes generosity toward the children in our program with no fanfare or attention that makes [Bryant] the perfect embodiment of the Giving Tree Award,' they said.

She is following in the footsteps of previous celebrity honourees which includes Oscar Gwyneth Paltrow, per the Baby2Baby website.

Honouree: The actress has been a previous recipient of the Giving Tree Award

A negative COVID-19 test plus proof of vaccination are allegedly required for entry, according to the blog Average Socialite.

The Hollywood Boulevard bar The Spare Room, located a stone's throw from the famed TCL Chinese Theatre, will be providing custom cocktails.

Several local restaurants are also lending their talents to the bash including Baadmash, Guelaguetza, Konbi and the celebrity hot spot Craig's.

The famous McConnell's Fine Ice Creams, whose famous fans include Barbra Streisand, will be one of the establishments contributing to the desserts.

Stunning: Jessica was joined on the red carpet by a host of stars including Hilary Duff and Camila Morrone

Presiding over the food and drink will be the smash hit hospitality duo of Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, whose restaurants include Jon & Vinny's.

Baby2Baby is a Los Angeles-based charity whose aim is to get essential goods like diapers and clothes to underprivileged children.

Its board of directors includes but is not limited to a number of famous figures like Nicole Richie, Rachel Zoe, Kelly Rowland and Julie Bowen.

Gemma Grede, who helped co-found Good American with Khloe Kardashian, is also one of the members of the board.
Behati Prinsloo looked like total arm candy as she and husband Adam Levine attended the star-studded Baby2Baby 10th anniversary gala in Los Angeles.

The 33-year-old model slipped her slender frame into an edgy black slip dress with lace paneling on the sides to create dimension.

Prinsloo had fun with her makeup by pairing her neutral dress with a bold pink eyeshadow look.

Arm candy: Behati Prinsloo looked like total arm candy as she and husband Adam Levine attended the star-studded Baby2Baby 10th anniversary gala in Los Angeles

Her curly golden hair was parted down the middle and worn down.

Behati finished off her red carpet-ready ensemble with a pair of classic strappy heels.

Adam looked handsome in a black tuxedo that he styled with a bow tie and black patent leather shoes.

The couple, who have been married since 2014, share two children, daughter Dusty Rose, five, and son Gio, three.

Edgy: The 33-year-old model slipped her slender frame into an edgy black slip dress with lace paneling on the sides to create dimension

Stars flooded into the Pacific Design Center on Melrose Avenue for the Baby2Baby gala, which is celebrating its tenth year.

Kobe Bryant's widow Vanessa is the guest of honor at the fete where she will be presented with the Giving Tree Award.

She is following in the footsteps of previous celebrity honorees ranging from Jessica Alba to Gwyneth Paltrow, per the Baby2Baby website.

A negative COVID-19 test plus proof of vaccination are allegedly required for entry, according to the blog Average Socialite.

Happy family: The couple, who have been married since 2014, share two children, daughter Dusty Rose, five, and son Gio, three

Bold: Prinsloo had fun with her makeup by pairing her neutral dress with a bold pink eyeshadow look

The Hollywood Boulevard bar The Spare Room, located a stone's throw from the famed TCL Chinese Theatre, will be providing custom cocktails.

Several local restaurants are also lending their talents to the bash including Baadmash, Guelaguetza, Konbi and the celebrity hot spot Craig's.

The famous McConnell's Fine Ice Creams, whose famous fans include Barbra Streisand, will be one of the establishments contributing to the desserts.

Handsome: Adam looked handsome in a black tuxedo that he styled with a bow tie and black patent leather shoes

Presiding over the food and drink will be the smash hit hospitality duo of Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, whose restaurants include Jon & Vinny's.

Baby2Baby is a Los Angeles-based charity whose aim is to get essential goods like diapers and clothes to underprivileged children.

Its board of directors includes but is not limited to a number of famous figures like Nicole Richie, Jessica Alba, Rachel Zoe, Kelly Rowland and Julie Bowen.

Emma Grede, who helped co-found Good American with Khloe Kardashian, is also one of the members of the board.
Former Married At First Sight star KC Osborne is no stranger to turning heads with her racy photos.

And on Sunday, the 32-year-old TV bride showed off her figure as she posed in racy lingerie.

The brunette beauty shared a photo to Instagram of herself posing in a white see-through bra and G-string.

Turning up the heat! Married At First Sight's KC Osborne showed off her figure as she posed in racy lingerie after filming Ex on the Beach

She glanced seductively as she posed for the camera.

KC also shared another photo of herself posing in a racy pink lingerie set while relaxing on a lounge.

KC's post comes after she recently flew to England after filming Ex on the Beach in Colombia in August.

She was forced to defend her international travel during the Covid pandemic after being trolled by locked-down Australians.

Racy: The brunette shared a photo to Instagram of herself posing in a white see-through bra and G-string

'I'm sitting here in London, but before I get abused for being able to leave the country, and you guys tell me I'm privileged, I'm super grateful to be here, but it is for work,' she said on Instagram.

The clip was shared to her Stories for a few minutes before she decided to delete it.

KC is understood to be staying in London for a while before returning to Melbourne.

A source told Daily Mail Australia she was 'very happy' with how things turned out on Ex on the Beach and wanted to make the most of being granted a work visa.

New show: KC's post comes after she recently flew to England after filming Ex on the Beach in Colombia in August

It comes after KC's ex Michael Goonan also defended his decision to fly overseas to film the dating show, despite most Aussies being banned from international travel.

'It's time I come clean. Yes, I am overseas. Yes, I did leave Australia,' he said in a video shared to his Instagram.

'Life also gives you opportunities... Did I take advantage of this opportunity? A hundred per cent. Do I regret it? No,' he added.

Michael explained that while he understands there are people more deserving, he took advantage of the opportunity to travel when it was offered.

He went on to say he is not a 'missionary or a f**king charity'.

Michael concluded his rant by saying he doesn't think he is a bad person and that 'we're all sluts for the right money'.
TV host Tommy Little sat down with superstars Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak during Australia's The Sunday Project this weekend.

And things got rather awkward when Tommy, 36, told the pair that he can't last in the bedroom long enough to get through the average length of each track on their new album, An Evening With Silk Sonic.

'It's a romantic album. I got to thank you for the track lengths. Two minutes and 47 seconds. I can put it on in the bedroom and almost last the whole song,' Tommy said to the pair, who were being interviewed via video link.

Laughs: TV host Tommy Little sat down with superstars Bruno Mars (right) and Anderson .Paak (left) during Australia's The Sunday Project this weekend

Bursting into surprised chuckles, Anderson, 35, suggested to the comedian: 'You got to think weird thoughts!'

Bruno, 36, chimed in, 'Yeah, take yourself out of it', to which Anderson added, 'If you want to go longer'.

Anderson then shook his head in disbelief and quipped, 'What the hell is wrong with you man? You can go three minutes! Come on!'

Wow: Things got rather awkward when Tommy (pictured) told the pair that he can't last in the bedroom long enough to get through one of the songs on their new album An Evening With Silk Sonic

Bursting into surprised chuckles, Anderson, 35, suggested to the comedian: 'You got to think weird thoughts!' Bruno, 36, chimed in, 'Yeah, take yourself out of it', to which Anderson added, 'What the hell is wrong with you man? You can go three minutes! Come on!'

Things got doubly awkward as Tommy refused to let the subject drop, insisting, 'I can't, I cant! I would have thought an alternative title could be, Songs for efficient love making.'

Bruno and Anderson giggled but seemed lost for words, with Bruno piping up, 'that will be part two'.

The Uptown Funk hitmaker and the rapper decided to form a duo after bonding while on tour together back in 2017.

Pals: The Uptown Funk hitmaker and the rapper decided to form a duo after bonding while on tour together back in 2017. Pictured at the Grammy Awards

In March, they made their debut at the Grammy Awards, performing their song Leave The Door Open.

Their first album together, An Evening With Silk Sonic, was released earlier this week on November 12.

The first single, Leave the Door Open, hit number one on the American Billboard charts, while the second, Skate, reached number 14.
The Michelin star is considered the highest honour in the culinary world.

And Tilly Ramsay revealed on Sunday's episode of Celebrity MasterChef Australia that she's 'not allowed' in her father Gordon Ramsay's Michelin star restaurants.

Gordon, 55, has been awarded 16 Michelin stars throughout his career and currently holds seven.

'I've been once': Tilly Ramsay (right) made the shock revelation on Sunday's episode of Celebrity MasterChef Australia that she's 'NOT ALLOWED' in her dad Gordon Ramsay's Michelin star restaurants. Pictured with Collette Dinnigan

Tilly, 20, made the shock revelation during a challenge which saw the remaining contestants each have to cook one course of a five-course degustation menu.

The stars felt the pressure, having to impress the executive chef of Melbourne's fine dining restaurant, Vue de monde.

'Me and Tilly have never been here. What type of food do they have?' comedian Dilruk Jayasinha asked co-star Nick Riewoldt.

Honour: Gordon (pictured), 55, has been awarded 16 Michelin stars throughout his career and currently holds seven. The Michelin star is considered the highest honour in the culinary world

'It's fine dining, like it's a fun experience,' the former AFL star responded.

Tilly then shocked her co-stars when she revealed she's not familiar with Michelin star restaurants, despite her father having held three stars for his signature restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, since 2001.

'Three hats is Michelin star, no? she asked. 'I'm not even allowed in my dad's Michelin star restaurants. I don't know what to do.'

In complete shock: 'Three hats is Michelin star, no? Tilly asked co-stars Dilruk Jayasinha (left) and Nick Riewoldt (right). 'I'm not even allowed in my dad's Michelin star restaurants. I don't know what to do,' she said

Shocked by her comments, Nick quipped, 'You're not allowed?'

'No I'm not. I've been once,' Tilly revealed.

Despite the shock revelation, Tilly told Body + Soul earlier this month that she has 'so many favourite moments with dad'.

Fond memories: Despite the shock revelation, Tilly told Body + Soul earlier this month that she has 'so many favourite moments with dad'

Hands-on dad: 'From learning to cook at age four while he was filming the TV series The F Word, to messing about and filming silly, fun dancing videos,' she said

'From learning to cook at age four while he was filming the TV series The F Word, to messing about and filming silly, fun dancing videos,' she said.

Tilly added that some of her best memories were pulling pranks on her father and posting the footage on her popular Instagram account.

She revealed her father often tries to make up his own jokes, but 'they're even worse than the classic dad jokes'.

'He ends up laughing while trying to tell the joke and can't even finish it. At least he finds himself funny,' she said.
Christine McGuinness has revealed her Question Of Sport star husband Paddy called her an ambulance 'a few times' when she was struggling with an eating disorder during lockdown.

In excerpts obtained by The Mirror from her upcoming autobiography, A Beautiful Nightmare, Christine, 33, who developed anorexia at the age of eight, shared: 'I had anorexia for years and if I'm honest, it still can be a problem now, but I'm getting better.'

She added: 'Patrick called an ambulance a few times. Even during lockdown, I fainted and had to explain to the paramedics I hadn't eaten for a while.'

Scary: Christine McGuinness has revealed her husband Paddy called her an ambulance 'a few times' when she was struggling with an eating disorder during lockdown

Model Christine said she experienced a 'real wake up call' after collapsing in front of her and 48-year-old Paddy's eight-year-old twins, Penelope and Leo.

She confessed: 'It's something I'll never forgive myself for. I don't know how long I was out, probably minutes. It upsets me thinking about it, and I'm ashamed. I've got to make sure I stay healthy for the kids.'

Christine - who also has daughter Felicity, five, with Paddy - explained she developed anorexia as a child due to being 'fussy with food'.

The doting mother recalled feeling social anxiety when entering her school's dining hall as a child and did not 'know where to sit or who with'.

Struggles: Christine, who developed anorexia aged eight, revealed: 'Patrick called an ambulance a few times. I fainted and had to explain to the paramedics I hadn't eaten for a while'

Wake up call: Model Christine said she experienced a 'real wake up call' after collapsing in front of her and 48-year-old Paddy's eight-year-old twins, Penelope and Leo (pictured in July)

Christine's eating disorder was diagnosed when she was 14 after not having ever had her first period.

She credits Paddy - or Patrick as Christine calls him - for helping her 'eat more normally' and 'gently' trying to 'change her eating habits' after they moved in together.

Christine was later diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome and was required to put on weight in order to fall pregnant.

Christine - who was born in Blackpool and grew up on a council estate in Merseyside - also talked about her childhood.

She shared that her mother Joanne was a cleaner and 'juggled' cleaning jobs so that the family could afford central heating and food on the table.

Supportive: She credits Paddy for helping her 'eat more normally' and 'gently' trying to 'change her eating habits' after they moved in together

Christine also recalled an incident when she was caught shoplifting shoes from Asda as a youngster.

After being held in a 'back room' by police, Christine's mum arrived and explained she could not afford to buy her daughter new shoes.

Noticing Christine's 'battered loafers', police allowed her to keep the shoes she had stolen.

By the time Christine reached secondary school, she was using alcohol as a 'crutch'.

Weight gain: Christine was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome and was required to put on weight in order to fall pregnant

Elsewhere, Christine claimed she was raped at a house party aged 13, and subsequently 'blamed' herself because she had been under the influence of alcohol.

The model said she lost her virginity when one of her classmates reportedly climbed into a bed she had been sleeping in and forced himself upon her.

She claimed that members of staff at her school gave her 'very little sympathy' and tried to convince her that she had 'got it wrong'.

Awful: Christine claimed she was once raped at a house party aged 13, and subsequently 'blamed' herself because she had been under the influence of alcohol (pictured in 2020)

Detailing how she was abused, she wrote: 'I remember saying 'no' and I tried to push him off, but I was so drunk I couldn't physically move him.

'After that I blamed myself massively. I know as an adult it wasn't my fault, but I still think if I wasn't drunk it wouldn't have happened. But I'm OK, thank God.'

The TV personality went on to claim she was sexually abused by 'someone close to her family' between the ages of nine and 13 who made her watch videos 'with sexual stuff in it' as well as 'tapes of people being murdered'.

Vile: The model said she lost her virginity when one of her classmates reportedly climbed into a bed she had been sleeping in and forced himself upon her (pictured in 2021)

She penned: 'He'd also take me on days out to places like the beach, and after playing in the sea he would tell me he didn't have any dry clothes. I would then have to travel home naked.'

Paddy McGuiness' wife went on to write that she had heard the man - who was 'loved' by everyone - later went to prison for abusing a child.

It followed an investigation surrounding claims of paedophilia where he wasn't prosecuted for his crimes, she said.

A survey by UN Women UK recently revealed that 80% of women of all ages in Britain have been sexually harassed.

For confidential support call Rape Crisis England & Wales on 0808 802 9999 or visit rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help for more details.

A Beautiful Nightmare by Christine McGuinness will be released to the public on November 25.

Moving on: 'I know as an adult it wasn't my fault, but I still think if I wasn't drunk it wouldn't have happened. But I'm OK, thank God'
Blake Lively wowed in a figure hugging black dress as she arrived at the SNL afterparty with her husband Ryan Reynolds and pal Taylor Swift on Saturday night.

The actress, 34, looked sensational in the racy number which boasted cut out detailing at the bust.

She protected herself from Covid-19 by wearing a black face mask while walking into the New York City venue.

Amazing: Blake Lively, 34, wowed in a figure hugging black dress as she arrived at the SNL after party with her husband Ryan Reynolds and pal Taylor Swift on Saturday night.

Blake sweetly held hands with her husband Ryan, 45, who looked dapper in a blue blazer, white shirt and grey trousers.

The Gossip Girl star elevated her frame by opting for electric blue slip on high heels.

Taylor, 31, meanwhile, looked stunning in a houndstooth blazer and black trousers which she paired with black heeled boots.

Gorgeous: The actress looked sensational in the racy number which boasted cut out detailing at the bust

Keeping safe: She protected herself from Covid-19 by wearing a black face mask while walking into the New York City venue

Both Blake and Taylor let their long blonde tresses loosely flow over their shoulders.

The comedy sketch show featured Taylor's 10-minute version of All Too Well which went down a storm earlier in the evening.

As she sang her fan-favourite breakup ballad, the track's short film starring Dylan O'Brien and Sadie Sink played behind her.

Couple: Blake sweetly held hands with her husband Ryan, 45, who looked dapper in a blue blazer, white shirt and grey trousers

Stylish: The Gossip Girl star elevated her frame by opting for electric blue slip on high heels.

Rocking her signature red lipstick and an all-black ensemble, Swift could be seen standing on autumn leaves before fake snow sprinkled in the air.

Blake recently celebrated the end of the United States travel ban on Monday, Nov. 8 at an event hosted by British Airways, NYC & Company and the British Consulate General at the Empire State Building.

While showing off her look on her Instagram Story, Blake offered a number of apologies, which included a sorry to Manolo for 'painting the white jewels on my shoes with nail polish as I was walking out the door.'

She went on with a 'hush' emoji, then coyly asked: 'Worth it tho??'

Blonde bombshells: Both Blake and Taylor let their long blonde tresses loosely flow over their shoulders

Celebration: The comedy sketch show featured Taylor's 10-minute version of All Too Well which went down a storm earlier in the evening
Gemma Oaten has detailed her 'darkest days' in the 'brutal' and 'backwards' psychiatric unit she was admitted to with anorexia at the age of 11.

The actress, 37, revealed in a new interview: 'I nearly didn't make it because of the eating disorder. I almost died four times. I spent a lot of my life in hospitals, eating disorder units and psychiatric units.'

She also shared that her A-list pal Patrick Stewart was 'instrumental in my decision to start speaking out'.

Candid: Gemma Oaten, 37, has detailed her 'darkest days' in the 'brutal' and 'backwards' psychiatric unit she was admitted to with anorexia at the age of 11

Of the conditions of wards she found herself on as a child, she told The Sun: 'Some of these places were backwards in their approach. It was very much reward and punishment.'

She also noted that dreams of appearing on her favourite soap got her through, adding: 'I'd watch Coronation Street and escape into it. I still dared to dream that I'd be on Corrie one day.'

As for her relationship with Star Trek's Patrick, 81, Gemma revealed they first struck up a friendship when she wrote to him for advice as a student.

Patrick wrote back, and the pair have stayed in touch ever since, with Gemma even sharing that it was his advice to 'use her voice for good' that inspired her to start speaking out about her eating disorder.

Pals: She also shared that her A-list pal Patrick Stewart was 'instrumental in my decision to start speaking out'

MailOnline has reached out to Patrick's representatives for comment.

Gemma - who played Rachel Breckle in Emmerdale from 2011-2015 and now stars on the Corrie cobbles as Isla - revealed last year that her battle with anorexia left her 24 hours from death at just 12 years old.

She first formed a complicated relationship with food at the age of ten before being diagnosed with an eating disorder just two years later.

Speaking to The Sun at the time, she said: 'I just restricted my eating completely. I constantly felt fat. It was just a spiral. I became a prisoner of my own mind

'I would be pumped with calories, drugs and potassium and shipped back out. There was no funding to put me anywhere that was specialised.'

Scary: Gemma revealed last year that her battle with anorexia left her 24 hours from death at just 12 years old

Childhood: Gemma (pictured left aged 9 and right 10) first formed a complicated relationship with food at the age of ten before being diagnosed with an eating disorder just two years later

Gemma said that she was warned by doctors that if she didn't eat or drink anything within 24 hours she would be dead.

And she has been battling numerous health issues since as a direct result of her anorexia.

The soap star said: 'My eating disorder was always there and waiting to pounce. At 18, it spiralled again and I had a heart attack. A year later at 19, I had a bowel prolapse [when the rectal wall slides out].'

The health scares served as a wake up call for Gemma who said she decided to start seeing a therapist and has now been in recovery for 13 years.

Disturbing: Gemma (pictured left age 18 and right 19) has been battling numerous health issues since as a direct result of her anorexia

But she continues to take a tablet each day to help her bladder, which was weakened by the bowel prolapse, as well as medication for her stomach and laxatives to relieve internal pressure.

During her battle, Gemma's mother Marg, now 69, and her father Dennis, 74, set up the SEED Eating Disorders Support Services charity.

And Gemma now dedicates much of her time to raising awareness for eating disorders and calls for improvements on the system, which she believes is 'not good enough'.
Laura Whitmore stepped out looking effortlessly chic as she headed to work at her BBC 5 Live radio show on Sunday - after a whistlestop trip to New York.

The star, 36, looked amazing as she wrapped up warm in the autumnal chill.

Laura oozed style in a grey checked blazer that she wore over a black floral print dress.

Wrapped up: Laura Whitmore stepped out looking effortlessly chic as she headed to work at her BBC 5 Live radio show on Sunday - after a whistlestop trip to New York

She finished the look by wearing a pair of thick black tights that showcased her long slender legs and opted for black flat shoes.

The Love Island presenter rocked a pair of oversized black sunglasses and made a statement with a bold red lipstick that accentuated her full pout.

She allowed her shoulder length tresses to fall loosely over her shoulders.

Cool: The star, 36, looked amazing as she wrapped up warm in the autumnal chill

Laura was all smiles as she returned to work after her brief trip to America as travel restrictions for vacationing in the states were lifted on Monday.

Laura recently revealed that she spend a year living in America when she was 21.

In 2018, she spoke of her experience of her time in the states as a student, as she revealed: 'When I was 21, I studied in the US for five months...

'In my final year of journalism at Dublin City University, we had the option to go abroad and everyone went to different places, but for me, it was always going to be Boston...'

Yankophile: The Love Island host calls herself a 'yankophile' after leaving in the US for a year as a student

'I loved the idea of this student city  home to dozens of universities, including Harvard  known for its big Irish contingent. It was a great opportunity.'

Posting on social media ahead of her brief trip she wrote 'US is open! Its been a while.'

She continued 'Wearing my friend Nicola Roberts' beautiful new merch for the flight, adored with her gorgeous lyrics celebrating 10 years of Cinderellas eyes.



'Love this album! New York here I come. So excited to be back' x

The radio presenter was one of the first Brits to take advantage of the relaxed COVID restriction rules allowing people to travel to the USA.

America has reopened its borders to fully vaccinated UK travellers, as thousands jet off to reunite with family and friends for the first time in two years.

Ready to fly: Laura went make up free when she boarded the eagerly anticipated flight to New York

Rival airlines British Airways and Virgin Atlantic operated synchronised departures at 8.30am from London Heathrow to New York JFK.

This was to celebrate the end of the travel ban imposed by Donald Trump in March last year as Covid spread across the planet.

New York pulled out all the stops to welcome the first returning passengers by lighting up The Empire State Building in red, white and blue.

Passengers were given a warm welcome by New York Governor Kathy Hochul upon their arrival in the Big Apple.
Channel 10 have denied wild rumours that transgender socialite Mitch Greer is in talks to become the next Bachelorette, a new report says.

According to The Daily Telegraph's Confidential on Sunday, a network source revealed casting hasn't even begun yet for next year's season.

Confidential also claimed that Mitch's representative denied the casting rumours, after Mitch was referred to as 'the next Bachelorette' by friends at a red carpet event for James Bond film No Time To Die in Sydney on Friday.

'There's no truth to this at all': A Channel 10 source has denied wild rumours transgender socialite Mitch Greer (pictured) is in talks to become the next Bachelorette, according to The Daily Telegraph's Confidential on Sunday

A Channel Ten source reportedly told Confidential: '[Production company] Warner Brothers hasn't even started casting yet so there's no truth to this at all.'

In September, Daily Mail Australia revealed that a source close to Warner Bros. casting agents had alleged Mitch was in talks to front the 2022 series, and had been approached by Warner Bros.

Following the overwhelming interest of having Brooke Blurton as the first LGBTQ lead in the franchise history, Channel 10 was rumoured to be in talks at casting its first transgender bachelorette.

Response: A Channel Ten source reportedly told Confidential: '[Production company] Warner Brothers hasn't even started casting yet so there's no truth to this at all'

Coming soon? It was previously revealed that a source close to Warner Bros. casting agents had alleged the Sydney socialite was 'being considered' for next year's season

According to the insider, 'Producers have reached out to Mitch earlier this week and were talking about wanting a transgender for the next Bachelorette'.

Producers are said to be trying to 'change things up and go for a youthful show', following the overwhelming international attention after recruiting Brooke, the show's first bisexual lead.

The source claimed that the transgender lead series 'will be the only one of the franchise on the air next year'.

Rumours: According to the insider, Warner Bros. casting agents are keen to 'change things up and go for a youthful show', following the overwhelming attention after recruiting Brooke Blurton, the show's first bisexual lead

Mitch is a regular fixture at Australian Fashion Week and is represented by Sydney PR guru Roxy Jacenko.

Channel 10 were approached by Daily Mail Australia at the time in relation to the casting rumours.

Back in 2018, Wentworth star Danielle Alexis expressed her interest to become the first ever transgender Bachelorette, but her suggestions were ignored.

'It would be incredible because I feel like trans people are so misunderstood because people just don't have the education,' she told Yahoo7 Be at the time.

Popular: Mitch is a regular fixture at Australian Fashion Week and is represented by Sydney PR guru Roxy Jacenko

In response to common misconceptions about transgender people in relationships, Danielle said the aspiration was rooted in a hope to educate the show's audience.

'If someone like me was put in someone's face they have no choice but to learn,' she said.

'I watch these shows like Married At First Sight and The Bachelorette and I just think, it's just so important that someone like me would be on a show like that as well.'

Unheard: Back in 2018, Wentworth star Danielle Alexis, 34, (pictured) expressed her interest to become the first ever transgender Bachelorette, but her suggestions were ignored
Sara Davies and her professional dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec became the seventh couple to be eliminated from this year's Strictly Come Dancing after facing off against Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin in Sunday's dance off.

Sara and Aljaz performed their Argentine Tango to No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) by Donna Summer and Barbara Streisand for the second time in a bid to impress judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, Head Judge, Shirley Ballas.

Tilly and Nikita performed their Quickstep to I Won't Dance by Damita Jo.

Dream is over: Sara Davies and her professional dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec became the seventh couple to be eliminated from this year's Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday

Craig chose to save Tilly and Nikita, explaining: 'This is a really difficult decision because I gave both couples on Saturday night a 7.

'So very, very equal which made the decision even more difficult, but I think for me, the couple that stood out a little bit more and had the edge  Tilly and Nikita.'

Motsi also chose to save Tilly and Nikita, saying: 'Judging on this dance off, I have to say there were three factors that decided it for me; there were details, the nerves and a very strong competitor so I am saving Tilly and Nikita.'

Anton, too, saved Tilly and Nikita.

Dance off again: They faced off against Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin, who found themselves in the dance off again

Oh dear: The couples waited anxiously to see who would be saved

'Well, I think if you were ever choosing to do Strictly Come Dancing, this is the year to avoid,' he said delivering his verdict.

'The standard is so high and either of these couples could have made it to the final any other year.

'Based on this dance off and this dance off alone, which was so strong, I'm just going to give the edge to Tilly and Nikita.'

With three votes to Tilly and Nikita, it meant they had won the majority vote and would be leaving the competition regardless of head judge Shirley's decision.

However, she confirmed she would have decided to save Tilly and Nikita, saying: 'Yes, I would have saved Tilly and Nikita.'

Tango: Sara and Aljaz performed their Argentine Tango to No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) by Donna Summer and Barbara Streisand

Quickstep: Tilly and Nikita Kuzmin performed their Quickstep to I Won't Dance by Damita Jo

When asked by co-presenter Tess Daly about their time on the show, Sara said: 'I had no idea any of this was in me. It's been a life changing experience and one I've loved every second of.'

When asked if he had any words for his partner, Aljaz sweetly noted: 'I feel like from that day we met under the Angel of the North, I was so pleased to dance with you this season.'

He added: 'Honestly, I wouldn't want to dance with anybody else. You have been an absolute joy and a testament to hard work - not just on Strictly but with your business and you're a beautiful mother.

Judges' decision: All judges chose to save Tilly, with Craig Revel Horwood saying: 'I think for me, the couple that stood out a little bit more and had the edge  Tilly and Nikita'

Motsi Mabuse said: 'I am saving Tilly and Nikita'

'Thank you for letting me spend so much time not just with you, but with the whole family, the Davies's that are here tonight, all of the little ones at home.'

The dancer went on: 'I've been so welcomed up North, it made me feel like I'm back home in Slovenia because everyone is so lovely and friendly.'

He concluded: 'I'm going to miss you so much. I'm going to miss dancing with you. I'm going to miss everything about this show. Thank you everyone and thank you for supporting us.'

Sara responded: '[Aljaz] is one in a million. I tell him every day and this wouldn't have been the experience it was, if it wasn't for him.'

Sunday's results show opened with an emotional dance from the professionals in honour of Remembrance Sunday.

There was also a music performance from James Blunt, who performed hit Goodbye My Lover.

Anton Du Beke added: 'Based on this dance off and this dance off alone, which was so strong, Im just going to give the edge to Tilly and Nikita'

Head judge Shirley Ballas said: 'Yes, I would have saved Tilly and Nikita'

Final thoughts: When asked by co-presenter Tess Daly about their time on the show, Sara said: 'I had no idea any of this was in me. It's been a life changing experience and one I've loved every second of;

Elsewhere, Strictly contestants are convinced the show's bosses have a hidden agenda to push their favourites into the final, The Mail on Sunday revealed.

According to rumours circulating on the show, BBC chiefs are keen for Tilly to make it to the end of the run, because they want to poach her father, celebrity chef Gordon, from ITV.

Some of the stars also claim producers are desperate for Strictly's first ever all-male couple, John Waite and Johannes Radebe, to go all the way to the final.

It is thought that TV presenter AJ Odudu, who is paired with the show's new professional dancer, Kai Widdrington, is another favourite with the suits.

Well-placed sources say a number of contestants who are floundering in the series believe the BBC has an 'agenda' and would be happiest if Waite and Radebe were the eventual winners.

Strictly bosses were said to be crestfallen last year when the first same-sex couple, Nicola Adams and Katya Jones, had to leave the competition after just four weeks when Jones tested positive for Covid.

One source said: 'There's a feeling that there's some blatant favouritism going on here  that they are pushing Tilly to win, or at least get to the final, because they want to nick her dad.

'Then you have the issue of the all-male couple, which is just the dream of certain people involved with the show for John and Johannes to pick up the glitterball. And as for AJ, she is adored.'
Lisa Curry and Grant Kenny's daughter Morgan Gruell has announced she's expecting her third child with husband Ryan Gruell.

On Sunday, the Pilates instructor, 31, shared a sonogram to Instagram and revealed that their baby, whose gender they are yet to reveal, is due at the end of May.

In September, Morgan commemorated one year since the death of her sister Jaimi Kenny, who passed away at age 33.

Jaimi suffered from alcoholism, depression and an eating disorder prior to her death.

Lisa Curry and Grant Kenny's family joy: Daughter Morgan Gruell announced to Instagram on Sunday that she's expecting her third child with husband Ryan Gruell (both pictured) - a year after her sister Jaimi's tragic death at the age of 33

'Life is crazy - we might as well stay in the crazy! Baby #3 due end of May!' Morgan captioned the sonogram.

She also shared a mirror selfie where she stood side-on for the camera, drawing attention to her growing baby bump in a crop top and leggings.

Morgan also shares sons Flynn, three, and Taj, one, with Ryan.

In mid September, Lisa and her family made a poignant trip to the beach to commemorate one year since Jaimi's tragic death.

Baby on the way: 'Life is crazy - we might as well stay in the crazy! Baby #3 due end of May!' the Pilates instructor, 31, captioned this sonogram

Pregnancy journey: Morgan also shared a mirror selfie where she stood side-on for the camera, drawing attention to her growing baby bump in a crop top and leggings

Growing family: Morgan and her husband, Ryan are already proud parents to sons Flynn, three, and Taj, one (all pictured)

The Olympic swimmer, 59, was joined by her surviving children, Morgan and Jett Kenny, 27, and her husband, Mark Tabone, as she threw flowers into the ocean to honour Jaimi, who died on September 14, 2020.

Lisa also shared a moving quote from Dr. Joanne Cacciatore Aguerke about losing a child, which she said summed up 'what we can't express'.

It read: 'Don't forget that even if I have living children, my heart still aches for the one who is not here - for I am never quite complete without my child.

'My child may have died; but my love - and my motherhood - never will.'

Grief: In mid September, Lisa and her family made a poignant trip to the beach to commemorate one year since the tragic death of Jaimi. Lisa (centre), 59, was joined by her surviving children, Morgan (right) and Jett Kenny (left), 27, and her husband, Mark Tabone

Devastating loss: Lisa announced Jaimi's (right) death on September 15 last year, one day after she lost her battle 'with a long-term illness'

Heartbreaking: Alongside the images, Lisa shared a moving quote from Dr. Joanne Cacciatore Aguerke about losing a child, which she said summed up 'what we can't express'

Another section said: 'There are days when I still feel paralysed. My chest feels the sinking weight of my child's absence and, sometimes, I feel as if I will explode from the grief.'

The accompanying photos showed Lisa, Morgan and her grandson Flynn, throwing flowers into the ocean.

Lisa also shared a touching photo of herself holding hands with Morgan and Jett as they gazed into the distance.

A final image captured Lisa and a group of Jaimi's friends posing for a photo, with the words 'Jaimi we love you' written in the sand in front of them.

Lisa also wore a T-shirt with an image of her late daughter on the front.

Celebration: A final image captured Lisa and a group of Jaimi's friends posing for a photo, with the words 'Jaimi we love you' written in the sand in front of them

Memory: Lisa also wore a T-shirt with an image of her late daughter on the front

Devastating: Jaimi (pictured) battled depression, alcoholism and an eating disorder before her death at a Sunshine Coast hospital last September

Lisa announced Jaimi's death in a social media post on September 15 last year, one day after her passing.

'Our beautiful daughter Jaimi has lost her battle with a long-term illness and passed away peacefully in hospital yesterday morning with her loving family by her side,' she wrote.

It was later reported that Jaimi had battled depression, alcoholism and an eating disorder before her death at a Sunshine Coast hospital.

For confidential support in Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au. Alternatively, call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800
Celeste Barber is known for her spoof videos that send up A-list celebrities.

The comedian was at it again on Sunday, sharing a video in which she imitated Britney Spears while celebrating the pop star's freedom from her conservatorship.

In the first clip, Britney, 39, strutted her stuff in a red dress, and in the second, Celeste, 39, copied her moves in a similar frock.

Fun: Celeste Barber (right) is known for her spoof videos that send up A-list celebrities. The comedian was at it again on Sunday, sharing a video in which she imitated Britney Spears (left) while celebrating the pop star's freedom from her conservatorship

In the second video, the Stronger hitmaker showed off her midriff in a white crop top, paired with black shorts and a hat.

Celeste wore a similar outfit as she gyrated for the camera, before Britney appeared on screen in a short, white lacy gown that resembled a wedding dress.

In the next clip, the funny woman danced around in a somewhat similar sequined gown with feathers.

Same: In one video, the Stronger hitmaker showed off her midriff in a white crop top, paired with black shorts and a hat. Celeste wore a similar outfit as she gyrated for the camera, before Britney appeared on screen in a short, white lacy gown that resembled a wedding dress

She wrote in her caption: 'SHE'S FREE! Now get the hell out of her way.'

Britney has vowed to sue her father Jamie Spears for 'abuse' after finally being freed from a 13-year conservatorship on November 12, partly thanks to fans who spearheaded the 'Free Britney' movement.

Jamie was made conservator of his daughter's vast fortune in 2008 after Britney publicly struggled with addiction and mental health issues.

It comes after Celeste created a social media firestorm earlier in the week when she openly mocked model Emily Ratajkowski.

Support: In the next clip, Celeste danced around in a sequined gown with feathers to match Britney's lace gown. She wrote in her caption: 'SHE'S FREE! Now get the hell out of her way'

The Australian star imitated a post by Emily, seductively leaning against a column in nothing but a pair of g-string bikini bottoms.

Like Emily, 30, Celeste teetered on sky-high stilettos - however she stood on Astroturf instead of the concrete-floored surface of the supermodel's fashion shoot.

She captioned the spoof post, 'We are sick of you objectifying our bodies! Also, here's my a**.'

Mocked: It comes after Celeste created a social media firestorm earlier in the week when she openly mocked model Emily Ratajkowski (pictured)

'The internalised misogyny is overwhelming,' pointed out another user on Twitter.

'Misogyny is still misogyny even if you're the one making fun of women babes xx,' commented a third.

Another found the caption particularly galling given Ratajkowski had written an essay about her own feelings of objectification in The Cut.

'Have you read Emily's piece in The Cut? You should!' suggested another Twitter user.
Ashley Benson put on an eye-popping display as she attended Paris Hilton and Carter Reum's third wedding celebration in LA on Saturday.

The actress, 32, boldly went braless in a deeply plunging patterned playsuit while smouldering for the camera.

The star revealed her ample cleavage and a hint of her toned waist.

Leggy: Ashley Benson put on an eye-popping display as she attended Paris Hilton and Carter Reum's third wedding celebration in LA on Saturday

The star also drew the eye to her honed legs in black tights and heels.

She wore her tresses in soft waves and sported smoky eye make-up.

Ashley also joined pal Paris for some fun snaps, having been in attendance for the first two days of the wedding.

Busty: The actress, 32, boldly went braless in a deeply plunging patterned playsuit while smouldering for the camera

Woman of the hour: Ashley posed up with newlywed Paris Hilton

Fun: Ashley playfully air kissed manager Cade Hudson at the event

Ashley has recently been spending more time with BFF Rita Ora.

In September, Rita and Ashley joined their friend Kristen Stewart to charter a private plane from LA's Van Nuys airport to New York for the start of New York Film Festival.

Ashley and Rita were both seen together attending fashion shows in Manhattan.

Afterward, Ashley jetted off to Miami for a few days, reportedly to film a project, before returning to New York.

Glitz: The women were clearly getting in the party spirit at the bash

She's usually based in Los Angeles, where Rita recently located to be with her boyfriend, actor and director Taika Waititi.

Meanwhile, Benson was last romantically linked to G-Eazy, who she began dating in May 2020 and split from in February of this year.

According to E! News, they broke up because they had been 'fighting a lot recently and Ashley 'didn't like the way he was acting around her.' It was also shared that the 'vibe has just been off. She told him that it's over.'

And in the end, there were trust issues: 'She felt he hadn't been fully committed to her.'

Previously, she dated Cara Delevingne for two years from 2018 to 2020.
Emmerdale's Matthew Wolfenden and his co-star Isabel Hodgins won't return to screens until 2022 following their on-set row, according to reports. Neither have been seen on screen since October 28.

Despite both actors having returned to the Harewood set, filming for the soap takes place six weeks ahead of airtime, meaning neither will appear in Christmas storylines, said to be 'a disappointment for the bosses and scriptwriters'.

Matthew, 41, who plays David Metcalfe on the soap, and the actress, 27, who plays his on-screen girlfriend Victoria Sugden, reportedly clashed while shooting new scenes with Aaron Anthony, while the cast were filming dramatic waterfall scenes in Stockton-on-Tees for a special episode.

Reports: Emmerdale's Matthew Wolfenden and his co-star Isabel Hodgins won't return to screens until 2022 following their on-set row

Absent: Despite both actors having returned to the Harewood set, filming for the soap takes place six weeks ahead of airtime, meaning neither will appear in Christmas storylines

A source told The Sun: 'It is very unlikely that Matthew and Isabel will be back on screen before Christmas [as] they have only just returned to the set, and as Emmerdale is filmed six weeks in advance, that puts their return date in January.'

The added: 'It was a disappointment for the bosses and scriptwriters, but they of course understood that the appropriate enquiries needed to be made.'

Matthew's representative declined to comment when approached by MailOnline.

Isabel's representatives have also been approached for comment.

A source said: 'It is very unlikely that Matthew and Isabel will be back on screen before Christmas [as] they have only just returned to the set'

The source also noted that 'neither actor has been suspended' from filming.

Their absence was addressed on Emmerdale this week when their characters were said to have travelled to Portugal to visit character Diane Sugden's new home.

Matthew and Isabel were said to have fallen out while filming a soap scene which involved a dramatic stunt.

A source told The Sun: 'It left a lot of those present at the filming feeling uncomfortable. It was a very heated situation.

Drama: Matthew and Isabel were said to have fallen out while filming a soap scene which involved a dramatic stunt

'Tempers were running very high. It was tense and bosses got to hear about what had gone on very quickly.'

However, the actors were seen cuddling up for an Instagram snap shared last week, suggesting their reported feud is behind them.

Matthew's wife Charley Webb shared a photo of the pair larking about on social media, captioning the snap: 'The most annoying humans' along with a love heart.

Isabel reacted to the photo, shared on Charley's Instagram Stories with: 'We love you too hun @miss_charleywebb' while Matthew added they are: 'BFFS!'

Isabel also shared a photo of Matthew lying on the ground as he played with his pet dog.

Pals: Matthew's wife Charley Webb shared a photo of the pair larking about on social media, captioning the snap: 'The most annoying humans' along with a love heart
Amanda Holden showcased her slender legs in a sparkly dress for an Instagram post on Saturday.

The media personality, 50, looked sensational in a sparkly cold-shoulder dress as she posed on the edge of a sofa.

Her blonde locks flowed down her back elegantly as she wore a full face of glamorous make up.

Wow: Amanda Holden, 50, showcased her slender legs in a sparkly dress for an Instagram post on Saturday

Having a blast: She captioned the glamorous snap: 'Saturday Night Disco in the Holden house' with the dancing lady emoji

The radio host's tanned legs were extended by silver heeled sandals.

She captioned the glamorous snap: 'Saturday Night Disco in the Holden house' with the dancing lady emoji.

The mother of two had painted her nails black as she posed next to her decadent sound system.

The star recently gave advice on how she teaches kindness to her two daughters Alexa, 15, and Hollie, nine.

Mothering: The star recently gave advice on how she teaches kindness to her two daughters Alexa, 15, and Hollie, nine

Speaking with The Sun she said: 'It's just tiny little things, like letting somebody out in the traffic, especially in London. Let that person go before you - stop, let them out!

'Thank somebody when they've been nice to you. It's just tiny little things like that that set a Domino run of goodness.'

The post comes after Amanda hilariously dubbed Simon Cowell the 'world's strongest man' in a Sunday Instagram post during the filming of Britain's Got Talent.

The music mogul, 62, winced in pain while attempting to drag along his son Eric and and the judge's daughter Hollie, both seven, who rode via a carriage.

Putting on an animated display while gesturing a whip in his father's direction, Eric certainly appeared to be having a whale of a time as Amanda took a snap.

The actress wrote in her caption: 'Worlds [sic] strongest man. #britainsgottalent @bgt,' followed by a heart-face and laughing emoji.

Last week Simon stepped down from the judging panel of upcoming ITV musical game show Walk The Line, with Gary Barlow as his replacement.

The businessman will now be replaced by Gary, someone he's confident 'will do a fantastic job.'

The anticipated six-part series is set to air later this year and will present an opportunity for musical variety acts to win a life-changing sum of money.

Funny: Amanda hilariously dubbed Simon Cowell the 'world's strongest man' in a recent Instagram post during BGT filming as he attempted to pull son Eric, 7, in a carriage
Kris Jenner called Travis Barker an 'amazing dad, friend, and fiance' while celebrating his 46th birthday on Instagram Sunday.

'Happy Birthday Travis!!!' the momager, 66, wrote along with a collection of photos which were mostly of him and Kourtney Kardashian, Kris' daughter and his fiancee.

The matriarch went on saying: 'You are an amazing dad, friend, and fiance to [Kourtney]!!!'

'So happy you guys are so happy and I hope you have the most magical birthday surrounded by everyone you love!!! I love you !!!'

Lots of love: Kris Jenner called Travis Barker an 'amazing dad, friend, and fiance' while celebrating his 46th birthday on Instagram Sunday

Sweet message: 'Happy Birthday Travis!!!' the momager, 66, wrote along with a collection of photos which were mostly of him and Kourtney Kardashian, Kris' daughter and his fiancee

The images shared by the momager included a few from Travis' first flight in over a decade this past August as he and Kourtney joined Kris and Corey Gamble in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Others showed the newly-engaged couple in Italy for the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda show in Venice, Italy.

On the evening of the drummer's birthday Kris, Corey and Kim Kardashian had also splashed out on a pricey looking custom Rolex with a red face and skull at the center.

He showed off the new hardware as the family attended family friend Simon Huck's wedding at the hotel Bel-Air and wrote 'Thank you @krisjenner @coreygamble @kimkardashian Love you guys'

Dynamic duo: The matriarch went on saying: 'You are an amazing dad, friend, and fiance to [Kourtney]!!!'

Family: There were photos from a double date with Kris, her boyfriend Corey, Travis and Kourtney

Travels: One snap showed the foursome dining in Italy over the summer as the drummer made his first trip overseas in over a decade

Sweet kisses: Another snap showed Barker giving his fiancee a sweet kiss on the forehead as she wore a sheer Dolce & Gabbana dress

Fashion moments: The trio had all been together in Venice, Italy for the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda show in late August

The SKIMS founder had also posted her own tribute to her soon-to-be brother-in-law bright and early Sunday.

She shared a group photo with Travis, Kourtney and pal Lala Anthony, and wrote: 'Happy Birthday Trav! You're an amazing person and I'm so happy you're part of our fam! xo.'

The snap was a throwback to their September travels to New York around the time of the Met Gala.

Travis proposed to Kourtney on October 17 with a romantic rose-covered display at a beach in Montecito, California.

Kim kim: Kourtney's little sister Kim took to her Instagram Story to praise the Blink 182 drummer

Pricey present: Kris, Corey Gamble and Kim Kardashian had also splashed out on a pricey custom Rolex for the drummer's birthday which featured a red face and skull and crossbones at the center

More moments: Additionally the momager had seconded her Instagram grid post with a story dedicated to the rockstar

Birthday magic: Kris continued to wish him 'the most magical birthday' with a collage of images

Prior to finding love with Travis, Kourtney was in an onoff relationship with Scott Disick, 38, from 2005 to 2015.

The couple share three children: Mason, 11; Penelope, nine; and Reign, six.

Travis' ex Shanna Moakler gave a seemingly two-faced seal of approval on their engagement this week following some cryptic posts, as she told Page Six: 'I think they're very deserving of one another...I hope they get good ratings.'

The former couple share daughter Alabama, 15, and son Landon, 18.

Travis also helped raise her daughter Atiana De La Hoya, 22, from a previous relationship with boxer Oscar De La Hoya.

Next step: Travis proposed to Kourtney on October 17 with a romantic rose-covered display at a beach in Montecito, California; seen in September in Brooklyn

Forever: The extravagant proposal occured at the Rosewood Miramar Hotel and featured an abundance of red roses

Kourtney has additionally grown very close to all of Barker's children as they've enjoyed skiing vacations and spent extended time all together at the pair's joint family home in Palm Springs.

Alabama had even fueled rumors the pair had secretly got engaged or married in Las Vegas this past July as she wrote 'Congratulations so happy for you guys.'

Just days after she had also referred to the Poosh founder as her 'stepmom' in an Instagram live.

All the children were in attendance for the proposal which was additionally filmed for the family's upcoming Hulu show.
Paris Hilton's wedding to Carter Reum rolled into its third day on Saturday.

And models Jordan Barrett and Shanina Shaik led the Australian contingent at the all-star extravaganza in Bel Air.

Jordan, 24, looked dapper in a black blazer worn over a black T-shirt as he was snapped entering the venue for the formal dinner.

Repping Down Under: Models Jordan Barrett (left, with Emma Roberts and Cade Hudson) and Shanina Shaik led the Australian contingent at Paris Hilton's wedding extravaganza in Bel Air

On his lower half, the Byron Bay-born hunk wore elastic waisted trousers and brown leather loafers.

Jordan entered the event alongside actress Emma Roberts, who was not joined by partner Garrett Hedlund for the evening.

Instead she held hands with Britney Spears' longtime manager Cade Hudson.

Back to black: Jordan, 24, looked dapper in a black blazer worn over a black T-shirt as he was snapped entering the venue for the formal dinner

A vision: Also decked out in a black Nana Jacqueline dress was 30-year-old Melbourne-born model Shanina Shaik

Also decked out in black was 30-year-old Melbourne-born model Shanina Shaik.

The statuesque beauty wore a dark Nana Jacqueline dress with a thigh-high split and a square cut neckline.

She accessorised with a diamond studded purse and heels.

Showing some skin: The statuesque beauty wore a dark dress with a thigh-high split and a square cut neckline

Paris Hilton and Carter Reum brought the curtain down on their glittering three-day wedding celebrations with a black tie dinner on Saturday night.

Paris, 40, who tied the knot with Carter, also 40, on Thursday at her grandfather's lavish Bel-Air estate, has already celebrated her nuptials with a fairytale ceremony and neon carnival.

The blonde beauty slipped into a dazzling silver star dress with semi-sheer detail as she cosied up to dapper beau Carter - before partying with stars including Kate Beckinsale and Ashley Benson.

Newlyweds: Paris Hilton and Carter Reum brought the curtain down on their glittering three-day wedding celebrations with a black tie dinner on Saturday night

The dress featured a deeply plunging neckline and glittering applique detail, teasing a glimpse of the star's toned legs and underwear as she posed up a storm.

Part three of the wedding celebrations took place inside a stylishly decorated marquee and included speeches from Paris herself and musical performances from the likes of Macy Gray.

Guests also snacked on McDonalds French fries as part of the banquet.
Aljaz Skorjanec and his wife Janette Manrara put on a very amorous display following the filming of the Strictly Come Dancing results show on Saturday night.

Heading home from Hertforshire's Elstree Studios in the back of a taxi, the married choreographers, 31 and 37 respectively, removed their face masks in order to pucker up for a sweet kiss.

Sara Davies, 31, however, seemed to be worlds away from dance partner Aljaz, as she shot a glum expression from her car - having just been booted from the show.

Loved up: Aljaz Skorjanec and his wife Janette Manrara put on a very amorous display following the filming of the Strictly Come Dancing results show on Saturday night

Tying her blonde tresses into a sleek bun and sporting a pair of glasses, she covered her face with her hand as the vehicle sped off into the city.

Sara became the seventh celebrity to be eliminated from this year's series after facing off against Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin in the dance off.

The Dragon's Den star and Aljaz performed their Argentine Tango to No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) by Donna Summer and Barbara Streisand for the second time in a bid to impress judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas.

Annoyed: Sara Davies, 31, however, seemed to be worlds away from dance partner Aljaz, as she shot a glum expression from her car - having just been booted from the show

Tilly and Nikita performed their Quickstep to I Won't Dance by Damita Jo.

Craig chose to save Tilly and Nikita, explaining: 'This is a really difficult decision because I gave both couples on Saturday night a 7.

'So very, very equal which made the decision even more difficult, but I think for me, the couple that stood out a little bit more and had the edge  Tilly and Nikita.'

Motsi also chose to save Tilly and Nikita, saying: 'Judging on this dance off, I have to say there were three factors that decided it for me; there were details, the nerves and a very strong competitor so I am saving Tilly and Nikita.'

Serious: Tying her blonde tresses into a sleek bun and sporting a pair of glasses, she covered her face with her hand as the vehicle sped off into the city

Anton, too, saved Tilly and Nikita.

'Well, I think if you were ever choosing to do Strictly Come Dancing, this is the year to avoid,' he said delivering his verdict.

'The standard is so high and either of these couples could have made it to the final any other year.

'Based on this dance off and this dance off alone, which was so strong, I'm just going to give the edge to Tilly and Nikita.'

Competitive: Sara (right) became the seventh celebrity to be eliminated from this year's series after facing off against Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin (both left) in the dance off

With three votes to Tilly and Nikita, it meant they had won the majority vote and would be leaving the competition regardless of head judge Shirley's decision.

However, she confirmed she would have decided to save Tilly and Nikita, saying: 'Yes, I would have saved Tilly and Nikita.'

When asked by co-presenter Tess Daly about their time on the show, Sara said: 'I had no idea any of this was in me. It's been a life changing experience and one I've loved every second of.'

When asked if he had any words for his partner, Aljaz sweetly noted: 'I feel like from that day we met under the Angel of the North, I was so pleased to dance with you this season.'

He added: 'Honestly, I wouldn't want to dance with anybody else.

'You have been an absolute joy and a testament to hard work - not just on Strictly but with your business and you're a beautiful mother.

Dance off again: Tilly and Nikita performed their Quickstep to I Won't Dance by Damita Jo

'Thank you for letting me spend so much time not just with you, but with the whole family, the Davies's that are here tonight, all of the little ones at home.'

The dancer went on: 'I've been so welcomed up North, it made me feel like I'm back home in Slovenia because everyone is so lovely and friendly.'

He concluded: 'I'm going to miss you so much. I'm going to miss dancing with you. I'm going to miss everything about this show. Thank you everyone and thank you for supporting us.'

Sara responded: '[Aljaz] is one in a million. I tell him every day and this wouldn't have been the experience it was, if it wasn't for him.'
Christine McGuinness has revealed she has been diagnosed with autism along with her three children who all have the condition.

The media personality, 33, made the admission in her new book Christine McGuinness: A Beautiful Nightmare and told how her husband Paddy McGuinness suspected it for years.

Autism refers to a broad range of conditions characterised by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.

In an extract seen by The Mirror, Christine wrote: 'I have been confirmed as autistic. It's strange, but I've noticed there are little hints throughout my life that I'm autistic and more like my children than I ever could have imagined.

Candid: Christine McGuinness has revealed she has been diagnosed with autism along with her three children who all have the condition

'My issues with food, my social struggles, how hard I find it to make friends and stay focused, and my indecisiveness. The way I float through life reminds me of how my eldest daughter Penelope is.'

Christine added that while she was not completely surprised by the diagnosis, it was emotional to accept.

The model explained that she was diagnosed in August after she and Paddy, 48, were invited to meet Sir Simon Baron-Cohen who is the director of Cambridge University's Autism Research Centre.

The couple both filled out an AQ Questionnaire which is designed to measure the expression of Autism-Spectrum traits in a person.

Honest: The media personality, 33, made the admission in her new book Christine McGuinness: A Beautiful Nightmare and told how her husband Paddy McGuinness, 48, suspected it for years

THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF AUTISM According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with autism have trouble with social, emotional and communication skills that usually develop before the age of three and last throughout a persons life. Specific signs of autism include: Reactions to smell, taste, look, feel or sound are unusual

Difficulty adapting to changes in routine

Unable to repeat or echo what is said to them

Difficulty expressing desires using words or motions

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Difficulty with acts of affection like hugging

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Difficulty relating to other people

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Christine explained the scale goes from 0 to 50 and an average neurotypical person would score about 15, which Paddy did, while hers was 36.

On being given the diagnosis, Christine wrote: 'It was a lot to take in and once my appointment was over, I broke down in floods of tears. I think it's because the news conjured up a mixture of emotions and while I'm not totally shocked and it's a relief, I'm just really sad for my younger self.'

Christine said Paddy told her he suspected she was autistic for years and was always conscious that she had 'quirks' and was 'a bit different'.

She said it often takes her hours to get ready or making simple decisions like deciding between two plain T-shirts.

Family: The model shares twins Penelope and Leo, seven, and Felicity, four, with comedian husband Paddy

Christine said she never had a single night out during her 20s and never had a 21st or a 30th because she would make every excuse not to socialise.

The star added she is the best version of herself when she is with her kids Penelope, Leo, both eight, and Felicity, five, and believes this is because they are all autistic.

Christine said certain behaviours she has now make sense in the wake of her diagnosis like her need to rearrange hotel rooms when she checks in or her preference for beige food.

The model said she and Paddy have not told their children they are autistic yet but thinks telling them she is too will make it easier.

Christine acknowledged she is concerned people might treat her differently now her diagnosis is public however she feels she is 'living proof' people with autism can do anything.

Christine wrote: 'I have been confirmed as autistic. It's strange, but I've noticed there are little hints throughout my life that I'm autistic and more like my children than I ever could have imagined'

Elsewhere in the book, Christine revealed she had anorexia when she was eight years old and Paddy called an ambulance 'a few times' when she was struggling with an eating disorder during lockdown.

Christine - who was born in Blackpool and grew up on a council estate in Merseyside - also talked about her childhood.

She shared that her mother Joanne was a cleaner and 'juggled' cleaning jobs so that the family could afford central heating and food on the table.

Christine also recalled an incident when she was caught shoplifting shoes from Asda as a youngster.

After being held in a 'back room' by police, Christine's mum arrived and explained she could not afford to buy her daughter new shoes.

Future: The model said she and Paddy have not told their children they are autistic yet but thinks telling them she is too will make it easier

Noticing Christine's 'battered loafers', police allowed her to keep the shoes she had stolen.

By the time Christine reached secondary school, she was using alcohol as a 'crutch'.

Elsewhere, Christine claimed she was raped at a house party aged 13, and subsequently 'blamed' herself because she had been under the influence of alcohol.

The model said she lost her virginity when one of her classmates reportedly climbed into a bed she had been sleeping in and forced himself upon her.

She claimed that members of staff at her school gave her 'very little sympathy' and tried to convince her that she had 'got it wrong'.

Awful: Also in the book, Christine claimed she was once raped at a house party aged 13, and subsequently 'blamed' herself because she had been under the influence of alcohol (pictured in 2020)

Detailing how she was abused, she wrote: 'I remember saying 'no' and I tried to push him off, but I was so drunk I couldn't physically move him.

'After that I blamed myself massively. I know as an adult it wasn't my fault, but I still think if I wasn't drunk it wouldn't have happened. But I'm OK, thank God.'

The TV personality went on to claim she was sexually abused by 'someone close to her family' between the ages of nine and 13 who made her watch videos 'with sexual stuff in it' as well as 'tapes of people being murdered'.

She penned: 'He'd also take me on days out to places like the beach, and after playing in the sea he would tell me he didn't have any dry clothes. I would then have to travel home naked.'

Christine wrote that she had heard the man - who was 'loved' by everyone - later went to prison for abusing a child.

It followed an investigation surrounding claims of paedophilia where he wasn't prosecuted for his crimes, she said.

A survey by UN Women UK recently revealed that 80% of women of all ages in Britain have been sexually harassed.

For confidential support call Rape Crisis England & Wales on 0808 802 9999 or visit rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help for more details.

Christine McGuinness: A Beautiful Nightmare is out on November 25.
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Rao directed the Telangana state delegation to present the states arguments effectively in the meeting. (DC Image)

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao deputed home minister Mahmood Ali and Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar on his behalf to attend the Southern Zonal Council (SZC) meeting in Tirupati on Sunday being chaired by union home minister Amit Shah.

Chief Ministers of Telangana state, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, which are the member states and Lieutenant Governors of Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands, who are special invitees, have been invited to the meeting to discuss and resolve a broad range of issues, including boundary disputes, security, and infrastructure-related matters like road, transport, industries, water and power etc among member states.

The Chief Minister also deputed finance minister T. Harish Rao to take part in the meeting convened by union finance minister Nirmala Sithraman with Chief Ministers and finance ministers of states on Monday in virtual mode to discuss measures to attract private investments to boost the economy.

Party sources said the Chief Minister decided to skip both the meetings convened by the Centre on Sunday and Monday.

The Southern Zonal Council meeting was supposed to be held on March 4 this year but was eventually postponed due to Covid second wave. Besides around 100 senior officials including chief secretaries, government advisors and heads of various departments were also invited to the meeting. The Centre holds these meetings once in two years. The meeting could not be held in 2020 due to Covid pandemic.

After Rao became Telangana state Chief Minister in 2014, two such meetings were held in Thiruvananthapuram in 2016 and Bengaluru in 2018 which were chaired by then Union home minister Rajnath Singh.

Rao skipped both the meetings. In 2016, he deputed then home minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy on his behalf while in 2018 he deputed none as he was busy with Assembly elections.

With Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S .Jagan Mohan Reddy deciding to raise the long-pending AP bifurcation-related issues and the Krishna water dispute with Telangana state in the meeting, Rao directed the Telangana state delegation to present the states arguments effectively in the meeting.

Jagan announced to raise the issue of Telangana owing arrears of Rs 6,300 crore to AP Discoms, Telangana State Civil Supplies Corporation arrears to AP, Telangana freezing fixed deposits lying in banks and also bifurcation of assets pertaining to common institutions in Hyderabad listed under Schedule IX, X of AP Reorganisation Act, 2014.

However, Telangana state has been denying owing any arrears to AP and also opposing the division of assets in Hyderabad. Jagan also announced to raise the demand of bringing Jurala dam in Telangana under the control of KRMB, which is being opposed by Telangana.

The Telangana delegation gathered all the documents and proofs to be presented in the meeting to counter AP's claims on TS government owing arrears to AP.
New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday alleged a multi-crore Bitcoin scam and its cover-up by the BJP government in Karnataka and demanded that an independent investigation be conducted into the matter by a Supreme Court-monitored SIT.

Former party chief Rahul Gandhi alleged that the scam is big but the cover-up is much bigger.

Taking to Twitter, he said, "Bitcoin Scam is big. But Bitcoin Scam Cover-up is much bigger. Because it has to cover up someone's fake big ego."

Addressing a press conference, Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala posed a set of six questions to the prime minister and asked what was the role of Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who was the state's home minister when the scam took place.

He asked why international investigative agencies, including the Interpol, were not informed about the stolen Bitcoins.

"India's biggest ever 'Bitcoin Scam' has been unearthed in Karnataka. Instead of conducting a fair investigation, the BJP government of Karnataka appears to be preoccupied with 'Operation Bitcoin Scam Coverup'," he alleged.

"This is not a money laundering crime alone, this is an international crime. Considering how shoddily and compromised the investigation has been done, I don't think that the ED (Enforcement Directorate) or Karnataka Police can do a fair job. That is why we demand that an SIT (special investigation team) should be set up and monitored by the Supreme Court which should investigate this case and bring out the truth," the Congress leader said.

Surjewala also questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the case and claimed that the prime minister was told by the FBI about it during his recent visit to the US.

"It is a multi-country investigation and the truth must come out. The government is either colluding or is working shoddily in the investigation.... There are doubts being raised on the reputation of Basavaraj Bommai and his political career and reputation are at stake and that is why he should write to the government for constituting an SIT monitored by the SC to probe this," he said.

Surjewala, along with party spokesperson Gourav Vallabh, alleged that an alleged hacker, Sri Krishna, was arrested along with his associate Robin Khandelwal by the Karnataka Police on November 14 last year and was kept in police custody for over 100 days by repeatedly arresting him in at least five criminal cases registered one after the other. He was released on bail on April 17 this year.

He alleged that Sri Krishna made a voluntary statement before the Metropolitan Magistrate, Bengaluru, sometime in December 2020, wherein he has allegedly given the names of various foreign companies/portals which were hacked by him, and millions of dollars earned illegally.

The Congress leaders also alleged that Sri Krishna was involved in alleged hacking of Bitcoin/Cryptocurrency exchanges and websites that includes from Bitfinex, registered in noted tax haven, the British Virgin Islands and reports suggest that it was hacked on August 2, 2016 and 1,20,000 bitcoins were stolen. However, in his voluntary statement, he admits to having taken 2000 Bitcoins.

He said 'Whale Alert' is a Twitter account which tracks large scale cryptocurrency transactions and it reflects that on December 1, 2020, and on April 14, 2021, Bitcoins from the 2016 hack of Bitfinex Bitcoin exchange were transferred and its value comes out to be USD 704.8 million USD (equivalent to Rs 5,240 crore).

"Despite multiple international crimes of significant magnitude, Interpol was not informed for over five months. Only on April 24, 2021, more than five months after the initial arrest, did the Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru wrote to Interpol Liaison Officer (CBI) asking to inform Interpol and other agencies. Even ED/CBI/SFIO were not informed by the Karnataka's BJP government," Surjewala said, adding that Bommai was the state's home minister between August 20, 2019, to July 28, 2021.

"Should the then Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai be punished for not taking action in the case," he asked, alleging that the fraud happened under his watch and when the accused was kept in custody.

"Who are the actors in the Bitcoin Coverup Scam? Were the stolen bitcoins transferred from the wallet of alleged hacker Sri Krishna? How many bitcoins and of what value? How does the Bengaluru police then suggest (in its third Panchnama dated 22nd January 2021) that the 31 and 186 Bitcoins allegedly transferred to police wallet were lost or were found to be fake transactions," he asked.

He also asked what was the role and responsibility of Bommai and others in the state government.
Sources said the Maoists had obtained high-end weapons that were normally not given to central forces which participated in combing operations at several places of Maoist affected places. Representational Image. (PTI)

Hyderabad: The Telangana police have beefed up security along Maharashtra border following the Saturday encounter on a hillock in Gadchiroli in which 26 Maoists were gunned down and several high-end weapons were seized.

The Telangana police conducted vehicle checking on the border areas on Sunday. An internal alert was passed to the unit officers to be vigilant by increasing security at prestigious dams and irrigation projects as precautionary measures.

Senior officials of Telangana intelligence and special intelligence (SIB) teams are closely monitoring the situation taking place in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. Sources said exchange of fire in Gadchiroli was the highest gun battle between Maoists and armed forces after the Ramaguda incident on the Andhra-Odisha border that took place in 2016. In the Ramaguda encounter, as many as 31 Maoists including central committee members and Munna, son of slain Maoist leader Akkiraju Haragopal alias Ramakrishna were killed.

For the first time, the banned CPI (Maoist) party cadre used highly sophisticated weapons including under barrel grenade launcher (UBGL), a single shot grenade launcher and INSAS, known as Indian Small Arms System, that are generally operated by the Indian Army personnel in combating terrorists. The armed forces display such weapons only on Republic Day celebrations at their camps.

The forces have found as many as 12 highly sophisticated weapons that were used by the Maoists. Sources said the Maoists had obtained high-end weapons that were normally not given to central forces which participated in combing operations at several places of Maoist affected places.
Reminding that the SBT was the brainchild of Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, who was also present in the programme, Shah lauded him for the initiative. (PTI)

Nellore: Union home minister Amit Shah dwelt at length on the transparency they brought in selecting talented people for Padma awards while addressing a public gathering on the occasion of the 20th anniversary celebrations of Swarna Bharat Trust (SBT) at Venkatachalam near Nellore city on Sunday.

Referring to the recently-held Padma awards ceremony, Shah said most of the parties when in power give Padma awards through recommendations, however, Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured those who worked on the ground.

A woman from Karnataka got Padma award and one Muslim man who performed the last rites of unclaimed dead bodies was awarded Padma Shri, Amit Shah said. The home minister underlined the need for NGOs like Swarna Bharat Trust for the development of people in rural areas. Reminding that the SBT was the brainchild of Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, who was also present in the programme, Shah lauded him for the initiative.

He said the service activities taken up by the SBT were highly appreciable and that was taken up with the inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi, Deen Dayal Upadyaya, Nanaji Deshmukh who strived hard for the development of the downtrodden.

He observed that the fruits of the activities of the trust had been giving hope to the downtrodden in their lives and praised the SBT for continuing skill development activities without getting any financial support from the government.

The Centre had been moving ahead on the lines of Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikaas, Sab ka Viswas and the public had to come forward for the development of the society taking the SBT as an inspiration, Shah maintained.

He said the Vice President of India was well aware of issues being faced by people in rural areas because of his rural background and more than five decades of public life. Shah also mentioned the development activities introduced during Venkaiah Naidus tenure as union minister for rural development during NDA-1. The ideology of Naidu had been reflected in the service activities taken up by the trust, added the home minister.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu said parents had to encourage children towards service activities that helped develop society.

Shah visited the Soma Skill Development Centre at Akshara Vidyalaya and also paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhabhai Patel on the campus.

Trust members Kamineni Srinivas, Muppavarapu Foundation managing trustee Harshavardhan and others were present. Shah received a rousing reception when he arrived at Swarna Bharat Trust.

Nellore MP Adala Prabhakar Reddy, BJP state president Somu Veerraju, MLC Vakati Narayana Reddy, Sarvepalli legislator Kakani Govardhan Reddy, Nellore district collector K.V.N. Chakradhar Babu and SP Ch Vijaya Rao received the home minister.
A gradual fall in the daily Covid cases in the past few weeks is not good news for BBMP officials. The growing complacency among the adult population towards the second dose of the Covid vaccine across Bengaluru has left Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials worried. An estimation by BBMP officials revealed that a whopping 6.6 lakh people were overdue for the second dose as of Saturday.

Pointing to the rising number of defaulters, a senior BBMP official attached to the health wing told DH that citizens have been lax with protocols considering that the infection rate is consistently low. The fear among the public has come down drastically due to consistent dip in cases. At the peak of the second wave, people were thronging vaccination centres. But now, despite our staffers going to citizens doorsteps, many of them are not interested in taking the second dose, the official said.

Officials said the 6.6 lakh people would have taken the first dose out of fear. But after 12 weeks, as the city is returning to normalcy and all sectors have resumed normal business, people are not worried about completing the vaccination. However, we are reaching out to all defaulters to get them to vaccination points, the official said.

Officials also revealed that a small percentage of the population is also worried about possible side effects. A few of them who suffered fever and headache are now avoiding the second dose, a vaccinator from the West Zone said.

BBMP Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta said, Officials are identifying overdue citizens in every ward. BBMP call centres are constantly calling them up and motivating them to get jabbed for the second time. Besides, the civic body is also trying to create awareness about the need and advantages of complete vaccination.

Dr K V Trilok Chandra, Special Commissioner (Health), BBMP said, Our block- and lane-level vaccinators are visiting every house to identify citizens who may have been left out to create awareness. They have been persuading such citizens to get vaccinated immediately.
UN climate talks ended Saturday with a deal that for the first time targeted fossil fuels as the key driver of global warming, even as coal-reliant countries lobbed last-minute objections.

While the agreement won applause for keeping alive the hope of capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius, many of the nearly 200 national delegations wished theyd come away with more.

If its a good negotiation, all the parties are uncomfortable, US climate envoy John Kerry said in the final meeting to approve the Glasgow Climate Pact. And this has been, I think, a good negotiation.

Also Read | India criticises fossil fuel language in COP26 draft deal

The two-week conference in Scotland delivered a major win in resolving the rules around carbon markets, but it did little to assuage vulnerable countries concerns about long-promised climate financing from rich nations.

The British COP26 president, Alok Sharma, was visibly emotional before banging down his gavel to signal there were no vetoes to the pact, after the talks had extended overtime  and overnight  into Saturday.

Also read: Negotiators strike a climate deal, but world remains far from limiting warming

There was last-minute drama as India, backed by China and other coal-dependent developing nations, rejected a clause calling for the phase out of coal-fired power. After a huddle between the envoys from China, India, the United States and European Union, the clause was hurriedly amended to ask countries to phase down their coal use.

India's environment and climate minister, Bhupender Yadav, said the revision reflected the "national circumstances of emerging economies."

"We are becoming the voice of the developing countries," he told Reuters, saying the pact had singled out coal but kept quiet about oil and natural gas.

"We made our effort to make a consensus that is reasonable for developing countries and reasonable for climate justice," he said, alluding to the fact that rich nations historically have emitted the largest share of greenhouse gases.

The single-word change was met with dismay by both rich countries in Europe and small island nations along with others still developing.

"We believe we have been side-lined in a non-transparent and non-inclusive process, Mexicos envoy Camila Isabel Zepeda Lizama said. We all have remaining concerns but were told we could not reopen the text  while others can still ask to water down their promises."

But Mexico and others said they would let the revised agreement stand.

"The approved texts are a compromise," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "They reflect the interests, the conditions, the contradictions and the state of political will in the world today."

Carbon market breakthrough

Reaching a deal was always a matter of balancing the demands of climate-vulnerable nations, big industrial powers, and those like India and China depending on fossil fuels to lift their economies and populations out of poverty.

Sharmas voice broke with emotion in response to vulnerable nations expressing anger over the last-minute changes.

"I apologise for the way this process has unfolded," he told the assembly. I am deeply sorry.

The overarching aim he had set for the conference was one that climate campaigners and vulnerable countries said was too modest  to "keep alive" the 2015 Paris Agreement's target to keep global temperatures from rising beyond 1.5C (2.7 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. Scientists say warming beyond this point could unleash irreversible and uncontrollable climate impacts.

Also Read | No glee in Glasgow as climate talks hit a cash wall

In asking nations to set tougher targets by next year for cutting climate-warming emissions, the agreement effectively acknowledged that commitments were still inadequate. National pledges currently have the world on track for about 2.4C of warming.

The talks also led to a breakthrough in resolving rules for covering government-led markets for carbon offsets. Companies and countries with vast forest cover had pushed hard for a deal, in hopes also of legitimising the fast-growing global voluntary offset markets.

The deal allows countries to partially meet their climate targets by buying offset credits representing emission cuts by others, potentially unlocks trillions of dollars for protecting forests, expanding renewable energy and other projects to combat climate change.

'The era of coal is ending'

Jennifer Morgan, executive director of the campaign group Greenpeace, saw the glass as half-full.

"They changed a word but they cant change the signal coming out of this COP, that the era of coal is ending," she said. "If youre a coal company executive, this COP saw a bad outcome."

Developing countries argue rich nations, whose historical emissions are largely responsible for warming the planet, must finance their efforts both to transition away from fossil fuels and to adapt to increasingly severe climate impacts.

The deal offered a promise to double adaptation finance by 2025 from 2019, but again no guarantees. A UN committee will report next year on progress towards delivering the $100 billion per year in promised climate funding, after rich nations failed to deliver on a 2020 deadline for the funds. Finance will then be discussed again 2024 and 2026.

But the deal left many vulnerable nations despondent in offering no funding for climate-linked losses and damages, a promise made in the original pact called the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992.

Rich nations once again resisted acknowledging financial liability for their years of emissions that drove climate change as they rose to economic prosperity.

While Glasgow agreement laid out a pathway for addressing the issue by establishing a new secretariat dedicated to the issue, vulnerable countries said that represented a bare minimum of acceptability.

"This package is not perfect. The coal change and a weak outcome on loss and damage are blows, said Tina Stee, climate envoy from the Marshall Islands. Still, elements of the Glasgow Package are a lifeline for my country. We must not discount the crucial wins covered in this package.
Diplomats from nearly 200 countries on Saturday struck a major agreement aimed at intensifying global efforts to fight climate change by calling on governments to return next year with stronger plans to curb their planet-warming emissions and urging wealthy nations to at least double funding to protect poor nations from the hazards of a hotter planet.

The new deal will not, on its own, solve global warming, despite the urgent demands of many of the thousands of politicians, environmentalists and protesters who gathered at the climate summit here. It leaves unresolved the crucial question of how much and how quickly each nation should cut its carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases over the next decade. And it leaves many developing countries far short of the funds they need to cope with increasing weather disasters.

The talks underscored the complexity of trying to persuade scores of countries, each with their economic interests and domestic politics, to act in unison for the greater good.

But the agreement established a clear consensus that all nations must do much more, immediately, to prevent a catastrophic rise in global temperatures. And it set up transparency rules to hold countries accountable for the progress they make or fail to make.

Also Read | Nations strike climate deal with coal compromise

US climate envoy John Kerry entered the plenary hall Saturday evening with his arm around the shoulder of Xie Zhenhua, Chinas chief climate negotiator. Last minute deal-making could be seen on the floor as Xie and Kerry huddled, mask to mask, with Alok Sharma, the British politician who led the U.N. summit.

Architects of the agreement hoped it would send a powerful signal to capitals and corporate boardrooms across the globe that more ambitious action on climate change is inevitable, which in turn would empower civil society groups and lawmakers working to shift countries away from burning oil, gas and coal for energy in favor of cleaner sources such as wind, solar and nuclear power.

The train is moving, and all countries need to get on board, said Ani Dasgupta, president of the World Resources Institute. If the world is going to beat back the climate crisis, no one can sit on the sidelines.

Yet many others said the deal failed to meet the moment, in a year of deadly heat in Canada, devastating floods in Germany and New York, and raging wildfires in Siberia. At the start of the two-week summit, leaders, including President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain, framed the meeting as the worlds last, best chance to save the planet.

The deal is not in line with the urgency and scale required, said Shauna Aminath, environment minister of the Maldives, an archipelago of low-lying islands in the Indian Ocean that has been inhabited for thousands of years but could be inundated within three generations because of rising seas. What looks balanced and pragmatic to other parties will not help the Maldives adapt in time. It will be too late for the Maldives.

In the final hours of talks Saturday night, negotiators clashed over wording that would have called on countries to phase out coal power and government subsidies for oil and gas. Fossil fuels have never been explicitly mentioned in a global climate agreement before, even though they are the dominant cause of global warming. Eventually, at the urging of India, which argued that fossil fuels were still crucial for its development, phase out was changed to phase down.

Going into the summit, world leaders said their ultimate goal was to prevent Earth from heating more than 1.5 degrees Celsius, or 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit, compared to preindustrial levels. Past that threshold, scientists have warned, the risk of deadly heat waves, destructive storms, water scarcity and ecosystem collapse grows immensely. The world has already warmed 1.1 degrees Celsius.

But even as countries vowed to step up their climate efforts both before and during the Glasgow summit, they are still falling far short.

Also Read | Major win in international diplomacy for India in COP26

The detailed plans that governments have made to curb fossil fuel emissions and deforestation between now and 2030 would put the world on pace to warm by roughly 2.4 degrees Celsius this century, according to analysts at Climate Action Tracker, a research group.

Countries still dont seem to understand that were in an emergency situation, and we need to cut emissions much faster this decade, or else any hope of staying at 1.5 degrees will be lost, said Niklas Hohne, a German climatologist and founding partner of NewClimate Institute, which created the Climate Action Tracker.

A major focus of this years talks was how to push countries to do more. Under the last big climate deal, the Paris climate agreement in 2015, governments werent formally scheduled to come back with new climate pledges until 2025, which many experts said was far too late for a major course correction.

The new agreement in Glasgow asks countries to come back by the end of next year with stronger pledges to cut emissions by 2030. It also states clearly that all nations will need to slash their carbon dioxide emissions nearly in half this decade to hold warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

But it remains to be seen if countries follow through  there are no sanctions or penalties if they fail to do so. Before the Glasgow talks, some governments such as the United States and European Union did step up their climate pledges under the Paris Agreement. But others  like Australia, China, Brazil and Russia  barely improved on their short-term plans.

Money, meanwhile, remained a huge sticking point in the talks.

Also Read | Greta Thunberg says COP26 limited to 'blah, blah, blah'

A number of swiftly industrializing countries, such as India and Indonesia, have said they would be willing to accelerate a shift away from coal power if they received financial help from richer countries. But so far, that help has been slow to arrive.

A decade ago, the worlds wealthiest economies pledged to mobilize $100 billion per year in climate aid for poorer countries by 2020. But they are still falling short by tens of billions of dollars per year.

At the same time, only a small fraction of that climate aid to date has gone toward measures to help poorer countries cope with the hazards of a hotter planet, such as sea walls or early-warning systems for floods and droughts. According to one 2017 study, some African nations are spending up to 9% of their gross domestic product on adaptation, while still only addressing about one-fifth of their needs.

The new agreement tries to fill in some of those gaps. It calls out rich countries for failing to meet the $100 billion goal and urges them to at least double funding for adaptation by 2025. It also sets up a process for figuring out a collective goal for long-term financing, although that process could take years, and developing countries say they may ultimately need trillions of dollars by the end of the decade.

Tina Stege, climate ambassador for the Marshall Islands, called the promises for more money a step toward helping countries like mine who must transform our very physical environment in the coming years to survive the onslaught of climate change.

Even as vulnerable countries such as Bangladesh and the Marshall Islands pleaded for more climate aid at the summit, they also said that they would not be able to adapt to every hurricane or famine worsened by climate change.

Also Read | Some key takeaways from the UN climate conference

Since those nations have contributed little to global warming to date, they sought a separate stream of funding to help them rebound from the disasters to come, paid for by industrialized nations such as the United States and the European Union that are historically responsible for most of the extra greenhouse gases now heating the atmosphere. In diplomatic speak, this is known as loss and damage.

Wealthy nations have long opposed these efforts, fearing that they could open the door to a flood of liability claims. At Glasgow, they again blocked efforts to establish a new mechanism for loss and damage, although they did agree to initiate a dialogue on the issue in future talks.

The needs of the worlds vulnerable people have been sacrificed on the altar of the rich worlds selfishness, said Mohamed Adow, an activist with Power Shift Africa. But, he added, loss and damage is now up the political agenda in a way it was never before, and the only way out is for it to be eventually delivered.

Separately, negotiators at Glasgow announced a major deal on how to regulate the fast-growing global market in carbon offsets, in which one company or country compensates for its own emissions by paying someone else to reduce theirs. One of the thorniest technical issues is how to properly account for these global trades so that any reductions in emissions arent overestimated or double-counted.

The summit provided some other reasons for optimism, although with caveats.

On the sidelines at the talks, clusters of countries announced initiatives they were undertaking on their own to speed up action on climate change. More than 100 countries agreed to cut emissions of methane, a potent planet-warming gas, by 30% this decade. Another 130 countries vowed to halt deforestation by 2030 and commit billions of dollars toward the effort. Dozens of other countries vowed to phase out their coal plants and sales of gasoline-powered vehicles over the next few decades.

Activists noted that those promises were voluntary and often didnt include major emitters such as China. But others argued they could pressure heads of state and titans of industry to do more.

If you tried to get every single country to agree to get rid of internal combustion engines through the formal U.N. process, youd get nowhere, said Nigel Topping, who was chosen by the United Nations as its high level climate action champion. But if you get a bunch of countries and major automakers to stand up and say, were doing this, it starts forcing the market, and pretty soon more and more companies start signing on. We need exponential change, and this is how it starts.

On top of that, most major economies have now pledged to reach net zero emissions by a certain date, essentially a promise to stop adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. The United States and European Union said they would do so by 2050, China by 2060. At Glasgow, India joined the chorus, saying it would reach net zero by 2070.

When analysts at Climate Action Tracker looked at these additional promises, it estimated that the world could conceivably limit global warming to 1.8 degrees Celsius by 2100 although, so far, most countries havent put the policies in place to get there.

Calculations like that persuaded many politicians and environmentalists that the dream of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees might yet be in reach, as long as governments can be pressured to follow through on what theyve promised.

Its meek, its weak and the 1.5 Celsius goal is only just alive, but a signal has been sent that the era of coal is ending, said Jennifer Morgan, executive director of Greenpeace International. And that matters.

Experts widely agreed that the hardest part is yet to come. No international agreement, on its own, can solve climate change. At best, global climate summits can force countries to be transparent about what they are doing, offer the public a way to assess their progress, and outline what more needs to be done.

Ultimately, the real work of cutting emissions will happen back home, as policymakers design new regulations and engineers invent cleaner technologies and corporations shift business models.
Prison inmates from rival gangs in Ecuador fought each other with guns, explosives and blades in a bloodbath that left at least 68 dead in the same prison where a riot in September claimed 119 lives, officials said Saturday.

Hours after the government said it had regained control of the prison in Guayaquil, President Guillermo Lasso's spokesman said inmates from rival gangs tied to drug trafficking rings were fighting again in a new surge in violence.

In the initial riot that began Friday night prisoners fought with "savagery," said Pablo Arosemena, governor of the province of Guayas where the prison is located.

The riot began around 7:00 pm Friday (0001 GMT) when prisoners tried to enter Block 2 of the jail where their rivals were held, firing gunshots, detonating explosives and swinging machetes, and prompting police to move in.

At least 68 prisoners were killed and another 25 were wounded, according a statement which the Ecuador Prosecutor's Office posted on Twitter.

In the new outbreak of fighting, inmates from two other blocks were attacking each other, said presidential spokesman Carlos Jijon.

Lasso has appealed to civil society groups to try to establish contact with prisoners and end the bloodshed, Jijon said,

Officials said the violence started when one of the gangs inside the prison, the Tiguerones, was left without their leader because he was released after serving part of his sentence for stealing auto parts.

Other groups, sensing weakness in the Tiguerones with that man gone, went on the attack to try to crush that gang, Arosemena said.

He said their goal was "to go in and carry out a total massacre."

Earlier Saturday, police officers in riot gear were seen climbing up the blood-stained prison walls, while the body of an inmate in an orange prison jumpsuit lay on the roof of the jail encircled by barbed wire.

Images posted on social networks, whose authenticity has not been confirmed by the authorities, showed a pile of bodies in a night-time prison courtyard being consumed by flames while inmates standing nearby beat the bodies with sticks.

In another video, a prisoner from the block that was being attacked says, "We are locked in our pavilion. They want to kill us all."

"Please share this video. Please help us!" the inmate implores, as repeated bangs are heard the background.

Dozens of people gathered outside the prison gates Saturday morning, fainting or weeping as they tried to learn the fate of their loved ones inside.

"They are human beings, help them", read a banner held by one of the families, held back by a deployment of police and soldiers supported by a tank.

A group of women with one cell phone shouted prisoners' names to an inmate who was inside the prison and on the line, hoping to know if those men were still alive.

"Here there are relatives from block two and they need to know about the boys," the woman holding the phone said.

A crackly voice was heard from the phone but the signal was spotty and then there was just silence.

At a coroner's office in the city, Felix Gonzalez showed up holding his imprisoned son's ID card and asked if his body was there. "It is not fair for him to die for stealing a cell phone," Gonzalez told AFP.

More than 300 prisoners have been killed this year in Ecuador's criminal detention system, where thousands of inmates tied to drug gangs square off in violent clashes that often turn into riots.

September's unrest was one of the worst prison massacres in Latin American history, and the latest deadly violence in Guayaquil only reaffirmed the broken state of Ecuador's jails.

Rival drug gangs have been waging a bloody feud in the Guayas 1 prison in Guayaquil, a facility that was designed for 5,300 inmates, but houses 8,500.

But even after a crackdown in the wake of the September 28 tragedy that killed 119, the unrest has persisted, with at least 15 more inmates dying prior to Friday's deadly burst of violence.

Two weeks after the September disaster, President Guillermo Lasso declared a 60-day state of emergency in a bid to tame Ecuador's surging drug-related unrest.

Violence has spiked dramatically in recent months in Ecuador, where the economy is ailing.

Between January and October this year, the country registered almost 1,900 homicides, compared to about 1,400 in all of 2020, according to the government.
The United States has warned China over its pressure on Taiwan, the State Department said Saturday as the two powers gird for a hotly awaited summit.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and "expressed concern regarding the PRC's continued military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan," the department said in a statement.

President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are set to hold a virtual summit Monday evening Washington time.

Blinken and Wang spoke Friday to discuss preparations for the summit, with the secretary reported to have "urged Beijing to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve cross-Strait issues peacefully and in a manner consistent with the wishes and best interests of the people on Taiwan."

Relations between the world's two largest economies have deteriorated, in part over Taiwan, a self-ruling democracy claimed by Beijing.

China's military last month made a record number of incursions into the island's air defense zone.

Washington has repeatedly signaled its support for Taiwan in the face of what it has described as Chinese aggression.

The State Department said Monday's summit "presents an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss how to responsibly manage competition between the United States and the PRC while working together in areas where interests align."

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Zambia-born novelist Wilbur Smith chronicled dramatic adventures on the African continent, creating internationally-acclaimed fiction that drew on own his action-packed life.

He gained recognition in 1964 with his debut novel "When the Lion Feeds", the tale of a young man growing up on a South African cattle ranch which led to 15 sequels, tracing the ambitious family's fortunes for more than 200 years.

"I wove into the story chunks of early African history. I wrote about black people and white. I wrote about hunting and gold mining and carousing and women," he said in a biography on his official website.

He also leant on meticulous historical research and his own extensive travels, establishing a method he would use over a career spanning five decades in which he wrote nearly 50 novels and sold about 130 million books.

Another golden rule came from his publisher, Charles Pick. "He said: 'Write only about those things you know well.' Since then I have written only about Africa," Smith said.

Born on January 9, 1933 to a British family in what was then Northern Rhodesia, Smith encountered from an early age the forest, hills and savannah of Africa on his parents' large ranch.

He credits his mother with teaching him to love nature and reading, while his father gave him a rifle at the age of eight, the start of what he acknowledged was a lifelong love affair with firearms and hunting.

"There are more big-game hunters in Smith's oeuvre than spies in the works of John le Carre, and yet it is possible that he has slaughtered even more animals in real life than on the page," Britain's Daily Telegraph wrote in 2014.

Also a scuba diver and mountain climber in his time, Smith was not afraid to throw himself into his research, saying that for his 1970 novel "Gold Mine" he took a job in a South African gold mine for a few weeks.

"I was a sort of privileged member of the team, I could ask questions and not be told to shut up," he told the Daily Telegraph of his experience.

Smith studied at South Africa's Rhodes University, intending to become a journalist until his father said, as he recounts on his website, "Don't be a bloody fool ... Go and find yourself a real job."

There followed a "soul-destroying" stint as a chartered accountant, during which he turned to fiction.

The success with "When the Lion Feeds" encouraged him to become a full-time writer and lead to the Courtney series, which runs up to "The Tiger's Prey" published in 2017, more than 50 years after the first book.

The four-part Ballantyne series is themed on colonial wealth and the racial struggle in the former Rhodesia, today's Zimbabwe. There is also a series on Egypt, while standalone novels include "The Sunbird" (1972) and "Those in Peril" (2011).

His books have been translated into around 30 languages and some made into films, including "Shout at the Devil" with Lee Marvin and Roger Moore in 1976.

Describing Smith as the "ultimate action-man author", Britain's Daily Mail in 2017 remarked that it was perhaps surprising his books still appeal considering their "politically incorrect whirl of sex, violence, casual misogyny, big-game hunters, mining, full-breasted women and slaughtered beasts".

Answering a question on his site about the secret of his success, he says it is about "embroidering" a bit on real life.

"I write about men who are more manly and beautiful women who are really more beautiful than any women you'd meet," he says, confirming he sometimes worked with co-writers.

Published in 2018, his autobiography "On Leopard Rock" chronicles his own adventures -- the raw material for his fiction -- including being attacked by lions, getting lost in the African bush and crawling through the precarious tunnels of gold mines.

He was married four times, with his last wife, Mokhiniso Rakhimova from Tajikistan, his junior by 39 years.

Smith spent most of his time in South Africa and had homes in Cape Town, London, Switzerland and Malta.

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Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has confirmed that Kabul is mediating between the Pakistan government and banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for peace in the country, Geo News reported.

In an exclusive interview with Geo News, Muttaqi said there is no individual of the Islamic Emirate but as a matter of policy, the whole Islamic Emirate is mediating between the government of Pakistan and the banned TTP.

He expressed confidence that the talks will yield a positive result, adding that the establishment of peace and end of war is in the interest of all.

Meanwhile, he said that Afghanistan welcomed the peace talks between the Pakistan government and TTP, with the undertaking that it would continue to support Islamabad in its peace endeavours.

Also Read | Pakistan has long played active, disruptive role in Afghanistan: US Congress report

The Afghan Foreign Minister told a gathering that the Taliban government had not dismissed a single woman and invited all of them back to work. He claimed that all anti-Pakistan elements had left Afghanistan, and expressed hope that the Pakistan-TTP peace process would be extended.

"We will do everything we can to ensure that the territory of Afghanistan is not used against anyone. The people of this region have suffered a lot, and we must not allow the suffering to continue," he said, the report said.

He dismissed the idea of integrating opposition leaders in the interim Afghanistan administration, stressing no state has the authority to force them to accept former governments' representatives into the governance system. The Taliban already have constituted an inclusive government that included representatives from all ethnic groups across the country, he claimed.

Referring to different countries' demands for different ethnic groups to be included in the government, Muttaqi reminded that Tajiks, Baloch, Turkmens, Nuristanis, Uzbeks and a number of other ethnic groups are part of the administration in Afghanistan.

"If by inclusivity they mean the participation of diverse ethnic communities in Afghanistan and people from different regions of the country, then our current cabinet and government meet the criteria," he asserted, the report said.

He said that if former president Ashraf Ghani's government was considered inclusive, then all the people who worked in the previous administration had been kept in the current administrative system.

"And if by inclusivity they mean political opposition figures have a seat in the cabinet and other high positions of power, then please show us an example of such a government anywhere in the world where opposition figures are also occupying positions of power," he asked.

Castigating the demand, he said: "We have never requested Biden to give a berth to Trump and his cabinet members. So why are they asking us?"

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India has moved ahead to take delivery of the S-400 Triumf missile defence systems from Russia, even as its plea for a waiver from the CAATSA (Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) sanctions has not yet elicited a categorical response from the United States.

India is receiving the new missile defence systems from Russia when it is engaged in a military stand-off with China along the Line of Actual Control  the de facto boundary between the two nations.

Pakistan too of late restarted flouting truce along the countrys Line of Control with India  after a lull for a few months. A source in New Delhi said that India would deploy the S-400 Triumf missile defence systems in strategic locations to neutralise threats coming in from the airspace of Pakistan and China.

The Tass on Sunday quoted the head of Russias Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation, Dmitry Shugayev, stating that work had already begun to arrange S-400 supplies to India.

It also quoted Alexander Mikheyev, the Director General of Rosoboronexport JSC of Russia, stating that the delivery would begin before the end of the year. The Rosoboronexport JSC looks after Russias export and import of military hardware.

Read | Discussions with US underway on S-400: India

Shugayev and Mikheyev spoke to journalists separately at the Dubai Air Show, an aerospace exhibition which commenced in the most populous city of the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.

India in October 2018 inked a $5.4 billion deal to buy five S-400 Triumf long-range surface-to-air missile systems from Almaz-Antey Corporation of Russia.

The deal put India at risk of being subjected to US sanctions under Section 231 of the CAATSA, which Bidens predecessor President Donald Trump had signed into law in August 2017.

The Section 231 of the CAATSA mandates secondary sanctions to any nation entering into high-value deals to procure military hardware from Russia. The US already placed entities in China and Turkey under the CAATSA sanctions for procuring S-400 missile defence systems from Russia.

India has been asking the US to grant it a waiver from the CAATSA sanctions, arguing that it could not abruptly lessen its dependence on military hardware from Russia, given the decades-old defence ties between the two nations.

It also pointed out that it needed the S-400 missile defence systems from Russia, in view of escalating tension along the India-China disputed boundary.

But the Biden administration remained non-committal on granting the waiver for India from the CAATSA sanctions, despite growing clamour for it from the US lawmakers.

Wendy Sherman, US Deputy Secretary of State, last month acknowledged during a visit to New Delhi that Indias decision to buy S-400 Triumf missile defence systems from Russia was a problem in the relationship between New Delhi and Washington DC, as it was not in the security interests of anyone.

A source in New Delhi said that commencement of the delivery would be formally announced by the two sides when Prime Minister Narendra Modi would host Russian President Vladimir Putin for the annual summit early next month.

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Before it started, the United Nations global climate summit held in Scotland and known as COP26 was billed by its chief organizer as the last, best hope to save the planet.

Halfway through, optimistic reviews of its progress noted that heads of state and titans of industry showed up in force to start the gathering with splashy new climate promises, a sign that momentum was building in the right direction.

The pessimistic outlook? Gauzy promises mean little without concrete plans to follow through. Swedish activist Greta Thunberg accused the conference, held in Glasgow, of consisting of a lot of blah, blah, blah.

On Saturday, diplomats from nearly 200 countries struck a major agreement aimed at intensifying efforts to fight climate change, by calling on governments to return next year with stronger plans to curb their planet-warming emissions and urging wealthy nations to at least double funding by 2025 to protect the most-vulnerable nations from the hazards of a hotter planet.

Heres a look at some key takeaways from the 26th annual UN climate change summit.

Also Read | Nations strike climate deal with coal compromise

Time for action is running out

The agreement established a clear consensus that all nations need to do much more, immediately, to prevent a catastrophic rise in global temperatures.

When the conference opened, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the top priority must be to limit the rise in global temperatures to just 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels. Thats the threshold, scientists have warned, beyond which the risk of calamities such as deadly heat waves, water shortages and ecosystem collapse grows immensely. (The world has already warmed 1.1 degrees Celsius.)

The reality is youve got two different truths going on, Helen Mountford, vice president for climate and economics at the World Resources Institute, said last week. Weve made much more progress than we ever couldve imagined a couple years ago. But its still nowhere near enough.

The agreement outlines specific steps the world should take, from slashing global carbon dioxide emissions nearly in half by 2030 to curbing emissions of methane, another potent greenhouse gas. And it sets up new rules to hold countries accountable for the progress they make  or fail to make.

The environment minister of the Maldives, Shauna Aminath, said the latest text lacked the urgency that vulnerable countries like hers required. What looks balanced and pragmatic to other parties will not help the Maldives adapt in time, she said.

Who needs to cut and how much?

The final agreement leaves unresolved the crucial question of how much and how quickly each nation should cut its emissions over the next decade.

Rich countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan and much of western Europe, account for just 12% of the global population today but are responsible for 50% of all the planet-warming greenhouse gases released from fossil fuels and industry over the past 170 years.

US President Joe Biden and European leaders have insisted that countries such as India, Indonesia and South Africa need to accelerate their shift away from coal power and other fossil fuels. But those countries counter that they lack the financial resources to do so, and that rich countries have been stingy with aid.

A decade ago, the worlds wealthiest economies pledged to mobilize $100 billion per year in climate finance for poorer countries by 2020. But they have fallen short by tens of billions of dollars annually. The COP26 agreement still leaves many developing countries without the funds they need to build cleaner energy and cope with increasingly extreme weather disasters.

Also Read | No glee in Glasgow as climate talks hit a cash wall

The call for disaster aid and regulation increases

One of the biggest fights at the summit revolved around whether  and how  the worlds wealthiest nations, which are disproportionately responsible for global warming to date, should compensate poorer nations for the damages caused by rising temperatures.

Calls for this fund, an issue called loss and damage, is separate from money to help poorer countries adapt to a changing climate. "Loss and damage" is a matter of historic responsibility, its proponents say, and would pay for irreparable losses, such as the disappearance of national territory, culture and ecosystems.

The Paris agreement in 2015 urged clearer rules on how to allow polluting companies and countries to buy and trade permits to lower global emissions, but the extremely dense and technical subject continued as a topic of discussion well into Saturday in Glasgow.

Negotiators announced a major deal on how to regulate the fast-growing global market in carbon offsets, in which one company or country compensates for its own emissions by paying someone else to reduce theirs. One of the thorniest technical issues is how to properly account for these global trades so that any reductions in emissions arent overestimated or double-counted.

Vulnerable countries insist that rich nations should grant them a share of proceeds from carbon market transactions to help them build resilience to climate change. The United States and the European Union have opposed doing so, but island nations in particular want a mechanism to ensure that carbon trading leads to an overall reduction in global emissions.

We want a credible market that will deliver reductions in emissions, not just a free pass for countries to buy cheap credits offshore to meet their national requirements, said Ian Fry, a negotiator for the Solomon Islands, an archipelago in the southwest Pacific Ocean.

Other international agreements came out of the summit

US AND CHINA: The two countries announced a joint agreement to do more to cut emissions this decade, and China committed for the first time to develop a plan to reduce methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The pact between the rivals, which are the worlds two biggest polluters, surprised delegates to the summit. The agreement was short on specifics, and although China agreed to phase down coal starting in 2026, it did not specify by how much or over what period of time.

DEFORESTATION: Leaders of more than 100 countries, including Brazil, China, Russia and the United States, vowed to end deforestation by 2030. The agreement covers about 85% of the worlds forests, which are crucial to absorbing carbon dioxide and slowing the pace of global warming. Some advocacy groups criticized the agreement as lacking teeth, noting that similar efforts have failed in the past.

METHANE: More than 100 countries agreed to cut emissions of methane, a potent planet-warming gas, 30% by the end of this decade. The pledge was part of a push by the Biden administration, which also announced that the Environmental Protection Agency would limit the methane coming from about 1 million oil and gas rigs across the United States.

INDIA: India joined the growing chorus of nations pledging to reach net zero emissions, setting a 2070 deadline to stop adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. One of the worlds largest consumers of coal, India also said that it would significantly expand the portion of its total energy mix that comes from renewable sources and that half its energy would come from sources other than fossil fuels by 2030.

The different faces of climate action

There was a clear gender and generation gap at the Glasgow talks. Those with the power to make decisions about how much the world warms in the coming decades are mostly old and male. Those who are angriest about the pace of climate action are mostly young and female.

Malik Amin Aslam, an adviser to the prime minister of Pakistan, scoffed at some of the distant net zero goals being announced during the conference, including Indias: With an average age of 60, I dont think anyone in the negotiating room would live to experience that net zero in 2070, he said.

On the first day of the conference, Thunberg joined scores of protesters on the streets outside. Throughout the two-week conference, she and other young climate activists  including Vanessa Nakate, Dominika Lasota and Mitzi Tan  made numerous appearances at protests.

Thunberg told the BBC in an interview before the summit that she had not been officially invited to speak. She added that she thought the organizers had not invited a lot of young speakers because they might be scared that if they invite too many radical young people then that might make them look bad, she said, using air quotations.

Just holding the talks during the pandemic posed a challenge

The climate summit, which was delayed last year, is one of the biggest international gatherings held during the coronavirus pandemic.

Many summit participants traveled from countries where vaccines are still not widely available. Globally, fewer than half of all adults have been vaccinated against COVID-19, illustrating the inequities of vaccination. Travel and quarantine restrictions meant additional costs in both time and money for lodging, which made the trip impossible for some.

And some participants, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, decided against traveling at all.

Partway through, conference organizers issued a letter of apology to participants for the long lines and video difficulties, saying that planning around COVID restrictions has been challenging. Patricia Espinosa, executive secretary of the UN climate body, asked attendees to bear with us as organizers grappled with the complex arrangements, such as ensuring that all those entering the venue tested negative for the coronavirus, and enforcing controls on the number of people in meeting rooms.
Taliban forces held a military parade in Kabul on Sunday using captured American-made armoured vehicles and Russian helicopters in a display that showed their ongoing transformation from an insurgent force to a regular standing army.

The Taliban operated as insurgent fighters for two decades but have used the large stock of weapons and equipment left behind when the former Western-backed government collapsed in August to overhaul their forces.

The parade was linked to the graduation of 250 freshly trained soldiers, defence ministry spokesman Enayatullah Khwarazmi said.

Also Read | Afghanistan doesn't want conflict with any country, including India: Muttaqi

The exercise involved dozens of US-made M117 armoured security vehicles driving slowly up and down a major Kabul road with MI-17 helicopters patrolling overhead. Many soldiers carried American made-M4 assault rifles.

Most of the weapons and equipment the Taliban forces are now using are those supplied by Washington to the American-backed government in Kabul in a bid to construct an Afghan national force capable of fighting the Taliban.

Those forces melted away with the fleeing of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani from Afghanistan - leaving the Taliban to take over major military assets.

Taliban officials have said that pilots, mechanics and other specialists from the former Afghan National Army would be integrated into a new force, which has also started wearing conventional military uniforms in place of the traditional Afghan clothing normally worn by their fighters.

Also Read | Afghan foreign minister confirms Kabul mediating between Pakistan, TTP

According to a report late last year by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (Sigar), the US government transferred to the Afghan government more than $28 billion worth of defence articles and services, including weapons, ammunition, vehicles, night-vision devices, aircraft, and surveillance systems, from 2002 to 2017.

Some of the aircraft were flown into neighbouring Central Asian Countries by fleeing Afghan forces, but the Taliban have inherited other aircraft. It remains unclear how many are operational.

As the US troops departed, they destroyed more than 70 aircraft, dozens of armoured vehicles and disabled air defences before flying out of Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport following a chaotic evacuation operation.

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Indian Army chief General M M Naravane will visit Israel from Monday and discuss with the senior military and civilian leadership of the West Asian nation ways to expand bilateral defence cooperation and military-to-military ties.

Gen Naravanes visit to Israel comes close on the heels of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars tour to the West Asian nation. The Indian Army chief will take forward the excellent bilateral defence cooperation between Israel and India through multiple meetings with senior officials of the security establishment and exchange views on the various defence related issues, according to a press-release issued by the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi.

The Indian Army chief will interact with the service chiefs and visit the Headquarters of the Ground Forces element of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) during his visit, which will conclude on Friday.

Israel is among the top sources of military hardware procurement for India, with imports ranging from airborne warning and control systems, drones, radars, missiles, anti-missile defence systems and laser-guided bombs.

A contingent of the Indian Air Force (IAF) along with five upgraded Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft took part in the biennial Blue Flag exercise in Israel last month. The air forces of the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Greece and Israel took part in the drill.

The then IAF chief Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria had visited Israel from August 3 to 6. He had flown a sortie on an Israeli F-15 fighter jet along with Commander of the Israeli Air Force, Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin, and the two had a discussion on bilateral cooperation.

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The narcotics menace, especially heroin, is scaling new heights in Kashmir with experts warning that a majority of the young people may fall prey to drug abuse, and Jammu and Kashmir Police chief Dilbag Singh is blaming Pakistan for targeting youngsters by making them addicted to drugs.

Taking a holistic view of the strife-torn Kashmir valley, police as well as social workers and medical doctors are of the opinion that while the violence caused by three decades of terrorism has consumed a generation, the drug menace will negatively effect the present generation.

Singh pins the blame on Pakistan, saying "they are repeating the same dirty game that they played in Punjab" -- first giving arms training and later spoiling the youth with drugs.

Asked about the observations made by experts that Kashmir has lost a generation to conflict and may lose the next to drug abuse, Singh replied, "Definitely, yes and I have no two opinions about it".

Talking to PTI, Singh said the drug menace has shown a considerable increase in the last two years and the narcotics are smuggled from Punjab and Jammu borders.

Read | The road to perdition

We had some good seizures too. We know that sale proceeds of the drugs are pumped into funding terrorism and, therefore, we have been extra vigilant about it and taking efforts to curb it," he said.

The main areas affected by the drug menace are Karnah in North Kashmir, Anantnag in South Kashmir and some areas of Jammu, the police chief said.

Police have taken a leading role in setting up drug de-addiction centres in Srinagar and Jammu while some more are coming up in North Kashmir, he added.

"I guess it is time for socio-religious leaders to step in on an urgent basis to wean away youth from the menace. Today, we have time and tomorrow we may not have it. So, it is better to act now and act fast," the police chief said in his appeal.

Echoing similar views, Dr Mohammed Muzzafar Khan, who heads the de-addiction centre of police in Srinagar, feels that the number of such centres in the valley is minuscule compared to the magnitude of people affected by narcotics.

Khan said the situation on the ground is worse as more and more young boys are getting addicted to narcotics.

Earlier, we used to see boys aged 18 and above (addicted to drugs) but now there are cases of 12 and 13-year-olds and the nature of drug abuse has changed as well. Earlier, it was charas or medicinal opioids but now heroin is replacing them," Khan told PTI.

He said youths get addicted to heroin quickly and within days become dependent on injections to inject drugs intravenously and the menace is spread across Kashmir in its urban and rural areas and among the rich and poor population.

Khan said the Youth Development and Rehabilitation Centre headed by him is a 50-bed hospital.

"It is a minuscule facility compared to the number of people affected. I would go on to say that the facility is non-existent... Around 10 years ago, we required de-addiction centres, but today we require a medical emergency facility because sometimes, an addict requires a ventilator immediately due to the overdose of heroine," he said.

Pointing out to a survey by the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre of the AIIMS, New Delhi on the "Magnitude of Substance Use in India" in which Jammu and Kashmir was placed at the fifth spot with over 6 lakh people affected by drug abuse, Khan said, "I would now say that this is again a conservative estimate.

"People do not confess to use of narcotics because of social stigma. Seeing the number of patients coming in every month, which ranges anywhere between 10 and 15 per day, I think more people are affected by it," he added.

Mir Zubair Rashid, co-founder of Concerned About Universal Social Empowerment (CAUSE), an NGO working for providing medical assistance and rehabilitation to drug addicts, said, "We lost one generation in conflict and next we will lose to drug abuse".

Rashid and his team have been working round-the-clock to take drug addicts to government hospitals for treatment and following up to ensure there is no relapse and that they remain sober.

"See, post treatment counselling is very important. We are trying to do our bit, but I guess the entire society has to wake up," he said.

Mantasha Binti Rashid, a 2011-batch Kashmir Administrative Services officer, says, "Having actively worked on the issue since my university days, I am aware how stigmatised it is to have a family member or a child indulge in abuse. People hide it, attach shame to it and as a result, the treatment suffers along with the health, confidence, self-respect, and quality of life of the abuser".

"To treat narcotics abuse, a robust support structure, accepting family environment and a positive societal set up is required. And our place does not have much to offer to youth who are already engulfed by this disease. It may be a choice to begin with but as it progresses, it becomes a disease  a disease at an individual level and at a collective level too, if left unchecked," she said.

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Children in India are already losing out on educational opportunities and we cannot wait until they are vaccinated to reopen the schools, says UNICEF India representative Yasumasa Kimura.

In an interview with IANS as UNICEF India unveiled a symbolic 'pandemic classroom' on the occasion of the Children's Day on Sunday, Kimura said that it has been more than 15 months that children have lost the learning opportunity and the future of an entire generation is at risk.

Following are excerpts from the interview:

Read more: In Pics | Children's Day 2021: Inspiring films for kids

What is the idea behind behind the empty 'pandemic classroom' that you want to convey?

We are advocating 'learning recovery and learning loss' for children in India on this World Children's Day on November 20. Children have lost huge opportunities of learning in last 15 months during the pandemic. Total 286 million children have lost the opportunities of learning. So, we want to bring public attention to this learning crisis through empty classes, desks, chairs, and unused bags.

What has UNICEF done for children during the pandemic in India?

We have worked very closely with national and state governments during the pandemic. We have worked with the Education Ministry to come up with guidelines and protocol to safe openings of schools for children. UNICEF has worked towards providing assistance to children in online learning in many states. Our mobile learning centres visited the community where students didn't have mobiles for online education and provided them support. We worked in Bihar, Odisha, and other states to provide community support to those students with mobile learning.

The Central government is set to roll out the vaccination programme for children. Is UNICEF working towards vaccine hesitancy in children?

Since the launch of immunisation programme by government in India, we have been supporting the Health Ministry's advocacy campaign for children vaccines. Whenever the vaccination programme begins for children in India, we are ready to support the Health Ministry in its campaign.

We are still into the pandemic and children in India have not been vaccinated yet but UNICEF is advocating reopening the schools. Don't you think it a contradictory?

There are evidences that children are not the cause of the outbreak of infection and they are less like to become the cluster of infection. It has also been proved that they recover quickly if they get infected. We can't wait until children are vaccinated to open the schools. They are already losing the learning opportunity. With proper Covid appropriate behaviour like social distancing, hand sanitisation, ventilation in classrooms, we can prevent the infection. It is important to bring them (the children) back to the classroom.

Has the pandemic-brought economic slow down impacted Unicef programmes too?

Absolutely, it has impacted UNICEF during the second wave. Many of our staff were infected during the second wave. However, we managed to keep running the programme. In terms of financial impact, we didn't face any crisis to run the programmee. We received significant contribution and support domestically and overseas to run the programmes.
Just two weeks before the Parliament's Winter Session starts, the Centre on Sunday promulgated two ordinances to extend the tenure of Directors of the CBI and Enforcement Directorate up to five years, an action that has invited the Opposition's wrath.

The Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 deals with the extension of CBI Director up to five years while The Central Vigilance Commission (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 deals with that of the Director of the ED.

For the CBI Director's tenure, a new subsection is inserted. "Provided that the period for which the Director holds the office on his initial appointment may, in public interest, on the recommendation of the Committee under sub-section (1) of section 4A and for the reasons to be recorded in writing, be extended up to one year at a time: Provided further that no such extension shall be granted after the completion of a period of five years in total including the period mentioned in the initial appointment."

Similar provision is added for the ED Director too. At present, the ED and CBI Directors have a fixed tenure of two years. While no recent CBI Directors had got extensions, ED Directors have got extensions in the recent past.

The current ED Director Sanjay Mishra was initially appointed for a two year tenure on 17, November 2018 but days before the end of his term, the government modified its appointment order from two years to three years.

The Supreme Court had on September 7 said that he would not get another extension beyond November 17 though it had refused to quash the Centre's order extending his tenure with retrospective effect.

The ordinance coming days ahead of the end of Mishra's tenure has set the tongues wagging as a section believes that it is meant to overcome the restriction put by the Supreme Court. There was no official word on this.

The new ordinances come just 15 days ahead of the proposed start of Parliament's Winter Session and Opposition has accused the Narendra Modi government of overlooking the Parliament.

Congress Rajya Sabha Chief Whip Jairam Ramesh said, "this is to put Parliament in its place and remind it of its toothlessness in the 'MoSha' (Modi-Shah) regime."

CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury described it as "virtual destruction" of Parliament and its authority. "The Ordinance-Raj is essentially undemocratic. This desperate hurry to extend and to avoid Parliament scrutiny smacks of something fishy," he said.

Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien tweeted, "Modi-Shah care two hoots about #Parliament (session starting in two weeks) They promised India the Gujarat Model boy, are we getting there. They give a whole new meaning to the abbreviation BS! BRAZEN SHAMELESS slaughter of democracy."

How Modi-Shahs BJP mock #Parliament and shamelessly use Ordinances. (See Chart)



Same stunt repeated today to keep their pet parrots in ED and CBI. pic.twitter.com/Tp6j6a0kM3  Derek O'Brien |  ' (@derekobrienmp) November 14, 2021

Senior RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj K Jha said that everybody should worry about the modus operandi of the Modi government, as it has taken the ordinance route when the Parliament is about to start in two weeks time.

"It is an unprecedented, very unwelcome kind of development. They are destroying all institutions and institutional framework. I don't know what kind of State they want to create. They have almost created a Police State. This kind of mechanism where you bypass or short-circuit the Parliament shall not go very kindly in history," he said.

Asking what is the role of Parliament if these kinds of issues do not come up before Parliament, he said, "are you making the new Parliament to 'museumise' the very idea of democracy and democratic functioning."

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RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday launched a blistering attack on the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar, accusing it of "protecting" the alleged perpetrators of a couple of high-profile murders that took place in the state in the last couple of days.

Addressing a press conference here, the leader of the opposition sought to place the government in the dock over the killing of an RTI activist cum freelance journalist in Madhubani and the husband of a district councillor in Purnea, the latter incident being blamed on the close relative of a minister.

Rintu Singh, whose wife is a member of the Zila Parishad in Purnea, was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Friday night, and bereaved family members have named a nephew of minister Lesi Singh as the prime accused.

Yadav challenged the government to cull out the "call details record of Lesi Singh and the SHO of the police station concerned", alleging that the same would point towards the involvement of the cabinet member herself.

He also blamed the "health sector mafia" in the state for the murder of Buddhinath Jha alias Avinash Jha, who had gone missing a few days ago and whose charred body was recovered from a secluded spot in Benipatti police station area of Madhubani on Friday night.

Family members of Jha have lodged an FIR, alleging that the deceased had exposed many hospitals and nursing homes running illegally in the district and that those involved in the businesses had got him kidnapped and murdered.

The RJD leader also blamed the government for the hooch tragedies that claimed more than 40 lives in West Champaran, Gopalganj, Samastipur and Muzaffarpur districts around Deepavali, alleging that illicit liquor business in the dry state was "thriving, with full support of political leaders in the ruling coalition and the administration".

"An impartial probe into all such crimes may land all legislators of the ruling NDA behind bars. They will end up being brought in prison vans to attend sessions of the House," Yadav said with a rhetorical flourish.

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Though the BJP has been continuously demanding central forces during the civic polls in West Bengal, the State Election Commission, after a meeting with the state government, has decided to conduct the polls with the state forces only and has asked Acting DGP Manoj Malviya to submit a detailed plan of security arrangements within seven days.

"There has been no record of conducting civic polls with the help of Central forces. Once the panchayat election was held with Central forces only. In the rest of all the civic polls, state forces were used. In other states also, civic polls are conducted with the help of state forces. So, there is no need for Central forces in this election. We have asked the DG to submit a detailed plan of security arrangements within seven days," a senior official of the State Election Commission said.

The issue of security arrangement was settled at a meeting with top state government officials on Saturday.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Hare Krishna Dwivedi, Home Secretary B.P. Gopalika, Acting DGP Malviya, Health Secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam, ADG Law and Order Javed Shamim along with the State Election Commission and senior government officials.

The total number of booths in 144 wards of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation is 4,800 and there are altogether 1,213 booths in 50 wards of the Howrah Municipal Corporation. Though the security arrangement is yet to be finalised, a senior state police officer said that there will be three-tier security arrangements outside the booth and in the polling premises.

According to the security design, the first tier and the outer ring of the security mechanism will be manned by armed forces. The inner ring will be handled by non-armed forces who will be responsible for maintaining the queue.

Sources in the police force also confirmed that there will be mobile forces and High-Flying Radio Squad (HFRS) for maintaining law and order in the area.

"The state force and Kolkata police will be equally deployed for conducting the election smoothly. The distribution of the force and their responsibilities is yet to be determined," the officer added.

The State Election Commission also had a detailed discussion with the Health Secretary regarding arrangements to be made considering the pandemic situation in the state. "We are yet to get the final voters list. It will be released on November 17 and after that we can make a detailed plan regarding the queue management, maintaining social distancing and Covid protocols," a SEC official said.

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American aerospace major Lockheed Martin on Sunday said it is ready to address India's requirements for new-age military solutions in the domains of land, sea, space and cyberworld in sync with the robust framework of fast-expanding Indo-US strategic ties.

William Blair, the Vice President and Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin's India operations, said the company is "well placed" to partner with Indian entities in areas of unmanned platforms, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and machine learning among others.

He also pitched Lockheed's F-21 aircraft, specifically configured to meet the IAF's needs, as the best option in the force's hunt for 114 combat jets.

Read more: Karnataka CM Bommai promises support to Lockheed Martin

Blair said the company will focus on the highest level of indigenisation in the plane and set up a production facility in India for the export market as well if it gets the contract.

Lockheed has already tied up with the Tata group to manufacture the aircraft in India and promised not to sell the F-21 to any other country provided it secures the multi-billion dollar deal.

"We are already mobilising actively through our joint ventures to establish capability and to start delivering in advance of requirements just as we did in the case of the C-130J programme," Blair told PTI in an interview.

"Simply put, it is actually going to meet and exceed the requirements as we believe in the highest level of indigenous content and the exclusive production-line will open up the greatest potential for exports. I think it is going to be unmatched," he added.

The company held a two-day conference with around 300 of its suppliers and partners in Bengaluru last week as part of efforts to further expand its overall involvement in India's aerospace and defence sector.

Over two years back, the Indian Air Force issued an RFI (Request for Information) or initial tender to acquire 114 jets at a cost of around $18 billion, billed as one of the world's biggest military procurement in recent years.

Blair said Lockheed is also looking to partner with Indian companies to meet the country's requirements of new-age military solutions and platforms in the domains of land, sea, space and cyberworld.

"I can't talk about any specifics right now but, of course, we would like to meet whatever the upcoming requirements are," he said.

In view of the myriad security challenges facing India, the country's top military planners have been focusing on acquiring next-generation technologies and products such as drones, robotics, artificial intelligence and quantum computing to boost the overall combat capabilities of the armed forces.

"I think India can really leapfrog going forward in the areas of artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum computing, cyber and space. India has really an edge there," he said.

Blair indicated that Lockheed is ready to look at addressing India's requirements including integrating existing systems and platforms with new generation applications that should be in line with provisions of the US regulations.

He also referred to an overall upswing in the India-US strategic ties and said the signing of foundational pacts such as LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement), COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) and BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) paved the way for deeper defence cooperation between the two sides.

"I have never seen before both the promise and pace of real progress that has actually been built on those foundational agreements," the top executive said.

"The proactive engagement with the ministry of defence, the services, the consultations that occurred to shape and understand capabilities and align requirements across multiple domains are really unprecedented in my view," he said

Blair said Lockheed Martin has set up a strong foundation in India over the last 30 years, becoming part of the country's aerospace and defence ecosystem.

"That foundation sets us up well to meet not just the current requirements and support and sustain the platforms that are operating but also to meet the future requirements that are just emerging whether they are fighters, helicopters and ship-based systems," he said.

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Bihar BJP president Sanjay Jaiswal on Sunday dispatched a copy of the Bhagavad Gita to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, whom he charged with having a lack of understanding of Hindutva through utterances made in support of controversial remarks in a recent book authored by former Union minister Salman Khurshid.

Addressing a press conference here, Jaiswal called Gandhi the most confused leader in the country who was unable to appreciate the basics of Hinduism despite "so many publicised tours of temples. Jaiswal, who was formerly the BJPs chief whip in the Lok Sabha, said Gandhis attempts to distinguish Hinduism from Hindutva was height of ignorance and a reflection on the belief of the Congress in the dictum of divide and rule.

Read | Don't need lessons on Hindutva from Rahul Gandhi: BJP

Gandhi has claimed that he has read the Upanishads. We wish to know if he read an Italian translation," Jaiswal said in an indirect tongue-in-cheek reference to AICC president Sonia Gandhi.

A former Congress president himself, Gandhi had defended party colleague Khurshid, who is in the eye of a storm over a book in which the latter has sought to draw parallels between Hindutva, a term associated with the ideology of the BJP-RSS combine, and the radical Islam propagated by terrorist outfits like ISIS and Boko Haram.

The comparison has met with disapproval from within the Congress. Senior leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad had said that drawing such a parallel was uncalled for.

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Calling the recent reduction in fuel prices as a mockery, the CPI(M) on Sunday the Centre still collects a whopping Rs 2.87 lakh crore that are not sharable with the states and demanded that the additional cess and surcharges must be withdrawn immediately to provide some meaningful relief to the people

In a statement, the CPI(M) Polit Bureau said the recent cut in central excise duty of Rs five per litre for petrol and Rs 10 per litre for diesel "provides no relief" to the people who are "suffering from the growing burden of higher prices" of petroleum production.

This token reduction must be seen in the light of the fact that central excise constitutes Rs. 33 per litre of petrol and Rs. 32 per litre of diesel, the party said after a two-day meeting of the Polit Bureau.

"The Central government has made this meagre reduction from excise duties that are shareable with the states. However, it continues to collect special additional excise duty (surcharge) amounting to Rs. 74,350 crores; additional excise duty (cess) amounting to Rs. 1,98,000 crore; and other cess and surcharges amounting to Rs. 15,150 crores, totalling a whopping Rs. 2.87 lakh crores that are not sharable with the states," it said.

Also Read | Petrol, diesel prices remain static for 10th consecutive day

The CPI(M) demanded that the additional cess and surcharges must be withdrawn immediately to provide some meaningful relief to the people.

On the recent revelations in the Rafale scam, the party said the Centre is refusing to investigate the scam. French portal Mediapart has claimed that the CBI and ED had not pursued leads on "secret commissions" paid to a suspected middleman despite having documents in possession.

"The efforts to bury high-level corruption involved in the Rafale deal and the cover-up operation are reprehensible. While many governments of other countries have in some manner ordered investigations, the Modi government continues to remain obdurate in refusing to conduct such an investigation. This smacks of total complicity," the CPI(M) said.

Referring to the government increasing the jurisdiction of BSF up to 50 kilometres from the international border from the earlier 15 kilometres in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam, the party said it is a "severe assault on the rights of the states and federalism, a basic feature of our Constitution. Worse, this decision has been taken without consulting the states. Policing and law and order is a state subject under the Indian Constitution."

The CPI(M) also expressed "great concern" over the "growing attacks" against minorities all over the country.

"Clearly, rightwing groups patronised by the governments are emboldened to perpetuate such crimes. The administration, instead of protecting victims, actually punishes them and their supporters with the arrests under draconian laws. The mob violence in Assam and recently in Tripura happened under the patronage of the state administration, with anyone reporting news of such attacks being booked under UAPA," it said.

In Uttar Pradesh, the party said the use of National Security Act against the Muslims have become commonplace along with "numerous encounters". The fundamental right to offer prayers is "being curtailed", as the recent incidents in Gurgaon has shown.

"Human rights groups recently published a report of 300 incidents of attacks on Christians in the first nine months of 2021. Such attacks are continuing. Even FIRs filed are not being acted upon. Many of these belong to dalit and adivasi communities. Churches have been vandalised," the CPI(M) said, calling upon all its units to observe a day of protest against attacks on minorities.

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Vice-President of India M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said a new tradition has been set in recognising the real talent and grassroots level people who impacted the society in bestowing the Padma Awards. "I am very much impressed by the way the Padma Awards are being given. It is a new honour to the Padma Awards itself.

"I appreciate the Government of India, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for doing an excellent work in this regard," Venkaiah Naidu said.

The Vice-President and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday attended the 20th anniversary celebrations of Swarna Bharat Trust in Venkatachalam in SPS Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.

Earlier in his address, the Home Minister referred to the Padma Awards and said they were now being given in a "democratic and transparent" manner.

"As Home Minister I had studied how the Padma Awards were given in previous years. Previously, mostly those people in the sphere of influence of the ruling party used to get the awards. You couldn't even imagine the award without any recommendation, be it from the MP, Minister or the Chief Minister. But now, one applies online and the awards are given purely on merit," Shah said.

Be it Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan or Bharat Ratna, the awards were earlier given only on recommendation,

"People who worked in the field for the betterment of the society, the progress of the country and alleviation of problems are now being bestowed the awards. Ground level people who rendered yeoman service are recognised and honoured," the Home Minister noted.

"The case of a poor woman from a remote village in Karnataka is a shining example. She planted and grew 35,000 trees over the years. She did not even wear footwear but has been awarded the Padma Shri this year. That's how the Padma Awards are now given on merit," the Home Minister pointed out.

Hailing the activities of the Swarna Bharat Trust and the efforts of Venkaiah Naidu, Shah noted that if any person could take up such programmes in ones own village, every village in the country could get transformed.

The Home Minister lavished praise on Venkaiah Naidu saying the latter set an example as a "model custodian of the Constitution".

"From an MLA, Venkaiah ji donned many roles... MP, Union Minister, BJP national president and now Vice-President. In each role he made a significant contribution," Shah observed.

Shah recalled that he was only a general secretary of BJP's district unit (in Gujarat) when Venkaiah Naidu was the party's national president.

"It was a difficult time when he became the party president. As BJP president, Venkaiah ji adopted a back-to-the-basics approach and that helped the party's graph shoot up ever since," the Home Minister pointed out.

"I was also fortunate to become president of BJP later," he added.

Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-President said 'seva' (service) was the real religion.

"The main objective of religion is service. Service is as virtuous as going to a temple. Nothing gives more happiness and contentment than service," Venkaiah Naidu remarked.

Venkaiah Naidu stressed on the need for reducing the divide between rural and urban areas.

"Agriculture is the basic culture of our country. We need to focus more on welfare of farmers. The future of the country is the youth and we need to nurture them. And, empowerment of women, who constitute half of our population, is also vital," he added.

The Swarna Bharat Trust was established by Venkaiah Naidu in the year 2001 and is engaged in farmer, women and youth empowerment activities. He expressed happiness that the Trust has helped changes the lives of scores of farmers, women and youth over the years.

Former Minister and Trust Chairman Kamineni Srinivas and others attended the event.

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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will Monday meet all chief ministers and state finance ministers to discuss ways to create a reform-focused business climate and further facilitate investments to help boost growth.

In a tweet, the finance ministry said the virtual meeting on November 15 would be attended by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary and Bhagwat Karad, besides secretaries of Government of India line ministries, chief secretaries and finance secretaries of states.

"Discussion to be centred on creating an enabling ecosystem for increased pro-active facilitation for investments besides topics of energising growth, reforms, augmenting investments and creating a reform-focused business climate," the ministry tweeted.

Union Finance Minister Smt. @nsitharaman will interact with all Chief Ministers and State Finance Ministers; and Lt. Governors of UTs tomorrow, 15th November 2021, at 03.00 PM through virtual conference. #Growth #Investments #TeamIndia

(1/3) pic.twitter.com/7e0wU2KIS8  Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) November 14, 2021

The meeting comes in the backdrop of strong economic recovery post the two Covid waves, and push by the central government to increase capital expenditure. The Centre believes that there is scope to capitalise on the positive sentiment of the private sector, with increasing demand, amid lower non-performing assets and banks willing to lend more.

Union Finance Secretary TV Somanathan had last week said that the focus of this interaction will be on state-level issues, opportunities and challenges, which will enable us to go to a higher trajectory of investment and growth.

"There is capital expenditure from the government side, and there is a positive sentiment from the private sector side, though perhaps not fully translated into actual investment in big scale. Capital market activity indicates that a lot of investment is probably on the cards," Somanathan had said.

Also read: Cow dung and urine can strengthen economy: Madhya Pradesh CM

After a slowdown in economic growth due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the first quarter of the current fiscal has seen a pickup in economic activity. Indian economy contracted 7.3 per cent in the last financial year after a 4 per cent growth in 2019-20.

In the April-June quarter of the current fiscal, the economy grew 20.1 per cent. Besides, the first four months of FY 2021-22 have witnessed Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of $64 billion.

The IMF and World Bank peg India's GDP growth at about 9.5 per cent and 8.3 per cent, respectively, projecting India as one of the fastest-growing economies.
Despite killing of 133 militants in Kashmir this year, number of active ultras have not decreased compared to the last year as local recruitment and fresh infiltration from across the border has ensured that the number remains over 200.

Sources told DH that nearly 100 local youths have joined militant ranks in Kashmir this year while 15-20 militants infiltrated into the Valley from Pakistan. While 207 militants were killed last year, 174 locals had joined militant ranks.

The spate of recruitment suggests that the counter-offensive of security forces is proving to be a zero-sum game, as for every militant killed a new one is immediately being recruited.

Also Read | Malicious attempts being made to push J&K's youth into drug abuse: LG

However, in 2020, not many militants had infiltrated into Kashmir from Pakistan compared to this year. There are 35-40 Pakistani terrorists presently active in Jammu and Kashmir. While a dozen among them are affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit, the rest are with Lashkar-e-Taiba, they revealed.

Sources said the Pakistani terrorists active in Kashmir are dodging the security forces with the help of a well-knit network of over-ground workers (OGWs).

Pakistani terrorists, who are present in the Valley, are using newly-recruited hybrid militants to attack security forces, carry out target killings and grenade attacks. These hybrid militants have no police record and as such are not in the radar of security agencies, they added.

A senior police officer involved in counter-insurgency operations said militancy in Kashmir remains very much alive and kicking. Asked about the reasons for it, he said, the simultaneous recruitment of new youth into militancy and new infiltrations replenishes their depleted ranks.

Though law and order situation in Kashmir has seen a marked improvement post August 2019 when the erstwhile states special status under Article 370 was revoked, militancy incidents have seen a rise of late.

Read | J&K crisis needs political solution, not military: Mehbooba Mufti

As many as 15 civilians have been killed in the Valley since October and most of these target killings were carried out by pistol-borne hybrid or part-time militants.

Dozens of youth, who are not listed as militants, but radicalized and trained enough to carry out terror attacks, have been engaged by Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen outfits in recent months. Most of them are teenagers and highly motivated, the officer said.

They do not cross the border for arms training nor do they go underground to commit violent acts. In a majority of cases, their motivation is pure indoctrination or the macho image associated with violence. In some cases money is also a factor as several of those arrested are from poor families, he added.

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Apparently anticipating assembly election notification by the end of the year, the Uttar Pradesh government has been hurrying through the developmental projects, which are to be inaugurated by top BJP leaders, including prime minister Narendra Modi, in the next few days.

Modi, who was the most sought after leader by the party leaders here, would be visiting the state thrice in the next fortnight.

Read | Hindi is friend of all Indian languages, says Amit Shah

The other senior leaders, who were likely to visit the state this month, including union ministers Amit Shah, Dharmendra Pradhan and Smriti Irani and BJP president J P Nadda.

Modi would be inaugurating the Poorvanchal Expressway at Sultanpur on Tuesday. He would again visit the state on Friday for inaugurating several projects at Jhansi, according to the BJP sources here.

The prime minister was also likely to inaugurate the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi, his Lok Sabha constituency, this month. The date of his visit was yet to be finalised.

The state government has lined up several other projects, including Ganga Expressway, Bundelkhand Expressway, the Goarkhpur AIIMS and some other projects which would be inaugurated by Modi, Shah and others in the next few days.

Read | In Akhilesh's bastion, Amit Shah seeks vote in Modi's name; invokes Rama, Krishna

While the state BJP leaders here found nothing wrong in hurrying with the projects before the assembly polls, which is due in March next year, and getting them inaugurated by top leaders, the opposition leaders said that it reflected that the BJP had sensed defeat in the polls.

"BJP leaders are rushing to the state as they are nervous...they know that the state government has done precious little during its stint...they are sensing defeat in the polls," Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav said.

UP Congress president Ajay Kumar Lallu also echoed similar sentiments. "BJP knows that it can not win the elections....the state government is getting incomplete projects to be inaugurated by the prime minister and others to fool the people but it will not succeed," Lallu said.

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Meena Thakur coughs non-stop as she sits down on the floor to have lunch near the entrance of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi.

With a stuffy nose and watery eyes troubling her, she wraps it up quickly and covers her face with her scarf to keep the dust away  hazardous air quality has pushed the national capital on the cusp of a health emergency and an increased number of people have been seeking medical help.

"My father-in-law is in the hospital. I came from Jalaun (in Uttar Pradesh) to see him on Thursday. I was okay at home, but developed a cold and cough after coming to Delhi. There's smoke all around. I will leave as soon as he is discharged, she says.

Read more: Delhi pollution: Schools shut for week, construction works barred, govt employees to work from home

Across the road, Pawan Yadav, a sanitation worker at Safdarjung Hospital, coughs up phlegm every few seconds.

Yadav, who came to Delhi from Etah in Uttar Pradesh four years ago, says he would leave the city within a day if someone gives him an equal-paying job in his town.

"Jo nuksaan hona tha ho gya. Aur bhi dikkatein hain jeevan me (the damage has been done. There are other bigger problems in my life), he says and spits again, when asked if hazardous air pollution is a cause for concern for him.

Throat-burning smog has been smothering Delhi since November 4.

According to an analysis by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), people in the national capital breathe the worst air between November 1 and November 15 every year, as unhelpful meteorological conditions trap pollutants coming from local sources and stubble burning in neighbouring states -- Punjab and Haryana.

On Saturday, the Delhi government announced closure of physical classes in schools, colleges and other educational institutions for a week from Monday. All government offices, agencies and autonomous bodies, except those involved in essential services, have been asked to work from home.

No construction and demolition activity is allowed in the capital till November 17, it announced in a desperate effort to contain spiralling air pollution levels.

Doctors say there has been a "30 to 40 per cent increase" in the number of people coming to hospitals with respiratory problems.

"We have observed an increase in the severity of asthma attacks. Those with pre-existing respiratory issues are requiring hospitalisation. These are acute effects of the hazardous air pollution in the city," said Dr Vikas Maurya, head of Pulmonology Department, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh.

The hospital has been reporting 25 to 30 cases of respiratory disorders per day. Of these, three to four are of "severe" nature. Around 50-55 patients with breathing issues are admitted in the hospital at present, he said.

Dr Abhinav Guliani, pulmonologist, Ganga Ram Hospital, said there has been a two to threefold increase in the number of patients with respiratory infections since Diwali.

"We have been witnessing up to 30 patients per week. Normally, we would see around 10 to 20 such patients in a week," he said.

The hospital has been advising elderly patients and those with respiratory diseases to stay at home and step out only if it is absolutely necessary.

Dr Neetu Jain, senior pulmonologist at PSRI Hospital, said they have recorded at least 25 per cent increase in respiratory diseases.

"We have admitted around seven patients, who have been stable in the last one year, after the rise in air pollution. We have also witnessed an uptick in the number of people without any history of respiratory illnesses," she said.

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From working as an electrician to joining a labour movement to playing a key role in expanding the Naxal footprint in Central India, 57-year-old Milind Teltumbde climbed up gradually in the Maoist hierarchy over years, and in the process became a ruthless comrade who didn't hesitate in planning and launching deadly encounters against the security personnel, according to Gadchiroli police.

He had 67 major offences, including participating in encounters against the police, murder and dacoity, registered against him in Gadchiroli alone, the police said in a release on Sunday.

Milind Teltumbde, carrying a bounty of Rs 50 lakh on his head, was gunned down along with 25 ultras in a ten-hour-long gun battle in the Mardintola forest in the Gadchiroli district by C-60 commandos on Saturday. He was known by many monikers like Jiva, Deepak, Praveen, Sudhir, Sahyadri, according to the police.

Read more: Milind Teltumbde: From coal mine worker to top naxal commando

He was one of the wanted accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case. He was the brother of activist Anand Teltumbde arrested earlier in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case and is currently lodged at the Taloja prison in neighbouring Navi Mumbai, police officials had said earlier in the day.

Milind Teltumbde was born to Baburao Teltumbde on February 5, 1964. He hailed from Rajur village in Wani tehsil in the Yawatmal district of Maharashtra. After clearing the class 10 exam, Milind Teltumbde took admission to an Industrial Training Institute (ITI).

During 1984-85, he joined the Dhoptala (Sasti) open cast coal mines. He also worked as an electrician in the Padmapur open cast coal mines where he came into contact with Sujan Abraham, state secretary, Akhil Maharashtra Kamgar Union and gradually became influenced by the Naxal ideology, police said. Milind Teltumbde then joined a labour movement through the Majoor Sanghatan and the Indian Mine Workers Federation. Before 1994, he had worked as president of the Navjawan Bharat Sabha.

After joining Naxalism, Milind Teltumbde worked as DVCM (Divisional Committee Member) of the coal belt area in Chandrapur, Wani, Umred, and Nagpur in Maharashtra. In the year 2004-2005, he became a member of the Maharashtra State Committee (MRSC) of Maoists. After the arrest of Shridhar Shrinivasan, he was promoted as Secretary of MRSC, police said.

In 2012-13, he worked as in-charge of the North Gadchiroli-Gondia-Balaghat Division. During the fourth meeting of the Central Committee Members (CCM) held in April 2013, he was promoted as the CCM member.

In the year 2016-17, MRSC was dissolved and a new MaharashtraMadya PradeshChhattisgarh (MMC) zone was formed and he was appointed as the leader to the MMC zone, the police said. In the year, 2021, Milind Teltumbde acted as CCM and also as the in-charge of the MMC zone. He monitored and analysed the movements of security forces in Gadchiroli, Gondia, Balaghat and Rajnandgaon.

He was the mastermind in laying many an ambush, triggering bomb blasts and other subversive activities. He played a vital role in strengthening Naxal organisation in urban areas, police said. According to police, Milind Teltumbde had been involved in 42 incidents of encounters, murdering seven civilians and four policemen. Other cases against him included those of arson and dacoity.

"In all, he was involved in 63 major offences registered in the Gadchiroli district. Key incidents among them are the Jambhulkheda blast on May 1, 2019, in which 15 police personnel were killed. In the Koparshi encounter on May 17, 2020, two police personnel were killed during the encounter in the forest," the release said.

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The Uttar Pradesh government is planning to start an ambulance service to provide quick treatment to sick cows and in the event of them getting injured in accidents.

State dairy development minister Chaudhary Luxminarayana said in Mathura that the service, which would be called 'Abhinav Ambulance', would start operating in the state in the next few days.

''The ambulance will provide treatment to the cows on the spot in the event of their accidents or taking it to the veterinary hospitals.....we will make sure that the ambulance reaches the spot within 15 minutes,'' the minister said.

He said that a call centre would also be established so that the information about the sick or injured cows could be sent to the ambulance service providers.''The ambulances will have a veterinary doctor and a paramedical staff,'' Luxminarayana said.

The minister said that the state government had already sanctioned the budget for 520 ambulances. ''UP will become the first state in the country to start such a service,'' he added.

The ambulance service for the cows would be launched by UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath shortly, he said.

The minister said that the state government provided financial help for the purpose of operating 'goshalas' (cow shelters).

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Actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood said on Sunday that his sister Malvika is joining politics, but he has no such plans for himself.

Sood's announcement of his sister entering politics fuelled speculation that she may contest the 2022 Punjab Assembly polls from Moga.

Sood, who hails from Moga district, said his sister has done a lot of amazing work in the past.

"We today officially want to say that Malvika will certainly come to serve Punjab," Sood said addressing the media.

Asked about joining any political party, Sood said no decision has yet been taken in this regard.

"We have not yet taken a call about the party. Whenever the time comes, we will make sure that we will let you know," he said.

When asked whether he will enter politics, Sood said he had not thought about joining politics.

The actor grabbed the national spotlight for helping migrants reach their home states during the nationwide lockdown clamped last year in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday gave a little cheer to Andhra Pradesh, directing the central ministries concerned to prepare an action plan within a month for division of assets between AP and Telangana in accordance with the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014.

The Home Minister gave this directive on a plea made by AP Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy at the 29th Southern Zonal Council meeting here. Amit Shah, however, did not respond to the Chief Ministers plea for grant of special category status to the state, official sources who attended the meeting said.

In his inaugural address, the CM asked the Centre to complete the legal division of assets valued approximately at Rs 1,42,601 crore, as listed in Schedules 9 and 10 of the APRA, 2014. The Home Minister responded positively to this and asked the Central ministries concerned to prepare an action plan in a month to go ahead with the process, the official sources said.

Also Read | Unfulfilled commitments from bifurcation hurting Andhra Pradesh: CM Reddy to Centre

The Home Minister also agreed to bear full cost for establishing a state-of-the-art Greyhounds Training Centre in Visakhapatnam district. He wanted the state government to allot suitable land for that.

The state government proposed to set up the Greyhounds Training Centre at a cost of Rs 858.37 crore but the Centre sanctioned only Rs 219.16 crore for it. The Centre so far released only Rs 9.08 crore, way back in 2018-19.

The state requested the Centre to sanction the balance Rs 639.21 crore as well. The central government sought encumbrance-free land for the project, along with requisite clearances from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.

The state was ready to hand over possession of the land. The Union Home Minister accepted the Chief Ministers request and sanction full funds for the Greyhounds centre, the official sources said.

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Several Congress leaders on Sunday paid rich tributes to Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary, with the party hailing the country's first prime minister as a visionary who laid the foundations of modern India.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi offered floral tributes at Shanti Vana in New Delhi, while several party leaders paid glowing tributes on social media to the Congress stalwart.

Born in 1889, the Congress stalwart remains the country's longest-serving prime minister.

Also read: PM Modi pays tribute to Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi posted a quote of Nehru -- "What we need is a generation of peace" -- and said remembering India's first prime minister who greatly valued truth, unity and peace.

What we need is a generation of peace.

- Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Remembering Indias first Prime Minister who greatly valued truth, unity and peace. pic.twitter.com/h89MpL39Ph  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 14, 2021

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also paid a tribute to Nehru and hailed the contribution of farmers, soldiers and labourers while remembering India's first prime minister.

          #RememberingNehru  Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) November 14, 2021

The party's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala hailed Nehru's contribution and said he played a major role in making India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic.

Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal paid a tribute to Nehru, saying, "We are the children of our Republic he cherished and nourished. He built institutions of the future. He celebrated diversity that is our strength."

Panditjis Birthday : November 14

Childrens Day We are the children of our Republic he cherished and nourished

He built institutions of the future

He celebrated diversity that is our strength We should worry that what he stood for is slowly being demolished!  Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) November 14, 2021

"We should worry that what he stood for is slowly being demolished!" he said.

The Congress, on its official Twitter handle, paid rich tributes to Nehru.

"A hero of our freedom movement, a visionary who laid the foundations of modern India, a nationalist who stood fearlessly to protect India's interests, an inspirational human who transformed the thought of generations, Pandit Nehru was a true son of Bharat Mata," the party said.
On Children's Day, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu's granddaughter Sushma contributed Rs 50 lakh for the treatment of children with heart ailments belonging to weaker sections of the society by cutting down on her wedding expenditure, sources said.

Set to be married next month, she had vowed to cut on her marriage expenditure so that her grandparents and parents could contribute Rs 50 lakh for the cause, they said.

A cheque of Rs 50 lakh was given to Hyderabad-based 'Hrudaya - Cure a Little Heart Foundation' in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah at Nellore in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday.

Shah was the chief guest at the 20th anniversary of Swarna Bharati Trust being run by Naidu's daughter Deepa Venkat. The trust has been engaged in the empowerment of rural women and youth through vocational training, skill development etc.

Amit Shah complimented the Sushma and her parents, Harshvardhan and Radha, for their noble gesture and the trust for its dedication to the cause of rural people.

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The curfew in Maharashtra's Amravati city was expanded on Sunday to include four more towns in the district after local BJP leaders staged a protest during a bandh, police said.

Meanwhile, a total of 50 people were arrested by the police in connection with back to back incidents of stone-pelting that took place in Amravati city on Friday and Saturday.

On Sunday, the situation in Amravati remained peaceful as eight battalions of the SRPF (State Reserve Police Force) and additional number of police personnel from various districts were deployed in the city, district guardian minister Yashomati Thakur said.

Read more: Amravati violence a ploy to destabilise Maharashtra government: Sanjay Raut

On Saturday, a curfew was clamped in Amravati city in east Maharashtra for four days and Internet services were shut down after a mob hurled stones at shops during a bandh (shut-down) allegedly organised by local BJP workers in protest against the rallies organised by Muslim organisations the day before to condemn the recent violence in Tripura, police had said.

On Friday, stone-pelting was reported during rallies taken out by Muslim organisations in Amravati, Nanded, Malegaon (in Nashik district), Washim and Yavatmal. "The situation is under control in Amravati as eight battalions of the SRPF and extra police force from Jalna, Nagpur, Wardha and Buldhana districts remains deployed," she said, adding that a march was taken out by the police this evening in sensitive areas of Amravati city. Meanwhile, a bandh was observed by BJP in rural parts of Amravati.

Police have detained former Maharashtra agriculture minister Anil Bonde, MLC Pravin Pote and Amravati rural BJP president Nivedita Chaudhari for taking out a rally in protest against Friday's stone-pelting. A total of eight BJP activists were detained in Warud and Shendurjanaghat villages for raising slogans.

The curfew is now expanded to cover Morshi, Warud, Achalpur and Anjangaon Surji towns of the Amravati district, a police official said.
William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is perhaps the greatest writer in the English language, and doubtless the worlds greatest dramatist. Shakespeare poses a formidable philological challenge; and one that is fascinating: of understanding the reciprocity of the metaphor and the literal word. Take for instance Prosperos speech, Our revels now are ended. These actors/as I foretold you, were all spirits, and/are melted into air, into thin air (The Tempest -- IV, i). This is brilliant Shakespearean imagery, at the core of which is the association between mortality and the stage. But which part is mortality, and which the play?

The Tempest is perhaps the most difficult Shakespearean metaphor to understand; and its essence is the experience of half-perceiving, half-grasping for truth, a dramatic reminder of what we grapple with in the real world.

Shakespeare portrayed fundamental human themes -- honesty, greed, jealousy, guilt, grief, betrayal, joy -- that change little over the ages; and there is no human emotion that he did not bring alive. When you read Shakespeare, you recognise many of his characters as our contemporaries, perhaps many the Iago we encounter. Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy!/It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock/The meat it feeds on (Othello -- III, iii).

What makes reading Shakespeare captivating is our own idea of Shakespeare and what is Shakespearean in the world around us. Characters such as Romeo, Hamlet, or Lady Macbeth, have become part of the cultural stereotypes, that differ vastly from the original: Thus, Romeo is a relentless romancer rather than a lover faithful unto death; Hamlet is indecisive, rather than humanity in general, plagued with contradictions in life; and Lady Macbeth is an ambitious woman who will stop at nothing, rather than representing the relationship between gender and power. These appropriations of meaning, so far removed from Shakespeares original conception, tell us a lot about our own society.

Shakespeare has long moved into mainstream cultural exchange, but bereft of the context of the philosophic reflections of his characters. A case in point is the common use of the term strange bedfellows in modern political discourse, as if in tacit comparison of the politicos concerned with Shakespeares Caliban and Trinculo, but completely missing the significance: Shakespeare uses the conspiratorial world of the play to emphasise the important theme of the elusive nature of power and freedom. He was not simply a great playwright. Through his effervescent writing, he established the endless possibility of intellectual discourse. It is as the initiator of discursive practices that Shakespeares unique relevance endures.

His influence across cultures is prodigious. His works are found in over a hundred languages. Shakespeare in popular culture finds expression in books, films, and art. Hamlets line, the undiscoverd country from whose bourn/No traveller returns (Hamlet - III, i), became the subtitle of the science-fiction film Star Trek VI, though the original lines allude to death, after Hamlet sees his fathers ghost. Closer home, the Hindi film trilogy Maqbool (2004) -- an innovative adaptation of Macbeth; Omkara (2006) of Othello; and Haider (2014), of Hamlet.

Shakespeares plays are set in many locations, some fictional. Europe, Africa and the Middle East are all settings for Shakespeares plays. His plays are set in 12 countries, with cities in what is now Italy being Shakespeares favourite backdrop. Some plays, such as The Tempest, take place in entirely fictional worlds.

If you want a measure of Shakespeares impact, consider some of the many popular expressions we use today that were coined by him: Heart of Gold (Henry V), Wild-goose chase (Romeo and Juliet), Faint-hearted (Henry IV part I), Brave new world (The Tempest), Break the ice (The Taming of the Shrew), For goodness sake (Henry VIII), Foregone conclusion (Othello), and Love is blind (The Merchant of Venice).

Shakespeare in the original poses one risk that a discerning reader must recognise: Reading him enables the creative imagination for reinterpretation, but all too often, Shakespeare gets simplified according to our own lights. To truly appreciate his genius, Shakespeare should always be regarded as a man of his time, the product of a particular period in history. His universality is born of his remarkable perspicacity in laying bare human nature at its best and its worst. Much has been said about Shakespeares philosophy; the many reflections on life in his plays produce the illusion that he was gifted with wisdom. In fact, his art is essentially empirical: portraying reality and not the abstract.

Read The Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works. You will forever be enthralled, for All the worlds a stage, and all the men and women merely players, they have their exits and their entrances (As you Like it, II, vii).

Shakespeare is a wondrous companion.

(The author, a former civil servant, enjoys traversing the myriad spaces of ideas, thinkers, and books)
Democratise. This is a word being tossed about quite a bit of late. Fin-tech companies want to democratise access to credit and ease of transactions. Ed-tech companies want to democratise learning, and help students be all they can be. Health innovators want to democratise access to the vast benefits of genetics-driven interventions. Theres no shortage of entities wanting to build large inclusive tents to serve more and more people.

Which is all quite good, of course. But democracy itself is seven decades old in our country. So, why are we talking about these democratisations after all these years? And what does it say about what weve been doing in the name of democracy that so much remains undone?

There are three hurdles that weve stumbled at. One, we satisfied ourselves early that self-rule and independence were the same thing. Second, we equated democracy with elections, and in the process reduced the peoples part in it to pushing a few ballot buttons from time to time. And third, weve been taking it for granted that anything done by an elected government must be democratic, even if it contravenes the law or the Constitution itself.

Our attempts to correct course on development, however, dont usually recognise these troubles. Instead, we see low literacy, poor nutrition, inadequate housing, meagre wages, etc., and set about trying to do something about those. That hasnt worked, and chances are, it wont work in the future as well. What is needed instead is a 1947 lens, for today.

Independence and the turn to elected self-government is such a large turn in the history of nations that it tends to acquire a kind of immutable status in the minds of many people. Even the founding fathers sometimes make it hard to change things. The American Constitution recognised the right of individual citizens to bear arms, at a time when it was necessary for locals to be able to ward off any potential attempt by the British to retake the colonies. Now, 250 years later, the country is awash in guns, with all the attendant consequences.

Such rigidity is a virtue on many counts. The rights of the people established in a cherished and powerful document provide a good foundation. But while that is necessary, it is not sufficient to get nations closer to the outcomes that people seek by declaring themselves independent and self-governing.

Beginnings are just that. Theres a lot of unfinished stuff, because one is only getting started. Seventy years ago, the Constitution did not explicitly provide for many rights that are recognised today. Sometimes, those were added. At other times, judges re-interpreted the existing words in the book to mean something else in todays context, compared to how they may have been understood back then.

Not only rights. Even the structure of government has changed. Municipal councils in our towns and cities became the norm only in the 1990s, and are still not functioning effectively. Was it oversight to have not instituted these at the beginning itself? If our imagination of self-rule had flowed from the people to neighbourhoods, and then towns and states and the country rather than the other way, would we have chosen to create local bodies and area sabhas back then?

Its hard to say. What is clear, however, is that every generation has both the opportunity and the obligation to re-examine the beginning and the journey so far, and ask if we could be doing anything different.

And what could we do differently now? The various proclamations from the innovators contain a clue. If there is one thing that the processes of our democracy have not produced, it is equity. There is a lot that is available in India -- products and services, private and public goods -- but a big part of the population cannot access them. Thats why there is so much talk of democratising this or that.

But it cannot be the responsibility of start-ups and innovators to deliver this. Our form of self-government itself should do that. Giving all children a proper education is not an innovation, it is a mandate. So are ensuring basic healthcare for everyone, access to capital without usury, non-discrimination in housing, and so many other things.

Our understanding of democratise should begin with the obligation on the State to deliver these things to all citizens. A few states have shown that this is possible, in some sectors, but this is far too rare. The overwhelming experience of the majority is of deprivation on many development fronts. Well have to end that.

There is a simple step to do this. The delivery and protection of all Constitutional rights must be fully funded by governments, before the rest of the Budget is allocated. This is what it means to have rights. But this is not how governments have understood them. Theyve treated rights too as one more head of expenditure, with the option to decide themselves how much money to allocate to them.

If I had to pick one thing to change from 1947, this is the one I would choose -- that the State has an obligation to adequately fund all rights. And that word adequately is really the key; governments already claim to be spending money on various things, but the subtlety lost in that is the inadequacy of such funds. Once we set that bar right and spend public funds to meet this obligation, well get a lot closer to the reasons why people fought to establish our republic.

We wont need to democratise things any other way if we properly and fully fund the promises of our first democratic moment.

(The author is a social technologist and entrepreneur, founder of Mapunity and co-founder, Lithium. He wakes up with hope for the city and society, goes to bed with a sigh, repeats cycle.)
Militants in Kashmir are out to kill Kashmiriyat. The recent killing of a Muslim salesman of a Kashmir Pandit businessman in Srinagar's old city has once again shown that terror has no religion and anyone can become a victim. He can be a Muslim or a Hindu.

The ultras had come to murder Sandeep Mawa but shot dead his salesman Ibrahim Khan in case of a mistaken identity. The son of a prominent Kashmiri Pandit businessman Roshan Lal Mawa, who had left Kashmir in 1990, Sandeep Mawa returned to the Valley in 2019 and re-started his shop at Bohri Kadal in the old city. He was given a warm response by local Kashmiri Muslims, who were happy to see their Kashmiri Pandit brother returning to his roots after three decades.

Also Read | Despite killing of 133 militants this year, over 200 ultras still active in Kashmir

On November 8, 2021, Sandeep left his shop early after he was alerted by the police that militants may target him. When in the evening, his salesman Ibrahim Khan went to get Sandeep's car parked outside the shop, militants mistook him as their target and pumped four bullets into his chest. It was yet another case of Kashmiri killing a Kashmiri and Kashmiriyat. What a shame, Kashmiri militants had come to kill a man just for a reason that he was a Hindu. But they murdered a Muslim man for whom they claim they are fighting.

Mawa is the relative of late Makhan Lal Bindroo, who was shot dead by militants in Srinagar in October this year. Bindroo had not migrated. He had stayed back and helped his Kashmiri brethren in the most turbulent times. Design of the militants is clear they don't want Kashmiri Pandits to stay in the Valley only for a reason i.e. they are Pandits and not Muslims.

Kashmiriyat

Kashmir was known as the abode of sufis and saints due to the centuries-old indigenous tradition of communal harmony and religious syncretism in the Valley known as Kashmiriyat, which emerged around the 16th century and was characterised by religious and cultural harmony, patriotism and pride for their mountainous homeland of Kashmir.

Also Read | Suicide bomber among three militants killed in two encounters in Kashmir

It exemplifies the joint Hindu-Muslim culture, festivals, language, cuisine, and clothing in Kashmir. But after the outbreak of Pakistan sponsored armed insurgency in 1990, the gun-toting militants carried out the selective killings of Kashmiri Pandits which led to the mass exodus of the entire community from the Valley.

Most Kashmiri Pandits are still living in exile but after August 5, 2019 - when the Centre abrogated Jammu and Kashmir's special status and divided it into two Union Territories - hopes of displaced Kashmiri Pandits returning to the Valley were rekindled. During the past two years, many KPs, including Mawa, have returned to Kashmir. They are making an attempt to resettle in the Valley but the militants are hell bent to chase them out.

Selective killings

Selective killings, including that of Kashmiri Pandit, Makhan Lal Bindroo, two teachers - a Sikh woman, Supinder Kaur and a Hindu man, Deep Chand, five non-local labourers and an assassination attempt of Sandeep Mawa, are clear indications that madness in Kashmir seems to be a never-ending process. The indoctrinated ultras at the behest of their handlers sitting across the Line of Control (LoC) are killing the innocents and have torn apart the very ethos of Kashmiriyat.

India's rogue neighbor, Pakistan, that's sponsoring militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, is under the control of such people who don't know anything except preaching hate and violence. Muslims killing Muslims in Pakistan is a routine. It's unfortunate that people sitting across the LoC want to turn Kashmir into its reflection. They have indoctrinated Kashmiris to such an extent that they are following the footsteps of their mentors by targeting the pluralistic values of Kashmiri society.

Also Read | Militant killed in Srinagar was planning 'fidayeen' attack, says J&K police

The organisations like banned Jamaat-e-Islami are carrying out their agenda to radicalise the Kashmiri youth and are turning them into killers by preaching hatred for the people from other communities.

The Kashmiriyat - promoted by Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin, the story of the Kashmiri mystic Lal Ded in which her body turned into a mound of flowers that was buried by both Hindus and Muslims-is disappearing from Kashmir. It's high time for the members of majority Kashmiri Muslim community to wake up and condemn the communal, anti-Hindu, extremist, and jihadist character of those people who have been preaching hate for the past three decades. If they don't do so, there will be no space left for the people of other faiths in Kashmir. The emergence of jihadist characteristic will push Kashmir deep into crisis, which can lead to Kashmiri Muslims getting no acceptance outside the Valley.

Kashmiris need to help themselves

Militants who are targeting members of the minority community are making things difficult for Kashmiri Muslims. If any terror incident takes place across the globe, Pakistanis are treated as prime suspects for a simple reason that their nation is a breeding ground for terrorists. The Kashmiri militants who have embarked on the mission to kill innocents and target the members of a particular community are creating a notion that every Kashmiri is a terrorist and no one except ethnic Kashmiri Muslims can live in the Valley.

Thousands of Kashmiri Muslims are putting up in different parts of India and in other countries, if the militants keep on killing Kashmiris and Kashmiriyat in the Valley, people of Kashmir in other states may have to face the brunt as they will be looked down upon and treated as prime suspects like Pakistanis.

Members of the majority community in the Valley need to understand that the ultras are making them vulnerable and are out to label every Kashmiri as a hardliner and an intolerant human being. People of Kashmir have to stand on their own feet and have to join people like Sandeep Mawa, who despite surviving an assassination attempt has decided to stay put in Kashmir and work for restoring pluralistic culture of the Valley.

Mawa's father, Roshan Lal Mawa, too was shot at by militants in 1990. After surviving the assasination attempt he left Kashmir. His son mustered courage and returned to his roots to build the burnt bridges between Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims. Majority of people in the Valley want to live a peaceful life as they are fed up of violence and uncertainty. But for that they have to come forward and help themselves, no outsider can do it. They have to become their own Messiahs then only Kashmiriyat can be saved from becoming extinct.

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Researchers from India and Japan are working on smartphone-based mapping of road health in both countries to reduce the accidents caused due to damaged roads.

The joint project by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee and the University of Tokyo is aimed at developing an affordable and deployable solution for automating the monitoring of road conditions and ultimately enhancing road safety.

The team also has inputs from Alexander Mraz, a data scientist from Luxembourg in Europe.

According to road safety experts, the key to road surface condition monitoring is to detect road surface anomalies, such as potholes, cracks and bumps, which affect driving comfort and on-road safety.

IIT-Roorkee professor Durga Toshniwal, who is supervising the Indian team in the ongoing research, said the road infrastructure holds critical socio-economic importance for providing vital transportation services to people and commodities worldwide.

"Considering that the road condition has a direct and substantial impact on road safety, the roads need to be maintained regularly and monitored exhaustively from time to time. The conventional methods for road condition assessment involve a labour-intensive manual inspection of road surfaces," she told PTI.

Also read: AAP files 75 police complaints against BBMP officials over potholes

"These methods fail to meet the present requirements due to the vast area of road networks to be inspected in a limited time. Additionally, the monetary shortage restricts many local administrations from conducting the requisite inspections on time," she added.

The research team collaborated with Sekimoto Laboratory at University of Tokyo, Japan to work on deep-learning-based algorithms which can automatically detect and classify road damage using smartphone images.

"The work lays down the foundation for building a smartphone-based application to assess road conditions, anytime, anywhere. With this app, any citizen can record the road damage with his or her smartphone and upload directly to the cloud servers.

"Thus, the app can be used for continuous monitoring with high temporal road damage assessment. The general public can contribute by uploading the images of any road damage they come across. The road agencies can use the data for developing efficient maintenance strategies. The successful implementation would save time as well as the overall maintenance cost, along with ensuring safer roads for everyone," said Dikhsa Arya, lead researcher from India on the project.

So far, the team has mapped over 31,000 images from various roads with identified cracks and damages. The surveyed areas include Ichihara city, Chiba city, Sumida ward, Nagakute city, Adachi ward, Muroran city and Numazu city in Japan.

In India, the team has surveyed various locations in Delhi, Gurgaon and Haryana. The same system has also been tested in the survey of roads in Olomouc, Prague and Bratislava areas of Czech Republic.

"The dataset captures four types of road damage: longitudinal cracks, transverse cracks, alligator cracks and potholes and is intended for developing deep learning-based methods to detect and classify road damage automatically. The images were captured using vehicle-mounted smartphones, making it useful for municipalities and road agencies to develop methods for low-cost monitoring of road pavement surface conditions," said Hiroya Maeda from the University of Tokyo.

"Further, the machine learning researchers can use the datasets for benchmarking the performance of different algorithms for solving other problems of the same type," Maeda said.

According to a "Road Accidents in India" report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), roads with sharp curves, potholes and steep gradients tend to be more accident-prone because successfully negotiating them requires skill, extra care and alertness.

According to the statistics shared in the Indian parliament, the total number of road accidents due to potholes in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2019 stood at 6,424, 9,423, 4,869 and 4,775, respectively.

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In 2013, Srikrishna Ramesh had just dropped out of an engineering college in Bengaluru, when his father, Gopal Ramesh, insisted that he continue his education.

The 18-year-old then reluctantly enrolled for a BSc in Computer Science at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. Uninterested, he reportedly told his father that "the course and syllabus is all elementary to me."

Since then, Srikrishna alias 'Sriki'  or AP as he is known online  has lived a life fit for the silver screen.

When Bengaluru City Police arrested Srikrishna six years later in November 2020, in a case involving the hacking of a gaming website, little did they know that his arrest would turn out to be the biggest political nightmare for the state BJP government.

Now, a year later, Srikis alleged crimes have come back to haunt the Basavaraj Bommai government; coincidentally, Bommai was the Home Minister when Sriki was first arrested.

But how did a 26-year-old hacker spook the state administration?

Also Read | Voluntarily gave bitcoins to cops, claims hacker Sriki

Complaints filed against Sriki suggest that he was involved in a series of crimes: A high-value Bitcoin heist, importing narcotics, hacking into the government e-procurement site and siphoning off Rs 11.5 crore.

A full-fledged political slugfest has now broken out over the past two weeks, with both the ruling and opposition parties accusing the other of benefiting from the proceeds of Sriki's crimes.

There are also rumours of the involvement of top bureaucrats and politicians, and several irregularities in the investigations conducted.

As new information comes out, the case gets more bizarre each day.

At the heart of the scandal is the huge stockpile of high-value cryptocurrency Bitcoins  one Bitcoin is worth Rs 47.31 lakh  that Sriki is suspected to be holding. These Bitcoins were reportedly stolen from several cryptocurrency exchanges, poker and gaming websites that Sriki claims he hacked, in a statement he gave the police late last year.

The largest among the exchanges Sriki claims to have hacked is Bitfinex  the biggest heist of a crypto exchange in the world till August 2021. In his statement, Sriki said he hacked the exchange twice  first in 2015 (alone) and again in 2016, with help from other hackers.

Also Read | Surjewala to meet senior Karnataka Congress leaders, discuss strategy on Bitcoin scam

According to Bitfinex, around 1,500 coins were stolen in 2015, while the second hack involved a mind-numbing 1.19 lakh Bitcoins  estimated to be worth around Rs 56,000 cr today.

Though two Jerusalem-based hackers were arrested in connection with the Bitfinex hack in 2019, Israeli police were not able to recover the coins, leading them to suspect that more hackers were involved in the crime. Bitfinex also announced a $400 million bounty in August 2020 for information on these missing coins.

Other exchanges Sriki claims to have targeted are Bitstamp (making away with 19,000 Bitcoins), BTC-e.com (3,000 Bitcoins), Bitclub network, Bitcointalk.org, Bit-Central among others. These claims were recorded in his statement, which are part of two charge sheets filed against him at the first Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court on February 22 this year, which were accessed by DH.

From the time he was first arrested by the Bengaluru city police on November 17, 2020, Sriki has spent over 50 days in police custody, where he was grilled about his involvement in various cybercrimes.

He was handed over by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) cybercrime unit only in January 2021.

This, despite a letter addressed to the CCB by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on December 1, 2020, in which Sriki is described as an "international hacker" and his case details were sought, to examine him under the Foreign Exchange Management Act and Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The ED had to remind the CCB to submit the case details again on February 15, 2021.

Also Read | Bitcoin case: H D Kumaraswamy says he'll spill beans in 15 days

The Bengaluru city police submitted the case details to the agency only in March, and wrote to the CBI Interpol unit another two months later, on April 28.

These facts run contrary to Chief Minister Bommai's statement of October 29 this year, that the state government "referred the case to ED on March 3, 2021" as soon as the state knew about the hackers' accounts in foreign countries.

Even as Sriki sat in police custody, around 15,000 stolen bitcoins of Bitfinex were mysteriously transferred  first on December 1, 2020, and the second on April 14, 2021. And though Sriki  now accused in seven cases related to hacking and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act  secured bail on April 7, he wasn't released until after April 14 as "bail surety was delayed," according to police officials.

While it is unclear if it was Sriki himself who transferred these stolen Bitcoins, Pranesh Prakash, co-founder of the Center for Internet and Society, says only the Bitcoin thief can transfer the stolen cryptocurrency. Moreover, he says the encryption techniques employed by various cryptocurrencies leave a unique trail, making Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies "the worst form of bribe".

The transfer of stolen Bitfinex bitcoins was immediately flagged by Blockchain analytics firms, alerting several international agencies. Soon central agencies caught wind of these large transactions to unknown wallets. The ED and Intelligence Bureau then intensified the investigations  which are ongoing  to determine if these transactions flowed from Bengaluru.

But what really stirred the pot were reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was informed about this case during his US visit and that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had landed in the city to investigate. Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, however, denied the FBIs involvement and rumours of their visit to Karnataka.

As of today, the controversial case has captured the imagination of the public, and whistleblower complaints have reportedly reached the Prime Minister's Office. Bommai's recent trip to New Delhi is also under the radar due to the Bitcoin case. These factors have become a rallying cry for the Opposition, pushing the 100-day-old Bommai administration on the defensive.

While Bommai has pointed fingers at the Opposition, they remain unimpressed over the investigation by the police and have cried foul over the blacklisted Bitcoin transactions.

After his initial arrest in 2020, the city police issued a statement stating that 31 Bitcoins worth Rs nine cr were recovered from the hacker. Sriki claims to have handed over an unspecified amount of Bitcoins to the police, according to his statement in one of the charge sheets. However, documents show that Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies were retrieved only from Robin Khandelwal's wallet  the other accused in the case. Recovery from Sriki's wallet failed, according to the panchnama.

Also Read | Congress demands SIT probe into Karnataka Bitcoin case

Cop connection

The Police Department first learnt of Sriki in November 2020. However, some clues in the charge sheet indicate that at least one policeman was in touch with him much before his arrest.

The charge sheet filed by the police details the hacker's stay at a five-star hotel in Bengaluru from May 4, 2019 to July 29, 2019. While many of the numbers Sriki dialed from his room (he did not use mobile phones) are either out of service or unreachable, two numbers were still active when DH dialled them. One of the numbers was the personal number of a serving police officer in the city.

There are also rumours that a case filed against Sriki at a Cybercrime Police Station in the city was 'settled' by the police. While a senior official, speaking under the condition of anonymity, denied any knowledge of Sriki's contact with the police before his arrest in 2020, he dismissed the rumours of "settlement" as baseless.

In another case (0091/2020) at Kempegowda Nagar police station involving Sriki, a police constable is also an accused. The case relates to the import of 500 grams of hydro ganja (cannabis) concealed in packets of organic coffee. But a charge sheet in the case is yet to be filed, more than a year after the case was registered.

Jet plane escape

Sriki had his first brush with the law in February 2018, in the high profile 'Farzi Cafe' assault case, after which Youth Congress leader Mohammed Haris Nalapad  with whom the hacker was hanging out  was arrested by the police on various charges.

While police were on the lookout for Sriki (also accused in the case) he fled in a car to Robin Khandelwal's Kolkata residence. Robin, another prime accused in cases registered against Sriki, also arranged a private jet for the hacker to fly out of Kolkata to an unknown location, so that he could successfully evade the police.

Now, there is already a legend about how Sriki was finally arrested. One theory goes that Sriki, who is allegedly a drug addict, had a dream in which God asked him to surrender, days after his friends were arrested in connection with the import of hydro ganja. Subsequently, he surrendered with Robin in front of the Chalukya Hotel.

The CCB has rubbished the claim. "We picked him up from a residence in Hebbal," said a senior police official privy to the investigation.

Unanswered questions

DH reached out to police officials seeking a response to several queries regarding the case against the hacker. While this correspondent was 'escorted out' of CID premises for seeking an interview with officials, a top Bengaluru City Police official maintained that the investigation into the case was carried out in earnest.

Requesting anonymity, the police official said the case was a challenge due to its uniqueness and that experts from the Department of e-governance and the Indian Institute of Science were roped in to provide technical assistance.

"We did not reach out to international agencies earlier because we could not verify whether all his claims were true," the officer said.

Yet, a lot of questions remain unanswered. Why was Sriki held in police custody for over 50 days? Why was there a delay in the city police escalating the case to national agencies? On whose behest was he importing large quantities of narcotics for a long period of time?

The Opposition Congress is clamouring for a court-monitored probe into the saga. While the case has led to a lot of hectic politicking, the BJP leaders have come out and denied that the case could see Bommai losing the Chief Ministers chair.

Whether this will turn out to be the Bommai governments Achilles heel, only time will tell.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asked BJP president J P Nadda to rein in Karnataka BJP leaders indulging in rumour-mongering in connection with the Bitcoin scam.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who met Shah last week here, is learnt to have told him that some of the state BJP leaders including two ministers were involved in whisper campaign against him and the BJP government. These leaders were supplying information to Congress leaders, Bommai reportedly had said.

Though the Bengaluru City police completed the probe into Bitcoin scam in which hacker Srikrishna alias Sriki is allegedly involved, there were rumours against the government and chief minister. These kinds of rumours gave fodder to Congress to attack ruling dispensation, the CM is learnt to have told Shah.

Read | We'll crack down on those involved: CM on Bitcoin scam

The Karnataka police did not find involvement of any BJP leaders or ministers in the case. The matter has been handed over to Enforcement Directorate and CBI for further probe. The state police also briefed in details to central agencies, the CM is learnt to have told Shah.

The CM had asked Shah to warn some ministers and state leaders who were trying to destabilise the government on this issue.

Shah assured Bommai that the party will deal with those leaders and asked him to effectively counter Congress allegations on the Bitcoin issue.

Shah dialled Nadda in Bommais presence and asked him to reign in those leaders, sources said. The chief minister also met the BJP chief later.

Read | Hacker Sriki saga spooks a fledgling Bommai govt

Shah is learned to have told them that the internal bickering would damage the party. Since elections to 25 seats in the Legislative Council are due, the party leaders must work unitedly to victory of maximum party candidates in the coming polls, Shah learnt to have said.

Bommai raised the issue with Nadda, when he met the latter separately. Nadda told the chief minister that he was aware of entire issue and will call those leaders and warn them, sources in the BJP said.

Nadda also assured Bommai that he would come to Bengaluru soon and hold meeting with party leaders, sources said.

When Bommai came to Delhi last week, there were rumours in political circles that the he had been summoned by the party top brass and was likely quit the post due to Bitcoin scam.

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Kartik Aaryan gorges on street side Chinese food, says "Khaane ka documentary ho jayega," as paps go clicking

Kartik Aaryan is all set for his film Dhamaka to arrive in theatres soon and is busy with the promotions of the film. The rising star in Bollywood recently made an appearance on Salman Khan hosted Bigg Boss 15 and this weekend as he enjoyed some time off he was seen treating himself to some street-side Chinese food.

The Dhamaka actor was spotted with a friend in Juhu gorging on some snacks in Juhu with the food spread out on the hood of his Lamborgini while the cameras that spotted him went on clicking. After receiving his food order, Kartik turned and told the cameramen who stood there shooting, khaane ka documentary ho jayega" as they refused to leave.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

As a popular paparazzo shared the video on social media, comments from fans poured in calling the actor down to earth and humble for choosing to skip five star restaurants and stopping by a local eatery. Others were who commented were certain that the place will see a huge footfall after Kartiks visit. One curious fan also wondered How are the people so calm?

Kartik often attracts a lot of attention from the paparazzi and during his outing in Mumbai. The Bollywood actor who will be seen playing a journalist next in Ram Madhvanis Dhamaka is finally breaking away from his rom-com avatar and fans are eagerly looking forward to the film which will arrive on Netflix on November 19.

Among the other films in Kartiks filmographry are, Captain India, Shehzada, Freddy, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, and an untitled film by Sajid Nadiadwala.
Sara Ali Khan spends the day with underprivileged kids; calls it the most heart-warming Children's Day

Actress Sara Ali Khan took out time from her schedule today, to celebrate Childrens day with underprivileged kids. Sara went to Bal Asha trust in Mumbai today, and made the day special for children. She took to social media to share a picture of the same and expressed her feelings.

Sara shared a snap of herself outside Bal Asha Dham Children's Home. The actress spent the day with the kids there and was delighted with her experience and also penned a small heartfelt note to speak of her time there. "@balashatrust Thankyou for the most heart-warming Children's Day. It was so touching to spend my day with these Loving children. Keep doing the amazing work that you guys do! "#happychildrensday"

On the work front, Sara will next be seen in Anand L Rai's Atrangi Re alongside Akshay Kumar and Dhanush.
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The conference Economic Diversification in the Gulf States: Opportunities and Challenges concluded in Doha today after two days of discussion and input from 16 researchers and economic experts. The second day's (Sunday 14 November 2021) sessions addressed the impact of regional and foreign resources in promoting economic diversification in the countries of the GCC and the Qatari experience in economic diversification.



Regional and Foreign Resources of Economic Diversification in the Gulf States

The third panel and first session of the day was chaired by Sahar Yousef, Assistant Professor on the Development Economics Program at the Doha Institute, and included two speakers. Kicking off the day, Abdullah Baaboud, Visiting fellow and Chair of the State of Qatar for Islamic Area Studies at the Faculty of International Research and Education at Waseda University, Tokyo, presented his paper Economic Diversification in the Gulf: Regional Cooperation is the Missing Element in the GCC State's Various Vision Plans. He stressed the lack of building viable and accountable institutions to ensure accountability and suitability and the near absence of any mention of enhancing regional cooperation and integration, which are essential in achieving economic growth and argued the importance of regional cooperation in helping to achieve GCC plans and visions.

Musalam Said Masan, Acting Assistant Secretary General for Committees and Information at Oman's Shura Council, followed, presenting his paper, How to Exploit Foreign Direct Investment to Expand the Base of Economic Diversification in the GCC Countries. The paper assesses the role of FDI flows in Oman and clarifies the challenges facing the non-oil sectors in attracting FDI, and concludes by suggesting some programs, policies and features that would enhance the role of FDI in consolidating economic diversification.

The Gulf Experience in Economic Diversification: The Case of Qatar

Panel Four was chaired by Mohammad Yaghi, Research Fellow and programme manager at the Regional Program Gulf States at Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and included three final participants. Farid Elsahn, Professor of Public Administration Program at the Doha Institute, began with Economic Diversification: A Sustainable Development Approach (Qatar as a Case Study). He looked at Qatars efforts in adopting a new strategy for economic diversification based on productivity and competitiveness, while attributing great importance to the private sector to achieve targeted economic growth.

Frank Himpel, Director of the Institute of Logistics at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences in Germany, followed with his paper The Successful Creation of Resilient Supply Chains Creates Potentials for Further Successful Economic Diversification: Qatar as a Case Study. He focused on the effort made by Qatar to overcome the 2017-2020 blockade, and how its economic diversification attempts benefited from the positive effects of this effort, emphasizing the context of restructuring supply chains.

Associate Professor in the Development Economics Program at the Doha Institute, Ayhab Saad finished off the panel with his paper, The Effect of the Blockade on Trade and Export Diversification in Qatar. He examined the impact of the blockade on diversifying trade in Qatar using detailed trade data to quantify the impact of the blockade on exports diversification in Qatar by tracking a constructed measure of export diversification before and after the blockade.


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
A Dublin woma was charged with breaching Covid regulations following a gathering at St. Brigids Shrine in Faughart during lockdown, avoided a conviction at Dundalk district court last week.

Holly Casey (26) with an address at Tubber Lane, Arderrig, Lucan admitted failing to state her name and address to a Garda at Upper Faughart, Dundalk on January 31st last.

She was further charged with contravening a penal provision of a regulation, to prevent, limit, minimize or slow the spread of Covid-19.

Inspector John Boyle told the court last Wednesday that the second charge could be withdrawn.

He added the defendant had no previous convictions and once taken into custody, Ms. Caseys behaviour was excellent.

Judge Eirinn McKiernan, noting it had occurred during lockdown said the defendant had met the case fairly.

In striking out the case, the judge said Im going to give her a chance on this occasion.

Her two co-defendants  Patrick Brocklebank (66) of Rose Park, Kill Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin and 41 year old Fergal

Sheehy (41) of Aisling Park, Coxs Demesne, Dundalk failed to attend court and had their cases adjourned to January 12th when Judge McKiernan said the hearing will proceed in their absence.
North Andover, MA (01845)

Today

Showers early, then cloudy in the afternoon. Morning high of 55F with temps falling to near 45. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 29F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
For more than 90 years, The Eagle-Tribune Santa Fund has assisted those in need in the Merrimack Valley through generous contributions from businesses, organizations and individuals. This year the need is as great as ever.

Contribute
SANTA FE  New Mexico on Friday became the third state to make COVID-19 booster vaccines available to all adults 18 and over, following an executive order from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

The governor also kept New Mexico among the few states that continue to have an indoor facemask mandate, as a public health order requiring them regardless of vaccination status through at least Dec. 10.

California and Colorado are the only other states that have made booster shots eligible to all adults. New Mexicans 18 and older may schedule a booster at vaccinenm.org if they received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine more than six months ago or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine more than two months ago.

State officials continue to caution that New Mexico is not clear of the pandemic.

Case counts are significant, spread rates are far too high, Acting Health Secretary David Scrase said in a release from the governors office, and the Delta variant is far more transmissible than previous variants. In addition, our hospitals are well beyond capacity, and several have declared Crisis Standards of Care. Those factors absolutely make New Mexico a high-risk setting.

While state officials stress the vaccines remain highly effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths, new data suggests that immunity protection can wane over time. Health officials are also recommending children 5-17 receive vaccinations scheduled by their parent or guardian.

The mask mandate extension, while no doubt a disappointment to many, was no surprise. Scrase said during a briefing in late October the state would consider lifting the mandate when the state was under 200 new cases of COVID-19 per day. The state has not reported a day of less than 500 cases, and only three days below 700 cases, in the last five weeks.

A separate public health order remains in place requiring health care workers to be vaccinated and implementing vaccinate or test protocols for school workers.

Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, Oregon and Washington also require facemasks in indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status. Three states  California, Connecticut and New York  have mask mandates for unvaccinated individuals.

Case report: Thursday and Friday saw the state report 3,524 new cases and 21 COVID-19 fatalities. The Friday report was combined due to the Veterans Day holiday, and included 33 Curry County cases and 17 Roosevelt County cases.

The last three days saw Curry County record four COVID-19 deaths. The Wednesday report included a female in her 50s who was hospitalized and had underlying conditions. The Thursday/Friday deaths were a male in his 50s who was hospitalized and two females, one in her 50s and one in her 60s, who were both hospitalized and had underlying conditions.
OVER the past week, I have been part of the UCC delegation for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26. The negotiations went on over two weeks, with four delegates from UCC attending the first week and another four delegates attending the second week.

Back home, I am a PhD student in the Energy Policy and Modelling Group based at MaREI and the Environmental Research Institute. While my research focuses a great deal on passenger transport, the team I work with looks at the role of electricity, industry, service, and residential sector energy demands.

We look at how energy demands can be reduced, fossil fuels can be phased out, and at how biofuels and renewable electricity can meet Irelands needs in a low carbon way.

Attending COP26 helps us understand the global targets being set and how this might affect policy in Ireland.

We calculate total carbon dioxide emissions from different sectors happen right now and calculate what policies can make a difference, and what policies could be better in the future.

A highlight of COP26 for me was meeting delegates from the Africa region. I heard about biofuel projects in Liberia, which used coconut waste for clean cooking, and sustainable agriculture initiatives in Ghana which involved people working on the ground with farmers to switch to more sustainable farming. We would do well to learn from our international friends in this respect.

A big moment for week one was the commitment on cutting methane emissions by 30% by 2030.

While Ireland has signed up to this, it is still unclear how it will achieve the target without a strategy to switch to more sustainable food production on our farms, moving away from a beef and dairy emphasis which emits a lot of this methane we have pledged to cut, to a broader mix of food production including greater shares of forestry, plant and perhaps poultry.

Back home, politicians have reassured Irish people that we will only contribute 10% to this 30% pledge, as a lot of the methane emissions emphasis lies on natural gas fields emitting methane. However, it could also be argued that a lack of ambition to reduce methane is a bad thing, as even with this pledge we are not meeting the 1.5-degree target.

Ireland also was one of the 15 founding members of the Clydebank Declaration, which committed to the development of green shipping corridors and using hydrogen and ammonia for freight. As a PhD researcher with a focus on transport emissions, this was an interesting initiative to watch unfold.

Ireland was also first in line to sign up to commitments relating to zero emission cars and 30% net zero freight by 2030. To be honest, the commitments were underwhelming, given the seriousness of the situation, and having net-zero targets by 2030, 2040 and 2050 is all well and good... but our calculations show it is the year-on-year reductions and the carbon dioxide emissions each year that matter.

It is not an exaggeration to say that some of the presidency events at COP26 were guilty of false optimism and greenwashing.

Also, the level of concern surrounding Article 6, which is the carbon market mechanism that would allow countries to buy and sell carbon credits, has also been increasing at the time of writing this piece. The Article would enable countries to offset their carbon targets by investing in sustainable projects abroad.

It is a market-based approach that isnt without its controversy. For example, it could give wealthy, high emitting countries - such as Ireland - an excuse not to transition to fossil free infrastructure heating, electricity, and transport here at home and enable them to pay for the problem to go away with afforestation and renewable projects in other regions.

That could be a risky strategy for Ireland, the opportunities to pay away our carbon could become very expensive if we do not cut emissions. At the same time, the carbon credits scheme can help raise much needed finance from wealthier countries to less wealthy ones to fund afforestation, clean energy and sustainable building and transport projects across the world.

Over-reliance on carbon offsetting would be a missed opportunity for Ireland to develop its own low carbon solutions and its own energy security with home-made renewables. We currently import a lot of fossil fuels, which makes us dependent on other countries for the materials we need to make our country tick, and ultimately paying for other countries to offset our carbon dioxide emissions wont be enough for countries to stay below 1.5 degrees of warming if there is uncontrolled growth in carbon dioxide emissions, as there are only limited opportunities for offsetting carbon.

Its important to note that carbon markets have been under negotiation for the past six years, so you can imagine why there is a great deal of frustration amongst activists and that there is little sense of urgency amongst some policy-makers.

Meeting with climate activists and other researchers, and hearing from industry and policy makers enables me to come up with better ways to imagine and provide evidence for climate solutions in Ireland.

Understanding the broader global context of climate policy-making helps a great deal with my research as a PhD student with MaREIs Energy Policy and Modelling Group based at the University College Cork.

I first got interested in a career in climate action when I was 16 years old. It led me to choosing a degree in Energy Engineering at UCC, and from that I got a chance to work as a research assistant and then as a PhD student at MaREI, based at UCC.

For any young people worried about climate change, Id encourage you to follow up with a career in the climate space. Were going to need a broad range of skills across all disciplines to take on the climate crisis.

In my time working within the climate space, Ive spotted the key skills needed to help are in the areas of construction, governance, international relations, law, politics, business, entrepreneurship, communication through all forms of media, mathematics, computing, biology, economics, education, agriculture, transport, finance, and my own discipline of engineering - so theres plenty of opportunity to get stuck in.
It is not everyday that great theories are created by people working as a clerk at a patent office. But then Albert Einstein was not your everyday person either. You know the guy who came up with the theory of relativity. But it was not all that he contributed to physics. It was on this day back in 1908, that he presented his quantum theory of light. The theory basically stated that both, Newton's particle theory and the wave theory hold true for light. This effectively led to the birth of the field in physics called quantum physics. The theory explained that lights operated at a constant speed despite space and time and that it was composed of tiny particles which gave it a wavelike characteristic. This was the beginning of what led him to the discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect, which later earned him a Nobel Prize.

The day is also memorable for being the World Diabetes Day. The day falls on the birthday of Frederick Banting, who along with Charles Best and John James Rickard Macleod conceived the idea which later led to the synthesis of insulin. Led by the International Diabetes Federation, each World Diabetes Day focuses on a specific theme related to the disease. It was first observed in 1991 by IDF and the World Health Organization. It became an official United Nations Day in 2006. The theme for WDD for 2021-23 is Access to Diabetes Care  If Not Now, When? Today more than 460 million are living with diabetes and the campaign seeks to draw people's attention towards it.
There were 176 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Franklin County from Nov. 6-11, according to an update from the Franklin County Health Department.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is exhibiting the 2021 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest entries during the month of November at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center. The artwork will be on display in the nature centers exhibit gallery.
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
Google is finishing the week with more antitrust headaches. Reuters reports a group of Texas-led US states has filed an amended version of its lawsuit against Google over alleged abuses of power in the online ad business. The updated complaint provides more detail about Google's purported efforts to stifle competition, including the secret "Project Bernanke" ad buying program.

The states said Google used Project Bernanke in 2015 to drop the second-highest bids from publishers' ad auctions, pool money and pour those those funds into only those bids using Google Ads. That gave Google Ads bidders an unfair advantage and helped them win auctions they likely would have lost, according to the revised lawsuit.

We've asked Google for comment. It previously confirmed the existence of Project Bernanke, but maintained there was no wrongdoing and that the states' lawsuit "misrepresents" its ad business. The refreshed lawsuit may pose additional challenges to Google, though. At the least, the amendment underscores the states' attitude toward Google  they're determined to curb its behavior.

Update 11/15 1PM ET: A Google spokesperson pointed Engadget to the company's original post criticizing the Texas-led lawsuit. When it touched on Project Bernanke, it claimed the Texas Attorney General "mischaracterizes" improvements to Google Ads and that the data and strategies involved are open to "any buyer" involved in auctions. You can read the full quote below.
January 2, 1942 - November 20, 2021 Meron Kay Highfill Burleson went home to her Lord on November 20, 2021. She will be cremated at her request. There will be no memorial service at this time. A private memorial service to celebrate her life and going home will be held at a later date. Meron
ENID, Okla.  Northwestern Oklahoma State University is celebrating a big birthday this week.

This week, the university will commemorate the silver anniversary of the Enid campus, which opened 25 years ago at its current location.

Hard to believe this thing is over 25 years old  you look at it, and it doesnt seem like its an old building, said NWOSU-Enids dean, Wayne McMillin. Kind of amazing to me.

He and other NWOSU dignitaries, including President Janet Cunningham and former Enid dean Cheryl Evans, will be on hand to honor the namesakes of the Enid campus endowment funds department chairs during the ceremony, set for 2 p.m. Thursday at 2929 E. Randolph.

McMillin has been on the campus almost since the beginning, joining as an adjunct instructor in spring 1997. He was already an old-timer, he said, when he became dean a full decade ago.

He continues to teach the same psychology course, Human Lifespan, in the same second-floor classroom since he started at NWOSU.

But the campus, McMillin said, has consistently served a nontraditional student population, in terms of average age, work and marital status.

When I teach human lifespan, having different generations in the classroom is really pretty neat for me, he said.

Years of thinking outside the box

In 1996, Oklahoma House Bill 2164 provided for the establishment of NWOSU branch campuses in Woodward and Enid, the latter of which would absorb an existing shared higher ed program in the recently built East Randolph building. NWOSUs Enid campus started classes that fall.

In 1999, the city gave the Northwestern Foundation $2.5 million that was matched by the state Regents for Higher Education  funding a total $5 million in salaries and stipends for faculty chairs on the Enid campus.

Ten faculty department chairs have since been endowed on the Enid campus. These endowment funds were named after program founders, city leaders and prominent members of the Enid and NWOSU higher ed communities.

Plaques of these figures, recently hung up along the wall of a hallway in the Enid building, will be revealed as part of Thursdays ceremony.

One endowment was named for former Security National Bank president Bert Mackie; another was for the late Dan Dillingham, who owned and operated Dillingham Insurance for 67 years.

The Enid campus endowment fund for the nursing department chair was named for Janet Cordell, a retired American Red Cross nurse, community volunteer and manager of the free Enid Community Clinic, as well as an NWOSU alumnus.

Cordell said she has had many nursing students from NWOSUs nursing programs work for their required clinical hours at the community clinic, at 1106 E. Broadway, and at the Red Cross.

Again, thats another part of the history of Northwestern, is because they really look around and see what is needed in the area. For many, many years, teaching was and still is a huge focal point for them, because thats what we need, Cordell said. In a lot of ways, they have tried to think outside the box.

Adding up new pathways

With each step along the way, every few years since the school opened has brought a new development onto the Rangers path, one often tied to the physical building at 2929 E. Randolph.

Theyre just like little twinkles that we have, McMillin said. They add up.

2002 saw the creation of the Enid Higher Education Council that oversees the two institutions and started a scholarship program for high school students in Enid.

Another step in the path came in 2007, when the university began its degree transfer bridge program with the two-year Northern Oklahoma College, the Enid extension campus for which sits practically next door on the old Phillips University site.

A physical bridge later was constructed between the two campuses, in large part due to the leadership of Mackie, who as a founding member of the Enid Higher Education Council had helped establish the transfer program.

Evans, who took over as NOC president in 2011 until last summer, said the transition between the two schools has been seamless for students. By extension, the actual bridge itself needed to be, too.

The transfer of classes is one thing, but the transfer of people.  I think it was an important symbol of partnership between the two schools, Evans said.

Since the inception of the universitys online RN-to-BSN program in 2015, NWOSU nursing students with their RNs dont have to retake their general education courses to get their full BSN. Once the bachelors-to-doctorate in nursing practice pathway began classes in 2017, they also now can skip a masters program to get their doctorate.

You think of innovative things so (students) dont have to repeat all the stuff, and thats telling. And theyve had it all, Cordell said about NWOSU. You can make allowances for people, and Northwesterns been great about that.

Most recently, the Fowler Early Childhood Center opened next door in 2019, another partnership this time with Enid Public Schools, whose pre-K students work with education students in classroom projects.

With these steps in place, McMillin laid out a hypothetically 25-year path for an Enid student: A child could start school as a pre-K student at next doors Fowler ECC, then go to Enid Public Schools and take classes at Autry Technology Center.

They could then end up getting an associate degree at the two-year Northern Oklahoma College, cross the bridge to Northwestern to finish their undergraduate degree, stay at NWOSU and get a masters degree, then even a doctorate in nursing practice.

To think about that is pretty awesome for Enid, I would think, McMillin said.

Cordell quote You think of innovative things so (students) dont have to repeat all the stuff, and thats telling. You can make allowances for people, and Northwesterns been great about that. ~ Janet Cordell

Longtime online advantages

Miranda Sanders, who attended NOC, then bridged to NWOSU, said the pandemics forced transition didnt make much of a difference when she graduated in 2020 with a bachelors in criminal justice.

Sanders, who already was commuting half an hour to Enid from Goltry in Alfalfa County, said the move to virtual learning allowed her to work more on her final semester paper because she wasnt driving the extra 30 minutes back and forth.

Shes now preparing to graduate next semester with her masters in psychology, again from an entirely online graduate program at another university.

I totally feel that it is an advantage that Northwestern has, because you can do it online, Sanders said. And every professor I had was really great about it  say we had a snowstorm and I couldnt get to class, I could just email them and they were completely understanding.

This semester, McMillin said he only has one student in his Human Lifespan classroom on the second floor.

Thirty-five more students, though, video-conference into the class from the Alva campus, and another 10 from Woodward.

But thats been the norm at NWOSU for much longer than during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In past years, I have been here by myself talking to the screen  like Zoom, really, McMillin said. Thats the way weve always done that. And that maximizes our resources.

For decades, Evans said, Northwestern was a pioneer in talk-back classroom  at one point, thered be one TV screen and a phone on the wall. Today, the university has been using interactive television teaching (ITV).

Evans said she noticed that this helped the university during COVIDs forced transition.

And in the wake of the virus effects on the educational system, McMillin said, the school again is expanding its virtual instruction program.

The cameras in one of the ITV classrooms have been altered to function exclusively with Zoom, the ubiquitous video-conferencing platform whose popularity has skyrocketed since the pandemic.

You can anticipate that that will continue on  that people will have life happen them, and for some reason they cant be there for a week or two weeks, we can still connect them, and I think thats important, McMillin said. I think that connections been strengthened by the technology we have.
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Polish police said Saturday that the body of a young Syrian man was found in the woods near the border with Belarus, the latest victim in a political standoff at the European Union's eastern border.

The regime in Minsk has for months been encouraging illegal migration across its border into the EU nations of Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. All three countries are reinforcing their frontiers, seeking to block the newly opened migration route, and the situation is growing more dangerous as winter approaches.

Polish police said the body of a Syrian man about 20 years old was found a day earlier near the village of Wolka Terechowska. They said the exact cause of death could not be determined and that an autopsy would be performed.

It brings the death toll now to at least nine reported victims in the migration encouraged by Belarus longtime President Alexander Lukashenko.

Many of the migrants are from Syria, Iraq, or elsewhere in the Middle East, people seeking to flee conflict and hopelessness for the prospect of better lives in Europe.

The crisis is creating another point of tension between the West and Belarus, and by extension with its closest ally: Russia.

Though Russia this week sent nuclear-capable strategic bombers and paratroopers to patrol over Belarus in a show of support, Russian President Vladimir Putin denied allegations of being involved in creating the flow of migrants to Europe.

I want everyone to know that we have nothing to do with it. Everyone is trying to impose any responsibility on us for any reason and for no reason at all," Putin said in excerpts released Saturday of an interview with state television that is to be broadcast in full on Sunday.

He said that no Russian aviation companies carry the migrants to Belarus, and also lashed out at the West as a root cause for the crisis, with military operations in Iraq and elsewhere that have led to continued conflict in the region.

Is it Belarus that pioneered these problems, or what? No, these are causes that were created by the Western countries themselves, including European countries, Putin said.

A large number of migrants are in a makeshift camp on the Belarusian side of the border in frigid conditions. Polish authorities report daily new attempts by the migrants to breach the border.

The situation shows no signs of ending soon. Belarusian state news agency Belta reported that Lukashenko on Saturday ordered the military to set up tents at the border where food and other humanitarian aid can be gathered and distributed to the migrants.

Poland's Border Guards agency on Saturday morning said in one case, Belarusian soldiers began destroying a temporary border barrier near the Polish village of Czeremcha and used laser beams to blind Polish security services.

Nearby, a group of some 100 migrants and refugees waited to cross the border. Belarusians equipped the foreigners with tear gas, which was used toward the Polish services, the Border Guards said, saying the Poles stopped the attempts to cross.

Many of the reported incidents at the border are very hard to verify. Independent journalists face limits to their reporting in Belarus, and a state of emergency in Polands border zone prevents media from entering the area.

The state of emergency ends Nov. 30, and the Polish government said Saturday that it is working on a plan to let journalists at that time be able to again report from the border area with the permission of the Border Guards.

The Polish military reported that a soldier on duty at the border died in an accident on Saturday. The soldier was not in direct contact with migrants, and a military statement said the accident involved the firing of a service weapon.

After the large migration into Europe in 2015, Europe has been reinforcing its borders to discourage the arrival of more migrants and refugees. Still, every year, tens of thousands try to get in, embarking on dangerous and sometimes deadly journeys by sea and land.

Since the summer, thousands have been lured by what appeared to be a new and easier way to slip into Europe, through Belarus.

The EU accuses Lukashenko of creating the artificial route in order to retaliate for sanctions against his regime imposed after an election in 2020 widely viewed as flawed and a harsh crackdown on internal dissent that followed.

The restrictions were toughened after an incident in May when a passenger jet flying from Greece to Lithuania was diverted by Belarus to Minsk, where authorities arrested dissident journalist Raman Pratasevich. The EU called it air piracy, barred Belarusian carriers from its skies and cut imports of the countrys top commodities, including petroleum products and potash, an ingredient in fertilizer.

A furious Lukashenko shot back by saying he would no longer abide by an agreement to stem illegal migration, arguing that the EU sanctions deprived his government of funds needed to contain flows of migrants. Planes carrying migrants from Iraq, Syria and other countries began arriving in Belarus.

___

Jim Heintz in Moscow contributed.

___

Follow APs migration coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
Thousands flocked to downtown San Antonio as darkness fell to take in an array of faces  those inscribed on canvases and those performing for the crowd at Hemisfair.

More than 200 Texans displayed their creations, ranging from painting and sculpture to cinema and poetry, as part of the 2021 Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival.

You want to support local (artists) and help out your community as much as you can, so I feel like this is great, said attendee Felicia Fly, who has helped set up for previous Luminarias.

While the artists all shared a home state, they seldom overlapped in terms of creative expression, their portfolios diverse in terms of both medium and style.

Robin Jerstad /Contributor

Faces composed of everything from charcoal to cloth alternately smiled, frowned, scowled and stared from mounted canvases Saturday evening at Hemisfair park.

Elsewhere, a man read an impassioned spoken-word poem about tacos. The cilantro and I still get confused when they make me choose between al pastor and carne asada, he intoned as projectors beamed images and short films onto the walls of the Convention Center.

One such film, an animated production that starred a variety of human-animal hybrids, captured the attention of frequent Luminaria attendee Jon Spears. A tawny wolf wearing red stiletto heels trotted from one side of the screen to another; flowers whose centers had been replaced by blue, blinking human eyes swayed back and forth. Spears watched it twice in a row.

I really like this one, he said of the film, describing the artists vision as interesting and elaborate and speculating about how it was put together.

Robin Jerstad /Contributor

In 2008, then-Mayor Phil Hardberger hosted the first annual Luminaria in order to raise San Antonios artistic profile. Since then, it has grown to be the most prominent event of its kind in South Texas, according to a news release.

The annual arts festival was put on hold last year because of the pandemic. Although Luminaria returned this year, it was shortened to just one evening rather than the traditional two-day event.

The event is free, which attendee Claude Stickler appreciated. I like that its just open to people, he said. Its like one big exhibit for people to showcase their art.

This year, organizers also celebrated National Native American Heritage Month. Opening ceremonies began with a blessing from the elders with the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation, a coalition composed of affiliates of Coahuiltecan Native American tribes.

Robin Jerstad /Contributor

One of the featured artists was Gabriel Gabe Garcia, a 38-year-old San Antonio native who said he has been exhibiting his work since he was 17 or 18.

Garcia described his contribution to Luminaria 2021 as resembling a covered monument thats being repaired, so its all draped in white, but then theres images projected onto it. He said his audience was by far the biggest hed ever had, offering a myriad of opportunities for feedback.

Its been really interesting to see  how (folks) engage with my work. I like to kick back and just observe people looking at my art  be a fly on the wall and listen to their comments and stuff, he said.

caroline.tien@hearst.com
Actor Jonathan Majors, of "Loki" and "Lovecraft Country" fame, made his hosting debut last night on "Saturday Night Live."

During the actor's opening monologue, Majors talked about his path to stardom that at one point passed through Connecticut.

I like to say I was born in California, raised in Texas, educated in North Carolina, roughed up in New York City and then re-educated in New Haven, Connecticut," Majors said. Which I guess is my roundabout way of saying, yeah, I went to Yale.

Majors attended the Yale School of Drama and graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree in 2016. While attending Yale, Majors starred in five different plays produced by the School of Drama. Majors was also featured in productions by Yale Repertory Theatre and Yale Cabaret.

Most recently, Majors can be seen in "The Harder They Fall," a Netflix movie co-starring Idris Elba. Majors has also been tapped to portray the role of Kang the Conqueror in Marvel's "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania," which will be released in 2023.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Textron Aviation Defense LLC , a Textron Inc. (TXT) company, announced that it has secured $143 million contract for eight Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine aircraft, with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) for an Integrated System in support of the 41st Wing light attack operations at Chiang Mai Air Base. Textron Aviation Defense said that the contract aligns the procurement with the Thai government's S-Curve 11 strategy - a program that pioneers development of the Thai domestic defense industry, cultivates diversity and supports involvement across foreign and Thai companies. The Beechcraft AT-6TH becomes the second RTAF procurement contracted in support of S-Curve 11. The first procurement under the new strategy was the Beechcraft T-6TH Texan II, awarded in 2020. The Ministry of Defense supports the S-Curve 11 strategy and the two procurements. Textron Aviation Defense specified that the training of RTAF maintenance professionals is set to begin in Thailand in 2023, while pilot training is set to begin in Wichita in 2024. The Beechcraft AT-6TH will join the Royal Thai fleet in 2024. 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.
CHICAGO (dpa-AFX) - Boeing (BA) announced that it has planned to add three new freighter conversion lines for 737-800BCF across North America and Europe. The company specified that the 737-800BCF now has more than 200 orders and commitments from 19 customers. The 737-800BCF offers higher reliability, lower fuel consumption, lower operating costs per trip and world-class in-service technical support compared to other standard-body freighters, the company said. The company stated that it will open one conversion line at Boeing's London Gatwick Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) facility in the United Kingdom in 2022; and two conversion lines at KF Aerospace MRO in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada in 2023. The company also signed order with Icelease for eleven 737-800BCF and the lessor will be the launch customer for new conversions line at Boeing's London Gatwick MRO facility. Earlier this year, Boeing announced it would create additional 737-800BCF conversion capacity at several sites, including a third conversion line at Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company Limited (GAMECO), and two conversion lines in 2022 with a new supplier, Cooperativa Autogestionaria de Servicios Aeroindustriales (COOPESA) in Costa Rica. Once the new lines become active, Boeing will have conversion sites in North America, Asia and Europe. Boeing forecasts 1,720 freighter conversions will be needed over the next 20 years to meet demand. Of those, 1,200 will be standard-body conversions, with nearly 20% of that demand coming from European carriers, and 30% coming from North America and Latin America. 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.
Barry Keoghan hated his 'Eternals' costume.

The 29-year-old actor stars in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) blockbuster as Druig and has admitted he was uncomfortable wearing lots of layers during filming in the Canary Islands.

Speaking to HeyUGuys.com, Keoghan said: "There were three layers to it and I complained everyday about it, especially as we were filming in the heat."

Despite his complaints, the 'Dunkirk' actor admits the outfit did his superhero justice, and all the character "stood out very well".

He added: "All of the outfits are unique to the character and all of the costumes stood out very well."

The star explained that he signed up for Chloe Zhao's movie as he felt the character was different from the roles he has played in the past  and he was delighted that he could use his natural Irish accent for the part.

The 'Green Knight' actor said: "I think we get to see different sides of the character compared to parts I have played before. He has confidence and charm and a mysterious thing about him. I wanted to tackle that and show people I can do more than the weird, creepy kid.

"I get to use my own accent as well which is great. The Irish accent is beautiful and it's nice to get to use your own identity."

Keoghan also explained how featuring alongside stars such as Angelina Jolie, Kit Harington and Salma Hayek in the flick's impressive ensemble made his own acting better.

He said: "I'm a big fan of my co-stars and admire their work and it made me want to perform at the top level. Just being part of that cast was a blessing for me."
That would be an extremely tough choice. For most of what I do, the Excursion would be awesome. But a truck bed is great in deer season and hauling other things. If there really was one available when I bought my F250 I think I might have gone with the Excursion instead. But I would want the 6.2l or 7.3l v8 in it and it would have to be on a 250/350 chassis with solid front axle.
DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. (WALA) -- The Dauphin Island Sea Lab celebrated 50 years of marine education and research Friday.

The facility is Alabama's marine science institution which delivers education and outreach opportunities for all ages.

The sea lab's university programs serve Alabama's 22 four-year colleges and universities through summer college courses and graduate programs.

The research programs range from biogeochemistry and oceanography to ecosystem ecology. Most of the research focuses on the near-shore and estuarine processes of the northern Gulf of Mexico.
MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) -- Although Veterans Day has passed, folks continued to honor and celebrate those who served by running Mobile's 6th Annual 'Battleship 12K' race.

Thousands of runners packed on the red, white, and blue and carried flags, celebrating the men and women who served and still serve the country.

"Celebrating them today and every day is really important, it's not about one day a year, because they dedicated their lives, many years of their lives and families lives to that, any day ill come out to celebrate those that are in our service," said runner, Rachel Costa.

The 7.5-mile patriotic run took runners down Old Spanish Trail (Hwy. 98), through the Battleship Memorial Park, and ended at the U.S.S Alabama. Family, friends, and supporters cheered runners on as they passed the finish line.

Veteran Justin Ortiz, served 11 years for the U.S Marines Corp. He ran with an extra 50 pounds on his back, honoring his fellow marine and friend Sergeant John Seely.

"He was a Recon Marine, that passed away this past year so we're out here supporting him and his family is right here with us."

As a veteran himself, Ortiz said he can't believe how many people came out to support veterans.

"Oh, it's awesome, I couldn't be more thankful," said Ortiz, "I feel amazing that all these people came out for the vets."

Event organizer and founder, Micheal Wattigny said that his goal when he created the event was to re-create a heros' welcome home and to find a way to simply say "thank you."

"For all the men and women who kept us free for all these years, including my father who was a Purple Heart Veteran from Vietnam as a way to say thank you," said Wattigny, " and this was a loud and resounding way to say thank you to all the men and women who have done that for us."

Wattingy said in addition to saying "thank you", the race is also a way to raise awareness for Veterans and money for Military charities.

This year, 2,700 runners registered for the Battleship 12K, making it one of the largest races in the Gulf Coast and Alabama.
FILE - In this June 24, 2021, file photo, crowds walk through the casino during the opening night of Resorts World Las Vegas in Las Vegas. Elected officials in tourism-dependent Las Vegas worried Tuesday, July 20, 2021, about public health and the economic effects of a spike in COVID-19 cases, particularly the highly contagious delta variant. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
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.
FILE - Wolf Ramerez of Houston, Texas, center, joins others with the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas in holding up his fists as indigenous and environmental activists protest in front of the White House in Washington, Oct. 11, 2021. President Joe Biden will announce steps Monday, Nov. 15, to improve public safety and justice for Native Americans during the first tribal nations summit since 2016, the White House said. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
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A Tesla charges at a station in April in Topeka, Kan. President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress are looking to give U.S. automakers with union employees the inside track when it comes to winning the burgeoning electric vehicle market.
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.
Gettysburg, PA (17325)

Today

Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. High 47F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low 29F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
FILE - Billy Crystal appears at the Friars Club Entertainment Icon Award ceremony on Nov. 12, 2018, in New York. The comic icon has turned his comedy film Mr. Saturday Night' into a Broadway-bound musical and hopes to open it next year with him reprising his film role as Buddy Young Jr., a bitter old insult comic chasing a last laugh. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)
Gillette, WY (82718)

Today

A mainly sunny sky. High 59F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

A mostly clear sky. Low 37F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.
Conrad Smith at his home in Laramie with an image taken from the site he spent nine years searching for.
Oslo, 14 November 2021



Below please find average gross operated production in October 2021 and corresponding numbers for September 2021.

IOX operated October 2021 September 2021 Boepd(1) Bopd (2) Boepd(1) Bopd (2) Colombia 782 556 747 507 Argentina (3) 2,114 382 2,247 431

(1) Barrels of oil equivalents per day

(2) Barrels of oil per day

(3) Operated by Selva Maria Oil on behalf of IOX until local authorities approve operators licence.





Comments

In October, average daily production was 2,896 barrels of oil equivalents per day (boepd), compared to 2,994 boepd in September for Argentina and Colombia combined. The slight decrease in production is mainly due to certain temporary operational issues that are further explained below.

In Argentina, a combination of operational commercial issues in the Campo Molino field affected oil and gas production. Campo Molino is one the most important fields among the Santa Cruz concessions. On other fields production remained stable regardless some minor gas sales problem related with compression spare-parts; a situation affected with the pandemic COVID-19 restrictions imposed by local authorities.

In Mata Magallanes Oeste (MMO) Covid-19 restrictions continued to delay the specialists arrival to the operations. Nevertheless, environmental remedial actions in MMO-27 were completed. Final site-inspection from the local environmental authorities is still pending.

In Colombia, Interoil was finally able to successfully move and rigg-up a pulling unit. Repair of the oil and gas producing wells in Puli C commenced on October 15th. Whilst the pulling unit was working the second well, eleven out of the twenty-three workers engaged at the site unilaterally decided with legal union assistance to strike and to block the entrance to the Mana Treatment Facilities, requesting additional benefits and compensation.

On November 4th, after conducting friendly conversations with the workers and Union Representatives, workers agreed to reassume field operation and continue negotiations with the Company in parallel.

Interoil emphasises that production from the wells was flowing as normal throughout the strike, and only oil commercial sales were stopped due to the blockage. As a result of the actions taken by Interoil management, entrance blockage was removed and oil sales dispatch resumed with no major consequences to the personnel, environment, facilities and the operation itself.

In the Llanos area, Interoil continues stable production in Vikingo. Start of the drilling campaign of exploration wells in the Altair and LLA-47 blocks remains on hold and pending approval from the related authorities.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5 -12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

***************************

Please direct any further questions to ir@interoil.no

Interoil Exploration and Production ASA is a Norwegian based exploration and production company - listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange with focus on Latin America. The Company is operator and license holder of several production and exploration assets in Colombia and Argentina with headquarter in Oslo.
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
Goshen, IN (46526)

Today

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High near 35F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

A clear sky. Low near 25F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
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Universal Hydrogen Co. (earlier post) has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with ACIA Aero Leasing (ACIA), a regional aircraft lessor with offices in Ireland, France, Canada, Mauritius, and South Africa. ACIA expects to place 10 firm orders for Universal Hydrogens ATR 72 conversion kits with additional purchase rights for 20 more conversion kits of various turboprop types.

To accelerate market adoption of hydrogen in aviation, Universal Hydrogen is developing a conversion kit to retrofit existing regional airplanesstarting with the ATR72 and the De Havilland Canada Dash-8to hydrogen power.





The conversion consists of a fuel cell electric powertrain that replaces the existing turboprop engines. It also accommodates, in the rear of the fuselage, UHs proprietary, lightweight, modular hydrogen capsules that are transported from green hydrogen production sites to the airport and loaded directly into the aircraft using the existing intermodal freight network and cargo handling equipment.





Following the aircraft conversions, Universal Hydrogen and ACIA will collaborate on marketing hydrogen fuel services to ACIAs leasing customers.

Universal Hydrogen and Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) also recently announced their partnership to enable the aviation industry to decarbonize through zero-emissions green hydrogen.

Green hydrogen is a zero-pollution aviation fuel and is also the most weight-efficient energy carrier available, aside from nuclear fuelswith nearly four times more energy per unit of mass than traditional jet fuel.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the two, FFI and Universal Hydrogen have agreed to:
Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Recently Sony decided to embrace the niche status of its smartphones and created the Xperia Pro and Pro-I  rare cases when pro actually means professional. One is meant to help with live video broadcasts, the other is more of a vloggers tool, both make extensive use of that 4K OLED display that was introduced with the Xperia 1 and improved with future releases.

Well, at 3,840 x 1,644 px resolution these are not proper 4K displays, instead it is 4K cropped to 21:9. But once upon a time Sony did make a proper 4K display and it was the first of its kind  also, it was the great granddaddy of todays Xperia Pro phones.

The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium (launched in late 2015) was the pinnacle of the Z series, which started in 2013. It traces its design language back to Omni-Balance, which the first Z-phones introduced, but modern Xperias dont look too distant in terms of lineage as the square-ish Xperia charm never went away.

The Z5 Premium display is very nearly the most pixel-dense smartphone display ever. It is narrowly beaten out by the XZ Premium because of the screen diagonal  5.50 for the Z and 5.46 for the XZ (both have the same 4K resolution).

Still, at a whopping 806 pixels per inch, nothing else comes close. Not future Premiums, whose screen size grew, and not even the modern day Xperia 1 series. That sits at just 643 ppi, again because of the larger screen diagonal. And do keep in mind that the Premium phones used LCDs with a full RGB stripe  those screens really pushed the limits of eyesight.

Okay, so what possessed Sony to make a phone with a 4K display, anyway? The company has always prided itself with delivering the best quality  video, audio, anything it tries its hand at, Sony wants to be the best at.

Smartphone cameras had been recording 4K video for a few years at that point, but the phone themselves had to rely on external displays to show those videos in full resolution. To that end, the Xperia supported DLNA and an MHL 3.0 connector.

More important for todays story is that this was the first phone that could display 4K video pixel-to-pixel. The display was a boon for viewing photos too, its native resolution was 8.3 MP in a 16:9 aspect ratio. Speaking of aspect ratios, Sony did something interesting with the cameras image sensor  something it did with the Pro-I though for different reasons.

The camera lens did not fully cover the image sensor. Instead, the two were arranged so that the phone can get the maximum resolution when shooting 4:3 footage (it worked out to 22.85MP) while still getting a very high resolution in 16:9 mode (20.14MP). The full sensor had around 25MP resolution.

The chart that should clear things up. Keep in mind that most phones change aspect ratio by taking the full 4:3 image, then just cropping it to 16:9, 18:9 or whatever and losing plenty of resolution in the process. In a way the Xperia Z5 Premium was optimized for 16:9 photos and videos, which fit perfectly on its screen.

There was another reason to go with 4K  it is exactly four times 1080p. And the phone did run in 1080p most of the time, most of the UI and apps were rendered at that resolution. The 1080p-to-4K upscale was fairly straight forward.

Only a select few apps had access to the full 4K resolution. The Album was one of them, showing individual images in 4K then going back to 1080p for its standard UI. It was a capable app, able to pull from online albums (Facebook, Picasa, Flickr), so that you had a lot more to browse than what was in the internal storage.



Photos was one of the few apps that had access to the full 4K resolution on Xperia Z5 Premium's display

Movies was another app that could do 4K and with the powerful Snapdragon 810 chipset, decoding such footage was a breeze (it was a hot chip, but fast). The app could play files from the phone storage or from a shared folder on your local network, it even supported PlayStation Video streaming.



The Movies app could play files from the phone, from your media server or stream online content

Stunning resolution aside, the Xperia Z5 Premium display had its flaws. For starters, it wasnt very bright, peaking at 566 nits. And the black levels were pretty poor when you pushed the brightness high. The two things combined lead to contrast ratio below 1,000:1. Color accuracy wasn't up to par with contemporary flagships either.

One application that this screen might have excelled at was VR, something that Android makers still cared about back then. Not Sony, though, there was never an official VR headset to use any of Sonys 4K phones and that remains true today (even though the company has some vested interest in PSVR). Weve seen some leaks that suggest this may change, but nothing official.

Of course, those 4K screens ran at 60 fps  the first 4K-class 120 fps display wouldnt arrive until earlier this year with the Xperia 1 III, another smartphone first under Sonys belt.

In a way Sony bet on the wrong thing  the next big step in smartphone display fidelity proved to be high refresh rate, not high resolution. 1080p displays are still pretty common these days, even on flagships, but 90-120Hz is a must and some models have hit 165Hz.

Today 4K-class displays make for useful tools if you use an Xperia Pro as an external display for a digital camera (the Xperia 1 III can do it too, though over USB-C instead of HDMI). And they earn Xperia 1 owners some bragging rights, even if the phone still defaults to 1080p for the interface. However, refresh rate, brightness and a wide color gamut have emerged as the important characteristics of a high end display, raw resolution isnt quite as relevant.

PS. remember Xperia Z5 Premiums mirror back option? It was an unusual choice, but it made the phone stand out  in a positive light, as long as you were diligent about cleaning the fingerprints it attracted.
Introduction

The true wireless earbuds market is one of the most competitive segments in tech these days with seemingly every maker aiming to offer as many options as possible. Xiaomi and its Redmi sub-brand are not new to the table and their latest effort is the Redmi Buds 3 Pro which are also known as the AirDots 3 Pro in China.

Do these have the makings of a great pair of TWS earphones? How do they compare to rivals in the $60/60 price range and do they deliver on their sound, ANC and battery promises? Lets dive in.

Design and build quality

The first thing that struck me about the Buds 3 Pro is their unusual shape. Sure, weve seen plenty of earbuds without stems on them before but these feature a larger outward part that tapers down as it reaches the ear tip. It sort of looks like a cartoon characters shoe when viewed from the side and that shape is needed as these are Redmis most premium earphones to date packing active noise cancelation which should block up to 35dB of outside commotion.

The Graphite Black color of our review unit is quite nice with the buds predominantly sporting a darker hue apart from their glossy touch area while the pebble-shaped case is grayer than black. The earphones and case feature a matte finish which is always preferred to glossy surfaces. The touch control area on the buds allows for play, pause and skips in media as well as toggling between the Transparency and ANC modes. The whole package is IPX4 splash-proof and the combined weight of the buds and case comes out to 55 grams.

Out the box, Buds 3 Pro come pre-fitted with size M silicone ear tips. You get another size M set in the packaging as well as small and large ones to suit your fit. The box also houses a short flat USB-C to USB-A cable for charging.

The case is quite compact at 65 x 48 x 26mm and features a really solid lid that delivers a firm snap when closing. The lid can even support the entire case when laid out on a hard surface without closing down - something not seen on most similarly priced earbuds. Theres a USB-C port at the bottom of the case but you can also ditch the wires completely and charge via any Qi wireless charger at up to 5W speeds.

The front side houses a pairing button as well as a LED indicator while the back has a subtle Redmi branding. The case fits snug in jeans small pocket and was always easy to bring around wherever I went.

Features

Following the latest trend, Redmi Buds 3 Pro focus on providing ANC at a reasonable budget. So this is the first feature were talking about. As a whole, the system works quite well and better than other TWS buds with ANC around the same price Ive tested in the past months.

ANC on the Buds 3 Pro blocked out static and midrange noises like typing on a laptops chiclet keyboard or clicking a pen. I also tested the buds while walking near a busy street and it managed to noticeably decrease the noise produced by incoming cars. The same applied in a gym setting where the Buds 3 Pro managed to block out the background music playing on the sound system though I would still notice sounds of treadmills and weights being dropped.

As a whole Redmi Buds 3 Pro block out a decent level of surrounding noise and it's not just a gimmick future like on some other buds. Transparency mode also works quite well as it uses the three mic system to let in voices of nearby people so you dont need to take off your earphones for brief chats.

This is the part where I should mention the lack of a companion app for markets outside China. Xiaomi has yet to provide an in-house solution for controlling its TWS earbuds and its a bit of a letdown given that most other makers have one. If youre using a recent MIUI phone, youre in luck as you get menus for toggling between transparency mode and noise cancelation as well as battery status for both buds and the case and even software updates. Its a shame that users on non-Xiaomi phones dont get the same level of controls and features.

Buds 3 Pro connect over Bluetooth 5.2 and support the SBC and AAC codecs. The multi-point pairing works though I experienced plenty of connection interruptions while connected to my phone and laptop which was not the case on Huaweis FreeBuds 4 for example. When using the buds on my laptop, I noticed the right earbud would connect a few seconds before the left one on multiple occasions.

Still, the Buds 3 Pro were smart enough to alternate between my phone and laptop during incoming calls by pausing media on my laptop while I take the call and then automatically switching back to my other connected device and resuming playback.

In-ear detection is flawlessly executed and worked by pausing media each time I took out either of the buds and subsequently resumed playback once I put the buds back on. The touch controls are a bit weird to get used to as Xiaomi has assigned a double-tap (instead of a single tap) for play/pause. A triple tap brings the next track while touch and hold toggles between Transparency mode and ANC. Theres no way to control volume from the buds themselves which is a bit of a letdown.

Sound quality and fit

Redmi Buds 3 Pro have 9mm dynamic drivers and three microphones on each side. Two of the mics are located on the outer parts of the touch area while the remaining one is on the inside hidden behind a metal mesh.

Sound is rich with plenty of bass, clear vocals and an overall balanced sound profile. They get plenty loud too which goes well with the functional ANC. I can safely say Buds 3 Pro offer above-average sound quality which is a great step up for Xiaomis lineup though they do leave a bit to be desired compared to the premium TWS buds from Apple, Sony and Samsung. Unfortunately, you cannot make any sound profile adjustments to the buds so your only option is to adjust the sound output on your connected device or music app.

Buds 3 Pro are not that comfortable to have in your ears for longer periods of time as I found out rather quickly. The way you use them is by inserting them in your ear and then twisting counterclockwise to create a seal. The area around the buds charging pins caused discomfort to my ears and I could not manage to spend more than 2 hours with the headphones on. Of course, no two ears have the same shape so this issue might not apply to you.

One solution that alleviated the pressure off my ears was not twisting the buds and just keeping them angled. This however resulted in a looser seal around my ear canal and the fit was less secure though the buds still stayed in my ear without moving too much. Swapping out the default size M silicone tips for the smaller size tips helped too.

Call quality on the Buds 3 Pro is about average. My voice sounded a bit flat to people during calls and wind noise was definitely noticeable on some occasions. Latency is also present so you should not have them on during competitive Call of Duty or PUBG sessions but they get the job done for podcasts, movies and watching YouTube videos just fine.

Battery life

The advertised battery life on Buds 3 Pro is six hours of usage without ANC at 50% volume and a total of 28 hours including the case. In my use case which included ANC on at all times, Redmi Buds 3 Pro managed to last me five days of mixed usage with volume set at 50%.

Xiaomi says a full charge of the buds and their case via USB-C cable should take 2.5 hours which is what I got as well. The buds alone managed to fill up in an hour. Theres also a nifty ten-minute fast charge feature that nets you three hours of usage.

Verdict

With their unique design, solid build quality and great sound, Redmi Buds 3 Pro are easy to recommend. At $60/60, youre getting an above-average pair of buds that deliver no-gimmick noise cancelation, decent battery endurance and wireless charging. These sort of features are usually reserved for earbuds in the premium segment though Xiaomi has a history of undercutting competitors with its pricing and Buds 3 Pro make no exception here.

The lack of a companion app for non-Xiaomi phones and the slightly uncomfortable fit after longer usage sessions are the two main downsides here. Call quality and the multi-point pairing system could also use some polish. Other than that youd be hard-pressed to find a better overall package at this price point on the market.

With the holiday season approaching fast, Redmi Buds 3 Pro could certainly be a great gift for that person that still doesnt have a good pair of wireless earbuds in their life.
News

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'I put a gun on his face': Neighbor stops home invasion

Albert Manansala heard a commotion going on at a neighbors home in Dededo on a recent Monday morning.

He looked through a window and saw a man trying to force himself into the house.

Department of Corrections Eric Fortes

I grabbed my gun and I went and made sure that the front area was clear, because you dont know how many are there. Then I ran back and I saw him and I chased him, Manansala recalled.

Manansala then did what he prayed he would never have to do.

I put a gun on his face and I said I want to see your hands, let me see your hands, I dont want to shoot you today, Manansala said.

The man he stopped, Eric Fortes, was released from prison a few days earlier. He was serving time on a theft by receiving charge after he had been found driving a stolen vehicle in 2019. He had also been charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance in 2018, according to court documents.

Shortly before Manansala intervened, Fortes was trying to get inside the neighbors home, reaching through the door and grabbing at the residents, according to court documents.

In the struggle to keep Fortes out, the homeowners repeatedly slammed the door on his arm. He continued to try to force his way inside, court documents stated.

That day was just so lucky, I didnt go to work early, said Manansala, who is the owner of Kronix Hobbies in Dededo. Imagine if I went to work that day. He could have killed my neighbors and I would have felt really bad I wasnt there.

Police arrived and arrested Fortes, who was later charged with home invasion, burglary, assault and harassment.

Neighbors yells

When Manansala had his gun pointed at Fortes, the last thing he wanted to do was shoot him. But in the moment, Manansala was being bombarded by shouts and yells from neighbors urging him to pull the trigger.

When I pointed a gun at him, I realized I dont need to shoot this guy, he needed help, Manansala said.

I said, Hey you calm down and Im not gonna shoot you, and thank God that he did.

Manansala told officers he ordered Fortes to lie flat on his stomach, documents state.

But here I am trying to do this, and then you got neighbors yelling Shoot him, shoot him! so then Im trying to calm them down as well.

Days later, people were still asking Manansala why he didnt shoot Fortes.

No. 1, hes no longer a threat. Obviously he needed help. No. 2 is, lets say I shot him. Well, my business is going to be affected, Manansala said. And justified or not, I still got to see the judge, because being a gun owner does not mean I can blast anybody.

Gun ownership

Although his neighbors have been treating him to baked goods and free meals, Manansala says hes not a hero for stopping Fortes.

With proper training I think the average citizen couldve done what I did, Manansala said. If you decide to buy a weapon and you want to protect yourself, I suggest you take proper classes. They teach you how to engage, when to engage, the dos and donts, how to handle your weapon and more about Guam gun laws.

Our View: Neighbors working together keep the island safe The recent arrest of a burglary suspect in Barrigada Heights illustrates the power, and the importance, of neighbors watching out for one another.

Owning a weapon, Manansala said, comes with a huge responsibility not only for yourself, but for others who might be involved.

People need to understand that every bullet that comes out of your barrel, youre responsible for that. If you hit a bystander with that bullet, even though youre trying to shoot someone else, youre going to jail. Youre responsible for that, Manansala said.

People love a happy ending where a bad guy gets shot, you get blasted by this caped crusader. Game over, everybodys happy. No, its not, thats Hollywood stuff, Manansala explained. Im not Bruce Wayne, a billionaire that can get away with anything.

Be connected

Manansala thinks the biggest lesson learned from the situation is that neighbors need to be connected, especially through group chats.

This Neighborhood Watch thing is actually working. Imagine now, all of our neighbors know this thing happened, because Im sure I still have neighbors that nothing has happened to them, Manansala said. This is a wake-up call.

In the Dededo Neighborhood Watch group chat, Manansala said because everyone knows one another other, they can effectively be on the lookout when someone is breaking into a home or a suspicious vehicle makes the rounds in a village.

We just have to help each other out, and when something is out of place, let us know since we have a group chat, Manansala said. These are the types of things we can prevent.
The Department of Public Health and Social Services reported 22 new cases of COVID-19 out of 282 tests analyzed Nov. 13, according to a news release from the Joint Information Center Sunday.

Additional results are pending analysis and submission from other clinics. Those reports will be reported Monday, the release stated.

There have been a total of 18,913 officially reported cases of COVID-19, including 258 deaths. There are 1,993 peope in active isolation,

As of Nov. 12, the CAR Score remained at 4.5.

There were 27 people hospitalized with COVID-19. There were four people in intensive care units and two on ventilators. Of those hospitalized, 17 were vaccinated and 10 werent.

Kids vaccines

Father Duenas Memorial School Phoenix Center will host a childrens vaccine clinic 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 20. Make an appointment at guamcovid.com

Requirements:

Parent/legal guardian must provide minors birth certificate.

Parent/legal guardian must have a government-issued photo identification.

Minor must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Guardians must present legal guardianship or power-of-attorney documents.

Vaccination clinics

University of Guam Field House: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thursdays and Sundays.

Northern Region Community Health Center: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Southern Region Community Health Center: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Antibody therapy

The Department of Public Health and Social Services, in partnership with the Mayors Council of Guam and the Guam National Guard, offers outpatient monoclonal antibody therapy at the Mangilao Senior Citizens Center, the release stated.

Patients who test positive for COVID-19 may receive the therapy if they meet the eligibility criteria through a referral from their private physician, a COVID-19 community test site or a hospital.

To schedule an appointment, call 671-998-4627 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 671-734-9203 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
The Guam Diabetes Association held its annual Diabetes Conference Sunday, on World Diabetes Day and the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin.

Based on the 2018 data, nearly 12% of all adults in Guam have diabetes. The rate is 16.2% among those of CHamoru heritage.

The next generation is at risk as well, with childhood obesity, a major risk factor for diabetes, at 23%.

And although the COVID-19 numbers are slowly decreasing, Guam has a high rating of COVID-19 transference.

During the conference, one of their speakers Dr. Michael Villa of the St. Lukes Medical Center in Global City, Philippines, said the COVID-19 virus can make people more vulnerable to diabetes, even if they dont already have it.

According to Villa, in non-diabetic individuals, virus exploitation of multiple organs can trigger new onset type one or type two diabetes.

In diabetic patients, it aggravates the disease and its vascular complications, which includes increase in glycemic control, morbidity and even mortality in patients. With the COVID-19 virus, patients with diabetes are more susceptible and vulnerable to the immune system being compromised.

The mission of the Guam Diabetes Association is to improve access to quality care for all and to reach communities most impacted by diabetes, with a goal of reducing the mortality, morbidity and costs associated with uncontrolled diabetes and its related health complications.
The Guam Fire Department responded to an auto accident with serious injuries Sunday morning that sent four people to Guam Memorial Hospital.
Officers from the Guam Police Department secure the scene, along Tun Josen Fejeran Street, as they conduct an officer-involved shooting investigation in Tamuning on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.
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Bills targeting Gwinnett commission, school board spark accusations of partisan power grabs, racial motivations

Special Photo Clint Dixon Gregg Kennard Sam Park Nikki Merritt Nikki Merritt Kirkland Carden Photo: Georgia Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office This map outlining nine proposed Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners districts was produced by the Georgia Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office for Senate Bill 6 EX, which proposes a five-seat expansion of the commission. Photo: Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office This map shows the proposed five districts for the Gwinnett County Board of Education. The map was drawn up by the Georgia Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office for Senate Bill 5 EX, which would redraw the school board districts and makes elections to the board nonpartisan races.

Gwinnett County found itself at the center of a political storm steeped in allegations of partisan politics and racism at the state Capitol this past week after the countys lone Republican senator put forward a pair of bills targeting the county commission and school board.

Sen. Clint Dixon, R-Buford, dropped the Senate Bills 5 EX and 6 EX in the hopper on Monday, and both bills received approval from the Senate State and Local Government Operations Committee this week.

Senate Bill 6 EX has likely the most profound impact. It would expand the county commission from four districts and a chairperson to nine district seats and the chairperson.

Meanwhile, SB 5 EX would convert the school board elections to nonpartisan races and draw new lines for those districts.

I just feel that effective local governance, as far as with a county the size of Gwinnett, we need more local representation (on the commission), Dixon told the Daily Post.

State Rep. Gregg Kennard, D-Lawrenceville, described in a different way during a press conference at the State Capitol on Friday, however.

For 200 years since our countys origin, we had nothing but white governmental leadership (and) we broke the color barrier in 2018 and really broke it in 2020, Kennard said. And, for certain white legislators to now try to reverse those elections is nothing more than  lets call it what it is  a whitelash. Its whitelash.

Its a white response to those elections that gave us elected officials of color.

The moves come not only as legislators are dealing with dealing with congressional and legislative redistricting, but also a year after Democrats swept nearly every Republican out of office in the 2020 elections. That election guaranteed an all-Democrat county commission and gave Democrats a 3-2 majority on the county school board.

In my personal opinion, this is a power grab, Commissioner Kirkland Carden said. This is a county represented by five Democrats, no Republicans.

If you look at the partisan score (for the nine proposed districts), there is the ability that this would create two safe Republican seats (and) one is a potential swing if the election next year goes bad for Democrats.

Democrats said they were caught off guard by Dixons bill since the majority of the delegation, and notably state Rep. Sam Park, D-Lawrenceville  the delegations chairman  was not made aware that the bills were being worked on.

Park raised concerns that the bills violate Senate rules and Gwinnett delegation bylaws, which require a majority of the delegation back any local legislation, and Gov. Brian Kemps proclamation, which stated the redrawing of legislative and congressional maps were the only general legislation that could be considered during the current special session.

Its un-democratic and un-American, Park said on Tuesday.

Republicans back the move, but dont have support from DemocratsNone of Dixons fellow senators from Gwinnett  the other six Senators in the Gwinnett delegation are all Democrats  are backing the bill. It was co-sponsored by Sen. Lee Anderson, a Republican from Columbia County who also chairs the Senate State and Local Government Operations Committee.

Dixon said the proposal is not something that he alone wants to push. He confirmed the plan was something Republicans in Gwinnetts legislative delegation had worked on.

Ive not been working unilaterally  well I guess I have been in the Senate  but Ive been working very closely with the House Republican Delegation from Gwinnett, especially Chuck Efstration and Bonnie Rich, so it has been a collective effort, Dixon said.

Four Republicans from Gwinnetts House Delegation  Efstration, Rich and fellow state Reps. Timothy Barr and Tom Kirby  issued a statement late Tuesday in support of Dixons bills.

Efstration has announced plans to carry the bills in the House of Representatives  if the bills get there.

Senate Bill 5 EX would protect Gwinnett schools from turning into a political playground, and it would ensure that school members can carry out their duties without the distraction of partisan politics, the quartet said in a joint statement.

Additionally, we are fully supportive of legislation to increase the number of Gwinnett County commissioners. Gwinnett Countys growth rate over the last 10 years has been incredible, and it shows no signs of stopping. Reducing each commissioners district to approximately 100,000 residents would allow our communities to receive better representation by our commissioners.

Allegations of racial motivations

The 2018 and 2020 election cycles also saw the county commission go from all white to all people of color, with four Black members and one Asian-American member. Those cycles also saw the school board shift from all white to three Black members and two White members.

Opponents have argued the proposed commission maps would create five commission districts and three school board districts where White residents are the largest voting block  in a majority-minority county that is Georgias most diverse.

They are raising questions about whether the maps may dilute minority voters in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

Gwinnett NAACP President Penny Poole said only around 31% of Gwinnettians are white, and that voters made changes in leadership because they wanted to see more a equitable distribution of resources across the county.

Up until the 2018 elections, the 31% had been dominating the elections, Poole said. Now theyre trying to make the school board (nonpartisan), holding elections when people arent aware. They are looking to stack districts by drawing lines in their favor.

Now, this 31% white minority only wants to listen to the people who think like them, but we, the majority of people, must take a stand and make sure voter suppression (and) illegal gerrymandering is exposed as rules and protocols have just been abandoned with this blatant steal.

Under Senate Bill 6 EX, five new commission districts would be created, bring the board to a total of 10 members, including Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson.

Hendricksons power would also be affected because her voting power would be scaled back to only breaking ties.

Park questioned the Republicans motivation behind curtailing the chairwomans voting power after Hendrickson was elected. Hendrickson is the first Black chairperson of the county commission.

I dont think its mere coincidence that (after) Gwinnett elects its first chair who is a woman of color in (202) years, that immediately they try and undermine and dilute her ability to determine the direction of our county, Park said.

Dixon and other Republican backers of the bill in the Gwinnett delegation have argued that neither bill is motivated by party politics or the rise of people of color to leadership positions in the county.

For his part, Dixon gushed about the job Hendrickson has done as chairwoman.

Theres no dig at Nicole Love Hendrickson, he said. I think shes doing a great job as our chairwoman. As far as if we go to nine and shes not a voting member, the whole thought process behind it was creating effective local governance.

And, by taking it to nine, it would be a little over 100,000 constituents that each district would have and that was the thought process, the driving force behind that.

Arguments that commission expansion has been considered before

Democrats have pushed to expand the county commission in the past, but not to the extent proposed by Dixon. State Rep. Pedro Marin floated proposals in 2017 to add two more seats to the commission, but that was significantly less of an increase than the pone proposed now.

The delegations Democrat members argued multiple times this week, however, that Marin took time to discuss his effort with the rest of the delegation before filing any legislation and planned to get public feedback before pushing for a vote.

To say that Pedro wanted to expand the board, therefore this justifies (SB 6EX), while completely ignoring the fact that Pedro was transparent, forthright and had a public engagement plan is (expletive), Carden said.

Dixon said he would like to increase the school board as well but there are additional hurdles to increasing that board.

We cant do that without a referendum, Dixon said. You have to have a referendum and a vote and, if that was approved, then we could take that up eventually.

State law also caps the allowed size of school boards at seven members, with the only exceptions being grandfathered boards that were larger than that number before the cap was put in place.

But, I think with the school board, I just think weve got to take politics out of the school board, Dixon said. Its running rampant in my opinion. Ive tried to address the board, and theyve cut me off mid-speech and theyll give my Democratic colleagues three to four times the allotted time to finish up.

Some Democrats in the Gwinnett delegation have given presentations, outside of the public comment, to the school board. Meanwhile, Dixon  as well as some of the other Democrats in the delegation  have opted to address the board during the public comment period, where all comments have a three-minute cap.

Waiting to see what happens next

The bills are currently in a holding pattern in the Senate. The school board bill passed out of the SLGO committee on Wednesday, but the Senate Rules Committee  a powerful committee which has the final say on which bills reach the full Senate floor  did not take it up when it met on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the bill dealing with the county committee passed out of the SLGO committee on Thursday. The Rules committee could have taken up the bills together on Friday, but instead cancelled its meeting for that day.

Its unclear what will happen when the Senate reconvenes, starting on Monday.

We havent heard anything yet, said Sen. Nikki Merritt, D-Grayson, at a press conference on Friday afternoon. We know what you know: they did not come up in Rules yesterday and they did not come up in Rules today. Well see what happens ...

Im not sure about the schedule for Monday, but they havent come up yet and thats as far as we know right now.

During the press conference, Park added, Until this special session is over, these bills are very much alive, so I think thats all the more reason us to remain vigilant, to bring as much public scrutiny to this as possible and ensure that the people have an opportunity to meaningly engage in the redistricting process before we enter into the 2022 regular session.

And, then there is the legal question: If the legislature passes the bills and Gov. Brian Kemp signs them into law, could lawsuits be filed to stop them from going into effect.

At least one group, the Georgia Coalition for the Peoples Agenda, could end up bringing a legal challenge.

I can say from a nonprofit standpoint, as The Peoples Agenda, we would be looking at whether it comports to the legalities once its finalized as a bill, said Helen Butler, the groups executive director. We would bring a legal challenge should that be necessary.

Related




Haiti - Crisis : The international community indifferent to what is happening in Haiti





As part of his European tour, Leonel Fernandez, former President of the Dominican Republic and President of the Popular Force Party, declared in Barcelona (Spain) concerning the serious crisis that Haiti is going through "We are worried, because we see that the community international does not take into account what is happening in Haiti."



"I believe that all Dominicans should be attentive to what is happening in Haiti [...] it is not a conflict with our country, it is a conflict inside Haiti, we are protecting ourselves from its coming by Dominican Republic."



According to Leonel Fernandez, what is happening in Haiti represents a challenge for the Dominican Republic, therefore, he expressed his support for the Abinader Government in the decisions aimed at protecting territorial integrity, in particular with the sending of soldiers to the border with Haiti "I want to take this moment to say that the international community, Spain, France and others of the European Union as well as the United States, that they cannot be insensitive to what Haiti is going through." https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35147-haiti-flash-the-international-ignores-haiti-and-the-dr-militarily-strengthens-its-border.html



During his meeting with the Dominican community in Barcelona, Fernandez reiterated that the Dominican Republic was not in a position to solve the problem of Haiti, that it was a problem that the international community had to solve ...



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35205-haiti-flash-the-international-community-will-not-intervene-to-resolve-the-country-s-insecurity.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35147-haiti-flash-the-international-ignores-haiti-and-the-dr-militarily-strengthens-its-border.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34996-haiti-flash-colombia-calls-for-a-hemispheric-response-to-the-haitian-migration-crisis.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34229-haiti-dr-abinader-calls-on-the-international-to-take-responsibility-for-the-crisis-haiti-is-going-through.html



S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





232 trucks tankers leave Varreux in 48 hours

On Friday, 92 tankers were able to leave Varreux safely with 460,000 gallons of diesel and 210,000 gallons of gasoline. This Saturday, 140 trucks left the terminal with 570,000 gallons of diesel and 500,000 gallons of gasoline. Dispensing at the pump begins this Sunday. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35229-haiti-flash-barbecue-lifts-the-blockade-and-authorizes-the-delivery-of-fuel-for-a-week-video.html



UDMO released a hostage

Kidnapped Friday, November 12, by gangs in Sinai (Coteaux commune), Marie Saint-Victor was released the same day during a heavy-handed operation led by the Departmental Unit for the Maintenance of Order (UDMO). During this operation, three suspected gang members were killed in crossfire and another was injured by the population.



Professor Moise Edner Brutus killed

University professor Moise Edner Brutus was killed this week by unidentified individuals for refusing to pay large amounts to racketeers, according to testimonies.



Haiti's special envoy is in DR

Haiti's special envoy, sociologist Daniel Supplice, has been in the Dominican Republic for five days and has reportedly already met several senior officials of the Dominican State.



72,000 pregnant women affected by the earthquake

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reveals that 72,000 pregnant women were affected by the earthquake of August 14, 2021, and 2,250 of them will experience complications requiring interventions during their deliveries.



A painting by the painter Basquiat sold for $42 million

A rare canvas by Haitian-American painter Jean-Michel Basquiat [1960-1988] was purchased for $42.7 million at an auction at Christies in New York City. "The guilt of gold teeth" represents "Bawon Samedi" accompanying the souls of the dead. According to Christie's, Basquiat painted the picture during a trip to Italy, to Modena, in March 1982.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















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Korean Movie | 2006

 Drama

Directed by Zhang Lu ()

Written by Zhang Lu ()

125min | Release date in South Korea: 2007/11/08

"Desert Dream" is a coproduction betwen Korea, Mongolia and France

Alternative title : "Hyazgar"

Synopsis

People in the village continue to leave town. Even Hungais wife ends up in leaving, due to their daughters illness. As Hungai drinks in despair and anguish, Korean refugee CHOI Soon-hee knocks at his door with her son, Chang-ho. Now there remain only these three in the desert, who have to depend on one another to overcome the hostile environment. The three get to know each other, even though they dont speak the same language. Furthermore Jorick, a young tank soldier from the nearby Mongolian armored troops, becomes friends with Chang-ho as he frequents the village. Hungais relationship with CHOI Soon-hee grows in the fine line between love and friendship.



International Film Festivals

2007 Berlin International Film Festival , Competition

2007 Hong Kong International Film Festival , Auteurs

2007 Barcelona Asian Film Festival, Opening Film

Source
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Editor: Lets not forget the old carnival sleight-of-hand trick with three walnut 




We're a family of seven living in Georgia where Andrew's working as a professor at GSU. You can read more about us here
LOCAL BRIEFS: Scholarships, Christmas Child, Bounty, 'Christmas Memory'

Scholarship application season open

The Community Foundation of Henderson County is offering nearly $600,000 in new and renewable academic scholarships for the upcoming school year through 275 award opportunities for local students. Scholarship applications are now open on the Foundations website, cfhcforever.org. Graduating seniors, current college students, and returning adult/non- traditional students are all encouraged to apply. All scholarship applications must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31.

Questions about the online scholarship application and opportunities may be directed to Donor Services Manager Wendy Hamil at (828) 697-6224 or WHamil@cfhcforever.org.

Operation Christmas Child locations open

More than 4,000 locations will open to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for the Samaritans Purse project. Volunteers are preparing to collect shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, Nov. 15-22, offering a curbside option. Area locations and hours include:



Little River Baptist Church, 51 Little River Church Road, Penrose.

 Monday, Nov. 15, 3 p.m.  7 p.m.

 Tuesday, Nov. 16, 8:30 a.m.  11:30 a.m.

 Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1 p.m.  4 p.m.

 Thursday, Nov. 18, 3 p.m.  7 p.m.

 Friday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m.  2 p.m.

 Saturday, Nov. 20, 9 a.m.  noon

 Sunday, Nov. 21, 1 p.m.  5 p.m.

 Monday, Nov. 22, 8 a.m.  11 a.m.

French Broad Baptist Church, 182 Grandview Lane

 Monday, Nov. 15, 3 p.m.  6 p.m.

 Tuesday, Nov. 16, 3 p.m.  6 p.m.

 Wednesday, Nov. 17, 3 p.m.  8 p.m.

 Thursday, Nov. 18, 3 p.m.  6 p.m.

 Friday, Nov. 19, 3 p.m.  6 p.m.

 Saturday, Nov. 20, 9 a.m.  1 p.m.

 Sunday, Nov. 21, 1 p.m.  5 p.m.

 Monday, Nov. 22, 9 a.m. - noon

Hendersonville Presbyterian Church, 699 N. Grove St.

 Monday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

 Tuesday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

 Wednesday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

 Thursday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

 Friday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

 Saturday, Nov. 20, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

 Sunday, Nov. 21, 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.

 Monday, Nov. 22, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Mount Moriah Baptist Church, 635 Gilliam Mountain Road

 Monday, Nov. 15, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

 Tuesday, Nov. 16, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

 Wednesday, Nov. 17, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

 Thursday, Nov. 18, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

 Friday, Nov. 19, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

 Saturday, Nov. 20, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

 Sunday, Nov. 21, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

 Monday, Nov. 22, 9 a.m. - noon



A project of Samaritans Purse, Operation Christmas Child seeks to demonstrate Gods love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 188 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.

Haire to present Capote story at St. John church

Truman Capotes story, A Christmas Memory, will be presented as a one-man show by actor and theologian E.R. Haire Jr. at the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness at 2 p.m. will be held Saturday, Dec. 18, and Sunday, Dec. 19. The performance will be in the Wilderness Room on Rutledge Drive across from the sanctuary.

The show is free to the public but attendance is limited to 30 people per performance and RSVP is required. Visit stjohnflatrock.org to sign up. Face masks and physical distancing are required. Temperatures will be taken at the door.

A Christmas Memory takes place during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Until he was 10 years old, Truman Capote lived with elderly relatives in a small town in rural Alabama. The story is a frankly autobiographical account of those years, especially of his relationship with one of the elderly cousins, Miss Sook Faulk.

The greatest examples of Capotes skillfulness as a writer are found among the stories inspired by his early childhood and the relationships he forged growing up in the rural South.

A Christmas Memory first appeared in Mademoiselle magazine in the late 1950s, when Capote was 27 years old, and has since become one of his most beloved and bestselling works.

Mr. Capote was a flamboyant figure in both literary and cultural circles. Controversial, colorful and complex, he was a writer of uncommon grace. His best-known works include Breakfast at Tiffanys, In Cold Blood, Other Voices Other Rooms, and The Grass Harp. Mr. Capote died in 1984 at the age of 59.

Earle Ross (E.R.) Haire Jr., PhD, is a native of North Carolina. His professional achievements combine acting and theology. In Los Angeles, he worked as an actor and at Paramount Studios. He earned a Master of Sacred Theology degree from Yale University Divinity School, focusing on drama and worship. In 2017 he earned a PhD. In Theology and Ethics from the University of the Edinburgh in Scotland.

Bounty returns in new location

After restrictions made it impossible for Bounty to serve its annual Christmas dinner in 2020, we are happy to say it has returned. This year brings many changes including a new location. Safety protocols are calling the event to be a take-out only event.

Immaculata Catholic School graciously hosted this ecumenical event for almost all of the 38 years. They have been awarded a grant to create a STEM Lab for the school. This grant will remove the schools commercial kitchen making it impossible to continue to serve as host.

After searching for the right space, we were blessed to find the Salvation Army in Hendersonville, just a few blocks away to carry on our event, organizers said.

Captains Phillip and Sherrie Stokes along with the entire staff have welcomed the organizers and event with open arms.

It just makes sense for us to help in this way and Bounty of Bethlehem seems to be a natural extension of our Christmas Assistance programs already in place, Sherrie said.

While the event may look different with take-out only, the heart remains. The mission of Bounty of Bethlehem has always been to be a meal for the community by the community. In order to serve as safely as we can, the sit-down portion of the meal has been eliminated. However, paring down the sit-down aspect of the day will change some of the volunteers needed. We still need volunteers, says Joanne Mummert, volunteer coordinator for over 15 years. The meal will still need to be prepared taking several days/hours and packaged for pick up. Volunteer signup is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4.

Since the mid-1980s Henderson County volunteers and supporters have come together to host the Community Christmas Dinner by Bounty of Bethlehem. for anyone and everyone to enjoy, no matter who they are, how they worship, or from where they come. All are welcome. Meals will be available for pick up only beginning at 12:30 and will be available until 4 p.m. or until they run out. Salvation Army is located at 239 Grove Street. Donations can be mailed to PO Box 742 Horse Shoe, NC 28742.
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Texas will only benefit from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, state economists said, but when and by how much will not be known for years.
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Uniontown, PA (15401)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Morning high of 44F with temps falling to near freezing. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low near 25F. Winds light and variable.
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The Special Operation Group of Ahmedabad rural police in Gujarat has nabbed a Bangladeshi woman named Sirina Akhtar Hossain (33) who was impersonating a Hindu woman Sonu Hitesh Joshi. She was living in the city since 2017 in a live-in relationship with a man.

The woman was living at Sanathal locality under Changodar police station of Ahmedabad with Hitesh Joshi, a realty broker whom she had befriended through Facebook. She, later on, came to India, forged documents to conceal her identity and settled here. She had also a daughter with this man in 2018.

The matter was exposed following a family bickering after Hitesh died in a fatal accident in Kheda about 20 days back. The parents of Hitesh, who live in Naroda, accused that this Bangladeshi Muslim woman brought misfortune to Hitesh and the family. Somehow, police came to know about her through informers.

On November 11, Ahmedabad police searched her house and found two passports  one of Bangladesh and another of India. The cops also found two Aadhaar and two PAN cards, with Ahmedabad and Hyderabad addresses.

She was booked and arrested under various sections of IPC, the Foreigners Act and the Passports Act. A local court sent her to five days police remand. But she said that violated the laws of India only to stay with her love and now she doesnt want to go back to Bangladesh.

She told the police that after she came in touch with Hitesh through Facebook, they developed a love relationship which got matured subsequently.

In mid-2017, she got 90 days tourist visa and landed in Hyderabad. Both decided to live together in Ahmedabad. She returned to Bangladesh to obtain another tourist visa and by the end of 2017, she came back to India.

During this second visit, she forged an Aadhaar card for her in Hyderabad and then secured a fake PAN card bearing the name of Gutta Sonu Biswas. Later, when she and Hitesh started living as a live-in couple in Sanathal, she got a new Aadhaar card and a PAN card with another name, Sonu Hitesh Joshi.

Police are investigating how she managed the Aadhar card. Her Aadhar details are available in the database of UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India). Her two Aadhar cards having addresses of Hyderabad and Ahmedabad respectively have the same number.

This raises some serious security concerns since whenever foreign nationals visit India their biometric data thumb impression and the iris scan is done at the airport. A similar process is done in issuing an Aadhar card. Police are investigating that how thrice she escaped undetected while securing Aadhar cards and an Indian passport.

Ahmedabad police have contacted the regional passport office (RPO) and the UIDAI to get details regarding documents she had submitted to get the passport and Aadhar card. Besides, the city police have also approached the private hospital in Bhopal where she had delivered her daughter. Police will verify documents she had submitted to the hospital.

Source : OpIndia
Lima, OH (45805)

Today

Partly cloudy, becoming mostly sunny late in the afternoon. High 36F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph..

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WASHINGTON - After two weeks of around-the-clock negotiations, government officials left the COP26 conference in Glasgow Saturday with limited pledges to curb reliance on fossil fuels and no agreement on how to stop the world from breaching the temperature limit scientists say could wreak havoc on the planet.

Instead, leaders said they would take up the issue at next years climate summit in Egypt, drawing criticism from some environmentalists that governments were not taking seriously scientists warnings about exceeding a 1.5 degree Celsius rise in global temperatures. Instead, environmentalists said, political leaders were again kicking the can down the road, leaving oil and other fossil fuels as the mainstays of the worlds energy system.

The holdup comes amid a spike in energy prices in Europe and Asia attributed in part to declining investment in natural gas production, as well as increasing questions from some policy makers of the feasibility of reducing emissions at the speed scientists recommend.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Natural gas prices are soaring. How long will it last?

It is an enormously tall order to get to 1.5 degrees. Its not clear its even possible, said Nat Keohane, who was the special adviser on energy and environment to former president Barack Obama, who now heads the think tank Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. To pretend it would be good for countries to come forward with made-up targets would not be smart. We need a balance in setting (national emissions targets) between what is achievable and what is ambitious.

Under existing policies, the world is on track to hit average temperatures 2.7 degrees Celsius above those at the beginning of the industrial revolution in the 1750s, according to recent projections by the scientific consortium Climate Action Tracker. As of 2017, the Earth was already 1 degree above pre-industrial levels.

At 1.5 degrees higher, scientists warn of a cataclysmic rise in sea levels, severe droughts and flooding and unpredictable shifts in weather.

Such a future poses a particular challenge for Houston, which, as the capital of the worlds oil and gas industry, already faces a shrinking economy as nations shift to clean energy. Houston also is a low-lying city on the Gulf Coast and particularly vulnerable hurricanes, tropical storms and flooding.

Efforts to reduce emissions span almost every sector of the global economy, with President Joe Biden pledging in April to reduce U.S. emissions 50 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. Even large oil and gas companies such as Exxon Mobil and BP are setting their own targets for emissions reductions.

Yet global emissions continue to rise, driven by a growing population and rising middle class and an energy system that has only in the last decade made a substantial shift towards renewable sources of energy like wind turbines and solar panels.

At COP26, efforts to scale back the role of fossil fuels met with resistance, with nations watering down a pledge to phase out subsidies for fossil fuels. The United States, United Kingdom and close to 20 other countries pledged to halt public financing for fossil fuel development by the end of next year, but the language was so vague experts did not expect the pledge to have much impact.

The surge in oil and natural gas prices since COVID-19 restrictions began to lift earlier this year has left some political leaders wary of reducing production of those fuels, said Frank Maisano, a Washington energy consultant.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Ahead of climate summit, nations struggle to turn goals into

The pandemic underscored how much we rely on oil and gas, he said. In 50 years, well probably have a different energy system, but in the meantime we still have to meet the needs of consumers today.

Some progress on emissions reductions was made during COP26. Governments agreed on a system through which to track whether countries are meeting their climate targets. And some nations agreed to halt construction of new coal plants without equipment to capture emissions, as well as curbing deforestation and methane emissions.

But with scientists emissions need to be cut in half over the next nine years, the limited progress of this climate summit spurred outrage, with close to 100,000 protestors marching through Glasgow last week.

Its an agreement that well all cross our fingers and hope for the best. Its a polite request that countries maybe, possibly, do more next year. Greenpeace International Executive Director Jennifer Morgan said Friday of a draft version of the COP26 agreement. Well, thats not good enough.

But in Texas and other places where fossil fuel production is a mainstay of the economy, resistance to climate policy is rife. Even efforts to eliminate coal, the most carbon intensive of the fossil fuels struggled during COP26.

Although coal consumption has generally been declining, countries such China, India and Australia remain reluctant to give up a fossil fuel that is both an important energy source and major export.

These economies collectively produce and consume around two-thirds of global coal, wrote Sandeep Pai, a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. It is not just unrealistic, but naive, to expect countries for whom coal occupies such a key political-economic position to operate otherwise.

Fuel Fix: Get energy news sent directly to your inbox

And the hard work of climate change has barely begun.

In the years ahead, nations will be expected to move beyond pledges to create policies to reduce emissions. Already such efforts have met with resistance in the United States, where both Republicans and Democrats have questioned the impact on the economy and energy security.

The true test of this COP will be in a year or two. Are we really seeing the focus on policy implementation to back up these pledges? Keohane said. Were already seeing the impacts of warming and its only going to get worse once we breach 1.5.

james.osborne@chron.com
Nov. 14

Heart For Hope Art Gala

The Heart For Hope Art Gala is scheduled for 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, at LaCenterra at 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd. in Katy. The event is presented by non-profit Hope Impacts. Although this is a family-friendly event, children will need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times. For tickets or more information go to https://tinyurl.com/75xhapze.

Farmers market

The Farmers Market at La Centerra is presented the second and fourth Sunday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd. in Katy. There will be local vendors and artisans at Heritage Square selling honey, cheese, fresh eggs, seasonal vegetables and more. To become a vendor email customer@yourneighborhoodfarmersmarket.com.

Nov. 15

Board of Trustees

The Katy ISD Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, in the Board Room of the Katy ISD Education Support Complex, 6301 South Stadium Lane, Katy. For more information go to www.katyisd.org.

Nov. 16

Giving Tuesday Katy Eats

A Giving Tuesday Katy Eats event is scheduled for 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, at Block House Coffee, 9910 Gaston Road, Suite 170, Katy, TX 77494. Giving Tuesday Katy Eats benefits The Arc of Katy. For more information go to www.thearcofkaty.org.

Katy Area Networking Breakfast

The Fulshear-Katy Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Katy Area Networking Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, at CareBuilders at Home of Katy, 21408 Provincial Blvd. For more information go to https://tinyurl.com/v885u7ry.

Nov. 17

Giving Tuesday Katy Eats

A Giving Tuesday Katy Eats event is scheduled for 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, at The Toasted Yolk, 98 West Grand Parkway, Suite 100, Katy, TX 77494. Giving Tuesday Katy Eats benefits The Arc of Katy. For more information go to www.thearcofkaty.org.

Nov. 18

Cake auction

Carriage Inn Katys Annual cake auction is scheduled for 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, at Carriage Inn Katy, 1400 Katy Flewellen Road in Katy. Be part of a free event in which all proceeds benefit the Alzheimers Association. You can join the fun by being a cake donator and/or a cake bidder. To be a donator, donate a cake including a description and deliver to Carriage Inn Katy by 10 a.m. the day of the event. Everyone is invited to attend as a bidder during the live cake auction. Emcee Don McCoy, president of Fulshear-Katy Area Chamber of Commerce, will go cake by cake for live bids in order to raise funds. For more information go to https://tinyurl.com/5xuwks3t.

Nov. 19

Tree lighting ceremony

The annual Tree Lighting at LaCenterra holiday event is back with title sponsor Texas Childrens Hospital. The event will take place 6-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, at LaCenterra at 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd. in Katy. For more information go to https://tinyurl.com/jnptavf8.

Nov. 22

Giving Tuesday Katy Eats

A Giving Tuesday Katy Eats event is scheduled for 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22, at Pappa Gyros, 23255 Kingsland Blvd., Katy, TX 77494. Giving Tuesday Katy Eats benefits The Arc of Katy. For more information go to www.thearcofkaty.org.

Nov. 25

YMCA Turkey Dash

The 19th Annual YMCA Turkey Dash is scheduled for 6:30-11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 25, at Monty Ballard YMCA, 22807 Westheimer Parkway in Katy. There will be a One-Mile Walk/Run, One-Mile Kids Run, 5k or 10k race. Medals will be awarded for the Kids One-Mile Run, 5k Run/walk, and 10k Run. All proceeds from the Katy Area YMCAs Turkey Dash benefit the community by funding food distribution sites, access to child care for essential workers, outreach to teens and seniors to prevent isolation and support mental health, as well as scholarships to after school care and YMCA membership. To register go to https://tinyurl.com/ydyky32m.

Nov. 28

Farmers market

The Farmers Market at La Centerra is presented the second and fourth Sunday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd. in Katy. There will be local vendors and artisans at Heritage Square selling honey, cheese, fresh eggs, seasonal vegetables and more. To become a vendor email customer@yourneighborhoodfarmersmarket.com.

Nov. 29

Giving Tuesday Katy Eats

A Giving Tuesday Katy Eats event is scheduled for 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday, Nov. 29, at Chick-fil-A restaurants located at 369 Mason Road, Katy, TX 77450; 23860 Westheimer Parkway, Katy, TX 77494; and 19303 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77094. Giving Tuesday Katy Eats benefits The Arc of Katy. For more information go to www.thearcofkaty.org.

Nov. 30

Giving Tuesday Katy Eats

A Giving Tuesday Katy Eats event is scheduled for 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, at Pablos Mexican Kitchen, 9711 Mason Road, Suite 130, Richmond, TX 77407. Giving Tuesday Katy Eats benefits The Arc of Katy. For more information go to www.thearcofkaty.org.

Storytime with Santa

Storytime with Santa presented by Texas Childrens Hospital will be held at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, at La Centerra at 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd. in Katy. Gather around the Christmas tree at Heritage Square to see Santa read a Christmas tale. Seating is limited. Tickets are available at https://tinyurl.com/5rrmeznk.

Dec. 3

State of the Region

The Fulshear-Katy Area Chamber of Commerce will host State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst of District 18 as she speaks on the state of region at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 3, at Safari Texas Ranch, 11627 FM 1464 in Richmond. To register go to https://tinyurl.com/2r2h768e or call 832-600-3221.

Dec. 4

Fulshear Tree Lighting

Fulshears Merry Little Christmas and Tree Lighting Ceremony is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, in Downtown Fulshear at 30506 1st St. For more information go to https://tinyurl.com/233drwnb.

Dec. 7

Storytime with Santa

Storytime with Santa presented by Texas Childrens Hospital will be held at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, at La Centerra at 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd. in Katy. Gather around the Christmas tree at Heritage Square to see Santa read a Christmas tale. Seating is limited. Tickets are available at https://tinyurl.com/5rrmeznk.

Dec. 11

Toys for Tots car show

The Legacy Ford Annual Toys for Tots Car Show is scheduled for 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Legacy Ford, 27225 Southwest Freeway in Rosenberg. The event is open to all cars, trucks and motorcycles. For more information go to https://tinyurl.com/b923zewr.

Dec. 12

Farmers market

The Farmers Market at La Centerra is presented the second and fourth Sunday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd. in Katy. There will be local vendors and artisans at Heritage Square selling honey, cheese, fresh eggs, seasonal vegetables and more. To become a vendor email customer@yourneighborhoodfarmersmarket.com.

Dec. 13

City Council

The Katy City Council is scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, in Council Chambers at Katy City Hall, 910 Avenue C. For more information go to www.cityofkaty.com.

Dec. 14

Storytime with Santa

Storytime with Santa presented by Texas Childrens Hospital will be held at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, at La Centerra at 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd. in Katy. Gather around the Christmas tree at Heritage Square to see Santa read a Christmas tale. Seating is limited. Tickets are available at https://tinyurl.com/5rrmeznk.

Dec. 26

Farmers market

The Farmers Market at La Centerra is presented the second and fourth Sunday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd. in Katy. There will be local vendors and artisans at Heritage Square selling honey, cheese, fresh eggs, seasonal vegetables and more. To become a vendor email customer@yourneighborhoodfarmersmarket.com.

April 23, 2022

Katy Area Safety Fest

The 2021 Katy Area Safety Fest is scheduled for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, 2022, at Katy Mills Mall, 5000 Katy Mills Circle. The Katy Area Safety Fest is a free, family-friendly festival featuring personnel, equipment and activities from emergency response agencies serving the greater Katy community. For more information go to https://katyareasafetyfest.org.
Oh, Texas: a state where you can freeze in your own home and pay for the privilege of doing so.

Those of us who lived through Winter Storm Uri have hardly forgotten the experience, of course. But well have a little reminder of it on our gas bills. Every month. For the next decade. At least.

And should we face a similar winter weather disaster soon, as we may, well, thats all right  any costs incurred then can simply be added to the tab, too.

Theres a huge moral hazard here, says Doug Lewin, an energy consultant based in Austin who, like many Texans, sustained serious property damage in February, thanks to a busted pipe.

The Railroad Commission of Texas on Wednesday approved a plan under which the Texas Public Finance Authority will issue $3.4 billion in state-backed bonds to pay back the natural gas suppliers that remained in operation during the February storm.

The move has been in the works for a while. During the crisis, as you no doubt recall, the price of gas soared to historic heights, as utilities scrambled over limited supplies. A Bloomberg analysis found that gas producers reaped $11 billion in profits as a result.

Those costs would have been passed on to consumers directly, but legislators this year passed a measure, House Bill 1520, allowing for the bill to be spread out via the securitization process. As ratepayers, were still on the hook for the $3.4 billion, but well pay it back in smaller increments, over a longer period of time; utilities expect the costs for each customer to be roughly $5 a month.

The House Research Organization, in its bill analysis, summarized the argument from supporters: State policies have been cited as contributing factors that led to the widespread power outages experienced by millions of Texans. Therefore, it would be appropriate for the state to play a role in minimizing the impact of the storm to ratepayers and utilities, including through securitization of certain costs.

Indeed. HB1520 passed with bipartisan support, and the plan it puts forward could be worse. One executive at CenterPoint Energy, which services 1.8 million customers in the Houston area, described it as the best bad outcome we could get to, in a July interview with the Houston Chronicle.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Natural gas bills will go up after Texas winter storm. Regulators will decide how much.

Still, the state could have played a more robust role to minimize the storms pocketbook impacts  by providing direct ratepayer assistance, for example, or clawing back some of the industrys windfall profits. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Republican, had advocated the latter approach during this years legislative session.

State Rep. Gene Wu, a Democrat from west Harris County, blasted the securitization approach as sickening and completely unacceptable.

Texans are being asked to foot the bill to pay for the windfall created by industrys own laziness and the lax supervision by the state, he said in a tweet Friday.

We are. Also vexing, in this context, is that the state hasnt taken stronger measures to ensure that such a situation doesnt happen again. The Legislature did pass a measure that requires natural gas companies designated as critical to weatherize, but the legislation includes a loophole that allows them to simply opt out, for a trivial fee.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas natural gas industry showing limited progress in winter storm prep, experts say

Industry executives and trade associations have suggested that stronger state action is not necessary because power producers themselves have an incentive to winterize. If they werent able to produce during Uri, they missed out on an unusually profitable week. During the course of the storm, natural gas spot prices soared across the country. And the Electric Reliability Council of Texas set prices at $9,000 per megawatt-hour  the highest allowable rate and several hundred times higher than the typical rate  in a desperate effort to get more power on the grid.

But that logic doesnt really hold up to scrutiny. If every producer had adequately winterized, none of them would have been able to make hay over the situation. From a coldly calculating perspective  if were just looking at the heartless logic of economic incentives  the optimal move would be to partially weatherize; that way, in the event of another storm, you would have less product to sell, but at comically higher prices.

Im not one of these people who thinks the oil and gas industry is evil or something like that, but they need a clear, strong regulatory signal of what they need to do, said Lewin. They are for-profit businesses. If they dont have a clear regulatory signal, they will follow price signals  and the price signal tells them these kind of events are great for the bottom line.

What industry doesnt like making 11 billion in one week? he added.

Executives themselves seem content with the current regime. In June, for example, oilman Kelcy Warren donated $1 million to Gov. Greg Abbotts reelection campaign. His company, Energy Transfer Partners, had its best quarter ever during the storm, raking in an additional $2.4 billion as a result.

The good news here, such as it is, is that Texans are paying more attention to the three-person Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and gas industry, as well as the Public Utility Commission of Texas, which oversees the grid. Democrat Luke Warford, who this week announced his bid for a seat on the former, points to the winter storm  and its aftermath  as a key factor in this campaign.

Theyre basically shrugging, and saying Oh well, this happened to us. It didnt happen to us. You didnt do your job, and that resulted in this happening, Warford said Friday, reflecting on the RRCs recent moves.

And what happened was, after all, a tragedy: a collective trauma in which hundreds of people died.

The fact that Texans are now getting stuck with the bill, to boot, is adding insult to injury  especially since we have no guarantee that what happened last February wont happen again.

erica.grieder@chron.com
An elderly man was killed in a crash Sunday in north Conroe.

The man, who was in his 80s, was behind the wheel of a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck that was stopped at a red light about 8:30 a.m., when, for an unknown reason, it rolled north on Loop 336 into the intersection at State Highway 105 East, according to the Montgomery County Police Reporter.

A small truck carrying meat eastbound slammed into the Toyota, leaving the driver trapped, the report said. The driver died at the scene.

The truck driver was not injured, the report said.

Conroe police are investigating the crash.
Kroger workers in Houston are again considering a strike as they fight with the Cincinnati-based grocer over wages, health care and staffing levels.

They could strike within the next week, union officials said. The strike authorization vote was ongoing Sunday and votes will be tallied early this week.

Workers voted overwhelmingly to strike last November, though union officials decided to continue negotiating terms of a contract that has yet to solidify. The strike would affect some 14,000 workers in Harris County and several surrounding counties, according to United Food and Commercial Workers Local 455.

RELATED: Houston retailers, facing labor shortage, pull out all the stops to entice workers for holiday rush

Union officials said they wanted to give workers another opportunity to weigh in before taking the step to strike.

With this vote, Kroger grocery workers are sending a clear message that they are ready to stand up for the good pay, lower prescription costs, and quality healthcare they have earned on the frontlines of this pandemic, UFCW Local 455 President Brandon Hopkins said in a statement.

Kroger said in a statement it has already invested $56 million in wage increases in response to negotiations.

This is the third time UFCW Local 455 has asked its members to authorize a strike and potentially disrupt their lives during the middle of a pandemic, said Clara Campbell, Krogers regional corporate affairs manager. The most productive thing the union can do is to work with the company to reach an agreement and end the bargaining deadlock.

The union and Kroger have fought throughout the pandemic after their contract expired in April 2020 and have not been able to agree on a new one.

amanda.drane@chron.com

Twitter.com/amandadrane
OnScene TV

A woman was killed Sunday by a stray bullet in a shootout between security guards and a reckless driver in a parking lot of a southeast Houston bar.

The driver was seen doing donuts about 2:20 a.m. in a parking lot in the 11500 block of Fuqua Street, and hit about five vehicles, one of which had a person inside, according to Houston Police Commander Caroleta Johnson. Another person standing outside a vehicle was hit as well.
High Point, NC (27260)

Today

Becoming partly cloudy after some morning rain. High 56F. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Widespread frost likely. Low 28F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.
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1. FIR Filed Against Shilpa Shetty And Raj Kundra In A Cheating Case Worth Rs 1.51 Crore

Instagram

Pune-based businessman Yash Barai has reportedly lodged a complaint against Kundra, Shetty and Fashion TV MD Kashiff Khan for breach of contract at Mumbai Police Bandra Police Station.



2. Sonu Sood Announces His Sister's Political Entry, Will Contest In 2022 Punjab Elections

Indiatimes

If you wonder which political party she has joined, Sonu Sood has said that they have yet to decide on the same. Once the decision is made, it will be revealed at the right time, he said.



3. From Proposal To Romantic Dance: All Dope From Rajkummar Rao-Patralekhaa's Wedding Festivities

Instagram

A few photos and videos from Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa wedding festivities have already leaked and their mushy photos and videos are melting people's hearts. From going down on his knee to propose to a romantic dance, here is all the dope from the wedding.



4. Baby Elephant Who Was Visited By Puneeth Rajkumar Before Death Named After Him As A Tribute

BCCL

The Sakrebailu elephant camp in Karnatakas Shivamogga has named the elephant after Rajkumar as a tribute as he visited the camp days before his death. The Deputy Conservator of Forest (wildlife) Nagaraj said that the gesture was a mark of remembrance of the actors visit to the camp days before his death.



5. Raveena Tandon, Sonakshi Sinha And Farah Khan Plant Trees On Juhi Chawla's 54th Birthday

Instagram

On her 54th birthday, Juhi Chawla took to her Twitter handle to urge her fans and followers to plant trees as a birthday gift to her. Not only fans, several celebrities including Raveena Tandon, Sonakshi Sinha and Farah Khan planted trees in her name.




The recent spate of violence in northeastern state of Tripura has resulted in hundreds of arrests and criminal cases many accused. Although the state government has said that the violence is not communal in nature, but the way events have unfolded, clearly indicates that the nature of the violence in the state has communal colour.

Members of the far-right Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council or VHP) and the Hindu Jagran Manch held protest marches in Tripura days after the Bangladesh violence, allegedly attacking Muslims and their religious places, including mosques.



BCCL

The incident occurred after the anti-Hindu violence in parts of Muslim-dominated Bangladesh over three weeks ago found an echo in the contiguous northeastern Indian state of Tripura on October 26, when a rally organised by the VHP and the Hindu Jagran Manch to protest the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh turned violent. Though the VHP, which is affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), denied having any role in the violent incidents.

People pelted stones and allegedly damaged the door of a mosque at Chamtilla in the North Tripura district. Police personnel were deployed in the area to bring the situation under control.

Security has been tightened in vulnerable areas of the state.

BCCL

The anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh, which erupted during the Durga Puja festival, was triggered by rumours that the Quran had been insulted in one of the pavilions set up for the celebrations.

Seven people were killed, several temples desecrated, and hundreds of houses and business establishments of the Hindu minority were torched.

Bangladesh government reacted instantly and said hundreds of people had been arrested along with 71 cases filed against 3,000 unknown persons for the violence and an investigation was simultaneously launched into the matter. This was seen as a strong crackdown on religious violence by the secular Awami League government but that is not the case in Tripura violence.

How did the violence reach Tripura?

Bangladesh shares an 856-kilometer long semi-permeable border with Tripura. The major dividing line in Tripura politics has been between the local tribal populations and the Bengalis since the aftermath of Partition drove waves of mostly Bengali Hindu refugees from the surrounding plains of Chakla Roshnabad into Hill Tripura, as well as an exodus of local Muslims. Muslims make up less than 9% of the 4.2 million people who live in the border state today.

BCCL

Although the state had witnessed severe violence and was ravaged by insurgency in the 1980s and 1990s. However, the violence at the time stemmed from a confrontation between indigenous tribal populations and Bengalis, who went from a large minority of approximately 40 percent in 1941 to majority in the decades after Partition.

This was a period when the state was ruled by a communist government with brief intervals of Congress regimes. However, it's noteworthy that Muslims have not been the target of violence or hate crimes in Tripura until very recently.

BCCL

Protests against the Bangladeshi attack on Hindus also occurred in Assam, another northeastern Indian state, in the Bengali-dominated Barak Valley, which is adjacent to Tripura. These were also organized by the VHP for the protection, safety, and security of the persecuted Hindus of Bangladesh.



They also attempted to cross the international border between India and Bangladesh. They have sent a memorandum to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting the government to stop all trade with Bangladesh.

As a result of the violence in Tripura, all districts in Assam have been placed on high alert to prevent communal disturbances.

Journalists targeted

Tripura Police has booked 102 social media account holders under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), criminal conspiracy and forgery charges and served notices to the authorities of Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to freeze their accounts and inform all particulars of those persons to it.

This action came after Tripura Police registered a case against four Supreme Court lawyers under the stringent act and various sections of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly promoting communal disharmony with their social media posts on the recent violence in the state targeting Muslims.

A team of Supreme Court lawyers had visited Tripuras restive regions and released a fact-finding report on the violence. The lawyers had also expressed discontent over incidents of violence and vandalism against Muslim-owned houses and shops. Moreover, journalists and activists had also accused the Tripura police of underplaying and denying reports of attacks and burning of mosques, and claiming the situation was under control.

The lawyers belong to different organisations, including Lawyers for Democracy, National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO) and the PUCL.

Later, the Editors Guild of India released a statement, expressing shock at Tripura Polices decision to file an FIR against 102 people, including journalists, in connection with the incidents of alleged communal violence.

The Guild also pointed out that one of the journalists, Shyam Meera Singh, has alleged that he has been booked under UAPA for merely tweeting Tripura is burning.

The FIR was filed at West Agartala police station, invoking the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and IPC sections of 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 153B, 469, 471, 503 (criminal intimidation), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 120B (criminal conspiracy).

What has been the government's response?

The state government has insisted that there is no communal conflict in Tripura and has repeatedly urged people to maintain peace and stay away from rumours.

Sushanta Chowdhury, the Minister for Information and Cultural Affairs, emphatically rejected claims of a mosque being set ablaze in Panisagar, North Tripura, and accused a few vested interest organisations from outside the state of conspiring to ruin the government's image. The event is being thoroughly investigated, according to the ministry.

BCCL

The chief minister has announced compensation for those who have been harmed as a result of the violence.

Furthermore, the Tripura High Court took suo motu notice of the violence on October 29 and ordered the state government to submit a report by November 10th.

Meanwhile, the state's municipal elections are scheduled for November. The election for the state assembly is scheduled for February 2023. There are 60 seats in the state legislature, with 20 designated for Scheduled Tribes.

The TMC is a non-starter on these seats, where the competition is between the other parties, with TIPRA having the upper hand. The TMC has a largely Bengali identity and little experience with the intricacies of tribal politics. The TMC, CPIM, and BJP are now vying for the remaining 40 seats.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News.

Some of the images used in the story are not from Tripura. They are from the protests held in other parts of the country against the violence in Tripura.
Woodbridge, VA (22192)

Today

Showers early, then partly cloudy for the afternoon. High 53F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Widespread frost likely. Low 29F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.
Armed with a new logo, a new website, and a newish leader, Labour party members were in buoyant mood at their conference over the weekend.

But the poll ratings have failed to lift with their own growing tide of confidence, the latest one published on Sunday puts them on just 3%.

Despite this, the party seems to be in a good headspace.

Last year's leadership battle could have caused bitterness and division, but members of the parliamentary party are keen to stress that there is no animosity between Alan Kelly and Aodhan O Riordain in contrast to the tensions that festered between Brendan Howlin and Joan Burton.

"There are times when I have observed them together and they looked like the chuckle brothers," said Cork East TD Sean Sherlock of the healthy working relationship Mr Kelly and Mr O Riordain have built in the current Dail.

"When you are not sitting around a table with Joan and Brendan backbiting at each other, it makes things a lot easier," said another member.

The election of Ivana Bacik in the recent by-election has been seen as a significant turning point and has rejuvenated members.

'Sense of renewal'

"I think there is a sense of renewal, there is a sense of optimism, the party was lifted by Ivana's election, it cannot be underestimated how much of a boost for the party it was," said Cork City local area representative Peter Horgan.

"There were people stopping me in the street in Cork saying 'fantastic work in the byelection', all of a sudden there was a sea change. But it has been a slow march and the optimism around the party has grown because of the hard work put in by people."

The election of Ms Bacik also means the party once again has female representation in the Dail, which has added an extra dimension.

"What held Labour back at the start of this Dail was we had no female voice; you had Holly [Cairns] standing up every week talking about maternity restrictions and while Alan also raised those issues, it's not the same when a man gets up. That has changed since we got Ivana elected," said one grassroots member.

Labour TD Ivana Bacik speaking during the party's annual conference. 'The party was lifted by Ivana's election'. Picture: Damien Storan

Speaking before the conference kicked off on Friday night, Mr Kelly said: Coming out of the pandemic into a post-Covid Ireland, there can be no going back to normal. Its not just about building back better; its about building back fairer."

While he was referring to the significant shift in policy required across health, climate action, housing, and workers' rights, Mr Kelly could easily have been speaking about his own party.

Labour must build on the momentum gained by the success of Ms Bacik if it is ever to emerge from its stagnation in the polls and gain back seats come election time.

Its rebrand, which coincided with the conference, is reflective of a more "traditional Labour" which according to former party TD Joanna Tuffy is a "positive thing".

Returning to the Starry Plough, Mr Kelly's party is harking back to the Labour of James Connolly and Big Jim Larkin, as it tries to push the principles that have guided it for over a century.

'Clear on your identity'

"You have to be very clear on what your identity is, it's been a very unstable time in politics over the past decade and I think Labour suffered in terms of its identity," said Ms Tuffy.

When it comes to policy, this new identity centres around what Mr Kelly called the "new deal" for people based on "a more caring and kinder politics".

"Our country is at a crossroads and there can be no going back.

That means a new deal for working people, a new deal for secure and affordable housing, a new deal that recognises the challenge of the 21st century," he said.

Whether this new identity which is rooted in party tradition will be enough to entice voters at the next general election remains to be seen.
Ithaca, NY (14850)

Today

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Today

Some sun in the morning with increasing clouds during the afternoon. High around 80F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy during the evening followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low around 55F. Winds light and variable.

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A new piece of equipment was delivered and installed at Myco Plastics Thursday, Nov. 11.
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
Seif al-Islam Kadhafi, son of slain Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi, registered Sunday to run in the countrys December presidential polls, the electoral commission said.

Seif al-Islam Kadhafi submitted his candidacy for the presidential election to the High National Electoral Commission office in the (southern) city of Sebha, a statement by the commission said.

It said he had completed all the required legal conditions and that he was also issued with a voter registration card for the Sebha district.

Libyas first ever direct presidential poll, with a first round on December 24, is the climax of a process launched last year by the United Nations to draw a line under years of violence since the revolt that toppled dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

Libya opened registration for candidates on Monday.

In July, Seif al-Islam, 49, emerged from years in the shadows and told The New York Times he was planning a political comeback.

In a rare interview, he said he wanted to restore the lost unity of Libya after a decade of chaos and did not exclude standing for the presidency.

The dictators erstwhile heir apparent is wanted for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Until the interview, Seif al-Islam had not been seen or heard from since June 2014, when he appeared via video link from Zintan, in the west of the country, during his trial by a Tripoli court.

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Wanted Libyan war crimes suspect Seif al-Islam Kadhafi, son of slain dictator Moamer Kadhafi and once seen as his heir apparent, registered to run Sunday for next months presidential election.

Libyas first ever direct presidential poll, with a first round on December 24, would mark the climax of a process launched last year by the United Nations to try to draw a line under years of violence since the revolt that toppled Kadhafi in 2011.

Wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the NATO-backed uprising, Seif al-Islam completed all the required legal conditions, the election commission said.

Seif al-Islam Kadhafi submitted his candidacy for the presidential election to the High National Electoral Commission office in the city of Sebha, it said in a statement.

The 49-year-old, sporting a salt-and-pepper beard, recited a verse from the Koran and thanked those assisting him, saying: God bless you, video footage showed.

The commission released pictures showing Seif al-Islam dressed in a traditional bedouin robe and headdress. He was issued with a voter registration card for the southern Sebha district.

Libya last Monday opened registration for candidates in presidential and parliamentary polls.

Both are slated for December 24, but in early October parliament split the dates of the vote by postponing legislative elections until January.

 Political comeback 

Foreign powers have been pushing hard for both elections to be still held on the same date, as agreed at UN-led talks last year.

Speculation had been mounting for months over a possible presidential bid by Seif al-Islam, who was also sentenced to death by a Tripoli court in 2017 for crimes committed during the revolt.

In July, Seif al-Islam emerged from years in the shadows and told The New York Times he was planning a political comeback.

In a rare interview, he said he wanted to restore the lost unity of Libya after a decade of chaos.

Ive been away from the Libyan people for 10 years. You need to come back slowly, slowly. Like a striptease. You need to play with their minds a little, the paper quoted him as saying.

Until the interview, Seif al-Islam had not been seen or heard from since June 2014, when he appeared via video link from Zintan, in the west of the country, during his trial by the Tripoli court.

Although the court sentenced him to death in absentia, a rival administration in the east pardoned him in a decision never confirmed by authorities in Tripoli.

The militia that was holding him in Zintan has repeatedly refused to hand him over to The Hauge-based ICC, and freed him in 2017.

A spokesman for the ICC, Fadi Abdallah, told Libyas Al-Ahrar television that the court still wants Seif al-Islam.

 Crossroads 

Analysts say Seif al-Islams bid for the presidency will be problematic for Libyas electoral process.

This is only going to complicate the electoral process further, said Wolfram Lacher, a senior associate at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

World powers meeting in Paris warned Friday that Libya was at a crossroads which would determine its future.

We urge all Libyan stakeholders and candidates to respect their commitments towards holding elections on 24 December 2021 (and) to accept the results of free, fair and inclusive elections, they said in a statement.

Despite a year of relative peace following a ceasefire between eastern and western camps, the process has been overshadowed by wrangling over the legal basis for the votes and the powers attached.

Jalel Harchaoui, a Libya specialist at the Global Initiative think-tank, said that the fact that Seif has submitted his candidacy can only add to the fragility of the election project.

Speculation has also been mounting over possible presidential bids by eastern-based military chief Khalifa Haftar and current Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah.

Former interior minister Fathi Bashagha has confirmed he will run, while others expected to do so include diplomats Aref al-Nayed and Ibrahim Dabbachi, as well as comedian Hatem al-Kour.

On December 24, Libyans will be able to choose a president from among a former aggressor, a man who committed war crimes to seize power, and another one known for his obscene corruption, said Tarek Megerisi, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

He was alluding to Seif al-Islam, Haftar and Dbeibah.

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The US Central Command said Sunday that a 2019 airstrike that killed civilians in Syria was legitimate, after a New York Times investigation said the military had concealed the death of some 70 non-combatants.

The New York Times published the results of its investigation on Saturday saying a US special task force operating in Syria  sometimes leaving its military partners in the dark to preserve secrecy  dropped three bombs on a cluster of civilians near the Islamic State group bastion of Baghouz, killing 70 people, mainly women and children.

The report says a US legal officer flagged the strike as a possible war crime but that at nearly every step, the military made moves that concealed the catastrophic strike.

Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a detailed statement on the strikes and said an investigation found they were legitimate self-defense strikes, proportional and that appropriate steps were taken to rule out the presence of civilians.

An investigation was launched after a military report found there had likely been civilian casualties.

Along with 16 IS fighters determined to have been killed in the strikes, the investigation concluded at least four civilians were killed and eight wounded.

We self-reported and investigated the strike according to our own evidence and take full responsibility for the unintended loss of life, said CENTCOM spokesperson Captain Bill Urban.

He said the investigation could not conclusively characterize the status of more than 60 other casualties, adding that some women and children, whether through indoctrination or choice, decided to take up arms in this battle and as such could not strictly be classified as civilians.

Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and their US-led coalition allies declared the defeat of a self-proclaimed IS caliphate in March 2019 after ousting jihadists from their last Syrian stronghold in the eastern village of Baghouz.

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Wanted Libyan war crimes suspect Seif al-Islam Kadhafi, son of slain dictator Moamer Kadhafi and once seen as his heir apparent, registered to run Sunday for next months presidential election.

In a surprise announcement, Seif al-Islam, whose whereabouts have been kept secret for several months, became the first heavyweight candidate to sign up for the election race.

Libyas first ever direct presidential poll, with a first round on December 24, would mark the climax of a process launched last year by the United Nations to try to draw a line under years of violence in the oil-rich nation since the revolt that toppled Kadhafi in 2011.

Wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the NATO-backed uprising, Seif al-Islam completed all the required legal conditions, the election commission said.

Seif al-Islam Kadhafi submitted his candidacy for the presidential election to the High National Electoral Commission office in the city of Sebha, it said in a statement.

The 49-year-old, sporting a salt-and-pepper beard, recited a verse from the Koran and thanked those assisting him, saying God bless you, video footage showed.

The commission released pictures showing Seif al-Islam dressed in a traditional Bedouin robe and headdress. He was issued with a voter registration card for the southern Sebha district.

First reactions on the streets of the capital Tripoli were negative.

Instead of resolving the problem this only complicates things further, said Nizar al-Hadi, 33. Its just not right!

Ramzi Douess said he did not doubt that some people would accept Seifs candidacy, but questioned what route he would lead the North African country on if he won.

Will he accept Libya as it is today, or will he take it backwards? Douess asked.

 Political comeback 

Libya opened registration for candidates in presidential and parliamentary polls last Monday.

Both are slated for December 24, but in early October parliament split the dates of the vote by postponing legislative elections until January.

Foreign powers have been pushing hard for both elections to be still held on the same date, as agreed at UN-led talks last year.

Speculation had been mounting for months over a possible presidential bid by Seif al-Islam, who was also sentenced to death by a Tripoli court in 2017 for crimes committed during the revolt.

In July, Seif al-Islam emerged from years in the shadows and told The New York Times he was planning a political comeback.

In a rare interview, he said he wanted to restore the lost unity of Libya after a decade of chaos.

Ive been away from the Libyan people for 10 years. You need to come back slowly, slowly. Like a striptease. You need to play with their minds a little, the paper quoted him as saying.

Until the interview, Seif al-Islam had not been seen or heard from since June 2014, when he appeared via video link from Zintan, in the west of the country, during his trial by the Tripoli court.

Although the court sentenced him to death in absentia, a rival administration in the east pardoned him.

The militia that was holding him in Zintan has repeatedly refused to hand him over to The Hauge-based ICC, and freed him in 2017.

A spokesman for the ICC, Fadi Abdallah, told Libyas Al-Ahrar television that the court still wants Seif al-Islam.

 Crossroads 

Analysts say Seif al-Islams bid for the presidency will be problematic for Libyas electoral process.

This is only going to complicate the electoral process further, said Wolfram Lacher, a senior associate at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

World powers meeting in Paris warned Friday that Libya was at a crossroads which would determine its future.

We urge all Libyan stakeholders and candidates to respect their commitments towards holding elections on 24 December 2021 (and) to accept the results of free, fair and inclusive elections, they said.

Despite a year of relative peace following a ceasefire between eastern and western camps, the process has been overshadowed by wrangling over the legal basis for the polls and the powers attached.

Some also expect possible presidential bids by eastern-based military chief Khalifa Haftar and current Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah.

Former interior minister Fathi Bashagha has confirmed he will run, while others expected to do so include two diplomats and a comedian.

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Bitcoin (Bitcoin) After the network reached a 90% lock consensus between 709,488 and 709,632 between the miners and the mining pool, the Taproot soft fork was successfully activated. This milestone marks the first major upgrade of Bitcoin since August 2017. Launched the Lightning Network, Bitcoins leading second-tier solution with Segregated Witness (SegWit).

The Taproot upgrade aims to improve the scripting capabilities and privacy of the Bitcoin network. For this reason, the soft fork introduced the concept of Merkel Abstract Syntax Tree (MAST). according to Go to the Taproot dedicated website operated by a well-known Bitcoin developer Hampsjoberg:

[MAST] By only disclosing the relevant parts of the contract when it is spent, it can help make smart contracts more efficient and private. 

In an interview with Cointelegraph, Sjoberg pointed out that Taproot activation indicates that Bitcoin can be upgraded again, which is extremely important for the longevity of the Bitcoin network. I think this is the greatest victory, he added.

Sjoberg is also the developer of the Bitcoin Lightning Wallet Blixt Wallet. He believes that the Taproot upgrade allows exploration of off-chain functions so as not to put too much burden on the Bitcoin nodes of the network.

Taproot is a 100-year-old soft fork. In the long run, merging each contract and use case under a single transaction type Pay to Taproot will result in a more alternative and more powerful blockchain. This is how you do it.

This is how you design a blockchain. Hampus Sjoberg @hampus_s June 3, 2021

In addition, Sjoberg believes that if the Lightning implementation chooses to use Taproot, MAST can also help improve the privacy of the old Lightning Network. A few weeks ago, developers of various Lightning Network node implementations held a meeting in Zurich, Switzerland. LN Summit 2021 Discuss possible upgrade paths:

One of the things discussed in the meeting was whether it is best to upgrade Lightning in a small iteration or upgrade as a big package.

In addition, Sjoberg also explained how to use Taproot in the Lightning Network to make payment channels indistinguishable from normal transactions under normal conditions:

It is impossible to tell whether a Taproot transaction is a normal payment or a lightning channel. This is important for fungibility and resistance to censorship of Bitcoin.

The successful activation of Taproot is attributed to Speedy Trial, a soft fork deployment method that requires 90% of miners to signal an upgrade deployment. As Sjoberg explained, The signal method works in the 2016 block cycle, which means that in the 2016 block cycle, 90% of the 2016 blocks or 1815 must signal readiness .

As early as June 2021, Bitcoin miners reached a 90% consensus for the first time, and Sjoberg issued an announcement on Twitter:

However, the Taproot upgrade also marks the end of Speedy Trial deployment. Future upgrades to the Bitcoin network will require a new soft fork deployment method. Taproot opens up a world full of possibilities, but the first thing I personally want to see is theMuSig 2transaction. Sjoberg said, sharing suggestions for other Bitcoin developers:

Although we shouldnt take anything about Bitcoin for granted, I personally hope that eventually cross-input signature aggregation will be regarded as a soft fork of Bitcoin in the future.

related: Bitcoin lightning nodes and channels hit a record high

In the nearly 13 years of Bitcoins existence, the Bitcoin network has experienced countless community-driven hard forks and soft forks. Although the Taproot upgrade has not proven its value in time, the Lightning Network continues to reach new heights.

On September 28, the Lightning Network witnessed an increase in the number of nodes by 160% in 12 months, and the number of channels has increased by 170% since January 2021.

As of November 11, the Bitcoin network capacity before Taproots soft fork hit a record high of 3,220 BTC, valued at nearly 210 million U.S. dollars.
CalPERS refused to adjust. Its scheduled Monday investment committee meeting blatantly violated Californias public meeting laws, especially the Bagley-Kean Public Meeting Act. This blatant and deliberate misconduct occurred because the giant fund will have a judge ruling that it violated the Bagley-Keene Public Meeting Act in Jelincic v. CalPERS. Readers may remember that former board member JJ Jelincic sued the giant fund for twice refusing to provide records that should not be kept confidential. One is the record of a special board meeting held after the sudden resignation of Chief Investment Officer Ben Meng. Jelnicic argued that closed meetings were inappropriate for a variety of reasons, including that the legal basis provided for secret chats did not apply to anything that CEO Marcie Frost later admitted to discuss in the meeting.

We are very confident that the judge will rule that CalPERS violated the open meeting law, because this is one of the requirements of the Jelincic case, and the judge has said that he did not see anything in the transcript to prove that he was in the so-called closed meeting, that is Not open to the public.

So, what is CalPERS doing? Judge dazzling? Trying to conceal the truth as much as possible before the ruling. When the media may finally wake up and begin to challenge CalPERS for insisting on breaking the law again and again, it is obvious that actions that need to be shared with the public will not endure the light of censorship?

Of the three planned violations of the Public Meetings Act, all of which will occur this Monday, one of them is particularly worrying because in the worst case, they may involve concealing criminal acts. The former CEO of CalPERS, Fred Buenrostro, has served four and a half years in federal prison for accepting bribes related to placement agency fees. In another lawsuit, Alan Hevesi, the chief financial officer of New York, was also convicted of receiving kickbacks from the placing agent. As a result, California and other states have greatly strengthened their disclosure requirements for placing agents.

However, what do we see on the CalPERS Monday investment committee agenda? Note the last item:

Needless to say, any excuses for secretly conducting such discussions do not apply to placing agents. As you can see, Article 11126(a)(1) of the Government Code is a personnel matter.Intermediary is professional prostitute Service providers, not employees. Section 11126 (c)(16) of the Government Code is an expected investment decision. Agency fees are not an investment decision. Section 11126 (e) of the Government Code deals with pending litigation. Things must mature, just like an impending or actual lawsuit, not a theoretical legal risk. Discussions on placement agency fees are not even within the scope of this divestiture.

To make matters worse, as a result of Buenrostros lawsuit, CalPERS enacted a regulation requiring extensive new disclosures of CalPERSs placement agency activities. One can only assume that this move is to prevent legislation.

So, what legal requirements does CalPERS try to avoid? Is this part of CalPERS regulations? Article 559, Disclosure of Placement Agency Fees, Gifts, and Campaign Donations:

(D) A description of any and all compensation provided or agreed to be provided to the placing agent in relation to the assets, securities or services provided to CalPERS, including its nature, time and value.

Does CalPERS try to hide compensation in favor of certain placement agents? If the string is cancelled, it may expose additional compensation instead of the quality of the service, which is the reason for their choice?

Or how about this rule:

(F) Suggest or otherwise assist in the retention of the names of any current or former CalPERS board members, employees or consultants of the placement agent.

This is what CalPERS is trying to hide. Did CalPERS internal staff or consultants play a role in hiring selected placement agents?

And pay attention to this part:

(g) All parties responsible for implementing, supervising and complying with these regulations should consider the spirit and literal expression of their regulations. In the case of uncertainty as to whether it should be disclosed, this provision should be interpreted as a requirement for disclosure.

There is an exception to this rule, subsection (h), but CalPERS cannot pretend to rely on this rule because it does not use it as a reason for a private meeting.

The second flagrant violation of the Public Meetings Act occurred on the same agenda as excerpted above, Projects completed under authorization. This topic does not even meet the conditions of closed conversation processing. These are not pending investment decisions, and these decisions are allowed to be kept confidential, so as not to disclose information of other investors and put CalPERS at a disadvantage. And they are obviously neither personnel issues nor litigation related. Actually, The beneficiaries of CalPERS should be shocked that employees and the board of directors are working together to conceal employees behavior on the boards blank checks and the results of these behaviors.

The third planned private meeting violation occurred later in the meeting, and board member Margaret Brown had already protested:

When did asset allocation or planned asset allocation become a state secret? For decades, CalPERS has had its consultants scrutinize asset allocation in detail and make forward-looking recommendations, which are then approved (or rarely approved) by the board of directors. These strategic decisions are far from the actual triggering of buying and selling, and they cannot be eligible for protection from pending investment actions.

Board member Brown weighed in with Board Chairman Henry Jones. The relevant part of the investment committee agenda is embedded in her message:

From: Brown, Margaret

Date: November 12, 2021 at 10:20:48 PM MST

To: Jones, Henry

Cc: Betty Yi , Irina Ortega , Olivarez, Stacey , Middleton, Lisa , Mom, Fiona

Topic: The agenda of the closed-door meeting of the Investment Committee Mr. Jones, After reviewing the annex to item 4a of the private meeting agenda. And the attachment to item 7b of the public meeting agenda. Documents in 4a. It seems to be the same as the public meeting material. Agenda item 4a. An exception to the non-public meeting specified by Bagley Keene, because the discussion of risks and other issues related to the adoption of ALM is a public meeting. Please delete item 4a from the private meeting agenda. Your supervision, Margaret

Board member Brown added that the staff showed 43 pages of exhibits for discussion in a public meeting and 2 pages of the document in a private meeting. Similarly, in addition to the fact that asset allocation briefings and decisions are never suitable topics for secret review, the fact that basic materials are presented to the public ultimately shows that the handling of private meetings is illegal.

Through this behavior, CalPERS also publicly opposed the popular trend of laws and regulations. We pointed out last week that Gary Gensler, chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, is not affected by the temptation of revolving doors. Announced a strong push to improve the transparency of private equity investment Revolve around expenses, performance reports, conflicts of interest, and cover letters. All these tactics help private equity investors pretend that they dont understand that private equity is far from even a good deal pretended by general partners and the captured media.

CalPERS also has a misunderstanding that removing Margaret Brown from the board of directors means it can engage in more fraudulent activities unhindered. In fact, the most embarrassing incidents CalPERS has faced in recent years have all happened through public information. Checklist: Former CFO Charles Asubontens resume fraud. CEO Marcie Frost lied about enrolling in a non-existent dual bachelor/master degree program. CalPERSs practice of handing over private equity management rights to external entities is inconsistent and clearly corrupt. Former Chief Investment Officer Ben Meng resigned abruptly after we exposed that he violated the California Conflict of Interest Law. Now JJ Jelincics lawsuit, even if the judge bends back to indulge CalPERS, judging from his remarks so far, it looks promising to give the fund a big black eye and encourage other public record bill lawsuits.

Jerincic didnt walk away quietly. Brown does not intend to do this either. But CalPERS was trapped in a bubble of denial, unable to realize that as a former board member, she could become a more effective supervisor. Pass popcorn.
Dutch authorities confiscated more than 25 million euros of cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, from dozens of suspects in criminal cases. Cryptocurrency is widely used as a means of payment for various crimes, said the Dutch Public Prosecutors Office.

The Dutch authorities confiscated more than 25 million euros of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum

The Dutch Public Prosecutors Office announced last week that it has seized more than 25 million euros (28.6 million U.S. dollars) in cryptocurrency in cooperation with two other agencies in recent months.

The Financial Information and Investigation Bureau (FIOD), the National Criminal Investigation Bureau (DLR) and the Public Prosecutors Office (OM) have cooperated in various investigations, focusing on the confiscation of encrypted wallets and publicizing details.

FIOD is an agency of the Dutch government responsible for investigating financial crimes. The National Criminal Investigation Service is part of the Dutch National Police Force. The Public Prosecutors Office, also known as the Minister of Openbaar, is the prosecutors agency in the Dutch criminal justice system.

The announcement stated:

Over 25 million euros of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum were seized from dozens of suspects.

When criminal proceedings are filed, various cryptocurrency exchanges in the Netherlands and abroad cooperate with FIOD and the Public Prosecutors Office. According to Dutch law, they are obliged to do so, OM explained, adding that their cooperation made it possible to confiscate various contents of crypto wallets managed by criminals with a total value of more than 25 million euros.

However, the authorities explained that the identity of the suspect in the investigation is not always known. Some suspects are from the Netherlands, while others are foreigners. According to applicable international agreements, they will be transferred to designated foreign authorities, OM explained.

The Public Prosecutors Office also warned that cryptocurrency was used as a payment method for criminals, stating:

It is legal to own and use cryptocurrency, but it is also very popular among criminals. The reason is that criminals believe that cryptocurrencies are anonymous, and they can spread quickly around the world. Therefore, cryptocurrency is widely used as a payment method for various crimes.

OM details the use of cryptocurrency in cybercrime, such as ransomware, and as a means of payment, such as paying for hosting services. In addition, we are increasingly encountering cryptocurrencies in the form of crimes such as drug and human trafficking, fraud and tax evasion.

In addition, the investigation also revealed that criminals offset unnecessary exchange rates by converting cryptocurrencies into so-calledstable coins, such as USDT. These are cryptocurrencies whose value is pegged to the U.S. dollar, the Public Prosecutors Office pointed out.

What do you think about the confiscation of 25 million euros of cryptocurrency by the Dutch authorities? Let us know in the comments section below.

Image Source: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wikimedia Commons
In "Now, We Are Breaking Up" episode 2, Ha Young Eun's (Song Hye Kyo) team went to the busy streets of Seoul and did market research for the collection of clothes they will make.

Read on to know the full recap.

Ha Young Eun Shows Passion for Fashion

After gathering information, the team started to design clothes and put them into production. This gave the viewers a glimpse of how the fashion industry works.

During their board meeting, Ha Young Eun was questioned by her colleagues about their brand Sono's performance that month. As a top local brand, it was the first time that their team went second on the list. But Ha Young didn't let their judgment take over. She stood in front of everyone and presented her plans for the 30th Anniversary of The One.

The female designer informed them that the famous influencer, Hye Rin (Girl's Day Yura) will be the main star of the event, hoping she can make an impact on their next collection.

Meanwhile, Yoon Jae Guk (Jang Ki Yong) has already arrived in Seoul and Ha Young Eun was the first person he informed of his arrival. Seok Do Hoon (Kim Jun Heon) fetched him at the airport and unintentionally dragged him to his office as Do Hoon had some work to be done.

Hwang Chi Sook Finally Meets the Real Seok Do Hoon

Hwang Chi Sook (Choi Hee Seo) was surprised to see the real Seok Do Hoon. She said he was not the man she had met in the event before. Do Hoon had a hard time explaining himself to her.

Meanwhile, the man Chi Sook has been referring to entered the room and Ha Young Eun didn't expect to meet Yoon Jae Guk again.

They had a short conversation and learned to know each other's professional and personal backgrounds. Ha Young Eun tried to make excuses to leave. Jae Guk tried to talk to her again but failed.

Min Hye Ok (Cha Hwa Yeon) meets her son, Yoon Jae Guk, after a long time and asks about how his blind date went. Ever since he arrived in Seoul, Jae Guk hasn't visited home. That's why even just for a short period of time, his mom asked him to attend the 10th death anniversary of his brother.

Meanwhile, Ha Young Eun went out shopping to treat her parents. It was one of her ways to thank them for being with her through the ups and downs of her life.

Young-eun being the best daughter she could be, spoiling her parents with expensive things and look how happy they are. #NowWeAreBreakingUp #NowWeAreBreakingUpEp2 pic.twitter.com/xvhKwm7IMw  Korean Drama Fever (@kordramafeverph) November 13, 2021

Hye Rin Demands More From Ha Young Eun's Team

As PR CEO, Seok Do Hoon already had enough of giving in to Hye Rin's demands. After making huge efforts, he decided to call Ha Young Eun to deal with Hye Rin and she might have an idea on how to compromise with the female star.

Yoo Jae Guk who was also in the office saw and heard what Ha Young Eun and her team went through while pleasing Hye Rin to make it to the anniversary celebration. With all her sincerity, the female designer does what is right for her team.

i really love how youngeun handles every situation like the pro she is <3#NowWeAreBreakingUp #NowWeAreBreakingUpEp2 pic.twitter.com/HKQVETslLv  ryu (@ryuniversesol) November 13, 2021

They decided to look for a new celebrity to wear their masterpiece, but after countless phone calls, they failed to have one.

Unexpectedly, Ha Young Eun saw a magazine where Shin Yoo Jung (Yoon Jung Hee) was on a front cover and told her team to get her instead.

Ha Young Eun Kisses Yoon Jae Guk

Since he was free all day, Ha Young Eun made Yoon Jae Guk help her. While on their way out, the male photographer asked the female designer once again if she had something to say to him before he left for Paris.

Ha Young Eun surprised him with a kiss. Yoon Jae Guk was about to kiss back but Ha Young Eun stopped him. Jae Guk was stunned and confused about what she did.

i can already feel their overflowing chemistry! i can't stop smiling watching the teaser #NowWeAreBreakingUp pic.twitter.com/Zt4dQBfvmE   (@kdramathoughts_) November 9, 2021

Jae Guk wanted to help the designer in a way that he can. He asked Shin Yoo Jung a favor to accept the offer from Ha Young Eun's company.

During the 30th Anniversary of The One, everyone was in awe after seeing Shin Yoo Jung's presence. The people who doubted Ha Young Eun couldn't say anything for a job well done.

After the event, Shin Yoo Jung told Yoon Jae Guk the real identity of Ha Young Eun. The male photographer canceled his flight for Paris and decided to stay in Seoul to confirm something about Ha Young Eun's past.

For more K-Drama and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Kdramastars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
Former President Donald Trump scored two big legal victories Friday and avoided having to sit for a deposition in a defamation lawsuit after former "Apprentice" contestant Summer Zervos agreed to drop her claims, according to a court filing, and a New York judge granted Trump's motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by his former personal attorney Michael Cohen against the Trump Organization.

Zervos had sued Trump in 2017 after he denied allegations that he had sexually assaulted her. A judge had recently ordered Trump to sit for a deposition in the case by December 23. Cohen sued the Trump Organization in 2019, seeking reimbursement of legal fees and saying that after he began cooperating with federal investigators, the company failed to fulfill its contractual obligations to indemnify him or pay his legal bills relating to his work for the firm.

The legal victories for Trump come as the former President's activities during the final days of his presidency continue to haunt him, as he navigates numerous criminal investigations and business challenges linked to the Capitol riot on January 6. On Friday, his former adviser Steve Bannon was indicted by a grand jury for contempt of Congress after he failed to comply with a subpoena from the House select committee investigating the attack.

Zervos lawsuit

In a statement announcing Zervos was dropping her suit, her attorneys wrote, "Today the parties have ended Zervos v. Trump. After five years, Ms. Zervos no longer wishes to litigate against the defendant and has secured the right to speak freely about her experience. Ms. Zervos stands by the allegations in her complaint and has accepted no compensation."

No additional details were available about the agreement or why Zervos decided to drop the lawsuit.

A one-page joint stipulation filed in court states that the parties agreed that "all claims and counterclaims asserted in this matter, or that could have been asserted, are hereby dismissed and discontinued in their entirety with prejudice, with each party to bear his or her own costs."

In a statement, the former President said, "President Trump has been totally vindicated." CNN has reached out to Zervos' attorneys about that claim.

The legal counsel for writer and former magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll, who sued Trump for defamation and accused him of raping her in a department store in the mid-1990s, put out a statement after Zervos' case was dropped.

"While we don't know the circumstances of what happened in the Zervos case, we can say that E. Jean Carroll has no intention of withdrawing her complaint against Donald Trump," Julie Fink, managing partner at Kaplan Hecker & Fink, said in the statement. "Indeed, if the New York Adult Survivors Act (S66/A648) is enacted into law and the statute of limitations is no longer an obstacle, E. Jean will sue Donald Trump not only for defaming her, but also for the underlying sexual assault which occurred at a department store in Manhattan years ago."

Trump has denied Carroll's allegations. A federal appeals court will hear arguments in Carroll's defamation suit in December.

Cohen lawsuit

In another win for Trump on Friday, New York Judge Joel Cohen granted Trump's motion to dismiss Michael Cohen's 2019 lawsuit against his company.

"Mr. Cohen's legal fees arise out of his (sometimes unlawful) service to Mr. Trump personally, to Mr. Trump's campaign, and to the Trump Foundation, but not out of his service to the business of the Trump Organization, which is the only defendant in this case," Judge Cohen wrote in his order.

In July 2017, according to the lawsuit filed in the New York state Supreme Court, the Trump Organization agreed to indemnify Cohen and to pay his attorneys' fees and costs in connection with related investigations.

"The Trump Organization and Mr. Cohen were proceeding pursuant to a 'joint defense' at that time with respect to the Investigations and other matters," the lawsuit says.

Cohen said the company had initially fulfilled its obligation, paying $137,460 in October 2017 to the firm McDermott Will & Emery LLP, which initially represented him, a figure that amounted to half of the invoices he had received. The Trump Organization then promised that the Trump presidential campaign would pay the remainder the following day, according to the lawsuit.

In a statement to CNN, a spokesperson for Trump Organization said, "Today's incredible victory for the Trump Organization puts an end to the frivolous litigation by convicted felon Michael Cohen. While the Southern District of New York already found that Mr. Cohen engaged in a 'smorgasbord of fraudulent conduct...motivated by personal greed and ambition,' Mr. Cohen attempted to invent a basis for requiring the Trump Organization to pay his legal fees for personal criminal conduct (including perjury). Mr. Cohen's attempts at self-enrichment, however, once again failed. Having won this case, we now look forward to seeking monetary damages against Mr. Cohen for all of his despicable conduct."

Michael Cohen criticized the judge's decision in a statement to CNN on Friday.

"I think it's a terrible decision by Justice Cohen based upon the fact that I was directed to handle the matters that I did at the direction of and for the benefit of Donald J Trump and the Trump Organization. Over the course of the weekend I will be evaluating with my counsel whether to file an appeal or not," he said.

This story has been updated with additional reporting Friday.

The-CNN-Wire

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OREGON CITY, Ore. -- Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a multiple-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 99E in Oregon City.

Preliminary investigation revealed a Kawasaki motorcycle, operated by Daniel Lucero (33) of Gervais, was headed southbound on SR-99E near Dunes Rd when, according to witnesses, he ran a red light and collided nearly head-on with a Chevrolet Van, operated by Joel Gibson (39) of Medford.

As a result of the collision, Lucero suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The highway was closed for over three hours while the Oregon State Police investigated the incident.

OSP was assisted by the Clackamas County Sheriffs Office, Oregon City Police Department, Gladstone Police Department, AMR, Clackamas Fire, Clackamas County ME's Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
WASCO COUNTY, Ore-- The Oregon State Police is working with The Dalles Police Department, Wasco County Sheriffs Office on an incident that occurred this morning November 13, 2021, around 8:47 A.M. in Wasco County involving shots fired.

The Oregon State Police SWAT team searched a residence near Shaniko earlier today in an attempt to locate Cantwell. Highway 97 was shut down for several hours to collect evidence and document the scene.

Law Enforcement is currently asking for the publics assistance for information on the where abouts of Logan Cantwell (23). Logan Cantwell may be using the alias Logan Taylor or Kendall Myers. If seen, do not approach him.

Any information regarding Logan Cantwells current location should be immediately reported by call by calling 911 or the Oregon State Police Dispatch at 800-442-0776 or *OSP (*677) from your mobile phone.

Reference case #SP21319426
A wealthy entrepreneur learns of a pipe-dream opportunity giving brave tourists an experience  and a breathtaking view  they cant get anywhere else, and he makes it all come true.

He is bold and innovative and soon his name is all over the media in connection with the venture.

Elon Musk? Jeff Bezos? How about Kenoshas own Zalmon Simmons?

You have to go back over 135 years ago to 1884 to when Simmons headed several enterprises, including a cheesebox factory, a fanning mill, a telegraph insulator manufacturing center and a telegraph company. And, he had just incorporated his newest business: The North Western Wire Mattress Company (later to become Simmons Manufacturing Company).

His wife Emma had health concerns and she found relief in the clean, fresh mountain air of Manitou Springs, Colorado. The Cliff House, owned by a friend of Simmons, Edward E. Nichols Sr., became their getaway spot.

Zalmon traveled there in the fall of 1884 on a business trip. He had provided a prototype of a wooden insulator to Western Union for a new line up to the US. Signal Station on the summit of Pikes Peak. Never afraid to get his hands dirty, Simmons wanted to see first-hand how his insulators were holding up.

This involved making the two-day ascent  and return  on the back of a mule.

When the 56-year-old Simmons returned to the Cliff House, he found he was too stiff and sore to sit or even lie down. He spent a few days in the Turkish Bath there, recovering.

While recuperating he reflected about the magnificent landscape scenes of his trip and marveled once again about the view from the 14,100-foot summit.

There too, he began thinking about the conversation he had with one of the locals, Major John Hulbert.

Hulbert dreamed of building a railway up to the summit, even though other rail companies were having a terrible time building railroads that defied gravity in the Rockies. He had invested heavily in the Pikes Peak Tramway Company by James Kerr.

Kerr didnt have any faith in the Colorado Springs banks, so he sold bonds and placed the money in a New York bank. The bank went bankrupt the very next day. That ended the tramway company.

Simmons contacted Hulbert for a meeting. Simmons said he was ready to spend a million dollars so he and the rest of the soft-bottomed humans could ride up Pikes Peak in the greatest comfort that technology could provide: a cog railway.

Cog is key

The line would be patterned after the Mt. Washington Cog Railway in New Hampshire, a three-mile road, built in 1869, that ran to the top of New Englands highest point. The Pikes Peak run was three times as long as Mt. Washington, and Simmons wanted the trip to be as quick as the one at Mt. Washington: 90 minutes to the top.

The Pikes Peak version, christened the Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, consisted of a teapot of an engine pushing a glass-walled car up a maximum 25 percent grade. The engine and car ran on light rails, but the core of the mechanics was a very heavy double-toothed rail in the center. A large cog wheel in the engine matched with the center rail and inched the two cars up the track.

The passenger car had its own cog so it could be stopped immediately if the engine failed and began to backslide.

Grading begins

Grading on the massive project began in August 1889 after Simmons obtained permits for a right-of-way and station acreage on the summit from U. S. Secretary of the Interior John W. Noble.

Grading began not at the bottom, but at the top. Construction was more difficult and costly in the lowest three miles, where the steep slopes were harder to conquer than the barren rocks of the higher elevations. The bottom three miles cost as much to grade as the top 5.9 miles!

It was impossible to use horses or mules in the grading. All the work was done with pick, shovel and wheelbarrow in the thin atmosphere. The contractors had difficulty replacing laborers, who deserted the job in droves, even though the job paid top wages of 25 cents and hour, and 18 cents for common labor.

By Christmas, 800 workers and 100 mules had well advanced the grading, but at a tragic cost. Three men died in dynamite explosions, one was crushed by a boulder, and two had fatal heart attacks in the high altitude.

Next spring, Simmons hurried back west. He personally helped his crew shovel snow off the route.

Laying the track

When the first engine arrived in May, it was named the John Hulbert. On its test test run it ran out of steam and died a few hundred yards up the grade.

The engineer Simmons had on the project, Thomas F. Richardson, solved the problem by enlarging the boiler and built three water tanks for stops along the line. Weeks later, dark green passenger cars with ornate gold leaf striping and narrow seats upholstered in gold plush arrived: they were named Leadville, Colorado Springs, and Denver. Later that year, two other locomotives were added: T.F. Richardson and Pikes Peak.

At last the laying of the track was completed on Oct. 22, 1890, just four months after the track work had begun.

Then winter engulfed the Rockies and the wait began for the late spring thaw.

The day of the maiden excursion  June 30, 1891, 8:23 a.m.  the John Hulbert engine began pushing the Denver, filled with city officials and reporters up the awesome grade. Simmons in his customary silk hat and cutaways, Hulbert and Nichols joined the group in song for the first mile or so until the sharp canyons steep incline quickly quieted the passengers.

About an hour into the ride, the train wheels ground to a stop just past the timber line. A rock slide covered the track and it would be hours before the workers could clear it. Simmons apologized to his guests in the nippy mountain air, and ordered the train back to Manitou.

A second train of dignitaries tried the ascent in the early afternoon with the same result. Finally later that afternoon, the third train made it to the summit at 5:25 pm. Passengers were the 61 members of the Highland Christian Church Choir from Denver.

It was dark when they returned, sooty and tired, back to the Manitou depot. The trip had been exhilarating and a full-course dinner at the Iron Spring Hotel awaited them, courtesy of Zalmon Simmons.

A two-year restoration and reconstruction project was completed this year and the line reopened on May 20.

The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway still operates today. I hope to see the view from the top of Pikes Peak on my travels over the next couple of years.

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On Monday, November 1, an Orange County California Superior Court Judge said, in a tentative decision, that the opioid pharmaceutical companies were not responsible for the opioid crisis.

This particular case, going by the name of The People of the State of California v. Purdue Pharma, started in 2014. The judges ruling noted that neither party requested a trial by jury. The trial took place before the judge between April 19, 2021, and July 27, 2021. Both sides rested their cases as of July 27, 2021. Closing arguments took place on September 30, 2021, and October 1, 2021. The entire trial was conducted by way of Zoom. Tons of opioid cases like this one currently flood various jurisdictions of our nation. One concluded this summer in my home state of West Virginia. The judgment is still out on that one.

On November 1, the Honorable Peter Wilson issued his 46-page Tentative Decision in the California case wherein he ruled against The People of California (the collective name for the Plaintiffs who filed the lawsuit) and in favor of Purdue Pharma and the other drug companies named in the $50 billion dollar case.

Heres a nutshell of a causality portion of his decision:

Judge Wilsons ruling said:

The Plaintiffs contend that each defendant engaged in an aggressive false and/or misleading marketing scheme designed to increase, and which succeeded in increasing, the writing of prescriptions for defendants opioid medications, and that the increased prescriptions have caused or contributed to the opioid crisis being experienced in California  The opioid crisis constitutes the public nuisance that plaintiffs seek to abate in their third cause of action. The alleged false and/or misleading marketing constitutes the false advertising which forms the basis for the first and second causes of action.

The burden of proof was on the Plaintiffs to prove the following:

False advertising Unlawful business practices. This included unlawful, unfair or fraudulent business practices or unfair, deceptive, untrue or misleading advertising. Public nuisance. This was defined as affecting an entire community or neighborhood, or any considerable number of persons.

The judge said there was no dispute that the interference with collective social interests caused by the abuse of opioids was substantial. He emphasized that the plaintiffs had to prove that the defendants contribution was unreasonable in that the harms outweigh the benefits. They also had to prove that the contribution of the defendants was more than negligible or theoretical. The judge said the plaintiffs failed to prove the interference was unreasonable as defined by the legal precedent. He said the plaintiffs failed to prove the interference was more than negligible or theoretical.

In a nutshell, and on my reading of it, the judge said that by nature (of being Federally Controlled Schedule II medicines), these opioids have known risks, including potential for abuse and addiction, and they are medically necessary for some patients. Additionally, he said some patients can get addicted to them even if they are used as prescribed.

As the number of prescriptions goes up, the number of overdoses, opioid deaths, abuses, and misuses goes up. These same numbers go up with increased doses. He agreed with that. The judge added that the California Legislature adopted measures including the Patients Bill of Rights of 1997, which saw that patients who needed opioids for pain could get them from clinicians without clinicians risking discipline.

He detailed the various prongs of the code that assured that the patients who needed these meds could readily get them from clinicians without the clinicians fear of discipline and that they are potentially medically necessary medicines that patients and health care practitioners should have access to the proper prescription of.

He then went on to say that it would be difficult to sort out which marketing and promotion (and note: I am staying out of the false and misleading verbiage of the document right there) led to medically appropriate increased opioid use versus which marketing and promotion led to increased medically inappropriate opioid use. He said the plaintiffs did not distinguish between these two increases, and Plaintiffs ask the court to infer that the rise in prescriptions generally must logically also have resulted in the rise of medically inappropriate prescriptions. But there is no evidence, other than the rise itself, from which this court can reasonably draw such an inference.

And even if the court could reasonably infer that false or misleading marketing must have caused some medically inappropriate prescriptions to be written, no evidence before the court enables it to conclude, without rank speculation, whether the number or volume of such medically inappropriate prescriptions contributed to the alleged public nuisance, and if so, to what extent.

The judge pointed out that the plaintiffs themselves called the opioid crisis multifaceted. They identified various players in the crisis, including manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, doctors, the illegal drug trade, the FDA, the DEA, and the state. Because the plaintiffs acknowledged this, without any evidence to show exact portions of causality amounts of each, that the judge would not be able to assuredly delineate how much of a causal role these drug companies played. So, he noted, he would not be able to say whether their causal role was any more than negligible or theoretical. He said that if he said that their role was greater than that, he would be speculating. Thus his ruling.

Over half a million Americans have died from opioids since 2001. The Purdue Pharma founding family and former owners of the Oxycontin producing company, the Sacklers, won immunity from these lawsuits just a few months before this California verdict. Forbes Magazine declared the Sackler familys worth at 13 billion dollars in 2016. As part of their immunity proceedings, they would pay 4.3 billion dollars. They maintain theyve done nothing wrong even in the face of their companys guilty pleas in 2007 and 2020 to criminal wrongdoing in marketing oxycontin. Judge Drain, who oversaw the recent bankruptcy proceedings, did not order the family to apologize for the crisis, saying, A forced apology is not really an apology.

No, its not, Judge Drain. As someone who is kind of big on valuing the words, Im sorry, I agree with you there.

I am curious what other doctors who have ever prescribed opioids think about this verdict and this national flood of blame and money moving and this opioid fallout. I hear very little about it on medical news platforms like this one.

For me, my own personal stories of opioid patients come to mind, including one who keyed my car when I stopped prescribing his opioid after an acute injury. I think of some local opioid overdose deaths in my community. I would love to hear what other doctors and clinicians have to say about these issues, like the not responsible verdict and the Sackler family running away liability-free and still worth billions of dollars. Does anybody feel like the opioid companies were pushy in the 90s and 2000s? Were they in the right? Is the California ruling in line with the common good? Are our prescribing practices under scrutiny? What runs through our heads right now, doctors? I would love to know.

Rebecca Thaxton is a family physician.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
SPRINGFIELD, Ore.-- The Target located in The Shoppes at Gateway in Springfield had to evacuate Saturday afternoon because of a gas leak.

Fire crews responded around 2:40 p.m.

Officials said a Target employee hit the heaters inside, releasing natural gas in the air.

There was minimal damage to the pipe which connected to the heater, they said.

No injuries were reported.

Firefighters said it took about 30 minutes to make sure everything cleared out.

Target spokesperson Brian Harper-Tibaldo released a statement saying:

"Out of an abundance of caution, our Springfield, Oregon store was briefly evacuated early Saturday afternoon after some guests and team members reported smelling gas. The local fire department responded and traced the odor to a minor technical malfunction, which was quickly resolved. The store reopened within about 30 minutes. We can confirm that no one was injured, and we appreciate local first responders for resolving the situation quickly."
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ROCHESTER, Minn.- The gym at Christ Community Church was busy on Saturday with people showing their support towards children in Cambodia.

Since 2010, Marti Ogren has been holding the Creating Hope 4 Cambodia fundraiser. The craft fair helps Cambodian children stay in school and out of human trafficking.

"We support 150 kids in grades 6 through college. We have kids graduating from college with degrees that are going to be changing the lives of their families and hopefully lifting them out of the poverty that they've known," says Ogren.

According to Ogren, many children in Cambodia quit school after fifth grade and begin to work to support their families. Uneducated children are also preyed upon by sex traffickers.

For four years, the craft fair was at Ogren's house. Ogren eventually moved the fundraiser to Christ Community Church where it's been for eight years. Vendors at Saturday's fair sold merchandise including dolls, jewelry, and soap. Husband and wife duo Cora and Andy Alber were a handful of business owners displaying their products to help Cambodian children.

It's an awesome feeling to get to do something you love and are excited about to have as a business," says Andy Alber. "To be able to give back and make a difference is a cool thing to do both at once."

The vendors will be giving some or even all of their proceeds towards Creating Hope 4 Cambodia. Ogren is hoping to raise over $16,000 this year.




South Korea's vice foreign minister embarked on a trip to Washington on Sunday for talks with his American and Japanese counterparts on North Korea and other pending issues.







Choi Jong-Kun plans to hold a three-way meeting with Wendy Sherman, the U.S. deputy secretary of state, and Japan's Vice Foreign Minister Takeo Mori in Washington on Tuesday (U.S. time).







The three are expected to discuss latest diplomacy surrounding the North Korean nuclear stalemate and could also potentially discuss the results and details of the U.S.-China online summit scheduled for Monday.







It is to mark the first vice-ministerial meeting of the three countries since July in Japan. The trio has held eight rounds of such meetings since April 2015.







Among other issues expected to be covered are the proposed declaration of a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War and the global supply chain crisis.







Choi is also scheduled to hold separate one-on-one meetings with Sherman and Mori, respectively, in Washington.







On Monday, Choi and Sherman are expected to discuss ways of reopening diplomacy surrounding the Korea Peninsula peace process and ongoing multilateral efforts to restore a 2015 Iran nuclear agreement.







Although South Korea is not part of the landmark accord, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the allies have maintained communication on the matter, especially with Iranian assets here frozen under fresh U.S. sanctions.







Talks between Choi and Mori will be the start of full-fledged high-level Seoul-Tokyo consultation following the launch of the new Japanese Cabinet under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida last month.







Choi is also scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the Republic of Korea-U.S. Strategic Forum 2021, co-hosted by the Korea Foundation and the Center for Strategic and International Studies, on Monday in Washington. He will then travel to Boston on Thursday for a lecture at Harvard University's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. He is scheduled to return home on Saturday. (Yonhap)






South Korea and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held high-level talks Friday to discuss North Korea's nuclear program, Japan's planned disposal of radioactive contaminated water and other issues, the foreign ministry said.







Ham Sang-wook, deputy foreign minister for multilateral and global affairs, met Massimo Aparo, the head of the IAEA department of safeguards, in Seoul, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.







During the meeting, Ham requested the IAEA play a proactive role in enhancing transparency and safety regarding Japan's planned disposal of the wastewater from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant.







Tokyo plans to release the water that has been stored in tanks at the wrecked plant, possibly starting 2023.







Seoul and the IAEA have held high-level talks since 2013 to promote bilateral strategic communication. (Yonhap)


A scene from "Squid Game" / Courtesy of Netflix



Jang Yoo-rim is a senior at the Korean Minjok Leadership Academy in South Korea and a member of the Freedom Speakers International Global High School Union (FSI-GHSU). She prepared this text for the second FSI-GHSU International Youth Forum on Oct. 30.  Ed



By Jang Yoo-rim





I am not a politician, nor am I a policymaker of any kind. At least not yet. I am a teenage girl born and raised beneath the border of Gangwon Province, who nurtured her curiosity of the world while being surrounded by the remnants of war. I am a proud student of the Korean Minjok Leadership Academy who was taught to speak out on my beliefs. Most importantly, I am one of the rising generation in our society that has the potential to change what is wrong.



I have been inspired to speak out after I saw the newly released Netflix series, "Squid Game." I enjoyed the whole series in one sitting. Above all, I was particularly interested in one of the sub-characters, Kang Sae-byeok, a North Korean refugee teenager about my age. I am not the only fan of hers; in a recent survey on Netflix, she ranked number one in popularity among all of the characters in the series even though the actor who played the role didn't have any prior acting experience. Maybe it was because she was one of the few North Korean characters to play a prominent role, or maybe she introduced us to the dark side of our society that many of us were ignorant of  the reality of North Korean refugees in South Korea.?



Our ignorance and misconceptions start from the very moment of seeking refuge. While the majority may generalize the reason for this as due to famine or poverty, the reality is much more complex. Many seek something beyond their basic needs  pursuing their dreams and upholding their ideologies in a democratic environment. Recently a man claiming to be a former government official of North Korea had an interview with BBC Korea. He stated that even one of the most powerful political and economic positions cannot seal the discrepancy between his belief and that of the nation. Regardless of one's status, North Korean society was not a suitable platform for their thoughts and abilities to be appreciated, whereas South Korean society was portrayed as the land of milk and honey through K-media penetrating the border, he said.



However, South Korea is rarely the paradise of their dreams.?






By Huang Chia-lu





In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged much of the globe. In mid-May 2021, the Republic of China (Taiwan) saw a sudden rise in case numbers. When Taiwan needed help the most, partners such as the United States, Japan, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland, as well as the COVAX Facility, the global allocation mechanism for COVID-19 vaccines, immediately pledged to donate or provided vaccines to Taiwan, allowing Taiwan to gradually bring the pandemic back under control.



This is a testament to the international joint efforts to tackle the serious challenges brought about by the pandemic. The same joint efforts will be needed to address growing international cybercrimes in the post-pandemic era, and Taiwan is willing to be part of that effort.



Throughout the pandemic, Taiwan government agencies and private companies have closely followed anti-pandemic policies to prevent cluster infections. People began working from home and schools adopted virtual learning. Consumers turned to e-commerce, and online food ordering and delivery service platforms flourished. The pandemic has led to these changes in our lives, and while it is sure to abate in the foreseeable future, the spread of cybertechnology will not. It has fundamentally altered the way we work, live, learn and relax  resulting in an entirely new lifestyle.



However, our increased reliance on cybertechnology has also made it easier than ever for criminals to exploit security vulnerabilities to commit crimes. Thus, cybersecurity will be one of the most important issues in the post-pandemic era as it is essential to maintaining public safety worldwide.



As cybercrime transcends borders, the victims, perpetrators and crime scenes may be located in different countries. The most common cybercrime is telecom fraud, which utilizes the internet and other telecommunications technologies. Transnational cooperation is necessary to bring international crime rings to justice.



In 2020, Taiwanese police used big data analytics to identify multiple Taiwanese nationals who were suspected of establishing telecom fraud operations in Montenegro. Taiwan contacted Montenegro and proposed mutual legal assistance, enabling the Montenegrin Special State Prosecutor's Office to move forward with the case. Through joint efforts, Taiwanese and the Montenegrin police forces uncovered three telecom fraud operations and arrested 92 suspects accused of impersonating Chinese government officials, police and prosecutors.



It is believed that the suspects scammed more than 2,000 people in China, causing up to $22.6 million in financial losses. This case highlights the features of transnational crime. The suspects were Taiwanese nationals, while the victims were Chinese nationals. The alleged crime occurred in Montenegro and was perpetrated with telecommunications technologies. Thanks to bilateral police cooperation, the suspects were apprehended, preventing other innocent people from falling victim to the scam.



Child and youth sexual exploitation is another internationally condemned crime, with countries worldwide making every effort to prevent it and bring perpetrators to justice. In 2019, Taiwanese police received information from the U.S. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's virtual private network CyberTipline indicating that a South African citizen in Taiwan was suspected of having uploaded large quantities of child pornography to the internet. Following the lead, Taiwanese police quickly located the suspect and searched his residence, seizing evidence of child pornography.



Police also found photographs and videos of him sexually assaulting Taiwanese children. The illicit images were stored on servers located in the United States, and the alleged crimes were committed in Taiwan. As the victims in this case were underage, they were too young to adequately explain the situation or seek assistance.



Cybercrime requires cross-border investigations. However, jurisdictions and definitions of crimes vary among law enforcement agencies worldwide. Criminal rings understand this all too well and exploit the resulting information barriers, fleeing to other countries to decrease the likelihood of being caught. Like COVID-19, cybercrime can strike individuals in any country.



Therefore, just as the world has joined forces to combat the pandemic, countering cybercrime requires the cooperation of international police forces assisting and sharing information with one another. Only then can more crimes be prevented and more cases be solved efficiently, allowing people worldwide to enjoy a safer life.



Taiwanese police authorities have long strived to promote international cooperation in combating cross-border crime. In 2020, there were three prominent cases. Through the joint efforts of Taiwan, Vietnam and the United States, transnational telecom fraud call centers were raided in January; the following month, a U.S. currency counterfeiting ring was discovered; and 12 individuals suspected of involvement in human trafficking and violation of the Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act were arrested in July.



Taiwan's police authorities have a specialized High Technology Crime Investigation Unit and professional cybercrime investigators. The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) under the National Police Agency of the Ministry of the Interior also established a Digital Forensics Lab that meets international standards.



The laboratory was issued the world's first ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for Windows Program Analysis by the Taiwan Accreditation Foundation. In 2021, the CIB standardized its malware analysis procedures, in addition to establishing file analysis and network analysis mechanisms. Taiwan's expertise in combating cybercrime will benefit global efforts to build a safer cyberspace.



The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the fact that diseases transcend national borders and it can affect anyone  regardless of skin color, ethnicity, language or gender. Distrust, disagreements and a lack of transparency between nations accelerated the spread of the virus. Only when international partners provide mutual assistance and share anti-pandemic information, expertise and vaccines can the world overcome the pandemic quickly and successfully.



The Global Policing Goals were endorsed by Interpol member countries in 2017, with the stated purpose of creating a safer and more sustainable world. With this mission in mind, we must work together to combat crime  just as we have joined forces to combat the pandemic. No police agency or country should be excluded. To fight cybercrime and bolster global cybersecurity effectively, the world needs to cooperate. Taiwan needs the world's support and Taiwan is willing and able to help the world by sharing its experience.



As the entire world teams up to combat the pandemic this year, we urge the international community, in the same spirit, to support Taiwan's bid to attend the Interpol General Assembly as an observer this year and participate in Interpol meetings, mechanisms and training activities. Taiwan's pragmatic and meaningful participation would help make the world a safer place for all.





Huang Chia-lu is commissioner of the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Republic of China (Taiwan).






From left, LX Holdings Chairman Koo Bon-joon, Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin and POSCO International CEO Joo Si-bo



Corporate leaders assist gov't to secure DEF supply



By Kim Hyun-bin



The Korean government has been scrambling to implement emergency measures to ease the supply shortage of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), known here as "urea water," following the strengthening of export restrictions in China.



Urea water is used to reduce emissions in diesel vehicles. Despite the government's efforts, the supply has been falling short of demand. Just this year alone, the country has been hit hard by semiconductor chip and urea water supply shortages.



Industry sources say the government must reexamine supply chains and cooperate with conglomerates to utilize their vast overseas networks in times of emergency.



Although the government has struggled to obtain a sufficient supply of urea water, major conglomerates such as LX International, Lotte Fine Chemical and POSCO International have utilized their overseas connections and networks to secure the much-needed materials.



"Other countries are facing shortages of urea and urea water as well and it is not about who can pay more for it or who can utilize their overseas branches, but these contracts have been difficult without high-ranking officials' direct connections and involvement," an industry source said.






Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. High near 35F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

A clear sky. Low 24F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Angola, IN (46703)

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Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High near 35F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

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Clear to partly cloudy. Low 23F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Angola, IN (46703)

Today

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. High around 35F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Mainly clear skies. Low 23F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
WASCO COUNTY, Ore. (KPTV)  Oregon State Police is asking for the publics help finding a suspect in a shots fired incident on Saturday morning.

Portland police find large stamp collection during call, ask for help finding owner PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV)  The Portland Police Bureau is asking for the publics help to return a stolen stamp collection to its owner.

OSP said it responded along with The Dalles Police Department and the Wasco County Sheriffs Office just before 9 a.m. on Saturday. The OSP SWAT team searched a house near Shaniko in an attempt to locate 23-year-old Logan Cantwell but were unable to do so. Highway 97 was shut down for several hours for the investigation.

OSP is asking for the publics help to find Cantwell. He may be using the alias Logan Taylor or Kendall Myers. If seen, do not approach him.

If you have any information about Cantwell, youre asked to call 911
The minor child has been located and is with law enforcement in Elko Co Nevada. An arrest warrant has been served on the party believed to have kidnapped the minor child. Read more
Santa Claus is coming to downtown Lake Geneva this holiday season.

Kristina Tarantino, event coordinator for the Lake Geneva Business Improvement District, announced dates for upcoming Santa visits during the Business Improvement District Board meeting, Nov. 3.

Santas first visit will be during the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony 5:30 p.m., Dec. 3 at Flat Iron Park, 201 Wrigley Drive. Santa is set to ride into Flat Iron Park on a firetruck with Mayor Charlene Klein.

The Jolly Ole Elf then will be greeting holiday shoppers at the Bottle Shop, 617 W. Main St., from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 5. Members of the Underground Sound Jazz Band will be performing during the visit.

Santa will be stationed there, but he will stroll through town, Tarantino said. But thats where he is going to be stationed for photos and everything.

Santas next visit will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 12 at Topsy Turvy Brewery, 727 Geneva St., and will include live reindeer and hot chocolate.

The final Santa visit will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 19 at the Baker House, 327 Wrigley Drive, and will feature a Victorian Christmas theme with performances from the Underground Sound Jazz Band and hot chocolate.

Its a Wonderful Life

in Lake GenevaAlso during the meeting, Tarantino announced the theme for this years holiday window decorating contest Its a Wonderful Lake Life in which participating business owners are being asked to decorate their storefronts based on the holiday classic Its a Wonderful Life.

The contest runs from Nov. 13 to Dec. 31 and will include three different categories.

We will have the mayor pick one of her favorites, then we might have a social media category, Tarantino said. We did that last year, but I think there was some cheating going on with the social media category. So I have to figure out a way where people cant vote twice.

Tarantino said she plans to announce the contest winners in mid-December.

So people could come down and see the winning windows, Tarantino said. I havent picked an end date. The displays can come down Dec. 31, but we will probably announce the winners a couple of weeks before that.

Students from Badger High Schools advanced marketing team are set to decorate several of the downtown businesses windows.

Theres a lot of interest in that, Tarantino said. It gives the students a project.

Wreaths and snowflakes to cover downtown Lake GenevaThe light posts in the downtown area will be decorated with wreaths and snowflakes throughout the holiday season.

Dimitri Anagnos, member of the Business Improvement District Board, said the wreaths and snowflakes should be a less disruptive alternative than the holiday lights that are usually installed on the light posts.

Theyre much harder to vandalize, Anagnos said.

The downtown area includes about 120 lights posts, and city staff will alternate which posts will be decorated with a wreath and which posts will be decorated with a snowflake.

Spyro Condos, president of the Business Improvement District Board, said decorating the light posts with snowflakes and wreaths will give the downtown area a more festive look during the holiday season.

I agree. I would alternate the wreaths and the snowflakes, Condos said.

Christmas market to encourage downtown shoppingTarantino said the Business Improvement District plans to launch a Christmas market campaign to encourage people to shop at the downtown businesses during the holiday season.

Were trying to encourage everyone to shop small and local and get your gifts early, Tarantino said. Its not an actual market, but its where youre going to do your Christmas shopping.

Deanna Goodwin, marketing director for VISIT Lake Geneva, said the tourism-promotion group also is encouraging people to shop in the downtown area for their holiday gifts.

Were going to be doing a big push for the holidays, emphasizing not just events and activities but also shopping, Goodwin said. There is Small Business Saturday right after Thanksgiving, but were going with every day is Small Business Saturday and shop local.

For more information about the Business Improvement Districts holiday events, visit www.streetsoflakegeneva.com.

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Kyle Rittenhouse testifying about the night he shot three men on the streets of Kenosha  sobbing and seemingly unable to continue as he spoke about the first shooting  was among the most compelling moments in his two-week murder trial.

It might also have been the most effective part of the three-day defense case, potentially swaying any jurors inclined toward sympathy for the 18-year-old who has claimed self-defense for killing two men and injuring one.

Prosecutors say the primary cause of the violence was Rittenhouse's decision to go to Kenosha with a rifle in a city wracked by protests after a white police officer shot a Black man, Jacob Blake.

Rittenhouse, who was 17 at the time, is charged with multiple counts including intentional and reckless homicide, as well as possession of a dangerous weapon by a minor. He and the men he shot are white.

Here is a look at how the presentation went for the defense, which rested its case Thursday:

HOW DID RITTENHOUSES TESTIMONY GO?

The defenses most consequential decision was to put Rittenhouse on the stand to let him tell jurors what was going through his mind when he opened fire.

Andrew Branca, a Colorado lawyer who wrote the book The Law of Self Defense: Principles, said on his blog about the trial that the decision was a high-stakes bet by the defense, and one that always has risk of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Defendants claiming self-defense dont have to testify. But theres pressure on them to do so since what they were thinking when they used lethal force is so central to determining guilt.

The risk was Rittenhouse would get tripped up, rattled or provoked by aggressive questioning from prosecutors and that he would blurt out something that hurt his case. But for most of his some six hours testifying, he was calm, answering questions politely and succinctly. He didnt wilt or lash back.

Lead prosecutor Thomas Binger pressed Rittenhouse, asking him if it was true that he intended to kill all three men. I didnt intend to kill them," Rittenhouse responded. I intended to stop the people who were attacking me.

His display of apparent emotion just minutes into his testimony, leading the judge to call a brief recess, may have helped his cause with jurors, some legal experts said.

There is public debate as to the sincerity of Rittenhouses tears, said Louis J. Shapiro, a Los Angeles lawyer. If the jury accepts them as genuine, then it will bode well for Rittenhouse.

Branca, who told The Associated Press previously he thought Rittenhouse should be acquitted, said Rittenhouse's testimony went well for the defense.

WHAT ELSE STOOD OUT ABOUT THE DEFENSE CASE?

The defense achieved a lot before even starting their presentation to jurors. Some witnesses for the state clearly helped the defense.

A stark example was when one of the prosecution's earliest witnesses, videographer Richie McGinniss, described the first man Rittenhouse killed, Joseph Rosenbaum charging Rittenhouse, screaming F--- you! and lunging for Rittenhouses rifle.

It was also prosecutors who entered the extensive video evidence that backed the defense view that Rittenhouse was being chased when he shot Rosenbaum and, moments later, Anthony Huber and Gaige Grosskreutz. Their video showed Grosskreutz with a gun in his hand as he approached Rittenhouse.

Joe Lopez, a Chicago-based defense attorney, said he didnt see calling such witnesses as a mistake by prosecutors. He said prosecutors often want to be the ones entering evidence that is unavoidably favorable to the defense rather than leaving it for the defense to do.

WHAT ELSE DID THE DEFENSE ACCOMPLISH?

Since so many key issues were broached and thrashed out in cross-examination during the states weeklong case, the defense had less to do.

Besides putting Rittenhouse on the stand for much of Wednesday, the defense also called a series of witnesses in an effort to show he displayed no aggression or ill-intent on the night, and helped to clean graffiti that day and put out fires at night.

With prosecutors trying to focus jurors on the totality of what Rittenhouse did, starting with his decision to come to Kenosha with a gun, the defense tried to steer them toward a micro view, with one defense expert zeroing in Thursday on the 2 minutes, 55 seconds from when Rosenbaum started chasing Rittenhouse.

Self-defense is the debate that the defense wants the jury having in the jury room, Shapiro said. Not the question of why didnt Rittenhouse mind his own business and stay away from the protest."
Services are now available for farmers interested in participating in poultry surveys, getting livestock advices via a toll-free hotline, participating in a webinar on COVID-19 in the dairy industry and getting advice on year-end tax planning.
Milk margins reported through the USDAs Dairy Margin Coverage Program hit a record low in August 2021, making it tough for farm families trying to navigate profitability in their dairy business. On the other hand, it does demonstrate the importance of having a risk management plan in place.
New Delhi, November 14: The defence ministry has formally lifted a ban on Italian firm Leonardo SpA and its subsidiary AgustaWestland as their names have not figured in an updated list of companies debarred and suspended from business dealings with it, officials familiar with the developments said on Sunday. Leonardo SpA, which was earlier known as Finmeccanica, and AgustaWestland were banned in 2014 in the wake of allegations of corruption in a Rs 3,500-crore VVIP helicopters deal.

The ministry issued a new notification dated November 12 updating the list of firms debarred/put on hold/suspended from doing business with it.

The two Italian firms do not figure in the list. India had scrapped the contract with AgustaWestland for supplying the 12 AW-101 VVIP choppers over alleged breach of contractual obligations and charges of kickbacks paid by the firm for securing the deal. AgustaWestland Scam: Accused-Turned-Approver Rajiv Saxena Granted Interim Bail.

Sources said Leonardo SpA has given a letter withdrawing its claims of 350 million euros on the cancelled order of the VVIP helicopters. It is learnt that though the defence ministry has lifted the ban on the two Italian firms, the probe by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the VVIP chopper deal will continue. The sources said the lifting of the ban will now allow Leonardo SpA to participate in the heavy-weight torpedo programme under the Indian Navy's Project 75.

Six Scorpene submarines are being built under Project-75 by state-run Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) under technology transfer from the Naval Group of France. The Navy is likely to soon float tenders for naval radars and naval turrets for the submarines under Project 75. The MDL has already delivered four of the six submarines.

The updated list figured six companies as "debarred firms" while 15 companies have been put under the category of "put on hold/suspended".

The list also mentions two firms as "restricted" for procurement.

Following reports of the lifting of the ban on Leonardo SpA, the opposition Congress had questioned the decision.

(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], November 14 (ANI): Following the cylinder blast incident in Azadpur in the national capital in which at least 17 people were injured, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai Sunday visited the area and the hospital in which the injured have been admitted.

"More than 17 people were injured in the cylinder blast incident and are admitted to the hospital. I am heading to the hospital also to meet them. Will give the report to Delhi Chief Minister (Arvind Kejriwal) and provide all sorts of assistance," Rai told media persons near the Lalbagh masjid area before heading into the hospital.

Also Read | Fuel Excise Duty Reduction: Irked with Recent Cut, Haryana Petrol Pumps to go on 24-Hour Strike Tomorrow.

The Minister, after meeting the injured people at the Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital, told ANI that several people had sustained severe injuries in the blast. "The doctor told me that seven to eight people have serious injuries. They have been referred to another hospital for treatment at ICU," he added.

Dr Deepak, Chief Medical Officer at the Hospital told ANI that nine out of the 15 people brought to the hospital had sustained severe injuries and were referred to another hospital.

Also Read | Karnataka: Women Barge into Liquor Shop, Smash Furniture in Chikkamagalur.

An injured person, Sonu, said, "The cylinder blast took place at my house. We are replacing the empty cylinder with a new one and when we lighted the stove, the cylinder caught fire. Minutes later, another cylinder caught fire."

He further blamed the cylinder company's providers for providing faulty cylinders and alleged they did so to earn profits. "Numerous times we have registered complaints but no action was taken ," Sonu added.

According to the police, a PCR call was received at around 10.08 am in Adarsh Nagar police station regarding a fire accident in a house near Lalbagh masjid, Azadpur due to a cylinder blast.

Of the 17 injured people, some were admitted to Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital and some to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. No casualties were reported in the incident, said the police. (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, Nov 14 (PTI) The Editors Guild of India (EGI) and Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC) on Sunday condemned the detention of two women journalists by the Assam Police based on an FIR which alleged they had maligned the image of the Tripura government by their reporting of the recent communal incidents there.

Police officials in both the states have confirmed that Samriddhi Sakunia and Swarna Jha, journalists with HW News Network, who went to Tripura to write on the recent communal incidents there, were detained by the Assam Police at Karimganj's Neelam Bazar, close to the border between the two states on Sunday.

Also Read | Defence Ministry Formally Lifts Ban on Italian Firms Leonardo SpA, AgustaWestland.

The duo is being kept at a government-run shelter home for women for the night and will be handed over to the Tripura Police on Monday morning, an Assam police officer said.

"Editors Guild condemns this action and demands their immediate release and restoration of their freedom to travel," the EGI said in a statement.

Also Read | Jammu & Kashmir: Policeman Injured in Encounter with Terrorists in Srinagars Jamalata.

The IWPC also condemned the police action against the two journalists and demanded that they should be allowed to do their job without any fear.

"We understand that the two women journalists, Ms Sakuni and Ms Jha, are to be taken back to Tripura for questioning," the IWPC said, adding, "We demand that they be released immediately and be allowed to do their job.

The two scribes were held by Assam Police on their way to Silchar airport on Sunday. The Assam Police informed them that they were being held as "Tripura Police asked (Assam Police) to detain them (the duo)".

Sakunia and Jha were named in an FIR at Fatikroy Police Station of Tripura based on a complaint filed by a supporter of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, alleging that they had maligned the image of the Tripura government by their reporting, according to a statement issued by their employer.

Earlier, Sakunia had tweeted, "We have been detained at the Nilambazar police station, Karimganj, Assam. We were informed by the officer-in-charge of Nilambazar PS that SP of Gomti District gave the orders for our detention."

A senior police official in Agartala said that the two journalists were detained based on requests by the Tripura Police and a team of officials from Dharmanagar has gone to Nilambazaar to bring them.

The official said the journalists had posted on social media that a mosque was burnt in Gomati district and a copy of the Quran was damaged.

"Police suspect that the videos uploaded by her were doctored and police wanted to know if the videos were fake or true by interrogating them," he added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Srinagar, November 14: One police personnel sustained injures in an encounter that broke out between Jammu and Kashmir Police and terrorists in the Jamalata area of Nawa Kadal of Srinagar on Sunday. In an official statement said that the police personnel was evacuated to a nearby hospital for the treatment of his injuries. Based on input about the presence of terrorists in the area, a small party of the Srinagar Police carried out a raid in the Jamalata area.

According to the police, as the team approached the spot where terrorists were suspected to be hiding they faced indiscriminate firing, resulting in injuries to one police personnel. Jammu and Kashmir: 2 More Non-Local Labourers Killed, 1 Injured After Being Fired Upon by Terrorists at Wanpoh Area of Kulgam.

"Keeping in view the safety of the civilians and evening rush in the area the police team exercised maximum restraint. However, reinforcement of Police and CRPF laid cordon of the suspected clusters of houses and a search started," said police. Police have registered a case and started an investigation into the matter.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], November 14 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday slammed the Congress party over the alleged bitcoin scam and said that the "issue had become bigger" because the Opposition did not probe the matter properly when it was in power.

"They (Congress) say that the matter began in 2016. If there was something related to Karnataka, then why the party in power did not notice it at that time. You have got to know about the accused, but did not do the proper enquiry," said an official statement issued by the Chief Minister Office.

Also Read | Cryptocurrency In India: Central Govt Aims to Block Irresponsible Crypto Ads.

Further, Bommai said, "Why did not you do proper enquiry when you (Congress) were in power? You left it and the issue had become bigger. And now you are questioning us."

"On the basis of the Twitter handle, they are alleging the scam. Anyone can raise the issue on Twitter. If you are raising the issue, then you have to speak on the basis of evidence and witness," he said.

Also Read | India Reports 11,271 New COVID-19 Infections, 285 Deaths In Past 24 Hours; Active Cases Lowest in 522 Days.

He said, "We are fair enough and investigated the case. We are the ones who referred it to the Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is going on."

The Chief Minister also said that the government will not spare anyone whoever was indulged in the scam. "If they have evidence let them submit it to ED or the police, we will take action immediately," he added.

Earlier on Saturday, Bommai termed the allegations "politically motivated" and asked the Opposition to submit the documents related to the scam to the investigation agencies which are already conducting the probe into the issue.

"Let those who are making the allegations explain what exactly the scam is and who is involved in it. The case has been handed over to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) 8-9 months ago. Interpol Cell of the CBI too has been informed about the case which has an international dimension," he said.

"Our government has an open mind about the issue. There is no question of shielding anybody. None of us is involved in it. Let them submit the documents in their possession to the investigation agencies, let the truth come out," he further added.

Meanwhile, State Minister K Sudhakar also called Congress the "party of corruption" over the alleged bitcoin scam and said that the state government has ordered an investigation in the matter and the investigating team has shared all information with Interpol, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and CBI.

Earlier, former Karnataka chief minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah alleged that politicians and officials were involved in a Bitcoin scam in the state and that the investigation agencies are trying to safeguard them.

Meanwhile, state Congress chief DK Shivakumar claimed that it took place on a large scale and said that it is shocking to hear the names of police officers, political leaders and businessmen in the scam. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ludhiana (Punjab) [India], November 14 (ANI): Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday said the next SAD-BSP government would order a probe into embezzlement of MNREGA funds by Congress leaders and spend the money recovered from them on public works.

The SAD president, who addressed gathering in the constituency, said Congress leaders had misappropriated MNREGA funds to the tune of thousands of crores by indulging in bogus billing as well as overcharging for tiles, pavers and other construction work. He said Congress leader had opened tile and paver factories and were supplying sub-standard material for use in government works.

Also Read | Defence Ministry Formally Lifts Ban on Italian Firms Leonardo SpA, AgustaWestland.

"All such misdeeds will be probed and corruption cases will be registered against the guilty", he added.

Badal said he was also receiving complaints that grain markets had been closed prematurely in the State when the paddy crop had still not been harvested across the State. "This is being done under pressure from the centre", Mr Badal said adding now farmers would be forced to sell short.

Also Read | Jammu & Kashmir: Policeman Injured in Encounter with Terrorists in Srinagars Jamalata.

He also highlighted how the government was totally oblivious to the spread of dengue in the State. He said, "Dengue cases have crossed the 20,000 mark but nothing is being done to control its spread. The government is behaving in the same fashion as it did during the Covid pandemic during which more than 17,000 Punjabis lost their lives."

Speaking about the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Badal said it's Convener Arvind Kejriwal was trying to fool Punjabis in the same manner as was done by Captain Amarinder Singh earlier. "Kejriwal descends on Punjab every fortnight to proclaim a guarantee. It seems he does not trust anyone in the State unit to stand by the guarantee never mind the fact that he has also not been able to fulfil any of the promises made to the people of Delhi," he said.

Later when queried about recent survey reports released in the media, Badal said "This is purely a commercial exercise. Whoever pays the most money is shown to be topping the list. The SAD does not believe in such bogus exercises. I am touring the State and feel the public sentiment is in favour of the SAD. People want to teach a lesson to the corrupt and scam ridden Congress government and feel that AAP stands for disruptive politics only. People will vote for the SAD for all-round development."

The SAD President started the day-long campaign for SAD-BSP candidate from Gill constituency S. Darshan Singh Shivalik, with a massive 5 km roadshow on the Malerkotla road. Hundreds of energetic youth with Kesari flags escorted him to the next event.

On his visit to Guru Nanak Darbar at village Jhande, head of the institution Sant Rampal Singh announced the complete support of the 'Sangat' to the SAD. The SAD president thanked him and also appointed him Senior Vice President of the party. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], November 14 (ANI): A high-level delegation led by state BJP president Ashwani Sharma called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged him to open the Kartarpur corridor by Gurupurab.

Followers of Guru Nanak should be allowed to travel to pay respects at the gurdwara sahib, said the BJP state president.

Also Read | Weather Forecast: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Parts of Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh to Receive Heavy Rainfall Till November 18.

"The Gurupurab is on November 19 and we have apprised the Prime Minister that the followers of Guru Nanak be allowed to travel to Kartarpur sahib. The corridor was opened on November 9 in 2019 due to the initiative of the BJP," he said.

"The historic gurdwara is a mere 4.7 kilometres from the Indian border and due to the total insensitivity of the Congress, it was not negotiated that it should be part of the Indian territory during partition in 1947," he added.

Also Read | Tripura Violence: Journalists Samriddhi Sakunia and Swarna Jha Detained in Assam for Publishing and Broadcasting False and Fabricated News.

"The Kartarpur corridor has facilitated the pilgrims to travel without a visa for Pakistan. The corridor was closed due to Covid last year and travel restrictions were imposed. Now we have requested the honourable Prime Minister that since the Covid situation has improved, the Sangat be allowed free access to travel," he stated.

Lauding the Prime Minister for an outstanding performance, he said, "India has vaccinated over 110 crore people and is the fastest vaccinating country in the world."

The delegation comprised state BJP Vice President Sudan Singh, Dushyant Guatum MP and co incharge of Punjab, Tarun Chug, Narinder Singh Raina, RP Singh, Dyal Singh Sodhi, Harjit Grewal, Rajinder Mohan Singh Chinna, Santhok Singh Gumtala and Vikramjit Cheema.

Earlier today, Punjab BJP leaders met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Beijing [China], November 14 (ANI): Xiaomi's sub-brand Redmi had unveiled the Redmi Note 11, Redmi Note 11 Pro, and Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus last month in China exclusively. These phones were rumoured to launch in the international markets in Q1 2022 with Snapdragon chips.

According to GSM Arena, a new report suggests that the global rollout of Redmi's Note 11 series will commence this month as the company is said to launch the Redmi Note 11T 5G in India on November 30.

Also Read | Air Pollution: Delhi Hospital Sees 10% Growth in Patients with Respiratory Problems Post Diwali.

It is also suggested that the Redmi Note 11T 5G's specs will include a Dimensity 810 SoC, 6.6" FullHD+ 90Hz display, and 5,000 mAh battery with 33W charging. The smartphone will likely run Android 11 out of the box and have three memory options: 6GB/64GB, 6GB/128GB, and 8GB/128GB.

For photography, the Redmi Note 11T 5G will have a total of three cameras, a 16MP selfie shooter on the front, with the 50MP primary camera on the rear joined by an 8MP ultrawide unit.

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The smartphone will come in Stardust White, Matte Black, and Aquamarine Blue colours, but its pricing and availability are currently unknown.

The Redmi Note 11T 5G will succeed the Redmi Note 10T 5G launched in India in July as a rebranded Poco M3 Pro 5G with a different design. The leaked specs suggest the Note 11T 5G will be a rebranded Poco M4 Pro 5G, which itself is a rebadged Redmi Note 11 with a bigger camera island that spans across the smartphone's width.

As per GSM Arena, the Redmi Note 11 Pro and Redmi Note 11 Pro+ are also rumoured to arrive in India, but under the Xiaomi Mi 11i and Xiaomi Mi 11i HyperCharge monikers, respectively, although it's unclear if these phones will debut in India this year or in 2022. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kabul [Afghanistan], November 14 (ANI): Islamic clerics from several countries across the world, including India, held a virtual conference on Sunday, where they called for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan.

The participants, from India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Croatia, stressed the need to form a unified position on countering ISIS in Islamic countries, TOLOnews reported.

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"Controlling the government by a certain ethnicity and ignoring other ethnicities is impossible. This will cause chaos in Afghanistan because it is obvious that all ethnicities have power and are looking for their rights," said Ayatullah Syed Yasin, a top Iraqi religious cleric.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of human rights and women's rights.

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The Taliban formed a government in Afghanistan and claim that their government is Islamic but the group should learn from its past and not repeat its mistakes, said Hujatul Islam, a Shia leader in Pakistan.

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai called on the international community to cooperate with Afghanistan on the issue of counter-terrorism.

"If you are really concerned about the security of yourself and the world and remain committed to the pledges on Afghanistan, in such a critical and vital situation and to ensure peace and stability, help the people of Afghanistan," Karzai was quoted as saying by TOLOnews.

Earlier, the participants of the Moscow conference also urged the Taliban to form an inclusive government. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bhopal, Habibganj Railway station has been renamed as Rani Kamlapati Railway Station. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday thanked PM Modi for the decision. The Prime Minister is scheduled to unveil this railway station on November 15. The railway station is redeveloped with modern airport-like amenities.

Tweet By ANI:

Bhopal | Ahead of PM Modi's visit, Habibganj Railway Station renamed as Rani Kamlapati Railway Station Revamped station to be inaugurated on Nov 15 by PM Modi pic.twitter.com/rkkz43ecu7  ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2021

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The experience of being at home during the Covid-19 lockdowns of the past two years was like a pressure cooker for some children unfortunate enough to experience domestic violence or alcohol abuse in the home.

That is according to Maynooth University (MU) academic researcher Dr Catriona O Toole, an expert in the effects of childhood trauma.

Dr O Toole, who has a background in psychology and helping troubled youths, recently led a seminar titled Where the Light Enters: Hope And Healing Through Trauma-Informed Education at MU.

In the seminar, she pointed to the fact that, internationally, it is estimated that roughly 60 per cent of children have had exposure to some type of traumatic event in their lives.

She added that available data within Ireland also shows that exposure to adversity is a reality for far too many children.

Dr O Toole recently discussed with the Leinster Leader her knowledge about how trauma can have such a strong hold in a young persons life; the symptoms of trauma, and the things that adults should keep in mind in order to help young people going through distress.

She explained that there are typically two forms of trauma treatment: trauma specific practice, which refers to the more clinical process of resolving trauma; and trauma informed practice, which is less about healing and instead focuses more on recognising reactions that originate from trauma, such as a child acting out.

TRAUMA TYPES

While there is no single, definite consensus on the definition of trauma, there are two main forms of trauma.

The first type would be single incident trauma, which typically occurs after a frightening event (such as a car-crash or a natural disaster).

The other type is fundamental betrayal, which typically involves a repeated breach of the childs trust. The latter also usually results in more wide-ranging impacts on the child, she added.

Dr OToole further explained that single incident trauma is usually seen to quicker than distressing incidents involving fundamental betrayals, and usually also has less stigma and victim-blaming attached.

She added: Language can make a big difference; it is important that it is carefully selected and is appropriate in order to eliminate stigma.

FIGHT-OR-FLIGHT

Dr OToole said that children are usually more prone to flight-or-flight responses, while adults generally have more opportunities to maintain control or at least have greater cognitive recognition of their surroundings.

She elaborated: Trauma involves the body, not the mind; for example, when my mother died, I remembered the aroma of a bunch of nearby flowers.

One year later, I was walking down a street and smelled that same aroma, and it took me back to my mothers funeral... triggers work in the same way.

In terms of the effects that the pandemic has had on young people, she agreed that, especially in households where domestic violence is present, the home, which was meant to be a sanctuary during lockdown, was instead often the worst place to be for these children.

This was backed up by Alcohol Aware Ireland, which reported that Ireland saw significant rises in the level of home drinking.

In addition, gardai noted a 20 per cent increase in reports of domestic violence, between April and August of 2020.

Dr OToole commented that she would compare such volatile situations to being akin to the being inside a pressure cooker.

CHANGES

As for what changes she would like to see implemented in Irish society, she said that she would support more trauma-informed approaches and programmes in schools.

She pointed to similar systems in Scotland as an example: Over there, they ensure that all professionals in the civil service are trauma-aware.

I would definitely like to see trauma awareness and acknowledgement to be brought in on a government policy level, she added.

Commenting on what can bring on trauma, Dr O Toole said that trauma is more like a broad picture rather than a narrow, one-answer solution: instigating factors can range from discrimination to class to alcohol abuse and societal expectations surrounding, for example, gender or sexual orientation.

Dr O Toole pointed to the CDC-Kaiser Permanente ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study from the mid-1990s as an example of this fact.

She stressed that it is also important to realise that children should not be labelled liberally, as often times, they are reacting in normal ways, given their circumstances.

The feeling of being different can often also lead to discrimination; in the case of Ireland, we can see that this is so visible in the Irish Travelling community.

Intergenerational trauma, such as high suicide rates, can also be seen in the Irish Travelling community, who are marginalised.

RECOGNISING TRAUMA

As for what parents and guardians can do to recognise signs of trauma, Dr O Toole noted a wide variety of symptoms can occur in a distressed child or adolescent.

These can include: bedwetting, nightmares, sleep problems, school refusals or dropouts, intrusive thoughts, neediness, extreme emotional responses, or conversely, an appearance of being numb, or dissociated, as sometimes it can be too painful for the child to be in the present.

Dr O Toole also offered advice to both children and adults:

For young people, please reach out to a trusted adult, whether they be a parent, a teacher, a guidance counsellor, or a youth group such as Jigsaw or SpunOut.

As for adults, please dont be afraid to reach in to any child or adolescent you may feel is undergoing something serious.

She continued: You dont have to be a medical expert; a lot of the time, its just about listening to the young person and making them feel that they are validated.

RESPONSE

Children usually respond well to common, repeated interactions; these can help create a human connection and let them know that they do matter, and that someone does care about them.

It is important to challenge the negative beliefs they may have about other people, as well as themselves.

She concluded: Its also important we as a society are trauma-aware, and that we can know where certain behaviours are actually coming from.
Newbridge native John Armstrong has just released the latest edition of his popular local calendar featuring old images of the town.

John is an avid postcard collector and over the last decade he has built up an impressive collection featuring every part of Ireland, but especially the towns and villages of his native County Kildare.

Over the same period, John began colourising old black and white images  a laborious process, which succeeds in bringing these old images to life and which adds a vibrancy and realism that seems to resonate with the modern viewer.

Many of these images have featured in previous editions of his Newbridge Calendars.

John has also used his colourised images to create videos for his YouTube channel, Picture Ireland's Past, which has amassed over 100,000 views to date.

Photographer John Armstrong

Video

His video of the British Army retreat from the Curragh alone has more than 16,000 views.

He has exhibited locally and given talks to a number of local history societies.

The 2022 Newbridge Calendar marks a complete reversal in that this years calendar is produced in glorious black and white and features a series of images from the early 1960s.

Street scenes

Native and non-native residents alike will certainly recognise the street scenes and buildings of Newbridge which feature in this years edition.

The scenes will certainly bring back fond memories of days past when life moved at a slower pace, and everyone knew everyone else.

Some may even recognise a familiar face or two in the images featured and even remember buying groceries and messages in some of the shops to be seen in the images.

To place your 2022 calendar order, visit www.pictureirelandspast.com.
Croi Laighean Credit Union are currently seeking new energetic members to join their volunteer Board.

This is an exciting opportunity for any individual looking to gain valuable hands-on Board experience to fast track their career.

With over 44,000 members and over 50 staff, Croi Laighean Credit Union are one of Irelands largest Credit Union groups. This year Croi Laigheans member drive is focusing on attracting dynamic and ambitious volunteers to help shape the future of the group.

Speaking at the launch of the 2021 Board drive, Paul Kennedy, CEO, commented: We want to attract new board members who see this as a unique opportunity to further their career. We are looking for progressive individuals to join our board and become an integral part of shaping the future of Croi Laighean. If you aspire to be a director or CEO, this position will give you the experience you need to help make it happen.

A great experience

Serving on the Board of Directors will expand their skill set and allow them to learn more about marketing, governance, finance, interacting with community officials and community members, and much more.

This is a voluntary position with monthly virtual meetings, and we have put together an exciting programme which focuses on career development and progression, Mr Kennedy continued.

Find out more

Applications for the board positions close on Friday, December 3, and any member of Croi Laighean Credit Union can apply.

If you wish to apply, but you are not a member, you can apply for membership if you live, work or study within the common bond area.

For more information, please visit social.clcu.ie/join-our-board
Following a call to action from each of the stations, five artists were selected in all 25 franchise areas for the longlist of A New Local Hero  with a total of 125 artists and bands in the running at that stage.

Shannonside/Northern Sound chose The Vibes, an independent six-piece indie/folk/pop outfit from Drumshanbo consisting of Leo Logan (Vocals/Guitar), Joanne Logan (Vocals), Martin Raftery (Drums), Gerard Bracken (Bass), Kiev Reynolds (Guitar) and Ruairi Carthy (Banjo/Mandolin).

With influences from Irish Trad to The Beatles, the band have developed a uniquely compelling sound. Their ambition is to create the kind of catchy songs that everyone can relate to. What more can you ask for?

The calibre of the artists is brilliant, Hot Press editor Niall Stokes says, the 25 songs really enraptured everyone and The Vibes is a real contender for what is a fantastic overall prize, so the judges have a tough job on their hands to select Irelands overall Local Hero!"



Leo Logan from The Vibes said they were delighted to be selected as one of the finalists and are looking forward to the next part of the process, in the hope of winning the over all prize.

The final five will play the Academy, in Dublin, on November 18, at which the recipient of the A New Local Hero 2021 award will be revealed.

The over all winners will receive 5,000 in cash, 5,000 worth of gear from XMusic and the release of a single through the renowned Rubyworks record label.

The winning act is also guaranteed 30 plays on all 25 stations interview in Hot Press and full PR campaign.
CAOIMHE ODonnell has surmounted many obstacles in her young life so climbing a hill for Jack & Jill was a piece of cake.

The indomitable six-year-old and parents Claire and Patrick led 50 brave souls up to Darbys Bed, upon a hill, in Galbally.

See more below or click 'Next' or 'Prev' for more photos.

Despite horrible wet and windy conditions on October 31 they all completed it to raise money for the charity that supports children like Caoimhe.

Mum, Claire said she and Patrick welcomed their miracle into the world on October 16, 2015. It was a high risk pregnancy, much of which Claire spent in hospital but Caoimhe was born healthy and well.

Everything was perfect and Caoimhe developed well and accordingly until August 2017 when we first noticed symptoms and had concerns  the appointments and hospital visits started then, said Claire, originally from Knockane.

In the last four years Caoimhe has had two operations on both her eyes, and brain surgery for a growth that had doubled in size from one MRI to another in under 12 months. However, this didn't cure all her symptoms.

Caoimhe developed seizures, first vacant blackout type ones which then developed to generalised seizures, which are still uncontrolled on many anticonvulsant medicines, explained Claire.

Her daughter was diagnosed with Jeavons syndrome, which is a rare form of epilepsy, as well as uncontrolled generalised epilepsy.

Caoimhe has been to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London twice and the progression in her brain is still baffling doctors. She is awaiting a new trial but due to Covid, this and other important appointments have been delayed, said Claire.

But despite all Caoimhe has been through on top of daily pain and nightly seizures she always has a smile on her face and is very determined in everything she does. She is very sociable and outgoing and has great friends including her bestie Ellie Fraher.

She is attending her local school in Galbally with a full-time SNA. She loves school, her teacher and her SNA. All the staff there are amazing to her. She recently wrote her name for the first time which was a huge accomplishment for her, said Claire.

The Jack & Jill Foundation entered the ODonnell's lives in 2019 after Caoimhe spent long periods in Temple Street and Cork University Hospital. A liaison nurse from Jack & Jill, Mags Naughton, called to the ODonnell's at their Galbally home and a home care nurse started with the family.

After having her own health scare, Claire said their nurse Esther ORiordan has become part of the family.

In the uncertainty and stress of me becoming unwell, Jack & Jill became more invaluable than ever to us and there arent enough words to describe this fantastic foundation, every one of their staff are so nice and what they do is just outstanding. In the words of Caoimhe, Esther, my nurse, is the best nurse in all the land!, said Claire.

Despite all they have been and are going through they wanted to give something back to Jack & Jill, which provides in-home nursing care and respite support for children up to the age of six.

We decided to walk the historic path up to Darbys Bed. The charity runs a fundraiser called Climb a hill for Jack & Jill each year so we chose our hill in Galbally and set up a Just Giving page. Around 50 people turned up for our walk despite horrendous wind and rain on the day. Afterwards we had food organised and ladies to serve it in the community hall. Even though we were all wet and frozen there was a lovely atmosphere, said Claire.

She said that Jack and Jill gets 19% government funding to pay their nursing staff and the rest is dependent on fundraising.

It is an honour to have had such a successful fundraiser as our farewell and thanks to this organisation, said Claire, who on behalf of Patrick and Caoimhe expressed a heartfelt thanks to all who have supported it.

You can still donate online here.
CRIMINALS with multiple previous convictions should not be able to avail of free legal aid ad infinitum, believes a local coucillor.

Cllr PJ Carey was speaking at a joint policing committee meeting of the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District.

Cllr Carey said he knows it is a constitutional right that you can get free legal representation in criminal proceedings if you are of insufficient means. However, the Kilmallock-based councillor said there are criminals with multiple convictions getting free legal aid.

Victims of crimes have to pay legal fees. Anybody found guilty should have to pay their solicitor, said Cllr Carey.

He believes it would be a big deterrent to criminals if they knew they were going to have to pay their solicitor if found guilty of an offence. Cllr Carey said the millions upon millions spent every year on free legal aid would be much better put into housing and hospitals.

The Independent councillor said County Limerick has two ministers for State and a TD who should be raising this.

In reply, Bruff Superintendent Paul Reidy said legal aid was a matter for the courts.

There is legislation to determine it. A solicitor applies for legal aid and the judge decides. It is not a function of ours, said Supt Reidy.

Cllr Eddie Ryan said he raised this back in 2016 when he brought a motion calling for a limit on the amount of free legal aid available to offenders who repeatedly offend. He cited a case where one person with 212 previous convictions was given free legal aid.

It is time to look at this and say this cant continue. This system is broken and must be looked at, said Cllr Ediie Ryan back in 2016.

Barrister and independent councillor Emmett OBrien was first in to back the motion pointing out that free legal aid was costing 60m a year.

Anybody could get in trouble with the law once, he pointed out and he had no problem with free legal aid in those situations. But he argued it was incongruous that repeat offenders get aid and he believed that those receiving state benefits should make a contribution, at the very least.

At last months meeting, Cllr Ryan said he got overwhelming support from fellow members but thats the system you are trying to fight.
AGRICULTURE Minister Charlie McConalogue has rejected a view from a Rural Independent TD that there is a ban on the importation of urea into this country from Russia.

Deputy Richard ODonoghue, in a written question to the Department of Agriculture, questioned why dozens of farmers who had contacted him were prohibited from the use of protected urea coming from Russia on their lands.

This would have potential savings of 200 per tonne for farmers, when compared with CAN, claimed ODonoghue.

He continued: There is ample supply in Russia for this product as gas is needed to produce urea and are currently supplying China with as much as they can produce of this product.  The landscape as I see it in June 2019 - Eurochem AG Group opened a new ammonia fertilizer production plant in Kingsepp, Russia. This is said to be the largest production capacity plant in Europe/Asia.

The Banogue man said in February 2021, Yara International signed a letter of intent with Skycraft and Aker Horizon to establish Europe's first large-scale green ammonia project in Norway.

This is expected to make Yara one of the major players in producing green ammonia in the European region during the forecast period. Where is Europe in all this? Where are our farmers as they need to plan ahead for the spring. Fertiliser is a huge part of their budget outlay and they need answers?

In response, the minister said: Russia is an important global player in the production of fertiliser and accounted for over 20% of fertiliser imports into Ireland in 2020. There is no ban on protected urea from Russia. However, urea is a product that is traded globally where its availability and price are subject to global market conditions.

He continued: The European Commission is following the situation in relation to fertiliser price increases very closely and is of the view that increased costs must be shared by all participants in the food chain. They are also working on a toolbox which is hoped will help Member States put measures in place to deal with the current situation.

The department will continue to closely monitor how the fertiliser market develops in the weeks and months ahead.

Minister McConalogue said he has asked Teagasc to put forward a roadmap for farmers to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers on farms.

This will assist farmers in responding to the climate challenge to reduce the environmental footprint of the agriculture sector as well as making economic sense. Furthermore, as part of the recent Budget, I announced a new 1 million initiative to support the planting of multi-species swards in order to reduce dependence on fertilisers, he concluded.
ONE of four teenagers who attacked and kicked another youth after he refused to buy alcohol for them in a local supermarket has been sentenced to three months detention.

However, as the now 18-year-old has been in detention at Oberstown School since last summer, his sentence has been deemed to be served.

The four defendants, who cannot be named because of their age, had pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder relating to an incident at Croom Town Park on May 30, 2020.

During a sentencing hearing earlier this year, Garda Rob Sheehy told Newcastle West Court, the injured party had been asked to buy alcohol by a group of youths at the entrance to the local Spar supermarket.

When he refused, he was verbally abused. CCTV, the garda said, showed he and his brother were then followed by the four who approached them as they sat on a bench in the park.

He was set upon by the four, the garda said, naming each of the defendants.

According to eye witnesses, the victim was kicked more than a dozen times in the upper body and head area.

He suffered cuts and bruises but declined to make a victim impact statement when offered the opportunity to do so.

Reviewing matters following the preparation of a number of different reports in relation to each of the defendants, Judge Carol Anne Coolican said she had some concerns regarding their engagement with the Probation Service.

One of the youths was given a final chance to engage while the case of two others was adjourned to allow them complete a victim empathy programme and to reflect on their actions.

The judge noted the fourth defendant is at high risk of re-offending and that he must address his propensity for violence.

The three-month detention order, imposed in his case, was back-dated to last July.
AN EXCITING new play that is a contemporary take on Shakespeare's Hamlet, set in Limerick, is coming to the Belltable next week.

SHAM is the latest work from award winning Limerick playwright Paul Meade and is directed by acclaimed actor and fellow playwright Amy Conroy.

Set in an urban gangland, the play will look at economic and social factors at work in this culture and explore how the characters are trapped within it.

The play will have both live and digital audiences and will use technology throughout the performance to enhance the story.

Karen McCartney will play the title role and she believes the digital aspect of the play will add an interesting twist to the show.

Speaking to the Limerick Leader she said The setting feels very claustrophobic and everything is being watched. It is all CCTV and things like that. So on the set there are all these monitors with everything that is going on. Then the father manifests himself through these digital connections, so there is that element to it as well.

Karen said that the stories told in the play will be recognisable to everyone who has seen similar tales on TV.

It is based on Hamlet but it is a very modern setting. It is very interesting, Hamlet is a woman now too so it is a fresh perspective. It is like a thriller but it is on the stage. You very rarely see this kind of play and this kind of setting so I think it bridges the gap nicely between gangland stuff we love on TV and what we love about theatre.

The Belltable are especially proud of this production as it was commissioned by their Connect Initiative after a staged reading in 2019.

Sham



Preview: Wed 17 Nov

Wed 17 Nov - Sat 20 Nov



Sham, a young woman, returns home from her studies in England on the death of her father to find the home she once knew utterly changed.



SHAM is designed to be a hybrid live/streamed event.



Tickets: https://t.co/oMp7XigZJi pic.twitter.com/lQhcL087xl  Belltable (@BelltableLimk) November 13, 2021

SHAM is a young woman who returns to Ireland from her studies in England after the death of her father to find that the home and community she once knew has utterly changed.

The story unfolds in the middle of a deprived urban estate in Limerick where SHAM becomes embroiled in the dynamics of her father's gang and vows revenge on his killer.

The play is a mixture of spoken word, poetry and prose that captures the linguistic energy of the setting while also exploring the social context for the drugs trade in a city context.

Written by Paul Meade and Directed by Amy Conroy and with a cast of six stellar performers including Karen McCartney in the title role, Andrea Irvine, Aidan Crowe, Karl Quinn and Blaithin Mac Gabhann.

SHAM premieres at the Belltable on November 17 and it will be streamed on demand for general theatre audiences in January 2022.
THE PICTURESQUE Shannonside location of Casleconnells playground is not matched by its appearance say locals.

As Limerick City and County Council finalise budget allocations for playgrounds to be approved by councillors, parents and residents in the village are calling on elected officials to ensure that the 12 year old well-loved facility is not overlooked for investment and upgrade.

Dee Ryan, a parent and local activist who arranged a meeting with local authority officials to discuss the matter, said their community playground provides vital outdoor play space.

With a growing population of young children, it is hugely important that the facility is invested in and upgraded to support parents seeking healthy outdoor activities for their children.

The playground is a widely used and popular asset, however, it is going on 12 years since it was first fundraised for by local parents and installed. It is now in dire need of updating. We want the local authority to invest in the upgrade and improvement of the playground in order to meet the needs of the population in the village now and the expected population growth over the next five years, said Ms Ryan.

Tara Hartigan, local activist and parent, said her children love coming to the playground.

My daughter plays here with her friends after school, as do many children who attend the two large primary schools in the local area. However, my 3-year-old son struggles with some of the equipment as it is not suitable for his age group  this needs to be addressed, said Ms Hartigan.

Owner and operator of Sunny Lane Creche - one of three creches located in the village - Anne McNamara said she cares for the children of over 100 families.

I see huge demand from families for outdoor play spaces for small children. My team and I frequently take small groups down to the playground during the day but the rides and equipment are very limited, with only two swings for smallies, so they have to wait a long time for turns. It would be wonderful to have more available for them to play with and enjoy, said Ms McNamara.

A number of locals met with a senior council engineer to enquire what could be done to improve the facility.

Ms Hartigan said you only get one childhood and given the impact of Covid on childrens lives we are very concerned that we should be providing more for children in our community.

They highlighted the excellent plans for nearby playgrounds in Castletroy and Newport and asked for similar investment to meet the needs of the Castleconnell area.
A LIMERICK hairstylist has been shortlisted for a prestigious industry award.

Niamh Kiely who works at Marbles Hair and Beauty, Hugh Campbell Hair Group in Castletroy is the running to win one of 16 awards which will be handed out at this year's GLammies by Great Lengths.

Now in its 10th year, the GLammies by Great Lengths recognise the UK and Northern Irelands most talented extensionists and celebrate the craft, creativity and business of hair extensions.

Niamh Kiely has been nominated in the Republic of Ireland Hair Extension Salon/Freelancer of the Year category.

"Im thrilled to have made the finals," she said. "I am passionate about working with extensions and to be recognised alongside such creative stylists is a huge honour. I just hope Ive impressed the judges enough to bring the trophy home to Limerick."

In addition to a glittering GLammies trophy, winners in each of the sixteen categories will each receive tickets for a tour of the Great Lengths production factory in Rome, with two nights five-star accommodation, meals and internal transfers for two people.

The prize package also includes social media coverage and PR opportunities across both trade and local press, ensuring salons and stylists can publicise their recognition as the best in the industry.

"The GLammies by Great Lengths celebrate the very best extensionists in this amazing industry," said Joscelin McCourt, CEO of HB Collective (the home of Great Lengths).

"To be shortlisted for an award, nominees must demonstrate creativity and precision, as well as a talent for their craft which set them apart from the competition. Niamh should feel incredibly proud to be recognised at this level."

Judged by some of the industrys most respected names, along with editors from the hairdressing press, the 2021 event will be take place on Monday, February 7, 2022.
1 school plus 1 book equals lots of books for children in need
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The 29th edition of the EnergaCamerimage Film Festival, one of the worlds leading events dedicated to cinematography, returned to fully live status Saturday amid tributes to the power of the image and an homage to the life and work of cinematographer Philippe Rousselot.

The DP for A River Runs Through It and Dangerous Liaisons commended his fellow cinematographers for work that transcends culture, border and languages.

Welcoming an audience made up of many of the most celebrated DPs working today, fest director Marek Zydowicz offered historical context at the Jordanki cultural center in the Gothic Polish city of Torun.

Pointing out that after plagues come a renaissance in art, he shared with the audience an image of the Beautiful Madonna of Torun, a revolutionary work of sculpture created amid the current of artistic expression that followed the plague of the 1300s.

And again, he told the audience, after the Spanish Flu of 1918 killed millions, the work of early cinema artists such as F.W. Murnau emerged with fantastical imagery as did the expressionist masterwork The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.

As Camerimage returns to full scale, with 231 screenings and 82 talks scheduled through Nov. 20 following last years online-only event, a move forced by COVID-19 restrictions, Zydowicz pledged to continue celebrating cinematography so that we moving forward from plague can likewise create art of lasting value.

The fests opening film, Joel Coens The Tragedy of Macbeth, filmed by DP Bruno Delbonnel, made for a fitting screening as the duo introduced the Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand starring black-and-white film, and shared their inspirations for its stark and otherworldly imagery.

Delbonnel, who described his process for working with Coen as considering a series of what if questions, cited as inspiration the cinematography of Ingmar Bergmans DP Gunnar Fischer. He and Coen added they wanted to avoid the trap of trying to contemporize the classic Shakespeare play or make it too realistic in adapting it to the screen.

Instead they agreed on imagery that wouldnt look out of place in a Murnau film of the 1920s, embracing strangely blank, irregular battlements and fortifications for Macbeth that cant be placed in any time period.

Creating lighting that does not match between cuts was another move away from creating a logical, relatable world, said Delbonnel, who described his job as more like making music than filming.

During the opening gala, the fest also honored cinematographer Mikolaj Syguda for his chilling work on the Bass Astral x Igo music video Feeling Exactly, a project that takes on mental health crises written and directed by Grajper.

Actor Haley Bennett, who starred in The Girl on the Train and Hillbilly Elegy, was also honored with the Camerimage New Generation acting prize and a Golden Frog, the top prize of the fest. In giving thanks, she described the relationship between actors and cinematographers as one so intimate it colors every scene with a visual emotion that one could never express physically.

British director Joe Wright (Pride & Prejudice, Anna Karenina), who leads the Camerimage main competition jury, said he felt honored to be among great cinematographers and was eager to begin seeing many, many frames of beauty and vision and bravery and wonder.

The festival also screened Parallel Mothers, directed by Pedro Almodovar and with cinematography by Jose Luis Alcaine, at the opener.

Having first launched in Torun in 1993, Camerimage organizers and city and regional officials said its return to the city two years ago, after running in two other Polish locations, signified something to celebrate. The expected launch of the European Film Center in Torun in 2025 will be another benchmark, they said, announcing a model of the new facility is now on display at the fest.

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Halle Berry, the sole Black woman to win the best actress Oscar in 93 years, has unveiled her directorial debut film Bruised at the AFI Film Festival, showcasing a commitment and skill that only the very best actors in the world can harness.

Written by debut screenwriter Michelle Rosenfarb, Bruised tells the story of Jackie Justice, a disgraced MMA fighter that seeks redemption once the son that she abandoned reenters her life.

In probably her most challenging and authoritative work as an actress since Monsters Ball (2001), Berry shows that at 55 years old, she still harnesses the talent and enthusiasm to take on any role or story shes excited about. Fearless as she dives into a character, Berry explores Jackies physicality and the profession of MMA fighting itself. This is something the actors branch tends to appreciate. No female director has ever directed themselves to an Oscar nomination for acting. For comparison, there have been ten instances of men doing it in Oscar history. Some filmmakers like Barbra Streisand have come close with films like Yentl (1983) and the best picture nominee The Prince of Tides (1991), but an acting nomination hasnt come to pass. So, although noteworthy, Berry appearing in the DGA Awards first-time director category is not very far-fetched.

This awards season will mark the 20th anniversary of Berrys historic best actress win alongside best actor winner Denzel Washington (Training Day). In addition, there have been seven instances of Black women nominated for best actress in the years since  Gabourey Sidibe in Precious (2009), Quvenzhane Wallis in Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012), Ruth Negga in Loving (2016), Cynthia Erivo in Harriet (2019), Andra Day in The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021) and Viola Davis in The Help (2011) and Ma Raineys Black Bottom (2020).

In the conventional selections that the Academy often chooses, there isnt a deep bench of Black women contending for best actress. Alongside Berry, Jennifer Hudson (Respect) and Tessa Thompson (Passing), who has received a Gotham nom, are in the running. The absence of women of color in leading roles has been a continuous stain that Hollywood has trouble ridding. We should demand more selections and choices for the Oscars to pull from, rather than entirely blame the group. You cant nominate what isnt there. Viola Davis is the only Black woman to be nominated twice in lead; she and Berry share the same distinction in the lead actress drama category at the Golden Globes. Berry received her second and last nomination for Frankie and Alice (2011). Her recognitions seem to be coming in 10-year spurts.

The best shot for the Netflix feature on the awards circuit will be in the original song race. Variety exclusively revealed the robust soundtrack that includes songs from Cardi B and Saweetie. Still, the track Automatic Woman from H.E.R., the reigning Oscar champ, and the youngest winner ever in the category, is a strongc contender in a year brimming with some of musics biggest names (i.e., Beyonce, Jay-Z and Ariana Grande).

Berry knows how to direct the ensemble that surrounds her. The poised and grounded nature of Sheila Atim, who had a breakout role in Barry Jenkins limited series, The Underground Railroad, is Berrys most vital asset for the viewer to connect. Hopefully, this will lead her to more substantial roles in the future, but supporting actress is far too crowded for her inclusion. Echo the same sentiment for the work of Danny Boyd Jr. as Jackies son Manny, who also played a role in Jenkins beautiful series, showing a bright future for diverse performers.

One of our greatest theater actors, Stephen McKinley Henderson, continues his impressive second wave of notable film roles that seemed to begin with Denzel Washingtons Fences (2016). His performance as Pop, one of Jackies trainers, carries a different take on the outside-the-ring adrenaline-pumping works weve seen with Paul Giamatti (Cinderella Man) and Burgess Meredith (Rocky), speaking to his precise entrance to every character he inhabits, no matter the size. It is not enough for supporting actor recognition. Still, it can be used to signal to awards groups that the recognition of an extraordinary actor like Henderson is overdue and should be rewarded soon, either in competition or honorary.

Bruised will have a limited run in theaters on Nov. 17 before debuting on the streaming platform on Nov. 24.

2022 Academy Awards Predictions

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The father of Ezra Blount  the nine-year-old boy who was trampled during the Astroworld tragedy  spoke publicly Thursday for the first time since Travis Scotts Houston festival. Blount remains in a medically induced coma following the injuries he sustained at the festival.

Speaking to ABC Houston 13, Treston Blount said that his son was a fan of the rapper through Fortnite and Scotts McDonalds sponsorship. [Ezra] was stoked. He was ready to go, Treston said. When I found out that he was a big fan [of Scott] I was like, Oh yeah, we gotta go, we gotta go see Travis live.

Treston said he and Ezra stood further back in the Astroworld crowd cause the front can get a little wild, but once Scotts set began, they were still swept up in the crowd surge. Everything was cool, for a split second, Treston said, It was like a horrified movie.

9YO Ezra Blount remains on life support today. I sat down with his father last night for a tough conversation. He explains why he brought his young child to #AstroWorld  a festival that NO ONE SHOULD HAVE DIED AT. Story: pic.twitter.com/IjhAYzVKnN  Stefania Okolie (@StefaniaOnABC13) November 12, 2021

Im yelling out I cant breathe, theres other people around me saying they cant breathe. It was definitely a moment where I didnt know what else to do, Treston said.

Treston fell to the ground unconscious in the surge, while Treston was trampled; the nine-year-old was removed from the crowd by a Good Samaritan. When Treston finally came to, he was notified that his son was in the hospital and shown a picture of his son in a medically induced coma. Just to see him in that condition I just wasnt ready for that.

I could tell that he was damaged, Treston added. Im not ready to lose my boy at all. We still got a bunch of living to do thats my boy.

Trestons grandmother Tericia, a nurse, previously told Rolling Stone, Its horrific. Were just hanging in there, trying to stay strong. He has injuries to his kidney, to his lung, to his liver. Basically every organ has damage. He had cardiac arrest. His heart is weak and has damage as well. And his brain has swelling, and hes in an induced coma. Theyre just trying to keep him comfortable and trying to figure out a plan for him. They tried to take him off the medications that were paralyzing him, to keep him still, and they had to put him back on. Were just at that place right now, just hoping for the best in spite of all the negative information.

Earlier this week, Trestons family filed a negligence lawsuit against Live Nation and Scott seeking at least $1 million in damages.

The lawsuit  which also names promoter ScoreMore Management, its boss Sascha Stone Guttfreund and Scotts label Cactus Jack Records as defendants  alleges the concerts organizers failed to stop Scotts performance for at least 40 minutes after city officials declared the scene a mass casualty event, and that Treston was trampled and catastrophically injured as a result.

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After revisiting a slice of 1960s history in last years The Trial of the Chicago 7, Aaron Sorkin turned his lens to Being the Ricardos, cataloging a politically tumultuous week in the 1950s for Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz during the heyday of I Love Lucy. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences often falls hard for movies about old Hollywood, and it would be foolish to think that theyve changed their tune, especially after seeing films such as Mank from David Fincher garner the most nominations in the 2020 Oscar race. The new movie from Amazon Studios could follow a similar trajectory  competing in categories across the board.

Under Sorkins direction, Being the Ricardos presents plenty of chuckles and sympathy for our favorite redhead in TV history. Kidman embodies the essence of Ball, especially in her mannerisms during the rehearsals and filming of episodes. She very well may break your heart, demanding the viewers sympathy and a best actress nomination may seem almost certainly in the cards for her. An Oscar-winner for her turn as novelist Virginia Woolf in Stephen Daldrys The Hours (2002), Kidman has enjoyed a remarkable wave of strong roles in TV and film over the last decades, and plenty of kudos hardware has followed.

After Kidman snared an Oscar nom for Rabbit Hole (2010), she went on to become an Emmy darling with 2017s Big Little Lies, prevailing over her co-star Reese Witherspoon for limited lead actress honors that year. Shes stepped up her activity as a producer in a big way and shes proven to be the kind of adventurous thespian who has explored fascinating characters in such films as Stoker (2013), Destroyer (2018) and Bombshell (2018). With four total career noms for acting (including Moulin Rouge and Lion), Lucy could help Kidman get to No. 5.

Bardem rides the line between a lead and supporting role, although perhaps without showing the same effectiveness as his co-stars. Much of that could be due to knowing that he is not Cuban and should not have played this role. His inclusion in the film heightens the ongoing issue of Latino representation in Hollywood.

A USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative study found that Latinos are nearly nowhere to be found in movies. Seeing Bardem, a European Spaniard, take on the role of a revered Cuban figure when there are many available actors equally, if not more equipped to take on the part, remains discouraging. I hope the Academy recognizes that only four Latino actors have been nominated for a lead performance in the last 93 years. This doesnt discount Bardems status in the actors branch. He was nominated for best actor for his portrayal of another Cuban, poet Reinaldo Arenas, in Julian Schnabels Before Night Falls (2000). Sporting a menacing haircut and a bolt pistol, he won the Oscar for best supporting actor for the best picture winner No Country for Old Men (2007), sweeping the precursor prizes that year. His last nomination came as one of the Oscar morning shockers in Alejandro G. Inarritus Mexican international feature submission, Biutiful (2010).

On paper, J.K. Simmons casting as William Frawley, who played neighbor-sidekick Fred Mertz on I Love Lucy, seemed absolutely perfect. Its been almost seven years since Simmons ran away with best supporting actor for Whiplash (2014); he garners some of the films biggest chuckles and could be in the running for his second nomination.

Nina Arianda, best known for her memorable turn in Stan & Ollie (2018), serves as the emotional backbone of the story, and it would have been fantastic to see an entire movie about Vivian Vance, who played Ethel Mertz. As part of the most competitive acting category this year, her kudos campaign will rely on the acting branchs willingness to finally invite her to the big leagues, something shes proven to be worthy of for a long time. I would consider her the best-in-show.

The so-called Sorkin-isms are present throughout Being the Ricardos. This movie could be the funniest script hes penned in some time. You may see it as a distant cousin of The Social Network (2010), the film that won him the Academy Award for adapted screenplay. In terms of the directors race, its still unclear if Hollywood sees Sorkin in that realm yet, or if the directors branch is willing to embrace him as one of their own.

Daniel Pembertons score is audaciously utilized, as it navigates the more dramatic beats before switching gears into the lighter moments.

Alan Baumgartens editing is just as quickly paced as it was for this nominated work last year on The Trial of the Chicago 7. Production design by Jon Hutman and set decoration by Ellen Brill should be no-brainers. At a minimum, the Art Directors Guild will see merit in their contributions.

The film is produced by Oscar-winner Steve Tisch (Forrest Gump), Oscar-nominee Todd Black (Fences) and Jason Blumenthal.

Being the Ricardos will open in theaters on Dec. 10 before streaming on Prime Video on Dec. 21.

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Conde Nast Traveler recently praised a San Antonio hotel for being one of the most romantic getaways in Texas.

On Thursday, November 11, the magazine released its list, naming Hotel Emma in its article. The listing featured gem spots like the Hotel Drover in Fort Worth, The Bloomhouse Airbnb in Austin, The Carr Mansion in Galveston, and more.

All listings featured on Conde Nast Traveler were independently selected by its editors.

In the article, the magazine stated the local hotel is set inside the former Pearl Brewery along the "less-touristy part of the River Walk." The listing says Hotel Emma is all about the details.

Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

"Look closely and you'll see remnants of old machinery, repurposed as light fixtures and works of art. Macarons at turndown service and seersucker Dos Carolinas robes are a nice touch, too," the article reads. "At the on-site Sternewirth Bar, ask for the Three Emmas cocktail, along with the juicy backstory involving a lovers' quarrel. When hunger strikes, some of the best restaurants in the city can be found just steps from the hotels front door, but for dinner and a show, make reservations in advance at Jazz, TX."

This isn't the first recognition Hotel Emma has received from publications. The hotel has also been listed as a top hotel from Travel & Leisure and U.S. News and World Report.

In 2019, pop icon Cher stayed at the hotel and called it "one of the most unique, beautiful hotels ever." She was in San Antonio for her tour when she learned about the hotel's fascinating backstory.

Jerry Lara /Staff photographer

According to the hotel's website, Emma Koehler, wife of Pearl Brewery president Otto Koehler, was injured in a car accident in 1910. Her husband hired a live-in nurse and her friend, both named Emma, to take care of her. Otto was soon having affairs with both women.

On Nov. 12, 1914, Otto visited the Southside house he had set up the pair in. An argument occurred, and the taller, blonder Emma shot him dead. She was charged with murder, fled to Europe as a WWI nurse, then returned to San Antonio four years later.

She was found not guilty by an all-male jury, according to the hotel's website. She later married one of the jurors.

The other nurse Emma got married, while Emma Koehler took over Pearl Brewery after her husband was killed. She led employees through Prohibition before passing away in 1947.
In this weeks news, Thanksgiving air travel volume this year is expected to approach or exceed pre-pandemic levels; Southwest introduces a new destination from Oakland; Alaska Airlines starts five new routes next week; United will eliminate several smaller cities from its United Express route map; American announces a new fare product for business travelers on high-frequency domestic routes; Japan and Israel ease up entry rules for foreign visitors; American offers big bonuses to employees who work over the holidays; Delta lays out plans for a boost in trans-Atlantic operations; Iberia, SAS and KLM will increase San Francisco schedules; international route news from Air New Zealand, United, Finnair and American; and the FAA slaps another 10 unruly passengers with $225,000 in fines.

Remember the Thanksgiving travel crunch of 2019, before the pandemic hit? It looks like this year could be even busier, according to a new report from the Adobe Digital Economy Index, which tracks consumer online spending. Adobe said that flight bookings for the period of Nov. 20 to 25 are 3.2% higher than they were at this point in 2019, and 78% above where they were last year. Historically, most Thanksgiving tickets (78% in 2019 and 84% in 2018) were booked by this point in time, Adobe noted. The companys research also revealed how airlines have been using fare discounts to attract passengers. In September of this year, Adobe said, Americans spent $4.2 billion online for domestic flights, which was 35% less than in September 2019, although the number of bookings was down just 13%. In October of this year, consumers $4.8 billion in online flight spending was down 28% from 2019, while bookings were down just 10%. Adobe said that flight prices are now ticking up after seeing sizable drops during the COVID-19 Delta variant surge. In October, prices were just 7% below 2019 levels. As prices continue to rise, consumers should start thinking about Christmas travel pretty soon, said Adobe lead analyst Vivek Pandya.

AAA just issued its annual forecast for Thanksgiving travel, and it predicts that air travel will be close to 2019 levels (4.2 million travelers in 2021 versus 4.6 million in 2019) but will likely not exceed them. Still, this years numbers will be a huge increase  80%  over Thanksgiving 2020s 2.3 million air travelers. And the reopening of the U.S. to foreign travelers this week is bringing a surge in international travel, AAA notes, meaning that airports will be busier than weve seen, so travelers must plan for long lines and extra times for TSA checks. As for cost, Even with air travel seeing a boost this year, AAA finds that the average lowest airfare is 27.3% less than last year, coming in at $132. Tuesday and Wednesday are still the most expensive and heaviest travel days with Monday being the lightest and least expensive, the organization said. Road travel  which accounts for most Thanksgiving trips  will also be heavy this year, AAA said. It predicts that the busiest car travel in the Bay Area will be along the Interstate 80/580 corridor through the East Bay on Wednesday, Nov. 24, from 4 to 6 p.m., when traffic will be 278% of normal.

Southwest Airlines this week kicked off new service between Oakland and Bellingham, Washington, with two daily flights, as well as new service between Bellingham and Las Vegas. Bellingham, located along the coast 20 miles south of the Canadian border, is a 90-minute drive from Vancouver and is also the ideal gateway to the San Juan Islands, Oakland Airport said. Elsewhere, Alaska Airlines is due to launch some new routes on Nov. 19, including Palm Springs-Austin; Tucson-Everett, Washington (Paine Field); and Phoenix-Boise, as well as international service to Belize from Los Angeles and Seattle.

In other domestic news, United Airlines continues to shave smaller airports off its United Express schedule. On Jan. 3, United Express plans to end service to College Station and Killeen, Texas, and to Monroe, Louisiana, all served from its Houston hub, along with flights from Chicago OHare to Columbia, Missouri; Evansville, Indiana; Kalamazoo and Lansing, Michigan; and Wausau, Wisconsin. Also getting the ax is United service to Winnipeg, Manitoba, from Denver and Chicago. The blog Simpleflying.com notes that all these domestic routes are served mostly by Uniteds 50-seat Embraer 145s and CRJ-200s, which the carrier is phasing out. As for the future of similar routes that use those smaller aircraft, expect more airports to disappear from the airlines network, Simpleflying.com says.

AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

In the latest enhancement to the American Airlines/JetBlue Northeast Alliance, American said this week it will introduce a new product next year called Main Select in key business markets with high-frequency service, including New York LaGuardia-Washington Reagan National, LGA-Chicago, Boston-Washington Reagan National, LGA-Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth-Chicago, and DFW-Los Angeles. American plans to pull out of the LGA-Boston market, handing it over to JetBlue, and to phase out its Shuttle product. Main Select will be a new fare class that includes business traveler-friendly services like refundable fares, priority boarding and check-in, choice of any Main Cabin seats available at time of booking (including Main Cabin Extra), and no-fee same-day flight changes. The company said its business travelers can also purchase a similar Blue Extra fare on JetBlue high-frequency routes including LaGuardia-Boston. Following up on the extension of reciprocal perks to American AAdvantage and JetBlue TrueBlue elite members this fall, American said TrueBlue Mosaics can now select preferred aisle or window seats on AA at the time of purchase. Finally, American said that beginning in December, AA and JetBlue will offer lie-flat seats on all transcontinental routes from New York and Boston. The two carriers Northeast Alliance is currently the subject of a challenge by the Justice Department on antitrust grounds.

Japan, which has been virtually shut down to international visitors since the pandemic began, opened up this week  but only a little. The country is now allowing fully vaccinated business travelers to visit without undergoing the usual 10-day quarantine after arrival. But they will still have to self-isolate for three days and then get a negative COVID-19 test result. International students will also be allowed in, but the government doesnt expect to see foreign tourists coming back to Japan before it takes another look at the COVID situation later this year. Meanwhile, Israel this month started allowing individual foreign tourists into the country for the first time since early last year. Visitors are required to show proof of COVID vaccination or recovery from an infection within the past six months and must get negative test results before departing to Israel and again after arrival.

Desperate to prevent another massive cancellation of flights over the coming holidays due to staffing problems, American Airlines is motivating workers to show up by offering them new pay incentives. For flight attendants, the airline says it will pay 150% of their regular compensation for working as scheduled from Nov. 23 to 29 and Dec. 22 to Jan. 2, and if they have no absences between Nov. 15 and Jan. 2, theyll get a holiday pay rate thats triple the normal level. Customer service reps and reservations agents will also get 150% of normal pay on days around the holidays, plus a $1,000 bonus for not missing any work from mid-November through early January. American also offered pay incentives of 150% to 200% to pilots who fly during the holiday peak season, but the Allied Pilots Association, which represents AA pilots, turned down the offer. Instead, it wants to concentrate on negotiating meaningful permanent improvements in a new collective bargaining agreement, APAs board said.

Delta has laid out its plans for expanded Europe service in 2022 and said its schedule will make it the largest operator of trans-Atlantic flights from New York and Boston, reflecting a 90% boost in capacity over 2021. The carrier also noted that thanks to an overhaul of its A330s and 767-300s during the pandemic, all its flights to Europe will offer a Premium Select cabin  i.e., Deltas premium economy product  along with Delta One or Delta One Suites (first class), Comfort Plus (extra-legroom economy) and Main Cabin (regular economy). At its New York JFK hub, Delta plans to resume daily Zurich flights Feb. 6 and begin five flights a week to Brussels on March 26, to Edinburgh on May 1 and to Copenhagen on May 26, as well as daily Prague service starting May 26. JFK-Frankfurt operations are scheduled to resume Dec. 13, and Delta plans to increase JFK frequencies to Amsterdam, London, Milan and Rome to twice-daily next summer.

At Boston, the airline plans to introduce new routes to Tel Aviv and Athens in late May and to resume daily service to Rome on May 1 and five flights a week to Edinburgh on May 27. And at its Atlanta hub, Delta will revive Munich flights Dec. 13 and Milan service on May 1, and will increase frequencies to Amsterdam, London and Rome. Other restored Europe routes will include Portland-Amsterdam on May 3, Cincinnati-Paris on Aug. 2 and Raleigh-Durham to Paris on Aug. 3. ThePointsGuy.com noted that Deltas announcement left out eight European destinations where the airline apparently isnt returning in 2022, including Dusseldorf, Stuttgart and Berlin, Germany; Glasgow, Scotland; Shannon, Ireland; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Malaga, Spain; and Ponta Delgada, Portugal.

With the U.S. now reopened to most foreign visitors, were seeing more announcements from international carriers about resumed or new routes. For example, Spains Iberia Airlines  a member of Americans Oneworld alliance  plans to resume service from San Francisco International to Madrid in April, operating three flights a week. Iberia already flies from SFO to Barcelona. In the same month, Iberia expects to start service between Madrid and Dallas/Fort Worth (a route also served by American) and will begin a long-postponed new route between Madrid and Washington Dulles, with four flights a week in each market.

Scandinavian Airlines, a member of Uniteds Star Alliance, plans to increase service between San Francisco and Copenhagen over the Christmas/New Years holidays, operating up to five flights a week. This week, SAS revived its service to Miami from Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo. Also in November, the carrier will boost its Newark schedules to offer twice-daily departures to Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm, and in mid-December, it will add Chicago-Stockholm service to its existing Chicago-Copenhagen schedule.

KLM said this week that with the reopening of the U.S. to European travelers, it has resumed flights to all cities here that it was serving before the pandemic. Its current schedule of five flights a week between Amsterdam and San Francisco is planned to increase to daily frequencies Dec. 6. The Dutch carrier  a member of Deltas SkyTeam alliance  also flies from Amsterdam to Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, New York, Washington Dulles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Houston, Las Vegas and Miami.

In other international news, although New Zealand remains closed to most foreign travelers, Australia has started allowing overseas trips for its own citizens again, so Air New Zealand has resumed Los Angeles-Auckland-Sydney service with just one flight a week, although that is expected to increase to four in December. United Airlines is due to revive service Nov. 13 from its Houston Bush Intercontinental hub to Rio de Janeiro with three weekly flights and is expected to bring back Washington Dulles-Sao Paulo flights starting Dec. 16. Finnair, which recently started nonstop service to Stockholm from LAX, Miami and New York, plans to start flying to its Helsinki home base from Dallas/Fort Worth four times a week beginning Feb. 6. Finnair already serves Helsinki from LAX, Chicago, Miami and New York. American Airlines started new service from New York JFK to New Delhi this week, but it is delaying a new route between Seattle and Bangalore from January to March 26. American is also pushing back its planned new service between Dallas/Fort Worth and Tel Aviv to March 5; it already flies to Tel Aviv from JFK and Miami.

After remaining relatively quiet on the unruly passenger front for several weeks, the Federal Aviation Administration has slapped more than $225,000 total in fines on 10 more bad actors. The rate of unruly passenger incidents on commercial flights has dropped sharply since the FAA launched its Zero Tolerance campaign (in January) but the rate remains too high, the agency said. As previously reported, the FAA also noted that the most serious cases are now being forwarded to the Justice Department for possible criminal prosecution, an authority the aviation agency doesnt have.



As before, most of the latest cases involved passengers who refused to wear a face mask, screamed abuse and profanities at flight attendants, and sometimes struck or pushed them. The highest fine in the latest batch  $32,000  was issued against a woman on a Horizon Air flight to San Francisco from Austin. Not only did she refuse to fasten her seatbelt, but she punched and screamed at her husband and son, repeatedly, diverting flight attendants from their duties. She threw trash at a flight attendant and snatched cookies from a nearby passenger, the FAA said. On an American Airlines flight from DFW to Aspen, one female passenger reportedly blew up when her seat wouldnt recline and started to verbally abuse the flight crew. Multiple passengers offered to switch seats with her, but she repeatedly declined and kept yelling at flight attendants. She agreed to switch seats with another passenger but continued to verbally abuse flight attendants, the FAA said. She then struck a flight attendant on the right forearm and attempted to do so again. Further, she repeatedly refused to comply with the facemask policy. See the FAA's announcement for details on all 10 of the latest FAA fines.
After close to 20 months of being closed to Mexican tourists due to COVID-19 restrictions, the border finally reopened this week. However, the big boom of visitors expected was not that large as very few people crossed during the first few days of reopening the border.

Even though estimates up to just hours before the bridges reopened stated that the lines of people and vehicle traffic could be unlike anything locals had ever seen, there was instead very modest traffic on Bridges I and II on Monday and up to Thursday.

On the first day of the reopening of nonessential traffic, Nov. 8, CBP at Laredo Port of Entry saw about a 5% increase in vehicles, processing about 12,000 compared to 10,000 in an average day the previous week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Public Affairs Officer Rick Pauza said. CBP officers saw a 43% increase in pedestrians, about 7,000, and CBP officers processed about 1,000 tourist permits (I-94s).

However, things began to change on Friday as more people began to cross into the United States. Figures for the weekend were not immediately available, but visibly traffic was up significantly from earlier in the week.

Pauza also said the increases Friday were common as weekends and holidays neared  in Mexico, there was a three-day weekend to celebrate Revolution Day on Monday, which led to many having the day off from work.

Traffic ebbs and flows, and we do expect to see increases on the weekends, Mexican holidays and another influx of shoppers for Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, Pauza said.

Some people who crossed on Friday evening stated they were waiting both for the weekend and also to know a bit regarding how strict CBP officers were when it came to checking vaccination documentation.

I wasnt going to cross on the first days, as I wanted to know whether they were really allowing people in or not, said local Noraida Parras on crossing the Juarez Lincoln International Bridge. Once I heard many people crossing without any problems, and also knowing that this Monday we also dont work in Mexico, it was the perfect opportunity to go.

Jose Luis Sanchez shared the same sentiment, but he also said crossing on the weekend was better to enjoy some of the Black Friday sales ongoing in the city.

I have seen laptops being just $150 and TVs as low as $100 this weekend and the next. It is time to finally cross for good electronics, as we did save some money back home, Sanchez said.

Even though the reopening of the border has been slow until Friday  with more seen trying to cross into the country  Pauza does state CBP is fully ready for any future large influx of people wanting to come into the United States.

Traffic has increased slightly, but we know that this can change at any moment, Pauza said. We have prepared for the reopening. We have sufficient CBP officer staffing to process the traffic. We monitor the traffic flow and make adjustments, opening and closing lanes as needed.

Even though the reopening of the border started slower than expected, the economic development director of the city says this is not bad for the economy as  contrary to popular opinion  Laredo does not entirely depend on Mexican tourism and retail sales from these shoppers in efforts to survive. He says this only helps the economy rebound, as this is happening slowly but surely.

I hope you can understand that Laredos economy is not totally dependent on non-essential bridge crossings, City of Laredo Economic Development Director Teclo J. Garcia said. Without these crossings, our retail is up 12.6% this year over last. Our commercial crossings are up 13-15% and new home construction is near an all-time high.

According to Garcia, unemployment is also down to 5.4% from a horrible high of 14% a year ago. Moreover, he says industrial real estate vacancy is down to just 1% in the city.

Given that information, I would challenge the notion that the economy is running slow and is still trying to recover, Garcia said. Can we do more and get better? Yes, of course. However, we have already bounced back nicely.

Garcia said several representatives for Laredo are actually currently in Mexico City trying to promote tourism to the city in the wake of the border reopening.

Although CBP did not make any comment whether some people have been denied entry into the country due to a lack of vaccination records or not showing proof of vaccination, Pauza did reiterate that anyone caught with fake documentation regarding vaccinations will be denied entry into the country with a possible revoking of their tourist visa.

Pauza says falsifying any information or lying to a federal officer can result in denied entry and adverse enforcement actions. He makes clear that CBP officers make admissibility determinations on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the statements made, the documentation presented and the totality of the circumstances.

Pauza also says visitors to the country should take advantage of the CBPs online website in efforts to process their permits and any other documentation they might need in efforts to travel into the interior of the United States.

As we approach the holiday season, we strongly encourage travelers seeking tourist permits to apply for them online by using the CBP One mobile app, Pauza said. They can apply electronically, pay for the permit online and doing so will facilitate their processing at the port of entry. We are also evaluating traffic flows and are looking at possibly opening a satellite I-94 tourist permit processing kiosk at the Outlet Shoppes of Laredo.

More about the CBP One online application can be found at www.cbp.gov/about/mobile-apps-directory/cbpone.

jorge.vela@lmtonline.com
A man was arrested for punching his ex-girlfriend in the face, authorities said.

On Nov. 8, Erick Elias Caltontzin, 33, was served with an arrest warrant at the Laredo Police Department headquarters charging him with assault, family violence.
A punter in county Longford had a weekend to remember after a tiny flutter on the Lotto saw them pocket a tasty four-figure sum.

The anonymous winner placed a simple 1 bet in a BoyleSports shop in the county and picked four numbers to come out in the Irish Lotto Plus 2 draw on Saturday evening.

They were left waiting on numbers 1, 4, 16 and 22 to come out within the main six numbers against odds of 7,500/1.

However, the odds soon started to plummet and were smashed completely when all four rolled out.

As a result, the lucky customer was able to return to the shop to swap their 1 bet slip for an astonishing total of 7,501.

Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports said: Huge congratulations to our County Longford customer on their big win. It only took a tiny investment, but it certainly went a very long way and we have to say fair play to them for dreaming big.
A man has appeared in court charged in connection to an alleged assault in Ballymahon during the early hours of yesterday morning which left a teenager fighting for his life in hospital.

Nineteen-year-old Sean McCormack, 17 Rath Reagh, Smithfield, Legan, Co Longford was brought before a special sitting of Longford District Court this afternoon.

The accused was arrested by gardai yesterday afternoon after a man in his late teens sustained serious head injuries following an alleged incident along Ballymahon's Main Street during the early hours of Saturday morning.

The alleged victim was later removed by ambulance to Mullingar Hospital for treatment where his condition was described as critical.

Mr McCormack, who was wearing blue jeans and a green hooded jumper, sat quietly at the rear of the courtroom during a brief ten minute hearing in front of Judge Alan Mitchell.

Detective garda Damien McGovern gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

He said Mr McCormack made no reply when details of the charge were read out to him at Longford garda station at 11:25am.

Inspector Yvonne Martin said the State would not be objecting to bail on the proviso a number of conditions were attached.

They included conditions that the accused sign on each Sunday at Longford garda station and to refrain from having contact either directly or indirectly with the alleged victim.

Mr McCormack was also ordered to avoid posting any details relating to either the incident or the alleged injured party on social media.

He was likewise told to remain free from alcohol and controlled drugs, to reside at his home address and to surrender his passport within 24 hours.

Judge Mitchell warned the accused that any breach of these conditions could result in the case being re-entered with the possibility of bail being revoked.

Defence solicitor Brid Mimnagh said her client, despite being in employment, would be seeking legal aid owing to the seriousness of the charge.

In granting that request, Judge Mitchell remanded Mr McCormack on bail to a sitting of Longford District Court on January 11, 2022.

Longford boutique Fabiani crowned National Store of the Year 2021 Longford boutique Fabiani is celebrating this morning after fending off a host of high street giants to be crowned National Store of the Year 2021.Fabiani, a luxury independent fashion outlet, secured the top award at the five-star Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin last night.
ICSA is calling on Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, to immediately announce an allocation of 50m to fund ICSAs Beef Carbon Efficiency Scheme, set out as part of the associations CAP Strategic Plan.

ICSA president, Dermot Kelleher said, The minister is now talking about reducing the average slaughter age from 27 to 24 months. This cannot be achieved by magic. It will cost beef finishers substantially to deliver this, given rising fees costs, he said.

It is all the more challenging when many of the beef finishers that are expected to deliver this monumental change are among the hardest hit by convergence cuts to their Pillar 1 payments. The ICSA proposal provides a practical route to achieving this goal but it must be included as part of the CAP Strategic Plan.

Under the ICSA plan, farmers would get a payment of up to 100/hd for prime beef finished earlier. Payment to consist of two elements - 40 for weighing stores, and up to 60 for getting heifers, steers or young bulls slaughtered early. The targets would be 22-26 months for heifers, 24-28 months for steers, and 16-22 months for bulls. The earlier the slaughter, the higher the payment.

Mr Kelleher also said agreements made at COP26 by the EU to cut emissions of methane by 30% by 2030 are pointless unless Brazil is on board.

By becoming part of this pledge, Irish farmers will be placed under enormous pressure to drastically change their farming practices, while countries like Brazil carry on with their destructive practices, he said.
Gardai are renewing their appeal to the public for assistance in identifying human remains discovered off the coast of Leitrim in 1986.

On the 1st of May, the body of a man was discovered on the small stretch of the Leitrim coastline at Knockbrack, Tullaghan, Co Leitrim - not far from the county boundary with Donegal.

Public urged to keep watchful eye on fuel as gardai probe series of north Longford thefts Farmers, local business owners and motorists are being advised to secure their fuel tanks as gardai look to solve a number of thefts of diesel from vehicles in north Longford.

At the time of the discovery a post-mortem examination was carried out but the body was never formally identified. He was later buried at St Clare's Cemetery, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim.

The deceased was thought to be aged 30-50 years and described as approximately 54  5'-7 in height. He had two very distinctive tattoos on each arm. On the right upper arm there was a green Shamrock. On the right forearm there was a dagger with a red handle in a green scabbard. On the left upper arm two thin rapier-like swords with red handles crossed in front of a green heart- like or shield shape. On his left forearm the word EIRE was tattooed in front of a green coloured shape.

When found he was wearing blue Wrangler jeans and a dark coloured leather belt with a silver buckle with the words "Malt Liquor" and 'Schlitz' or 'Schlutz' and a picture of a dog or bull. He had brown shoes 'JBees' or 'B. Jees' make, with rubber soles and leather uppers, grey socks.

In 2021, the Garda Missing Persons Unit arranged for an exhumation to obtain a DNA sample to check against the Missing Persons Database and enquires to establish his identity are continuing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Manorhamilton Garda Station (071) 982 0620, The Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Details of this case will feature in episode four of Irelands Unidentified Bodies on Virgin Media One this evening.
Malibu, CA (90265)

Today

Windy and partly cloudy early. Mostly cloudy with diminishing winds later in the day. High 81F. Winds NNE at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness. Low 53F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
No matter where you look in the todays world people seem to focus their attention more on the petty negative things that exist rather than the "feel good moments" that kind of tug at your heart.

Manistee County is lucky in that respect in we have the opportunity for two very special "feel good moments" this holiday season that should leave everyone realizing there still is plenty of goodness to be found if you just take the time to look for it.

So what is a "feel good moment" you ask?

It's a small community in Manistee County coming together every year to create something special for the past 13 years that they call their "Hallmark moment". Another feel good moment comes from a totally different small community in the county braving the sometimes blustery December weather to remember the memory of those loved ones, friends and community members who are no longer with us.

Having the opportunity for just one of these things to take place somewhere in a county this size would be great, but to have two is simply phenomenal.

So what are they?

The first is the 18th annual Bear Lake Promoters' Sparkle in the Park event where they light up Hopkins Park and the downtown with hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights and decorations. This year Sparkle in the Park takes place from Nov. 27 until Dec. 31 from 5-10 p.m. nightly.

Its a free event, but they ask for a donation simply to defray the cost of electricity.

However, what makes this event special is the way it brings the whole community together. In these divisive times isnt it great to see something that we can all get behind and support?

Promoters and community volunteers spend countless hours preparing the exhibits to make sure they are just right. However, where the real magic comes is when the switch is flipped to turn on the lights creating what I like to refer to as the Bear Lake Glow.

The glow is just as it sounds, which is warm and inviting. Its something people feel approaching the Village of Bear Lake in the evening that time of the year.

And what better thing to happen after what we have been through in the past 18 months with the coronavirus pandemic?

Sparkle in the Park was one of the events I covered many times when I still worked at the News Advocate and what brought it home to me was the way it impacted people. The event itself is special, but to be a face in the crowd watching the reactions of others is what was priceless.

It was common to see a family get out of their vehicle to take a slow stroll through Hopkins Park amidst the decorations, lights and seasonal snow while holiday music plays softly from some displays. It was fun to watch the looks of sheer awe on the faces of the children, as every step is creating a special memory in those young minds.

But there is another equally moving event in the county this time of year that also has a special glow.

Over in the Village of Kaleva starting at 4 p.m. on Dec. 21 is when that community celebrates the winter solstice. When dusk falls over the Maple Grove Township Cemetery, more than 1,000 candle lighted luminaries are placed on the graves of former residents.

The Village of Kaleva has a rich Finnish heritage and they started this tradition 24 years ago in 1997 to mark the shortest day of the year when the winter solstice takes place. It was a humble start that began with 300 luminaries and now has tripled to include more than 1,000.

All the luminaries are assembled right across the street from the cemetery and it is amazing to watch as people carry some, pull others on sleds and use other means to get them to the graves of the people they want to honor.

But to find out what is so special about this tradition you have to dig a little deeper. To do that you need to hear some of the stories of the people placing the luminaries and why they are doing it.

What you hear from them is where those special moments take place. Some would get emotional talking about a family member and loved one who they miss deeply because they were no longer with us. Others would say they wanted to remember someone from the community who had a positive impact on their lives.

Then there were some who really brought a smile to my face. These were people who didnt have any ties to those buried there, but they wanted to come and honor some of those who didnt have anyone to place a luminary on their grave.

Wow, how special and moving is that? It just goes to show you that good people still exist in this world of hatred of today.

Organizers of the event also said some of the people who volunteered in those early years are now buried in that cemetery and have a luminary placed on their graves. What was also moving to see is the number of family members young and old taking part in this special occasion, as it was easy to see the tradition has a good foundation to carry on for many years.

Two small communities both located in Manistee County doing two wonderful things during the holiday season: This what makes Manistee County such a great place to live.

More importantly to put it in perspective there might be a need to paraphrase a famous line from a well known newspaper holiday story  Yes, Virginia, there still is goodness in the world and its happening right here in Manistee County.

And the best part is it will continue so long after I see you again on Thursday.
Attorney Silas Danielson has filed for over 60 evictions this year on behalf of landlords throughout south-central Minnesota. By the time they come to him, he said, property owners arent looking to negotiate a way for a tenant to remain in their space.
Michael L. Ketner, 72, of Pittsburgh passed away on Friday, November 19, 2021, at Allegheny General Hospital following a three-year illness. Born March 8, 1949, in Huntingdon, he was the son of Martin and Doris Walker Ketner. He married Mary Lesh on June 1, 1974, and she survives. He was a 1
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Most organisms, including humans, have no systematic means of ridding of excess iron on their own. This is a problem most organisms face in the use of iron in biological systems.In theory, storage proteins should be enough to protect organelles and molecules from iron's reactivity, but in practice, another process becomes perhaps more important, and that is iron dysregulation.Storage proteins themselves get damaged, leading to leakage of free iron, which can then react with and damage cellular structures, which in turn can lead to organ damage and the deterioration associated with aging.Though iron satisfies many of the conditions as a pro-aging substance, it accumulates with age and is associated with many age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.Iron is intimately associated with aging, and control of body iron stores may be an important way to extend human lifespan.Source: Medindia
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High prices, low availability of human insulin, a market dominated by just a few producers, and weak health systems have all created barriers to accessing the lifesaving medicine, the report said."The scientists who discovered insulin 100 years ago refused to profit from their discovery and sold the patent for just one dollar," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the UN health agency."Unfortunately, that gesture of solidarity has been overtaken by a multi-billion-dollar business that has created vast access gaps," he added.Diabetes is on the rise in low and middle-income countries, and yet their consumption of insulin has not kept up with the growing disease burden.The report highlights that while three in four people affected by Type-2 diabetes live in countries outside of North America and Europe, they account for less than 40 per cent of the revenue from insulin sales.The report also outlined measures to improve access to insulin and related products. The actions include boosting human insulin production and supply, and diversifying manufacturing of biosimilar products to create competition and reduce prices.The WHO explained that global markets have shifted from human insulin, which can be produced at relatively low cost, to pricier synthetic insulins, which can be up to three times more expensive.The UN agency also called for improved affordability by regulating prices and mark-ups through pooled procurement and greater price transparency, and promoting local manufacturing capacity in under-served regions.At the same time, research and development (R&D) should be centred on the needs of low and middle-income countries, while increased access to insulin should be accompanied by prompt diagnosis along with access to affordable devices for injecting the medicine and monitoring blood sugar.The WHO said it is working with countries and manufacturers to expand access to everyone who needs it.As part of this the global health body has launched the first-ever insulin prequalification programme to expand access to life-saving treatment for diabetes in low- and middle-income countries. WHO prequalification of insulin is expected to boost access by increasing the flow of quality-assured products on the international market, providing countries with greater choice and patients with lower prices."Diabetes is on the rise globally, and rising faster in low-income countries," Ghebreyesus said."Too many people who need insulin encounter financial hardship in accessing it, or go without it and risk their lives. WHO's prequalification initiative for insulin is a vital step towards ensuring everyone who needs this life-saving product can access it," Ghebreyesus added.Source: IANS
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MANISTEE  November is Native American Heritage month and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians are partnering with the Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore to mark the occasion.

A celebration is scheduled for Nov. 20 and all community members are welcome to learn about the traditional food, arts and stories of the tribe.

"As an Indigenous person, I am excited to share my culture," said Angela Potter, a tribe member and community membership manager with the Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore.

When I was a young Girl Scout I attended a Girl Scout event that my grandmother, her sisters and other tribe members came to in full regalia and shared about Native American drumming, beading and culture. I was so proud then and I'm proud now to be able to share with the girls, Potter stated in a press release.

A tribe member will demonstrate hoop dancing and attendees will be shown how to make a hoop. Attendees are also invited to explore the three sister foods: beans, squash and corn, which are an "important facet of Native American food, agriculture and spiritual traditions," according to the release.

Traditional Native American stories will also be shared at this event.

Native American Heritage Month celebrates the cultures, traditions, histories and contributions of Native American communities in the United States.

"Heritage month celebrations are important in providing the space to teach, learn, and appreciate the cultural richness of the communities they represent within the wider American narrative," part of the release stated.

The event will take place at the Aki Maadiziwin Community Center located at 2953 Shaw Be Quo-Ung in Manistee. Registration can be found at form.jotform.com/GSMISTS/native-american-heritage-month.
TOKYO (AP)  A Japanese princess who gave up her royal status to marry her commoner college sweetheart arrived in New York on Sunday, as the couple pursued happiness as newlyweds and left behind a nation that has criticized their romance.

The departure of Mako Komuro, the former Princess Mako, and Kei Komuro, both 30, was carried live by major Japanese broadcasters, showing them boarding a plane amid a flurry of camera flashes at Haneda Airport in Tokyo.

Photos posted online showed the couple arriving at JFK Airport.

Kei Komuro, a graduate of Fordham University law school, has a job at a New York law firm. He has yet to pass his bar exam, another piece of news that local media have used to attack him, although it is common to pass after multiple attempts.

I love Mako, he told reporters last month after registering their marriage in Tokyo. They did so without a wedding banquet or any of the other usual celebratory rituals.

I want to live the only life I have with the person I love, he said.

Although Japan appears modern in many ways, values about family relations and the status of women often are seen as somewhat antiquated, rooted in feudal practices.

Such views were accentuated in the public's reaction to the marriage. Some Japanese feel they have a say in such matters because taxpayer money supports the imperial family system.

Other princesses have married commoners and left the palace. But Mako is the first to have drawn such a public outcry, including a frenzied reaction on social media and in local tabloids.

Speculation ranged from whether the couple could afford to live in Manhattan to how much money Kei Komuro would earn and if the former princess would end up financially supporting her husband.

Mako is the niece of Emperor Naruhito, who also married a commoner, Masako. Masako often suffered mentally in the cloistered, regulated life of the imperial family. The negative media coverage surrounding Mako's marriage gave her what palace doctors described last month as a form of traumatic stress disorder.

Former Emperor Akihito, the father of the current emperor, was the first member of the imperial family to marry a commoner. His father was the emperor under whom Japan fought in World War II.

The family holds no political power but serves as a symbol of the nation, attending ceremonial events and visiting disaster zones, and remains relatively popular.

Makos loss of royal status comes from the Imperial House Law, which allows only male succession. Only male royals have household names, while female imperial family members have only titles and must leave if they marry commoners.

Mako is the daughter of the emperors younger brother, and her 15-year-old brother is expected to eventually be emperor.

Complicating the former princess's marriage, announced in 2017, was a financial dispute involving Kei Komuros mother. That issue was recently settled, according to Kyodo news service.

When Kei Komuro returned from the U.S. in September, the couple was reunited for the first time in three years. They met while attending Tokyo's International Christian University a decade ago.

In announcing their marriage, the former princess, a museum curator, made her choice clear.

He is someone I cannot do without, she said. Marriage is that decision needed for us to live on, staying true to our hearts.

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Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama

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This story corrects that the princess gave up her royal status, not the throne.
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  European Union officials on Wednesday accused Belarus of state-sponsored "trafficking of human lives by luring desperate migrants to the Polish border  the edge of the EU  where many are now stuck in makeshift camps in freezing weather.

As the crisis showed no sign of easing, an EU leader also said the bloc was, for the first time, considering the idea of funding the construction of a wall or some other barrier on its eastern border. That idea has always been rejected before and still faces many political and humanitarian obstacles.

Polish authorities estimate that about 3,000-4,000 migrants have gathered along its border with Belarus, with hundreds concentrated in one makeshift camp not far from the Kuznica crossing. Warsaw has bolstered security at the frontier, where it has declared a state of emergency.

Polish authorities have tweeted video of migrants, some using shovels and wire cutters, trying to break through a fence on the border to enter Poland.

The West has accused Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko of encouraging migrants from the Middle East to travel to his country and sending them toward EU members Poland, Lithuania and Latvia as a way to retaliate against the bloc for sanctions imposed on the authoritarian regime for its crackdown on internal dissent since a disputed election in 2020.

Belarus denies the allegations, but has said it will no longer stop migrants and others seeking to enter the EU.

From a distance, these events on the Polish-Belarusian border may look like a migration crisis, but this is not a migration crisis, it is a political crisis triggered with the special purpose of destabilizing the situation in the European Union, said Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

Steffen Seibert, a spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel, said in Berlin that Minsk is engaged in state-run smuggling and trafficking ... happening 100% at the expense of the people who are lured into the country with false promises."

Poland says Russia bears some responsibility for the crisis, given its staunch backing of Lukashenko. Germany's interior minister, Horst Seehofer, also accused Lukashenko of "using peoples fates  with the support of Russian President Vladimir Putin  to destabilize the West.

Merkel spoke by phone with Putin on Wednesday. "I asked him to exert his influence on President Lukashenko, because people are being used here, she said.

They are victims of an inhuman policy, and something must be done against this," Merkel said in Meseberg, near Berlin. Speaking ahead of a meeting with Latvian and Portuguese leaders, Merkel thanked Poland, Lithuania and Latvia for protecting the EUs external borders.

Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins added that it is what I would call a state-sponsored human trafficking, which is affecting directly my country, Lithuania and Poland.

The Kremlin's account of the call with Merkel said Putin proposed a discussion between representatives of EU member states and Minsk. It also said Putin and Merkel agreed to continue the conversation.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected suggestions by Morawiecki that Moscow has any responsibility in the crisis, calling them absolutely irresponsible and unacceptable. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also has suggested the EU give Belarus financial aid to stop the migrant flow.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met with President Joe Biden at the White House on Wednesday and said the White House was aiming to levy new sanctions on the Lukashenko regime by early December.

U.S. Treasury Department officials have already begun working on the sanctions and are looking to unveil them as Europe moves forward with its own, said a White House official who was not authorized to comment and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Von der Leyen said she also discussed with Biden the possibility of the U.S. and Europe levying sanctions against airlines that play a role in the influx of migrants through Belarus. Von der Leyen said they shared the assessment that this is an attempt by an authoritarian regime to try to destabilize democratic neighbors. This will not succeed.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who met in Washington with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, said the idea that Belarus would weaponize migration is profoundly objectionable.

"We will continue to pressure Lukashenko and the regime, and we will not lessen our calls for accountability, he added. Kuleba said Belarus "is a potential front line that should not be underestimated.

European Council President Charles Michel met in Warsaw with Morawiecki in a gesture of solidarity, saying: "We are facing a hybrid, brutal, violent and unworthy attack, and we can only reply to this with firmness and unity, in accordance with our core values.

Michel also said the EU is discussing the possibility of funding "physical infrastructure" on its external borders. The EU's executive commission has long held that walls and barriers are not effective and has refused to fund them with money from the bloc. It would only pay for security cameras and surveillance equipment, not walls, fences and other physical infrastructure.

Now, it is facing pressure by several member countries to do so, as Poland and Lithuania have already moved ahead with plans to build high barriers of steel and razor wire.

Security on the Polish border has been reinforced, with about 15,000 soldiers deployed there along with border guards and police. Polands Defense Ministry has activated reserves from its Territorial Defense Force to support border guards and the military by looking for migrants and helping residents whose lives have been affected by the restrictions in their area.

The ministry and police reported that groups of migrants tried to enter the country late Tuesday and early Wednesday but that all who made it in were detained.

It also accused Belarusian forces of firing shots into the air in a border area where migrants caught between the countries have set up a camp. The ministry posted video on Twitter with noises of what sounded like shots. Belarus has accused Polish forces of firing in the air.

Caught in the geopolitical standoff are thousands of migrants, including children, who have been pushed back and forth in a forested area of swamps and bogs. Eight deaths have been confirmed, and the situation gets more dangerous as temperatures have fallen below freezing at night.

Berlin says thousands of the migrants have reached Germany, where many are housed in migrant centers. Others have been detained and put in closed migrant centers in Poland and Lithuania.

Poland, which takes a harder line on migrants, has faced criticism at home and abroad for pushing many of them back into Belarus, often leaving them in the forest. Lawmakers in Warsaw recently legalized returning people to the country from which they tried to enter Poland without automatically giving them the right to apply for asylum. The Polish actions are considered illegal under international law, according to the U.N. refugee agency.

Merkel's spokesman Seibert, while blaming the condemnable behavior of the Belarusian leader, also said the migrants deserved legal protection and humanitarian assistance  an apparent message to Poland.

The U.N. and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe expressed alarm at the growing humanitarian crisis. The U.N. Security Council scheduled closed consultations Thursday on the crisis at the request of Estonia, France and Ireland.

Belarus State Border Guard Committee said in a post on the Telegram messaging app Wednesday that four men of Kurdish descent in the makeshift migrant camp at the border were injured. The committee blamed Polish security forces for the injuries.

According to the refugees, they were detained on the territory of Poland, where they tried to ask for protection and refugee status. Judging by the numerous injuries ... the Polish security forces mistreated the men and forcibly pushed them out through a barbed fence on the border with Belarus, the post said, accompanied by photos of the injured.

It was impossible to verify the reports. Independent journalists face limits to their reporting in Belarus, and a state of emergency in Poland's border zone prevents media from entering the area.

___

Moulson reported from Berlin. Daria Litvinova in Moscow, Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin and Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Matthew Lee and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report.

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Follow AP's migration coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)  A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the shooter responsible for killing a toddler on a San Francisco Bay Area highway.

The 1-year-old boy, Jasper Wu, was sleeping in his car seat when he was struck by a stray bullet on Interstate 880 in Oakland on Nov. 6. He would have turned two next month.

The California Highway Patrol said the evidence suggests Wu's mother got caught driving in the crossfire of a gunfight on the freeway.

Protecting its citizens serves as the governments fundamental responsibility, and if the death of this toddler, on his way home with his family, doesnt wake us up to the out-of-control crime in Oakland, I dont know what will, Carl Chan, president of Oakland Chinese Chamber of Commerce chamber, said Friday at a news conference announcing the reward.

He called for greater law enforcement presence in Oakland and on freeways amid an increase in gun violence in the city this year.

Wu's family said in a statement read at a news conference pleading for anyone with information to come forward so a tragedy like this will never happen again to anyone.

"We are completely heartbroken and devastated over the loss of Jasper," the statement said.

The reward comes from the the Crimes Against Asians Reward Fund, which was created through a partnership among the chamber, the Burma Love and Superstar restaurants and the San Francisco Police Officers Association.
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NEW HAVEN -- After serving the community for 20 years, "The Greek Olive" on 402 Sargent Drive has closed its doors.

Owner Tony Antonakis posted on social media that the restaurant's last day of business was October 30 and wanted to thank the community for the years of support.

"It is terrible feeling," he said in an email with Hearst Connecticut Media Saturday. "This is not how I wanted it to end after working 90 hours a week along with my wife for the last 20 years. I expected to be in a position to sell and slow down as the age is catching up with us, but when COVID came in it all turned to hell on earth."

News of the closure comes after daughter and Branford native, Jennie Antonakis, tweeted to the host of 'The Profit' to help keep her parents' New Haven restaurant afloat in the beginning of the year.

Multimillionaire entrepreneur and television personality Marcus Lemonis announced on his Instagram Live back in December 2020 that he would award $100,000 to local restaurants. The initiative was part of his Plating Change program, which seeks to help those who are food insecure while also keeping independent eateries in business.

On the Sunday after Thanksgiving 2020, Jennie Antonakis posted a tweet about the fragile state of her parents restaurant, requesting a virtual consult from Lemonis and asking her followers for 1,000 likes. She tagged his name so any time someone liked the tweet, he'd get a notification.

It caught Lemonis attention who said, heres what were gonna do, were going to use your parents restaurant to feed as many people as we can, and were going to keep food costs low to drive revenue toward the restaurant. He would jump-start the process by covering the cost of 4,000 meals.

The Greek Olive raised $7,000 on its own, making that another 1,400 meals, they continued to deliver to local organizations based on need.

The Greek Olive served traditional, gourmet foods at an affordable price, according to the restaurant's website. Customers were able to sit in a contemporary dining room or "comfortable" lounge. From omelets to burgers or Middle Eastern Platters to traditional Greek dishes, the owners of The Greek Olive said they were proud to share their gourmet tradition to the community.

Tony Antonakis said he will most miss the thousands of people they met and saw on a weekly basis.

"I would like to thank all of them for their support," he said. "They made the Greek Olive."
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  A Navy sailor, an experienced scuba diver, dragged a drowning Marine to safety through a strong rip current at a popular Okinawa beach in September.

Its at least the fourth rescue involving a rip current and U.S. service members in Okinawa since October 2020. Rip current encounters often end tragically; they have killed five service members this year in the waters surrounding Okinawa, Shawn Curtis, director of the Marine Corps Installations Pacific Safety Office, told Stars and Stripes by phone Nov. 3.

In this case, Aviation Electricians Mate Airman Ian Olney earned praise Nov. 1 for saving a fellow service members life, according to the official Facebook page for the Navy command on Okinawa.

Olney, a certified dive instructor, was in the right place at the right time.

Staff Sgt. Marshall King, of 3rd Intelligence Battalion at Camp Hansen, was snorkeling midafternoon Sept. 21 in shallow water about 50 yards from Akuna Beach, he told Stars and Stripes during an interview Wednesday. He realized a current had carried him farther from shore.

I tried to stand up and get out of it, but the current was too strong, King said. It was a strong rip current, and it took me out quick.

Rip currents are powerful, fast-moving, narrow channels of water that move directly away from the shore. The usual advice for escaping a rip current is to ride it out to calmer water, then swim parallel to shore and beyond the currents grasp.

This current, however, refused to yield, King said. He said he followed that advice but after a half-hour found himself alone, about 200 yards from shore and moving farther into open water.

Thats when I started really panicking, King said. I started screaming and thats when airman Olney, he heard me, thank God!

Olney, 21, from North Captiva Island, Fla., was spearfishing nearby with his Japanese dive buddy Yuuki Watanabe when he heard King calling. That call for help began a 45-minute-long endurance test for both men against a stubborn current.

A P-8 Poseidon battery technician at Kadena Air Base, Olney grew up in the Caribbean Islands and on Hawaii, he said Tuesday. As a dive instructor, hes trained to deal with distressed swimmers. He said he yelled to an exhausted King to swim toward him.

It was not going to happen, King said. My fins fell off a long time ago.

Instead, Olney dove to the ocean bottom and rode the current out to King, whom he found sinking and swallowing water.

He was in full-blown panic, Olney said, but he was the type of guy to snap out of it.

He grasped King by his torso, instructed him to relax, stay on his back and backstroke toward shore. He pulled the Marine for a half-hour to calmer water, where King rested on a rock.

Olney rolled King on his back, grasped the coral reef hand-over-hand and pulled closer to shore. Olney and Watanabe then each took an arm and swam King to the beach.

King joined the Marines in 2014 and returned to Okinawa in May 2019 for his third, six-month tour on the island.

A friend of mine died in a rip current in 2016 out here in Okinawa so I was familiar with the dangers of what the waters out here can do, he said.

Since 2000, 40 U.S. service members have died from drowning in the waters around Okinawa, Curtis said.

King had no doubt that Olney saved his life.

If he was not there, I am 100% certain it would have been a different outcome, King said. I would have drowned.
MLB.coms Mark Sheldon has the latest on free agents Jerry Hairston Jr. and David Weathers.

Hairston expressed gratitude toward the Reds for giving him a shot this year. The Reds made progress with his agent on contract talks, but dont expect an agreement with Hairston or any of their other free agents to be reached by Friday. Based on his quotes, it sounds like Hairston will at least listen to offers from other teams. He posted a career-best .326/.384/.487 line in 297 plate appearances this year.

Weathers says hes "flipped the page" on the Reds. Talks never became serious, and the Reds never made an offer. Hes looking forward to testing the market, and doesnt expect to return to Cincinnati. Walt Jocketty says he still wants to talk.
According to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, reliever David Weathers accepted the Reds offer of arbitration. Hes Reds property for 09 now, and hell get a raise beyond this years $2.75MM salary.
Aaron Judge does not offer any two-headed equivocations when asked about his desire to remain with the Yankees long-term. Per MLB.coms Bryan Hoch, Judge was pretty clear about his intentions, saying, That would be a wish of mine, a goal of mine, to finish my career as a Yankee. If it was up to me, I would be a Yankee for the next 10 years, for sure.

Of course, weve heard this sort of thing from players before. Were not six months removed from Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Javier Baez offering similar pull quotes about their time with the Cubs, and theyve all now played home games outside of the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. As we learned from those Cubbies, the decision to stay in one uniform long-term isnt strictly up to the player.

Granted, theres no reason to think the Yankees would be in a position to deal Judge the way the Cubs sloughed off their stars, but he could be heading into his final season in the Bronx regardless. Judge will enter free agency after the 2022 season. And while the Yankees do not have any financial issues that should seriously threaten their ability to keep Judge, they do have a couple of hefty contracts on the books.

Gerrit Cole and Giancarlo Stanton have guaranteed contract for at least five years apiece beyond 2022, and if the winter plays out as expected, there may be another $100MM-to-$200MM deal on the books by the time spring training begins. It is largely assumed that, now that theyve finally moved Gleyber Torres to the keystone, the Yankees will come away with one of the the winters top free agent shortstops,

Theoretically, reaching a long-term accord with the Yankees should be easy, though we know thats hardly ever the case. The Yankees havent stayed successful by giving money away to every player that likes the cut of their jib in pinstripes.

Of course, Judge is a star by just about any measure. The 67 outfielder has posted no worse than a 140 wRC+ in any season of the last five, including a 148 wRC+ mark last season. Sure, he has yet to replicate his 52 home run, 174 wRC+, 8.3 fWAR Rookie of the Year campaign that put him on the map in 2017, but in the four seasons since that breakout, Judge ranks 19th among all batters in total fWAR and tied for sixth by measure of wRC+.

Judge is also an underrated defender, an unequivocal plus in right field as well as a bit of an optical illusion because of his size. He racked up 11 defensive runs saved as a right fielder in 2021 while proving himself capable of manning the middle in a pinch. Judge played 158 innings in center, though with a mark of -2 defensive runs saved and -0.8 UZR.

The other drawback to a long-term deal for Judge is that the California native will turn 31 in April of the first year of any new deal that he signs. Judge has been durable in that hes been a significant contributor in every season of his career. On the flip side, 2021 was just the second time Judge appeared in at least 70% of New Yorks regular season games. There is risk, therefore, in signing Judge to a long-term pact, though if Judge is as enthusiastic as he seems, that calculation will certainly be part of GM Brian Cashmans winter planning.
Robinson Cano has now served the 162-game suspension he received a year ago after testing positive for Stanozolol, the second time he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in his career. That means hes back on the Mets depth chart with two years remaining on his contract, making $24MM in each of 2022 and 2023. An optimistic Mets fan could be excited by his return, given Canos incredible 2020 campaign wherein he hit .316/.352/.544, an incredible wRC+ of 142 in his age-37 season. Of course, a pessimistic fan could say that incredible is the operative word and use the positive test as reason to expect reduced production in 2022.

Team president Sandy Alderson discussed the issue with Tim Healey of Newsday. How he is received will depend on how he conducts himself and explains himself between now and spring training, Alderson said. A good deal of how the fans will respond is dependent on how he conducts himself. When asked about how the clubhouse would respond, Alderson said, I think the same will apply.

Cano is now 39 and one year removed from MLB action, although he is playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic in order to prepare for the upcoming season. The fact that hes still owed $48MM makes it difficult to see the club releasing him or finding a trade partner, placing them in the awkward position of having to put him back out there and hope that he can return to form. As Alderson said, I dont think there will be any change in his [roster] status between now and spring training.

Alderson also discussed the teams rotation, saying that they are looking for upgrades there. Starting pitching is definitely something we need to address, he said, stressing that they will be open to adding both at the top end of the rotation, as well as depth options. On paper, the rotation currently consists of Jacob deGrom, Taijuan Walker, Carlos Carrasco, Tylor Megill and David Peterson, who all dealt with either injury or underperformance in 2021. But theres also the big unanswered question of Noah Syndergaard, who has until November 17 to decide whether or not to accept the $18.4MM qualifying offer the Mets extended to him. If he were to accept, he could potentially slot behind deGrom as the teams #2, but after Tommy John surgery wiped out his 2020 and limited him to just two innings in 2021, he also comes with uncertainty. As for deGrom, who went on the IL with elbow inflammation on July 18 and never returned, Do I expect Jacob to be back 100%? Yes, Alderson said. But as with all pitching, well see.

Uncertainty seems to be the running theme with the Mets, as they are also still looking to hire a manager and a general manager. As for the former, Alderson doesnt seem particularly concerned, saying, a list [of possibilities] is not that difficult to put together.
At the Oct. 5 Grand County Commission meeting, Commissioner Kevin Walker led a demonstration of how to use the countys redistricting portal t
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WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Poland, Lithuania and Latvia are considering asking NATO to hold emergency talks as they struggle to manage a tense migration standoff on their borders with Belarus, the Polish prime minister said Sunday.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he and his two Baltic counterparts are discussing whether to ask for such talks under the NATO treaty, which allows any ally to request consultations if it feels its territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened.

Still, it's a step that has only been requested a few times in the history of the Western alliance.

The authoritarian Belarusian regime in Minsk has for months been orchestrating a flow of migrants across its border into the three European Union nations, which form the eastern flank of both the 27-nation EU and NATO. In response, the three have been reinforcing their borders.

In an interview with state news agency PAP, Morawiecki vowed that Polands border with Belarus will be an effective and final barrier to actions by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

There is no doubt that things have gone too far, Morawiecki said.

Many migrants are now stuck in makeshift camps in freezing weather as Poland has reinforced its border with 15,000 soldiers in addition to border guards and police. Most are fleeing conflict, poverty or hopelessness in Syria and Iraq and hope to reach Germany or elsewhere in western Europe.

The situation grew more dramatic last week as a large group of migrants appeared across the border from the Polish town of Kuznica. More arrived there on Sunday, and Poland's Interior Ministry released a video showing police warning the people: "If you don't follow the orders, force may be used against you.

In Baghdad, the Iraqi government urged its citizens stranded at the edge of the EU to return home voluntarily on Iraqi Airways flights that the government is providing.

Ahmed al-Sahhaf, the spokesman for Iraqs Foreign Ministry, told The Associated Press on Sunday that large groups of Iraqi migrants are being exposed to difficult humanitarian situations. He said the ministry has also suspended the work permit of Belarus' honorary consul in Baghdad to stop the issuing of entry visas to Belarus.

Smuggling and human trafficking networks are working in inhuman ways and imposing risks on large numbers of Iraqi travelers, he said.

The EU accuses Lukashenko of encouraging the migrants from the Mideast to breech the borders in retaliation for sanctions on his repressive rule. Belarus denies the allegations.

The EU's foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, said he spoke Sunday with Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei to raise the precarious humanitarian situation at the border.

The current situation is unacceptable and must stop. People should not be used as weapons," Borrell wrote on Twitter.

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry said Makei informed Borrell of the steps Belarus was taking to reduce the flow of migrants from Asia, Africa and the Middle East and to provide them with humanitarian assistance.

The interest in the early resolution of the migration crisis was confirmed, the ministry said, while also stressing the futility of sanctions on the Belarus-EU relationship.

Polish authorities reported Sunday that migrants who tried to cross in from Belarus the evening before attacked Polish police officers with stones, hitting one in the helmet. On Saturday, Poland said Belarusian forces were using a vehicle to try to dismantle a border fence and were using lasers to blind Polish forces.

The reported incidents are all but impossible to verify. Independent journalists face limits in Belarus and a state of emergency in Polands border zone prevents media from entering the area.

Poland's Border Guard agency said it has recorded over 33,000 illegal attempts to cross the border from Belarus so far this year, up from 120 last year. Polish forces generally push people back across the border. Yet German authorities say they have recorded more than 9,000 migrants who have come through Belarus.

Polish police have also been detaining suspected human smugglers.

Poland's Interior Ministry is seeking to dispel rumors among migrants that Poland has agreed to let them go by bus to Germany. The government is sending alerts in English to phones in the border area saying: Its a total lie and nonsense! Poland will continue to protect its border with Belarus.

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Salar Salim in Baghdad contributed.

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Follow all AP stories on global migration at https://apnews.com.hub/migration.
ROCCELLA JONICA, Italy (AP)  The Italian Coast Guard on Sunday safely brought to shore more than 550 migrants, many of them young men or boys from Egypt, from storm-tossed waters off the southern toe of Italys mainland, as human traffickers increasingly use a new route.

One rescue began Saturday night and ended early Sunday when the 303 migrants, soaked and shivering, stepped on to the port of Roccella Jonica in the the Calabria region.

Later Sunday, after an Italian customs police boat spotted spotted another fishing vessel in difficulty off Calabria, coast guard crews ferried 250 migrants to the same port, Associated Press journalists in Roccella Jonica reported.

While most migrants seeking to reach Italy in the central Mediterranean depart from Libya or Tunisia, authorities say an increasing number of traffickers' boats are plying a route that begins in Turkey and ends at the southern tip of the Italian peninsula.

Those rescued from traffickers' unseaworthy rubber dinghies and wooden boats that depart from North Africa are usually taken to Lampedusa, a tiny Italian island, or to ports in Sicily. Those sailing from Turkey are generally taken to Calabria or Puglia in the heel of the Italian mainland.

The charity Resqship tweeted Sunday that after it alerted authorities about an overcrowded wooden boat with 100 migrants south of Lampedusa, the Italian coast vessel evacuated them to safety.

In Roccella Jonica, Red Cross volunteers early Sunday handed the migrants plastic clogs, blankets, food and protective face masks as part of COVID-19 precautions. Authorities recently set up a tent structure to serve as temporary housing but it's only for up to 120 people, so some of the migrants were driven to other shelters.

As of Nov. 12, 57,833 migrants had arrived in Italy by sea this year.

In 2020, more than 31,000 arrived. In 2019, when anti-migrant leader Matteo Salvini used his post as interior minister to try to thwart charity boats from disembarking people they rescued at sea, just under 10,000 arrived.

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D'Emilio reported from Rome. AP photographer Alessandra Tarantino contributed from Roccella Jonica.

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Follow all AP stories on global migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration.
ROODHOUSE  One person is dead after a shooting Saturday at a rural Roodhouse residence.

Greene County sheriff's deputies and officers from Roodhouse and White Hall police departments answered a 911 call about 2:11 a.m. Saturday at a house 5 miles northeast of White Hall.

When authorities arrived, they found a 44-year-old man inside with a gunshot wound, according to Sheriff Rob McMillen.

The man, whose identity has not yet been released, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Greene County Coroner's Office.

Illinois State Police were requested to investigate the circumstances involved in the shooting and will be taking the lead in the case, with assistance from the sheriff's department.
KARACHI, Pakistan (AP)  Pakistan has freed 20 Indian fishermen who spent four years in prison in the port city of Karachi for violating the countrys territorial waters, an official said Sunday.

Arshad Shah, a prison official, said the group left the Karachi central prison and boarded a bus for the eastern city of Lahore. Shah said they would be handed over to Indian authorities at Wahgah border crossing. Shah said 588 more inmates were in the prison awaiting completion of legal formalities.
GLASGOW, Scotland (AP)  While world leaders and negotiators are hailing the Glasgow climate pact as a good compromise that keeps a key temperature limit alive, many scientists are wondering what planet these leaders are looking at.

Crunching the numbers they see a quite different and warmer Earth.

In the bigger picture I think, yes, we have a good plan to keep the 1.5-degree goal within our possibilities, United Nations climate chief Patricia Espinosa told The Associated Press, referring to the overarching global goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial times.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the conference host, agreed, calling the deal a clear road map limiting the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees.

But many scientists are far more skeptical. Forget 1.5 degrees, they say. Earth is still on a path to exceed 2 degrees (3.6 Fahrenheit).

The 1.5C goal was already on life support before Glasgow and now its about time to declare it dead, Princeton University climate scientist Michael Oppenheim told The Associated Press in an email Sunday.

A few of the 13 scientists the AP interviewed about the Glasgow pact said they see just enough progress to keep alive the 1.5-degree Celsius limit  and with it, some hope. But barely.

The optimists point to many agreements that came out of Glasgow, including a United States-China deal to work harder together to cut emissions this decade, as well as separate multi-nation agreements that target methane emissions and coal-fired power. After six years of failure, a market-based mechanism would kick-start trading credits that reduce carbon in the air.

The 1.5-degree mark is the more stringent of two targets from the historic 2015 Paris climate accord. United Nations officials and scientists consider it key because a 2018 scientific report found dramatically worse effects on the world after 1.5 degrees.

The world has already warmed 1.1 degrees (2 degrees Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial time, so this is really about a few tenths of a degree more. The United Nations calculated that to limit warming to 1.5 degrees, countries need to cut their emissions in half by 2030. Emissions are now going up, not down, by about 14% since 2010, Espinosa said.

German researcher Hans-Otto Portner said the Glasgow conference got work done, but did not make enough progress."

"Warming will by far exceed 2 degrees Celsius. This development threatens nature, human life, livelihoods, habitats and also prosperity, said Portner, who co-chairs one of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change scientific reports the United Nations relies on.

Instead of big changes in bending the temperature curve as the United Nations had hoped for from Glasgow, they got only tiny tweaks, according to scientists who run computer simulations.

Heading out of Glasgow we have shaved maybe 0.1C off of warming ... for a best-estimate of 2.3C warming," Breakthrough Institute climate scientist and director Zeke Hausfather said in an email. Hausfather has done climate modeling with colleagues for Carbon Brief.

MIT professor Jon Sterman said his Climate Interactive team crunched some preliminary numbers after the Glasgow deal came out and it didnt match leaders optimism.

There is no plausible way to limit warming to 1.5 or even 2 (degrees) if coal is not phased out ... and as rapidly as possible, along with oil and gas, he said.

On Saturday, India got a last-minute change to the pact: Instead of the phase out of coal and fossil fuel subsidies, the subsidies are to be phased down. Several of the scientists said that regardless of what the deal says, coal needs to end, not just decrease, to lessen future warming.

Lessening will do less to slow the harmful effects of climate change than eliminating, former NASA chief scientist Waleed Abdalati, an environmental researcher at the University of Colorado, said in an email.

Before the pact was finished, Climate Action Tracker, which also analyzes pledges to see how much warming they would lead to, said emission-cut pledges would lead to 2.4 degrees of warming.

The 1.5 figure is balanced on a knife edge, said tracker scientist Bill Hare of Australia.

One paragraph in the pact  which calls on countries whose emission-cutting goals arent in line with 1.5- or 2- degree limits to come back with new stronger goals by the end of next year  gives hope, Hare said.

But U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said Saturday night that paragraph probably doesnt apply to the United States, the second-largest coal emitter and the largest historically, because the U.S. goal is so strong.

Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist who is dean of the University of Michigans environment school said the pact provided watered down hope. ... We got an incomplete plan for slower action.

I went into the (conference) thinking 1.5C was still alive, and it appears the worlds leaders just didnt have the backbone for that, Overpeck said in an email.

Some progress was made, said University of Illinois climate scientist Donald Wuebbles, one of the key authors of the U.S. national climate assessment. But the probability of getting to 1.5 degrees is much reduced, even to the point of almost being impossible. Even being able to get to 2 degrees is less likely.

But some scientists held out hope.

For the first time, I can really see a potential path forward to limiting warming to 1.5C, Pennsylvania State University climate scientist Michael Mann said in an email. But it will require both (a) countries making good on their current pledges and (b) further ratcheting up their current commitments.

Johan Rockstrom of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact and Research in Germany highlighted the optimistic scenario he and a few others see if all the countries that have promised net-zero emissions by mid-century actually achieve the goal  something most havent started concrete action on.

In that case, warming could be limited to 1.8 degrees or 1.9 degrees, Rockstrom said.

That is a significant progress, but far from sufficient, he said.

___

Follow APs climate coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate

___

Follow Seth Borenstein on Twitter at @borenbears

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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.

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This story was first published on November 14, 2021. It was updated on November 15, 2021 to correct former NASA chief scientist Waleed Abdalatis current role.
Polish PM mulls asking NATO to hold talks amid border crisis View Photo

WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Poland, Lithuania and Latvia are considering asking NATO to hold emergency talks as they struggle to manage a tense migration standoff on their borders with Belarus, the Polish prime minister said Sunday.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he and his two Baltic counterparts are discussing whether to ask for such talks under the NATO treaty, which allows any ally to request consultations if it feels its territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened.

Still, its a step that has only been requested a few times in the history of the Western alliance.

The authoritarian Belarusian regime in Minsk has for months been orchestrating a flow of migrants across its border into the three European Union nations, which form the eastern flank of both the 27-nation EU and NATO. In response, the three have been reinforcing their borders.

In an interview with state news agency PAP, Morawiecki vowed that Polands border with Belarus will be an effective and final barrier to actions by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

There is no doubt that things have gone too far, Morawiecki said.

Many migrants are now stuck in makeshift camps in freezing weather as Poland has reinforced its border with 15,000 soldiers in addition to border guards and police. Most are fleeing conflict, poverty or hopelessness in Syria and Iraq and hope to reach Germany or elsewhere in western Europe.

The situation grew more dramatic last week as a large group of migrants appeared across the border from the Polish town of Kuznica. More arrived there on Sunday, and Polands Interior Ministry released a video showing police warning the people:If you dont follow the orders, force may be used against you.

In Baghdad, the Iraqi government urged its citizens stranded at the edge of the EU to return home voluntarily on Iraqi Airways flights that the government is providing.

Ahmed al-Sahhaf, the spokesman for Iraqs Foreign Ministry, told The Associated Press on Sunday that large groups of Iraqi migrants are being exposed to difficult humanitarian situations. He said the ministry has also suspended the work permit of Belarus honorary consul in Baghdad to stop the issuing of entry visas to Belarus.

Smuggling and human trafficking networks are working in inhuman ways and imposing risks on large numbers of Iraqi travelers, he said.

The EU accuses Lukashenko of encouraging the migrants from the Mideast to breech the borders in retaliation for sanctions on his repressive rule. Belarus denies the allegations.

The EUs foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, said he spoke Sunday with Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei to raise the precarious humanitarian situation at the border.

The current situation is unacceptable and must stop. People should not be used as weapons, Borrell wrote on Twitter.

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry said Makei informed Borrell of the steps Belarus was taking to reduce the flow of migrants from Asia, Africa and the Middle East and to provide them with humanitarian assistance.

The interest in the early resolution of the migration crisis was confirmed, the ministry said, while also stressing the futility of sanctions on the Belarus-EU relationship.

Polish authorities reported Sunday that migrants who tried to cross in from Belarus the evening before attacked Polish police officers with stones, hitting one in the helmet. On Saturday, Poland said Belarusian forces were using a vehicle to try to dismantle a border fence and were using lasers to blind Polish forces.

The reported incidents are all but impossible to verify. Independent journalists face limits in Belarus and a state of emergency in Polands border zone prevents media from entering the area.

Polands Border Guard agency said it has recorded over 33,000 illegal attempts to cross the border from Belarus so far this year, up from 120 last year. Polish forces generally push people back across the border. Yet German authorities say they have recorded more than 9,000 migrants who have come through Belarus.

Polish police have also been detaining suspected human smugglers.

Polands Interior Ministry is seeking to dispel rumors among migrants that Poland has agreed to let them go by bus to Germany. The government is sending alerts in English to phones in the border area saying: Its a total lie and nonsense! Poland will continue to protect its border with Belarus.

___

Salar Salim in Baghdad contributed.

___

Follow all AP stories on global migration at https://apnews.com.hub/migration.

By VANESSA GERA

Associated Press
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)  A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the shooter responsible for killing a toddler on a San Francisco Bay Area highway.

The 1-year-old boy, Jasper Wu, was sleeping in his car seat when he was struck by a stray bullet on Interstate 880 in Oakland on Nov. 6. He would have turned two next month.

The California Highway Patrol said the evidence suggests Wus mother got caught driving in the crossfire of a gunfight on the freeway.

Protecting its citizens serves as the governments fundamental responsibility, and if the death of this toddler, on his way home with his family, doesnt wake us up to the out-of-control crime in Oakland, I dont know what will, Carl Chan, president of Oakland Chinese Chamber of Commerce chamber, said Friday at a news conference announcing the reward.

He called for greater law enforcement presence in Oakland and on freeways amid an increase in gun violence in the city this year.

Wus family said in a statement read at a news conference pleading for anyone with information to come forward so a tragedy like this will never happen again to anyone.

We are completely heartbroken and devastated over the loss of Jasper, the statement said.

The reward comes from the the Crimes Against Asians Reward Fund, which was created through a partnership among the chamber, the Burma Love and Superstar restaurants and the San Francisco Police Officers Association.

Associated Press
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Troopers investigating a crash last year that killed five bicyclists on a stretch of Nevada highway did not suspect the driver of the box truck that hit them was impaired, although a blood test later found he had a potentially lethal level of methamphetamine in his system, a Las Vegas television station reported.

KLAS-TV said it reviewed hours of trooper body-camera video, photos, internal documents and court records about the wreck that resulted in an agreement that let driver Jordan Alexander Barson plead guilty to two counts of driving under the influence causing death. He originally faced 14 felonies.

The lead prosecutor said the evidence against Barson was weakened because Nevada Highway Patrol troopers at the scene didnt find probable cause to require a blood sample for testing. Instead, Barson submitted to a voluntary blood draw two hours after the crash.

They didnt get a search warrant in the case, and that had to do with they didnt suspect DUI, former Deputy Clark County District Attorney Thomas Moskal told the station. Moskal has since left the district attorneys office.

Ultimately, that had negative consequences down the road, he said.

Barson, 45, is serving 16 to 40 years in state prison for the crash that killed Las Vegas residents Aksoy Ahmet, 48; Michael Murray, 57; Gerrard Nieva, 41; Erin Ray, 39; and Tom Trauger, 57.

The wreck happened the morning of Dec. 10, 2020, on U.S. 95 between Boulder City and Searchlight, roughly 60 miles (95 kilometers) south of Las Vegas.

About 20 bicyclists were riding into a strong headwind during an annual recreational ride through scenic desert in Nevada and California.

Barson was working for an Arizona-based courier service. He had driven from Arizona to Las Vegas for a pickup and was on his way back to Arizona.

He told investigators he fell asleep at the wheel and had no memory of striking the bicyclists and an escort vehicle in the right southbound lane of the four-lane divided highway.

I dont have reason to believe hes under the influence, but hes obviously distraught, a trooper said in one of 16 body camera videos obtained by KLAS-TV through a public records request.

He thinks he fell asleep. I tend to really believe that, another trooper said.

As troopers worked to identify the dead, they put Barson through a field sobriety test and tried to convince him to submit to a voluntary blood draw.

During the test, Barson raised his arms, performed an improper turn and used his arms to balance, a trooper wrote. The trooper later filed a report deeming the results unsatisfactory. He said Barson was shaking uncontrollably and was an emotional wreck given the severity of the incident.

Barson eventually submitted to a voluntary blood draw at a hospital. The results showed he had 948 nanograms per milliliter of methamphetamine in his system, documents said. That was more than nine times the 100 nanograms per milliliter limit that prosecutors use in court to prove impairment.

A toxicologist later wrote that the amount of meth in Barsons blood is often seen in overdose patients.

A 2013 U.S. Supreme Court ruling requires police to get a warrant before obtaining a blood draw from a driver suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Nevada law requires law enforcement to establish probable cause to take a drivers blood. If Barson didnt agree to a voluntary draw, troopers would have to call a judge for a telephonic warrant, a common practice.

Troopers asked Barson five times to submit to the voluntary blood draw, KLAS-TV reported. They told him he would have his license suspended, which is standard procedure, if they called a judge for a warrant. They also told him he may no longer be able to work if he couldnt drive.

On the fifth try, Barson nodded yes.

Moskal said the question of whether Barson gave free and voluntary consent meant the evidence about methamphetamine would never make it to a jury.

Lacking probable cause, troopers released Barson. He returned home to Kingman, Arizona, where he admitted during an interview four days later that he consumed meth around 4 p.m. the day before the crash.

Barson told troopers he did not sleep well but set out the following morning on his regular work route between Las Vegas, the Colorado River town of Bullhead City, Arizona, and Kingman.

Two weeks after Barsons blood results came back, a Nevada Highway Patrol drug recognition expert filed a report based on what she saw in the trooper videos.

She said it was clear to her Barson was under the influence of a stimulant. However, no trooper with current training as a drug recognition expert responded to the scene.

Tom Trauger's widow, Donna, pointed to the two counts of DUI resulting in death that Barson pleaded guilty to. One named three bicyclists as victims. One named two.

He is certainly serving time for the crime that he committed, she said, but he is not serving the correct sentence for the crimes that he committed and thats because the troopers didnt do their jobs that day.

Tom Trauger had joined the planned 130-mile (209-kilometer) bicycle trek to celebrate. One rider was retiring, and another had a birthday.

His pure joy was just being out there on a beautiful day riding his bike, Donna Trauger said.

KLAS-TV said Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat, declined an on-camera interview about the case and issued a statement through a spokeswoman expressing condolences to the victims' loved ones for what he called a horrendous loss of life. The statement said Sisolak remains committed to working with state and local partners to make Nevadas roads safer.

The Nevada Highway Patrol and state Department of Public Safety also declined several on-camera interview requests, KLAS-TV reported.

In a statement, the department called safety and lives a priority "for every trooper who has taken an oath to keep our roadways and our communities safe.

The Department has reviewed this investigation thoroughly and continues to be committed to improving investigative techniques, providing necessary resources and ongoing training for troopers, the statement said.

The Highway Patrol did not explain what, if anything, has changed since the crash.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Dubai's biennial Air Show opened Sunday to a world still reeling from the pandemic and an aviation industry hard-hit by the coronavirus, but on the mend.

Boeing and Airbus have traditionally been the stars of the aviation trade show, competing for multibillion-dollar Gulf-based airline purchases and hammering out final details minutes before back-to-back press conferences. This year, however, the five-day exhibition is expected to be more muted than in the past due to the subdued state of flying and travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rather, the air show's first day drew eyes toward defense and military hardware from countries like Russia and Israel.

The day's blockbuster commercial deal by Airbus was a sale of 255 new aircraft to Indigo Partners' various low cost carriers. The agreement sees budget carriers Wizz Air purchase 102 new planes, U.S. Frontier with 91, Mexicos Volaris with 39 and South American JetSmart with 23. The package includes a mix of A321neo and A321XLR aircraft. At Airbus' pre-pandemic list prices, the order would clock in at well above $30 billion. The company declined to provide any details on the sale price.

Airbus also secured an order for two additional A330 aerial refueling aircraft with the United Arab Emirates' Air Force, bringing to five the country's Airbus multirole tanker transport fleet.

The star on the tarmac outside the exhibition hall was Russias Checkmate fighter jet, which was shown to the press in a custom-built hangar with a display of laser lights bouncing off a mirrored ceiling. The jet, with a baseline $35 million price tag, is a less costly competitor to the U.S. F-35, which the UAE has been trying to acquire since formally recognizing Israel last year in a deal brokered by the Trump administration. That sale has slowed under U.S. President Joe Biden.

In a dramatic promotional video, the Checkmate soared through burnt orange skies, blasting away targets in the desert as music blared in the background and a thundering voiceover rattled off the planes features.

"The idea was born as we used all the experience that Russia got during its Syria operations and many of the features of the aircraft came from realistic situations that we experienced," said United Aircraft Corporation CEO Yuri Slyusar through a translator at the unveiling. In Syria's devastating civil war, Russian fighter jets have supported President Bashar Assads forces.

UAC is a holding company of state-owned Rostec, Checkmates parent company. Production of the jet is expected to start in 2025.

Also, more than 100 American companies are exhibiting at the air show, including defense giants Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.

We are committed to deepening and strengthening this vital strategic relationship, said Sean Murphy, the U.S. Embassy's charge daffaires. At the opening of the U.S. pavilion, he also thanked the UAE for its help in the U.S.-led evacuations out of Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Brazils President Jair Bolsonaro roamed the tarmac outside the booth of iconic Brazilian aerospace company Embraer, inspecting the interior of the companys hulking C-390 Millennium transport aircraft, smiling and waving to crowds of reporters.

French Defense Minister Florence Parly surveyed the range of helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft at the Airbus pavilion, surrounded by French airmen in uniform.

Boeing brought its new 777-9 passenger jet from Seattle in the longest flight to date for the aircraft as it undergoes continued tests and awaits regulatory approval. Boeing says it will be the worlds largest and most efficient twin-engine jet. The Middle East's largest carrier, Emirates, has ordered 126 of this 777X, but the Dubai-based airline has expressed frustration with delays around its delivery, which is not expected before late 2023.

Airbus took journalists through a version of the A320neo, which had been converted into a luxury corporate jet replete with a large bed, walk-in shower and sprawling sitting area with couches and coffee tables. China's state-owned defense firm CATIC displayed a range of anti-aircraft missiles, munitions and fighter jets. An Emirati airman inspecting a U.S.-made Chinook CH-47 noted that the transport helicopter had been supporting Emirati forces on recent missions in Yemen and Afghanistan.

Israeli companies displayed their hardware for the first time at the air show following Israel's normalization of diplomatic ties with the UAE last year. The state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries company showed off a range of manned and unmanned naval and aerial drones.

Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems displayed its drone dome that detects and destroys drones with lasers. Emirati defense officials were seen asking about the range and weight of the anti-drone system at the Israeli pavilion. In all, six Israeli companies are taking part in the air show.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz described the UAE-Israel partnership as a strategic asset, saying in a statement that the Defense Ministry's participation reflects the deepening relations" between the two nations. The two countries share deep concerns over Iran, which is set to resume negotiations over its tattered nuclear deal with the U.S. and other world powers.

The air show is taking place near Dubai's Al Maktoum Airport, a second and smaller international hub to Dubai's main airport, which is the world's busiest for international travel.

With vaccine rollouts ongoing in many nations worldwide, the airline industry as a whole is recovering from last year's roughly $138 billion net loss.

Still, the industry continues to face losses this year and next. The International Air Transport Association forecasts a net loss of $11.6 billion for airlines in 2022, and nearly $52 billion in losses this year.

Although commercial travel remains uncertain amid the pandemic, cargo volumes are already above pre-pandemic levels. Some airlines have ripped out seats on their grounded passenger flights and transformed their aircraft into cargo planes.

On the back of that growing demand, Boeing announced plans to add three conversion lines  one in the U.K. and two in Canada  to covert commercial aircraft to freight carriers. Boeing also signed an order with Icelease for 11 of its 737 freighters.

___

Associated Press writer Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
Less than a month after returning from the edge of space with crewmate William Shatner, space passenger Glen M. de Vries has died in a plane crash in northern New Jersey, said state police.

The single-engine Cessna 172 was carrying de Vries, 49, of New York City, and Thomas P. Fischer, 54, of Hopatcong, N.J.

Both men died when the plane crashed in a heavily wooded area Thursday.

De Vries co-founded Medidata Solutions, a software company specializing in clinical research and ways to use technology to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Alongside Shatner and two others, he traveled to the edge of space Oct. 13 aboard the New Shepard spacecraft, owned by Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin company. Bezos also owns The Washington Post.

The launch was the venture's second human spaceflight mission and took place three months after Bezos himself flew to the edge of space.

"Such a tragic loss. Warm and full of life, Glen made us laugh and lit up the room. He was a visionary, and an innovator - a true leader," Bezos said on Twitter.

The plane carrying de Vries and Fischer, who owned a flight school, left Essex County Airport in Caldwell, near the New York City area, and was headed to Sussex Airport in rural northwestern New Jersey, according to the Associated Press, when the Federal Aviation Administration alerted public safety agencies to look for a missing plane around 3 p.m.

Authorities have not said which man was piloting the plane. Emergency crews found the wreckage in Hampton Township around 4 p.m., the FAA said.

The space adventure last month was part of a historic year in which the private astronauts who reached space outnumbered those sent by NASA and could signal the opening up of space travel to individuals without specialist training.

The October flight made Shatner, 90, the oldest person to have visited space. Lasting just over 10 minutes, aloft and free-floating above the Earth, the crew took in views of planet Earth below and the dark skies beyond, and experienced brief weightlessness.

"It's going to take me a while to be able to describe it. It was incredible," de Vries had said on returning.

In a statement, Blue Origin said it was "devastated" to learn of de Vries's death. "He brought so much life and energy to the entire Blue Origin team and to his fellow crewmates. His passion for aviation, his charitable work, and his dedication to his craft will long be revered and admired."

De Vries also served on the board of Carnegie Mellon University. He graduated in 1994 from the Mellon College of Science with a degree in molecular biology and genetics.

"The entire Carnegie Mellon University community is devastated by the loss of alumnus and trustee Glen de Vries," CMU President Farnam Jahanian said in a statement. "To be in Glen's presence was to be immersed in his exuberance and zest for life, and I am filled with tremendous sorrow that we will no longer be able to experience this gift or share it with others."

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the plane crash.
This is Naked Capitalism fundraising week. 1089 donors have already invested in our efforts to combat corruption and predatory conduct, particularly in the financial realm. Please join us and participate via our donation page, which shows how to give via check, credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Read about why were doing this fundraiser, what weve accomplished in the last year, and our current goal, Karoshi prevention.

CalPERS refuses to shape up. Its scheduled Monday Investment Committee meeting flagrantly defies California open meeting laws, specifically the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. This blatant and willful misconduct occurs as the giant fund is set to have a judge rule that it violated the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act in Jelincic v. CalPERS. As readers may recall, former board member JJ Jelincic sued the giant fund over two refusals to produce records that should not be kept secret. One was for the transcript of a special board meeting held after Chief Investment Officer Ben Meng resigned abruptly. Jelnicic argued that the closed session was improper for a host of reasons, including that legal justification offered for having a secret chat did not apply to any of the things that CEO Marcie Frost later admitted were discussed in that session.

The reason we are highly confident that the judge will rule that CalPERS violated the open meeting law is that that was one of the demands in the Jelincic case and the judge has already said there was nothing he saw in the transcript that justified holding the discussion in so-called closed session as in closed to the public.

So what is CalPERS up to? Eye-poking the judge? Trying to sweep as much under the rug before the ruling, when the press might finally wake up and start to challenge CalPERS on its insistence in breaking the law again and again, apparently recognizing actions required to be shared with the public wont stand the light of scrutiny?

Of the three planned violations of the open meeting laws, all set to happen this Monday, one is particularly alarming, since in a worst-case scenario, they could involve hiding criminal conduct. CalPERS former CEO Fred Buenrostro served a four and one half year Federal sentence for receiving bribes in connection with placement agent fees. In a separate action, New York Controller Alan Hevesi was also convicted for taking kickbacks from placement agents. As a result, California and other states greatly strengthened the disclosures required regarding placement agents.

Yet what do we see on CalPERS Monday Investment Committee Agenda? Notice the last item:

Needless to say, none of the pretexts for holding this discussion in secret apply to placement agents. As you can see for yourself, Government Code section 11126(a)(1) is personnel matters. Placement agents are professional prostitutes service providers, not employees. Government Code section 11126 (c)(16) is prospective investment decisions. Agent fees are not investment decisions. Government Code section 11126 (e) involves pending litigation. The matter has to be ripe, as in a imminent or actual suit, not theoretical legal exposure. A discussion of placement agent fees isnt even within hailing distance of this carveout.

Even worse, as a result of the Buenrostro prosecution, CalPERS created a regulation to require extensive new disclosures of CalPERS placement agent activities. One can only assume that this move was made to head off legislation.

So what legally required disclosure is CalPERS trying to evade? Is it this part of the CalPERS regulation Section 559, Disclosure of Placement Agent Fees, Gifts and Campaign Contributions:

(D) A description of any and all compensation of any kind provided or agreed to be provided to a Placement Agent related to the assets, securities, or services offered to CalPERS, including the nature, timing and value thereof.

Is CalPERS trying to hide compensation that tipped the playing field in favor of certain placement agents, and if that string were pulled, it might expose that the extra compensation, and not the caliber of the services, were the reason for their selection?

Or how about this provision:

(F) The names of any current or former CalPERS Board members, employees, or Consultants who suggested or otherwise assisted in the retention of the Placement Agent.

Is that what CalPERS is trying to hide, that CalPERS insiders or consultants played a role in getting some of the chosen placement agents hired?

And note this part:

(g) All parties responsible for implementing, monitoring and complying with this regulation should consider the spirit as well as the literal expression of its provisions. In cases where there is uncertainty whether a disclosure should be made, this regulation shall be interpreted to require disclosure.

There is a carveout from this regulation, subsection (h), but CalPERS cant pretend it is relying on that since it didnt cite it as a justification for the closed session.

The second flagrant violation of open meeting laws occurs further up in the same agenda excerpted above, Items Completed Under Delegated Authority. This topic again does not even remotely qualify for closed session treatment. These are not pending investment decisions, which are allowed to be kept secret so as not to tip off other investors and put CalPERS at a disadvantage. And they are obviously neither personnel matters nor litigation-related. In fact, CalPERS beneficiaries should be alarmed that the staff and board are working together to hide what staff did with the boards blank check and how those actions turned out.

The third planned closed session violation is a bit later in that meeting and has already been protested by board member Margaret Brown:

Since when is asset allocation or planned asset allocation a state secret? For decades, CalPERS has had its consultants review asset allocation in gory detail and make prospective recommendations, which are then approved (or rarely not) by the board. These strategic decisions are too far removed from actually pulling the buy and sell triggers to qualify for the pending investment action protection.

The apparent reason for putting this important and heretofore always public deliberation is in closed session is to make the actual decision there, and then revisit the topic in open session to put on have a cursory show of conducting the publics business in public as the law requires. That means that this violation of the open meetings law is deliberate and calculated.

This chicanery again raises the question: What is CalPERS trying to hide, particularly on a topic which it never before tried to consider sneakily in private?

Board member Brown weighed in with Board President Henry Jones. The relevant section of the Investment Committee agenda was embedded in her message:

From: Brown, Margaret

Date: November 12, 2021 at 10:20:48 PM MST

To: Jones, Henry

Cc: Betty Yee , Eraina Ortega , Olivares, Stacie , Middleton, Lisa , Ma, Fiona

Subject: Investment Committee Closed Session Agenda Mr. Jones, After reviewing the attachments for closed session agenda item 4a. and the attachments for open session agenda item 7b. the documents in 4a. appear to be identical to the open session materials. Agenda Item 4a. does not meet the exceptions under Bagley Keene for closed session as the discussion of risks and other issues associated with ALM adoption belong in open session. Please have Item 4a removed from the closed session agenda. Yours in oversight, Margaret

Board member Brown added that staff presented a 43 page exhibit for discussion in its open session, and featured 2 pages from that document for the closed session. Again, aside from the fact that asset allocation briefings and decisions have never been a proper topic for in camera review, the fact that the underlying material is being shown to the public conclusively shows that the closed session treatment is illegal.

With this conduct, CalPERS is also openly opposing the prevailing trends in law and in regulation. We pointed out last week that SEC chair Gary Gensler, who is immune to revolving door inducements, announced a big push for greater transparency in private equity around fees, reporting of performance, conflicts of interest, and side letters. All of these devices help private equity investors pretend they dont understand that private equity isnt even remotely the good deal that the general partners and captured press pretends that it is.

CalPERS also labors under the misapprehension that getting Margaret Brown out of its hair as a board member means it will be able to engage in even more chicanery unimpeded. In fact, the most embarrassing events that CalPERS has faced in recent years have all come about via public information. A list: Former Chief Financial Officer Charles Asubontens resume fabrication. CEO Marcie Frosts lies about being enrolled in non-existent dual bachelors/masters degree program. CalPERS incoherent and too obviously corrupt effort to give private equity management over to outside entities. Former Chief Investment Officer Ben Mengs abrupt resignation after we exposed that he had violated California conflict of interest laws. And now JJ Jelincics litigation, which even with the judge bending over backwards to indulge CalPERS, looks set via his remarks so far to be on track to give the fund a big black eye and encourage other Public Records Act lawsuits.

Jelincic did not go away quietly. Brown doesnt plan to either. But CalPERS is too ensconced in its bubble of denial to realize she can be even more effective watchdog as an ex board member. Pass the popcorn.
This is Naked Capitalism fundraising week. 1090 donors have already invested in our efforts to combat corruption and predatory conduct, particularly in the financial realm. Please join us and participate via our donation page, which shows how to give via check, credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Read about why were doing this fundraiser, what weve accomplished in the last year, and our current goal, Karoshi prevention.

By Jessica Rainbow, Assistant Professor of Nursing, University of Arizona; Chloe Littzen,

Assistant Professor of Nursing, University of Portland; and Claire Bethel,

Adjunct Instructor of Nursing, University of Arizona. Originally published at The Conversation.

Nurses stepped up to the challenge of caring for patients during the pandemic, and over 1,150 of us have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. As cases and deaths surge, nurses continue working in a broken system with minimal support and resources to care for critically sick patients, many of whom will still die.

We are nurses and nurse scientists who study nurse well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of our studies, which asks health care workers to share voicemails about their experience providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic, is ongoing. What we have found across our studies is that nurses are struggling, and without help from both the public and health care systems they may they leave nursing altogether.

To help you understand their experiences, here are the five key takeaways from our studies on what nursing has been like during the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Calling nurses heroes is a harmful narrative

Nurses demonstrated that they will do almost anything for their patients, even risking their own lives. As of the end of December 2020, more than 1.6 million health care workers worldwide had been infected by COVID-19, and nurses make up the largest affected group in many countries.

For this, nurses have been hailed as heroes. But this can be a dangerous label with negative consequences. With this hero narrative, expectations of what nurses should do become unrealistic, such as working with inadequate resources, staffing and safety precautions. Consequently, it becomes normalized for nurses to work longer hours or extra shifts without consideration for how this may affect them personally.

This ultimately could result in nurses leaving the profession because of burnout. A survey conducted by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses of over 6,000 ICU nurses found that 66% of respondents were considering leaving nursing as a result of their care experiences during the pandemic. Similarly, we found that 67% of nurses under 30 are considering leaving their organizations within the next two years.

The nurses in our studies put the needs of their patients and society above their own. This is how one young nurse described their experience caring for COVID-19 patients without any safety guidance: There was a palpable tenseness being there  nobody knew what was going on or what was expected. There was no real protocol yet. If a patient was admitted and you had to take care of one, you kind of felt like you were being thrown to the wolves as an experiment.

2. Nurses lack adequate resources or support

Nurses have cared for patients despite working in hazardous work environments. While some health care organizations have offered increased pay to travel nurses, or contracted temp nurses to address staffing shortages, that offer hasnt been extended to their full-time staff. Many organizations instead require overtime and dont provide adequate resources, such as personal protective equipment or support personnel, for safe patient care. This has left many nurses feeling unappreciated, undervalued and unsafe.

As one nurse from our study explained: Lack of resources, lack of staffing, lack of getting all our concerns addressed, things like that. Those are very draining, especially when were supposed to provide patient care and do a good job.  All the drama from work and things like that, those dont help. If anything, it just makes the environment more toxic and unbearable, definitely, and at one point, it will start affecting  your mental health and your physical health, even your spiritual health.

3. Nurses lost trust in health care organizations

Nurses said they struggled with rapidly changing policies and procedures. Even when they were given information about these changes, many health care organizations werent transparent about the reasons behind them and expected nurses to just roll with the punches.

Even worse, some health care organizations gaslit nurses for being concerned for their own safety. One young inpatient nurse, for example, described frustrations with lack of communication from management: They just werent telling us much of anything. We have three managers and seven clinical coordinators on our unit. There were definitely enough people to be sending emails and to be giving updates, but they were so unsure as well that they just kind of opted for radio silence, which was really frustrating and made the whole situation more challenging. When they were giving us information, a lot of it was, you guys are overreacting. You dont need to wear N95s all the time.

The safety sacrifices nurses have made for their organizations and patients has led to severe mental health consequences. In one study of 472 nurses in California, 79.7% reported anxiety and 19% met the clinical criteria for major depression.

Another nurse in our study had a similar experience: Our policies were changing so rapidly that oftentimes anesthesia would have a different understanding [of the policy], the doctors and residents would have a different understanding, and nursing would have gotten a different email always within like a half-hour. It was extremely frustrating. It was very, very stressful.

4. Nurses experience morally traumatic events

Nurses have been exposed to a substantial amount of moral injury, which occurs when they witness, perpetuate or fail to prevent something that contradicts their beliefs and expectations.

Not only have nurses seen a high volume of deaths every day, but they have also been placed in morally difficult situations due to resource shortages, such as oxygen supplies, ECMO machines that support heart and lung function, and hospital beds and staff. Even more routine aspects of care, such as basic hygiene, were neglected, further contributing to nurse moral distress.

One nurse in our study described their experience of moral distress in making life support decisions for patients: We were told very early on  if this person needs a ventilator, they are not going to get it. So, in a way, we were determining code status without really consulting the patient, which to me is very problematic and unethical.

5. Nurses are frustrated by the publics not taking the pandemic seriously

Masks and vaccines are proven to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Yet some Americans still refuse to mask, and, as of Nov. 1, 2021, only 67% of the population has received at least one dose of the vaccine.

According to the CDC, 92% of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and 91% of COVID-19-related deaths, were among individuals who were not fully vaccinated between April and July 2021. Conversely, only 8% of COVID-19 cases and 9% of deaths were among fully vaccinated individuals.

Nurses care for patients regardless of vaccination status. Unfortunately, what the public may not realize is that their decision to decline vaccination or masking has serious consequences not only for nurses, but also their friends and community members. When hospital systems are overwhelmed with unvaccinated COVID-19 patients, there may be limited staff or resources to help those who need care for other medical emergencies. This is a frustrating experience for nurses who find themselves unable both to care for every patient in need and to protect people from contracting COVID-19.

A nurse in one of our studies recalled having to chase after an unvaccinated pregnant person with COVID-19 who attempted to leave the ICU against medical advice, despite the risk that she might infect other people: This was so early [in the pandemic], we didnt know how far [the virus] would travel. So Im, like, is she going infect the staff in the lobby? Are there people down there? You know, shes just going to go home and give this to her newborn. And  her husband looked at me and said, you know, basically Western medicine isnt real and this isnt real and Im, like, OK, this is real. And Im, like, youre going to give it to your newborn and your five kids.

How you can help nurses

As the pandemic continues to overwhelm hospitals and communities across the U.S., its effects on nurses need to be carefully considered. Exhausted and demoralized nurses are already quitting or retiring at alarming rates.

Only time will tell what long-term effects the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the nursing profession. But the public and health care organizations can step up to help nurses now by increasing access to mental health support and providing adequate resources, safe working conditions and organizational transparency during times of immense change. And everyone can help by protecting themselves from COVID-19 through masking and vaccination.
(Natural News) An Austrian brothel has offered free sex sessions to clients who receive the coronavirus vaccine at its facility.

(Article by Paul Bois republished from Breitbart.com)

Starting on November 1, the Funpalast brothel in Vienna said customers who receive the vaccination on-site will be allowed entry into its sauna club where they can have their way with a lady of their choice, according to the Daily Mail. The offer will be available throughout the month of November, during which boys as young as 14 can participate so long as they are accompanied by an adult.

Many men, very many men with a migration background, virtually refuse vaccination or dont even know that you can be vaccinated, Fun Palast manager Peter Laskaris told Reuters. And since we are actually reaching this target group, we decided to set up a vaccination street here.

Germany initiated a similar plan of coronavirus testing for brothel clients earlier this year.

The latest offer comes after Austria instituted strict restrictions on the unvaccinated, barring them from restaurants and other public venues. Christoph Lielacher, director of the Fun Palast, said that the measure  known as 2G  caused a 50 percent dip in customers, which they hoped the free sex offer would alleviate. From The Local:

People who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 can show their yellow Impfpass (vaccination booklet), or data from their e-Impfpass, for example a printout of their vaccine certificate, the Gruner Pass app or an EU digital Covid pass from another EU country. For most people, proof of vaccination will be a valid G for nine months, or 270 days to be precise, after the second dose, as of December 6th. After this, a third dose is required to be allowed entry to 2G venues. The vaccine pass will be valid for another 270 days (nine months) from the date of the third dose.

Since the 2G rule (vaccinated or recovered) has been in place, there has been a real rush to get vaccinated, said Laskaris. We have had a lot of people come in today to get vaccinated.

Read more at: Breitbart.com
(Natural News) The mindless Joe Biden has just nominated a true Russian plant to oversee American banks and who once said she wanted to bankrupt U.S. oil and gas companies ostensibly to fight climate change but really to weaken our country and allow her motherland to become more powerful and energy dominant.

Joe Bidens nominee for the Comptroller of the Currency Saule Omarova on oil, coal and gas industries: We want them to go bankrupt if we want to tackle climate change. Those industries are responsible for MILLIONS of Americans paychecks, noted Steve Guest, a communications official for Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in a tweet containing a video clip in which she made her controversial remarks.

Joe Biden's nominee for the Comptroller of the Currency Saule Omarova on oil, coal and gas industries: "We want them to go bankrupt if we want to tackle climate change." Those industries are responsible for MILLIONS of Americans' paychecks.pic.twitter.com/37DYwoFw8m  Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) November 9, 2021

Headline USA adds:

Saule Omarova, who graduated college in the USSR and is now Bidens nominee to be Comptroller of the Currency, admitted in March that the federal government would need to push fossil fuel companies towards bankruptcy to tackle climate change, according to a resurfaced video.

A lot of the smaller players in that industry are going to, probably, go bankrupt in short order  at least, we want them to go bankrupt if we want to tackle climate change, she said.

But that creates a lot of this sort of loss of jobs, a lot of displacement, and economic fallback  so [the National Capital Management Corporation] could actually become a kind of equity investor at that point, taking over management of those companies and basically leading them through restructuring to a new technological basis and to a new technological business model, and in that sense, its the same type of activity but a different context, she added.

Omarova, thankfully, is facing a great deal of pushback in the U.S. Senate, which must confirm her to her post, even from some Democrats, over her beliefs and for her time in the USSR, during which she wrote a thesis titled, Karl Marxs Economic Analysis and the Theory of Revolution in The Capital.

Its not every day that were presented with a nomination for a Lenin scholarship recipient who attended the Moscow State University and wants to end banking as we know it in the United States, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., told Fox News last week.

If her nomination advances out of the Banking Committee, it will be an easy no vote from me. And as weve seen with other flawed nominations from the Biden administration, I think hers would face a similarly uphill battle in the Senate.

The network also reported that Omarova has a history of writing about Marxism, calling the banking industry she would regulate in her potential new job the quintessential ae industry, and calling for an end to banking as we know it, by the complete migration of demand deposit accounts to the Federal Reserve.'

Demand deposit accounts are the standard checking and savings accounts most Americans have with private banks, the outlet continued.

Translated: No more private bank accounts; all monies deposited in those institutions would become the property of, and fall under the management of, big government  which, of course, would move to impose rules about how Americans could and could not spend their own money (like yes for solar panels and no for guns).

But other Democrats are backing Omarova because at their heart, they, too, are Commies.

Before today, I thought, red scare McCarthyism was rightly relegated to the dustbin of history, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said. Any American citizen who fled communist repression  whether it be FDIC Chair Jelena McWilliams or OCC nominee Saule Omarova  should be lauded for their courage and conviction. I believe that my colleagues  from both sides of the aisle  will reject such character assassinations.

Right; its a red scare to want to keep an avowed USSR-educated loyalist out of our government and away from our capitalist system.

Tell us again how the Biden regime and Democrats are not trying to destroy (fundamentally transform) our republic.

Sources include:

HeadlineUSA.com

FoxNews.com
(Natural News) Rolls-Royce recently announced the creation of the Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactor, a company that will focus on developing small nuclear reactors in an effort to create cleaner energy. The UK government has a 10-point plan in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a target of net zero by the year 2050, and they maintain that nuclear power is a reliable source of low-carbon electricity.

The project is launching thanks to an investment of 210 million from the UK government and 195 from private firms. Private investors included Rolls-Royce Group, Exelon Generation and BNF Resources. The investment will be used to develop the SMR design and bring it through the regulatory processes required to assess its suitability for deployment in the UK.

They will also determine the sites where the reactors parts will be manufactured, with the north of the UK expected to be a top contender thanks to the existing nuclear expertise in the area. The company aims to create 40,000 jobs in the next 30 years.

The small modular reactors operate like conventional nuclear fission reactors but on a smaller scale. A single power station would take up just one tenth of a conventional nuclear plant and be capable of powering a million homes. Each plant will be able to generate 470MW of power, which is the same amount of energy that is produced by 150 wind turbines.

According to Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, SMRs offer the chance to cut costs and build more quickly, ensuring we can bring clean electricity to peoples homes and cut our already-dwindling use of volatile fossil fuels even further.

He added that the move was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the country to deploy more low-carbon energy and achieve greater energy independence.

SMRs are more cost-effective

The SMRs are expected to cost around 2 billion each, which is significantly less than the 20 billion price tag on a larger plant that is currently under construction at Hinkley Point and another plant expected to get the go-ahead soon in Suffolk.

Rolls-Royce CEO Warren East said: With the Rolls-Royce SMR technology, we have developed a clean energy solution which can deliver cost-competitive and scalable net-zero power for multiple applications from grid and industrial electricity production to hydrogen and synthetic fuel manufacturing.

Their smaller size is just one reason they are less expensive. In addition, parts for these SMRs can be manufactured in factories and then shipped to the sites by road, which reduces costs as well as construction time.

It is believed that as many as 16 of these reactors could be built for use across the UK to produce electricity; they will also be open for export to customers around the world.

Rolls-Royce SMR Chief Executive Tom Samson said: Our transformative approach to delivering nuclear power, based on predictable factory-built components, is unique and the nuclear technology is proven.

The news is not being welcomed by everyone. Greenpeace Chief Scientist Dr. Doug Parr said that SMRs are still more costly than renewable technologies and come with the problem of finding a suitable place for disposing of radioactive waste.

Friends of the Earth Head of Policy Mike Childs said he would rather see the government supporting the development of renewable resources such as tidal, solar and offshore wind while enhancing measures that allow people to reduce their energy wastage.

However, several other countries have recently made moves to increase their nuclear power efforts. France is adopting nuclear as part of a strategy by President Macron toward decarbonization, while a move to SMRs to generate green energy is also being mulled in Poland. China, meanwhile, has plans to build 150 new reactors in the next 15 years as it transitions away from coal.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

BBC.com
(Natural News) Kyle Warner, a 29-year-old professional mountain biker and United States champion, has had his life and career ruined by Pfizers Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.

The three-time Enduro National title winner recently came forward to tell all about how his health was destroyed by Fauci Flu injections, leaving him with pericarditis, POTS and reactive arthritis.

Needless to say, Warners career is now over.

Thanks to everyone that has been supportive and understanding of me speaking out on this issue, Warner wrote in an Instagram post. Many of you know me as a pretty reasonable and caring guy and I never intended to be a part of this whole conversation.

However after my experience this summer, and listening to literally thousands of similar stories I feel like I need to stand up for the people who either cannot, or dont have access to the same platform.

Warner emphasized that his vaccine injuries are not political. They are personal because they are real and they have ruined his life (Related: CovidVaccineVictims.com documents heartbreaking stories of vaccine injures, deaths.)

I want the best for the world and for humanity and it breaks my heart to see people suffering in any way, he said.

This past week in D.C. shook my view of the world drastically, and it made me realize how much we as average human beings need to come together and advocate for one another.

Warner urged his followers and fans to listen to his story and other peoples stories before judging or labeling. He says he is just an average dude who cares about others and wants the government to acknowledge and support whats actually happening.

Warner believes Pfizer jab was injected into his blood vessels rather than muscle tissue

The worst of Warners symptoms emerged after his second dose of Pfizer, which caused him to develop numerous serious chronic illnesses from which he continues to suffer.

In an interview with Dr. John Campbell back in October, Warner explained how he felt immediately after getting that second injection.

As soon as they injected it, I had a weird metallic saline taste in my mouth. I asked the guy, Is that normal? and he said no, they dont hear of that much, Warner revealed.

The fact that the clinician doesnt recognize that a metallic taste in the mouth could be a sign of an inadvertent intravascular administration concerns me because what happens is if the vaccine goes into your muscle, then it stays in your muscle, and its going to take half an hour to be systemically absorbed at all, or much longer than that.

Warner explained that if a jabs contents get dispensed into a blood vessel, a metallic taste comes on almost immediately. The fact that this happened to Warner made him believe that the Pfizer injection was dispensed into his veins.

Basically, youre having the inflammatory reaction in your heart and in your joints instead of in your arm, he said.

Not long after that, Warner also developed strange reactions in his heart, including accelerated heart rate. Warner observed this because tracking his heart rate is part of how he keeps fit for mountain biking.

Sadly, the only reason Warner even got injected is because he wants to continue traveling internationally. Had there not be mandates in place, he never would have taken the jab at all.

Warner recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in a conference about COVID injection adverse effects, which are being systematically ignored by government officials.

The latest news coverage about Fauci Flu jab injuries and deaths can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources include:

CitizenFreePress.com

NaturalNews.com

TeamTuckerCarlson.com
(Natural News) So many young people are developing myocarditis and other associated heart problems from the first Pfizer Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine dose that the government of Taiwan has halted administration of the second dose.

Unlike the United States which cares only about money, all human life be damned, Taiwan decided that it is simply too risky to continue injecting teenagers with Fauci Flu shots. And the country is not even considering injecting children under the age of 12 with the poison.

Until this issue with the second dose is officially settled, Taiwanese health officials have indicated that children aged five to 11 will not even be considered as candidates for the injections.

Dr. Anthony Hinton from the U.K.s National Health Service (NHS) warned about all this, suggesting that 20 percent of vaccinated children will die after two years, and 50 percent after five years.

This is a medical holocaust of unspeakable proportions, in other words, and Taiwan is having none of it (if only Americans could be so lucky).

The public health frenzy to vaccinate kids is the ultimate example of process at all costs, the flywheel spinning ever faster, unmoored from reality, writes Alex Berenson on his Substack about the insanity of what is taking place here in the United States.

Imma say it again: if you let your healthy teen  much less your healthy child  get this vaccine, you are insane.

Injecting your children with COVID vaccines is akin to murdering them

Keep in mind that children have a zero percent chance, statistically speaking, of dying or even just getting sick from the Chinese Virus. Heck, prove that said virus even exists and then we can talk.

Until then, parents really do have to be nuts to subject their children to this madness. Taiwan gets it, but many in the West, as demonstrated by their elected (selected?) leaders, are still woefully in the dark about what is taking place here.

How did we get from two weeks to flatten curve to inject every last child on the planet with experimental gene modification drugs? And more importantly, why is the general public putting up with all this in the first place?

Sure, some parents are fighting back. But they are the exception rather than the rule. At the same time, some parents are actually lining up as early as possible to get their little ones injected at warp speed, believing that these drugs will save them from Chinese Germs.

The dumbing down process appears almost complete, and the mass genocide that follows will certainly teach everyone who bought into this a much-needed lesson about why it is never a good idea to give the government total power and control over your body.

I know we disagree on the topic of abortion, wrote one commenter on Berensons blog, apparently supportive of abortion.

However, consider that once a political party not only endorses, but celebrates (shout your abortion) the murder of the most vulnerable in our society, it is clear that they will sacrifice children of any age for power and control.

Another responded to that comment saying that it is absolutely correct and an astute observation, if only more people would reflect on this.

We are in this mess because the belief in the sanctity of life no longer exists even within the Catholic Church, this same person added. This belief is the only thing I remember from all those religion classes in Catholic school, but apparently its not a doctrine the Church even teaches or speaks about anymore.

The latest news about injuries and deaths caused by COVID-19 injections can be found at Genocide.news.

Sources include:

AlexBerenson.substack.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) An independent pharmacy in Aldie, Virginia, is all over the news after it was caught administering adult-sized doses of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to young children under the age of 11.

Ted Pharmacy reportedly injected at least 112 children with the wrong doses on November 3-4, prompting federal and state officials to order an immediate end to all further administration of the injections on November 5.

According to reports, Virginias health agency visited Ted Pharmacy to collect all Fauci Flu shot vials from the location.

At least one mother came forward in distress about the mix-up, which resulted in her seven-year-old daughter receiving a less-diluted dose of the jab intended for children 12 years of age and older.

The wrong vials had a purple cap while the ones intended for children 11 and younger had an orange cap. How the two got mixed up, and for so many children, remains unknown.

Nothing says that you can change a purple to an orange, complained Dasha Hermosilla to News4. I had this pit in my stomach that, like, what did they just do to my daughter?

Loudon County Health Department accuses Ted Pharmacy of purposely using wrong doses

Parents whose young children were improperly injected at Ted Pharmacy are being encouraged to contact their childrens pediatricians for an evaluation, and to keep on the lookout for negative side effects.

Because they did not have the childrens formulation, they used the adult formulation but only gave a third of the amount to the children, said Director David Goodfriend of the health department.

Our understanding from Ted Pharmacy is they were trying to do a workaround, which is not authorized.

This deliberate changing of the vials is being referred to by the Loudon County Health Department as the doses being incorrectly administered.

If it doesnt all go in, or it goes into the body but doesnt go into the muscle, or you didnt draw it up exactly to the [correct] line, theres a chance you might get too little vaccine, Goodfriend added.

Theres also a chance it could have given too much.

The government ordered Ted Pharmacy to contact every single affected parent to warn them about the mistake.

Hilariously (or perhaps not), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is still urging the parents of these children to bring them back in three weeks for their second injections, or even to restart the entire series a second time.

As we reported, the seriousness of all this cannot be overstated, seeing as how these injections are known to cause serious heart effects in young children.

Many little ones are now suffering heart attacks and other cardiovascular events due to getting injected with messenger RNA spike proteins, which destroy the body.

I would have never done this if I knew they were giving the adult reformulated vaccine, Hermosilla added in a statement to the media. I shouldve pushed her to show me the vial of orange which she didnt have, and then I shouldve left.

Fox 5 attempted to contact the owner of Ted Pharmacy, Ester Megally, for an official statement. She did not comment when reached by phone, but she did provide the following statement to the Washington Post:

Its a working day for us now, and we are a little busy. Im sorry.

Another thing to remember is that the child-sized doses of Pfizers COVID injection contain an added heart attack drug that is not included in the version for older children and adults. This could further affect how young children react to receiving the wrong doses over the longer term.

The latest coronavirus insanity can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

WashingtonExaminer.com

NYPost.com

NaturalNews.com


YMCA Norfolk celebrates double awards success

Two teams from YMCA Norfolk were presented national awards at the annual Youth Matters Awards in London on Friday evening (November 12), held at the Grand Sheraton Hotel hosted by YMCA England and Wales.

With only 15 awards up for grabs on the night, YMCA Norfolk walked away with Training and Education Project of the Year and Families Project of the Year  among a staggering 101 YMCAs across England and Wales.



The YMCA Norfolk Families and Communities Team were awarded for their exceptional dedication to supporting families across Norfolk; and were congratulated for stepping up significantly in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The team were titled Family Project of the Year after being shortlisted back in July 2021. They have delivered over 7,000 hours of support through rapid response/return alone, supporting 393 families in crisis.



Additionally, they have worked hard to continue to house and support single parents in YMCA Norfolks Umbrella Housing services, providing a safe and secure environment for their children providing additional support, food parcels, additional parenting support and ensuring the best opportunity to sustain change.



Collecting the award on behalf of the team were Esther Nixon, Senior Wellbeing Engagement Worker, and Kendal Cullabine, Families Team Business Support Officer.



In addition to Family Project of the Year, YMCA Norfolks E-learning Service was also successful on the night  named as Education and Training Project of the Year.



Despite a challenging year for young people, the E-learning service provided specialist education to 175 students; ensuring they maintained their interest in learning throughout tough times.



Unlike most other online education companies, the E-Learning Service offers bespoke provision for individual students based on their learning needs, ability levels and school course. As a result of their industry leading services for young people, the team were recognised as category winners at the national awards ceremony  not only but the public but also by a panel of judges.



Jamie Holland, E-Learning Service Principal, and Ruth Duma, E-Learning Service Administrator, collected the award on behalf of the team.



John Lee, YMCA Norfolk CEO, who attended the awards evening, said: It was fantastic to see the hard work and expertise of our Families and E-Learning teams recognised at the national Youth Matters Awards. Our teams were up against some incredibly inspiring finalists and to win two awards is unprecedented for YMCA Norfolk. It is a great testament to all of the team members involved.



Pictured above are the successful YMCA Norfolk teams at the awards night.





Keith Morris, 14/11/2021
Newburyport, MA (01950)

Today

Cloudy. Periods of rain this morning. Morning high of 55F with temps falling to near 45. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low around 30F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.
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MOSCOW (AP)  For most of his 27 years as Belarus authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenkos repressions and truculent statements frequently offended the West. This year, that belligerence is directly affecting Europe.

His government forcefully diverted an airliner flying between Greece and Lithuania that was carrying a political opponent. As the European Union imposed sanctions for that action, Belarus responded by easing its border controls for migrants from the Middle East and Africa, allowing them to head for the EU frontier.

That has forced Poland, Latvia and Lithuania to declare a state of emergency in their border zones to halt illegal crossings. Warsaw has sent thousands of riot police and troops to bolster security, leading to tense confrontations.

Lukashenko has since raised the stakes by threatening to cut off natural gas shipments from Russia that transit Belarus  a potentially severe blow to Europe as winter settles in.

The moves are a dramatic escalation for Lukashenko, who became president in 1994 when Belarus was an obscure country that had existed less than three years.

His disdain for democratic norms and the countrys dismal human rights record has made Belarus a pariah in the West, bringing him the sobriquet of Europes last dictator.

The 67-year-old Lukashenko prefers to be styled as Batka  Father or Dad  a stern but wise patriarch.

Although he has made occasional moves toward rapprochement with the West, Lukashenko abandoned conciliation after massive demonstrations rose up against him in 2020 following an election to a sixth term as president. The opposition, and many in the West, rejected the outcome as rigged.

Tens of thousands of protesters were arrested, many of them beaten by police; main opposition figures either fled the country or were jailed; foreign journalists were driven out; and ordinary citizens reportedly were arrested for unauthorized mass gatherings, that included even birthday parties.

By suppressing opposition through such harsh actions, along with keeping much of the economy under state control, Belarus has become a neo-Soviet outlier, wary of its thriving NATO and EU neighbors. He alternately quarreled with and cozied up to Russia.

Hes noted for mercurial actions and provocative statements, which a leaked U.S. diplomatic cable assessed as outright bizarre.

In 2006, he threatened protesters by saying he would wring their necks like a duck. He also attracted uneasy notice this year in a Christmas season TV interview when he let his fluffy little dog walk on the table among the festive dishes.

His draconian dramatics spiked in May, when he ordered a Lithuania-bound Ryanair jetliner diverted to Minsk and arrested self-exiled opposition journalist Raman Pratasevich, who was aboard. Belarusian authorities said the action was taken after a bomb threat was made against the plane, but Western officials dismissed that as a preposterous attempt to disguise what they called an act of piracy.

The strapping Lukashenko presents a tough-guy image by frequently playing ice hockey, including a spring 2020 outing where he dismissed the coronavirus by asking a TV reporter if she saw any viruses flying around in the arena. He also advised Belarusians to kill the virus with vodka, go to saunas and work in the fields to avoid infection, saying Tractors will cure everybody!

Once well-regarded by his countrymen as an anti-corruption leader, Lukashenko lost their trust through decades of jailing opponents, stifling independent media and holding elections that gave him term after term in power.

Protests had broken out after some of the balloting, but not sizable or sustained enough to long withstand club-swinging police and mass detentions. Only after the 2020 vote did his opponents seem to harness the discontent: The economic deterioration and Lukashenkos cavalier refusal to act against COVID-19 added to their long-term dismay.

The protests lasted for months, petering out only when winter set in. But authorities didnt let up, reportedly arresting people for no obvious cause or on pretenses such as wearing clothing in the red-and-white colors of the opposition.

Lukashenko was born in a Belarusian village and followed a conventional path for an ambitious provincial Soviet. After graduating from an agricultural academy, he became a political instructor in the border guard service and eventually rose to director of a collective farm. In 1990, he became a member of the Belarusian Supreme Soviet, the republics parliament.

He was its only member in 1991 to vote against the dissolution of the Soviet Union. When he won the new countrys first presidential election three years later, he appeared in many ways to be stuck in time, keeping Belarus as an eerie and dysfunctional Soviet vestige.

While neighboring ex-Soviet republics adapted to capitalism, Lukashenko kept much of the Belarusian economy under state control. That initially won him support because Belarusians did not suffer the pain of shock therapy economic restructuring.

But ossified state control of industries couldn't keep up with the market's energy and flexibility; the Belarusian ruble was forced into repeated devaluations, and as of 2020, the average monthly wage was a paltry $480.

The countrys main security agency retained its symbolically baleful acronym of KGB. He also pushed a referendum that made the new national flag nearly identical to the one Belarus used as a Soviet republic.

Belarus still has capital punishment, unlike every other country in Europe, even echoing Soviet show-trial executions that take about two minutes in all: The prisoner is reportedly brought to a room, told all appeals have been rejected, forced to kneel and then shot in the back of the head.

When Lukashenko became president, Belarus had little experience of being an independent country; as a Soviet republic, it had been a piece of other empires with only a brief attempt at sovereignty after World War I. Sandwiched between Russia to the east and reformist, Western-looking Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, Belarus was in a strategic position.

Lukashenko leaned strongly east. In 1997, he signed an agreement with Russia on forming a union state of close economic, military and political ties, but stopped short of a full merger.

The agreement bolstered the economy in Belarus, which depends heavily on Russian oil at below-market prices. But Lukashenko harbored beliefs that Russia aimed to eventually take over Belarus entirely, and he was increasingly vocal about them.

As protests roiled the country in 2020 and Western pressure increased, Lukashenko had nowhere to turn for help but Moscow. Putin said he would be willing to send police to Belarus if demonstrations turned violent, but he never made that move.

This year, Lukashenko and Putin announced a broad range of agreements to solidify the union state, including a joint military doctrine. Although the agreements substantially increase Russias influence in Belarus, Lukashenko also gains assurance of support.
Stacker compiled a list of counties with the lowest hospital bed capacity Georgia using data from U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Click for more.
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A team including researchers from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed a digital tool to better monitor a condition known as Barrett's esophagus, which affects more than 3 million people in the United States. Barrett's occurs when the mucosal lining of the lower esophagus deteriorates, altering its cellular structure, and is most common in those with chronic acid reflux.

Barrett's is considered a premalignant condition because it's a common precursor to esophageal cancer, so monitoring patients is critical. However, the current paradigm for tracking the progress of the disease, known as the Seattle protocol, is invasive, expensive and potentially ineffective.

Per the protocol, Barrett's patients must have their esophagus poked with forceps every few months, an uncomfortable experience that only captures a small percentage of the affected tissue, meaning that despite the invasive procedure problematic tissues can remain undetected.

A research team set out to test the effectiveness of the Seattle protocol by constructing a computational model to represent the human esophagus, using real-world data across a large population of tissues.

The teaSimulationm, which also included researchers from Columbia University's Irving Medical Center, Mount Sinai's Icahn School of Medicine and Massachusetts General Hospital's Institute for Technology Assessment, published their results in the journal Simulation.

The ultimate goal was to strike a balance between physically poking a patient and how often you find something that may be concerning. It reproduces historical data, and cancers that surface in the simulations are analogous to the real world. These are virtual patients, and we can poke them as much as we want." Jim Nutaro, leader for computational systems engineering at ORNL and researcher on the project

The team's end goal is to minimize the invasiveness of tracking the condition and, by extension, reduce deaths from esophageal cancer by providing a testbed for potential future monitoring regimes.

To examine their digital patients, the researchers first needed to construct a digital esophagus via a computational model. The team drew input data for Barrett's onset and death ages from an actual 1960s cohort and validated the resulting model with real-world data such as detection rates and population statistics.

"It's classic model construction and development," said Nutaro.

The model was then complemented with simulations of millions of various types of tissues constructed using real-world data, a computationally expensive process that was only possible via parallelization across multicore servers.

"The optimization routine is designed to work on parallel computing platforms and benefits from multicore parallelization to facilitate model calibration in a feasible amount of time," the researchers wrote.

It's a task well within ORNL's wheelhouse, as the laboratory is currently home to the nation's fastest computer, Summit, and hundreds of researchers such as Nutaro and his colleague, ORNL staff scientist and team member Ozgur Ozmen, who work daily to employ such resources in tackling the most complex scientific challenges of our time.

The team's model is in the public domain, available to those who can apply it to the physical treatment of Barrett's patients.

In the near term the researchers are looking to apply it to studying variations in the detection of Barrett's across different timescales and tissue areas. Ultimately, they would like to find partners in the medical community that could use their findings to develop a new protocol and, by extension, improve the lives and life expectancies of patients with Barrett's esophagus.

"We can share the model and work with them to further refine current practices," said Ozmen. "In other words, we can help to optimize future protocols."

The work began as part of a collaboration between DOE and the National Cancer Institute known as the Joint Design of Advanced Computing Solutions for Cancer, or JDACS4C, in 2017. After establishing the relationship under the JDACS4C umbrella, the collaboration continued independent of the DOE/NCI effort.

UT-Battelle manages ORNL for DOE's Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. DOE's Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.
New York City ZIP codes with a higher percentage of Black residents had significantly higher rates of COVID-19-specific criminal court summonses and public health and nuisance arrests in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Pandemic policing also mirrored the discretionary nature of the New York stop-and-frisk program, which was deemed unconstitutional in 2013 due to racially discriminatory practices.

The findings add to a growing body of evidence that even when police are tasked with activities outside traditional law enforcement, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, the results reflect similar patterns of racialized criminalization and punishment. The results are published in the journal Critical Public Health.

In addition to the potential for direct physical harm as a result of these police stops, the use of police to enforce public health mandates could be especially dangerous during an infectious disease pandemic. NYPD officers have reported high rates of infection and have low mask wearing compliance themselves. Thus, police stops, which involve forced close physical interactions, increase the risk of COVID spread." Sandhya Kajeepeta, doctoral student, Department of Epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School, and first author

The researchers focused on summonses and arrests related to the enforcement of COVID-19 mandates in New York City from March 12-May 24, 2020, obtained from the NYC Open Data portal. The researchers also integrated cell phone data and 311 data as ZIP-code-level measures of social distancing compliance, making this the first study to use both 311 service requests and non-home dwell time via cell phone data as two control measures of social distancing behavior. The researchers also tabulated ZIP code area-level demographic measures from the 2018 American Community Survey including the percentages of residents self-identifying as Black and percentage of residents with an income below the federal poverty level.

After adjusting for the two control measures of social distancing behavior, a standard deviation increase in the percentage of Black residents was associated with a 73 percent increase in the COVID-19-specific summons rate and a 34 percent increase in the public health and nuisance arrest rate (which includes arrests for charges such as disorderly conduct and criminal trespass). A standard deviation increase in the percentage below the poverty level was associated with a 50 percent increase in the public health and nuisance arrest rate.

"Our findings support the argument that whenever we expand role of police to address social problems or public health problems, what we get is more policing." said Seth Prins, assistant professor of epidemiology at Columbia Mailman, and senior author. "Regardless of what we ask police to do, what they're likely to do is target Black people and poor people. Specifically, police enforcement of COVID-19 mandates not only reproduced patterns of racist and classist policing and jail incarceration. It also likely increased the spread of COVID-19, by putting people unable to comply with public health directives in danger of coronavirus exposure in jails, where transmission rates are extremely high. After being released from these high-exposure settings, people returned home to communities already disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Furthermore, police enforcement of these mandates likely exacerbated economic precarity in an environment of mass unemployment and underemployment," he added.

The researchers point out that some COVID-19-related police stops were violent in nature, placing individuals at risk of physical harm. For example, videos have shown NYPD officers arresting a mother and forcing her to the ground in front of her child for purportedly wearing a mask improperly and officers kneeling on the neck of a man during a social distancing arrest.

"Beyond the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the over-policing of Black communities has had harmful public health consequences," said Kajeepeta. "A growing body of research shows that living in a neighborhood with a high rate of police stops is associated with higher rates of poor health outcomes like anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and even asthma. This research also suggests that these effects can be more pronounced among Black residents than white residents, thereby potentially producing and exacerbating racialized health inequities."

While the summonses and many of the arrests analyzed in this study occurred in the name of public health, the findings suggest that tasking police to enforce public health mandates may have contributed to the reproduction of over-policing of Black communities and the dangers to health and safety that practice poses. This body of evidence has implications beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that using policing as a tool for social service provision or public health promotion in any context risks perpetuating racialized criminalization and exacerbating racialized health inequities.
Kelly Hawes is a columnist for CNHI News Indiana. He can be reached at kelly.hawes@indianamediagroup.com. Find him on Twitter @Kelly_Hawes.
(Newser)  MacKenzie Scott has famously given away billions of dollars of her Amazon-related wealth since 2020. Writing for the New York Times, Gina Cherelus zeroes in on where $50 million of those billions went: to Prairie View A&M University, a historically Black university in Texas. It's actually Texas' second-oldest public university, having been founded 145 years ago, and Cherelus observes that it has "historically received less money from the state government and philanthropists than state flagship schools like Texas A&M University," which also got its start in 1876. She details the various ways in which Scott's money has been put to use while also looking at the financial inequities Prairie View has been fighting against since its start.

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"One of the most difficult things that we do as a state institution is to try to persuade this government that we deserve to be supported at the highest level," says university president Ruth Simmons. She's focusing on non-governmental funding and using Scott's money to drive the school's future success. For instance, Prairie View's endowment had been at $95 million. Thanks to Scott, it increased 40% to nearly $130 million by the end of 2020, the school announced last December. Per the school, it's now "one of the largest endowments at a Historically Black College or University." But it's hard not to contrast it with Texas A&M's endowment, which stands at $12.7 billion. Scott's funds have also been used to open a center for race and justice, establish the Toni Morrison writing program, and create a grant program that financially aids students impacted by the pandemic. (Read the full story, which includes one student's critique of how the money is being used.)
(Newser)  A gun battle between rival gangs inside Ecuadors largest prison killed at least 68 inmates and wounded 25 on Saturday, while authorities said it took most of the day to regain control at the Litoral Penitentiary, per the AP. The killing erupted before dawn at the prison in the coastal city of Guayaquil in what officials said was the latest outbreak of fighting among prison gangs linked to international drug cartels. Videos circulating on social media showed bodies, some burned, lying on the ground inside the prison.The shooting lasted around eight hours, officials said, and then new clashes were reported in part of the prison in the afternoon. Presidential spokesman Carlos Jijon finally announced after nightfall that the situation is controlled throughout the penitentiary. He said about 900 police officers had taken control of the situation.

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In the initial fighting, inmates tried to dynamite a wall to get into Pavilion 2 to carry out a massacre. They also burned mattresses to try to to drown (their rivals) in smoke, said the governor of Guayas province, Pablo Arosemena. The bloodshed came less than two months after fighting among gangs killed 119 people at the prison, which houses more than 8,000 inmates. Police commander Gen. Tanya Varela said drones flown over the chaos revealed that inmates in three pavilions were armed with guns and explosives. Authorities have said that weapons and ammunition are smuggled into prisoners through vehicles that deliver supplies and sometimes by drones. The prison violence comes amid a national state of emergency decreed by President Guillermo Lasso in October that empowers security forces to fight drug trafficking and other crimes.

On Saturday, Lasso tweeted that the first right that we should guarantee should be the right to life and liberty, which isn't possible if security forces can't act to protect. He was referring the Constitutional Court's recent refusal to allow the military into prisons despite the state of emergency. Soldiers are currently outside the Litoral. Ecuadors penitentiaries are seeing a wave of brutal violence. The bloody fighting inside Litoral prison that killed 119 inmates in late September was described by authorities as the South American countrys worst ever prison massacre. Officials said at least five of the dead were beheaded. Last February, 79 inmates were killed in simultaneous riots in various prisons. So far this year, more than 300 prisoners have died in clashes in penitentiaries across Ecuador.

(Read more Ecuador stories.)
(Newser)  In the face of allegations he misappropriated client funds for years, disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh is keeping mum. The former partner at Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Elztroth, and Detrick said in papers filed with Colleton County court that he "asserts his privilege against self-incrimination guaranteed by the United States and South Carolina constitutions" and will not respond to the allegations, per CNN. Murdaugh's former firm filed suit against him in October alleging he "developed a systematic scheme in which he diverted funds owed to the firm and to clients to a fictitious entity."

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The firm first parted ways with Murdaugh in September following the attorney's (self-orchestrated) brush with death when they publicly claimed "he lied and stole from us". Things have somehow only gone downhill for Murdaugh since, though the high profile family had reportedly been walking a difficult path for years. Murdaugh faces a litany of criminal charges and likely won't see the light of day any time soon. Last month, Circuit Judge Clifton Newman temporarily denied Murdaugh bond, saying the attorney's considerable financial resources and mental instability appeared 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, per the AP.

Judge Newman asked Murdaugh's lawyers to send him a report on his mental condition from professionals, including those involved in his monthlong stay to get treatment for an addiction to opioids, so that he could assess the situation and potentially grant bond. Fast forward to last week, and that did not happen. Newman's newest ruling could mean months or even years behind bars until the 53-year-old gets his day in court.

(Read more Alex Murdaugh stories.)
(Newser)  Small island nations are especially alarmed by the results of the UN climate conference, making the point that they don't have time for small, incremental steps to slow global warming. The crisis has reached their homes. Negotiators declined to commit to taking immediate action to hold global warming to 1.5 degrees Celcius above preindustrial levels. "The difference between 1.5 and 2 degrees is a death sentence for us," Maldives' environmental minister said. They plan to take the issue up again next year. "What is balanced and pragmatic to other parties will not help the Maldives adapt in time," Aminath Shauna said, per the Washington Post. "It will be too late for the Maldives."

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Before it adjourned, the European Unions climate chief had warned the conference that the situation is critical for some nations already, per US News & World Report. Frans Timmermans said there's urgency for low-lying Pacific islands and other nations vulnerable to flooding now, "because you're standing with your feet in the water." That's how Tuvalus foreign minister tried to get his message across to the conference, per the Sydney Morning Heraldsending a video of his speech delivered in a business suit while standing in ocean water past his knees. "We cannot wait for speeches," Simon Kofe says, "when the sea is rising around us all the time."

Tuvalu and other at-risk countries are preparing for the worst, even as they press their case to larger nations. Kofe talked about people having to leave behind their homes and incomes because of the changes. Tuvalu and other island nations are pursing legal and diplomatic paths to keep their homes sovereign countries even if they're underwater in 50 to 100 years. The nations' negotiators in Glasgow, many of whom traveled for several days to get there, are exhausted by their effort, per New Scientist. "We are a group of very small countries that don't have a significant amount of political leverage," said a negotiator for the Alliance of Small Island States, which includes 39 nations. "But we have strength in numbers and the moral high groundthough that's sometimes not enough." (Read more UN climate summit stories.)
(Newser)  Update: Three men were arrested under the Terrorism Act in connection with the incident that investigators initially thought might have been an accident. The men, 21, 26, and 29, were not identified by police.

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English counterterrorism police are investigating a blast at a Liverpool hospital Sunday that killed one person and injured another. A taxi pulled up to the Liverpool Women's Hospital and exploded about 11am, the New York Times reports. Police said the exact cause of the explosion wasn't clear yet. It had not been declared a terrorist incident, but officials said counterterrorism police would lead the investigation as a precaution, per the AP. A fire in the car followed the explosion, officials said, and a person got out of the car.

The injured man suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, police said. "Work is still going on to establish what has happened," Merseyside Police said in a statement, "and could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything." New patients were being diverted to other hospitals. Police asked the public to be calm but vigilant, per the BBC. Suspicion that it might have been a terrorist attack was driven partly by the fact that it's Remembrance Sunday in the UK. (Read more Liverpool stories.)
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com



Bahrain today joins world nations in celebrating World Diabetes Day, which falls on the 14th of November every year.

Access to diabetes care: If Not Now, When? is the theme of this years celebration.

The day throws light on the fact that a century after its discovery, insulin and other fundamental components of diabetes care remains beyond the reach of many who need them.

Marking the occasion, Dr Abdulwahab Mohammed, Chairman of Primary Health Care Board of Trustees at the Supreme Council of Health, said the day provides an opportunity to raise awareness among citizens to adopt a healthier lifestyle to combat the increasing diabetes cases in Bahrain.

Citing the 2018-19 national survey, he said 15% of the respondents covered had diabetes.

This is high and calls for intensifying efforts to raise awareness among citizens as Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputations.

Regular exercise and healthy eating should be practised at an early age, especially as diabetes is increasing among children, he said, adding that an average of 80 to 85% type 1 cases are recorded in children annually.

He was inaugurating the World Diabetes Day Conference organised in cooperation with Novo Nordisk.

Bourn Anderson, Representative of the Embassy of Denmark in Bahrain, and Dr Ahmed Majdy, Head of Patient Support and Public Relations Department at Novo Nordisk, doctors, specialists and academics were present in-person and virtually.

Dr Jalila Al-Sayed, the CEO of the Primary Health Care Centres, said that the fight against diabetes in Bahrain had acquired a new challenge in the form of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Diabetes can generally weaken the efficiency of our immune system, and therefore reducing the number of cases can reduce those challenges too.

The National Committee for the Control of Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases develop strategies, plans and programmes to reduce the spread of chronic diseases, especially diabetes, in the Kingdom.

New figures from the 10th Edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas reveal that 537 million adults around the globe are living with diabetes.

Meaning, one in ten adults are now living with diabetes.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Indian Community Relief Fund is organising its annual art carnival Faber Castell Spectra 2021. ICRF is organising the event, virtually this year too, like last year, under the patronage of the Embassy of India to Bahrain The carnival, the largest art competition for students in the Kingdom of Bahrain, aims at encouraging and honouring artistic skills among the youth.

The competition will take place on Friday, 10th December 2021.

How to participate?

Preliminary rounds will be at schools. Participation will be only through Schools/Institutions.

In preparation, ICRF Spectra team coordinator Aneesh Sreedharan held a meeting recently with more than 30 coordinators from 15 schools.

The competition will be in four age groups - five to eight years, eight to eleven years, eleven to fourteen years and fourteen to eighteen years.

ICRF will provide all participants in Bahrain with drawing paper and materials. The top three winners in each category would receive individual trophies and certificates.

All participants will receive participation certificates.

The winning entries and other outstanding creations will figure in the Wall Calendars and desktop calendars for 2022. These calendars will be launched at a function held during the first week of January 2022.

These calendars will be available to all sponsors, corporates, banks, insurance companies, educational institutions, clubs, associations and businesses.

International version

After completing 12 years, the art carnival is also going International.

We are also conducting an International Online Competition Spectra 2021, ICRF said.

The competitions will be held separately and announce two sets of winners.

We invite participants from schools across the globe to take part in Spectra 2021 International, win fabulous prizes and feature your creations in the most outstanding desktop and wall calendars which would decorate the thousands of office tables of various establishments in Bahrain for the year 2022, ICRF said.

Family Welfare fund

Net proceeds from the competition go towards a Family Welfare Fund to support the families of deceased Indian labourers drawing wages below BD100 per month.

As per the scheme, the Family Welfare Fund will provide financial assistance of Rs1,00,000 (Rupees One Lakh) to the dependents of a deceased Indian.

For more information on Spectra 2021, contact Aneesh Sreedharan on 39401394 or Nithin on 39612819, email -icrfbahrain@gmail.com.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain Businesswomens Society praised the official visit of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the United Arab Emirates and the agreements to reach economic integration between the two countries.

Ahlam Janahi, president of the society, said, We appreciate the wise leaderships efforts to advance investment and develop the national economy through important visits and agreements of leaders at the Gulf and Arab levels.

We will discuss in the next board meeting how we can benefit from all the recent agreements signed by the wise leadership and will be transferred to the relevant committees.

Janahi affirmed the societys keenness to follow up efforts to stimulate the national economy.

Deals signed during the visit include the declaration of the United Arab Emirates as a partner of the International SeaAir Freight Services Center in Bahrain, an MoU in trade and the exchange of investment opportunities and establishing a centre for the Emirati investor in Bahrain, allowing companies registered in the UAE to engage in commercial activities in Bahrain, facilitating and accelerating procedures for Emirati and Bahraini investors, permitting companies registered in the Emirates to carry out commercial activities in Bahrain, amongst others...

A memorandum of understanding was also signed for boosting cooperation and investment in industry and advanced technology.

The deal includes developing policies and strategies, exchanging experiences and best practices.
DANBURY - Approved plans for a high-technology campus and power plant on the west side received permission to hook into the citys water and sewer system after Republicans on the City Council used their majority to outvote Democrats who wanted more review.

The display of Republican power, which came two days after Democrats lost two seats on the 21-member City Council in the Nov. 2 elections, was a preview of the challenge Democrats face over the next two years with a Republican mayor and a 14-to-7 GOP supermajority on the City Council.

I dont even know what is going on with this thing, said Democratic City Council member Duane Perkins at a Nov. 4 meeting, referring to the approved $200 million technology and power plant project at 100 Saw Mill Road.

Mr. Perkins, this has been vetted out through planning and zoning and all the commissions, said Mayor Joe Cavo, a Republican who was elected to a City Council seat on Nov. 2. Before you tonight is a water and sewer extension request.

Id ask for it to be recommitted (to a working group for more study) so we can vet this whole thing out again, Perkins said. Most people in here dont even know what this thing is about. Things have changed since this was first proposed, by the way.

By changes Perkins was referring to plans by the city to build a $99 million career academy for 1,400 upper grade students at the sprawling office park complex called The Summit just north of the power plant site.

Paul Rotello, the City Councils Democratic Minority Leader who was re-elected along with Perkins, said the council was not simply looking at a simple request for water and sewer.

I think there is a larger issue here  where we have a school and then someone builds a power plant powered by forced natural gas with 250 megawatts - which is far beyond the needs of the office building, Rotello said. This is going to be power that is sent back out to the grid. It is not just going to supply the buildings themselves.

Vinnie DiGilio, the City Council President, spoke for the 12 member GOP majority, reasoning that the request had been thoroughly reviewed in September by a working group of elected officials and department heads, and questions outside of the water and sewer request itself were out of the City Councils purview.

All of these questions were answered in the (September meeting) and the (water usage) is the equivalent of six or seven faucets being on, DiGilio said. The petitioner shouldnt be put out any longer.

When Perkins pressed for a vote to study the proposal further, Republicans voted it down on party lines, 12-to-8. One Democrat missed the vote because he was out sick.

At that point, it was a simple matter of a second vote to approve the water and sewer extension. The approval passed 14-to-6, with two Democrats joining the Republicans. One of those Democrats joining the GOP for the second vote was City Council member Roberto Alves, who lost the mayoral election to Republican Dean Esposito.

The Nov. 2 results reversed progress Democrats had been making in recent years to gain control of the City Council. Leading up the election, Democrats held 10 seats, but Democrat John Esposito III switched parties, reducing the Democrats to nine seats.

In addition to John Esposito III, who was not re-elected as a Republican, Democrats Frank Salvatore Jr. and Robert Taborsak lost their seats.

Republican City Council member Warren Levy said granting the permit was the right thing to do.

[O]ther departments within the city of Danbury have reviewed this along with the state of Connecticut, and all have permitted it, Levy said. I dont think that we should get in there and start micromanaging what the experts have already looked at.

rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342
KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP)  The Qatar-based satellite news network Al-Jazeera said Sunday its bureau chief in Sudan was detained by security forces, a day after mass protests against last month's military coup.

The network said on Twitter that Sudanese forces raided the home of El Musalmi El Kabbashi and detained him.

The development comes after security forces fired live ammunition and tear gas Saturday to disperse protesters denouncing the militarys tightening grip on the country.

The Sudan Doctors Committee said a 15-year-old protester died Sunday of gunshot wounds to his stomach and thigh, raising the death toll to six people.

In a later statement, Al-Jazeera said El Kabbashi had been arrested at his home in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital. The broadcaster said it held the Sudanese military responsible for his safety.

Al-Jazeera condemns in the strongest terms the reprehensible actions of the military and calls on the authorities to release El Kabbashi immediately and to allow its journalists to operate unhindered, free to practice their profession without fear or intimidation, the channel said.

Sudanese officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

Thousands of pro-democracy protesters took to the streets across Sudan on Saturday to rally against the military coup last month. The takeover has drawn international criticism and massive protests in the streets of the capital of Khartoum and elsewhere in the country.

The killings Saturday took place in Khartoum and its twin city of Omdurman. The dead included four people killed by gunshots and one who died from being hit by a tear gas canister. The 15-year-old who died of his wounds Sunday brought to six the number of fatalities, the doctors committee said. Several other protesters were wounded, including from gunshots, it said.

That brought the tally since the Oct. 26 coup to at least 21 protesters dead, according to the medical group.

Saturday's rallies, called by the pro-democracy movement, came two days after coup leader Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan reappointed himself head of the Sovereign Council, Sudan's interim governing body. Thursdays move angered the pro-democracy alliance and frustrated the United States and other countries that have urged the generals to reverse their coup.

The newly appointed body held its first meeting, chaired by Gen. Burhan Sunday in Khartoum, the council said on its Facebook page. In a statement after the meeting, the council said it would form a civilian government in the coming days.

The pro-democracy movement condemned the excessive use of force against the protesters Saturday. The Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change said their struggle to establish a full civilian government will not stop and called for mass demonstrations on Wednesday.

The Sudanese military seized power Oct. 25, dissolving the transitional government and arresting dozens of officials and politicians. The takeover upended a fragile planned transition to democratic rule, more than two years after a popular uprising forced the removal of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir and his Islamist government.

___

Associated Press writer Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed.
VILLA DEL ROSARIO, Colombia. (AP)  Xiomara Ruiz woke up before dawn and boarded a bus with her son to make a one-hour trip to the bridge connecting Venezuela to Colombia, which they crossed on foot. Their goal: to get the 8-year-old vaccinated against the coronavirus.

By 7 a.m. the 27-year-old nurse and the boy were lining up at a vaccination center in Villa del Rosario, a Colombian town on the border with Venezuela.

About two dozen Venezuelans also stood in line for the shots, while an aid worker in a khaki vest yelled out instructions on a megaphone and told the crowd to keep a safe distance from each other as they waited for the vaccination center to open.

In the town where I live there are still no vaccines for children, said Ruiz, who traveled to Colombia from the border state of Tachira. She was concerned by a recent announcement by Venezuelas government that children under 12 will be vaccinated with Soberana, a coronavirus vaccine developed in Cuba.

That one is not approved by the World Health Organization, Ruiz said. Its better to make the trip here.

Hundreds of Venezuelans have been traveling to Colombia recently for coronavirus shots, as Venezuela struggles to get enough doses for its people.

These trips replicate previous efforts by Venezuelans to seek medical care abroad as their countrys health care system crumbled amid years of medicine shortages, economic recession and mismanagement of public hospitals. But travel restrictions and regulations associated with the pandemic have made it more challenging for Venezuelans to get vaccines in neighboring Colombia.

Colombian border states, which provided thousands of Venezuelan children with vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria and hepatitis for free before the pandemic, only started to provide coronavirus shots to Venezuelan travelers in October.

Now that the gates are open many are seizing the opportunity to get shots in Colombia, which has greater access to European and North American vaccines and only uses shots that have been approved by the WHO.

Vaccine coverage is very low in Venezuela, said Huniades Urbina, a pediatrician and spokesman for the Venezuelan Academy of Medicine. So for many people, especially those living in border states, it's worth it to travel into Colombia to get their children vaccinated, instead of having to go several times to vaccination centers within Venezuela.

In the Colombian state of North Santander, where the main border crossing is, more than 34,000 people registering at vaccination centers with Venezuelan ID cards have gotten coronavirus shots since Oct. 25, when vaccination for non-residents began, according to the states health department. That includes undocumented migrants living in North Santander as well as Venezuelans who traveled just to get the shots.

In the state capital of Cucuta, the number of vaccines applied daily has doubled to 9,000 since the end of October, said Astrid Urbina, the nurse leading the citys immunization program.

Some Venezuelans who travel to Colombia in search of coronavirus vaccine said they were looking to get immunized with European or North American brands that are not available in Venezuela for several reasons that include lack of government permits, lack of infrastructure for vaccines that must be stored at ultra cold temperatures and sanctions imposed by the U.S. against companies that do business with Venezuelas government. In June, however, the U.S. Treasury made exemptions for companies that sell vaccines and pandemic-related equipment to the Venezuelan government.

Eduardo Sanchez, a 22-year-old resident of the Venezuelan border town of San Antonio, crossed the international bridge that connects the countries Friday after hearing he could get a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine on the Colombian side.

In Venezuela we have been offered the Chinese vaccines, but I dont trust them, he said. Here at least you can get AstraZeneca, which has greater recognition.

Venezuela has fully vaccinated 32% of its population so far, according to data supplied by its government to the Pan-American Health Organization. The country of 28 million people has been able to import vaccines from China, Russia and most recently Cuba, but still has one of the lowest vaccination rates in South America.

On Oct. 21, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez announced that 12 million doses of Cubas Soberana vaccine would be imported and offered in schools to children ages 2 to 12.

Rodriguez said the move demonstrated President Nicolas Maduros concern for the health and welfare of the Venezuelan people and showcased the benefits of Cubas longtime alliance with Venezuela.

But medical associations in Venezuela have spoken out against the use of the Cuban vaccine on children, arguing it has not been widely tested or reviewed by scientists outside the island.

Colombian officials in North Santander said the number of Venezuelans travelling for vaccines has increased since Nov. 3, when vaccination for all children over age 3 opened in the state.

Antonio Nino, a driver from the Venezuelan town of Rubio, brought his 8-year old daughter, Nicole, to get her vaccinated.

My wife and I preferred to come to Colombia, he said. They have vaccines here that have WHO approval, and that makes us feel more secure.
OXFORD  The video opens with what appears to be a normal scene outside a grocery store: Two people loading up the trunk of an SUV with items from their shopping cart.

The footage continued as the pair quickly threw item after item into the car, parked in the fire lane at the stores entrance. One of the carts and the back of the SUV was nearly filled with large bottles of Tide laundry detergent. The person shooting the video then turned to reveal a minivan also parked in the fire lane with two other people filling its trunk with what appears to be paper towels and even more bottles of Tide.

The video was capturing what police have described as a brazen daytime shoplifting incident.

I honestly thought it was a joke, Wayne Pesch, president of the Connecticut Food Association, a group that represents grocers in the state, said about the video.

State police have since said the group is believed to be connected with other similar incidents throughout Connecticut. Investigators believe they have identified two of the suspects involved, whose identities were not immediately released on Friday. The minivan seen in the video was recovered in New Haven, police said.

While Pesch said other thefts are not necessarily as brazen as the incident caught on video in Oxford on Tuesday, grocers face the prospect of theft 365 days a year.

Tide, he noted, is often targeted by thieves along with baby formula and energy drinks because those more expensive items can be readily resold on the black market.

While several Connecticut police departments said they havent seen large-scale thefts of laundry detergent, Tide-brand detergent, in particular, has emerged as a favorite among thieves in recent years, according to the Associated Press .

Thats for a number of reasons  its a commodity everyone needs, its a popular well-known brand, it doesnt spoil and the big bottles retail for around $20.

Pesch noted thieves could probably offload the stolen detergent for around $10 a bottle.

The theft in Oxford points to a larger issue of theft for food retailers, Pesch said, who he said operate on thin margins. Some retailers have announced store closures, citing shoplifting and organized retail crime.

Some of the associations members have installed facial-recognition software to combat theft, which can cost store owners thousands of dollars.

Youve got to sell a lot of peanut butter to make up for that, Pesch said.

Pesch said workers shouldnt intervene directly, but take a note or photo and alert their supervisor or law enforcement. He likened it to concerns he previously raised about asking retail workers to enforce masking at stores.

Were not going to put people in harms way, he said, saying asking people to confront or stopping someone from stealing who could potentially be armed is a no-win situation.

Well do our job, he said, well let law enforcement do their job.
GLASGOW, Nov. 10, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Viridis Terra is proud to announce its first TreesOfLives impact investments in Peru as part of its large-scale forest landscape restoration projects to fight against climate and ecological crises. The organization is also thrilled to announce its partnership with the Amazon Business Alliance, an initiative led by Conservation International and The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), including a contribution that could attain three million US dollars to promote TreesOfLives sustainable investments in the country.

Moreover, Viridis Terra joins Peru 2021-2030 announcement through an agreement with the Peruvian government's National Forest and Wildlife Service (SERFOR) to promote the restoration and sustainable management of forest and agroforest landscapes in some of the country's most pressing regions. This initiative will help the government reach its goal of restoring more than 2.15 million hectares of Peruvian degraded land by 2030 to close the gap in the fight against deforestation.

TreesOfLives is a sustainable impact investment fund and digital platform that allows individuals and organizations to invest in projects dedicated to the reforestation and restoration of degraded lands. The platform provides investors with an unparalleled level of transparency, thus allowing them to track any given project's progress. They can see the current and future impactsfinancial, environmental, and socialon their own lives, the planet, and communities.

"Viridis Terra's goal is to develop a green economy based on sustainable activities. The TreesOfLives investment vehicle is a unique way of investing in our projects in exchange for financial, social, and environmental returns, all while offsetting one's greenhouse gas emissions. Our TreesOfLives initiative is ideal for businesses and individuals who wish to reduce their carbon and ecological footprint and become key players in the fight against climate change and land degradation. We are proud to announce the first TreesOfLives investments in Peru in 2021a starting point for our Integrated Forest Landscape Restoration (IFLR) project," explains Martin Beaudoin Nadeau, founder and CEO of Viridis Terra.

As part of its restoration of degraded land activities in Peru, Viridis Terra has confirmed its partnership with Conservation Internationalan organization with more than 30 years' experience in the countryvia the Amazon Business Alliance and financed by USAID. The Amazon Business Alliance's mission is to encourage investors, entrepreneurs, and businesses in the conservation industry to promote sustainable development and reduce deforestation and deterioration of natural resources while improving the livelihood of communities in the Peruvian Amazon. The Amazon Business Alliance is slated to contribute to the development of initiatives in Peru by co-financing, up to one dollar for each dollar invested by TreesOfLives, during the first phase in the country.

"We are thrilled to be contributing to and facilitating Viridis Terra's projects. By supporting Viridis Terra, we are contributing to an inclusive and sustainable economic development through the restoration of forest and agroforest landscapes, as well as fighting against land degradation and climate change," says Claudio Schneider, Senior Technical Director at Conservation International in Peru.

The first phase of the project will oversee the restoration of 3,000 hectares of degraded land in new forest and agroforest landscapes, the protection of an additional 2,100 hectares, and the sequestration of more than two million tonnes of carbon over a 30-year period. Viridis Terra, in collaboration with the land owners, debuted the project by restoring 200 hectares in Peru in 2021, which, according to Conservation International, will lead to more control over the country's natural resources and a more sustainable management of more than 1,000 hectares.

The Government of Peru identified 8.2 million hectares of degraded ecosystems as a high restoration priority in the country's fight against climate change. The agreement between the National Forest Service and Viridis Terra includes joint efforts to mobilize mixed funding to help reinforce the ability of Amazonian communities to sustainably manage new forest and agroforest landscapes by way of demonstration and training centres in the Amazon.

"We know that restoration isn't just about planting trees; it's about creating value for the people who will be tasked with managing these new forest and agroforest landscapes. We know that restoration is a complex challenge, the success of which depends on our understanding of and taking into consideration the social, environmental, and economical aspects. We want to develop alliances to help us overcome this major challenge, contribute to reducing GHG emissions, and help protect the planet. With its new integrated business model, Viridis Terra offers a concrete, sustainable solution to this complex challenge by creating benefits for all stakeholders involved. We are happy to be partnering with them and contributing to the restoration of our country's degraded land," concludes Carmela Gina Quintanilla Centenaro, Economist for the National Forest and Wildlife Service (SERFOR).

About Viridis Terra International

Founded in 2015, Viridis Terra is a green technology organization that brings together a multidisciplinary, innovative, and experienced team specialized in ecosystem restoration and sustainable management via large-scale reforestation. In continued partnership with several civil and government-run businesses and organizations, Viridis Terra is committed to leading the sustainable fight against climate change and land degradation. The organization's mission is to help make the future a better one for current and upcoming generations.

SOURCE Viridis Terra International

For further information: Media Contact, Marc-Andre Dufresne, for Viridis Terra, [email protected], 514-358-5560
Colonel Viplav Tripathi lost his life along with his wife and son who were travelling with him in the convoy. Army troops have been deployed in border areas close to the Myanmar border to keep an eye on terrorist activities across the border in their camps.

Extending his condolences over the death of its five personnel including an Assam Rifles Commanding Officer in a terrorist attack in the state, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Sunday assured that the perpetrators will be brought to justice. Devastated beyond words as I met the doctors at JNIMS mortuary to inquire about the post-mortem report of our brave jawans who had martyred in a ghastly attack yesterday. My sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Rest assured, the perpetrators will be brought to justice., tweeted Singh.

The Commanding Officer (CO) of 46 Assam Rifles Colonel Viplav Tripathy, his wife, and 8-year-old son, and four soldiers were killed in an ambush by terrorists near the India-Myanmar border in Manipur on Saturday. Four other soldiers sustained injuries in the attack in Churachandpur district in Manipur, according to the Indian Army. The incident took place around 10 am on Saturday near S Sehken village under Behiang police station.

The insurgents ambushed a convoy of Assam Rifles around 11 am leading to the mass killing of the five Assam Rifles personnel, including the Colonel and his family, said an official statement of Director General, Assam Rifles.

Five soldiers including Col Viplav Tripathi Commanding Officer of 46 Assam Rifles have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, mentioned the statement. Police said the incident took place near Sehken village as the heavily armed militants fired upon the convoy of the Assam Rifles Colonel killing him, his wife, their son, and three Quick Reaction Team jawans on the spot.

Militants attacked the convoy when the Colonel of the 46 Battalion of the Assam Rifles was going to supervise a civic action program in the Churachandpur, bordering Myanmar.
The final text of the resolution urged nations to accelerate efforts to phase down coal production rather than phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidiaries

COP26 concluded on Saturday after two weeks of negotiations between 200 nations on climate change and what needs to be done to control the damage. After a series of negotiations, Britains COP 26 President Alok Sharma said that it is now time to make a decision and the choices you make are extremely important.

The final text of the resolution urged nations to accelerate efforts to phase down coal production rather than phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidiaries. As India among other countries pressed for change in the fossil fuel language in COP26 draft, a teary-eyed Alok Sharma said he apologises for the way the process unfolded and he is deeply sorry.

As the nations rallied to compromise, what the Global North refused to talk about was equity and historical emissions. When talking about the per-capita power consumption, India consumes only 968 KW/ Hour. Countries like Canada, US, China, UK, France, Russia and Germany consume 15,438 KW/Hour, 13, 098 KW/Hour, 4,906 KW/Hour, 4906 KW/Hour, 7141 KW/Hour, 6,917 KW/Hour and 6, 848 KW/Hour.

Taking note of the historical emissions, Great Britain reached 30 million tonnes output of coal mining alone by 1830. In United States, Wyoming became the largest coal producing state in 1987 with 70BN ton reserves. Donets Basin in Russia is a major coal mining district and produces 70BN Ton reserves since 2010. China, on the other hand, produces over 3500 million tonnes of coal every year.

This prompts the question that isnt is it time to phase down the real climate villains rather than pulling up a country like India, whose CO2 emissions fell to 30MT from 132 MT in 2020, solar energy capacity built to 38GWs in 2020, is on target to achieve 20% ethanol blending, made 42 solar parks in recent years, has 92 GW of renewable energy available, has distributed over 37 crore LED bulbs in 6 years and has set up 5 waste to energy projects with a capacity of 74.7 MW.
ATLANTA (AP)  Travis and Greg McMichael said they armed themselves and sped after Ahmaud Arbery because they thought he was a burglar, and they wanted to catch him and hold him until police arrived.

When the 25-year-old Black man turned and fought during the chase, they said, Travis McMichael shot him in self-defense.

That's what the defense is arguing in the trial of three white men accused in the killing of Arbery, who was shot three times in February 2020 near Brunswick, on the Georgia coast. The McMichaels, a father and son, and neighbor William Roddie Bryan are charged with murder and other crimes.

The defense strategy depends on Georgia's citizen's arrest and self-defense laws.

WHAT DOES THE DEFENSE SAY HAPPENED?

Greg McMichael, 65, told police he saw Arbery hauling ass past his house and believed he had committed burglaries nearby. McMichael ran inside, grabbed a handgun and shouted to his son, who emerged with a shotgun.

The two men jumped in a pickup truck and pursued Arbery through their subdivision. Arbery was on foot.

Seeing the chase in progress, Bryan climbed into his own pickup and recorded video on his cellphone as he joined the pursuit.

Bryan, 52, told an investigator he used his truck several times to block Arbery and edge him off the road. Greg McMichael told police he shouted at Arbery to stop.

At the end, Bryan's video shows Greg McMichael in the bed of his pickup truck with a handgun and Travis McMichael, 35, outside the truck with a shotgun.

Defense attorneys say Arbery lunged toward Travis McMichael and his gun, and that's when Travis McMichael shot him.

WHAT IS A CITIZEN'S ARREST?

Greg McMichael told a police officer they chased Arbery to keep him from leaving the subdivision. He said they wanted to hold him until police could come and you know, check him out.

A state law on the books at the time said: A private person may arrest an offender if the offense is committed in his presence or within his immediate knowledge. If the offense is a felony and the offender is escaping or attempting to escape, a private person may arrest him upon reasonable and probable grounds of suspicion.

The actual words citizen's arrest didn't appear in the statute, and there was no obligation for a person who was trying to detain someone to declare that intention. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed legislation mostly repealing the law in May.

Arbery had appeared several times on security video inside a house under construction near the McMichaels' house.

Travis McMichael had seen him outside the house about two weeks earlier and feared Arbery was reaching for a gun that night when he reached toward his pocket, Robert Rubin, an attorney for McMichael said in his opening statement.

Arbery's behavior at the unfinished house would cause a reasonable person to believe a crime had been committed, Rubin said. That's also why the McMichaels felt they needed to arm themselves, he said.

Prosecutor Linda Dunikoski said during her opening statement that Arbery was unarmed and gave the men no reason to suspect him of wrongdoing. They just assumed he had committed a crime, she said.

Melissa Redmon, a former prosecutor and now a law professor at the University of Georgia, said it could be a hard sell to convince a jury there was probable cause to initiate a citizens arrest.

"Thats based on what it appears they knew at the moment they confronted Mr. Arbery or, rather, the lack of information they had at the moment they confronted Mr. Arbery, she said.

HOW DID ARBERY'S KILLING LEAD TO THE LAW'S REPEAL?

The citizen's arrest law was approved in 1863 to round up escaped slaves and was later used to justify the lynching of Black people.

There had long been a push to repeal it. Arbery's shooting broadened a national outcry over racial injustice and prompted state lawmakers to act.

The repeal legislation says witnesses and bystanders can't detain people. Restaurant and shop employees can still detain people they believe stole something or who leave without paying. Licensed security guards and private detectives can also detain people.

Deadly force cant be used to detain someone unless its in self-protection, protecting a home, or preventing a forcible felony.

Though the repeal law has taken effect, the defense is able to cite the old law since it was in effect at the time of Arbery's slaying.

WHAT CONSTITUTES SELF-DEFENSE?

It is tragic that Arbery died, Rubin said. But at that point, Travis McMichael is acting in self-defense. He did not want to encounter Ahmaud Arbery physically. He was only trying to stop him for the police, Rubin said.

Georgia law allows the use of deadly force if a person reasonably believes another person is about to kill or gravely injure him or someone else. There's no obligation to retreat first, as Georgia recognizes a person's right to stand your ground.

But Georgia law does not allow someone to use force if he is the aggressor, unless he withdraws from the fight and effectively communicates that, and the other person continues to use or threaten to use force against him.

When he raised the shotgun, Travis McMichael was hoping to de-escalate the situation, but Arbery turned toward McMichael swinging aggressively with his fists, Rubin said. McMichael shot him out of fear that Arbery would get the gun and shoot him or his dad, Rubin said.

Prosecutors will likely argue Arbery was allowed to defend himself against a man who had been chasing him and was pointing a gun at him, Redmon said. A Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent said during a June hearing that he believed Arbery acted in self-defense.

Ultimately, the jury will have to consider the moments before the shotgun blasts rang out and decide which man was the aggressor and therefore not legitimately acting in self-defense, Redmon said.

___

Associated Press writer Russ Bynum in Brunswick, Georgia, contributed to this report.
WEST HAVEN  Before his arrest in connection with an alleged scheme to illegally divert about $636,000 in federal pandemic money intended for West Haven to a separate bank account, former Democratic state Rep. Michael DiMassa had climbed quickly through the ranks of municipal government.

More than a decade before his arrest, DiMassa had impressed many in the local government with his confidence and competency since first taking an intern position in 2009 at age 18, officials have said and records show.

According to DiMassas city personnel file, obtained by the Register through a Freedom of Information request, he moved through several departments, having drawn accolades from hiring managers within City Hall, earning higher pay as time passed. One city job interview document was marked excellent and had stars drawn on it. And in just one sternly worded memo from the city corporation counsel, DiMassa was reminded that despite him already being a state lawmaker, he would be supervised like other city employees.

He was ambitious and he had a whole plan, maybe to be a senator, said former Democratic Registrar of Voters Patty Horvath, who hired him as her assistant in the registrars office in January 2013 while he was finishing up a business degree at Albertus Magnus College, from which he graduated magna cum laude, the personnel file shows.

Horvath said that picture of a person with a plan was made clearer for her when she later interviewed one of DiMassas friends for a position in her department.

His friend said, Michael told me its a good stepping stone for a career, said Horvath, who now is city clerk.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media

The Path

DiMassa did not respond to a request for comment. DiMassa and city housing specialist John Bernardo were arrested for allegedly using fraudulent invoices to divert as much $636,000 in pandemic relief funding this year to a separate business bank account that they were able to access. The alleged scheme involved submitting the fake invoices to the city for pandemic-related work, and the money was paid to the company for which DiMassa and Bernardo are listed as principles, according to federal authorities. No work was actually done by the company, federal records show.

DiMassa was well-known at City Hall by the time the alleged crime occurred, and had worked in multiple offices with multiple different duties by this year, records show.

According to the city personnel documents, DiMassa first was hired as a summer intern at City Hall under the administration of former Mayor John Picard after graduating from Notre Dame High School, where he was named Man of the Year in the class of 2009. He was hired to work two days per week at a rate of $10 per hour.

In July 2012, at 21, he was hired as a part-time assistant by Picard and was given a raise to $11.50 per hour, the personnel file shows.

When DiMassa left Picards office, he wrote to the mayor about how privileged he felt to work for that office and that I feel it is time for a new challenge.

When DiMassa was hired to be Horvaths assistant, his hourly pay increased considerably, to $24.97 per hour with benefits for 25 hours per week.

While with the registrars office, DiMassa presided as head moderator over an election recount following a close Democratic primary in which Picard was defeated by Ed OBrien by 13 votes, a margin that expanded to 168 votes in the general election, records show.

Hearst Connecticut Media /

On Dec. 24, 2014, DiMassa was hired as a revenue collection clerk in the Tax Office. The word excellent is written atop a document of interview questions for the role, underlined twice, records show. DiMassa appeared to impress the hiring manager who interviewed him on a question about customer service skills, with three stars appearing around a partial quote from his interview that said: like a bank teller.

I have a great deal of experience with financial budgets from my previous job with the city, DiMassa wrote in that 2014 application for the tax clerk position, documents show.

A document connected to that application shows DiMassa was given what appears to be a quiz on calculating tax rates and based on check marks appears to have answered all the questions correctly.

Michele Gregorio, a former Republican mayoral candidate and a cost accountant, was one of DiMassas listed references for that job.

I met Michael when he was a teenager. Were part of the same Italian-American group, Gregorio said.

Michael actually worked with me on fundraising, helping me out with the spreadsheets. There was really no issues, Gregorio said. A lot of these younger men I run into in my political and personal careers, I adopt them and call them my sons. I actually considered Michael a son.

But Gregorio said she was taken aback by the charges against DiMassa because its not the Michael I knew 12 years ago.

She said she knew him as someone smart and extremely detail-oriented, who also was an efficient public servant in the registrars office. For example, she said, one important difference between him and others in City Hall was that he would have the forethought to provide public information in a searchable database instead of in a static web document.

He had a work ethic to get the job done, she said.

In 2016, when he was 25 years old, DiMassa defeated then-state Rep. Lou Esposito in the Democratic primary for his seat in the 116th District, beginning his career in the General Assembly. That summer, DiMassa became a clerk for the West Haven City Council as his day job. His pay rose to $27.42 per hour with the transition, records show.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media

For about three years, DiMassas work was managed by the council chairman.

But in 2019, after DiMassa, by then a state representative, made a request to work remotely, he came under the supervision of city Corporation Counsel Lee Tiernan.

Tiernan made it clear he wanted work done by the book.

In a June 13, 2019, letter, Tiernan shared that he had learned that DiMassa was looking for pay for hours worked outside of the office.

Your technical supervisor for 25 hours a week is the Council Chairman. The Chair is a part-time position and the Chair is not positioned to exercise proper supervision so we are seeking t assign you a specific supervisor namely myself, Tiernan wrote in the memo.

For 10 hours a week you are assigned to my office, Tiernan wrote. I have been satisfied with your work product concerning legislative status and histories and assisting me with state agencies. However, that would only account for 10 hours a week.

Tiernan wrote that the other 25 hours would have to pertain to City Council business.

You have provided documentation concerning 28 hours of work for the week of May 27th. Now the 27th was a holiday. By this memo I approve the 10 hours concerning my office which is 2 hours on the holiday and 8 hours of work for that week, he wrote. The remaining 25 hours I credit 6 to the holiday and the remaining 19 I have approved based on the documentation you have provided and your assurance of time spent on duties.

Tiernan wrote that from that date forward, however, DiMassa would be required to input his hours into the citys payroll system.

If, because of your legislative duties, you are unable to perform your duties on site you must request permission IN ADVANCE to work offsite from your supervisor, he wrote. The City has and will continue to accommodate you to a degree as long as you are a state legislator. However, extensive off site work is impossible to properly supervise.

Tiernan recently said DiMassa didnt have to notify me that often about working remotely.

It might have been one or two times, he said.

Contributed photo

When asked about DiMassas claim over the summer to the Register that salaried employees were tracking compensatory time in a ledger instead of on the payroll system, Tiernan said his office is next to DiMassas former office, so he knew when he was in.

City benefits

Although city employment records listed DiMassa as being a non-union, non-benefits employee in his role as a mayoral assistant to Picard, he requested back pay for benefits from the new administration.

In an undated letter in hid employment file that is addressed only to Mayor, but that makes a reference to the previous administration, and 2012, DiMassa requested reimbursement in my case regarding my years of Service with the City of West Haven.

I was denied all benefits under the previous administration for the entire year of 2012, he said, including that he had punched in for well over 19/20 hours a week, in many cases working over 30 hours.

During that year I should have been classified as a Part Time Employee and covered under the management Union Contract as the Secretaries in the Mayors Office are and have been since I started my employment with the City, he wrote. I was denied $4,000 medical reimbursement and the opportunity to get $3,000 tuition reimbursement..

While there are notes scrawled at the bottom of that undated letter, the outcome of DiMassas request is not clear from the records.

But in an Oct. 1, 2015, letter from Assistant Corporation Counsel Henry Szadkowski included in DiMassas employee file, the attorney said that prior to his hire in the registrars office (in 2013) DiMassa was ineligible for benefits. On educational reimbursement, Szadkowski said DiMassa had never applied for assistance prior to accepting the position.

The benefits Mr. DiMassa is claiming have not historically been paid to other employees similarly situated and there is no past practice of such actions, Szadkowski wrote.

brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  They were only 6 years old, aware of the tumult going on about them but not completely understanding the importance of what they were doing.

I was just afraid. I didn't know what was going on and what they were thinking, Gail Etienne said of the angry crowds on the day, 61 years ago, when she was escorted into McDonogh 19 elementary school in New Orleans. She was one of four first-graders integrating the city's public schools amid protests from angry white mobs.

I just knew I was going to a new school," she said following a news conference kicking off a weekend of events heralding the New Orleans Four  Etienne, Leona Tate and Tessie Prevost, who entered the previously all white McDonogh 19 on Nov. 14, 1960; and Ruby Bridges, who that same day was escorted into William Frantz Elementary in New Orleans, a moment made famous in a Norman Rockwell painting.

The activities come a year after the city honored the four on the 60th anniversary, but without a major public celebration because of COVID-19 restrictions.

In a ceremony held Sunday outside McDonogh school, the screams and hate of 61 years ago were replaced with cheering crowds and expressions of gratitude. The building, badly damaged in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina struck, is now being developed into the Tate Etienne Prevost Center, a civil rights museum.

The ceremony began with U.S. marshals escorting Etienne, Tate and Prevost to the school just as they did 61 years ago. Three young African American girls walked with them. Marshals placed a wreath of flowers at the school and the ceremony concluded with the singing of Lift Every Voice and Sing."

Tate, on Friday, said she didn't know what to make of the crowds when she approached the school as a child. Reared in a city famous for its Mardi Gras processions, she wondered if a parade was on the way.

That's what it looked like, she said. All I could see was police on horseback, holding the crowd back. And that's the only thing I could relate to."

Prevost remembers keeping eyes forward that day. I really didn't see the crowd, she recalled. I could hear them. When my daddy and I got out of the car, he just told me to take his hand and look forward.

The three remember being the only students at McDonogh after white parents withdrew their children. And they became more aware of the significance as they grew older  becoming among the first black students at junior high and high schools.

Prevost credits a high school American History teacher with helping her realize the full significance of what she had done when he assigned her to research and teach a lesson on Brown v. the Board of Education, the 1954 Supreme Court case that led to school integration. It was then that she realized that we had a part of history that changed the state, the city. Not only that but this country. It made an impact on the country. On the world, really.

It was a conversation with a high school gym teacher that brought home the legacy to Tate. She said, Im reading a book, and you're in it.' And that's when I started to think about how important what we had done was."

Events also included a Friday night private screening of a video production described as a tribute to the four women and a special Sunday service at New Orleans Abundant Life Tabernacle.

___

This story has been corrected to show that the spelling of Tessies last name is Prevost, not Provost.

___

Ted Jackson contributed to this report from New Orleans.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP)  Police shot and killed one man as they responded to a shootout in downtown Columbia that left five people injured early Sunday morning.

Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones said two people were exchanging gunfire outside the Vibez Lounge around 3 a.m. Sunday. One of the suspects fired into a crowd of people as he ran from police before two officers chased him into an alley where they shot and killed him, Jones said.
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP)  A congressional district map that would bolster Democrats' advantage in Nevada swing districts is angering progressives who argue in the process it dilutes minority voting power by splitting Latinos across three districts.

The map proposed by Democratic leaders in the Nevada Legislature redraws the state's 1st Congressional District in downtown Las Vegas. It exchanges affluent suburbs like Henderson with Democratic-leaning urban neighborhoods and divides the Allegiant Stadium from the rest of the Las Vegas Strip. In doing so, it would add Democrats to two neighboring districts that have traded hands between parties.

The current district, which Democrat Dina Titus represents, contains more than twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans. The proposal would redistribute about 1 out of every 7 Latino residents and decrease the demographic groups share of the district from 45.1% to 35.5%.

The trade-off exemplifies competing interests facing lawmakers redrawing maps during a special legislative session underway and, for the Democratic Party coalition, a disagreement over how to maximize minority voting power; Democrats' proposal may shore up the party's advantage in battleground districts, but dividing the places where Democrats have the largest advantage means no district proportionately represents Latinos, who account for roughly 4 out every 10 Nevada residents.

A Democratic-majority state Senate committee advanced the proposed maps for further consideration on Saturday evening but left the door open to potentially amend it.

Maria Nieto Orta, the political director of Mi Familia Vota, said congressional candidates have historically been vocal advocates for immigration reform, but she wonders if adding white suburban voters to the district will give rise to candidates who mobilize immigration anxieties to sway undecided voters.

As of right now, CD-1 is pro-working families and pro-immigration reform," she said of the district. "Thats really important for electing representatives. If we separate the Latino community, itll be harder to elect someone who directly understands what the community needs.

Because it has grown less than Nevada's three other congressional districts, the shape of the downtown Las Vegas district must inevitably change. But Nieto Orta said it was important to preserve its DNA.

Mi Familia Vota and other groups part of a coalition called Nevadans Count submitted alternative maps on Saturday that retain the demographic makeup of the district.

It needs to continue to be a district where low-frequency, ethnic voters can connect with representatives who understand our challenges and are unafraid to take strong stands for our policy interests," Nieto Orta said.

For Titus, the most senior Democrat in Nevada's congressional delegation, the proposed map could transform her safely Democratic district to one where the party's registered voters have only a single-digit margin.

Demi Falcon, an executive assistant in Titus' office, submitted an alternative map last week that draws Nevada's 1st Congressional District to be 37.2% Latino and gives Democrats a 16 percentage-point registration advantage over Republicans.

Titus' campaign spokesperson Blake Williams said the congresswoman would fight for constituents regardless of the maps, but thinks alternatives to the legislative leaders' map  including her staff's  better protect interests of those she represents.

This is a draft map that shows you can maintain communities of interest and keep the integrity of District 1 intact. It also meets legal and constitutional requirements, Titus campaign spokesperson Blake Williams said.

Ironically, the Legislature's Republican minority  which has limited power to overrule Democrats' proposals  also submitted maps that retain the nature of Titus' district and draw it to include 47.7% Latino residents.

Democrats called the Republicans' maps a gross attempt to isolate and weaken the political presence of both Latinos and African-Americans across the Las Vegas Valley.

Racially motivated packing results in a terrible misrepresentation of the growing diversity of this state, it is bad public policy, and it is flatly illegal. It should be thoroughly rejected, Democrats in legislative leadership said in a statement.

Senate Republican Leader James Settelmeyer dismissed the accusation. All I know is this, he said,  ... when you have a large group of individuals that represent a particular community of interest, they should be left together.

Districting experts warn against maps that disempower minority voters by packing them in single districts or cracking them and dispersing them across multiple. Fighting underway in Nevada illustrates how the concepts can be partisan fodder for both sides.

The majority plan takes individuals that live in Hispanic areas away from their district and takes ones that are left and combines them with wealthy areas. So I dont understand how they can say our maps are problematic, Settelmyer said.

Emily Persaud-Zamora, the director of the voting rights advocacy group Silver State Voices, said the Nevadans Count coalition was concerned about drawing districts that don't disempower the Latino community, not about the partisan implications.

Regardless of if Republicans aim to pack Latino voters into a single district, Nevadans Count wants to maintain the demographic breakdown of Nevada's 1st Congressional District because they say it's what residents of east Las Vegas  the heart of the Latino community  support.

Breaking down that district is really taking away the power of that community that has been there for so long, Persaud-Zamora said.

___

Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP)  Syrias private Cham Wings Airlines on Saturday suspended flights between Damascus and the Belarus capital of Minsk because of the critical circumstances along the Belarus-Poland border where thousands of migrants have been trying to cross into the European Union.

The company said most of its passengers to Minsk have been Syrian citizens and that it was difficult to differentiate between those traveling to Belarus as a final destination and others who are migrants.
While some US Catholic bishops continue to denounce President Joe Biden for his support of legal abortion, their conference as a whole is likely to avoid direct criticism of him at its upcoming national meeting.

The highest-profile agenda item is a proposed teaching document about the sacrament of Communion. Months of work on the document, by the conferences Committee on Doctrine, coincided with sometimes heated debate among the bishops as to whether Biden and other Catholic politicians who support abortion rights are unworthy of receiving Communion.

A draft of the document circulating ahead of the Nov. 15-18 meeting in Baltimore breaks little new ground, though its language could be toughened during the gathering. The draft mentions abortion only once and doesnt name Biden or other politicians, though it says at one point, Lay people who exercise some form of public authority have a special responsibility to embody Church teaching.

A member of the doctrine committee, Bishop Michael Olson of Fort Worth, Texas, said he and his colleagues decided that the document should avoid any trace of partisan politics.

Yet Olson remains an outspoken critic of Bidens abortion stance, saying the president has upped the scale of scandal.

Hes gone on record as saying abortion is a fundamental right while presenting himself as an exemplary Catholic, Olson told The Associated Press. The issue of public confusion is really at stake here.

While some bishops have made clear that they would deny Communion to Biden, there is no national policy on the matter. Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of Washington, has affirmed that Biden is welcome to receive Communion there.

Last month, after a private meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, Biden said the subject of abortion was not raised, but indicated he had the pontiffs general support.

We just talked about the fact he was happy that I was a good Catholic and I should keep receiving Communion, Biden said.

One conservative bishop, Thomas Tobin of Providence, Rhode Island, had urged Francis to confront Biden over abortion.

Please challenge President Biden on this critical issue, Tobin tweeted before the Vatican meeting. His persistent support of abortion is an embarrassment for the Church and a scandal to the world.

Throughout the year, Francis and some of his high-level aides have sought to tone down the anti-Biden sentiment with USCCB ranks, calling for dialogue and an approach to Communion that is pastoral rather than punitive.

The friction between U.S. bishops and Catholic politicians who support abortion rights is a decades-old phenomenon; it reached a notably intense phase in 2004 when John Kerry, a Catholic, won the Democratic presidential nomination.

But Bidens election  as only the second Catholic president after John F. Kennedy, and the first with an explicit record in favor of legal abortion  created an unprecedented dilemma for the bishops.

Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, formed a working group last year to assess the complex and difficult situation posed by the newly elected president's stances on abortion and other issues that differ from official church teaching. Before disbanding, the group proposed the drafting of a new document addressing the issue of Communion  a project assigned to the doctrine committee.

Among the outspoken Biden critics is Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco  the hometown of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, also a Catholic. Cordileone has made clear his view that Pelosi and Biden should refrain from receiving Communion.

Cordileone told AP hes not expecting the proposed document to single out Biden, but he wants it to send a firm message regarding Catholics in public life and their stance on abortion.

He cited several grave evils that pose threats to society  such as human trafficking, racism, terrorism, climate change and a flawed immigration system.

The difference with abortion, he added, is that it is the only one of these grave evils that many people in public life are explicitly promoting.

The incoming chairman of the bishops Committee on Pro-Life Activities, Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, hopes the proposed document will ease the divide between bishops who favored an explicit rebuke of Biden and those who opposed it.

Sometimes you say, well, to be in the middle is kind of the position of weakness, he told Catholic News Service. These days the position of strength and courage is often in the middle.

Lori stressed the importance of unity within the bishops ranks at a time of political polarization in the U.S.

We have to be careful of not allowing ourselves to go down no-exit, partisan alleys where there is no life at the end of it, he told CNS.

In a panel discussion Thursday sponsored by the National Catholic Reporter, Bishop John Stowe of Lexington, Kentucky, who does not favor rebuking the president, criticized the proposed teaching document as simultaneously bland and divisive. He said he would vote against it but predicted it will win the two-thirds majority to be adopted.

For some prominent politicians, denial of Communion is not an abstract issue.

Dick Durbin, a practicing Catholic and the No. 2 Democrat in the U.S. Senate, says he has been barred from receiving Communion in his home diocese of Springfield, Illinois, for 17 years under the directives of two successive bishops. Even though he has found a welcoming church in the archdiocese of Chicago, he remains discomfited by the situation.

Its not a happy experience, Durbin said in a recent interview with the Jesuit publication America. I am careful when I go to a church that I have never been to before.

The bishops meeting will include an address from Gomez, who is facing criticism from Catholic racial-justice activists for saying recently that some contemporary social movements and theories  such as social justice, wokeness and intersectionality  represent dangerous substitutes for true religion.

Todays critical theories and ideologies are profoundly atheistic, Gomez said. They deny the soul, the spiritual, transcendent dimension of human nature.

The Washington-based clergy network Faith in Public Life circulated a petition  signed by several prominent activists  denouncing the remarks by Gomez.

Racial justice movements have awakened our nations conscience to the epidemic of police killings and systemic racism, said John Gehring, the network's Catholic program director, in a statement announcing the petition. Catholic bishops and other religious leaders should be in the streets with these movement organizers, not demeaning them.

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Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through The Conversation U.S. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Niagara Falls, NY (14301)

Today

Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this morning. High 37F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 40%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low near 30F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
The All Progressives Congress on Sunday released a timetable for Ekiti and Osun states governorship elections scheduled to hold in 2022.

The All Progressives Congress on Sunday released a timetable for Ekiti and Osun states governorship elections scheduled to hold in 2022.

An official notice signed by the National Secretary of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Sen. John Akpanudodehe, revealed that the sale of nomination forms begins 16th (Ekiti) and 18th (Osun) November 2021.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed June 18, 2022, for Ekiti governorship election and July 16, 2022, for the same exercise in Osun State.
The federal government has launched a portal for the sale of completed houses under the National Housing Programme (NHP). Speaking at th...

The federal government has launched a portal for the sale of completed houses under the National Housing Programme (NHP).

Speaking at the launch on Friday in Abuja, Babatunde Fashola, the minister of works and housing, said the portal is accessible in 34 states and the federal capital territory (FCT).

Fashola said the portal was introduced to ensure that Nigerians who desire to own homes, irrespective of social stratification, have equal opportunity to apply.

He said the portal will also ensure transparency in the process.

We urge governments at all levels, as well as Nigerians, to use this opportunity and apply, he said.

We just converged to introduce the portal for the public to be able to apply for the National Housing Programme online.

This will help to implement the economic purpose and blueprint because by the time we are done with this idea, the country will not have a problem with the recession and that objective will be fulfilled.

We have five phases of these projects. We are done with phase one and phase two. We will soon be done with phase three, and I want to emphasise that this will be the only solution to market these houses.

According to the minister, the houses are in one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom and duplex categories, and the cost ranges between N9 million and N16 million, depending on what a person wants.

He also said the programme is not restricted to National Housing Fund (NHF) subscribers alone.

We have different types of contractors  first, the medium size which are the businesses owned by Nigerians. There will also be international businesses that will be involved and this will give them the opportunity not only to contribute for the sustainable development, but also to their staff, he said.

Fashola commended the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) for being at the forefront of the cooperative housing initiative at the federal level.

He urged the FMBN and Federal Housing Authority (FHA) to utilise the site to dispose of their own stock of houses and properties.

According to NAN, about 5,000 houses are ready for purchase in phases one and two in 34 states and the FCT, while phase three is under construction in Rivers and Lagos states.

To be eligible, applicants must have a passport photograph, tax clearance, pay slip, and means of identification.

Persons interested can apply here.
Godwin Obaseki, the Edo state governor, says he has no plan to join another political party. Obaseki left the All Progressives Congr...

Godwin Obaseki, the Edo state governor, says he has no plan to join another political party.

Obaseki left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the months leading to the 2020 governorship election in Edo state.

The governor won his reelection bid on the platform of the PDP.

Speaking in Benin on Saturday during a banquet to mark the Alaghodaro Summit, the governor said his party affiliation will not alter development plans for the state.

Obaseki said his government is committed to ensuring a progressive and prosperous Edo state.

He said: No matter the persuasion to join any political party, I will not. I will continue to provide leadership for all Edo people. We dont need to join another political party to develop Edo state to become a home for all.

Our goal is to position Edo where it should be, as our state has been created to provide leadership for this country; that is how it has been and will always be.

The governor said the Alaghodaro Summit is a platform through which his administration will prepare Edo youths for leadership positions.

Our politics is being driven by data. We will continue to do our best as a government to make life better for our people who trusted us with their votes, he said.

In the last five years, we have been in the foundation laying stage for the development of Edo state. That era has passed and now, its time to move as fast as possible in developing the state as the challenges and barriers have been taken care of.

Also speaking, John Oyegun, former national chairman of the APC, praised Obaseki for curbing irregular migration in the state.

Today, our youths are no longer traveling through the Mediterranean Sea as you have curbed the menace of irregular migration. Our youths are now being prepared for the future with the use of technology, he said.

When Edo prospers, the nation will prosper; our artifacts are all over the world, our achievements are all over; this is what Alaghodaro is all about.
Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south, says fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) are regrouping around Lake...

Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south, says fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) are regrouping around Lake Chad.

Ndume, senate committee chairman on the army, spoke in the aftermath of the attack on Askira Uba LGA of Borno.

Dzarma Zirkusu, a brigadier-general, and three soldiers of the Nigerian army were killed in the attack.

Speaking with reporters on Sunday, Ndume said the intensity at which they attacked the soldiers is worrisome, adding that they came in more than 10 gun trucks.

I want to express my condolences to the Nigerian army over the death of the general who died along Chibok road. ISWAP terrorists attacked a town there. They know that the general was the major obstacle to their operation. They laid an ambush and rammed a bomb-ladened car into his vehicle, the lawmaker said.

This is not the end, but the beginning of the end of terrorists. I know that the army has what it takes to take the fight to them. There is a need to urge other security agencies to give the army the needed support. We also need to urge vigilante groups to assist them.

For now, we will assume that it was an isolated case. But the intensity with which they came is worrisome. They came with more than 10 gun trucks. They are also regrouping around Borno north.

Thats the Lake Chad axis. The military is aware and the air force is providing surveillance in the area. It was a revenge mission. The army has been taking out key ISWAP commanders and they have their revenge.

Last week, for instance, they abducted relatives of the Emir of Askira. They also abducted some passengers along that road. If the Army sustains the temple, we will win this insurgency.

The equipment is arriving gradually. We are monitoring. As a committee, we will go and see what has been brought into the country.
Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, son of slain Libyan dictator Moamer Gadhafi, registered Sunday to run in the countrys December presidential polls,...

Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, son of slain Libyan dictator Moamer Gadhafi, registered Sunday to run in the countrys December presidential polls, the electoral commission said.

Seif al-Islam Kadhafi submitted his candidacy for the presidential election to the High National Electoral Commission office in the (southern) city of Sebha, a statement by the commission said.

It said he had completed all the required legal conditions and that he was also issued with a voter registration card for the Sebha district.

Libyas first ever direct presidential poll, with a first round on December 24, is the climax of a process launched last year by the United Nations to draw a line under years of violence since the revolt that toppled dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

Libya opened registration for candidates on Monday.

In July, Seif al-Islam, 49, emerged from years in the shadows and told The New York Times he was planning a political comeback.

In a rare interview, he said he wanted to restore the lost unity of Libya after a decade of chaos and did not exclude standing for the presidency.

The dictators erstwhile heir apparent is wanted for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Until the interview, Seif al-Islam had not been seen or heard from since June 2014, when he appeared via video link from Zintan, in the west of the country, during his trial by a Tripoli court.

AFP
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the threats to Nigerias corporate existence are unprecedented and unimagined. The VP spoke at the...

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the threats to Nigerias corporate existence are unprecedented and unimagined.

The VP spoke at the weekend during the public presentation of a book authored by retired Major-General Pat Akem-Vingir.

Noting that the country is forging ahead despite numerous challenges, he mentioned the battle against COVID-19.

Osinbajo said Nigerias effort to tackle the coronavirus pandemic was an example of leadership in a crisis.

He recalled how even some of the wealthiest and most developed economies struggled to handle the outbreak.

The VP said countries with more modest economic profiles quickly deployed a public health framework that was responsive and effective.

Osinbajo pointed out that Nigerias response has been celebrated locally and internationally as a result of strategic leadership.

He cited the establishment of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and an inter-ministerial interagency team led by Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

The task force swiftly issued and enforced COVID-19 protocols for travel and general movement. We restricted travel into Nigeria before most OECD countries did.

Once the first case was discovered, the African Center of Excellence for Genomic of Infectious Diseases, in Ede gave Africa the first genomic sequence for Coronavirus SARS 2, he said.

Osinbajo hailed the PTF for developing the protocols, public health system for mass vaccination campaigns, and ensuring eligible citizens received their jabs seamlessly.

He added that leadership required imagination, clarity of vision and effective implementation due to current global challenges, changes and opportunities.

As a nation, the threats to our corporate existence today are unprecedented and hitherto unimagined. It is against this background that the authors prescriptions have to be taken seriously.

As he pointed out, exceptional leaders do not just emerge, they are the products of deliberate efforts in policy making, training and grooming, Osinbajo stressed.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Rain and snow tapering off this morning. Decreasing cloudiness for the afternoon. High 41F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low 22F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
New Orleans Societe dEconomie et dAssistance Mutuelle, or Economy and Mutual Aid Association, was not a secret group. An organization founded by free people of color in the 1830s and which existed for more than a century, it long maintained its headquarters, Economy Hall, near St. Augustine Church in Treme. It was a welcoming place, open to free people of color, formerly enslaved people and whites, and it had German-Jewish and Italian members. The Louisiana Republican Party held its first convention there in 1865.

Fatima Shaiks history of the group, Economy Hall: The Hidden History of a Free Black Brotherhood, includes the word hidden, but for her, that has a personal meaning as well. Her book is primarily based on nearly a centurys worth of journals and records maintained by the society  documents her father rescued from the back of a truck when she was young. For years, the journals were stored away in her family home.

My dad picked up the books off a dump truck in the 1950s, Shaik says. When I was a child, I would go in the closet with a flashlight and try to figure out what was in these books. When I opened them in 1997, I started recognizing the names. They were probably the most influential and wealthy free Black community.

Shaik received the Louisiana Writer Award in July for the book, published by the Historic New Orleans Collection early this year. She is presenting a workshop on working with records hiding in plain sight at the Words & Music Festival, which runs Nov. 17-20, with its readings, performances and workshops available virtually.

Shaiks workshop focuses on publicly available records.

You can take a document from the notarial archives and go from that name to where they lived and look in history and see what was going on in that location and look at other property records, she says. You can construct these worlds from history.

Her book is rare in the way history is told by people who dont usually get to write it. In this case, its the point of view of Black people before and after the Civil War and up through Jim Crow. At least two Economy members were killed at the Battle of Liberty Place, she says. And she notes that at the time, there was no Liberty Place. That name was created by the city years after the white supremacist attack on Canal Street.

In the book, Shaik focuses on Ludger Boguille, whose lineage goes back to Haiti and the revolution there. He was a longtime leader of the Economy group. He and others recorded the groups regular meetings and concerns from antebellum New Orleans onward. Economy members were active in politics during Reconstruction, including voter registration efforts, and kept working for progress as the city and the South came under the rule of Jim Crow and segregation.

In the minutes, Shaik found the groups determination and efforts to effect change.

I loved that in 1836, at their second meeting, they were putting together a library, Shaik says. They had an atlas, books about democracy, books on mathematics, they might have had the writings of Thomas Jefferson. They put together this library as soon as they started  in a state where it was against the law (for enslaved people) to read.

Shaik also says its important to recognize that the Economy members and Black New Orleanians were acting on their own behalf and not merely reacting or subject to the decisions of white-led government or society. She notes that in New Orleans, Black people and people of color comprised the majority of the population when the city was founded. They did not control the city, though they built most of the buildings, roads, levees and more, she adds.

In his notes, Boguille would write when police entered the meetings  an act of intimidation. But the journals also record all of the communitys concerns, including holding dances and social events.

Shaik is working on a second book based on another Economy society member, as well as a book about her search for her grandfathers farm near Kolkata, India. That was the subject of the documentary The Bengali, which screened last week at the New Orleans Film Festival. Shaiks grandfather was a fabric seller who came to New Orleans more than a century ago and started a family, though he intended to one day return to India, Shaik says.

Shaiks workshop leads off the Words & Music Festival at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17. The festival is organized by One Book One New Orleans. The keynote event features Clint Smith, author of How the Word is Passed. Featured writers include Louisiana Poet Laureate Mona Lisa Saloy and Maurice Carlos Ruffin, wholl discuss his recently released short story collection, The Ones Who Dont Say They Love You. There also are sessions on graphic novels and prison writing projects. Programming also includes music by Johnny Vidacovich and Les Cenelles.

Visit the festival website for schedule and details.

Japanese cult filmmaker Nobuhiko Obayashi takes a final bow with 'Labyrinth of Cinema' The film unfolds in a dazzling array of constantly changing settings, revisiting decades of popular Japanese war movies.
Chef Jason Goodenough came to New Orleans a decade ago and opened his restaurant Carrollton Market in 2014. He made news last year by leading a $12,000 donation drive to Cafe Hope after a customer complained about Black Lives Matter signs on the wall of his restaurant. He closed Carrollton Market during the pandemic and is preparing to open an immersive travel and cooking business. On Nov. 19, hes cooking at a Southern Food & Beverage Museum event called A Southern Braai, featuring South African wines and the style of outdoor grilling common in South Africa.

Gambit: What is braai?

Jason Goodenough: Braai is the South African word for grill. The dinner is basically a grill out, multi-course, family-style, wood grill menu finding the commonalities between South African cuisine and what we do here.

I have a bunch of braai cookbooks and I have been digging into that culture from a food standpoint and pulling things out that I can source locally and still get the vibe. The thing that has struck me is how similar it is to a bunch of Southerners sitting around a barbecue grill drinking beer and cooking ribs.

They do more mutton and lamb, so I am doing lamb. I am doing a bean dish, but with a South African boerewors sausage that Piece of Meat made for me. Its a traditional thing there. Its a beef and pork sausage thats heavy on coriander. Leighann (Smith) made it for us. Usually you grill that in a coil with skewers through it so it holds its shape. I am taking it out of the casing and working it into beans, which were going to do in a pot in the embers.

Based on its geography, theres Malay influence in South Africa. We used to do some Malay stuff at Carrollton Market. We did a Malay curried chicken dish with coconut. I was talking to the wine importer, and she said that traditionally in South Africa, theyd add raisins and turmeric to the rice. So perfect, well do that.

Were doing a peri-peri shrimp course. I lived in England as a kid, and I loved Nandos. Nandos is known for peri-peri chicken sandwiches, so were serving the peri-peri with Nandos hot sauce.

Gambit: What is your new venture?

Goodenough: Its different than anything I have done in my past. Its called The New Culinarian, and its an experiential travel company. The first thing were doing is called the Immersive New Orleans Culinary Experience.

So, half of the day, people will work with me in the NOCHI kitchen learning to cook New Orleans food. Theyll stay at Hotel Peter & Paul. Then at night, well take them out to restaurants. So we may go to Pho Tau Bay for appetizers and then Maypop for entrees and dessert and talk about Asian influence in New Orleans  heres the traditional version and heres the modern version. Its kind of anthropological. Well go to Moscas. Well take a private streetcar down to Commanders Palace.

I moved here 10 years ago. Its been interesting learning about the culture and especially the food culture here. I am fascinated by it still and how its evolving. I thought for hardcore foodie types, or culinarians were calling them, this will be a great thing. Day one will be trinity, stock, roux. The next day well build off of that, so itll be gumbo and shrimp remoulade.

Itll be 12 students max in the class. The program starts on Wednesday. The last day is Saturday, and the last night is dinner at my house. Ill cook them dinner. Well have a five to seven course menu. Well present them with their chef coats. We have a piano, so Ill have a musician playing. The first one is in January, and the goal is to do one a month next year.

Gambit: What do you think the Covid pandemic has shown people about restaurants and how they work?

Goodenough: (Before the pandemic) how much it costs to put food on a plate was the least understood thing. When I would tell people it cost at least $7 to put a piece of snapper on a plate  before I added any sauce or garnish or anything else  theyre like Oh. I dont think people understand how much passion is required to put out the best quality product and the sacrifice thats required to do it.

(Now, restaurant) owners are recognizing that they have to pay people more. I hope that the public recognizes that they are going to have to pay more for food, because the workers were underpaid.

I was talking to Polly Watts, who owns the Avenue Pub. She said half of the senior bartenders and cooks that she knows in the business have moved on. A generation of institutional knowledge is gone. There was a guy who was with me for years. He was the best server in New Orleans. I attribute 100% of my reputation for front-of-the-house service to this guy. Hes out of the business because hes driving Uber now.

I think it was a combination of (demanding) hours, and a lot of folks with kids liked spending all that time with their kids and arent going back. Now, there are other businesses that have easier hours, that pay better and give you better benefits. If there is one thing I wish people would take away from my opinion, its that restaurant workers are not lazy, theyre some of the hardest working people in this country.

For information about The New Culinarian, visit its website.

+4 Pressure Cooker: New Orleans area restaurants weather one storm after another What New Orleans restaurants have faced in the last year and a half is far from normal or even consistent.
Ben Tabor is practicing culinary diversity and inclusion at Sneaky Pickles newly opened evening service at Brine Bar. While Sneaky Pickle was mostly  but never solely  vegetarian and vegan focused, the new Brine Bar menu welcomes all, from plant-based eaters to vegetarians, pescatarians and omnivores. Even a carnivore can find room at the table at the restaurants new location, formerly home to Maurepas Foods on Burgundy Street.

Tabor and his partner Olivia Clarkson purchased the long-shuttered building at 3200 Burgundy St. with the help of a cousin. More family is assisting, including his brother Luke Tabor and his wife Michele Fryer, bar professionals who came here from Rhode Island to institute the robust cocktail program.

Sneaky Pickle started in 2014 as a funky little spot in a ramshackle building on St. Claude Avenue. It had a miniscule kitchen and picnic tables for dining in the yard. Tabors take-no-prisoners approach to cooking, which eschewed manufactured vegan ingredients in favor of the creative use of vegetables, seeds and nuts earned him a devoted following.

Those fans flocked to the new location from the jump, with lines out the door making it hard for the restaurant to get up to speed  from getting the dining room fully configured to opening the nighttime Brine Bar to getting the walls and mural painted.

Although its twice the size, the new Pickle feels comfy and funky, retaining its trademark edge. The bar is lined with bottles, glassware and plants, and a salmon-colored wash dominates the center panel. Banquettes from The Chloe create one corner  Tabors sister is a manager there, and he got first dibs when the hotel changed decor. The overall effect is a fetching hodge-podge, a neighborhood vibe that invites guests to stay a while.

Chef Jason Goodenough discusses new travel venture and a grilling out dinner at Southern Food & Beverage Museum On Nov. 19, Goodenough cooks for an event called 'A Southern Braai,' featuring South African wines and the style of outdoor grilling common in South Africa.

Longtime Sneaky Pickle fans can still find favorites on the daytime menu, such as the smoked tempeh Reuben and the beet flatbread. But the Bar Brine menu is different. It showcases the chefs impressive house-made sourdough bread, a changing charcuterie plate and red snapper crudo. House-made pastas are featured in dishes including hand-pulled squid ink noodles with chili oil and cheesy cappellacci, little pasta hats stuffed with pumpkin in a cheesy kale sauce. A recent vegan pasta features tender bucatini tubes bathed in a macadamia nut and cauliflower cream sauce with beech mushrooms. Of the opening menus 13 items, six are vegan.

Id always brought in whole fish, Tabor says. And were getting as much as we can through connections I have with a spear fisherman. Shrimp come from our guy who brings them right from the boat. Tabor emphasizes locally sourced and sustainably caught and raised ingredients. Pork raised at Home Place Pastures in Mississippi is used for the charcuterie and other dishes. We are cooking the kind of food we like to eat and enjoy. We like all types of food, the chef says. Its not all straightforward vegan, so I want that message to be clear. We dont want super strict vegans coming in and being grossed out.

Luke Tabors creative cocktail menu has options like the Black Heart, made with mezcal, Averna, beet shrub and mole bitters. Theres always a non-alcoholic option, like the current fresh sugar cane juice mixed with ginger, mint and lemon and topped with club soda. Wines hail from regions in Georgia, Slovenia and Spain and there are local beers as well as options from breweries like Lupulin Brewing in Minnesota.

Keeping their options open as they expanded made sense to Ben Tabor and Clarkson.

At first, we were just going to change a few things, he says. Then we decided to make it a different experience altogether, from the lighting to the drinks to whats on the plate. Its tough for restaurants right now. We dont want to limit ourselves.

3200 Burgundy St., (504) 218-5651

Sneaky Pickle: 12-4:30 p.m. Wed.-Mon.

Brine Bar: 6-10 p.m. Fri.-Mon.
Three times between 2016 and 2018, government leaders in St. Tammany Parish asked voters to approve sales taxes to fund the courthouse and jail. All three times, voters shot them down.

On Saturday, officials brought a slimmed-down proposition to voters, just under a half-cent to be collected over only seven years.

But voters didn't buy it  the proposition was soundly defeated with about 66% of voters turning their thumbs down.

The estimated $22 million revenue from the proposed 0.4% tax would have paid a significant portion of the cost of operating and maintaining of the jail, the 22nd Judicial District Court and the District Attorney's Office  all of which the state requires the parish to cover.

A pair of quarter-cent sales taxes dedicated to those costs expired in early 2018. The parish has covered those costs ever since, but the $17.3 million reserve fund it has been using will be depleted in March.

Parish President Mike Cooper and other proponents had hoped a smaller, single sales tax for fewer years would be more palatable to voters, and Cooper and others touted it as a quality-of-life measure that would help keep the parish safe.

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The parish also broke down spending in an effort to show voters the cost of various criminal justice functions: $12.1 million for the Sheriff's Office and jail; $8.1 million for the district attorney; $4.6 million for operating and maintaining the courthouse; and $3.4 million for the 22nd Judicial District Court. Smaller amounts go to other agencies, such as the City Court of East St. Tammany and the Registrar of Voters.

Cooper has said the parish, if it had sought a property tax instead of a sales tax, would have had to ask voters for 9 mills, which would have put the entire financing burden on property owners.

Also in St. Tammany, voters parishwide renewed four property taxes that will bring in nearly $102 million per year for the school district, and Mandeville voters approved two property tax renewals for the police department.

The revenue from the four school system taxes makes up a large chunk of its near $453 million budget, with the money dedicated to items ranging from general school operations to employee salaries and student educational programs.
Delisha Boyd defeated Jordan Bridges on Saturday and will represent most of Algiers in the Louisiana House of Representatives.

Boyd took 62% of the vote in the 102nd House District race while Bridges took 38%, unofficial returns show.

The 102nd District seat was vacated earlier this year when former state Rep. Gary Carter Jr. won a June state Senate race to fill the seat of his uncle, U.S. Rep. Troy Carter. Troy Carter left after winning the race for the Congressional seat previously held by Cedric Richmond, who became an aide to President Joe Biden.

Either candidate would have been new to public office, though Boyd, a real estate broker, spent years working on political and civic committees and her candidacy enjoyed the support from much of the district's political establishment, including Gary Carter himself.

Bridges, a community activist, cast himself as the outsider in the race, running against the influence of an entrenched political establishment that enjoyed years of power without producing real change for residents of the district.

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The district hugs the west bank of the Mississippi River with Algiers on the northern end and Twelvemile Point on the southern end, but does not include Tall Timbers and Park Timbers subdivisions, which are represented by a district based in Plaquemines Parish.

Boyd, 52, campaigned as an advocate for affordable housing, raising awareness of the upcoming revamp of the National Flood Insurance Program and increasing public engagement in the political process.

She was a former was a campaign manager for Civil District Court Judge Nakisha Ervin Knott and a campaign adviser for Troy Carter's recent run for U.S. Congress, points to her posts on the Democratic State Central Committee for District 102 and the New Orleans Democratic Executive Committee, along with her membership in the Independent Women's Organization and the New Orleans Coalition.
Four property taxes were renewed for another decade in Jefferson Parish, one that will contribute $34.6 million a year to teacher salaries and three for city services in Gretna.

Parishwide, voters gave a thumbs-up to the 8.75-mill tax that helps pay the Jefferson Parish public school system's 3,200 teachers. The tax does not fund salaries for any administrators or staff. The "yes" vote for the tax was about 64%, unofficial returns show.

The average homeowner of a $150,000 home pays about $65 a year on this millage, the School Board has said.

In Gretna, voters overwhelmingly approved three property taxes.

The 3-mill tax for maintenance and operation of ambulance service passed with 73%; the 4-mill tax for salaries for the Gretna Police Department passed with 70%; and the 2.4-mill tax for maintenance and operation of the Recreation Department passed with 70%.
Three-year grant awarded to LSU AgCenter for pest management

A three-year National Institutes of Food and Agriculture grant was awarded to a team of LSU AgCenter researchers and extension specialists who are combining their decades of experience to find solutions to a variety of harmful pests.

The $322,666 in grant funds were awarded to entomologist Gene Reagan and plant pathologist Boyd Padgett. They are working alongside research associate Forest Huval and graduate assistant Megan Mulcahy. The money is dedicated to supporting extension programs in the state.

The team has set four objectives for their work: improved monitoring and management of agronomic pests, such as the Mexican rice borer, a scourge of rice and sugar cane production; personnel support for the LSU AgCenter Plant Diagnostic Center; development and distribution of education and extension materials; and pesticide recertification, safety and application training.

Bollinger Shipyards delivers ship early

Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport delivered its fifth patrol ship to the U.S. Coast Guard in Key West, Florida, almost a week ahead of schedule despite a three-week shutdown after Hurricane Ida.

The John Scheuerman left Port Fourchon on Oct. 11 and was delivered to the Coast Guard six days later. The cutters have been used for coastal security, fishery patrols, search and rescue, border patrol, and national defense. The 154-foot ships carry a crew of 24, are armed with four .50-caliber machine guns and can travel at up to 28 knots, or 32 mph.

The ship is the fifth of six cutters sent to replace the Coast Guard's fleet of patrol boats which are 30 years old. Each ship costs about $65 million, and the entire program will cost the Coast Guard more than $3.7 billion.

LSU studying drug resistance in breast cancer cells

Two LSU professors and their students have been awarded a $140,000 grant from the National Cancer Institute to study drug resistance in the most common type of breast cancer cells.

Elizabeth Martin, a biological engineering assistant professor, who is the principal investigator, said while patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer are more likely to respond to endocrine therapy, 40% of patients become resistant to the treatment.

Adam Melvin, a chemical engineering associate professor, who serves as the co-principal investigator, said they are not so much studying resistance at the primary site, but the journey as the cancer cell metastasizes or moves to another spot in the body.

Patients Plus Urgent Care opens Brusly clinic

Patients Plus Urgent Care has opened a clinic at 409 Oak Plaza Blvd. in Brusly.

The clinic will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., offering same day treatment for people with common illnesses and injuries.

LSU AgCenter gets $2 million grant to reduce tick-borne diseases

A $2 million grant has been awarded to the LSU AgCenter, Texas A&M University and the University of South Alabama to stop tick-borne diseases where they start  in the saliva of ticks.

The four-year grant will be used to study how the tick salivary gland is able to generate and produce saliva and how the bacteria that cause diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and typhus interact with the tick to alter the process.

Researchers are studying if they can alter the salivary glands to prevent them from being invaded or shut down the process of producing saliva.

Jackson Offshore Operators announces acquisition of new platform supply vessel

Jackson Offshore Operators has acquired the M/V Storm, a platform supply vessel.

The ship is 260 feet long and expected to go into service upon completion of a dry-docking survey. It has a five-year contract to serve a platform operated by a major oil company in the Gulf of Mexico.

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New Orleans-based Jackson Offshore Operators has a fleet of fast supply crew vessels and offshore supply vessels that support deepwater exploration and production in the gulf.

New name for Gramercy alumina business

New Day Aluminum Holdings announced the rebranding of its business to the Atlantic Alumina Co.

The company, principally owned by Concord Resources, will be rebranding all its metallurgical and nonmetallurgical bauxite and alumina operations in a staged rollout over the coming months.

The companys Louisiana based operations, formerly known as Noranda Alumina and NICHE Chemical, will become Atlantic Alumina, Gramercy Operations, with the business covering both metallurgical and non- metallurgical alumina products.

LHC Group closes deal to acquire home health, hospice, therapy agencies in 22 states

LHC Group has finalized its acquisition of 47 Brookdale Health Care Services agencies from the recently formed home health, hospice and outpatient therapy venture between HCA Healthcare and Brookdale Senior Living Inc.

The purchase agreements were initially announced by the company in September.

The acquired assets include 23 home health locations, 11 hospice and 13 therapy agencies across 22 states  a significant expansion of LHC Groups nationwide footprint, resources, and service capabilities. The agencies are not located in areas served by HCA Healthcare and will continue operating at their current locations under their existing brands.

With this closing, LHC Group marks its initial entry into two new states  Minnesota and New Mexico  and expands its service areas in 20 states where the company already operates.

Nominations open for Livingston Parish Business of the Year

The Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the Livingston Parish Business of the Year awards.

The awards highlight outstanding businesses that follow best practices and positively impact both the economy and community of Livingston Parish. Nominations will be accepted until Dec. 2.

For information or to nominate a business, visit the Livingston Parish Chamber website at business.livingstonparishchamber.org/events.

LSU Center for Energy Studies to present free outlook seminar

The LSU Center for Energy Studies will hold Gulf Coast Energy Outlook 2022, a free Zoom webinar, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday.

The event will feature David Dismukes, professor and executive director of the center for energy studies, and Greg Upton, associate professor. Topics will include:

What are crude oil and natural gas prices likely to do in the near future?

How will crude oil and natural gas drilling and production change over the next year and beyond?

What is the outlook for energy and industrial capital investment for the region?

Will industrys response to COVID-19 persist into a post-pandemic world?

To register for the event, go to lsu.edu/ces/.

St. Mary chamber to host free post-pandemic business program

St. Mary Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with SLEC, is hosting a free event to businesses that will discuss marketing strategies, sales proficiency and social media in a post-pandemic world.

This event will be held in person from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Wednesday at a location to be determined based on the number of attendees. Social distancing will be implemented to keep attendees safe. To register, please call (985) 384-3830 or send an email to info@stmarychamber.com.
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams and law partner Nicole Burdett renewed their allegations of a shoddy" investigation and politically fueled rush to charge them with federal tax crimes, urging a judge Friday to let them prove it to a jury at a trial set to start Jan. 24.

Responding to recent filings by federal prosecutors, attorneys for Williams and Burdett took aim at an attempt to shield jurors from hearing evidence of a selective and vindictive prosecution. Williams claims he was targeted in part over his political standing as a rising Black reformer.

He and Burdett face an 11-count indictment accusing them of conspiring to inflate Williams business expenses over five tax years by ordering their Westwego tax preparer, Henry Timothy, to insert myriad personal expenses as business write-offs.

Prosecutors allege Williams slashed more than $200,000 off his tax bill illegally, while also failing to properly report a handful of cash receipts above $10,000.

Williams and Burdett claim Timothy held himself out falsely as a CPA and took it upon himself to inflate Williams' tax deductions and those of many other clients.

His attorneys also dispute the government's claim that Williams knew he had to file a form for big cash receipts. They say no one else in the eastern district of Louisiana has been charged with failing to do so in half a century.

The indictment against the pair came in June 2020, a month before Williams qualified for a long-projected run for district attorney.

Internal Revenue Service agents began looking at his taxes in 2018, after Williams failed to show up to meet an IRS agent for an interview. At the time, the IRS wanted to ask him about Timothy, now the star government witness against the pair.

Williams and Burdett argue that the feds quickly pivoted to targeting Williams, then an at-large councilman, while ignoring evidence that Timothy bloated business expenses across his stable of tax clients.

The government ignored the ample evidence  in the form of Henry Timothys hundreds of other clients with similar errors on their returns  that Henry Timothy was the wrongdoer here, and that the government rushed to charge based upon a shoddy and incomplete investigation, they argued.

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The motivation for the rush to charge is Mr. Williams then-imminent formal qualification to run as a progressive candidate for Orleans Parish District Attorney.

Timothy has since pleaded guilty in his own tax case.

Prosecutors say Williams tax returns stood out as egregious, and that his long history of filing or paying taxes late added red flags to support an investigation.

Burdett has since been indicted separately over her own taxes after declining to cooperate with the feds.

U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman allowed testimony last year over the claims that Williams was unfairly targeted, but denied a bid to have the indictment tossed, noting that prosecutors hold wide discretion in such decisions.

Feldman found that Williams and Burdett didnt show enough to support their claims, but said at least some of that evidence would be for a jury to consider.

Attorneys for Williams and Burdett argued Friday that questions over the governments motivation, along with Timothy's story changing once he agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, were central to their defense.

They wrote that federal authorities couldnt keep their story straight last year about why they began investigating Williams.

Williams won the DAs office handily in a runoff last December while under indictment. He has since installed a reform regime inside a DAs office long known for heavy-handed justice.
With his tenure dogged by questions about conditions inside the jail and Saturday's ballot packed with four challengers, Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman is headed for a runoff election.

Gusman, whose last contested election was seven years ago, secured 48% of the vote with all precincts reporting, compared with second-place finisher Susan Hutson, who had 35%.

Rounding out the race were Chris Williams, Janet Hays and Quentin Brown, who were at 9%, 4% and 4%, respectively.

The runoff is Dec. 11.

Hutson, a first-time candidate who spent the past decade as the city's independent police monitor, now finds herself in a duel with a seasoned politician. Her showing Saturday serves as a warning to Gusman, who is currently in his fourth term as sheriff, that voters are serious about potentially turning to a reform candidate.

Helena Moreno, JP Morrell win at-large seats on New Orleans City Council Helena Moreno and JP Morrell surged past challengers Saturday to seize the two at-large seats on the New Orleans City Council, creating a form

Heading into election day, Gusman counted on name recognition from his long career in city politics and a swath of endorsements from Gov. John Bel Edwards on down, but he didn't take the race for granted.

Last year, Jason Williams proved that a candidate with a progressive platform could win a top criminal justice post in New Orleans. Gusmans opponents, like Hutson, tried to capitalize on that energy by casting Gusman as a reactionary who runs a deadly lockup.

Between 2015 and 2019, 14 people died in Sheriffs Office custody. All four challengers said they would reverse that trend and oppose a new jail building for people with mental health and medical problems, which Gusman supports.

Yet Gusman argued that despite the deaths and the court-approved consent decree that has loomed over his office since 2013, he too is a reformer. He said he tore down a complex of dilapidated old jail buildings after Hurricane Katrina and instituted new rehabilitation programs like a high school for incarcerated youths. He said the new "special needs" building is the last piece of the puzzle he needs to put the jail in compliance with the consent decree.

+3 Are high New Orleans jail phone call rates necessary? Sheriff Marlin Gusman and challengers at odds When people locked up in the New Orleans jail call their loved ones, the costs add up fast. Phone calls are 21 cents a minute, according to th

First elected to the City Council in 2000, Gusman was voted to lead the Sheriffs Office in 2004 and hes remained there since. His last challenge was in 2014 from former Sheriff Charles Foti, whom Gusman trounced in a runoff.

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Gusmans critics jeered at a City Council meeting earlier this week when he skipped a planned hearing on his 2022 budget. They said he was dodging public scrutiny ahead of the election, but the Sheriffs Office said it needed to go over numbers with a working group that involves the city before presenting the budget.

Gusman spent more than $205,000 between July 2 and Oct. 24, and his billboards and advertisements dotted the city.

Although Hutson was well-known to political insiders from her decade-long tenure as monitor, she had to break through to the public during a campaign season overshadowed by Hurricane Ida. She raised $22,000 in outside contributions between early July and late October, compared with Gusmans $92,000 during that period.

Yet outside groups like the PAC for Justice and VOTE helped even the score for Hutson by spending heavily on her behalf.

+3 After harsh report on New Orleans jail, a federal judge praises Gusman, says there's more to story Federal monitors were harsh in their assessment of the New Orleans jail last month, but a judge overseeing the consent decree offered Sheriff 

Gusman's endorsers included big names in local politics. By contrast, Hutson pointed to support from nonprofit leaders and progressive activists.

Running for office for the first time, Hutson said it was time to put a progressive and a woman in charge of the Sheriffs Office. She promised a top-to-bottom audit of the sheriffs budget and solutions to endemic deputy turnover.

Hays and Williams relied largely on loans from themselves to finance their campaigns, and Brown is a perennial candidate who raised no money.

Although Hutson supported renovating part of the main jail for inmates with mental illness, mental health advocate Hays said the city should build a separate forensic facility outside Sheriffs Office control.

Williams, a former university and Veterans Affairs police official, said the jail needed a new manager with law enforcement experience, and promised to deploy deputies to the streets.
Helena Moreno and JP Morrell surged past challengers Saturday to seize the two at-large seats on the New Orleans City Council, creating a formidable, politically-aligned duo in the council's two most prominent positions that will help define the second term of Mayor LaToya Cantrell.

Moreno, the Division 1 at-large member and a former state House representative, was voters' top choice by an overwhelming margin over opponent Kenneth Cutno. WWL-TV called the race soon after polls closed, and Moreno eventually grabbed 85% of the vote.

Morrell, a former state senator, eked out a victory after a bruising battle against Council members Kristin Gisleson Palmer and Jared Brossett. He secured 51% of the votes cast, enough to avoid a December runoff.

Palmer ran second with 32% of the vote, while Brossett grabbed 11% of the vote and Xavier University administrator Bart Everson received 7%.

Saturday's election results are expected to forge a strong new alliance on the council, as Morrell and Moreno, his former colleague in the Louisiana Legislature, have long been aligned on progressive issues. Morrell is also expected to work closely with District A council member Joe Giarrusso, a cousin of Morrell's through marriage. Giarrusso was also easily re-elected Saturday.

The council's dynamics won't be fully known, however, until the four other district races are decided in the Dec. 11 runoffs.

+13 New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell wins second term Mayor LaToya Cantrell coasted to reelection Saturday, besting a field of more than a dozen challengers to secure a second term and the respons

Though observers widely expected Moreno to defeat Cutno, the Division 2 race was seen as more of a toss-up. It included three high-profile candidates vying for a seat vacated by Jason Williams, who took the job of district attorney earlier this year. Interim at-large City Council member Donna Glapion was barred from running by city rules.

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Morrell was widely seen as a leading contender in the race, given a lengthy resume that included work while in the Louisiana Legislature to end a controversial Jim Crow-era split-jury law. But Palmer and Brossett stirred the pot when they endorsed each other last month in a ploy to ding the former state senator.

Palmer also cast Morrell as a two-faced throwback to the age of New Orleans' political dynasties. But those strategies fell flat Saturday.

Palmer's alliance with Brossett may also have backfired after Brossett's Oct. 18 arrest on a drunken driving count and subsequent suspension of his campaign. It was his third arrest for that offense; he said late last month that he would enter an inpatient treatment program, though he has not shared any details publicly. He was spotted at a local early voting location on Oct. 30 and has been seen in public on other occasions in recent days.

Morrell has said he will work to increase funding to juvenile court and to early childhood education. He also wants to help create tougher penalties for adult ringleaders of juvenile crime groups, and for police to spend more time solving carjackings.

To increase affordable housing, he'd use a community land trust model to turn blighted properties into new affordable homes, he has said.

In her second term, Moreno wants to improve support services for young people who are just leaving jail, she said, and has echoed calls from other councilmembers about helping an understaffed police force.

Widely rumored to be eyeing a mayoral run in 2025, Moreno has championed progressive causes such as marijuana decriminalization and increased minimum wages for city employees while on the council. Her legacy as council member at-large is also intertwined with utility regulation based on her leadership of the councils Utilities Committee.

Moreno has pledged to hold the city's exclusive energy utility, Entergy New Orleans, accountable in the coming years.
If there was a theme to reviews of Cade Brumleys tenure as head of Jefferson Parish Schools, its that he found ways to smooth disagreements and focus diverse factions around common purpose. Brumley was hailed as a rising star for his intelligence and appetite for innovation, but above all for his people skills.

In Jefferson, that meant mediating longstanding friction between the business community and union interests and building policies that could win the support of both. A high point was his role in devising a pay raise plan and assembling a coalition to address longstanding challenges such as retaining teachers who might make more money in other school systems and getting certified teachers into low-performing schools. Just a year into Brumleys tenure and two years after voters had rejected a similar proposal, an impressive 72% of those who turned out approved the 10-year property tax hike he championed for the cause.

Upon his appointment as state superintendent of education last year, the then-president of the Jefferson Chamber, Todd Murphy, said Brumley listens and then he puts together a very methodical plan that includes all the stakeholders.

And Kesler Camese-Jones, president of the Jefferson Federation of Teachers, had this to say: "Cade definitely knows how to bring everybody to the table."

So its surprising, to say the least, to see Brumley publicly butt heads with politicians at the state level, including members of the board that hired him.

The first flare-ups came over Brumleys efforts to make changes to the states accountability system. In June, Brumleys attempt to revamp the public school rating system and reduce the number of D- and F-rated schools ran into resistance from the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. In August, BESE rejected his bid to set up an accountability program for students in kindergarten through second grade.

Next came the controversy earlier this fall over whether public school systems should quarantine asymptomatic students whove been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Brumley unilaterally decided that each school system could determine its own policy, a stance that put him at odds with Gov. John Bel Edwards and his public health experts as well as guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It also drew condemnation from the president of BESE, to which Brumley reports. And whether or not it was Brumleys intent, the change bolstered the culture warriors who reject public health restrictions to limit the deadly disease.

Given the pandemic, impacts of Hurricane Ida, and the many disturbances faced already this school year, this is yet another disturbance to teaching and learning that could have the opposite impact in ensuring kids are safely able to engage in in-person instruction, said BESE President Sandy Holloway, who noted that shed been blindsided by Brumleys move.

Now theres an unrelated flap over Brumleys issuance of two no-bid contracts totaling $342,000 that went to a company headed by Sharmayne Rutledge, who recently resigned as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in East Baton Rouge Parish. Thursday, BESE asked the legislative auditors office to look into the matter, prompting Brumley to demand that board members produce any evidence of alleged wrongdoing.

Just how deep the tension runs remains to be seen, but such frequent and public shows of discord are unusual.

And all this comes as education officials have much on their plate, from figuring out how to adapt accountability standards in the age of COVID-19 to finally updating the states social studies standards. The latter debate is bound to get caught up in the highly contentious national fight over how to teach about the nations darker chapters, just as the struggle over Common Core standards tapped into broader ideological battles a few years back. So this would be an awfully good time to see if the superintendent and his bosses can get themselves back onto the same page.

We already know Brumley has a talent for bringing people together. Maybe it's not too late for him to do it once more.
Editor's Note This article is brought to you by Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

Throughout the pandemic, airport concessionaires have remained dedicated to providing a high level of service at their shops and restaurants at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). According to 2021 J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey, MSY ranked number one in customer satisfaction among large airports with the highest ranking in food, beverage, and retail. This demonstrates a positive customer response to MSYs food, beverage and retail program, which showcases the spirit of the Greater New Orleans region with several well-known local brands.

More people are returning to the skies as they receive COVID-19 vaccines and travel restrictions are eased around the world. To meet demand, concessionaires are reopening more locations while maintaining health and safety protocols.

Currently, more than 80 percent of concessions are open in the terminal and those that are open have expanded hours of operation to meet traveler demand.

We are working closely with concessionaires to ensure they can scale up hours of operation and availability of shops and restaurants in the terminal to meet passenger demand while sustaining successful operations. We want to make sure that travelers have a great experience during their time at MSY, said Kevin Dolliole, Director of Aviation at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

Stellar Partners operates six concessions at the New Orleans airport, including four news/convenience locations as well as Dirty Coast and Bourbon Sweets. Nancy Rosales, chief merchandising officer for Stellar Partners, said most locations have options for contactless payment, and enhanced cleaning procedures will continue.

We are definitely not easing up by any means at this point, said Rosales. The safety of our associates and customers remains our primary concern, so our plans have a continued emphasis on health and wellness.

The same is true for Delaware North, which operates several New Orleans airport concessions with a local flair. Those include Leahs Kitchen, Folse Market, MoPho, Cafe du Monde, Bar Sazarec, Dooks Burgers, Ye Olde College Inn, Midway Pizza, Chick-Fil-A and PJs Coffee.

Sean Gavigan, general manager for Delaware North operations at the New Orleans airport, said the company continues to abide by a comprehensive safety program designed to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Weve tried to engineer this program to meet or exceed any CDC guidelines, Gavigan said. We have more mobile ordering and mobile payment options. There are more mobile or single-use menus. We continue to have enhanced cleaning and sanitation protocols. We have acrylic stands between cashiers and guests to try to enhance any social distancing so no one feels unsafe.

Gavigan said some procedures may be adjusted as time goes on and officials adopt newer guidelines. However, in the foreseeable future, he said airport travelers should expect some changes.

You may use mobile ordering or scan a QR code to pull up a menu on your phone, he said. The world has changed and there is a new normal, so thats important to keep in mind, especially if someone has not traveled for a long time.

In response to traveling trends, Rosales said Stellar Partners has adjusted the product selection at their concessions.

We are trying to offer more variety with products that eliminate the need for travelers to go to multiple shops, she said. We have definitely seen a huge expansion in the demand for grab-and-go items. More passengers are getting meals or sandwiches and snacks prior to getting on the plane. That has probably been the category where we have seen the biggest expansion so far.

Vino Volo, a Paradies Lagardere company, operates Moisant Market and the Vino Volo wine bar at the airport. To accommodate travelers, the wine bar offers wine by the glass, as well as single servings of draft beer and craft cocktails, said Vino Volo General Manager Samantha White. Meanwhile, Moisant Market has vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, non-dairy and keto-friendly food options.

We have made all the recommended changes and partnered with a community of hospitality operators who have all taken a pledge to keep residents and visitors safe while reopening the economy, White said. We take this to heart. Its all about increased attention to safety, selection and service.

Those steps have included expanded safety training for employees, enhanced cleaning procedures and schedules, contactless and self-service checkout options, additional carry-out food options, QR code menu viewing, remote dining ordering and more.

We want our travelers, associates and airport partners to experience more of what we have always offered, White said. The safety and well-being of travelers and staff has always been and continues to be our number one priority.

Rosales and Gavigan said that while their companies will continue to make necessary adjustments to ensure safety, there is a renewed sense of excitement and optimism about travel in 2021. Rosales noted that Stellar Partners expects sales to reach about 70 percent of 2019 levels by the end of the year.

This past year has been full of ups and downs, with some change and some great excitement, Gavigan said. If you only focus on the bad things, that is the way your world is going to look. Were focused on the fact that passengers are starting to come back and more staff members are coming back to work. Were in the food service industry because we love to connect with people and brighten peoples days. When we get to do that and do it in a safe way, it creates a lot of excitement for everyone.

For more information on amenities and flights at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, visit www.flymsy.com.
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.
Dave Moore, CISSP, has been fixing computers in Oklahoma since 1984. Founder of the non-profit Internet Safety Group Ltd., he also teaches Internet safety community training workshops. He can be reached at 919-9901 or internetsafetygroup.org.
Poland's prime minister says Poland, Lithuania and Latvia are considering asking NATO for emergency talks as they struggle to manage a tense standoff on their borders with Belarus
Lewisburg -- Bucknell University's College Admissions Insider podcast was created a year ago to provide useful information on the admissions process for prospective students and their families. With more than 15,000 downloads of its 26 episodes over the first year, it has provided parents and students convenient, timely solutions to overcome the sometimes-stressful process of applying for college.

Hosted by Bryan Wendell, associate director of editorial content strategy, and Brooke Thames, communications writer, the biweekly podcast helps demystify the college admissions process for listeners. Joined by guests that include Bucknell admissions experts, Wendell and Thames choose topics designed to be current and answer questions commonly received by the Office of Admissions.

"There are so many details to the college admissions process that it can feel a little overwhelming," Wendell says. "But we also know that high school students and their families are incredibly busy. So we designed each episode to be less than 30 minutes long, giving listeners useful information in bite-size nuggets."

So far, listeners have proven they're hungry for that information. Some of the most popular episode topics to date have included: Inside the Mind of An Application Reader (Episode 4); Choosing a College without Visiting (Episode 1); Writing a Killer College Application Essay (Episode 5); What 9th and 10th Graders Can Do Now to Prepare to Apply (Episode 8); and Applying Undecided (Episode 3).

In addition to the podcast, a partner admissions blog was also created.

"The blog overlaps with the podcast but is another accessible channel that illustrates the ins and outs of the admissions process," Thames says. "The blog also allows us to take a deeper dive into topics of particular interest to high school students and their families."

Wendell and Thames want to continue to dive into the most compelling admissions topics of the day  providing information families need, when they need it.

"We worried a little at first that the podcast would seem too nuanced  too in the weeds. But we quickly discovered that listeners really want all those specific details about college admissions," Wendell says. "As a podcast team  which also includes Content Strategy Assistant Kim Faulk and Digital Marketing Specialist Stevie Blyler  we want to guarantee that each episode feels up to date and current as the college admissions landscape continues to change and evolve."

The podcast hosts underscore the importance of feedback from individuals as they work toward making the college admissions process less stressful. They emphasize that they want to continue hearing from listeners, turning their questions into episodes that answer the top questions and concerns on listeners' minds. Questions, comments, or ideas for future episodes may be emailed to podcast@bucknell.edu.

"One of the most rewarding parts of working on the podcast is hearing from listeners," Thames says. "It's such a nice reminder that people are using what we're sharing to enhance their college journeys."

The podcast can be downloaded on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast, Buzzsprout Embed Player and Google Podcasts.
Selinsgrove -- What is an Adult Day Center? An opportunity for seniors to enjoy the benefits children experience in day-cares, such as completing activities with others, sharing meals, and communicating with similar age groups. They are also specific to senior needs, such as therapy, bathing, and cosmetology services.

Almond Tree Senior Solutions, a prominent home care agency located at 195 Airport Road, Selinsgrove, joined with the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce to cut the ribbon on their new Adult Day Center on Wednesday, Nov. 10.

The center occupies 3,800 square feet and is located in the same building which houses the offices of the home care agency. The day program will serve up to 32 seniors and will be open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

The Day Centers services to seniors will include breakfast, lunch, and snacks prepared on-site, therapy services, bathing services, activities, socialization, cosmetology services, medication administration, and transportation. Each day, participants can participate in exercises, games, crafts, and socialization with others of their age group.

The new center builds on the services already offered by Almond Tree Senior Solutions, allowing those who may not need to be home bound to enjoy the benefits of coming to a place where they receive nutritious meals and the many benefits of the activities and therapies offered.

The center also provides a much-needed service of providing respite for those caregivers who need a break from the 24-hour care that many seniors need. This service offers those caregivers a place where their loved one is safe, well fed, and experiencing positive and fun social activities.

Representatives from Senator John Gordners Office, Representative Lynda Schlegel Culvers Office, and Representative David Rowes Office were on hand to celebrate with Almond Tree Senior Solutions owners Wendy and John Cecco, alongside community members, neighbors, and friends.

For more information or to schedule a private tour for your loved one, call (570) 765-4265. New applicants are now being received. An open house is planned for the public for Thursday, December 9, 2021 from 5 p.m.  7 p.m.
When we last saw Helsinki police officer Jessica Niemi, she had solved a heinous spate of murders and escaped  or so it seemed  the clutches of a coven of witches.

But alas, life isnt always so easily wrapped up in a happy ever after ending, and poor Jessica has to deal with those darn witches again in "The Ice Coven," the second novel published in English by Finnish author Max Seeck. His first, "Witch Hunters," made the New York Times Bestseller list.

Its only been six months since Jessica and the Helsinki police were able to breathe a sigh of relief and begin dealing just with everyday crime. But now, as they hunt for two popular social media influencers who have disappeared, it slowly becomes apparent that theres again a supernatural force at work against them.

Seeck has the ability to interweave complicated plots and tie them all neatly together at the end. In "The Ice Coven," the police are facing a case with a wide range of weird stuff that includes human trafficking, frog toxin, bizarre murders and somnophilia  an odd sexual obsession of those who like to watch people sleep.
Police arrived and found one man unresponsive outside the church. A second man with gunshot wounds was found inside, police said.

Degerie Scott was taken to Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus in Gary, where he was pronounced dead. Police said he lived in Merrillville, but a coroner's release listed a Gary address for him.

The second gunshot victim was in stable condition, Hamady said.

The gunman was described as a light-skinned black man who fled on foot, police said.

Degerie Scott's brother, Chester Scott, 44, died Oct. 20 after he crashed into a field where westbound 35th Avenue ends at Chase Street in Gary, according to a coroner's release and police.

Chester Scott had been involved in a hit-and-run crash and police chase before he crashed. Gary officers lost sight of the vehicle he was driving before the Lake County sheriff's helicopter spotted him and witnessed the crash, police said.

A viewing and funeral service for Chester Scott were Saturday morning at another church in the 1700 block of West 15th Avenue. Details of the repast luncheon at Sts. Monica and Luke Catholic Church were not included in the obituary.
"It was Columbus Day, so court was closed," McDermott said. "I thought it would be a good day to come in and just kind of go through the boxes, because we've been looking to clean some out."

As the judge sifted through papers, she discovered two firearms at the bottom of a box.

The handguns  a .45-caliber Colt Model 1911 pistol and a Harrington & Richardson revolver  still had tags attached bearing the Madonna murder case number and the date they were entered into evidence.

The only other item in the box linked to the case was a transcript of a hearing, McDermott said.

The judge wasn't sure how the two guns ended up in the Circuit Court's closet.

When the case began, the Lake County Government Complex hadn't been built yet.

Monserrate was tried twice  in November 1967 and again in January 1972  at the old Lake County Courthouse on the Crown Point square in what was then known as Lake Criminal Court.

By the time Monserrate was released from prison in 1983, Lake Criminal Court had been redesignated as Lake Superior Court Criminal Division and the courts had moved to the government complex, which opened in 1974 at 93rd Avenue and Main Street in Crown Point.
GARY  One person was killed and another injured Saturday afternoon when a man fired into a crowd of mourners at Sts. Monica and Luke Catholic Church in Gary.

Police identified the fatal shooting victim as a 41-year-old man from Merrillville. He was found unresponsive outside the church and transported to Methodist Northlake Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police Cmdr. Jack Hamady said.

While police were securing the scene, officers found a 41-year-old man from Gary inside the church with a gunshot wound.

He also was transported to Methodist Northlake and remains in stable condition, police said.

Police described the shooter as a light-skinned black man who fled on foot around 2:15 p.m. after shooting into the crowd outside the church in the 600 block of Rhode Island Street.

Officials did not immediately identify a motive for the shooting.

Following the incident, Gary Mayor Jerome Prince vowed "we will find whoever is responsible for this cowardly act and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law."
Perhaps the most unusual legislative session in Indiana history finally will end Monday after an unprecedented 363 days.

The Indiana House and Senate didn't meet on each of those days, of course. But they also did not adjourn for the year as they usually do in early spring.

Instead, by refusing to adjourn, legislative leaders retained the ability to bring lawmakers back to the Statehouse as needed  without having to rely on the governor calling a special session  until reaching Monday's statutory adjournment deadline.

The Legislature won't be out of session for long. The 2022 Indiana General Assembly is due to convene at noon Region time Tuesday for its annual ceremonial start, followed by daily meetings running from early January to a scheduled adjournment on March 14.

The primary reason for this year's extended session was the need for the General Assembly to complete the once-a-decade process of redrawing the state's nine U.S. House districts, 100 Indiana House districts, and 50 Senate districts to account for population shifts identified by the 2020 U.S. Census, and to ensure each type of district contains a nearly equal number of inhabitants.

That work typically is finished prior to the Legislature's usual odd-year adjournment deadline of April 29.
VALPARAISO  Visitors to the Porter County Museum got a glimpse Saturday of how soldiers from various nations were equipped for World War I.

Ezra Parker, of Aurora, smoked a hookah between answering questions about the Turkish infantry during one of the last gasps of the Ottoman Empire.

The Turks working in small factories followed German designs, especially, for weapons and French designs for other much of the other gear, he said.

Industrial production in Turkey was still a cottage industry, so six guys with sewing machines would look up at a sketch on a chalkboard to follow the design for a soldiers coat, for example.

The Ottoman Empire was vast at the time. It was the largest front in World War I, Parker said.

The United States, which didnt enter World War I until 1917, didnt go up against them, focusing their fight elsewhere instead.

Skylar Zenisek, of South Bend, portraying a German soldier in 1914, said the British blockade of German seaports had a profound effect on German gear as the war dragged on.
WINFIELD  The 15 chickens owned by Derek and Rita Van Tichelt won't have to fly the coop at least until the end of January.

The Town Council agreed with the unfavorable recommendation from the Board of Zoning Appeals to allow for a variance for a hobby farm on a residential lot, but also agreed not to enforce a code violation against the Van Tichelt family until the end of January.

That's because at the first of the year, the Town Council plans to address the issue of residents wanting to raise chickens on their properties in Winfield, Town Council President Gerald Stiener said.

"(The Van Tichelts) can do what they do until the end of the month," Stiener said.

Stiener said an ordinance, likely to be drafted by the Town Council early in January, will address raising chickens and include a number of specifications such as allowed numbers and fencing.

"It will be limited," Stiener said.

The Van Tichelts, who live in the Prairie Crossings subdivision, appeared before town officials earlier this summer seeking a variance for their 15 chickens housed in a coop at 6528 E. 114th Place.

The couple did not attend the most recent council meeting.
But there are problems with this sage advice. One, voters themselves are moving away from the middle. And, two, the reality of culture and politics of the country is things keep moving left. The only difference between when Republicans are in control and when Democrats are in control is how fast it happens.

Yes, it's true that Bill Clinton saved his presidency by turning to the middle. But then, in 1994, according to Gallup, 25% of Democrats self-identified as liberal, 25% conservative and 48% as moderate. Today, per Gallup, the percentage of Democrats identifying as liberal has doubled to 51%; the percentage identifying as conservative is half what it was in 1994  12%  and the percentage of moderates has dropped from 48% to 35%.

At the same time, Republicans have become more conservative than they were in 1994.

In 1994, 58% of Republicans identified as conservative. Today, it's 75%.

Statesmanship and compromise are only realistic when most voters, of both parties, are generally on the same page regarding our core values. But what happens when the common ground of core values is lost?
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The article was produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Center.

It was a blazing-hot morning in October 2019 on the old Ho Chi Minh Trail, an intricate web of truck roads and secret paths that wove its way across the densely forested and mountainous border between Vietnam and Laos. Susan Hammond, Jacquelyn Chagnon and Niphaphone Sengthong forded a rocky stream along the trail and came to a village of about 400 people called Labeng-Khok, once the site of a logistics base inside Laos used by the North Vietnamese Army to infiltrate troops into the South. In one of the bamboo-and-thatch stilt houses, the ladder to the living quarters was made from metal tubes that formerly held American cluster bombs. The family had a 4-year-old boy named Suk, who had difficulty sitting, standing and walking  one of three children in the extended family with birth defects. A cousin was born mute and did not learn to walk until he was 7. A third child, a girl, died at the age of 2. That one could not sit up, their great-uncle said. The whole body was soft, as if there were no bones. The women added Suk to the list of people with disabilities they have compiled on their intermittent treks through Laoss sparsely populated border districts.

Hammond, Chagnon and Sengthong make up the core of the staff of a nongovernmental organization called the War Legacies Project. Hammond, a self-described Army brat whose father was a senior military officer in the war in Vietnam, founded the group in 2008. Chagnon, who is almost a generation older, was one of the first foreigners allowed to work in Laos after the conflict, representing a Quaker organization, the American Friends Service Committee. Sengthong, a retired schoolteacher who is Chagnons neighbor in the countrys capital, Vientiane, is responsible for the record-keeping and local coordination.

The main focus of the War Legacies Project is to document the long-term effects of the defoliant known as Agent Orange and provide humanitarian aid to its victims. Named for the colored stripe painted on its barrels, Agent Orange  best known for its widespread use by the U.S. military to clear vegetation during the Vietnam War  is notorious for being laced with a chemical contaminant called 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-P-dioxin, or TCDD, regarded as one of the most toxic substances ever created.
PARIS  After more than a year of lockdowns and months of a sputtering vaccination campaign, Europes efforts to curb the coronavirus pandemic entered yet another difficult chapter on Wednesday as President Emmanuel Macron of France announced the start of a third national lockdown in a desperate move to halt a new deadly wave.

With infections surging, hospitals swelling with patients and the virus now reaching into classrooms, Mr. Macron effectively abandoned a monthslong gamble to keep France open in the hope that a steady pace of vaccinations would make a lockdown unnecessary. He said that restrictions currently covering about one-third of the countrys population would be extended nationwide for four weeks starting Saturday, and that schools would be closed for at least three weeks.

As the tally of coronavirus deaths pushed relentlessly close to the 100,000 mark, and with the highly transmissible variant first detected in Britain now accounting for two-thirds of Frances new infections, Mr. Macron gave in to scientists and opposition politicians who had been pressing for a lockdown in recent weeks, and joined the list of European nations already hunkering down before the virus.

About three-quarter of Italys population is barred from going outside except for work, health or other essentials. Germany has also imposed a partial lockdown, with varying degrees of restrictions depending on the region, while Poland closed all nonessential shops and switched most of its schools to remote learning.
Iraq has been a vital part for, part of the United States for some time now in the Middle East, and weve been engaged deeply in Iraq for my entire career back in the Senate, as vice president, and as president. And Ive worked with Iraq to... and a matter of fact, my son, Beau, was in Iraq for a year with the Army National Guard, and the sacrifices that so many, so many have made to build the U.S.-Iraq partnership has been real, and its consequential. And my administration is committed to strengthening that partnership, Mr. Prime Minister ... Were also committed to our security cooperation. Our, our shared fight against ISIS is critical for the stability of the region, and our counterterrorism cooperation will continue, even as we shift to this new phase were going to be talking about ... Our role in Iraq will be as a... Dealing with not, its just to be available to continue to train, to assist, to help and to deal with ISIS as it arrives, but we are not going to be brought in here on a combat mission. This is a great honor to be here today with our American friends. We have a strategic partnership. Im happy here in Washington to discuss the future of our nation. And how to prove this relation between our two countries. America, they help Iraq. Together, we fight and defeat ISIS. And Id like to thank the American people on behalf of all Iraqs people. Mr. President, I thank you for all the blood and treasure that America has given for a free and Democratic Iraq.
Fifteen days is everything when you are suffering, said Kim Callinan, the president and chief executive of Compassion & Choices, which supported the change. People who are eligible for the law are hitting roadblocks and barriers.

In 2016, for example, Youssef Cohen, a political scientist at New York University, took the extraordinary step of moving across the country to use the Oregon law as he was dying of mesothelioma at 68. He wanted the option to determine the end of his life, said his wife, Lindsay Wright, who is an associate dean at the university.

To establish residency, the couple had to hurriedly sign an apartment lease, obtain an ID from the state motor vehicle agency, transfer medical records and arrange an immediate appointment with a Portland doctor to qualify for medical aid in dying. Dr. Cohen then faced the 15-day waiting period.

He didnt make it, Dr. Wright said. He died six days after we arrived. And he suffered.

A 2018 study from the Kaiser Permanente health system in Southern California showed that about one-third of qualifying patients died before they could complete the process.

New Mexico, which in June became the most recent state to legalize medical aid in dying, has adopted a markedly less restrictive approach than other states. The largely rural state is the first to allow not only doctors but advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to help determine eligibility and write prescriptions for lethal medication. In some communities, theyre the only providers, said Representative Deborah Armstrong, a Democrat and the bills primary sponsor.

Although a doctor must also affirm that a patient is terminally ill, New Mexico patients can skip that step if they have already enrolled in hospice, as most do. The patient need only make one written request, rather than two or more requests, as other states require. A 48-hour waiting period between when the prescription is written and when it is filled can be waived. People walk up and tell me how thankful they are to have this option if they need it, Ms. Armstrong said.

California has simplified its 2016 law as well. In October, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that, starting in January, reduces the 15-day wait between verbal requests to 48 hours and eliminates the requirement for a third written attestation.
Vaccinated travelers from abroad were allowed to enter the United States this week, drawing an agonizing 18-month wait to a conclusion and producing joyous reunions for thousands of people.

The countrys opening of the borders on Monday is expected to drastically increase the influx of tourist money and provide a degree of relief to a travel industry that has lost billions of dollars in the pandemic. On Monday alone, over 200,000 international fliers arrived in the United States, according to Customs and Border Protection.

Every customs booth in San Ysidro, Calif., was busy as visitors from Mexico crossed the border to reunite with relatives or seek medical care. But to the north, there were concerns that the Canadian governments entry requirement of a P.C.R. test  more expensive and time-consuming than the rapid antigen test  might deter some Canadian trips to the United States.

At the same time, controversy over U.S. mandates for Covid prevention measures continued. A federal appellate court upheld a block on the Biden administrations vaccine mandate for large employers; the government is expected to appeal. And 10 states sued the federal government on Wednesday over its vaccine mandate for health care workers.
When the Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in children ages 5 to 11 last month, the agency noted that the pediatric version would be a bit different than the one for adults: a third the size, with a different buffer for added stability.

The news set off a wave of disinformation on social media about the new ingredient: Tris, or tromethamine.

The ingredient, however, has a time-tested track record of safety. It is a commonly used buffer in a variety of other F.D.A.-approved vaccines and other biologics, including products for use in children, the agency said in its statement announcing the authorization for Pfizers pediatric doses.

Such buffers help maintain a vaccines pH (a measure of how acidic or alkaline a solution is) and stability, according to the F.D.A., which says that the new formulation gives vaccine providers more flexibility in storage.
Back in 2012, when the then-Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney professed his affection for Big Bird but nonetheless vowed to cut funding for PBS, Saturday Night Live brought in Big Bird himself to explain that he wasnt a political creature and didnt want to ruffle any feathers.

Almost a decade later, after the fictional, good-natured Big Bird said in a tweet that he had received a Covid vaccine, he has drawn the ire of Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, who complained that the tweet was government propaganda for your 5-year-old.

This time around, S.N.L. didnt get the support of any actual Muppets, so the show created its own alternate version of Sesame Street, which it called Cruz Street.
Lee Maracle, a writer who chronicled the effect of Canadian settlement on the lands Indigenous people and the persistence of discrimination, only to find herself in recent years championed by the very cultural and political establishment that she had spent her career attacking, died on Thursday in Surrey, British Columbia. She was 71.

Her son, Sid Bobb, said the cause was complications of heart failure.

Ms. Maracle was an early figure in the modern literary canon of Canadas First Nations. Bobbi Lee: Indian Rebel, an autobiographical novel, was published in 1975, years before the first books of Sherman Alexie, Louise Erdrich and other prominent North American Indigenous writers.

Publishers rejected an earlier manuscript by Ms. Maracle; she said they told her, Indians cant read. After writing Bobbi Lee, she collected signatures from 3,500 Indigenous people who said they would buy the book  she had heard that 3,500 sales constituted a best seller in Canada. A small press agreed to print it.

Her work came to include books of essays, volumes of poetry and several more novels. She tried to capture, in writing, the oral traditions of the Sto:lo, Squamish and Metis people she descended from, while at the same time describing how a history of brutality had shaped her emotional life and outlook.
A global climate agreement

On Saturday, diplomats from nearly 200 countries struck an agreement to do more to fight climate change. Signed at the COP26 summit in Glasgow, the pact urged wealthy nations to at least double funding to protect poor nations from the hazards of a hotter planet.

The pact also states that all nations will need to halve their carbon dioxide emissions this decade to hold warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, or 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit, compared to preindustrial levels. It called on governments to return next year with stronger plans to cut emissions. And it is the first global climate agreement to explicitly mention the need to curb fossil fuels. Here are the key takeaways.

However, the pact still leaves developing countries far short of the funds they need to build cleaner energy and cope with extreme weather. And it leaves unresolved how the burden of those cuts will be shared and what action is expected of individual nations.

Next steps: The plans architects hope the agreement will show governments and corporations that more ambitious action is inevitable, empowering civil society groups and lawmakers to shift toward cleaner energy sources.
New York City encouraged everyone 18 and older to get a booster shot if they want it. Austria locks down the unvaccinated as virus resurges in Europe.

The Florida legislature kicks off a special session to pass bills curtailing federal Covid mandates. Image Representative Anna Eskamani, Democrat of Florida, and other Democratic lawmakers and invited speakers spoke of their opposition to a special legislative session targeting vaccine mandates, in Tallahassee on Monday. Credit... Rebecca Blackwell/Associated Press At the request of Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican who has used his opposition to coronavirus vaccine and mask mandates to build up his national political profile, Florida lawmakers kicked off a special legislative session on Monday to take up legislation aimed at restricting such measures. Mr. DeSantis, who is seen as a possible presidential candidate in 2024, has cast the session as a high-profile effort to counter the vaccination rules set by the Biden administration. The Biden administration has ordered federal employees and contractors to be vaccinated, as well as employees of health care companies that receive Medicare and Medicaid. The federal government also plans to put in place workplace-safety rules in January mandating that all businesses with 100 or more employees require them to be vaccinated or be tested frequently. Several states with conservative governors, including Florida, have already challenged those federal mandates in court. To also pass laws curtailing them would put Florida at the forefront of what has become a highly politicized fight between Republican-led states and the White House. Nobody should be losing their jobs because of these jabs, Mr. DeSantis, who has taken to calling the vaccinations jabs or injections, said last week. Florida Covid-19 Hospitalizations All time Last 90 days 5,000 10,000 15,000 hospitalized Mar. 2020 Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. 2021 Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. 7day average 1,386 Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The seven-day average is the average of a day and the previous six days of data. Currently hospitalized is the most recent number of patients with Covid-19 reported by hospitals in the state for the four days prior. Dips and spikes could be due to inconsistent reporting by hospitals. Hospitalization numbers early in the pandemic are undercounts due to incomplete reporting by hospitals to the federal government. About 60,700 people have died of Covid-19 in Florida. The state was hit hard by the virus this summer, when the Delta variant filled hospitals in much of the state with more patients than at any time during the pandemic. That wave has burned itself out, and in recent days new cases and hospitalizations have fallen to some of the lowest levels in the country. Just over 60 percent of Floridas population is vaccinated, according to federal data. Critics of the governor have said that his fight against mandates resulted in needless deaths. Florida experienced its worst daily death tolls during the summer surge, when vaccines were already widely available. As cases surged, Mr. DeSantis fought local school districts and governments that required masks or vaccines, withholding funds, fining them or taking them to court. (Most school districts have now loosened their mask restrictions, in light of the falling virus levels.) The special session is intended to carry the state Republican Partys opposition to mandates even further. Business leaders, however, have expressed fears that any new Florida laws might force them to face conflicting state and federal mandates. Democrats have decried the move as mere political theater. This entire special session is a political stunt, Representative Fentrice Driskell, a Tampa Democrat, said on Monday. But the governor, who formally announced his 2022 re-election last week, is too popular among conservatives in the Republican base for his wishes to be ignored. We dont believe that the federal government should be in a position to force vaccines, Speaker Chris Sprowls of the House said in the State Capitol on Monday. None of the four proposed bills under consideration would ban employee vaccine mandates outright. Private employers would be able to require vaccinations, but they would also have to allow for exemptions for medical issues or pregnancy, and religious reasons. Employees willing to be periodically tested or wear protective equipment could also opt out. Employers would have to pay for the tests or provide protective equipment, like masks. Public school districts and local governments would be prohibited from requiring vaccinations. Lawmakers would also give parents the sole discretion over whether students should get vaccinated or wear masks.

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Austrias new lockdown applies only to the unvaccinated. Video The lockdown, expected to last 10 days, requires those age 12 and older who are not vaccinated for Covid-19 or immune from a past infection to stay in their homes except for essential reasons, such as doctor visits or grocery shopping. Credit Credit... Barbara Gindl/Agence France-Presse, via Apa/Afp Via Getty Images Unvaccinated Austrians ages 12 and older awoke on Monday morning confined to their homes for all but essential activities, as one of the strictest coronavirus lockdowns in Europe went into effect to battle a surge in infections. Under new rules announced by the government on Sunday, adults and minors 12 and older who have not been vaccinated or recovered from a coronavirus infection cannot go outside except to buy groceries, seek medical care or travel to school or work. They are the toughest of a new wave of restrictions across Europe, as governments try to contain near-record numbers of cases. Our task as the federal government is to protect the people of Austria. We are fulfilling this responsibility, Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg told a news conference on Sunday. The move was described as temporary, but the government did not immediately say how long it would remain in effect. About 65 percent of Austrias 8.9 million people are vaccinated, one of the lowest rates in western Europe, according to the Our World in Data Project at the University of Oxford. Over the past two weeks, average daily cases have risen by 134 percent to nearly 11,000, the highest since the pandemic began. Mr. Schallenberg said that the vaccination rate was a significant cause of the spike in infections, and added that cases among the vaccinated were decreasing. Since February, unvaccinated people account for 83 percent of symptomatic infections, according to Austrian officials. Speaking on Monday, Mr. Schallenberg said that there were no immediate plans to expand restrictions for vaccinated people. That ran counter to a suggestion by his health minister, who said that the government might consider a more generalized lockdown, such as closing bars or restaurants. Austria Coronavirus Cases All time Last 90 days 5,000 10,000 cases Mar. 2020 Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. 2021 Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. 7day average 13,852 Source: Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University. The daily average is calculated with data that was reported in the last seven days. My aim is very clearly to get the unvaccinated to get themselves vaccinated and not to lock down the vaccinated, Mr. Schallenberg told Austrias O1 radio, according to The Associated Press. In the long term, the way out of this vicious circle we are in  and it is a vicious circle, we are stumbling from wave to lockdown, and that cant carry on ad infinitum  is only vaccination. Europe, which threw off lockdowns this summer but has seen vaccination rates level off, is back at the epicenter of the pandemic globally, Hans Kluge, the regional director for the World Health Organization, said last week. The continent accounted for 59 percent of the worlds newly reported coronavirus cases last week, and for nearly half the worlds Covid-related deaths, the organization said. Over the weekend, the three parties that are set to form the next government in Germany agreed to impose stricter rules against unvaccinated people, including mandating that they obtain a negative coronavirus test before traveling on buses or trains, as infection rates reach new records. Spains Basque region is also expected on Tuesday to announce new restrictions on gatherings in municipalities with the highest infection rates. But Austrias move stands out as among the toughest imposed in Europe or elsewhere in the world, experts said. In Britain, where cases have risen sharply since May, the Conservative lawmaker Oliver Dowden said on Sky News on Monday that the government would not follow Austrias lead, saying that we have no plans to have that kind of differentiated approach between between those who are vaccinated and those who are not. Robert West, a professor of health psychology at University College London, said that Austrias rules might encourage more people to get vaccinated, but risked eroding trust in the government. Its sort of like jumping in with the nuclear option without having considered the other options, he said, adding that it would have been better to address the causes of vaccine skepticism among parts of the Austrian public. I think this is a disaster on all fronts, he said. Isabella Kwai and Raphael Minder contributed reporting.

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Europe toughens rules for the unvaccinated as another Covid wave arrives. Image A Covid-19 rapid test centre in Duisburg, Germany, last week. New nationwide restrictions have been announced to counter a surge in infections. Credit... Friedemann Vogel/EPA, via Shutterstock ROME  As temperatures drop and coronavirus infections spike across Europe, some countries are introducing increasingly targeted restrictions against the unvaccinated who officials say are driving another wave of contagion and putting economic recoveries, public health and an eventual return to prepandemic freedoms at risk. On Monday, the Austrian government cracked down on its unvaccinated population over the age of 12, restricting their movement to traveling for work, school, buying groceries and medical care. New cases have more than doubled in Austria in the last two weeks. Across Europe countries are passing rules and measures to make life harder for the unvaccinated with the goal of motivating them to get a shot. Global coronavirus cases by region This chart shows how reported cases per capita have changed in different parts of the world. All time Last 90 days Africa

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Latin America

Middle East

U.S. and Canada 20 40 60 cases per 100,000 Feb. 2020 Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. 2021 Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Sources: Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University and state and local health agencies (cases); World Bank and U.S. Census Bureau (population data). In Italy, vaccination, recent recovery from the virus, or frequent negative swabs are required to work. In Germany, the incoming government has said it will impose stricter rules against unvaccinated people, including mandating that they obtain a negative coronavirus test before traveling on buses or trains. In France, booster shots will become requisite for people 65 and older who want to secure a health pass. Taken together, the measures are a bleak sign that a virus is still a threat to Europe, which reported a 10 percent increase in deaths and a 7 percent increase in new infections in the first week of November, compared to the previous week. The World Health Organization warned recently that half a million people on the continent could die from Covid in the next few months. While the hospitalizations and deaths were mostly in Eastern Europe, the new wave threatened economic recoveries and Christmas vacations across the continent. A return to normalcy predicated on the success of vaccination campaigns seemed increasingly threatened by the unvaccinated who offered the virus room to run. This is especially the case in Eastern Europe. Romania, which has Europes second-lowest vaccination rate, recently reported the worlds highest per capita death rate from Covid-19. In Bulgaria, hospitals are inundated. Last month, the small Baltic nation of Latvia responded to its outbreak with a full lockdown. Russia and Ukraine, which each have vaccination rates below 50 percent, also introduced widespread restrictions.

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As remote work empties San Francisco, can theaters fill their seats? Image A new production of Ludwig van Beethovens Fidelio ran for two weeks in October at the opera house in San Francisco. Credit... Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera SAN FRANCISCO  As live performance finally returns after the pandemic shutdown, cultural institutions are confronting a long list of unknowns. Will audiences feel safe returning to crowded theaters? Have people grown so accustomed to watching screens in their living rooms that they will not return to live events? And how will the advent of work-from-home policies, which have emptied blocks of downtowns and business districts, affect weekday attendance at theaters and concert halls? Nowhere is that last question more urgent than here in San Francisco, where tech companies have led the way in embracing work-from-home policies and flexible schedules more than in almost any other city in the nation. As people work from home, it is going to change our demographics, said Matthew Shilvock, the general director of the San Francisco Opera. Its something that could be a threat. Arts groups are trying to gauge what the embrace of more flexible work-from-home policies will mean for their ability to draw audiences. Close to 70 percent of the audiences at the San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Symphony live outside the city, according to data collected by the two organizations. There were some patches of empty seats across the Davies Symphony Hall the other night, as the San Francisco Symphony presented the United States premier of a violin concerto by Bryce Dessner. Attendance in October was down 11 percent compared to before the pandemic, though the symphony said advance sales were strong, suggesting the spring might bring normal audiences. Some nights have been a little thinner than others, said Esa-Pekka Salonen, the symphonys new music director. By and large, the energy is good. Our worst fears have been dispelled. The San Francisco Opera began its new season with a new music director, Eun Sun Kim, the first woman to hold the position. She conducted a new production of Beethovens Fidelio this fall that incorporated chain-link fences and flickering video screens to update the story of the liberation of a political prisoner. Even so, the opera, which can seat 2,928 with Covid restrictions, sold an average of only 1,912 tickets per show for Fidelio. Attendance has been spotty in other venues as the citys art scene climbs back. Just 50 percent of the seats were filled the other night for a performance of The Displaced, a gentrification horror play by Isaac Gomez, at the Crowded Fire Theater. We had sold-out houses on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and much lower participation on Wednesday and Thursday night, said Mina Morita, the artistic director. Its hard to tell if this is the new normal.

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Japans economy shrinks, but ebbing cases are cause for optimism. Image Coronavirus vaccinations being administered in a pachinko parlor last month in Osaka, Japan. The government has lifted nearly all restrictions on the economy as the Covid caseload has dropped to one of the lowest levels in the world. Credit... Carl Court/Getty Images Japans economy continued to wobble in the third quarter of 2021, tipping back into contraction, but the success of its coronavirus vaccination campaign suggests that brighter days may be ahead, at least in the near term. In the July-to-September period, the countrys economy, the third largest after the United States and China, shrank by an annualized rate of 3 percent, government data showed on Monday. The result, a quarterly drop of 0.8 percent, indicated an economy struggling to find its footing in the face of coronavirus restrictions and a supply chain crunch that hit its biggest manufacturers. The previous three-month period saw a slight expansion. But Japan now has one of the highest vaccination rates among major nations, and it has lifted virtually all restrictions on its economy as its virus caseload has fallen in recent weeks to one of the lowest levels in the world. Seventy-five percent of the country is fully vaccinated. And coronavirus case counts have hovered in the low hundreds since mid-October, a decline of about 99 percent since their August peak, heralding the return of long-suppressed consumer spending. Bolstering the positive outlook, policymakers, fresh off an election, are preparing a new round of stimulus that would provide support to ailing businesses and put cash in the hands of people nationwide. Japan Coronavirus Cases All time Last 90 days 10,000 20,000 cases Feb. 2020 Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. 2021 Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. 7day average 137 Source: Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University. The daily average is calculated with data that was reported in the last seven days. The country started the July-to-September period on the back foot because of a clunky vaccine rollout that left it far behind its peer countries. The Delta variant caused cases to surge just as Tokyo prepared to kick off the Summer Olympics, which were conducted without spectators and failed to deliver the economic boost that had been promised when the country was chosen as host. As the virus spread, Japan entered a new state of emergency. Restaurants and bars closed early and travel dried up, with many people deciding to stay home rather than brave record-high case counts. Since the country ended its state of emergency last month, however, foot traffic has nearly returned to prepandemic levels, said Tomohiko Kozawa, a researcher at the Japan Research Institute. Theres a risk that infections could begin to spread again, but for the moment, the outlook points to recovery, he said, adding that we can expect high growth in domestic consumption in the coming months.

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The U.S. surgeon general says blocking vaccine rules creates a setback for public health. Image Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. surgeon general, says the vaccine mandate aims to create safer workplaces for workers, for customers and to increase vaccination rates overall. Credit... Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. surgeon general, said on Sunday that if courts continue to block the Biden administrations efforts to soon compel large companies to require a Covid vaccine or face weekly testing, it would be a setback for public health. A federal appeals court issued a ruling on Friday that continued to block the administrations rule, saying the federal agency that drafted the order had grossly exceeded its purview. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, an agency within the Labor Department, issued a rule this month that companies with 100 or more employees must put a vaccine mandate in place by Jan. 4 or comply with weekly testing, as well as mandatory masking in December. The administrations attempts  which could affect 84 million private-sector workers, 31 million of whom were believed to be unvaccinated  have met with considerable resistance. A diverse group of states and business organizations immediately contested the order and the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans issued a stay. The ruling by a three-judge panel on Friday affirmed the stay, turning aside a challenge by the Justice Department. On Fox News Sunday, Dr. Murthy said that vaccine mandates are well-established and highly successful in achieving more widespread vaccination. Schools, the military and workplaces such as hospitals have long required vaccines. Many companies have leapt ahead of a federal order, he noted, and imposed one on their own employees. At the heart of the vaccine mandate strategy, he said, is the creation of safer workplaces for workers, for customers and to increase vaccination rates overall, because thats ultimately how were going to end this pandemic. But Ken Paxton, the attorney general of Texas, one of the plaintiffs that challenged the mandate, said on the same news program that the ruling was a victory against the Biden administrations attempt at what he has called bullying of businesses. Texas employers, he has stated, should be allowed to make their own decisions about the vaccine. Chris Wallace, the host of the program, pointed out that Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas has banned businesses from ordering vaccine mandates. He asked Mr. Paxton to address the seeming incongruity between his attack on the federal mandate and his support of the state ban of individual employers mandates. Mr. Paxton refused to say whether he thought that, unlike the federal government, a state had the right to tell a private business what to do. He replied: The federal government has limited authority. He continued: States have a lot of authority to deal with whats going on in their states.

Dozens of N.Y.C. sanitation workers were suspended during an inquiry into the use of fake vaccine cards. Image A New York City sanitation truck in Brooklyn last month. Several dozen sanitation workers have been suspended without pay as fraudulent vaccine cards are being investigated. Credit... Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images Several dozen New York City workers have been suspended without pay as a part of an investigation into the use of fake Covid vaccine cards at the Department of Sanitation, a city official with knowledge of the investigation said. The investigation will include a thorough review of vaccination records to determine how widespread the fraud might be, said the official, who was not authorized to comment on the investigation and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The development is the latest in a protracted debate over the citys vaccine mandate for municipal workers. The mandate took effect on Nov. 1, and roughly 9,000 city workers who had not received the shot were placed on unpaid leave, with thousands more applying for exemptions on medical or religious grounds. In the past month, vaccination rates have risen across city agencies, particularly in places like the Fire and Police Departments where opposition to the mandate had taken a strong hold. The Department of Sanitation garnered particular attention for a single-day increase of nine percentage points  taking its ranks to 76 percent vaccinated from 67 percent almost overnight, according to City Hall. Very encouraging progress, Mitch Schwartz, a spokesman for Mayor Bill de Blasio, tweeted on Oct. 29. The possibility that some of those vaccinations might have been fraudulent has shaken the department. A vast majority of the roughly 10,000 sanitation workers  over 87 percent  have received at least one shot, according to a city spokesman. These are very concerning allegations, and we take them very seriously, Vincent Gragnani, press secretary for the sanitation department, said on Sunday. Getting vaccinated is important to public health, and we do not tolerate anyone faking something that is a requirement of city employment. He confirmed that the department was actively investigating this situation, in coordination with the citys Department of Investigation. The investigation department said that it was aware of allegations involving the issuance of bogus vaccination cards and declined further comment. The allegations were first reported in The New York Post on Saturday. It remains to be seen if criminal charges will be pursued. New Yorkers have been criminally charged for creating or using fake vaccine cards. Harry Nespoli, president of the Teamsters Local 831 union representing sanitation workers, said that the investigation was still in its early stages, and he was not yet sure how many workers might be involved. It could be 50, it could be 15, he said. Everything has to be proven. Mr. Nespoli has been a critic of the mandate, arguing instead for a testing option. He said that while the union disavowed any falsification of records, it would defend its members.

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I dont remember the first time I was taught that the Civil War was not fought because of slavery. I am a white Texan, so this idea was simply in the ether, as were myths about good slave owners and the Lost Cause. I knew that America had a racist history, but when I was a child, the details of what that meant were blurry and vague.

This experience is common. There is objective truth to our nations history, based in research and primary sources. But as Clint Smith describes in his book How the Word Is Passed, in America we too often tell a slanted version of our history to protect the feelings of white people. Smith highlights how an intentional disinformation campaign, which began shortly after the end of the Civil War, has altered the way much of America narrates our racial past. He looks at the convenient lies that white people often rely on to belittle the horrors of the past, the way we exclude stories that might trouble or challenge us.

In an interview, Smith discussed how a statement of fact such as The Confederacy was a treasonous army predicated on maintaining and expanding the institution of slavery is recast as a biased ideological statement. Part of what racism tries to do is turn empirical evidence, Smith said, into statements that are ostensibly reflective of someones opinion and reflective of a political sensibility or disposition, rather than one that is honest about this countrys history.

Were struggling now as a society with how to tell the truth about how white supremacy has shaped our history and institutions. Several states have recently passed laws against teaching critical race theory. The imprecise language of these laws provides cover for those who are not comfortable hearing or telling the truth about the history and state of race relations in the United States, as Rashawn Ray and Alexandra Gibbons point out in a Brookings Institution paper.
In March 2021, the Danish Health Authority was among the first in the world to suspend and later drop the use of AstraZeneca vaccines over concerns about side effects. Health authorities explained that the pandemic in Denmark was under control and that different vaccines were on the way. Theres no evidence to suggest that vaccination rates were affected by this decision. This willingness to be transparent and publicly revise policies in light of new findings is critical to maintaining public trust.

But the trust thats crucial for making Denmarks response to the pandemic a success can, in some cases, empower authorities to go too far without institutional or public resistance. Our research shows the most significant drop in Danes trust in government happened shortly after an event thats locally called Minkgate.

In early November 2020, Ms. Frederiksen announced that all minks in Denmark must be culled to quell the spread of a coronavirus mutation among the animals. This would include up to an estimated 17 million minks spread across 1,000 farms. Within two weeks, about 11 million minks were slaughtered, and an industry was effectively gutted.

But it turned out the government didnt have the legal authority to make such an order. That realization was a scandal. The agriculture minister resigned, and the governments order is likely to cost around $3 billion in expenses and compensation to farmers and the mink industry. Theres a continuing public investigation that will culminate with the questioning of the prime minister in December.

Although Danes trust in government has risen again since Minkgate, it hasnt fully recovered. Minkgate showed that just because governments are sometimes given wide latitude by their electorate to act aggressively, it does not mean they should take that permission for granted.

As cases rise and restrictions are reintroduced, Denmark must once again lean on peoples sense of trust and community to see the pandemic through. There is a risk that the unity Danes feel toward one another could be challenged if the pandemic heats back up thanks to unvaccinated people getting sick and spreading the virus. Already the country deals with public shaming of areas with lower vaccination rates, many of which have sizable immigrant populations.

Trust remains critical to ending pandemics. Achieving it requires transparency, openness and willingness to embrace uncertainty. This may be the most critical challenge for post-Covid-19 societies, including in Denmark. Lets hope we can trust one another enough to approach this challenge openly and honestly.
To the Editor:

In Faith and Science Are Not at Odds (Opinion, Nov. 8), Tish Harrison Warren quotes Deborah Haarsma, an astrophysicist and a Christian, as saying scientific communities have to acknowledge the value of religion as a way of answering lifes biggest questions.

But religions do not reliably answer any of lifes questions. Religions offer verbal arguments and unverifiable claims to appeal to the opinions and emotions of the faithful. The stories told by different religions are inconsistent, and these differences can never be resolved experimentally.

In plain English, a belief is something that is not an established fact. Non-falsifiable beliefs, feelings and opinions are fundamentally incompatible with science. Certainly science doesnt have an answer for everything, but where it does, those answers work whether you believe them or not.

Pulak Dutta

Evanston, Ill.

The writer is a professor of physics and astronomy at Northwestern University.
What is certain is the kind of weapon that killed Max. It was a ghost gun.

Ghost guns  untraceable firearms without serial numbers, assembled from components bought online  are increasingly becoming the lethal weapon of easy access for those legally barred from buying or owning guns around the country. The criminal underground has long relied on stolen weapons with filed-off serial numbers, but ghost guns represent a digital-age upgrade, and they are especially prevalent in coastal blue states with strict firearm laws.

Nowhere is that truer than in California, where their proliferation has reached epidemic proportions, according to local and federal law enforcement officials in Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego and San Francisco. Over the past 18 months, the officials said, ghost guns accounted for 25 to 50 percent of firearms recovered at crime scenes. The vast majority of suspects caught with them were legally prohibited from having guns.

Ive been on the force for 30 years next month, and Ive never seen anything like this, said Lt. Paul Phillips of the San Diego Police Department, who this year organized the forces first unit dedicated to homemade firearms. By the beginning of October, he said, the department had recovered almost 400 ghost guns, about double the total for all of 2020 with nearly three months to go in the year.

Law enforcement officials are not exactly sure why their use is taking off. But they believe it is basically a matter of a new, disruptive technology gradually gaining traction in a market, then rocketing up when buyers catch on. This isnt just happening on the West Coast. Since January 2016, about 25,000 privately made firearms have been confiscated by local and federal law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Petra was NPR through and through, Nancy Barnes, NPRs senior vice president for news, said in an email to the staff on Saturday that was reported by the public radio network.

In a statement on Sunday, NPR said that Ms. Mayer had left an indelible mark.

This is a heartbreaking loss for all of us at NPR, our member stations and the millions of listeners in the public radio family, the statement said. Petras passion for her work, her love for her colleagues and her joy sharing books with public radio listeners have made a lasting impact.

Before her tenure as a books editor, Ms. Mayer was an associate producer and director on the weekends for All Things Considered, the radio networks flagship news program, according to NPR. She had also worked as a production assistant for Morning Edition and Weekend Edition Saturday.

In an interview on Sunday, Elke Mayer said that her daughter had been drawn to a radio career while studying at Amherst College, where she earned a bachelors degree in history in 1996, according to her LinkedIn profile.

She could have progressed to management very easily, but she loved to do the actual work, Ms. Mayer said. She loved to interview authors.
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone  When a fuel tanker exploded in Sierra Leone last week, killing 98 at the scene, the many survivors included a motorcycle-taxi driver who, while stuck in traffic, was engulfed by the fire.

The driver, Yusuf Kamara, sustained burns to 80 percent of his body. But for a time, he could walk and talk  and worry about the $27 hed lost in the fire, three days wages.

This was not childs money, not small money, and it all burned, he said in an audio note, the last recording of his voice, before he perished.

Several days after the explosion in Freetown, the countrys capital and largest city, the tragedy has claimed more lives and put the countrys already precarious health care system to the test. The death toll has climbed from 98 to 144, as of Saturday, and more survivors were still being admitted to hospitals on Friday.
Few understand that devastating new reality more than Masooma and her family. In the span of just two weeks, she and her relatives lost a grandfather, father and son  three generations of Afghan men who spent most of their lives in a country at war but died after the bloodshed was meant to be over.

When the Taliban became in power, we were not expecting these things, said Masoomas uncle-in-law, Abdul Raziq Rajabi, 50, the morning after Maisam died. But I cant say now whether the Taliban will support our people or not.

After the attack, an uneasy quiet enveloped their neighborhood of mud brick houses stitched together with narrow alleyways and electric wires dangling overhead. It is one of a handful of Shiite districts in Kandahar, the Pashtun heartland of the country. Some Shiites there are Hazara  an ethnic minority that has been persecuted for centuries  who migrated to the southern city for work or to flee violence. Others have lived in the south for hundreds of years.

Masoomas father-in-law, Haji Nematullah Rajabi, 60, migrated from the central province of Ghazni to Kandahar nearly half a century ago and lived a comfortable life in the relative calm of the city. He started selling agricultural equipment, married his wife, Sughra, and eventually had a daughter and two sons.

Ezzatullah Rajabi, 33, Sughra and Nematullahs son, married Masooma and they had three boys of their own. They moved to Kunduz, an economic hub of northern Afghanistan. The move made sense to expand the family business but terrified Ezzatullahs mother. After the Taliban briefly seized the city in 2015 and 2016, Sughra called every week begging him to return to Kandahar.
Mr. Arkane and his brothers have worked for years documenting camp conditions. Despite pressure from other Rohingya to stay quiet about ARSAs growing strength, Mr. Arkane said that its fighters now openly run training centers in the camps, its funding padded by illicit activities, such as the drug trade. Some of the men who were killed at the madrasa had gone to the police to complain that ARSA wanted to use their seminary as one such training ground, according to two family members of the victims who spoke with The Times on the condition of anonymity.

Founded by Rohingya living outside of Myanmar, ARSA attacked Myanmar security posts in 2017, killing about a dozen people. The Myanmar military responded with disproportionate ferocity, in a frenzy of executions, rapes and village burnings. About three-quarters of a million Rohingya fled Myanmar to Bangladesh in a matter of weeks, the worlds largest outpouring of refugees in a generation.

Bangladesh, which already was sheltering previous waves of Rohingya refugees, was inundated. One camp, Kutupalong, has 600,000 Rohingya living in an area less than 13 square kilometers, nine times as dense as the Gaza Strip. In Kutupalong and 33 other refugee settlements, the Rohingya have had to maintain their dignity amid landslides, fires, floods, marauding elephants, human trafficking and domestic abuse. Legally, they can neither work nor attend schools outside the camps.

Human rights groups acknowledge that the United Nations must tread carefully. It needs to encourage the Bangladesh government to impose law and order in the camps without alienating politicians who would rather see the Rohingya refugees and attendant foreign agencies depart the country.

The growing terror has resigned some Rohingya to a Bangladeshi plan to relocate part of the refugee population to Bhasan Char, a flood-prone island in the Bay of Bengal that human rights groups have called a floating prison. ARSA has less sway there.
Austria on Monday began a targeted lockdown against unvaccinated people, confining adults and minors ages 12 and older to their homes.

The move, which is aimed at calming the worst surge in infections the country has faced since the pandemic started, is believed to be one of the first national lockdowns directed at the unvaccinated, and is initially expected to last 10 days.

We do not take this step lightly, Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said at a news conference on Sunday.
Go here for the latest on the Liverpool explosion.

Three men were arrested under Britains Terrorism Act after a taxi exploded outside a hospital in Liverpool, England, on Sunday morning, killing one person and injuring another, the authorities said.

The cause of the explosion was not immediately clear. About eight hours after it was reported, the authorities announced that three men, aged 21, 26 and 29, had been arrested in the Kensington area of Liverpool. Their names were not immediately released.

Counter Terrorism Policing North West, part of a national alliance of police forces, said it was leading the investigation with support from the Merseyside Police in Liverpool.

At about 11 a.m. local time, the police responded to reports that a taxi had pulled up outside Liverpool Womens Hospital and exploded, the Merseyside Police said in a statement.
LONDON  Queen Elizabeth II has sprained her back, Buckingham Palace said on Sunday, forcing her to miss a remembrance service that she had planned to attend after canceling multiple trips and other engagements over the past month because of poor health.

This latest bad turn will deepen Britains fears about the health of the queen, who is 95, lost her husband, Prince Philip, in April, and has been out of sight for one of the longest stretches of her reign, skipping trips to Northern Ireland and a United Nations climate conference in Glasgow.

Buckingham Palace announced the queens injury and withdrawal less than two hours before she was scheduled to appear at the ceremony, having signaled earlier on Sunday morning that she would be there. Her injury was not related to earlier medical guidance that she rest for at least two weeks, officials said.

The palace offered no additional details about the circumstances or severity of the queens back sprain, though an official said that she had not been hospitalized and hoped to continue carrying out official light duties in the coming week. The queen has curtailed public appearances on the advice of doctors after what palace officials described as exhaustion, following a busy autumn of events.
SULAIMANIYA, Iraq  As the Taliban closed in on the Afghan capital, Kabul, in August, what had been a privileged education at the American University of Afghanistan suddenly became a dangerous liability.

Students and staff frantically searched for an escape route from a country that, with the withdrawal of American forces, would fall to the Taliban  a group that has described the U.S.-funded university as a den of infidels and has shut schools and universities for girls and women.

Iraq, though, was not the first destination that came to the students minds as a refuge.

OK, now Im leaving the Taliban behind, said Mashall, 24, a masters student in information technology. And now Im going to face ISIS, she said, describing her concern over the Islamic State when told her evacuation flight would end up in Iraq.

Those fears have proved unfounded for Mashall and her classmates, who are among the first Afghan students to arrive at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani. It is located in the Kurdish city of Sulaimaniya, a liberal metropolis dotted with parks, filled with cafes and restaurants, and considered the safest major city in Iraq.
Everything we have is legal regarding visas and tickets, he said. Why is it only us Kurds cannot fly?

Some passengers said the ban had led them to abandon their plans to travel to Belarus and return to Iraq, but Yousuf, 20, said he would visit the Belarusian Consulate in Dubai on Monday in the hopes of making it work. I dont want to return, he said.

On Friday, Turkish carriers said they would not fly Iraqi, Syrian and Yemeni passengers to Minsk, and on Saturday, Cham Wings, a Syrian airline, said in a statement that it had suspended flights from Damascus to Minsk in response to the situation at the Belarusian-Polish border.

The bans appeared to be achieving their goals.

In Iraq, travel agents said they had begun telling clients not to go to Minsk. Im advising people not to go in these conditions, because nothing is guaranteed, said one agent, Arkan Othman.

It was not just the bans, Mr. Othman said. Even if his customers somehow made it to Belarus, many Iraqi migrants there have found themselves stranded in freezing temperatures at the border.

And if they are able to successfully cross the border, migrants still need to find their way out of the so-called restricted zone, through one of Europes oldest and densest forests, and to send a message to local aid groups.

On Friday, the body of a Syrian man who had been trying to cross the border was found, the local police said. The authorities said he was the ninth migrant to die trying to make his way into the European Union.
CAIRO  After years underground and months of hints, the son and former heir apparent of the deposed Libyan dictator Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi emerged from the shadows on Sunday to announce that he would run for president in Libyas coming election.

The candidacy of the colonels son, Seif al-Islam el-Qaddafi, who once put a reformist face on the Qaddafi regime before helping his father crack down on opposition rebels during the Arab Spring uprising in 2011, came as little surprise  he had told The New York Times in May that he was interested in the job. Still, his reappearance sent a jolt through the already fragile efforts to hold the election, which international actors and Libyans hope will be the next major step in Libyas transition from years of civil war and chaos toward peace and stability.

The electoral process got a lift on Friday when global powers met in Paris with Libyan leaders to reaffirm their commitment to holding presidential and parliamentary votes on Dec. 24. But it remains to be seen what will come of the declaration, with Libyas leaders still unable to agree on ground rules for the balloting  neither on an electoral law nor on whether the presidential and parliamentary elections will take place simultaneously nor on the date.

The chairman of Libyas presidential council, Mohamed Menfi, said in Paris that he supported holding the presidential election on Dec. 24, but the countrys prime minister, Abdul Hamid Dbeiba, did not make the same commitment.
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A man has been seriously injured in a stabbing incident in the centre of a Midlands town

Gardai in Portlaoise are investigating an assault which occurred on Main Street, Portlaoise in the early hours of the morning on Saturday, November 13.

A man in his 40s, was seriously injured during the incident. He was taken to Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise and was later transferred to St. James Hospital, Dublin. His condition is described as serious but stable.

Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward. Gardai are particularly appealing to any persons that were near the junction of Main Street and Church Street in Portlaoise between 3am and 3.30am on Saturday, November 13 to make contact with them.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 8674100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Investigating Gardai are also aware of video footage of the incident and the aftermath currently circulating online.

They are requesting that people do not share this material.
MSU Extension of Midland County and cooperating parent educators sponsor the Parents Corner. Send submissions to Midland County MSU Extension Educator, Lisa Treiber, 220 W. Ellsworth St., Midland, MI 48640

Food Safety Q & A. MSU Extension offers a weekly 30-minute informational program about food preservation. A short presentation will be shared focusing on a timely topic, leaving plenty of time for Q & A. The next session is Baking & Cooking Ahead. Join in on this quick free presentation at 1 p.m. Nov. 15. To register, visit www.canr.msu.edu/events/fall-food-safety2021

Investigating Food with Science. Each week, youth will explore the aspects of cooking as an experiment and baking as a science. A kid-friendly recipe or experiment demonstration will be presented for youth to try at home with parents' assistance. The following week, youth can share their experiences or pictures. All sessions will be presented via Zoom. The Nov. 15 topic will be My Mold Wins. To register, visit events.anr.msu.edu/IFWS_Winter/ Any questions should be directed to Kellie Jordan jorda136@msu.edu.

Nature Play. Its time to play outdoors! Whether were making pies in the mud kitchen, pretending to be animals, lounging in hammocks or creating nature art, this hour of play is sure to engage everyone. Caregivers must remain with children during this program and are encouraged to actively play alongside the children in their care. This program will be facilitated by a Chippewa Nature Center staff member 10-11 a.m. Nov. 16. The program is designed for ages 2-10, (under 18 w/adult). Please meet in The Woods Nature Play Area near Arbury Trail. For more information visit www.chippewanaturecenter.org.

Savvy Tips for Starting a Small Business. MSU Extension is hosting an online workshop to equip you with valuable information about turning your ideas into a new business, 3-4 p.m. Nov. 17. The goal of this Zoom session is to help you navigate the technicalities involved in starting a business and how to avoid costly mistakes. Learn about the cost of doing business, risk management and credit and cash flow. There is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is required, to register visit: https://www.canr.msu.edu/mimoneyhealth/ click on the link online classes and you will then see this course as well as other options that might be of interest to you.

Story Hour. Spend an hour learning about nature at Chippewa Nature Center, 9:30-10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Nov. 18. The hour will include a story, crafts, and other age-appropriate activities. For more information, visit www.chippewanaturecenter.org.

Preserving MI Harvest Series. Michigan State University Extension will be offering a series of food preservation classes online, these free online classes will be offered at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursdays. The topic on Nov. 18 will be Preserving Food for Gifts. These sessions will not be recorded, they will only be offered live. Supporting materials will be emailed to all participants after each broadcast. Join in the fun, sign up for one, some or all these educational sessions. There is time at the end of each program to ask questions. To register visit events.anr.msu.edu/PreservingMIHarvestFall21/

Mastodons, Mammoths and Opossums Oh My! An Ice Age Exploration. Through hands-on activities, children will discover living and extinct Ice Age mammals that have called Michigan home. Participants will explore the trails for clues to help learn how mastodons, mammoths and opossums adapted to the harsh Ice Age environment. Join the exploration at Chippewa Nature Center, 2-3:30 p.m. Nov. 20. This program is designed for ages 5 and up (under 18 with an adult).

Turkey Talk and Walk. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so come to Chippewa Nature Center at 2-3 p.m. Nov. 21 to talk everything turkey. Join the CNC staff to look for wild turkeys, make turkey sounds and learn about these unique birds. This program is designed for all ages (under 18 with an adult).
LONDON (AP)  British police arrested three men under terrorism laws Sunday after a car exploded outside a hospital in Liverpool, killing one man and injuring another.

Counter-terrorism police said the three men, whose ages ranged from 21 to 29, were detained in the Kensington area of the northwest England city under the Terrorism Act.

Police also cordoned off another residential street in the city. They did not disclose details of the operation.

Police were called to reports of a blast involving a taxi at Liverpool Womens Hospital on Sunday morning. Photos showed a vehicle in flames near the hospital's main entrance.

Merseyside Police said in a statement that the vehicle, a taxi, pulled up at the hospital shortly before the explosion occurred. Work is still going on to establish what has happened and could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything.

The male passenger of the car died and the driver was being treated for non life-threatening injuries, police said.

The explosion occurred just before 11 a.m. on Remembrance Sunday, the time people across Britain pause in memory of those killed in wars.

Police said the explosion had not been declared a terrorist attack and they were keeping an open mind about the cause, but counter-terrorism police were leading the investigation.

Britain's interior minister, Home Secretary Priti Patel, said she was being kept regularly updated on the awful incident.

The Liverpool Womens Hospital said it immediately restricted visiting access until further notice and diverted patients to other hospitals where possible.

Fire services said they extinguished the car fire rapidly, and a person had left the car before the fire developed to the extent that it did.
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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.
As the government gears up for the presentation of the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy in Parliament on Monday 15th November 2021, there is an ongoing national conversation on how government should go about its revenue mobilization in order to close the gaping fiscal deficit in its books.



With dwindling revenue streams attributable to the slowdown in business activities occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic, Ghana is lagging behind most of its peers within the West African sub-region as far as the tax to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio is concerned.



While Ghana is doing below 15 percent, countries in the sub-region like Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria are hovering around an average of 18 percent, raising questions on whether increasing taxes in the 2022 budget will help the government shore up revenue inflows to fund developmental projects.



The Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah in an interview with journalists in Accra on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, suggested that as demands for public services like the construction of roads and hospitals has seen an uptake, one of the ways government can bring about development is to mobilize more domestic revenue to enable it to satisfy the legitimate needs of its people.



Obviously, we would need to introduce some new broad-based taxes if we are to rake in the needed revenues to deliver what our people desire. New taxes may have to be imposed on items that exclude the poor and do not have a high cascading effect so that it does not increase the difficulties that the Ghanaian is going through, he said.



According to him about, 8 percent to 12 percent of the countrys GDP which ideally should come to government is not coming. Yet, these economic activities are ongoing and are being recorded forcing the government to find ways to mobilize funds through taxes to fund the demands for roads, schools, hospitals.



He said the governments target through the 2022 budget is to consolidate the gains made so far in previous years and reboot the economy and set it back on track.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









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A total number of 571, 894 candidates will sit for this years Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) from tomorrow, Monday, November 15, 2021, to Friday, November 19, 2021 at 2,158 centres nationwide.



A total of 531,707 and 517,332 candidates sat for the examination in 2020 and 2019, respectively.



Mrs Agnes Teye-Cudjoe, Head of Public Affairs, West African Examinations Council's National Office, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said the Council had put in place stringent security measures to prevent leakages in this year's examinations.



She said officials of the National Intelligence Bureau monitored the production process - printing, sorting and packaging of the papers- and were confident that there would be no leakages of the papers before and during the exams.



"The Council has also increased the number of depots storing confidential materials under strict surveillance to ensure that the papers did not leak before and during the examinations," she said.



Mrs Teye-Cudjoe said all COVID-19 safety protocols would be observed during the examination, stressing that all candidates would be given hand sanitisers and that "should a candidate fall sick and a medical report is available, a committee will look into the situation and take a decision.



A statement signed by Mrs Cassandra Twum Ampofo, the Head of Public Relations, Ghana Education Service, commended teachers, school heads, parents, and other stakeholders for preparing the candidates for the examination.



The statement entreated all stakeholders to desist from any form of examination malpractice.



It said details of the selection process for the Senior High School would be communicated in due course and wished all candidates success and good luck.



Meanwhile, Mr Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, an Education Policy Research and Advocacy Organisation, said there were not enough assurances from WAEC that this years BECE would be leakage-free.



He said per historical antecedents in WAEC related examinations, he could only hope that the examining body would put its house in order to prevent the scare of what took place in this years West African Senior School Certificate Examination.



Mr Peter Korda, Head of Public Relations, Ghana National Association of Teachers, said they expected the BECE results to be better this year despite the long COVID-19 break.



He said teachers did their best to catch up with the curriculum after the 10-month break in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.



COVID-19 pushed teachers to go the extra mile to adequately prepare students for the examinations through extra classes and online teaching and assignments, he said.



He advised the candidates to adhere to the rules and instructions of the exams.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Minister for Health, Hon Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, has asked members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to work together to strengthen coordination and consultation to enable them to mitigate some of the negative impacts of the novel coronavirus on the sub-region. This, he noted, is to harmonise and ensure the consistency of policies and measures implemented by the various states.



Speaking at the 22nd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Assembly of Health Ministers (AHM) in Abuja-Nigeria on November 12, 2021, Hon Agyeman-Manu noted that working together would promote the flagship project of free movement, by easing restriction measures to facilitate the movement of goods, persons, capital and services, while at the same time strengthening health and sanitation measures.



He said it would also promote local production of essential medical products by taking advantage of innovation and new information technologies to improve health systems and promote research and development (R&D) to improve access to quality, essential medical products.





The Health Minister, who is also the Chair of the AHM, added that it would also strengthen advocacy, policy dialogue and mobilise adequate resources, through sustainable partnerships to ensure food security and nutrition and strengthen partnerships to guide and support decision-makers in implementing evidence-based interventions.



Havoc



The collaboration, he intimated, has become necessary due to the havoc the pandemic has wrecked on the sub-region.



He explained that, aside from health, the pandemic has had a heavy toll on the economies in the sub-region, a situation which threatens to impede our ability to sustain the response effort.



According to the Health Minister, a recent report by Reliefweb showed that the rate of the spread of COVID-19 in the ECOWAS region, and the restriction measures taken, are draining the socioeconomic system of the member states.



According to the report, ECOWAS recorded a budget deficit of about 6.4% in 2020 after an increase of 4.7% in 2019 and 2.9% in 2018. This sharp deterioration in the region's budget deficit is a reflection of a general situation in all the member states, he said.



"Thus, the resultant economic recession and the swift response of governments to the COVID-19 crisis would have a significant impact on the evolution of public debt relative to GDP of countries. Admittedly, this situation calls for concern as any economic downturn has a direct impact on expected investments in the health sector. This will certainly be disastrous in the midst of a pandemic of this magnitude," he added.



He noted that the adverse impact, notwithstanding, the sub-region has been successful in containing the virus despite claims by sceptics that Africa did not have the ability and capacity to deal with the crisis.



 working together, not only have we succeeded in controlling the situation, Guinea, with the support of ECOWAS and development partners, has succeeded in controlling the outbreak of Ebola and Marburg virus disease, he added.



He cautioned that the sub-region is "not out of the woods yet, and we cannot, therefore, be complacent. We must continue to comply with the existing protocols until we can be certain of flattening the curve."





Resolutions



The meeting discussed, among other things, Intra Action Review on West African Health Organization (WAHOs) Covid-19 pandemic response. It also discussed, for propose adoption, resolutions on the management of healthcare waste in the ECOWAS region; eradication of Neglected Tropical Diseases in the region; recognition of centres of excellence offering Master's degrees in nursing and obstetrics science in the ECOWAS region; operationalization of the ECOWAS Regional Medicines Regulatory Agency (ECOMA); compilation of the West African Herbal Pharmacopoeia and the ECOWAS regional health indicators scorecard.



Hon Agyeman-Manu expressed optimism that the reports and resolutions will give us a better insight into the huge efforts we have collectively made as a region, to deal with the COVID 19 pandemic as well as the other health challenges confronting us.



I am optimistic that with our continued support and availability of the requisite resources, WAHO can deliver on the mandate assigned to it by our Heads of State and Government, and the people of this region will be the better for it. We are certainly not in normal times; the stakes are obviously high, but as we have shown time and time again, this too shall soon pass, and in the end, the resilience and tenacity of our people will prevail, he stated.



Delivering his closing remarks, Hon Agyeman-Manu further urged WAHO to address the concerns expressed by the AHM in their 2020 report, particularly, the dire staffing situation to enable the organization to discharge its mandate effectively. He also encouraged member states to double their efforts to reduce maternal mortality considerably as the sub-region strives to attain the SDG target of 70 deaths per 100,000 live births. This became necessary because, despite improvement in other health outcomes, maternal mortality is still a challenge in the sub-region with over 600 deaths per 100,000 live births.



Cholera and yellow fever



In a related development, cholera and yellow fever have been reported in some countries in the sub-region, including Ghana. This came to light during the 6th Governing Board meeting of the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control (RCSDC) held on November 10, 2021, ahead of the AHM. The meeting revealed that the epidemic situation in the region was a threat present in all Member States. The meeting, therefore, discussed plans to deal with the situation. Director of Public Health, Dr Asiedu-Bekoe, attended the meeting on behalf of Ghana.





Meanwhile, Dr Kwame Amponsa-Achiano, the EPI Programme Manager of Ghana represented Ghana at a meeting of Heads of the National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) and the Heads of Vaccination Programmes held on 8-9 November 2021, where he presented a report on the key issues of the sub-regions NPHIs including high political commitment at the level of Heads of States; leveraging of existing platforms for delivering and online/electronic platforms to collect and store data on vaccination.



Earlier, Dr Eric Nsiah-Boateng had represented the Director for Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Ministry of Health, at a Health Expert Committee meeting held on 8-9 November 2021.









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Member of Parliament for the Korle Klottey Constituency, Dr, Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings has poured her heart out at the first the anniversary to mark the passing of her late father.



Reading a statement on behalf of the family at the remembrance mass ceremony of Former President Jerry John Rawlings, the MP said things have completely changed for the family since the demise of the ex-military officer.



Dr Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings, quoting a song sang by the Harmonius choir, said the demise of the former president has left an emptiness in the family.

Tell me what does it look like in Heaven..is it peaceful like they say does the sun shine bright forever...have your fears and pain gone away because hear on earth, it feels everything got us missing since you left and everything is differenttheres an emptiness, she said.



The daughter of Former President Rawlings also expressed her gratitude to all Ghanaians and the international community for their show of support to the family in their difficult moment.



we take this opportunity to thank all well-meaning Ghanaians for the outpouring of love and support when we lost our dear husband, father, grandfather and friendthe international community for its condolence as well as the ordinary citizens who shared their tribute, she stated



Former President Jerry John Rawlings passed away on November 12, 2020 at the Korle  Bu Teaching Hospital at the age of 73.













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Portugal has banned bosses from text messaging and emailing staff out of working hours as part of new laws dubbed "right to rest".



The move is part of changes being introduced to improve work-life balance in response to an expansion of working from home in the country.



Companies with more than 10 staff could face fines if they contact employees outside their contracted hours.

There are also new rules on allowing staff with children to work remotely.



Parents will be about to work at home indefinitely without seeking prior approval from their employers until their child turns eight.



And companies may also have to contribute to higher household bills from being home-based, such as energy and internet costs.



Measures to tackle the isolation remote workers can feel are also included, with companies expected to organise regular face-to-face meetings.



However, some elements of the package were not approved by Portugal's parliament, including a "right to disconnect" allowing staff to turn off all work devices out of hours.



Portugal's Minister of Labour and Social Security, Ana Mendes Godinho, told a conference in Lisbon last week that "telework can be a game-changer" but its growth needs to be regulated.



She also hoped the enhanced labour protections would attract more foreigners to the country.



"We consider Portugal one of the best places in the world for these digital nomads and remote workers to choose to live in, we want to attract them to Portugal," Ms Godinho said.



Portugal already has a temporary resident visa scheme designed to attract entrepreneurs and freelancers. The Portuguese island of Madeira has a "digital nomad village", with free wifi and office desk facilities.



Several other countries have introduced so-called "digital nomad visas", as opposed to standard tourist permits, including Barbados and Croatia.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has commended Muslim and Christian leaders in Ghana for their immense contributions to religious tolerance and peace in the country.



Addressing thousands of Muslims on Saturday, at the 2021 National Maulid - the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad, S.A.W - Dr. Bawumia said Ghana's global credentials as a religious tolerant and peaceful nation, has been made possible by the understanding and camaraderie between leaders of the two major religions in the country.



"The increasing rate of religious tolerance in the country, leading to the peace we continue to enjoy, has been the collective efforts of all, including, Muslim and Christian leaders," Dr. Bawumia said.



"When the National Chief Imam paid a surprise visit to a church a few years ago and the BBC reported it, the renowned global broadcaster was not only telling the world the uniqueness of Sheikh Sharubutu, the remarkable story, was also about the beauty of our country; how religious tolerance reigns in Ghana, and how peaceful our country is. This happened at a time there had been religious upheavals around the world."



"I acknowledge and appreciate overtures many Christian leaders continue to extend to the National Chief Imam and other Islamic clerics across the country."



The Vice President called for a continuation of such collective efforts to maintain the peace of the country, to ensure a conducive atmosphere for the government to continue with the development of the nation.



"Maintaining the peace we enjoy in our communities and country, should be the concern and responsibility of all, regardless of political or religious affiliation. Without tolerance, there will be no peace. And without peace, there will be no development" Dr Bawumia urged

"We need to jealously guard this, because, without peace, our government would not have had the conducive atmosphere to achieve so much in the past five years in the areas of infrastructure development, inclusive policies to reduce the suffering of Ghanaians and massive investment in education, etc.



"We need to jealously guard this, because, without peace, our government would not have had the conducive atmosphere to achieve so much in the past five years in the areas of infrastructure development, inclusive policies to reduce the suffering of Ghanaians and massive investment in education, etc. "



"As a government, maintaining and promoting peace in our country has always been a priority, and it is no fluke that Ghana has been ranked the most peaceful country in West Africa and 2nd most peaceful country on the African continent for 2021 by the Global Peace Index."

Source: Peacefmonline.com/ghana









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The Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Hon Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has urged Parliaments in Africa to be up and doing in terms of discharging their duties as the oversight institution of the executive.



The Leader of Government Business in Parliament made the comment whilst chairing a workshop on the topic: "The Role of African Parliaments in Combating Covid 19, Country experiences", at the ongoing 51st Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference in Abuja, Nigeria.



According to Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, often, the Public Account Committee as well as other committees of African Legislatures delay in tracking the use of state funds by the executive which is not the best for effective policing of the disbursement of the public purse.



He therefore urged African Parliaments to live up to their role as the central institution of democracy.



In a related development, the Minority Leader and MP for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has called on Parliaments in Africa to prioritise the need for increased budgetary allocation for interventions aimed at improving the lives of women and children whose plight have been worsened as a result of the economic challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic.



He made the comment today in Abuja when he chaired a workshop on the topic: The gender impact of Covid-19 Pandemic; Counting the cost of the health crisis on Women and Children in Africa.



He described the impact of Covid 19 on Women and the growth and upbringing of Children in Africa as unacceptable.

Source: Emmanuel Akorli - Abuja









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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In my lived experience, there is no Ghanaian Head of Government or Head of State who can compare with the late Comrade Chairman, and President Emeritus Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawling in terms of the exhibition of the highest degree of integrity and honour in the management of the public affair of this country for the common good of its ordinary citizens since independence on 6th March 1957, except the Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.



In terms of management skills in all facets of our governance as Head of State, including an in-depth understanding of the statecraft of our national and international relations, the life of the late President Emeritus Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawling compares in our circumstances only to the late statesman and British Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, who also did not have all those highfalutin certificates or university or college degrees. It will take this country a long time for another President who understands the ordinary Ghanaian psyche and empathizes truly with his compatriots to emerge to salvage our decaying democratic situation under the Constitution.



The late Comrade Chairman and President Emeritus Rawlings like all of us was a human being: he naturally had human weaknesses, and some of the actions taken under his leadership to restore the sanity and dignity of our decadent political system may have hurt others, and sometimes fatally. However, within the dialectics of the unity or identity of opposites in nature and man, Jerry John Rawlings integrity and honour in this life far outweighed any human weaknesses he had. The facts are evidentially demonstrated by the extent to which those who had exhibited disdain to his regimes when he was in office as Ghanas Head of State turned round to opportunistically assimilate and integrate his personality and successes into their regimes.



This in memoriam I am writing dedicated to him on the first anniversary of his demise will only serve any useful purpose when those committed cadres who started with him under the 4th June, and 31st of December Revolutions, and served in his Governments under the Fourth Republican Constitution remember at all times that part of the work we started together until his demise on 12th November 2020 remains unaccomplished.



First, several reverses have taken place since 7th January 2001 against the interest of the ordinary people of Ghana as enshrine under the 1992 Constitution. This country cannot make any meaningful progress in the absence of a strict commitment to probity, accountability, and transparency in governance as mandated by the 1992 Constitution that the late President Rawlings bequeathed to this nation. Secondly, the Rawlings social democratic tradition was to ensure genuine political, financial, and economic transparency in the handling of our common patrimony which is the democratic representative electoral process, the national purse, and the management of our collective natural resources. These are at their lowest ebb as at this first anniversary of his demise and renders at naught all the struggles for a better Ghana as the Black Star of Africa since independence.



The occasion of this anniversary, for me, is a reminder that unless and until the genuine comrades, colleagues, and younger supporters of our departed President Emeritus Rawlings bury their differences, (which was manifest long before his demise) and unite, the social democratic tradition he initiated and sustained in his lifetime would elude the ordinary Ghanaian whom he so strenuously led us to fight for and defended to his last breath on 12th November 2020. Acrimony as to who truly represents the 4th June or 31st December Revolutions or the social democratic tradition has been and is being stoked to divide and weaken the social democratic cause of the workers and people of Ghana Comrade Rawlings dedicated his life to.



May the remembrance of our dear late Chairman and President Rawlings today touch the hearts of those who have inherited his mantle to reach out to every cadre and member who had associated with him during his lifetime and to bring unity amongst all his accolades. This cannot materialize without seeking to reconcile with his dear wife without whom the social democratic tradition he epitomizes would have died in 1992 in the transition to Constitutional governance. The tremendous contribution of his dear wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, including the late Mr. Justice D. F. Annan and others, to the sustenance of the 31st December Revolution and his two Governments under the Constitution deserves to be known and appreciated at the appropriate time of his remembrance.



His dear wife, needs to be engaged notwithstanding the needless fall outs from Sunyani in July 2011 and after, whatever the cost. All antagonized cadres who remained with the leader till his demise must be engaged and reconciled. Former PNDC Members, Secretaries of State, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, and other antagonized operatives must also be engaged, and common ground jointly found for a united way forward instead of playing into the hands of the surveillance capitalism of todays Ghana.



On this occasion of remembering our dear Great Leader, Jerry John Rawlings, let all who genuinely profess to share the President Emeritus ideas and political direction remember that the polarization which this nation has suffered for the past years has translated into a further attempt to divide the Rawlings heritage for electoral purposes. This has been enabled by the monetization of politics which President Rawlings decried during his life and which this country has never seen before in its history.



Jerry John Rawling will forever live on only when those of us holding ourselves out as his former comrades, friends, and colleagues put our differences aside for the sake of uniting in his memory to carry high the torch he lit on 15th May 1979, 4th June 1979, 31st December 1981, and 7th January 1993. This must be a total commitment without hypocrisy or double agency. In unity and strength, the light of the 31st December Revolution and the 1992 Constitution bequeathed to Ghana by President Rawlings will continue to shine and lift high the Black Star of Ghana and Africa. President Rawlings in his lifetime always put Ghana First in actions and deeds, and Ghana can only succeed when comrades, colleagues, friends, and supporters continue in his stride to always put Ghana First. Jerry John Rawlings lives on!















Source: Martin A. B. K. Amidu









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Seif al-Islam, right, the son and one-time heir apparent of late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi registers his candidacy for the countrys presidential elections next month, in Sabha, Libya, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. Al-Islam, who was seen as the reformist face of Gadhafi's regime before the 2011 uprising, was released in June 2017 after more than five years of detention. (Libyan High National Elections Commission via AP)
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Mourad Amokrane Dominates the Final Table On His Way to Winning Event #71: $1,500 Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha

November 14, 2021 David Salituro

The later stages of a World Series of Poker event are usually filled with high drama and suspense. Mourad Amokrane of France ensured there wouldnt be any today on his way to winning Event #71: $1,500 Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha.

Amokrane eliminated Matt Mamiya on the first hand of heads-up play to cap off one of the most dominant final table performances in recent memory. He earned $132,844 and his first WSOP gold bracelet for outlasting the field of 860 players.

I have no words. I look at all the poker shows on TV. I know all the famous players and getting a WSOP bracelet is something unbelievable for me. I dont realize it, he said.

"It's just a beautiful feeling. My wife is calling from France right now. She was not sleeping all night to follow the updates."

Amokrane is an optician, selling eyeglasses in the suburbs of Paris. He only arrived in Las Vegas a few days before the tournament as the European travel ban was lifted. His first goal was to try to win a seat in the Main Event. Failing to do that, he jumped right into the Omaha event, his favorite game.

Im not a professional player. I have a daily job and going to Vegas is my way to relax and enjoy my hobby, he said.

Re-live all the updates from this incredibly exciting event

Day 3 Action

He proceeded to put on a show. Amokrane was the chip leader after Day 1 and came into Day 3 second in chips out of 15 remaining. After eliminating both Ryan Terpstra and Ronald Larsen on the same hand, hitting quads on the river to crack Larsens full house, he took a massive chip lead into the ten-handed unofficial final table.

Amokranes seemingly magical run to the bracelet, though, wouldnt be without adversity. He doubled up Kao Chieng Saechao and Dustin Nelson to start the final table. After holding a stack of 7,800,000, he dropped below 1,000,000.

He began his comeback by doubling up through Saechao, spiking a straight on the river holding on a board of . He then finished off the talkative Saechao in eighth place with a pair of aces.

Jeff Gross could only muster a seventh-place finish

Jeff Gross and Paulo Villena would fall next as Amokrane took firm control of the final table. He held more than half the chips with five players remaining. He eliminated Nelson in fifth place with a pair of aces and Matthew Mlsna in fourth with a set of kings.

During three-handed play, Amokrane had a chip lead of 18,100,000 while Mamiya and Matthew Humphrey had 3,400,000 combined. Amokrane rivered a straight on the river to knock out Humphrey in third and took a 60-1 chip lead over Mamiya into heads-up.

It wouldnt take long. On the first hand, Mamiya went all in for 350,000 and Amokrane called with . Mamiya made a pair of eights on the turn with the board showing , but the on the river gave Amokrane another straight, the knockout, and the bracelet.

Event #71: $1,500 Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Mourad Amokrane France $132,844 2 Matt Mamiya United States $82,100 3 Matthew Humphrey United States $58,733 4 Matthew Mlsna United States $42,604 5 Dustin Nelson United States $31,344 6 Paulo Villena Spain $23,392 7 Jeff Gross United States $17,712 8 Kao Chient Saechao United States $13,610 9 Nikolay Yosifov Bulgaria $10,616

I was really ready for this final day, he said. I had some difficult moments at the beginning of the final table. I lost a lot of chips, but I had really good reads all day and my state of mind was just serenity. I was just waiting for the good spots and I was patient. I just followed all my reads and all went well.

Amokrane is the third Frenchman to win a bracelet at the 2021 WSOP, joining Alexandre Reard and Jean-Luc Adam. He had never cashed in a WSOP event before and estimates he picked up around 40 bounties during the tournament.

He also has the bracelet and ensured La Marseillaise will once again play in the Brasilia Room when Amokrane takes his spot of honor following a victory well deserved.
The later stages of a World Series of Poker event are usually filled with high drama and suspense. Mourad Amokrane of France ensured there wouldnt be any today on his way to winning Event #71: $1,500 Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha.

Amokrane eliminated Matt Mamiya on the first hand of heads-up play to cap off one of the most dominant final table performances in recent memory. He earned $132,844 and his first WSOP gold bracelet for outlasting the field of 860 players.

I have no words. I look at all the poker shows on TV. I know all the famous players and getting a WSOP bracelet is something unbelievable for me. I dont realize it, he said.

"It's just a beautiful feeling. My wife is calling from France right now. She was not sleeping all night to follow the updates."

Amokrane is an optician, selling eyeglasses in the suburbs of Paris. He only arrived in Las Vegas a few days before the tournament as the European travel ban was lifted. His first goal was to try to win a seat in the Main Event. Failing to do that, he jumped right into the Omaha event, his favorite game.

Im not a professional player. I have a daily job and going to Vegas is my way to relax and enjoy my hobby, he said.

Day 3 Action

He proceeded to put on a show. Amokrane was the chip leader after Day 1 and came into Day 3 second in chips out of 15 remaining. After eliminating both Ryan Terpstra and Ronald Larsen on the same hand, hitting quads on the river to crack Larsens full house, he took a massive chip lead into the ten-handed unofficial final table.

Amokranes seemingly magical run to the bracelet, though, wouldnt be without adversity. He doubled up Kao Chieng Saechao and Dustin Nelson to start the final table. After holding a stack of 7,800,000, he dropped below 1,000,000.

He began his comeback by doubling up through Saechao, spiking a straight on the river holding on a board of . He then finished off the talkative Saechao in eighth place with a pair of aces.

Jeff Gross and Paulo Villena would fall next as Amokrane took firm control of the final table. He held more than half the chips with five players remaining. He eliminated Nelson in fifth place with a pair of aces and Matthew Mlsna in fourth with a set of kings.

During three-handed play, Amokrane had a chip lead of 18,100,000 while Mamiya and Matthew Humphrey had 3,400,000 combined. Amokrane rivered a straight on the river to knock out Humphrey in third and took a 60-1 chip lead over Mamiya into heads-up.

It wouldnt take long. On the first hand, Mamiya went all in for 350,000 and Amokrane called with . Mamiya made a pair of eights on the turn with the board showing , but the on the river gave Amokrane another straight, the knockout, and the bracelet.

Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Mourad Amokrane France $132,844 2 Matt Mamiya United States $82,100 3 Matthew Humphrey United States $58,733 4 Matthew Mlsna United States $42,604 5 Dustin Nelson United States $31,344 6 Paulo Villena Spain $23,392 7 Jeff Gross United States $17,712 8 Kao Chieng Saechao United States $13,610 9 Nikolay Yosifov Bulgaria $10,616

I was really ready for this final day, he said. I had some difficult moments at the beginning of the final table. I lost a lot of chips, but I had really good reads all day and my state of mind was just serenity. I was just waiting for the good spots and I was patient. I just followed all my reads and all went well.

Amokrane is the third Frenchman to win a bracelet at the 2021 WSOP, joining Alexandre Reard and Jean-Luc Adam. He had never cashed in a WSOP event before and estimates he picked up around 40 bounties during the tournament.

He also has the bracelet and ensured La Marseillaise will once again play in the Brasilia Room when Amokrane takes his spot of honor following a victory well deserved.
On April 27, 2021, Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota signed House Bill 1032 into law, making North Dakota the latest state to enact drug price transparency measures. The North Dakota law has three main disclosure requirements applicable to drug manufacturers: (1) quarterly Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) reporting, (2) disclosure of certain information upon a drug price increase, and (3) notification when introducing a new drug with a WAC that exceeds certain price thresholds.

The law defines drug manufacturer as an entity that holds the national drug code for a drug that is engaged in the production, preparation, propagation, compounding, conversion, or processing of the drug or which is engaged in the packaging, repackaging, labeling, relabeling, or distribution of the drug. Importantly, wholesale drug distributors or retail pharmacies licensed in North Dakota are not included in the definition.

Additionally, a prescription drug is defined as a drug which, under federal law is required, prior to being dispensed or delivered, to be labeled with one of the following: (i) Caution: Federal law prohibits dispensing without prescription; (ii) Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian; or (iii) Rx only; or a drug which is required by any applicable federal or North Dakota law or rule to be dispensed on prescription only or is restricted to use by practitioners only.

Quarterly WAC Reporting

For the quarterly WAC reports, drug manufacturers must submit quarterly reports to the North Dakota Insurance Commissioner no later than the 15th of January, April, July, and October. The report must disclose the current WAC for all prescription drugs sold in North Dakota by that manufacturer.

Price Increase Disclosure

A price increase that requires disclosure is one where: (1) the WAC increases by 40% or more over the preceding five years or (2) the price increases by at least 10% during the preceding 12 months for a prescription drug with a WAC of $70 or more for a manufacturer-packaged drug container.

Under either of those price increases, the drug manufacturer will need to report the below information to the Insurance Commissioner within 30 days of the price increase: (1) name of the drug; (2) whether the drug is a brand name or generic; (3) the effective date of the change in wholesale acquisition cost; (4) aggregate, company level research and development costs for the previous calendar year; (5) aggregate rebate amounts paid to each PBM for the previous calendar year; (6) the name of all drugs approved by the FDA for the affected manufacturer in the previous five calendar years; (7) the name of each of the manufacturers drugs that lost patent exclusivity in the United States in the previous five calendar years; and (8) a statement of rationale outlining the factor(s) that caused the WAC increase (i.e., raw ingredient shortage, increase in PBM rebates, etc).

New Drug Disclosure

Drug manufacturers are also responsible for informing the Insurance Commissioner within three days of a drugs release if the WAC exceeds the threshold set for a specialty drug under the Medicare Part D program. Similar to the price increase disclosure, the new drug disclosure must also include a statement of rationale that outlines the factor(s) behind why the new drug exceeds the Medicare Part D program price.

Additional Disclosure Requirements

In addition to disclosure requirements for drug manufacturers, the law includes disclosure requirements for pharmacy benefit managers and health insurers.
Editors note: This is the final article in a three-part series that began in August, shining a light on substance abuse in Aiken County and the Aiken Centers efforts to curb the crisis.

The Aiken Center is partnering with local law enforcement agencies to combat drug misuse in Aiken County by using new mapping technology to identify overdose hotspots.

As of Nov. 12, South Carolina has had 8,357 fatal and nonfatal suspected overdoses so far this calendar year, with Aiken County accounting for 358 of the total overdoses, according to the Aiken Center.

However, Aiken County is utilizing a new, innovative platform to help analyze and address the issue.

The Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP) is a program designed to help address the nationwide drug crisis.

In 2019, the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office was given a demonstration of the mapping application and released an opinion in March 2019 in support of ODMAP, according to documents obtained from the Office of the Governor. The South Carolina Governor's Office also stated the application does not violate HIPPA regulations.

Launched by the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area in 2017, the program serves as a collaborative, centralized platform for agencies to track and respond to drug crises.

By combining the data in ODMAP with collaborative partnerships which span different agencies, localities can develop and deploy a real-time plan to reduce both fatal and non-fatal overdoses," according to the ODMAP website. In a proactive effort of public health and safety preparedness, agencies can establish spike alerts for nearby jurisdictions which can serve as an early warning feature for when a spike may be entering their communities.

The Aiken Center said there was a recent spike in Charleston that was identified through ODMAP, and agencies like the Aiken Center were able to take action.

"They realized there was a cluster of overdoses happening around a hotel in a certain neighborhood," said Margaret Key, executive director of the Aiken Center. "It could have been that fentanyl was laced in some pills that people were experimenting with, or in heroin, but they went and met with that hotel manager and they got out  did a lot of education, distributed Narcan and tried to get the word out that there's help."

Utilizing ODMAP in Aiken County

The Aiken Center said the heat map of Aiken County drug overdoses looks like the shape of a snake, with the head sitting at greater North Augusta and the body of the snake winding its way through Midland Valley, leading to another bulge in Aiken; other overdoses are scattered across the rural parts of the county.

ODMAP data is entered by local law enforcement agencies in near real time. Participating agencies in Aiken County include the Aiken Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Services, the Aiken County Coroner's Office, the Aiken County Sheriff's Office, the North Augusta Department of Public Safety, the Salley Police Department and the Wagener Police Department, according to the ODMAP website.

The Aiken County Coroners Office said it adds information to the platform whenever an overdose fatality has occurred.

The Coroners Office partnership with the Aiken Center provides information regarding the total number of overdose fatalities, type of drug(s), and to assist with programs that are aimed at drug abuse, addiction and prevention, said Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables.

Data entered includes the approximate location of the overdose, the date and time of the overdose, whether the overdose was fatal or nonfatal and medication administered.

ODMAP data is "controlled unclassified information," according to the ODMAP website, meaning the information can only be released to authorized personnel. For confidentiality reasons, the public cannot view the data.

"Recipients of this information must have a need and right to know the information in the performance of their criminal justice and public health functions," according to the ODMAP website.

The Aiken Center used ODMAP to identify a hotspot in North Augusta and is hoping to open a new location in that area to help curb drug misuse on western side of Aiken County.

It's just going to be a safe place that people can go to get peer support," Key said. "[Peer support leaders] will also be able to plug people into other resources that they might need. We'll work to get them on the path that fits right for them, and what will work for them in the long term.

The Aiken Center said it is also hoping to expand partnerships on ODMAP and create a new program.

"We're ready to partner with medical [institutions], public schools, the courts, and other potential partners in Aiken County," Key said.

The new program the Aiken Center is proposing, the Overdose Fatalities Review Team, would help Aiken County officials learn more about the nature of Aiken County overdoses.

"So you've got accidental overdoses that were nonfatal, fatal overdoses, and then there's another category for suicides," Key said. "If we're able to create this Overdose Fatalities Review Team, we will also be able to review and learn from the suicides. Of the Aiken County suicides, a significant percentage are going to show in the toxicology report that drugs were in their system. So we've got to learn more about suicide attempts connected to drugs; the more we can learn from them, the better we're going to keep people from getting in those situations."

'It's hurting all of us'

Key said drug misuse issues in Aiken County are impacting the entire community, not just those that are using; repressing substance abuse is integral to a strong, successful community.

"The truth is that this is expensive," she said. "The Aiken County Council just increased the number of sheriff's deputies, and they're out there administering Narcan to people who are overdosing over and over. We need to try to quantify the economic impact on those of us who pay public service bills, because this is hurting all of us, and it's hurting our workforce development."

Read the other two articles in this three-part series below:

Aiken Center battles local substance abuse, reimagines prevention efforts

Aiken Center introduces new drug safety resources, aims to reduce overdose fatalities

+3 Aiken Center battles local substance abuse, reimagines prevention efforts Editor's note: This article is the first in a three-part series shining a light on substance abuse in Aiken County and the Aiken Center's effo

+6 Aiken Center introduces new drug safety resources, aims to reduce overdose fatalities Editors note: This article is the second in a three-part series shining a light on substance abuse in Aiken County and the Aiken Centers eff
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Jeffrey Hairston has always grown up around food, making his occupation as a chef not terribly surprising.

Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Hairston said every family function was centered around food.

"Big family get togethers, weekends, Sunday dinners," Hairston said. "There was always baking and cooking and things like that."

Hairston's mother tells a funny story, he says, about when Hairston got into cooking.

"Apparently, when I was 11, I told her a story that I knew that girls like the guy that could cook, and I didn't want to grow up eating hot dogs," Hairston said with a laugh.

Growing up, he watched plenty of cooking shows, including those with Justin Wilson, Jeff Smith and Julia Child. The Food Network was also launched, which opened up yet another channel for Hairston's interests.

"I would call my mom (at work), and I would tell her about this recipe I found and (ask her to) leave me X amount of dollars on the counter," Hairston said. "I'd walk over to the local grocery store and buy all the things and then walk back and make dinner. It just kind of started that way."

Hairston didn't go to culinary school, but instead jumped straight into the world of restaurants.

"The good thing with the Midwest, especially Columbus, is it's a test market for corporate restaurants as they want to go into more eastern states," Hairston said. "So you know, there's lots of opportunity to get jobs at kitchens where there's lots of structure and systems and corporate rules put in place."

He left corporate restaurants at the age of 24, and moved down to Florida, where he worked at a local French restaurant. The food was made a la minute, which is where nothing is prepared in advance and the food begins to be prepared when an order is placed.

The cooking process is labor-intensive, Hairston said, but it ensures that the product being served is exceptionally fresh.

After going back and forth with a few jobs in different states, Hairston moved back home to Columbus to contemplate his next move.

"My brother is currently stationed in South Carolina," Hairston said. "His base is off in Charleston, and when I was looking at where to relocate with my family, Aiken really was kind of a perfect spot. It was close enough to my brother, for visits and for family and things like that, you know, but kind of far enough away to have my own space."

Thus, Hairston moved to the area with his wife, mother and three children and in August of 2020. He became the executive chef at Rose Hill Estate, which has two restaurants: The Stables, which is a bit more casual and located in Rose Hill's old horse stables, and Sheffield's, which is in Rose Hill's main house.

"Once arriving here, I found out how artsy and eclectic and really fun (Aiken) was," Hairston said. "So it was really kind of a great surprise when we got here."

Since being in the city, Hairston said he's noticed there's a mix of culinary interests. There's lots of haute, or artful/elaborate, cuisine, as well as nouveau, which is lighter/delicate cuisine with a focus on presentation, which can be seen in restaurants like Whiskey Alley or Fuse, according to Hairston.

"Here at Rose Hill, we really try (to) take farm fresh, seasonal ingredients and really make them a focus," Hairston said. "We don't do too much to them. We treat them really, really well, and we try and make as much as (we possibly) can from scratch. (We) smoke our own bacon, we bake our own bread, we smoke our own chicken, all of our desserts are made from scratch. We really try to do as much as we can to deliver an incredibly fresh, incredibly honest product that people really enjoy."

Hairston also has started holding some fundraiser dinners at Rose Hill, which he said is a great opportunity. The dinners are based around the blessing boxes that can be found around Aiken, which house food for those who need it.

The chef took some items from the blessing boxes and used them to create a meal to show what people can make with even just basic ingredients.

"The first course was roasted chicken and summer succotash with citrus vinaigrette, and we did a little bit of tarragon oil," Hairston said. "The dessert was really fun because we actually used Jiffy corn muffin mix, which you can get (for cheap). We turned it into a really lovely citrus cake with fresh berries and fresh whipped cream."

Hairston said these dinners matter to him because it's important to him to give back to Aiken, since Aiken has given so much to him.

"It's really important to me to be able to show that myself and Rose Hill as a business both are intrinsically connected to the community around us," he said.

As food has been a constant in his life, Hairston said cooking is how he finds value in himself and expresses connection and emotion.

"People come to Rose Hill for all different reasons to dine," Hairston said. "Special occasions, things like that, and to be able to share in that moment with those people and help make that something special, it's really something that's kind of hard to describe. It's very addicting once you get the taste for it and the understanding for what you're really delivering to people. It's a pretty phenomenal experience."

He also said he loves being able to take raw ingredients and turn them into something delicious and sharing that creation with those around him.

Through it all, Hairston said his passion for what he does is what drives him.

"It's awesome that I get to come to work every day and do the thing that makes me feel best, and share that with the world around me," Hairston said.
There seems to be no end to ever-rising health insurance costs that consume more and more of our paychecks every year. And as premiums rise many policies cover less by requiring ever-larger deductibles  the amount of money that must be paid out-of-pocket before the carrier steps in to help pay the bills.

Two types of tax-friendly accounts for medical care can help a little, but health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts have important differences, risks and benefits.

Both HSAs and FSAs allow employees to use pre-tax money to pay for health care services beyond the premiums paid for insurance. Both also benefit employers, because employers don't have to pay the payroll tax on compensation workers direct to those accounts.

HSAs are one of those federal tax provisions that primarily help the wealthy, but also offer benefits to the less-affluent. They help the wealthy more because the higher one's income tax rate, the more one saves by avoiding taxation, and because higher earners are more likely to have money to sock away in an HSA.

An HSA is sort of like a 401k or traditional IRA but for health care. The pre-tax contributions escape taxation, the money can be invested and it's not taxed when withdrawn for qualifying medical expenses. Someone could put money in an HSA during their peak earning years, invest the money in stocks and bonds, and withdraw the money tax-free in retirement to pay health care bills.

Unlike retirement plans, qualifying HSA contributions are also exempt from payroll tax  the 7.65 percent rate employees and employers each pay to fund Social Security and Medicare. That's the "FICA" that appears on paycheck stubs.

So, when employees direct some of their pay to an HSA, the money isn't subject to federal or state income tax, or FICA. That means putting $1,000 into an HSA might really cost an employee less than $750  the amount that $1,000 would have been after taxes, depending on their state and federal rates.

To have such a tax-advantaged HSA an employee must first have an employer that offers a qualifying high-deductible health plan. For 2022, the government defines a high deductible as at least $1,400 for an individual or $2,800 for a family.

With an HSA, an employee could contribute up to $3,650 in 2022, or $7,300 if they have family coverage, plus another $1,000 if they are 55 or older.

The FSA model is different from an HSA in some important ways, but primarily because FSA funds are forfeited if they aren't used, usually within a calendar year. Employees get similar tax advantages, but must be careful to not contribute more to an FSA than they are certain to use during the year.

Left over money in an FSA is kept by the employer. Clearly, employers have incentives to encourage the use of both FSA and HSA accounts, but employees have incentives as well.

Using pre-tax money to pay for health care expenses is a clear and substantial savings. An FSA can also be established for dependent care expenses, offering potentially savings to parents.

One more thing to be aware of is that contributing money to an FSA or an HSA reduces future Social Security benefits, particularly for lower-wage workers. That's because contributing money to either account means those funds aren't subject to the tax that funds Social Security and are not counted in the wage calculations that eventually determine the size of one's Social Security checks.
Travel in South Carolina will be closer to pre-pandemic levels than in the U.S. as a whole this Thanksgiving, according to yearly estimates by AAA Carolinas.

Thanksgiving Travel in SC Estimated volumes of travelers in South Carolina for the 2021 Thanksgiving holiday: Total: 752,600 +13% from 2020

-2% from 2019 Automobile: 678,000 +9% from 2020

-1% from 2019 Air: 53,300 +80% from 2020

-14% from 2019 Other (Bus, Train Cruise): 21,300 +261% from 2020

-40% from 2019 Source: AAA Carolinas

Almost 753,000 South Carolinians are expected to take a trip over the holiday, per AAA's report, down 2 percent from pre-pandemic figures. For the U.S. overall, travel volumes are expected to be about 5 percent below what they had been before the health crisis.

The Palmetto State's estimated travel total represents a 13 percent rebound from 2020 and about 98,000 more South Carolinians who will be hitting the roads and passing through airports compared to last year, so people should be prepared for more crowds, AAA warned.

The biggest difference will be in the state's airports. While the number of travelers by car will be up by about 9 percent, projected air travel volume will be up by 80 percent.

Last year, about 10,660 South Carolinians boarded planes for the holiday, according to AAA's data. An estimated 53,500 will fly this Thanksgiving.

New changes in COVID-19-related travel restrictions could also impact travelers' experience at airports.

As of Nov. 8, the U.S. started allowing fully vaccinated international travelers back into the country. With that change, "airports will be even busier than we've recently seen," AAA executive Debbie Haas said in a roundup of holiday travel figures and tips.

While air travel has been on the rise, AAA found the average lowest fare this Thanksgiving is about 27 percent less than last year.

But, in its annual holiday outlook, the travel site Hopper, which primarily tracks flights, said ticket prices nationwide will average around $300 this Thanksgiving  23 percent higher than in 2020 but about 11 percent below pre-pandemic fares.

For those hitting the road, costs are definitively up.

Gas prices surged this fall and are expected to stay high through the holiday. The average price for gas in South Carolina was $3.15 per gallon on Nov. 12. Thanksgiving gas prices haven't been that high since 2013.

Last year, the state average was $1.87 per gallon on the holiday.

Room re-add

One of the most prominent hotels in Charleston's Historic District is asking the city's permission to add back a couple of guest rooms.

The Mills House Hotel at Meeting and Queen streets is asking to change its guest room count from 216 to 218 units.

The change would effectively "restore two guest rooms within the building that were previously altered," according to the application submitted to the city's Board of Zoning Appeals.

Built with 237 rooms, the hotel's guest room count over the year was reduced to 214 by combining rooms or converting them for other purposes, the application says. In 2013, the city's zoning board OK'd a similar request, to go from 214 to 216 rooms.

The board will review this new change at its Nov. 16 meeting.

Also known as the "Big Pink Hotel," the Mills House recently came under new management.

Formerly part of Wyndham Grand Hotels, it's now with Davidson Hospitality Group of Atlanta, under its "lifestyle" vertical Pivot. The hotel is going to be going through a "significant transformation and elevated repositioning, according to a recent announcement from Davidson and property owner, RLJ Lodging Trust.

Details of that transformation haven't been announced, but a spokesperson said last month that a full renovation of all spaces in the hotel was planned.

The Mills House dates back to 1853. The current building is a reproduction of the original, completed in 1970.
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Even as the third deadly surge of the coronavirus pandemic peters out in South Carolina, nurses who work for the state's top academic medical center say they've been pushed to the point of exhaustion and hospital leaders aren't doing enough to address severe staff shortages.

Some nurses at the Medical University of South Carolina recently spoke to The Post and Courier and described working conditions that make it impossible to take 30-minute lunch breaks during a 12-hour shift, even though they are not paid to work through lunch.

MUSC spokeswoman Heather Woolwine told The Post and Courier the hospital is sensitive to the stresses nurses have felt during the pandemic.

"We are always concerned about our employee morale and recognize that an engaged workforce is critical to providing the highest quality of care," she said. "Communication between our leadership and team members is a key element of our strategy. In addition to our multiple newsletters, we have quarterly town halls and encourage employees to speak up about the things on their minds. Additionally, multiple times a week senior leaders round in different units to help to identify not only patient care concerns but also employee concerns about their well-being."

That includes making sure they're not forced to skip lunch, she said.

"We never want to see this happen, and it is a reality at times for all hospitals," Woolwine said. When nurses must skip lunch, they are instructed to report a "time entry correction" to ensure they're compensated for the additional time worked, she said. MUSC has made "this one of our goals that we will be measuring this year."

National nursing shortage

At the heart of the problem is an ongoing national nursing shortage that MUSC hasn't been spared from, Woolwine said, explaining the hospital is doubling-down on efforts to hire more nurses.

"As you know, we are experiencing a national nursing crisis, and unfortunately, MUSC Health is not immune to this impact. We have enhanced our RN recruitment efforts and implemented a multi-tiered approach," she said, which includes creating a recruitment team exclusively to find new registered nurses. "Despite the shortage of nurses across the nation, and especially in South Carolina, MUSC has been successful in recruiting nurses to join our team and expand our nursing workforce despite the pandemic."

Even so, nurses who work at MUSC, or who have recently left, say the hospital's efforts are falling short, evidenced by relatively minor issues  such as finding time to use the bathroom during a work shift  to major ones, like fearing for the safety of patients in their charge. The bottom line is that the number of nurses working at MUSC simply isn't sufficient, they say.

"The demands have increased. The workload has increased. The stress has increased," said MUSC nurse Laura Hoover, who recently met with the hospital's chief nursing officer to talk about her concerns related to paid time off.

Hoover sent an email to more than 20 hospital leaders, including MUSC's president and CEO, back in September during the height of the third surge, relaying that nursing managers "are throwing bowls of water onto a burning ship to keep morale up."

"It isn't the patient load, long hours or short staffing that is causing MUSC nurses to leave the bedside in droves," Hoover wrote. "It's the way you're treating us during it."

The nursing shortage Woolwine described isn't unique to MUSC. More than 3 million nurses work in the U.S., but federal workforce statistics estimate this country will need another 1.1 million nurses to meet its future needs. The University of South Carolinas College of Nursing predicts this state will face the fourth-worst nursing shortage in the U.S. by 2030.

MUSC has hired more than 1,200 nurses in Charleston since the start of the pandemic and has more than doubled the number of temporary travel nurses who work at the hospital, Woolwine said. But nearly 700 nurses have resigned during the same time frame. This year alone, MUSC has experienced a 26 percent turnover among nurses  a number, she said, that's consistent with other academic medical centers.

Locally, the nursing turnover rate this year at Roper St. Francis Healthcare has been 15 percent, corporate spokesman Andy Lyons said. Trident Health, which operates for-profit hospitals in North Charleston and Summerville, would not disclose its year-to-date nursing turnover rate.

"The reasons for the increased nursing departures are multi-factorial and mainly due to the impact of COVID on our workforce," Woolwine said in a statement. "This includes travel nursing, with the lure of high salaries for a short period of time, increased stress related to taking care of high volume of COVID-19 patients, unstable daycare or school situations, and numerous other personal reasons. Our MUSC leadership team is very focused on efforts to ensure that we recruit and retain the best talent in South Carolina."

Speaking up

Nurse Elizabeth Kinder recently left MUSC after working in the hospital's intensive care units for six years. Kinder, like her colleagues, was concerned about staffing levels and patient safety during the pandemic and she had taken her concerns to hospital leaders earlier this year, trying to offer solutions that would keep nurses from resigning, such as awarding retention bonuses as an incentive to stay. The hospital implemented some of her suggestions, but not all of them. Kinder recently left the hospital for a travel nursing job.

"Were just looked at as a warm body at MUSC. Were not valued. Why would you stay? The only reason to stay is if you have to. For so long, work was a positive place. It was OK that you devoted so much of your time and energy to this place because you had this sense of team. But now, that family environment is gone," Kinder said.

Earlier this year, Kinder launched a closed Facebook group for nurses at MUSC to communicate in a private forum. Then, in September, she spoke to The Post and Courier for an article about the nursing shortage at MUSC. The hospital later opened a human resources investigation related to the Facebook group. The investigation was closed and she faced no punitive actions, Kinder said.

She eventually decided to leave the hospital.

"Why would I continue to devote my heart and soul into this place that will never see me as more than a number?" she asked.

Kinder's departure was particularly upsetting to some of her colleagues. One nurse who still works at MUSC and asked to remain anonymous said the investigation into Kinder's Facebook group had a chilling effect on the rest of the staff.

Hospital leaders frequently use the buzzwords "family" and "just culture" to describe the workplace, but they're not living up to those ideals, she said.

"The culture at the hospital should be one where (the nurses) are safely able to speak up and not have ramifications," she said. But now there is "a sense that people will be punished if they speak up."

This is a recurring theme, another MUSC nurse said. He said he was once reprimanded by his manager when he filled out the required paperwork to be compensated for working through lunch during a busy shift. He asked to remain anonymous because he is still employed by MUSC.

"Initially, I tried to find coverage and take the (lunch) break. It started getting progressively more difficult and staffing became more problematic," he said. "They spent years not bolstering the system and ignoring that particular problem."

End of the third surge

"Magnet Recognition" is conferred by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and is widely considered one of the most prestigious distinctions a hospital can earn for nursing excellence. Fewer than 10 percent of all hospitals in the United States have achieved Magnet status. MUSC has been one of them since 2015.

"Magnet Recognition is not merely an award or a badge of honor," Woolwine said. "It is steadfast proof of a hard-earned commitment to excellence in health care, with contented nurses at its heart. Our nurses at MUSC Health are fantastic and the Magnet Recognition is one example of external validation of the importance that MUSC Health places on nurses."

She acknowledged that the hospital's nursing staff has "significantly stepped up during this pandemic."

"We recognize the great stress this pandemic has placed upon them. We will continue to work with them closely to ensure they get through this pandemic in a positive and safe manner," she said.

Meanwhile, COVID activity continues to decline across the state as the third surge comes to an end. It is unknown when the pandemic's next surge will take hold. Hospital ICU capacity in South Carolina remains 75 percent full.
BEAUFORT  For the past 12 years, David Edwards has been on a mission.

The retired Navy petty officer second class has been working each year around the holidays to cover every single headstone at Beaufort National Cemetery with a memorial wreath to honor and remember those fallen service members.

It started with 170 wreaths but over the years rose to 21,000 wreaths being donated and placed throughout the 33-acre cemetery.

This year, Edwards is preparing to place around 5,000 wreaths there. But it's still shy of the 26,000 headstones he's trying to reach in Beaufort National Cemetery.

"The year we did 21,000 it looked beautiful," Edwards said, starting to get emotional. "It would mean so much to the people that come and visit the cemetery and their loved ones if we filled the whole place."

Beaufort became the site of a national cemetery in 1863 during Abraham Lincoln's presidency. It's located on Boundary Street, just north of the historic district downtown. It is one of three national cemeteries in South Carolina.

Two Vietnam-era Medal of Honor recipients are buried there: Ralph Henry Johnson and Capt. John James McGinty III. Service members dating back to the Civil War are buried in Beaufort National Cemetery.

Edwards runs the Beaufort chapter of Wreaths Across America, a national nonprofit organization based in Maine which organizes donors and volunteers to help place thousands of wreaths at military cemeteries across the country.

It started in 1992, when Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine, saw he had an excess of wreaths at the end of the holiday season. Inspired by a trip to Arlington National Cemetery when he was a 12-year-old boy, Worcester decided to give back.

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He began working with local veteran service groups to get the wreaths ordered, shipped and placed on headstones. The tradition began to grow.

"The annual tribute went on quietly for several years, until 2005, when a photo of the stones at Arlington, adorned with wreaths and covered in snow, circulated around the internet," the Wreaths Across America website states. "Suddenly, the project received national attention."

More than 2,500 locations across the country, including the Beaufort site, now participate in the tradition where, every Dec. 18, volunteers from across the country lay wreaths on the headstones and say the name of each veteran during the placement.

The wreaths stay until Jan. 20, Edwards said, giving families a time to come visit and remember their loved ones.

"It's been proven that you die twice  once when you pass and once when people stop saying your names," Edwards said. "Our motto is to remember, honor and teach our children about their sacrifice."

Miff Cone, one of the volunteers for the Wreaths Across America effort in Beaufort, said the wreath display is a powerful reminder not to forget each veteran's legacy. Each wreath is made of completely natural materials and costs $15.

"If these men and women are willing to sacrifice for me, how can I not spend $15 to help cover their headstones and honor them?" Cone said. "It's the least we can do for all they've done, It's a way to support them and their families."

Edwards said the deadline to donate wreaths for the effort is by Thanksgiving. Volunteers interested in donating money or those who are interested in placing wreaths can contact the Beaufort Wreaths Across America team by calling 912-313-1506, by emailing waabeaufort@outlook.com or going to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.
Donald Trump called upon Republicans to target U.S. Reps. Nancy Mace and Tom Rice in their 2022 primaries, delivering both South Carolinians a massive blow as they already faced packed fields of challengers.

The former president, in a statement on Nov. 13, called on "Any interest from good and SMART America First Republican Patriots" to challenge myriad politicians across the country.

Both Rice, R-Myrtle Beach, and Mace, R-Charleston, were named in Trump's news release.

It reads:

NEW!



President Donald J. Trump:



"Any interest from good and SMART America First Republican Patriots to run primary campaigns against Representatives Tom Rice, John Katko, Don Bacon, Don Young, Fred Upton (challenge accepted), Andrew Garbarino, Peter Meijer (challenge accepted) pic.twitter.com/5RY8oQGDwH  Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) November 13, 2021

Mace, a first-term congresswoman, has faced severe criticism by Trump loyalists and some members of her base after she took aim at the former president following the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol that interrupted the certification of the 2020 election results.

Every accomplishment that Republicans have made over the last four years, including President Trump had (made), were wiped out in just a few short hours, Mace told The Post and Courier following the January events on Capitol Hill.

Mace, however, did later vote against authorizing the Jan. 6 commission and also voted to oust U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney from GOP leadership after her harsh condemnations of the president.

Rice, who has been in Washington for nearly a decade, gained notoriety nationally for his role as one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump over his role in the Jan. 6 rioting.

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The South Carolina Republican Party censured him and also left him off the guest list for its First in the South conference in Myrtle Beach on Oct. 29 and 30.

Rice voted with Trump 94 percent of the time over the past four years, according to FiveThirtyEight. But his vote to impeach Trump was deemed counter to what some of the loudest voices in the Republican base value most: an enduring loyalty to the former president.

Late last month, Mace voted to hold Steve Bannon  one of President Donald Trumps closest allies  in criminal contempt of Congress after he defied a subpoena from the committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

She was the only lawmaker among the six Republicans in the states House delegation to support the contempt charge.

"Serving in Congress is the honor of my lifetime," Mace said in a statement. "I look forward to continuing to serve the 1st District."

In a late-night statement, Rice took Trump's comments in stride and said clearly the former president isn't too pleased with his current challengers if he's looking for others.

"Well, at least I'm number 1!," Rice told The Post and Courier. "Looks like he's thrilled with my current opposition."

The statement from Trump could lead to more challengers hoping into an already packed field of candidates looking to take on the two South Carolina Republicans, and could also tip the scales in favor of some who have already announced their intentions.

Mace faces three announced GOP challengers and one Democrat. Rice faces at least 10 challengers so far.

"Saving America starts by saving the GOP from RINOs, sellouts, and known losers!" Trumps said in his statement.
COLUMBIA  In fewer than 400 words, Gov. Henry McMaster brought the Palmetto State into the latest battleground in the culture war: the presence of books in South Carolina public schools depicting physical relationships between LGBTQ couples.

In a Nov. 10 letter to Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman, McMaster called on Spearman and the State Law Enforcement Division to begin a comprehensive investigation into the presence of obscene and pornographic materials in public schools.

The impetus for his request, according to the letter, was a parent-led effort in Fort Mill to remove a copy of a graphic novel by artist Maia Kobabe titled "Gender Queer: A Memoir," a page of which depicts an unclothed, same-sex couple in bed.

These parents of these children know whats good form and whats bad form, and this is something thats a bad form, McMaster told reporters Nov. 11.

He added, Were going to remove things that cause harm to our children, or put obstacles in their path as they grow up.

McMasters objections to the book add to a growing trend in conservative politics, raising questions whether the push against LGBTQ content is organic or the strategic push of wedge issues in conservative-leaning states.

During a press briefing, McMaster said he had not seen the book until Nov. 9, and only realized the book was controversial after listening to parents' concerns. Two days before McMasters statement, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott penned his own letter to top state education officials specifically targeting Kobabes book.

Abbott called for officials to immediately develop statewide standards to prevent the presence of pornography and other obscene content in Texas public schools, a refrain echoed by McMaster days later.

Abbott's move came after Virginia saw Republican Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin this month ride a wave of parental protests in suburban counties against LGBTQ content and topics like critical race theory. He won in a state Democratic President Joe Biden carried by double digits in 2020.

Kobabes book had been central to a debate over LGBTQ content in suburban Fairfax County where a local school board voted for its removal despite the objection of numerous advocacy groups, who claimed the book introduced LGBTQ teens to themes in a safe and nuanced way they were likely to grapple with on their own.

"Books are quite often the safest, most accessible way for young people to engage with new ideas and situations, and can reflect realities of their lives they otherwise fear discussing," the National Coalition Against Censorship wrote at the time. "While individual parents are free to make choices about what their own children read, they must not be allowed to determine what materials all students have access to."

National attention

National Republican figures, meanwhile, have looked to cash in on the successes of Virginia. The day after Youngkins victory, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy announced support for a federal Parents' Bill of Rights closely aligned with legislation first enacted in Florida earlier this year to give parents legal supremacy over their childrens medical care and education.

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Shortly after, U.S. House Study Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., issued a strategy memo suggesting Republicans can and must become the party of parents," a refrain that was soon repeated by top GOP voices like Ohio Republican congressman Jim Jordan.

To many, its a relatively new movement whose seeds were planted at the local level, one that helped change the course of a heavily-scrutinized gubernatorial election in Virginia. But the conversation is several years old.

Nationwide, protests backed by conservative groups like the Family Policy Alliance and fundamentalist pastor James Dobsons Focus on the Family have been waged in state capitols from California to Colorado to Massachusetts since 2019, while protests against LGBTQ content in states like Wyoming were largely organized by small groups of local activists.

Nor is the conversation new to South Carolina. In 2016, the College of Charleston faced threats of budget cuts for promoting a book with homosexual themes to freshman students. Around the same time, a West Ashley school district pulled a popular young adult novel from circulation over what some parents described as dark and explicit content.

Whether the image in the book meets South Carolinas threshold for obscene or pornographic content  narrowly defined under state statute is still an open question. SLEDs involvement will be as extensive as is warranted by the findings of an investigation, said McMaster spokesman Brian Symmes.

The governors attention to this problem has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with making sure taxpayer dollars arent being used to put obscene materials in school libraries and addressing the legitimate concerns of parents who rightly believe pornographic images dont have a place in our schools, Symmes wrote in a statement to The Post and Courier.

Symmes did not respond to a follow-up question about McMasters specific objection to the books content.

Capitalizing on history

History has shown the strategy to be a consistent one for Republicans, albeit with mixed success. In the late-2000s, conservative think tanks like the Hoover Institute issued memos urging conservatives to push parental involvement in education in a race eventually won by Democrat Barack Obama. In the 1950s, the uproar from an anti-obscenity campaign in public schools by Illinois Republican Gov. William Stratton contributed to a narrow margin of victory in his reelection campaign in 1956 and his eventual defeat in 1960. But some conservative strategists believe the current push, inspired largely by parents, could actually help buoy conservative candidates in 2022.

Shortly following Youngkins victory in Virginia, Politico reported the Democratic Governors Association would divert resources away from unseating Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to protect incumbent governors elsewhere  a striking shift in strategy for what has traditionally been perceived to be a swing state.

In some polls, conservatives are leading on the issue. According to a Nov. 10 poll by Susquehanna Polling and Research, 45 percent of likely voters believe parents should have supremacy over what their children are taught in schools, compared to 42 percent who believe school districts and employees should decide.

The pandemic was an eye-opening experience for many parents forced to work from home as they recognized that what their children learned in schools was in direct conflict with the values taught around the kitchen table, said Republican Governors Association spokesman Will Reinert. As the 2022 campaign begins, parents are sure to reward leaders, like Henry McMaster, willing to take a stand to allow mothers and fathers to provide input on what their kids learn through their taxpayer-funded education.

That said, education issues only mean so much. According to a Nov. 7 poll by the Morning Consult, education ranked as a top issue for just 4 percent of voters.

Their primary concern? The economy, which polled at 39 percent.
DEBATE: Chicago police officers along with other city workers and their supporters listen as Chicago Fraternal Order of Police president John Catanzara speaks during a protest at city hall against the mayor's vaccination policy for city employees on Oct. 25, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. Scott Olson/Getty Images/Tribune News Service
Yesterday I reiterated the questions raised by Andrew Lugers August 2016 letter to counsel for Ilhan Omar. Luger saved Omars career when he sent out the letter in violation of Department of Justice policy and what I understand to be the essence of the facts. Now that President Biden has nominated him to serve a second tour as United Stats Attorney for Minnesota, perhaps he can answer a few questions about it. This he has so far declined to do.

I did not understand the crucial role Lugers letter played until I read the Minnesota campaign finance board file on Omars 2016 state legislative campaign. The file was released in June 2019 at the conclusion of the boards investigation, which found Omar responsible for several violations of state campaign finance law. She just doesnt think the law applies to her, and she has been proved right many times over.

The board investigation coincidentally revealed that Omar had filed joint tax returns in 2014 and 2015 with a man to whom she was not married while legally married to another man. Pulling on only a few thread of the story unravels the fraud we have been pursuing since 2016. That is where Omars campaign finance wrongdoing began as she sought to deal with coverage of her curious case. Omar defrayed the cost of redoing her 2014 and 2015 tax returns with campaign funds. And why not?

Carla Kjellberg was a key witness in the campaign finance investigation. I have posted the transcript of her deposition below via Scribd. I have also posted the deposition exhibits here on Sribd. Kjellberg is an attorney and Omar supporter who served on Omars 2016 crisis committee. Reading the deposition, one can see that Kjellberg had a youve got to be kidding me moment regarding the tax returns. Her testimony is shrouded in vagueness, but the picture nevertheless comes into focus.

The tax returns, Kjellberg explained, were definitely related to the campaigns public relations crisis (pages 21-22). What was it? She testified that the tax returns would have been something discovered ancillary to the allegation that her current marriage [to Ahmed Hirsi, husband number 1], was not legal, or not  whats the word I want  not recognized by the state or the federal government, and that she was still married to someone else [i.e., Ahmed Elmi, husband number 2] (page 23). Further, That  this was correcting something that could have been detrimental to Ms. Omar.

Here Kjellberg described the threat with which the crisis committee was dealing (page 30):

The threat is that a right-wing blog [i.e., Power Line] begins a false narrative based on racial assumptions that could affect Ilhans election and Ilhans standing [Ed.: This is a complete and utter crock]. The legitimate media then runs with that right-wing blog and it gains legitimacy. That legitimacy fell drastically once [United States Attorney] Andy Luger said thats false [by letter dated August 22, 2016]. The danger of something being said again in the right-wing blog with anything is still present. I mean, its still present today. So when I previously testified that it was over when Andy Luger made the statement, what I meant was, that sense of the world is falling apart, we need to do something immediately, had lessened greatly.

Andy Lugers August 22, 2016 letter, as it turned out, was the crisis committees ace in the hole. Refuting an allegation we never made  that Omars immigration status was under investigation  the Omar crisis team put the story of her sham marriage to husband number 2 to rest, thus demonstrating in its own way the value of friends in high places in law enforcement.

65_Carla Kjellberg Depo by on Scribd
Kto szuka: Nordea Bank Abp SA Oddzia w Polsce Stanowisko: IT Service Manager in Calypso for Large Corporate & Institutions in Application Maintenance Numer referencyjny: 3417 Lokalizacja: Gdansk pomorskie

Wymagania stawiane pracownikowi:

We are looking for IT Service Manager that can ensure the daily management of the business critical application Calypso and play supportive role to other critical applications from the Application Maintenance side. You are expected to help with driving the improvement agenda with Business, IT operations and IT Development stakeholders from Nordeas backoffice area.

Working in an IT area, every day can bring new challenges. We are moving into the next generation of Application Maintenance, adopting Agile, DevOps and reliability engineering principles  and you will be a core part of this transformation.

You will act as an IT Service Manager, possibly Application Provider, who is a senior functional leader with no direct staff reporting to You. Working with international teams in an inspiring working environment, youll have lots of opportunities to expand your skills and advance your career.

At Nordea, we know our customers needs are changing  and were deeply committed to meeting them with the financial solutions of tomorrow. Were creating an agile environment where were harnessing the power of technology  one where you can make an impact. So bring your skills, ideas and unique background. With us, youll find plenty of opportunities to grow and make your mark on something bigger.

About this opportunity

As a senior IT Service Manager, you will be expected to handle a portfolio of applications and working very closely together with the Technology Execution Team for support of your applications in scope. This will be done in the alignment with the Business Area Technology Leader and Lead TSL for TCO Technology who set the strategy and roadmaps.

What youll be doing:

Manage the interface to business technology stakeholders and processes including communication to foster alignment between business technology and Core technology.

Ensure management of portfolio of specific applications and vendor contracts.

Managing assignment of Vendor delivered people within area of Calypso responsibility

Champion technology strategies and create awareness of technology trends and opportunities.

Ensure execution and deliverables according to technology delivery plans observing the priorities, execution structure, funding and capability resource plans.

Work in close cooperation with Technology Capability Heads, BATL and Lead TSL.

Ensure continuous alignment with Technology strategy (workforce, partnerships, standards) as well as with common frameworks and standards.

Drive collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to steer current work and manage escalations like Incidents  Problem handling and impediments across your portfolio.

Planning and optimization of technology total cost of ownership for own business portfolio.

You will be working closely with the business  execution and development teams for your area, ensuring full alignment across the delivery chain.

The role will be based in Poland or in Denmark. We are looking forward to welcome you to an experienced leadership team, that together work on ensuring that Application Maintenance builds Trust and enables Great Customer Experiences.

Who you are

Collaboration. Ownership. Passion. Courage. These are the values that guide us in being at our best  and that we imagine you share with us.

To succeed in this role, we believe that you:

Have leadership experience and know how to set direction, delegate and use feedback

Understand how financials world works and able to provide the answers for your portfolio.

Result oriented, taking ownership, reaching out and making things happen

Collaborate with and influence partners and stakeholders across the value stream.

Role model for collaboration, empowering own team, inspiring the can do attitude.

Communicate in a clear and understandable way and know your stakeholders.

A deep understanding of technology strategy and delivery options for Change and Run.

A deep understanding of own technology domain.

Customer centric mindset actively seeking value-creation opportunities through technology.

Curiosity and interest on understanding and fulfilling business requirements and delivering exceptional customer experience.

A by nature creative and innovative person with strong problem-solving skills.

Understanding Agile and DevOps, working with Kanban and Jira

Your experience and background:

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Movie title: Amina

Running Time: 1hour 45minutes

Based on: Queen Amina (the history of the first woman to rule the Zazzau empire in the 16th century )

Director: Izu Ojukwu

Producer: Okechukwu Ogunjiofor

Lead Cast: Lucy Ameh (Queen Amina), Ali Nuhu (Danjuma), Yakubu Mohammed ( Barde), Victoria Nweke (Mero), Abu Chris Gbakann (Sarki), Dan Chris Ebie, (Galadima), Usman Tijani (Ibrahim) Clarion Chukwura (Zumbura), Ummi Mohammed (Zaria), Godwin Ogaga(Kabarkai).

Date of release: November 4, 2021.

Amina, the long-anticipated historic movie, which took the producer about 25 years to execute, is currently streaming on Netflix.

The movie, which was originally shot in 2015, has garnered so much buzz on social media because it is being hailed as the comeback movie of the veteran Nollywood producer, Okechukwu Ogunjiofor.

Originally scheduled for release in 2017, the eponymous epic movie tells the untold story of Queen Amina of Zazzau.

Plot

The movie begins with a duel scene between Zazzaus unbeatable champion Kabarkai and Danjuma. The former had magical powers, which he had obtained from his mother, Zumbura, the priestess of the Oralce Tukur Tukur. The magic made him undetectable in combat.

The magic that made his body inpeneratable for any weapon.

However, Danjuma, an Igala prince and slave in Zazzau, tactically threw sand at Kabarkai, in combat, which destabilised him.

Danjuma, taking advantage of Kabarkais unsettledness, threw his spear at the contenders right eye.

Unfortunately, Danjuma couldnt crown his victory by killing Kabarkai, and ultimately gain freedom, because the Sarki stopped the combat to save the Kabarkais dignity.

The young Princess Amina, who had witnessed the combat, began to develop an interest in acquiring military skills, which at the time, was a taboo for females in Zazzau.

The Madawaki was a strong opposition to Princess Amina, and a threat to her father, Barkwa Turunku, the Sarki. As she grew into a fearless warrior entangled in love with the enemy, every other major plot revolved around Amina fulfilling her destiny and ascending her throne in Zazzau.

PROPS

Amina is a feature film made with collaborations that spanned three continents of Africa, Europe and America. In the period drama, the director employed a linear narrative . This means that the events are largely portrayed in a chronological order, that is, telling the events in the order in which they occurred. So, we see a plot that pretty much begins from the 16th-century when the young Queen ruled the Zazzau empire.

Although the storyline is simple, with the use of English, Hausa and Igala languages, the movie is action-packed and succinctly depicts the incredible life and times and of course, beauty of Amina, a young and fearless warrior princess.

Although she was born in a highly chauvinistic society, she conquered the Zazzau empire and became the first and outstanding female Sarki in Nigerian history.

According to Ogunjiofor, the cast was engaged in pre-production training where they were first camped for three months and trained on how to ride horses, and use swords to fight on horsebacks, before commencing shoot proper.

Furthermore, the filmmaker ensured that every character gained mastery of different skills like horse riding and the use of swords and shields.

Ogunjiofor deserves some accolades, as the producer of the movie. I mean managing over 1000 cast and crew members, and overseeing the entire production process, which took 25 years to complete, is by no means a mean task

One of the things the film gets right is the production design, especially in scenes set in the bygone era, with tastefully-done recreations of the 16th century.

Moreso, several ancient buildings made of muds and stones were constructed on the location, to look exactly like Queen Aminas palace, as was applicable in the 16th century.

The movie Amina should be applauded for its top-notch technical, visual presentation and nuanced performance. The costumes and locations were also another amazing highpoint of the movie that is commendable because they showcase the historical background of the movie.

Moreso, the soundtracks were apt to every scene used. It further reinforced the fact that Nollywood has evolved technically and soundtrack-wise,I mean, gone are the days when soundtracks narrated the entire movie. Think 1990s Nollywood. The best thing about Amina is its premise.

Lucy Ameh (Queen Amina)

Despite some sloppily-written scenes the producers got the characterisation of Queen Amina of Zazzau played by Lucy Ameh right.

Ameh, a native of Benue State, was born and raised in Kaduna but schooled in Plateau, and Kaduna States respectively.

The Nollywood starlet has featured in some Kannywood movies like Braids on a Bald Head, Bariga Sugar, and many others. She was, however, a class act in the movie which was demanding and required her pulling several stunts.

In an interview with Bella Naija, the actress narrated how she was flung off her horse one time on set and fell headfirst into the ground. As she crashed to the ground, she was not sure she would survive. The accident delayed shooting for three weeks, but she was resilient about her role, she said,  The first day I went back on the horse, I was traumatised. But at some point, I just got over it and I got into it and Amina came back again.

Ali Nuhu (Danjuma)

Nuhu, Who is popular in Kannywood, where he often speaks Hausa language, in this movie played a dynamic role as an Igala prince.

Although his character did not require much dialogue, he was able to portray the role of a lover boy through his romantic gestures towards Amina.

Clarion Chukwura (Zumbura)

Veteran Nollywood actress, Clarion Chukwura, also featured in the movie as Zumbura the priestess of the oracle ,Tukur Tukur, and the mother of Kabarkai.

Not many know that the 57-year-old veteran actress, who hails from Anambra State, is very fluent in Yoruba and Hausa languages.

Chukwuras performance was outstanding, it reminded us of her role in the epic movie, Egg of Life.

The veteran actress, who seems to be selective about the roles she plays, played a spontaneous role in Amina, which seemed almost like second nature..

Short-comings

Although the makers of Amina have included enough scenes to defend themselves against accusations of not showcasing Aminas military prowess, its not enough. The loopholes are still glaring.

It is believed that there are no perfect movies, however, there are very good and exceptional movies and Amina could be described as one. Cinematically, Amina is one of the best movies to come out of Nollywood this year.

However, any good history student familiar with the history of Amina of Zazzau knows that she is the subject of many legends. As with most Nigerian historical figures, the absence of little or no documented information and data,means that not much is known about Aminas ascension and reign and this is a major flaw in the film.

While some say she killed every man she ever made out with, others disagree that her power was not military competence alone, but assisted by mystical or magical powers.

The movie was somewhat haphazard and did not really state the reality of Aminas history and reign.

It also did not tell us how she ruled her empire.

Clearly, the producers focused more on making a good movie rather than solidifying a historical tale. If the intention was to tell the intriguing story of Queen Amina, then the tiny fine details like an overview of her reign should have been further explored. Also, the movie focused on how she got to power rather than the exploits of her reign. Just maybe we should be expecting a sequel on her exploits as Sarki.

Conclusion

With Amina, Nollywood should open its doors to more historical movies. Very little is known about Nigerias history, therefore, through movies,the younger generation can gain more insight into the countrys rich heritage.

Rating

7/10
Prolific Nigerian filmmaker, Femi Odugbemis new series Movement-Japa premiered on Africa Magic Showcase on November 1.

Like his previous works, Movement-Japa also explores relevant social themes that are prevalent in Nigerian society.

Odugbemi, who was one of the four Nigerians formally invited into the voting membership of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the U.S. in 2018, says the new series is a modern-day Nigerian society. He tells PREMIUM TIMES more in this interview

PT: What are some of the realities you found instructive when you were producing the Movement-Japa series

Odugbemi: At the heart of Movement-Japa is a story about youth emigration, human trafficking, and the desperation of young Africans to escape to seek better economic opportunities abroad.

MOVEMENT-JAPA is all about how we restore hope to the young people of our nation. Many of them have lost hope in the future. The spate of suicides by young people, and so many others who will want to leave the country by any means necessary should be a matter of concern to everyone. MOVEMENT-JAPA is an intense drama exploring the journey of typical Nigerian youths and the challenges of survival that force them into making tough choices and sometimes bad decisions that trap them into criminal activity.

It is difficult enough for many to see their way out of poverty and several other challenges of daily survival, but when adding unnecessary things like police harassment and exploitation of our young people by arbitrary police arrests SARS, EFCC, they then become desperate. And a desperate mind can be very dramatic. The story of JAPA is a rollercoaster ride of intensity, suspense, and surprises.

PT: Who are some of the cast members?

Odugbemi: The series stars some familiar faces like Gideon Okeke and Sambasa Nzeribe. Others include Shaznay Okawa, Chioma Agwunobi, Valerie Dish, Adjetey Anang, Chris Iheuwa, Steve Ogundele, Segun Obadare-Akpata, Esi Hammond, Ibe Breakthrough, and Leo Oji.

We shot in Ghana and Nigeria and the production crew built a set that was a full replica of the interior of a merchant ship. Over 100 actors day players and extras  and over 45 crew members were deployed.

PT. Was taking on such a sensitive topic daunting in any way?

Odugbemi: Every production of this magnitude is daunting. My appreciation really goes to Multichoice and Africa Magic for the vision and support to realise this project given the scale of it. Can you imagine, we actually built a set that is a full replica of the interior of a merchant ship. We had over 100 actors, day players, and extras, over 45 crew members, and the story that took us from the inner slums of Lagos across the Atlantic to Accra Ghana, and back.

We filmed from early in the day through late nights on many days. We faced challenges of location permits and security issues. There were accidents and uncertainties throughout but thanks to God almighty and kudos to our really exemplary team of cast and crew, we concluded successfully.

That said, youth emigration, human trafficking, and the desperation of young Africans to escape to seek better economic opportunities abroad. I think this subject is very important and it cuts across Africa. It is the first thing that we realised just preparing to make the show. It is also important to make the show as realistic as possible and in doing so, we needed to ensure that the characters and those who are playing the characters had the right level of emotional capacity to create performances that were connecting emotionally.

Obviously, we also followed the story not just in Nigeria but also outside of Nigeria. In fact, the story travels to Ghana. It is a daunting and challenging production task. Having to work with a low budget and shooting beyond Nigeria, Ghana, and in more than one country. I think that to me is the most daunting part of it all. We thank God that we scaled most of those difficulties. There were also episodes where we were really faced with spaces that a lot of people have not shot in and we needed to be able to access those. I am not going to give away anything but the most important thing is that the show is packed full of scenes and places that we have put in a lot to achieve. So this was a stretch for all of us at ZURI24 MEDIA.

PT: I see that Gideon Okeke and Sambasa Nzeribe are featured in the series. What informed your choices?

Odugbemi: First and foremost, I think Gideon Okeke and Sambasa Nzeribe are incredible actors and the intensity and power of their talent were delightful to behold. MOVEMENT-JAPA parades an incredibly strong cast of really great actors and actresses to support Gideon Okeke and Sambasa Nzeribe. You know this story is very intensive and very action-oriented and we needed really good actors and actresses who would be able to commit time and focus to the development process of the characters of this powerful story. I am very excited to see this team come together and deliver something we all can be very proud of.

PT: There is a scene in the trailer where a man is running and out of the blues, he is hit with a sack by another guy. It was so real. I wonder if that was captured in one take. Was it?

Odugbemi: Ah you are trying to make me give away the story? The scenes you see in the trailer are the teasers of what our viewers can expect. Its a lot of suspense and action that is dramatic and exciting. There are also many surprises that we havent put in the trailer. Big scenes and unusual scenarios take the viewer on a memorable emotional journey.

Every scene in MOVEMENT-JAPA is true to its title  the plot, the characters have lots of twists and turns. Everything you can possibly imagine can happen, happens within a space of days. I am very excited about the kind of suspense that every episode brings to this story.

PT: Generally, how do you feel about the young Nigerian today? Is there hope?

Odugbemi: The youth of Nigeria are the future of Nigeria; and Nigeria is lucky because we have an incredibly creative, motivated, and resourceful young population who have a passion to succeed. Innovation and creativity are what build nations. And I think once we fix the various infrastructural deficits of the country  i.e. electricity, bad roads, etc and once we have the institutional efficiencies we need, the entrepreneurial spirit of the Nigerian youth will be clearly seen as Nigerias biggest blessing. It is our human capital that will make Nigeria great and if what we are told is true, that our youth make up 60 per cent of our population, then shouldnt their welfare be a national priority? We need to invest better in their education, their safety, their healthcare, and their access to technology so that they can be truly empowered to succeed. Hope is a scarce commodity today in Nigeria. We have to be intentional to rebuild hope in the future of the country so that they are able to keep faith with the country as it develops. We have to do more to give them ownership and give them access so that they begin to be involved in politics, in governance, and in building institutions.

PT: Any thoughts on the EndSars movement?

Odugbemi: What happened with the EndSARS demonstrations a year ago shows you what the Nigerian youth can do when they are invested. They were able to organise a seamless demonstration for days using social media and technology to organise in several locations, creating an information stream, empowering those who come, feeding them, and sustaining everything that they needed to do to make the demonstrations impactful.

That happened because they were invested. That little window of capacity that we saw needs to be appropriated and aggregated and unleashed in the path of growth for Nigeria.
The attacks on communities in Katsina State continued Friday night as six people were killed in an attack on Gwarjo community in Matazu Local Government Area.

Residents said nine other people were injured in the attack by armed bandits.

A resident, Musa Abdullahi, said the bandits arrived in the community at about 9 p.m. He said they operated for over three hours before they left around 1 a.m.

They came around 9 p.m. And immediately they drove into the village, they started shooting into the air. The six people were killed during the sporadic shooting while nine of our people have been severely wounded, he said.

Mr Abdullahi said the nine wounded people were taken to the General Amadi Rimi Orthopaedic Hospital and the General Hospital in Katsina for treatment.

He named those killed to be Abdu Bahillace, Ali Niga, Bello Yusuf, Dan Asabe Ubi, Sanin Ayya and Abdullahi Bello.

Mr Abdullahi said those wounded were Lawal Muhammad, Abubakar Sada, Muhammadu Sani, Isyaku Yahaya, Muawiya Dogon Zikri, Gambo Anas, Buhari Mamman, Ibrahim Garba and Mamuda Yahya.

Another resident of the community who asked not to be named for fear of being targeted said several people are still missing but may not have been abducted by the attackers.

Some of our relatives from the village came here to stay but we heard that several other people have been seen and its possible they got scared and ran into the bush for safety.

The bandits didnt kidnap anyone but took away four motorcycles belonging to the people of the village, he said.

Repeated phone calls to the spokesperson of the Katsina police command, Gambo Isa, did not go through for this report.

The attack in Gwarjo occurred three days after at least 12 people were killed in another attack in Batsari town of the state, which is the home state of Nigerias President, Muhammadu Buhari.

Katsina is one of the North-west states most affected by banditry. Others include Sokoto, Zamfara and Kaduna.

Thousands of people have been killed or kidnapped in the states in 2022.

The attacks have continued despite the heavy deployment of security operatives to the area.
As the security challenges in Nigeria persist, at least 72 persons were killed last week (November 7-13) by non-state actors across the country.

The figure consists of at least 12 security personnel including a serving brigadier general and a retired air vice-marshal. About 61 of the victims were civilians.

Findings by PREMIUM TIMES, as part of its weekly review of attacks by armed persons, shows that four geopolitical zones recorded at least a case while the South-south and South-west zones had no reported case.

Of the cases, the North-west recorded the highest number of incidents and fatalities, closely followed by the North-east, South-east and North-central in that order.

This newspaper compiled the incidents from media reports. Thus, unreported cases were not included.

With a total number of 11 incidents and 72 fatalities, the figure last week far exceeded that of the previous week during which less than 20 cases were recorded.

Here are last weeks killings as compiled from media reports.

NORTH WEST

Three in Kaduna

Two of the 66 worshipers abducted from Emmanuel Baptist Church, Kakau Daji, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State were shot dead on Sunday.

Gunmen stormed the church exactly a week ago, killing a worshipper and abducting others.

Also, the Kaduna State Police Command confirmed the killing of a retired air vice-marshal, Muhammad Maisaka, by gunmen at his residence in Ragasi, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna.

The Commands Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Jalige, confirmed the incident on Tuesday, in Kaduna.

Mr Jalige, who said the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, also said the retired officers gateman sustained an injury from the attack.

35 in Zamfara

Armed bandits reportedly killed six persons and abducted many others during an attack in Rijiya village in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

A resident, Mustapha Ibrahim, told PREMIUM TIMES on the phone that the bandits stormed the community late Sunday afternoon.

In a separate incident, armed bandits killed at least seven Mobile Police officers during an ambush on a patrol team of security agents on the Magami  Gusau road in Zamfara State.

Sources told PREMIUM TIMES that the incident occurred on Monday evening.

A source in the area, Yusuf Aminu, said the officers were ambushed after they left Gusau for Magami on patrol duty.

In another attack in Zamfara, bandits killed 13 people, wounded eight and abducted at least 17 others in an attack on Batsari town Tuesday evening.

The police spokesperson in the state, Gambo Isa, said 11 people were killed but residents of the town said the number had risen to 13.

In another incident, bandits killed a village head and eight others in Tungar Ruwa in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The incident occurred at midnight on Wednesday. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the attack lasted for several hours.

The police spokesperson in the state, Mohammed Shehu, confirmed the attack but he did not give details.

Six in Katsina

The attacks on communities in Katsina State continued Friday night as six people were killed in an attack on Gwarjo community in Matazu Local Government Area.

Residents said nine other people were injured in the attack by armed bandits.

A resident, Musa Abdullahi, told PREMIUM TIMES that the bandits arrived in the community at about 9 p.m. He said they operated for over three hours before they left around 1 a.m.

SOUTH EAST

Five in Imo

At least five people were killed in Anara, Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State when gunmen attacked the community on Tuesday night.

The identity of the gunmen has yet to be ascertained but Imo has witnessed a lot of attacks by members of the outlawed separatist group, IPOB.

NORTH EAST

15 in Taraba

At least 15 people, including three housewives, were killed at Binnari and Jab villages in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The bandits stormed Binnari at about 4 a.m. on Wednesday, shooting sporadically.

The villagers were said to have attempted to fight back but the bandits who reportedly numbered over 50, overpowered them.

Army general, three others in Borno

An army brigadier general, Dzarma Zirkusu, and three soldiers were killed in a fierce encounter with ISWAP terrorists in Borno, the Nigerian Army said on Saturday.

According to a statement signed by army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, the encounter took place in Askira Uba Local Government Area of the State.

NORTH CENTRAL

Four in Benue

Gunmen in the early hours of Saturday shot dead at least four mourners during a funeral ceremony in a rural village at Mbayatyo Mbater council ward of Logo Local Government Area in Benue State.

Villagers said many others were wounded after the gunmen opened fire on people mourning the death of a woman.

Pro-Active Actions Needed

A security expert, Timothy Avele, said the cases may continue to rise if a different step and approach to tackling insecurity in the country is not taken.

He said the security agents cannot keep doing the same thing and expect different results.

I pray it never gets worse than this. Sadly, theres no indication that it wont get worse in the coming months, in as much as we keep doing things same way over and over again.

No proactive measures through Intelligence-based policing, just reactive as usual, he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has interrogated a former Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Nnamdi Okonkwo, those familiar with the matter have told PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr Okonkwo was recently appointed managing director of First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Holdings Plc.

Details of Mr Okonkwos arrest remained sketchy Sunday night although some sources said he was being questioned over his role in the transfer of $153.3 million from the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission in favour of Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigerias former petroleum minister. The banker was managing director of Fidelity Bank at the time.

A source claimed the banker spent at least three days in EFCC custody but another said he was only quizzed on Tuesday and allowed to go home.

The EFCC had on April 28, 2016, detained Mr Okonkwo over the same matter and later slammed a 14-count charge, including money laundering, on him. The status of the case is unclear as of the time of filing this report on Sunday morning.

It is also unclear if there are fresh evidences against the banker which has now necessitated a fresh round of investigation. EFCC officials contacted declined to provide details.

The board of FBN Holdings Plc had on October 28 appointed Mr Okonkwo the new GMD of the company with effect from January 1, 2022. He will succeed U.K. Eke, who will step down on December 31, according to the companys note to the Nigerian Exchange Limited.

The boards decision came five days after the chairman of Geregu Power Plc, Femi Otedola, declared his 5.07 per cent stake in the group, making him a substantial shareholder.

It also came a day after Tunde Hassan-Odukale (FirstBanks chairman) responded to a query from the exchange to FBN Holdings, seeking clarification on why the shareholding of Mr Hassan-Odukale and related parties were classified into two parts of 4.16 and 1.20 per cent respectively, totalling 5.36 per cent.

EDITORS NOTE: This post has been updated to reflect new findings that Mr Okonkwo has since been released.
Labana Rice Mill, Kebbi State, has begun bilateral discussions with the Republic of Benin for collaboration on large scale rice production.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a three-member government delegation from Benin Republic visited Kebbi State for the meeting with the Board of Directors and Management of the Labana Rice Mills to agree on the modalities of the proposed collaboration.

NAN also recalled that the idea of the partnership was first mooted by the Federal Government, after it had selected Labana Rice Mills among other rice mills in Nigeria for its proposed Nigerian Rice exportation to African countries, in view of its high capacity and quality of its products.

The delegation from Benin included the Deputy Ambassador of Benin Republic to Nigeria, Alfred Akossoun; Director-General of Benin Agency for Agricultural Development, Jean Gbeto-Dansou and a member of the Benin National Assembly, Isaa Saley-Salfou.

Addressing the delegation from Benin Republic on Friday, the General Manager of Labana, Abdullahi Idris-Zuru, who led the companys team, informed the visitors that the company had a 16-tonne per hour capacity.

The rice mills have been upgraded to 20 tonnes per hour, while another brand new 20-tonne per hour capacity will be ready for commissioning early next year and will then require 400,000 metric tonnes of rice for sustainable production annually, Mr Zuru told the visitors.

Another joint meeting on the proposal was held with the members of the Board of Directors under the Chairmanship of Abubakar Abbah-Adamu.

The delegation, accompanied by the Chairman of Labana Rice Mills, Abubakar Adamu, visited the 10,000-hectare Labana rice farms in Bagudo Local Government Area, in order to assess the companys capacity and machinery to cultivate large scale farms.

Speaking to journalists at the end of the visit, the Director-General, Benin Agency for Agricultural Development, Jean Gbeto-Dansou, said with 40 tonnes per hour capacity rice mills and 10,000 hectares rice farm, the government of Benin Republic was ready to go into partnership with the company for mutual benefit.

He said: with what we saw, the proposal for providing 30,000 hectares of farmland to Labana, along Malaviel and Karimama boundary areas in Benin republic, will be deliberated upon when we return home and thereafter, we shall invite you for the Memorandum of Understanding. (NAN)
A New York Times investigation has found that in the last days of the battle against the Islamic State in Syria, a United States military drone hunting for military targets killed a large crowd of women and children huddled against a riverbank.

The report published Saturday said an American F-15E attack jet streaked across the drones high-definition field of vision and dropped a 500-pound bomb on the crowd, swallowing it in a shuddering blast.

As the smoke cleared, a few people stumbled away in search of cover. Then a jet tracking them dropped one 2,000-pound bomb, then another, killing most of the survivors.

The strikes happened on March 18, 2019, and an initial battle damage assessment quickly found that the number of dead was actually about 70.

To date, the Baghuz strike was one of the largest civilian casualty incidents of the war against Syria but it has never been publicly acknowledged by the U.S. military.

The details of the strikes were pieced together by The New York Times from confidential documents and descriptions of classified reports, as well as interviews with personnel directly involved, and officials with top-secret security clearances who discussed the incident on the condition that they not be named.

It said the lethality of the strike was almost immediately apparent to military officials but the death toll was downplayed; reports were delayed, sanitized and classified.

The Times investigation found that the bombing had been called in by a classified American special operations unit, Task Force 9, which was in charge of ground operations in Syria.

But it operated in such secrecy that at times it did not inform even its own military partners of its actions, the report said, adding that in the minutes after the strike, an alarmed Air Force intelligence officer in the operations centre called over an Air Force lawyer in charge of determining the legality of strikes.

The lawyer ordered the F-15E squadron and the drone crew to preserve all video and other evidence saying it was a possible violation of the law of armed conflict  a war crime  and regulations required a thorough, independent investigation.

But a thorough and independent investigation never happened.

When the New York Times sent its findings to the U.S. Central Command, which oversaw the air war in Syria, the command acknowledged the strikes for the first time.

It said 80 people were killed but the airstrikes were justified. The bombs killed 16 fighters and four civilians. As for the other 60 people killed, it was not clear that they were civilians, in part because women and children in the Islamic State sometimes took up arms, the newspaper quoted the command as saying.

We abhor the loss of innocent life and take all possible measures to prevent them, It added. In this case, we self-reported and investigated the strike according to our own evidence and take full responsibility for the unintended loss of life.

This means the only assessment done immediately after the strike was performed by the same ground unit that ordered the strike.

It determined that the bombing was lawful because it killed only a small number of civilians while targeting Islamic State fighters in an attempt to protect coalition forces.

Therefore no formal war crime notification, criminal investigation or disciplinary action was warranted, the command told the Times, adding that the other deaths were accidental.

The U.S. had portrayed the air war against Syria as the most precise and humane bombing campaign in its history.

It said every report of civilian casualties was investigated and the findings reported publicly, creating what the U.S. military called a model of accountability. But the strikes on Baghuz tell a different story.

Further details suggest that while the military put strict rules in place to protect civilians, the Special Operations task force repeatedly used other rules to skirt them.

The Times said civilian deaths are often undercounted even in classified reports and troops rarely faced repercussions when they caused civilian deaths.

Nearly 1,000 strikes hit targets in Syria and Iraq in 2019, using 4,729 bombs and missiles. The official military tally of civilian dead for that entire year is only 22, and the strikes from March 18 are nowhere on the list.

The battle at Baghuz represented the end of a nearly five-year United States-led campaign to defeat the Islamic State in Syria and was a foreign policy triumph for the then President Donald Trump.
The Benue Police Command said gunmen attacked and killed four mourners and injured one at Imande Abur village, Mbategh ward of Logo Local Government Area of the State.

This is contained in a press statement on Sunday, signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Catherine Anene, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi.

According to the statement, three gunmen attacked the mourners on Saturday at a wake and shot sporadically at mourners who were assembled at a funeral ceremony.

Police teams within the area swiftly moved to the area but the suspects took to their heels on sighting the police.

Five persons sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to hospital for treatment but unfortunately four of them lost their lives while receiving treatment.

The Command further commiserated with families of the victims and assured that justice would definitely be served as detectives are already on the trail of the suspects.

(NAN)
The police in Ogun State have arrested a citizen of Benin Republic and one other suspect for allegedly being in possession of a human head.

This is contained in a statement released on Sunday by Abimbola Oyeyemi, the Ogun police spokesperson.

Mr Oyeyemi said the two suspects, Anagonou Kamelan, 44, and Monday Karezu, 32, were arrested on November 3, at a herbalists house where they intended to use the human head.

Mr Oyeyemi said police operatives received information that some men were going to a herbalists house to use a human head for a money-making ritual.

Upon the information, the DSP Nurudeen Gafar led team swiftly moved to the area where the herbalist house was situated and laid ambush there.

The police said about two hours after laying an ambush, the two suspects arrived on a motorcycle with a bag containing the human head, and they were arrested.

On interrogation, Monday Karezu, a national of Benin Republic informed the police that he got the head from a place known as Ijale papa. This made the policemen to follow him to the place only to discover that he was lying.

Further investigation revealed that Monday Karezu is a resident of Sabo area of Abeokuta, and that the human head with him was that of a woman who died three months ago during childbirth and was buried not too far from his house, the statement reads.

The police further said they discovered that the suspect had one time killed his nine months old daughter and used her head for the same purpose but did not succeed.

He had also exhumed another corpse, removed the head and used it for money-making ritual but failed.

The latest one that landed them in trouble was introduced to him by Anagonou Kamalen, a Togolese, who informed him that he knows an herbalist who can do original money making ritual for him with human head, hence, he exhumed the corpse of the woman buried not too far to his house, cut off the head and in company of his accomplice, took it to the herbalist house where they were apprehended before delivering it, the statement reads

The statement said the commissioner of police, Lanre Bankole, has directed an investigation into the past activities of the suspects with the view to charging them to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.
The Nigerian government has described the allegation by Global Advocates for Terrorism Eradication (GATE) that its officials are sponsors of terrorism, as a disgusting distraction.

This is contained in a statement on Sunday by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.

Mr Mohammed said that the allegation by the U.S-based non-profit organisation was orchestrated by those seeking to weaken the ongoing massive onslaught against terrorists and bandits in the country.

He said the so-called GATE is a pesky irritant that should be ignored, especially because it is as confused as it is irresponsible.

This organisation called GATE is not even worth the ink with which its name is written.

How can a serious organisation accuse a government that is tackling the twin evil of terrorism and banditry with uncommon determination of sponsoring terrorism?

Is it not curious that this organisation has chosen this particular time, when terrorists are either surrendering in droves or running helter-skelter, as a result of a renewed offensive against them by the military, to orchestrate a distraction?

What could be GATEs motive if not to weaken the fight against terror and banditry?

GATE and its sponsors should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves and should quit trying to distract our gallant troops who are doing

everything possible, including making the supreme sacrifice, to keep our country safe, the minister said.

Mr Mohammed said the fact that GATE, in making its absurd allegation, relied on the words of a thoroughly-discredited, fake-news-peddling former Nigerian Navy intelligence officer has shown the hollowness of its allegation.

In the fight against terrorism, Nigeria has availed itself creditably by tackling home-grown terrorists with links to global errorist organisations.

We make bold to say that no administration in Nigeria has risen to the challenge of terrorism like the Buhari Administration has done.

The acquisition of a myriad of platforms, the boost to the morale of our fighting forces and the leadership provided by President Muhammadu Buhari have combined to put our gallant troops in good stead.

These have also helped the troops to frontally confront and put on the run the terrorists. Fittingly, Nigerias efforts at tackling terrorism have been hailed globally.

What our gallant men and women need at this time is the support, encouragement and prayers of all, not the distracting antics of a

relevance-seeking, feckless organisation masquerading as a terrorism

eradication advocate, he said.

(NAN)
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the demise of a brigadier-general, Dzarma Zirkusu, and three soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice while fighting terrorists in the Northeast zone of the country.

The president, who expressed his feelings in a statement issued by his media aide, Garba Shehu, on Saturday, in Abuja, noted that the soldiers lost their lives in a very rare display of gallantry as they tried to help their compatriots against terrorists.

He said: Nigeria has lost brave soldiers. I salute their courage. May their souls Rest In Peace. Gen. Zirkusu leaves us sad and devastated.

The soldier in him will remain immortal.

The president urged the Chief of Army Staff, Faruk Yahaya, to accept his heartfelt condolences and that of the nation, and conveyed same to the families of those martyred.

I pray to the Almighty to give you and the bereaved families the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss, the president added.

(NAN)
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo has said his administration would launch its e-governance platform before the end of the year.

Mr Obaseki disclosed this on Friday at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Alaghodaro summit with the theme Edo of our dreams: Building a sustainable future.

According to him, Edo will run on e-platform this year and will only attend to files on e-platform. I will be the last governor to work on manual files in the state.

We are going to leverage technology because it is the new order of the world and the emphasis now is on using technology.

Nigeria public and civil service are weak and need help because whatever policy and pronouncements made by the government will not work because the civil service is weak, Mr Obaseki said.

He said in the next five years, the state would graduate about 10,000 soft engineers, as the training of youth to become soft engineers had already commenced.

In the past three years, we have been able to transform the way our children are learning, this gives the children the confidence and the preparation they need for the future.

I have no doubt in my mind that with the 275,000 of them we have on our database. which we are tracking today; we will be able to follow through.

Primary health care reform is our priority as a government. I have made up my mind that we will have at least one standard primary health care centre in every ward in Edo with well trained staff and technology.

We see Edo as a health hub because we have everything it takes to become a health hub. We have revamped the Edo Specialist Hospital and we are also building a new Stella Obasanjo Hospital.

With the level of gas deposits in Edo, we can generate 10,000 megawatts of power in this state and we will remove our people from darkness.

Our goal is that we would have built 200 kilometers of street lights starting from Benin. We have to continue to grow the economy to sustain our future.

We have set up innovation hubs and the success phase we have attained just confirmed to us what is possible, now that we have piloted the next phase, it is to just roll out.

We have trained more than 32,000 beneficiaries in various Information Communication Technology, we have set up two jobs centres, we have trained over 23, 000 beneficiaries through skills and acquisitions.

(NAN)
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has assured Nigerians that there is enough kerosene to supply the country till 2022.

Yakubu Suleiman, national public relation officer of IPMAN, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.

The IPMAN spokesperson also dismissed speculations that there is a scarcity of kerosene in the country.

Mr Suleiman urged citizens to desist from panicking over the perceived scarcity, adding that the product availability in the country is sufficient for supply.

Do not panic as there is enough product on ground that can last till next year, he said.

He also applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for exercising discretion over the deregulation of the oil industry.

Mr Suleiman called on Nigerians to redirect their attention to liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the government is creating an enabling environment in the gas sector.

The News Agency of Nigeria said that at fuel stations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), kerosene sold for N350 per litre.

The black markets, however, sold theirs between N420 naira and N450.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, has disowned a publication attributed to him about Defence Headquarters warning soldiers against overthrowing Buharis regime.

Mr Nwachukwu, a brigadier general, in a statement, on Saturday, said the publication, which was riddled with outrageous lies and fabrications, claimed that the Defence Headquarters has denounced a call for the military to take over power.

He said the online outlet went further to attribute what he described as falsehood to the Army Spokesman.

According to him, the only reason why this grossly unprofessional and blatantly irresponsible report is receiving any attention is the attribution of the false statement to the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu.

The authors of the story must be the only news reporters who do not know that army spokesman does not speak for the Defence Headquarters.

However, for the sake of clarity and to keep the records straight, we wish to state that at no time did the Director, Army Public Relations, issue any statement on the subject matter.

It is therefore a figment of their imagination, which did not in anyway emanate from Nwachukwu.

ALSO READ: Senate probes budget utilisation by Nigerian Army

Mr Nwachukwu said that officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army did not need to be warned against overthrowing Buharis government, saying their loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces had never been in doubt.

The Nigerian Army is a reputable national and patriotic institution that has fully subordinated itself to civil authority, having stood unwaveringly in defence of the nations democracy.

It will continue to be steadfast in defending Nigerias constitution and the much-cherished democracy by providing aid to civil authority, whenever it is called upon to so do, he said.

(NAN)
The Head of the Data Desk of PREMIUM TIMES, Yusuf Akinpelu, was on Saturday honoured at the Norbert Zongo African Prize for Investigative Journalism (PAJI-NZ) award.

Mr Akinpelu was announced the bronze winner in the online category of the PAJI-NZ African Journalism Nobert Zongo award on Saturday.

For his report on How Nigerians are paying deadly price for Europes dirty fuel, Mr Akinpelu was honoured at the prize-giving ceremony in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. He dedicated the recognition to everyone that has been a part of my development.

The winning entry looks deep into Nigerias several promises to ensure its fuel contains low sulphur, even as its petrol and kerosene have sulphur over 20 times what they should be.

Mr Akinpelus report provides multimedia and data accompaniments on the number of people that die due to air pollution-related causes every year in Nigeria  more than in South Africa, Kenya and Angola combined.

Mr Akinpelu, a graduate of statistics from the University of Ibadan, is a fellow of the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, PTCIJs Natural Resource and Extractives Programme on climate reporting.

He has a penchant for books and wildlife. Previously, he has covered the National Assembly and fact-checked for Dubawa.

Organisers had earlier shortlisted five finalists in the online category. Those shortlisted were from newsrooms across four African countries, two from Nigeria and one each from Niger, Cameroon and Tanzania.

The winner of the gold prize in the online category was Nigerias Damilola Banjo for her investigative series on justice for sale, which was also published by PREMIUM TIMES.

Cameroonian Tchopa Theodore and associates won the silver prize..

Top prizes were also presented to winners in the radio, television and print medium categories, with an overall winner of the Segbor DOr prize coming from the print media  Gaston Sawadogo from Burkina Faso.

The PAJI-NZ, the organisers, said the award is aimed to promote and enhance investigative journalism in Africa, a practice difficult to implement while it is absolutely essential to the democratic transition processes engaged in most countries of the continent.

It was initiated in honour of Burkinabe journalist, Norbert Zongo, who was killed while conducting an investigation into the unresolved death of David Ouedraogo, driver of Francois Compaore, the younger brother of President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso.

Before the launch of the PAJI-NZ award this year, the Norbert ZONGO Prize has been awarded to the best investigative journalists in Africa since 2007.
Bandits have released three children that they kidnapped four months ago in Dansadau in Maru Local Government of Zamfara State.

A traditional ruler, Mustapha Umar, who is also an uncle to one of the children, told PREMIUM TIMES late Friday that they were released without ransom after the bandits struck a peace deal with farming communities in the area.

Mr Umar said the children were abducted with dozens of other residents of Dansadau town on July 22.

The traditional ruler said earlier on Wednesday, some bandits operating in Dansadau emirate met with the farming communities and agreed to release their captives.

Mr Umar said the release of the children was the second in a week. He identified the children gave their age as three years but PREMIUM TIMES is withholding their names.

Mr Umar said the children have undergone medical checkup and have been reunited with their families.

The traditional ruler prayed that the ongoing peace dialogue between the bandits and their victims would bring lasting peace to the area and urged the residents to support it.

He, however, did not disclose who initiated the meeting and where it was held.

The Zamfara State government promoted dialogue with bandits under which they were granted amnesty for their atrocities and plied with largesse.

The government, however, abandoned the policy after many of the bandits returned to the forests to resume their lucrative crimes.

In spite of that experience, controversial Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Ahmad Gumi, continues to urge the federal and state governments to declare a blanket amnesty for the brutal outlaws.

The known phone numbers of the police spokesperson in Zamfara, Muhammad Shehu, did not connect since Friday evening as this reporter tried to get his comment on the development.
The federal government is considering an out-of-court settlement with states over the impasse on the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT).

The Minister of Finance and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this on Thursday while appearing on Politics Today, a political programme on Channels Television.

Mrs Ahmed said the ongoing litigation cannot resolve the disagreement, hence the need for a political solution between the centre and the sub-nationals.

The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, had in a recent landmark judgment, held that it was unconstitutional for the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to collect VAT and personal income tax in Rivers State.

In the wake of the judgement, Rivers and Lagos States have both signed separate laws that empower them to collect VAT.

On 10 September, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal headed by Haruna Tsammani, issued orders that all parties should maintain status quo.

Rivers State government is currently challenging the ruling of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court

Also, governors of the southern states under the aegis of Southern Governors Forum (SGF) at a meeting in Enugu, expressed support for the collection of VAT by state governments.

Furthermore, the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) is reportedly seeking a constitutional amendment that will list VAT in the exclusive legislative list.

READ ALSO: Appeal Court joins Lagos in VAT collection legal tussle

Ms Ahmed said the court will not bring a solution, rather, parties sitting at the table will solve issue.

I have to do this carefully because they are issues in court, and | am not supposed to be talking about issues in court, the minister said.

But I do hope that this problem can be solved by sitting on the table, not on the pages of newspapers, not disagreements in court because it is possible to solve it on the table.

Yes, there will be a positive political solution. We are working towards an out-of-court solution.

Despite the raging controversy and litigation, the federal government is targeting N2.2trillion from VAT to fund the 2022 budget.
The police have repelled an attack on Gidan Duka community in Kankara local government area of Katsina State, recovering 38 cows and 11 sheeps.

The police spokesperson in the state, Gambo Isa, said in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES that the bandits were intercepted by a police team led by the divisional police officer in the area.

The team intercepted the bandits at Danramabu village and engaged them in a gun deal. The bandits escaped into the forest, abandoning all the rustled animals, compromising 38 cows and 11 sheep. The team also recovered one Bajaj operational motorcycle belonging to the bandits, Mr Isa said in the statement.

Rescue of 11 kidnap victims

The statement also said the command has rescued 11 kidnap victims Sunday morning abducted from Sabon Garin Safana.

Mr Isa said the victims were rescued in a bandits hideout in Tsatskiya village of Safana.

He added that the victims have been taken to General Hospital in Dutsin Ma for medical check up

The victims were kidnapped last November and had been held by the bandits since.
it will be safe to conclude that Buharis recent claim of considering the offer of clemency to Saro-Wiwa as part of this administrations bid to lay the foundation for genuine reconciliation and bring closure to the issues of Ogoni land as a post-humus re-conviction and re-murdering of Saro Wiwa and his men by the Nigerian state that he represents.

At No 9, Rumuibekwe Road in Port Harcourt on November 10, 1995, the devil sat in a corner, relishing an enactment of saturnalia. No one could see him. He wore dark goggles, donning the uniform of a five-star Army General, wrapped up in a huge celebratory mood. His arch-enemy, Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni activists had just been hung at the Port Harcourt Prison. Inside No 9, Rumuibekwe Road, family members sat on the hood of parked disused cars, weeping profusely; others holding their heads in anguish. In that instant, the most recently widowed woman in the world, Hauwa Saro-Wiwa, was inconsolable. Reporters at the Ogoni Special Civil Disturbances Tribunal reported that, since her husband was charged before the tribunal, which leapt on its two hind legs like a kangaroo that it was, perhaps sensing a ghoulish foreboding, Hauwa came in to the Rivers House of Assembly Complex venue of the tribunal to observe the proceedings, looking gaunt, pale and lean.

On that morning, when the devils infernal reign was announced, Hauwa, in the company of wives of the then about to be executed Ogoni activists, had taken breakfast to Ken and his convicted compatriots at the Bori Camp Army Settlement, where they were detained. The events that transpired must have given Hauwa an inkling that the day might be the last for her husband. Not only did the heavily armed security personnel deny the Ogoni wives the opportunity of seeing their husbands, they returned the food after taking them to Ken and the others because, according to them, Ken refused it since he couldnt confirm where it came from. In a soliloquy, Harry Saro-Wiwa, Kens younger brother who was also at Rumuibekwe Road that afternoon, told journalists, amid wailings, that the devil has triumphed.

As prophetic as Harrys statement was on the afternoon of that November 10, 1995, he should have known that this was just the devils dress rehearsal and its eventual triumph would come years later. If Harry ever thought the execution of the Ogoni activists, just ordered by military despot, Sani Abacha, marked the triumph of the devil over the Ogoni peoples advocacy, he should have waited for what would happen 26 years later. For the devil, its final triumph came like a thief in the night. Just a few hours to the 26th anniversary of the horrendous hanging of Saro-Wiwa and eight others, the triumph came with pomp and ceremony.

When it came, the hanged activists shook restlessly in their graves. President Muhammadu Buhari recently played host to some Ogoni leaders who had come to pay him a courtesy call at the Aso Rock Villa. Receiving them, Buhari in his address, said that, In spite of the grievous circumstances, the federal government will consider the request for the grant of pardon to finally close the Ogoni saga. By that statement, Buhari erected the gallows preparatory to the second and final hanging of Saro-Wiwa. So, the question is: Who deserves pardon between this man and that man judicially murdered 26 years ago? Then, the devil threw an orgy like one who had won at a tombola. It was almost the same way the devil danced in triumph when he vanquished the biblical couple of the early Christian Church, Ananias and Sapphira. Pardon for who and by who?

The trajectory of what led to the hanging of Saro-Wiwa by Abacha is in the public domain and should not detain us here. Suffice to say that, since 1958 when Shell Oil Company began drilling on Ogoni land in what was to translate Nigeria into a petro-state economy, the sorrows and tears of this oil-rich people has been on the rise. Dissatisfied by the effluents, combustible gas flares and the degradation of their land as a result of the exploration, which rendered farmlands covered by oil spillage blow-out unsuitable for farming, in 1970 the first petition against the operations of Shell, which was then operating a joint venture with the British Petroleum, was made by Ogoni chiefs who took their petition to the Military governor, lamenting that the oil company was seriously threatening the well-being, and even the very lives of the people. As if confirming the content of their petition, in that same 1970, a huge blowout that spanned three weeks occurred on the Bomu oilfield in Ogoni land, which caused untoward hardship, outrage and widespread pollution.

The Iko people, neighbours to the Ogoni, were to feel the brunt two years after. In defiance, they protested at the head office of Shell, which promptly invited the notorious mobile Police nicknamed Kill and Go, resulting in the destruction of 40 houses, with 350 people becoming homeless. That year, Ken and his brothers formed a non-violent action group named the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), and Ken was made president and Ledun Mitee, his vice. On August 4, 1990, Ogoni elders signed what they called the Ogoni Bill of Rights that sought political control of Ogoni affairs by Ogoni people, control and use of Ogoni economic resources for Ogoni development, adequate and direct representation as of right for Ogoni people in all Nigerian national institutions and the right to protect the Ogoni environment and ecology from further degradation.

A year after the Ogoni Bill of Rights was signed, it was amended in August 1991, authorising and empowering MOSOP to seek international assistance for the plight of the Ogoni people and make an appeal to the international community. Saro-Wiwa thus began engagements with multilateral organisations, the United Nations, the United States, Europe and other groups all over the world, to sensitise them about the evil being perpetrated by Shell, in cahoots with the Nigerian military government.

Saro-Wiwa, renowned author and playwright, with books like On a darkling plane, Soza Boy and Four Farcical Plays, which he adapted to the highly successful television series called Basil and Company, then abandoned all these to concentrate on his peoples advocacy. In July 1992, at Geneva, he addressed the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Peoples, where he said: I speak on behalf of the Ogoni people. You will forgive me if I am somewhat emotional about this matter. I am Ogoni  Petroleum was discovered in Ogoni in 1958 and since then an estimated 100 billion dollars worth of oil and gas has been carted away from Ogoniland. In return for this the Ogoni people have received nothing.

At the time Saro-Wiwa was hung, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), as he then was, was the de-facto Prime Minister of Nigeria as he served as the Chariman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) Throughout the period, there was no word from Buhari for the Ogoni leader, nor in favour of his life, alongside those of his cohort, being spared. Indeed, Saro-Wiwa had to die for the interest of the military elite, which Buhari protected, to be sustained.

The Nigerian military elite was riled at Saro-Wiwas diffidence. Reputed to be one of them, being friends with many of the big-epaulette soldiers like Abacha himself, it was obvious that Saro-Wiwa was intent on liquidating them and upturning their pots of soup, perhaps committing an intra-elite hara kiri. The denouement came on January 4, 1993, when Saro-Wiwa got the Ogoni to celebrate the Year of Indigenous Peoples. This he did by getting 300,000 Ogoni people to peacefully protest against the environmental destruction of Ogoniland by Shell. It frightened Shell departments in London, got the Nigerian government scampering hither thither and was said to remain, till date, the largest demonstration against any oil company. Excited at the turn-out, as if predicting his own death, Saro-Wiwa said if he died then, he was an accomplished man.

Upon seizing the reins of power, Abacha did two things that was to be the pall of Saro-Wiwa. One was the appointment of Lt. Col. Dauda Musa Komo as Military Administrator of Rivers State and, Major Paul Okuntimo, an Okun-Yoruba from Kogi State, as Commander, Internal Security, in Rivers State. Okuntimo later became an Army Brigadier-General, rising to become adviser to Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello. Both superintended over torture, arson and killing of the Ogoni and the liquidation of Saro-Wiwa in 1995. Okuntimo died recently in Ibadan of cancer. In all these, there was coordinated evidence that showed that Shell was sponsoring Kill and Go policemen, through the evidence of Willbros, a contractor working for it, which owned up to calling government troops to violently fire back in response to demonstrations by the Ogoni, and paying Major Okuntimo and his boys field allowances.

It would seem that the assignment was to deliver Saro-Wiwas head on a platter. Then came the Abacha Constitutional Conference, which the Ogoni agreed that Ken should attend as their representative, to voice out their plight. Ken, however, did not submit the relevant form until this expired. At a rally in Gokana Local Government, which he called to address the people, he was forcefully prevented from mounting the podium and escorted back to his car by Mobile Policemen. While entering his car, he was alleged to have told the surging crowd that he had heard that the vultures who stopped him from going to the Confab were meeting somewhere and that all should be done to fish them out and deal with them.

Before then, Okuntimo was reported to have sent a restricted memo to Komo, the Military Administrator, stating that the Ogoni were making Shell operationsimpossible unless ruthless military operations are undertaken for smooth economic activities to commence. In the memo, Okuntimo recommended Wasting operations during MOSOP and other gatherings making constant military presence justifiable. On May 21, 1994, exactly nine days after this memo, in Gokana, a mob seized Ogoni elders suspected to be anvils of Shell and the Nigerian government, who were taking mercantilist interest in Shells continuous exploration and who antagonised MOSOP. In the process, Chief Edward Kobani, Mr Albert Badey, Chief Samuel Orage and Mr Samuel Orage were cruelly murdered, thus opening the way for an excuse by government to justify a military operation.

The second day, Saro-Wiwa, Ledum Mitee and many other Ogoni leaders were arrested in connection with the killings. General Abacha then constituted a tribunal, which had Justice Ibrahim Auta as chairman. Apart from Wiwa and Mitee, other Ogoni leaders brought before the tribunal were a former commissioner for Commerce and Tourism, Dr Barinen Kiobel; Mr John Kpuinen and Baribian Bere. While Gani Fawehinmi acted as defence counsel, Joseph Dauda (SAN) stood for the prosecution. Fawehinmi had to withdraw at some point when he found out that the states hands were heavily visible in the prosecution. For instance, a major evidence in his firm hold, a tape of a press conference held by Dauda Komo and one Alhaji Kobani, was pronounced unrecyclable by the tribunal. From then, Saro-Wiwa refused to cooperate with the tribunal and his imposed counsel, Michael Kamebigba. Mittee equally defended self.

Finding Saro-Wiwa and the others guilty, Auta, in a three-hour judgement, said the murder of the Ogoni Four had the accused Ogoni leaders hands in it. He sad their offence, which contravened the Civil Disturbances Decree of 1987, was punishable by S 316 of the Criminal Code. He thus found the accused guilty and to be hanged by their necks. One Victoria Vokwe had given evidence that Saro-Wiwa told her that there would be a revolution in Ogoni land and heads would roll. As Auta rose, Hauwa wept uncontrollably, her shoulder on Political Scientist, Claude Akes shoulders. Ake, who was also inside the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex venue of the tribunal, wore a visage of crimson.

The world initially believed that Abacha had a modicum of humanity left in him and would not kill Saro-Wiwa. Professor Wole Soyinka and Ken-Wiwa (Junior), son of the elder Saro-Wiwa, however went to Auckland, New Zealand, to convince the gathering Heads of State of the Commonwealth to persuade Abacha to commute the sentences. On November 5, 1995, Bola Ige, in his Uncle Bolas Column, wrote defending the Ogoni convicts, which he entitled, Saro-Wiwa will live.

What type of country is this? was Saro-Wiwas last word on record, a hypothetical question that he sought answer to without success, until the hangman wrenched life out of him. Twenty six years after, the echo of that morbid question still thunders across Nigeria. We all still ask ourselves what type of country this is.

On Thursday, November 8, 1995, the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC) confirmed Autas sentence. Announced by the GOC, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Victor Malu, the PRC said there was no room for clemency. On Saturday, November 10, barely 48 hours after the PRC confirmation, Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni elders, among whom were Saturday Dordee, Nordu Eawo, Felix Nuate, Paul Levula, David Gbokoo, Baribor Bera, Barinen Kobel were hung at exactly 11.30 a.m. About two hours before then, the prison and other adjoining roads were cordoned off by heavy MOPOL presence as the hanging was going on. By 2 p.m., their bodies, taken in a Port Harcourt City truck, were driven out of the prison premises to the cemetery, and by 3.15pm, their burial was concluded. There was unconfirmed rumour that their bodies were spattered with acid to speed up the process of decomposition.

Other reactions followed, like the suspension of Nigeria from the Commonwealth and harsh reactions by leaders of the world. The UN General Assembly condemned it and President Clinton responded by recalling U.S. Ambassador Walter Carrington for consultations, while banning the sale and repair of military goods and services to Nigeria. For British Prime Minister, John Major, it was a judicial murder.

Several declassified information pointed at the fact that Saro-Wiwa was murdered by the Nigerian state. He was a sore in the throats of the military and if he and his MOSOP continued, they would have put sand-sand in the gari of the Nigerian military elite, who profited from the environmental sorrows of the Ogoni people. With his education, international connections and reach, Saro-Wiwa was fast penetrating the sacred groove of international attention. He had to die.

Apparently anticipating Nigerias wickedness, The Guardian, in 1992, had asked him what epitaph he would want written on his grave. The man whom Nigeria was so unfair to, that it denied him the usual six feet of the earth, he told the reporter. In death, Abacha reportedly even ordered that acid be poured on Saro-Wiwa, so as to shrink the space of the earth he occupied.

At the time Saro-Wiwa was hung, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), as he then was, was the de-facto Prime Minister of Nigeria as he served as the Chariman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF). He controlled the levers of the economy and of the operations of government. Throughout the period, there was no word from Buhari for the Ogoni leader, nor in favour of his life, alongside those of his cohort, being spared. Indeed, Saro-Wiwa had to die for the interest of the military elite, which Buhari protected, to be sustained. One can thus logically agree that, ipso facto, Buhari was part of the hangmen who finished off the rights activists and his compatriots.

Having said this, it will be safe to conclude that Buharis recent claim of considering the offer of clemency to Saro-Wiwa as part of this administrations bid to lay the foundation for genuine reconciliation and bring closure to the issues of Ogoni land as a post-humus re-conviction and re-murdering of Saro Wiwa and his men by the Nigerian state that he represents.

What type of country is this? was Saro-Wiwas last word on record, a hypothetical question that he sought answer to without success, until the hangman wrenched life out of him. Twenty six years after, the echo of that morbid question still thunders across Nigeria. We all still ask ourselves what type of country this is.

Festus Adedayo is an Ibadan-based journalist.
It is time to let the negative side of the past recede, and just as a way was found to get Wole Soyinka and Ade Adefeko to eventually depart France for Nigeria, so should the spirit of liberte, egalite and fraternite prevail more to override mutual suspicion between the two countries and her citizens and herald a new dawn.

France is the elephant in the room, around which a decisive and coherent Nigerian foreign policy, to the benefit of both countries, has been difficult. There is a clumsiness of identity or acceptance of who France really is to Nigeria and what the relationship with her should be like. There is tentativeness in the relationship between the two countries, itself not surprising, given the history between them. But must history continue to hold the possibility of a different outlook to the future hostage? Must today continue to be defined by yesterday? Is todays reality a reflection of yesterday? Is the configuration of yesterday the same as that of today?

Nigeria comes across as unsure, unwilling, or perhaps unprepared to frontally confront her fears with France. Yet, France is a reality that stares us right in the face. Nigeria is almost completely surrounded by France. So, there is a French presence as a neighbour that needs to be addressed, and there is the reality of Nigeria within the sphere of her influence that France needs to accept, perhaps embrace and learn to live with.

There are two recent incidents, separate but similar, with two Nigerians involved, that need to be called up. One, involves the eminent Nigerian and global icon, Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka; the other, one of the writers of this piece and Honorary Consul of Botswana to Nigeria, Ade Adefeko. Soyinka, 87, a true citizen of the world, with extensive footprints across the continents and multiple hundreds of thousands of miles accrued from international travel by air for decades, without any issue, was held up in France for over 48 hours, banished (in his word) from entering his own country, Nigeria. Adefeko, a polyglot, who has been travelling the world since the age of four, with over 50 countries in the bag, was to suffer the same fate in the same France, about a week later. Except that unlike Professor Wole Soyinka, who was able to make it back into the city, Adefeko, without a Schengen visa on his passport, was confined to the airport. Neither his fluency in French nor connections within the diplomatic circles was of much help, as he had to pass the night in the airport. His only source of succour was the Ambassador of Nigeria to France, Kayode Laro who assured him that Nigeria never abandons its own and kept him engaged on the phone for over an hour trying to keep his spirits high at Charles De Gaulle, Europes second busiest airport.

Indeed, there in enough blame to go round, with the circumstances of the kerfuffle, leading itself into putting the greater part of the blame on the part of Nigerian authorities. Professor Wole Soyinka and Ade Adefeko were prevented from leaving France for Nigeria because they were said to be in breach of the COVID-19 protocols, as set out between the Nigerian Presidential Steering Committee on Covid-19 and the National Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Indeed, the NCAA had on September 11 issued a directive to all airlines, granting permission for them to board passengers who are unable to show evidence of payment for Day-7 Covid PCR test or generating paid QR Code/Permit to Fly. But relying on an October 15 press statement said to have emanated from the Presidential Steering Committee on Covid-19, Air France opted for a cautious interpretation, thus preventing them from flying into Nigeria.

But could things have been handled better in Paris by Air France, given that these are Nigerian citizens returning to their own country, especially given the age and stature of Professor Wole Soyinka? Could a way have been found to positively take advantage of the mixed signals from the official communication and key into a diplomatic sense of the occasion to have it resolved?

Air France, most likely, did not mean to embarrass the two men, but in a way, what happened in Paris mirrors the needless and pointless flexing of muscles that has characterised Nigeria-France relations at different points over the years. Whereas, there are different ways to navigate around interests to make them coincide, at critical junctures in the diplomatic history between the two countries, interests have rather collided.

For reasons to do with Nigerias size, there is always an air of suspicion about her real intent among smaller neighbours. They instinctively find themselves constantly watching their backs. That lingering mistrust has played into the hands of France, creating a platform for Frances continuing overbearing influence on the neighbours and the region, helping her positioning as a Mother-Hen or father-figure to the Francophone countries.

The delicate nature of the relationship between Nigeria and France is founded around a number of realities. Nigeria is virtually surrounded by France, through her hold or influence over the Francophone countries, who are our immediate neighbours. Also, Nigerias foreign policy, in the words of Oluwole, has been largely influenced by the needs of Africa and its people  these include the pursuit of unity, peace, good neighbourliness, respect for the territorial integrity and inherited colonial boundaries, liberation of territories still under colonial yoke and economic advancement.

Nigerian leaders and policy makers, even with their different political persuasions, have consistently perceived the country as the natural leader of Africa. According to Professor Osuntokun, being the most populous Black Country in the world compelled her to shoulder, wittingly or unwittingly, the leadership of the Black world. Nigerias feeling that she had a responsibility far beyond her borders. Some might say beyond her means. That has come with a price for Nigeria and an impact on the relationship with France.

As Osuntokun argues, we as a nation was seized, some would say obsessed, with the question of decolonisation and fighting for the rights of all black people wherever they may be. In our pursuit of this policy, we paid the price in human and material termsin our mission to help and lead Africa we have carried Africas burden with equanimity. This was the case when we stood alone, deserted by other African states in our opposition to France over the testing of atomic bombs in the Sahara. Our determined stand brought the wrath of France against our vital interests including the sustenance of our sovereignty and national unity. We have sometimes in our defence of Africa hurt our vital economic interests and undermined the smooth economic relations with our major economic partners.

The Nigerian Civil War would offer France the opportunity for a payback of sorts. She had not forgotten or forgiven the diplomatic slight of Nigerias expulsion of her ambassador over the French testing of atomic bombs in the Sahara. General Charles Andre Joseph Maria de Gaulle (1890-1970), the President of the French Republic, for some curious reasons had a phobia for the English-speaking world and was not averse to cutting to size the influence of the Anglophone Commonwealth. France exercised her influence in securing support for Benin and Equatorial Guinea ostensibly for humanitarian reasons, but apparently in logistic and offensive support for Biafra. With Cote dIvoire, which had permanently settled into the French corner, always leading the charge against Nigerias interest in West Africa, standing up to Nigeria rather than for her in the hour of need, it was evident where the shot was being called from. While the establishment of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), under the leadership of Nigeria, was with the objective of promoting intra-regional cooperation, especially trade and commerce, the pervasive influence of France was hardly shaken among the countries within the region beholden to France, with obvious negative impact on the success of the regional body.

For reasons to do with Nigerias size, there is always an air of suspicion about her real intent among smaller neighbours. They instinctively find themselves constantly watching their backs. That lingering mistrust has played into the hands of France, creating a platform for Frances continuing overbearing influence on the neighbours and the region, helping her positioning as a Mother-Hen or father-figure to the Francophone countries. As played out recently, with moves to scuttle the re-election of Dr Akinwumi Adesina as the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), the major source of contention was from the Francophone bloc within the continent, which traditionally acts under the direction of France.

There is hardly a better time and opportunity to reset and strengthen relationship between the two countries. President Macrons affinity and history with Nigeria, stemming from his stint in the country decades ago on diplomatic posting, is well known. Indeed, Nigeria is Frances largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is much more that can be done in terms of trade and commerce

Invariably, it all boils down to interests, the primary driver in international relations. Every country is motivated by a body of interests known as national interest. As it is with Nigeria, so is it with France. The essence of international diplomacy is to achieve balance by finding accommodation for interests that might, at first, come across as competing or colliding to a point of coinciding. It has gotten to a point that concerning Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria and France must find accommodation for themselves and their interests.

Both countries must come to the place of realisation that they are the two most powerful interests in the region, and therefore find accommodation for each others interests and chart a mutually-beneficial course for themselves. The interests of the two countries will be better realised with peace prevailing in the region.

In recent years, there has been an uptick in the relationship between Nigeria and France, not unconnected to the mutual love and respect between Presidents Buhari and Macron. This is related to the leading role the Nigerian president has been playing, as an experienced hand and statesman, in helping to resolve disputes within the region, and the understandings reached between the two leaders in addressing insecurity in the Lake Chad region.

There is hardly a better time and opportunity to reset and strengthen relationship between the two countries. President Macrons affinity and history with Nigeria, stemming from his stint in the country decades ago on diplomatic posting, is well known. Indeed, Nigeria is Frances largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is much more that can be done in terms of trade and commerce, a point Nigerias Ambassador to France, Kayode Laro has emphasised time and again, and reaffirmed by the new French Ambassador to Nigeria, Madame Emmanuelle Blatmann. The way France has deployed its soft power as a tool for diplomacy, strengthening bonds through the internationalisation of language learning, culinary and other cultural assets, is one that lends itself to adoption/adaptation by Nigeria. The leadership grooming/recruitment process in France, which led to the emergence of Emmanuel Macron at the age of 39, is one that Nigeria ought to look at.

Back to Africa and the challenge of insecurity within the region, a concerted effort to address the menace of terrorism that has made a hell of the Sahel is absolutely essential. France is at a vantage position to influence the buy-in of other regional players to work with Nigeria on a comprehensive security and anti-terror strategy aimed at cleaning up the region. It is time to let the negative side of the past recede, and just as a way was found to get Wole Soyinka and Ade Adefeko to eventually depart France for Nigeria, so should the spirit of liberte, egalite and fraternite prevail more to override mutual suspicion between the two countries and her citizens and herald a new dawn.

Simbo Olorunfemi is a Specialist on Nigerias Foreign Policy and Managing Editor of Africa Enterprise, while Ade Adefeko is Vice President, Olam International Nigeria and Honorary Consul of Botswana to Nigeria.
A collective effort of Nigerias tech startup ecosystem and the Presidency for the advancement of the digital economy through co-created regulations, the NSB aims to ensure that laws and regulations are friendly, clear, planned, and work for the tech ecosystem.

Recent regulatory and policy announcements have called into question the governments commitment to innovative transformation and the growth of tech startups in the digital economy.

Many government authorities and agencies are formulating different forms of legislation without any consideration of the interest of startups. Those government bodies care less about inviting input from young Nigerians building startups across various sectors.

To address this anomaly and build amity between the startups and regulators, stakeholders in the tech ecosystem came together to draft the Nigerian Startups Bill (NSB).

A collective effort of Nigerias tech startup ecosystem and the Presidency for the advancement of the digital economy through co-created regulations, the NSB aims to ensure that laws and regulations are friendly, clear, planned, and work for the tech ecosystem.

The Nigeria Startup Bill project is managed by the Ventures Platform Foundation and supervised by the Presidential Strategic Advisory Group (PSAG) comprising stakeholder representatives from the public sector and tech-startup ecosystem in Nigeria.

Government authorities and tech ecosystem organisations are also partnering with the PSAG to ensure the NSB reflects global best practices and perspectives from countries like Senegal and Tunisia that have enacted their startup laws.

The Presidency, the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) constitute the public sector partners.

Apart from being the first joint initiative between the government and the tech ecosystem, the NSB will provide startups with regulatory clarity, improved access to capital, and an enabling environment to drive sustainable growth and scalability.

Since the commencement of the drafting process of the NSB in July, the Bill has received a collection of inputs from several members of the tech ecosystem and government through a series of town hall meetings, webinars, and rallies.

Although the draft law may not provide answers to all the problems confronting the typical tech startup, it promises realistic provisions to issues relating to incorporation, fundraising, licensing, growth and operations, and exits.

The Bill seeks to harmonise all pieces of legislation towards incentivising and protecting investments in innovation, increasing industry-government engagement, building Nigeria through talent development, and encouraging investments in infrastructure as a tool for economic stability.

The Bill seeks to harmonise all pieces of legislation towards incentivising and protecting investments in innovation, increasing industry-government engagement, building Nigeria through talent development, and encouraging investments in infrastructure as a tool for economic stability.

Notable provisions of the draft legislation include the creation of a National Council, consisting of individuals from both the private and public sectors, to advise regulators.

There will also be an engagement portal that enables stakeholders in the startup ecosystem to interface, a special fund for startups aiming to scale, establish talent development programmes, and free zones for startups.

In addition, it will provide incentives for commercial banks to provide loans to startups and also incentivise public and private research institutions to conduct more research on startups.

Speaking at a recent virtual National Stakeholders Roundtable organised by NESG to drive the conversation on the NSB, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami, emphasised the significance of startups to Nigerias economic progress.

Pantami told the stakeholders that his Ministry has transmitted the Bill to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), who is making efforts to ensure that it receives a favourable consideration from the National Assembly.

In a demonstration of governments commitment, Pantami pledged to continue to engage stakeholders to support the Bill since it will serve as a game-changer for the development of Nigerias digital economy.

In the same vein, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) had restated its preparedness to sustain partnerships with indigenous and international organisations to enhance growth in the tech startup ecosystem.

Stakeholders are hopeful that the National Assembly will give the NSB an expeditious passage to create an enabling environment for growth, attraction, and protection of investment in tech startups.

In a presentation at the Bridge to MassChallenge (B2MC) partnership event, the DG, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, asserted that a proactive startup ecosystem is vital for achieving sustainable wealth creation and an innovative digital economy.

Moreover, the wave of endorsement for the Bill is expanding with the flag-off of nationwide rallies to enlighten stakeholders and to lobby other stakeholders on the proposed legislation. The rallies have begun in Abuja, Ebonyi, Gombe, Lagos, and Yobe.

Through various advocacy platforms, the Nigerian startup ecosystem has been engaging government agencies/regulators, corporate organisations, academia, policymakers, and lawmakers to work together and ensure that the NSB is actualised into law before the end of the year.

The NSB is significant to Nigeria because it is founded on the collaborative effort of all relevant stakeholders in the tech startup community and the government regulatory authorities.

It is also guided through an all-inclusive approach of open engagement, with an emphasis on facilitating and encouraging a broad spectrum of views from among members of the tech ecosystem.

At this juncture, it becomes imperative for regulatory institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) to review and introduce regulations that will guarantee online investments in the tech startup ecosystem.

Stakeholders are hopeful that the National Assembly will give the NSB an expeditious passage to create an enabling environment for growth, attraction, and protection of investment in tech startups.

Inyene Ibanga writes from Wuye District, Abuja.
Keystone Bank Limited has said that reports in some sections of the online media on its meeting with the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Assessment and Status of All Recovered Loots Movable and Immovable Assets on Federal Governments $40 million funds which were in its custody, are wrong.

A statement on Sunday signed by Michael Agamah, Keystone Banks General Counsel and Company Secretary, said the details of the meeting have been misrepresented in the media, stressing that the sum of money in issue, which came into its position in the normal and ordinary course of business, was not a recovered loot but rather belonged to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The statement further clarified that at no time did the representatives of the bank disclose to the committee at the sitting that the bank was coerced by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, to convert the said fund at N305 per dollar.

According to Dr. Agamah: Some sections of the online news media, while reporting what transpired at the sitting of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Assessment and Status of All Recovered Loots Movable and Immovable Assets, have unfairly misrepresented Keystone Bank Limiteds disclosures to the committee. While we cannot deny the right of the press to freely disseminate information to the public, we believe that such right should be exercised responsibly and in a manner that does not infringe on the corresponding rights of other members of the public.

We wish to state the following facts for the records:

The money in issue was not a recovered loot. The sum involved belonged to NNPC which came into the position of Keystone Bank in the normal and ordinary course of business. The deposit was subject to mutually agreed terms and conditions, which included repayment terms applicable to other deposits of a similar nature.

The banks counsel further disclosed that the exchange rate used at the material time to determine the equivalent of the $40 million was the official rate, and that the parties to this transaction were not at liberty to have recourse to parallel market rates, which is what the trending histrionic reporting appears to be suggesting.

We did not inform the Ad-hoc Committee during our presentation that the Honorable Attorney General of the Federation forced us to convert recovered loot at N305 per dollar. Such an unduly sensational headline, in our opinion, is a disservice to the profession of journalism, and antithetical to the objectivity and accuracy which responsible reporting is known for.

The processes that culminated in our bank repaying in full, NNPCs deposits with us are well documented, and based on mutual negotiations between our bank and the owner of the funds.

We reiterate that at no time did we insinuate that the Honorable Attorney General of the Federation acted improperly, forced us to transfer or acted outside the powers of his office.

Our bank has discharged its obligation to its customer under a regular and validated framework, the same way we honour our obligations to all our customers, he said.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Aliyu Shugaba, says the institutions refusal to close down at the peak of Boko Haram insurgency has attracted a N2 billion Distance Learning project.

The vice-chancellor made this known when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said the project, which, was courtesy of Muhammad Idimi, a philanthropist and founder of Oriental Energy Resources, had a state-of-the-art facility among other things.

While appreciating Mr Indimi for deeming the institution fit for a project that would impact positively on the lives of people within and outside Borno, he assured that the university would continue to work towards maintaining its name as a Centre of Excellence.

We are moving on as a university and we are at our best now.

Presently, all our programmes in the university have been fully accredited and about 21 more are due for accreditation this November, he said.

The vice-chancellor recounted the schools ordeal at the heat of the insurgency, saying that the number of applications for admission dropped to as low as 3000 per session.

The early years of insurgency affected the number of applications received.

We were used to receiving applications in tens of thousands.

However, when the insurgency started between 2010 and 2011 session to 2013 and 2014 sessions, the applications for admission received both in terms of UTME and Direct Entry reduced to below 3000.

By 2014 and 2015 session and 2016 session, however, we received 60,000 applications and at that time our admission quota was only about 8,100.

By 2017 and 2018, admission request was almost 80,000 and our admission quota had increased to about 10,000.

The admission quota is now 11,000 but our applications have always been in the neighbourhood of 70,000 and 80,000 requests per admission, he said.

Mr Shugaba, a professor, further disclosed that besides the drop in the number of applications, external examiners kept away from the institution at the peak of the insurgency.

He assured that the school would continue to stand out, particularly in the area of medicine, law, social sciences and sciences.

We have now improved our collaboration with universities within and outside the country.

We have collaboration with universities in Malaysia, Thailand, China and most of the Asian countries as well as the UK and U.S.

So, the number of collaborations has increased and that has now made us look at other things deeply in terms of research and everything.

Teaching, research and community service have been maintained.

At the moment there are many staff from other universities that want to come to Maiduguri for sabbatical leave, research leave and all of that.

Currently, one from the University of Lagos and another from the University of Nigeria Nsukka have written to come to Maiduguri for sabbatical.

So, we still maintain our position as a Centre of Excellence.

He pointed out that in spite of the challenges, the university could boast of having the highest number of students in the country.

Our student population including undergraduate, postgraduate and distance learning amounts to about 75,000.

Ahmadu Bello University is trailing us with about 65,000 student population, he said.

(NAN)
Plattsburgh, NY (12901)

Today

A shower or two around the area early, then partly cloudy during the afternoon. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Morning high of 46F with temps falling to near 35. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low 23F. Winds light and variable.
AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Oracle today announced the opening of its second cloud region in the United Arab Emirates to continue supporting UAE organizations with enterprise cloud services. The Oracle Cloud Abu Dhabi Region and the Oracle Cloud Dubai Region will provide customers with stronger business continuity and disaster recovery capabilities. The opening of the Abu Dhabi Region also directly supports the UAE's Fourth Industrial Revolution Strategy which focuses on advancing the national economy by driving innovation with the latest technologies.

"The rapid adoption of cloud-based technologies like artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and machine learning is vital for building a thriving digital economy and is a key priority for the UAE. With the Dubai and Abu Dhabi Regions, we have the required cloud infrastructure for organizations across public and private sectors, including SMBs, to accelerate their digital transformation," said Richard Smith, executive vice president, Technology, EMEA, Oracle.

Both Oracle Cloud regions in the UAE are built on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), which enables customers to easily migrate existing workloads and data platforms or build new cloud native applications that benefit from superior performance, lower cost, and built-in security capabilities. Customers will also have access to the full suite of Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications, as well as Oracle Autonomous Database, giving them the opportunity and choice to create the architecture that best suits their business needs.

Importance of Oracle's Two Cloud Regions for Driving Foreign Investment in the UAE

His Excellency Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade said: "Oracle's decision to open a second cloud region in the UAE is a clear reflection of our nation's embrace of digital transformation, advanced technologies and the applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which have become central to our economic and investment strategy for the next 50 years. We are committed to developing an innovative- and knowledge-based economy that encourages the development and deployment of the technologies of the future, and attracting human, financial and technological capital to the nation is central to these ambitions. Oracle's continued investment into the UAE will only accelerate this process, providing critical infrastructure, expertise and insights to further elevate the UAE's standing as a place where the boldest ideas and biggest projects can come to life."

Boosting UAE's Cyber Security Preparedness

His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government said: "The UAE Government has rapidly transitioned from being a conventional set up to a 'smart government' entity, and now with the increasing pace of digital transformation across the country's public and private sector, we are progressing towards being an AI enabled government. This progress is in line with the digital economy goals of our country, but we must also ensure that the 'cyber resilience' of the UAE is maintained to mitigate cybercrime and increase international collaboration. Oracle's two cloud regions in the UAE are important investments towards providing cyber resilience and secure digital infrastructure for organizations to enjoy the full benefits of cloud computing."

Leading UAE Organizations Choose Oracle Cloud

Emaar Properties is one of the world's most valuable and admired real estate development companies. With proven competencies in properties, shopping malls, retail and hospitality and leisure, Emaar shapes new lifestyles with a focus on design excellence, build quality and timely delivery.

"With fast-growing business operations that span different countries, at Emaar, we are focused on creating a future-ready digital infrastructure that supports growth, helps increase revenue, lowers costs and allows us to constantly innovate. Oracle's new cloud region in the UAE will help us accelerate our digital initiatives with latest emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning," said the Emaar Technology spokesperson.

Emirates Post Group is the official postal operator for the United Arab Emirates, which owns several subsidiaries including Wall Street Exchange, a regional currency exchange provider; Electronic Documents Centre, a major digital printing business; and Emirates Post, the official postal services provider in the country.

Abdulla Mohammed Alashram, Group CEO of Emirates Post Group, said: "The world's digital transformation is now unstoppable, and organizations have to adapt to the changes to remain relevant and competitive. In the UAE, we have seen increased implementation and integration of next-generation tools. In our industry, technologies play a big role to enable companies to meet the demand for speed in deliveries and cross-border services while enhancing operational efficiency and productivity. We are excited by Oracle's next-generation cloud, knowing that its launch will lead to more improved services in the UAE and the region. It will also be instrumental in our efforts to fully digitalize our services by the end of 2021, which will significantly increase our capabilities in today's digital age."

Analyst Commentary

Jyoti Lalchandani, Group Vice President and Regional Managing Director, Middle East, Turkey & Africa, IDC said: "Public cloud services adoption is accelerating at CAGR of 28% year on year between 2020 and 2025 in the UAE and IDC projects that the growth momentum will continue. Cloud's role in enabling innovation is underscored by the priority organizations have given to cloud in their digital transformation initiatives. Cloud-based technologies have helped organizations weather the covid-19 crisis and cloud is now helping them build a resilient organization that can withstand uncertainties."

"Our survey of the CIOs in the UAE highlights that an in-country data center is an important factor for 78% organizations that are planning to adopt cloud over the next 12-18 months. Oracle's two cloud regions in the UAE will boost local cloud infrastructure availability. IDC believes that cloud has become an inseparable element of an organization's digital transformation and innovation roadmap," added Jyoti.

Preparing UAE's Next Generation for the Digital Economy

Oracle has been working toward creating a strong local IT talent pool in the UAE. Under the recently completed skills development initiatives with the UAE's Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) and its commercial arm, the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research & Training (CERT), Oracle has upskilled 1,098 students in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, and blockchain.

High Availability, Disaster Protection, and Dual Region Cloud Strategy

OCI's next-generation architecture provides a high-performing, resilient foundation for cloud services, while its physical and virtual network design maximizes performance and security. For example, each Oracle Cloud region contains at least three fault domains, which are groupings of hardware that form logical data centers for high availability and resilience to hardware and network failures.

For business continuity and compliance requirements, Oracle's unique dual-region cloud strategy enables customers to deploy resilient applications in multiple geographically separated locations within the UAE. To help customers plan data center deployments to meet application requirements and optimize their cloud infrastructure, OCI's provides a no cost inter-region latency dashboard that provides insights into real-time and historical latency for Oracle Cloud regions around the globe.

Sustainability

Oracle is committed to sustainability and has pledged to power all Oracle Cloud regions worldwide with 100 percent renewable energy by 2025. Several Oracle Cloud regions in North America, South America, and Europe are already powered by 100 percent renewable energy, and all Oracle Cloud regions use state-of-the-art energy management and cooling technologies to minimize their impact on the environment. As part of its renewable energy clean Cloud initiative, Oracle reused or recycled 99.6 percent of its retired hardware in FY21 while strictly adhering to Oracle's data privacy and security practices.

Cloud Regions Deliver All Cloud Services and Multicloud

Oracle Cloud regions support every Oracle service and feature and are available to customers anywhere in the world. This includes Oracle Autonomous Database, Oracle Container Engine for Kubernetes, Oracle Cloud VMware solution, and Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications.

OCI's extensive network of more than 70 FastConnect global and regional partners offer customers dedicated connectivity to Oracle Cloud regions and OCI services  providing customers with the best options anywhere in the world. FastConnect provides an easy, elastic, and economical way to create a dedicated and private network connection with higher bandwidth, lower latency, and more consistent performance versus public Internet-based connections.

In addition, OCI and Microsoft Azure have a strategic partnership that enables joint customers to run workloads across the two clouds. This partnership provides a low latency, cross-cloud interconnect between OCI and Azure in eight regions (Ashburn, Toronto, London, Amsterdam, Tokyo, San Jose, Vinhedo and Frankfurt) federated identity for joint customers to deploy applications across both clouds, and a collaborative support model. Customers can run full stack applications in a multi-cloud configuration, while maintaining high-performance connectivity without requiring re-architecture. They can also migrate existing applications or develop cloud native applications that use a mix of OCI and Azure services.

Oracle Cloud's Expanding Global Footprint

Oracle has announced plans to expand its cloud region footprint to support strong customer demand for Oracle Cloud services worldwide. Over the next year, Oracle will open 10 additional cloud regions with new locations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.

Upcoming cloud regions include Milan (Italy), Stockholm (Sweden), Spain, Johannesburg (South Africa), Mexico, and Colombia. Additional second regions will open in Saudi Arabia, France, Israel and Chile. Oracle plans to have at least 44 cloud regions by the end of 2022, continuing one of the fastest expansions of any major cloud provider.

Currently available Oracle Cloud regions:

Asia Pacific : Tokyo ( Japan ), Osaka ( Japan ), Seoul ( South Korea ), Chuncheon ( South Korea ), Mumbai ( India ), Hyderabad ( India ), Sydney ( Australia ), Melbourne ( Australia ), Singapore ( Singapore )

Tokyo ( ), ( ), ( ), Chuncheon ( ), ( ), ( ), ( ), ( ), ( ) Americas: San Jose ( United States ), Phoenix ( United States ), Ashburn ( United States ), Toronto ( Canada ), Montreal ( Canada ), Sao Paolo (Brazil) , Vinhedo (Brazil), Santiago ( Chile )

San Jose ( ), ( ), ( ), ( ), ( ), Sao , Vinhedo (Brazil), ( ) Europe : Frankfurt ( Germany ), London ( United Kingdom ), Newport, Wales (United Kingdom ), Zurich ( Switzerland ), Amsterdam ( The Netherlands ), Marseille ( France )

Frankfurt ( ), ( ), Newport, ), Zurich ( ), ( ), ( ) Middle East : Jeddah ( Saudi Arabia ), Abu Dhabi and Dubai (U.A.E), Jerusalem ( Israel )

Jeddah ( ), and (U.A.E), ( ) Government: Two general U.S. Government regions, and U.S. National Security regions, three U.S. Department of Defense specific Government regions, two in the United Kingdom ( London and Newport, Wales )

Additional Resources

Learn more about the Oracle Cloud Regions

Learn more about Oracle Cloud Infrastructure

About Oracle

Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com.

Trademarks

Oracle, Java, and MySQL are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation.

SOURCE Oracle

Related Links

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HIGH QUALITY, CERTIFIED CREDITS COMPLEMENT MEANINGFUL EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS FOR ENTERPRISES TO MEET THEIR NET-ZERO MANDATES

GLASGOW, Scotland, Nov. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Accelerated Ventures (GAV) and ACTUAL are partnering with Bioassets, to integrate high quality, provenanced carbon credits with an A.I. augmented ESG transformation solution for large corporate enterprises. The Bioassets solution enables enterprises to make meaningful reductions in their carbon emissions in line with COP26 net-zero pledges. GAV and ACTUAL's collaboration structures solutions which climate pledges within the framework of positive financial returns and clear ESG risk and performance metrics. Leveraging each company's unique positioning and expertise, they have created a leading partnership to make decarbonization a reality at scale.

ACTUAL provides a first-of-its-kind digital toolkit, which enables organizations to rapidly plan and take action on decarbonization. GAV's expertise is rooted in organizational transformation, conservation management, and development finance, especially in emerging markets. Together, they provide a central solution for modern enterprises to meet complex climate goals. By partnering with Bioassets, GAV and ACTUAL can provide and structure high quality carbon credits to enterprises to meet their immediate as well as strategic management objectives.

"In this rapidly transforming business landscape, rather than a piecemeal offset purchase approach, our partnership mobilizes critical skillsets and assets to help enterprises structure a holistic ESG and carbon approach," said William Byun, Senior Partner, GAV.

The partnership has also recently been engaged by one of Southeast Asia's largest natural resources conglomerates for a comprehensive review of all of their current businesses and operations in their industrial plants and agribusiness developments to seek long-term paradigm transformation pathways in an increasingly carbon critical world.

"Bioassets has a long history of producing high quality, certified offsets which meet additionality and permanence hurdles. Our offsets have helped leading companies such as banks, insurance companies and airlines and others meet their carbon offset goals."

The partnership between GAV, ACTUAL, and Bioassets enables every company to meaningfully decarbonize. Decarbonization is one of humanity's most pressing challenges, and an incredibly complex endeavour for most enterprises with many moving parts. Enterprises need a single partner who can present an integrated plan that's solution agnostic. GAV and ACTUAL provide decarbonization plan building, change management, organizational transformation, and complete suite of ESG software tools to help enterprises get moving quickly, build momentum, and maintain progress for the decades-long journey of reducing emissions in the real world. The Bioassets partnerships enables high quality offsetting of remaining emissions in cases where emissions reductions are not yet possible due to technological or other constraints.

"ACTUAL's software has enabled global, nation-scale projects to get moving quickly, allowing organizations to rapidly plan scenarios and visualize pathways forward for the first time with positive impact at scale. Organizational carbon transformation is critical to meet the ambitious Net-Zero commitments announced during COP26, and we are proud to partner with Bioassets alongside GAV to help enterprises meet the ambition," said Karthik Balakrishnan, Ph.D., co-founder and President, ACTUAL.

The partnership has officially launched and enterprises interested in working with them can contact ACTUAL's President and Co-Founder Karthik Balakrishnan for more information.

Media Contact

Karthik Balakrishnan

[email protected]

Bioassets

Bioassets was founded in 2000 and is one of Brazil's leading social enterprises involved in carbon credits generation through the development of projects in forest conservation and renewable energy, including having pioneered Brazil's first REDD+ credits in the Amazon.

https://bioassets.com.br/

Global Accelerated Ventures (GAV)

GAV partners with the world's leading research universities to accelerate the development and commercialization of R&D in sustainability and conservation as well as engage in organizational change management related to such technological adoption.

https://gaventures.co/

ACTUAL

The ACTUAL platform empowers leaders across industries to act on their ESG goals and set a path towards real change through a first-of-its-kind digital toolkit.

https://www.actualhq.com/

Related Links

www.actualhq.com



SOURCE Actual Systems Inc.
TEGUCIGALPA, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Government of Honduras seeks to provide greater stability to foreign and national investment for propelling the generation of jobs in the country through model cities called Zones for Employment and Economic Development (ZEDEs for its acronym in Spanish), by pursuing legal reforms for strengthening this model in consensus with the different sectors of the country.

The ZEDE located within the national territory in areas subject to a "special regime" purport to be autonomously governed areas that will attract foreign investment and compete for residents by establishing safer communities and better managed institutions governed by the rule of law.

The ZEDE presents new opportunities for investors, in particular those who are looking to diversify their supply chains; also, help facilitate greater trade between through various fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.

This is an initiative that President Juan Orlando Hernandez has promoted since 2010 to attract foreign investment for accelerating growth, through the massive generation of jobs and better living conditions for the Honduran population.

Honduras Congress amended its constitution and passed the Organic Law of Employment and Economic Development Zones in 2013 with a majority of votes, to create ZEDEs empowered to set their own budgets and taxes, and it authorized public audiences for approving the selection of two regions and the hosts of these new enclave model for popular sovereignty.

The ZEDE will provide a wide range of territorial ventures, including urban development, resource extraction, international logistics centers, commercial international courts, special investment districts, renewable energy districts, industrial parks, special export processing zones, technology parks, and innovation areas

Last week, a bill was introduced before the Honduras National Congress aiming a tax interpretation and exemptions from these employment zones, and with this action the Government is looking forward to engaging a multi-sectorial dialogue to join and support this initiative.

"The Zones for Employment and Economic Development are an initiative conditioned in the Constitution of the Republic, whose purpose is to prevent hundreds of Hondurans from leaving the country in search of jobs and better living conditions for themselves and their families", President Hernandez said.

Many countries in Asia, such as China, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, and Dubai, among others, and other regions have had economic success through undertakings similar models which have triggered development poles from large productive investments.

Fuente: https://presidencia.gob.hn/index.php/gob/el-presidente/9523-presidente-hernandez-garantiza-soberania-en-las-zonas-de-empleo-y-desarrollo-economico

SOURCE Government of Honduras
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, along with fellow veteran astronauts Michael Lopez-Alegria and Scott Kelly, were inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame class of 2021 on Saturday, Nov. 13. Their induction ceremony, held at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, brings the Hall of Fame's membership to 102.

Melroy, Lopez-Alegria, and Kelly have spent a combined total of more than 635 days in space. They were honored for demonstrating outstanding accomplishments in furthering NASA's mission of exploration and discovery.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson provided keynote remarks at the ceremony and former CNN space correspondent John Zarrella served as host. Both praised the inductees for their contributions to NASA's space program.

"These three pioneers propelled upward and explored the heavens. They broke barriers and set records. They pushed the boundaries of humanity's reach," Nelson said. "Pam, Michael, and Scott, congratulations on this well-earned recognition. And thank you for daring us to keep looking upward and pushing outward into the unknown."

Melroy was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1994. A veteran of three space shuttle missions, she served as pilot for two flights and commander for her third, making her one of only two women to command a space shuttle. Melroy logged more than 924 hours in space. She retired from NASA in 2007 and was sworn in as the agency's deputy administrator on June 21, 2021.

"It is a great honor to be inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame together with my distinguished colleagues," said Melroy. "Now we are building a program to achieve a series of objectives that will provide the blueprint to how we maintain a human presence in deep space as we explore the solar system, and then the universe. Those of us who had the incredible good fortune to go to space know that all of humanity is the crew of spaceship Earth, and it is our duty to care for each other and our home planet."

NASA selected Kelly as an astronaut in 1996. He served as pilot on his first space shuttle mission and commander on his second. In October 2010, Kelly launched aboard the Soyuz TMA-A spacecraft to serve a tour of duty aboard the International Space Station and commander of Expedition 26. In March 2015, Kelly returned to the space station for a one-year mission, serving as a flight engineer and then commander. During the mission, almost 400 experiments were conducted on the station.

The agency selected Lopez-Alegria as an astronaut in 1992. He was a mission specialist for three flights aboard the space shuttle and served as commander of Expedition 14 aboard the space station from September 2006 to April 2007. Lopez-Alegria logged more than 257 days in space and performed 10 spacewalks, totaling 67 hours and 40 minutes.

The 2021 inductees were selected by a committee of Hall of Fame astronauts, former NASA officials, flight directors, historians, and journalists. The process is administered by the Astronaut Selection Foundation, which was founded by the original seven Mercury astronauts in 1984. To be eligible, an astronaut must have made his or her first flight at least 17 years before the induction and have been retired from NASA for at least five years. Each candidate must be a U.S. citizen and a NASA-trained commander, pilot, or mission specialist who has orbited Earth at least once.

The Astronaut Selection Foundation has awarded more than $7 million to more than 600 college students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics studies.

Learn more about current and former NASA astronauts online:

https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts

SOURCE NASA

Related Links

http://www.nasa.gov


NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Lightning eMotors, Inc. f/k/a GigCapital3, Inc. (NYSE: ZEV, ZEV.WS) between May 7, 2021 and August 16, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period") of the important December 14, 2021 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Lightning eMotors securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Lightning eMotors class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2155.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than December 14, 2021. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Lightning eMotors would record a substantially greater net loss per share in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020 and would pull its full year guidance for the remainder of 2021; (2) accordingly, Lightning eMotors materially overstated its financial position and/or prospects; and (3) as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Lightning eMotors class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2155.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

Related Links

www.rosenlegal.com


To commemorate the special day, Carnival held a "Back to Fun" event at the Port of Tampa. Carnival's Vice President of Guest Operations Sarah Beth Reno, Carnival Pride Captain Rino Costanzo, and Port Tampa Bay's Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Raul Alfonso cut a ceremonial ribbon to much fanfare and officially welcomed the first guests on board. Carnival Pride is set to depart today on a seven-day cruise to the Western Caribbean with stops in the Mexican ports of Costa Maya and Cozumel, as well as Belize and Mahogany Bay in Roatan, Honduras.

"We have been a proud member of the Tampa community for more than 25 years, having been the first cruise line to sail from Tampa in 1994, so we're absolutely thrilled to provide our guests an opportunity to get Back to Fun from the port while supporting the local economy," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

"We are so pleased to have Carnival Cruise Line returning to Port Tampa Bay today. The return of cruising has a far-reaching impact on our region, with many local businesses standing to benefit. It's estimated that a ship like Carnival Pride generates an average of $334,000 in passenger and crew onshore spending per call," said Raul Alfonso, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Port Tampa Bay.

Carnival Cruise Line launched the first year-round cruise program from Tampa in 1994 on the since-retired Tropicale, carrying 28,000 passengers a year. The line has since increased passenger capacity nine-fold, making it one of the largest cruise operators in the area. Cruise operations in Tampa are part of Carnival's close-to-home ship deployment strategy which positions ships near large U.S. population centers along the East and West Coasts and the Gulf of Mexico to make cruising convenient for everyone.

Carnival Pride's offerings from Tampa include six-, seven- and eight-day Western Caribbean sailings.

With more than half of its U.S. fleet already in guest operations, additional ships will resume service in the coming weeks and months as Carnival's successful restart of operations continues. All 22 of its U.S.-based ships will be back in guest operations by March 2022.

For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com , or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.

ABOUT CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

Carnival Cruise Line is proud to be known as America's Cruise Line with a total of 24 ships, sailing from 14 U.S. homeports and employing more than 40,000 team members from 120 nationalities. Carnival's newest ship, Mardi Gras, featuring the first roller coaster at sea and the first cruise ship in the Americas powered by eco-friendly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), sailed from Port Canaveral, Fla., July 31, 2021. As part of its 50th Birthday festivities, Carnival Celebration, sister ship to Mardi Gras, is scheduled to debut in late 2022 from PortMiami, as well as Carnival Jubilee sailing from Galveston in 2023.

SOURCE Carnival Cruise Line

Related Links

http://www.carnivalcorp.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 Equity Research Services market. The report also aids buyers with relevant Equity Research Services 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/equity-research-services-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. During the forecast period, the market expects a change of 2%-5%.

Identify favorable opportunities in Equity Research Services 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.

SpendEdge presents a detailed picture of this procurement market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our Equity Research Services market procurement report covers the following areas:

Some of the top Equity Research Services suppliers listed in this report:

This Equity Research Services procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies.

JPMorgan Chase & Co

Bank of America Corp

Morgan Stanley

To get instant access to over 1000 market-ready procurement intelligence reports without any additional costs or commitment.

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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

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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
MOSCOW, Nov. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sber's international online conference "Artificial Intelligence Journey" culminated in a discussion titled "AI Technology to Address Social Issues", in which the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, participated. The discussion was moderated by Sber CEO and Chairman of the Sberbank Executive Board, Herman Gref. The session was attended by the winners of the AI International Junior Contest, organized by Sber in partnership with the Artificial Intelligence Alliance.

This year's conference hit all-time record, with 52,000 participants. Over 800 people presented their solutions to AI challenges, including innovative approaches to Strong AI and Artificial General Intelligence. For the first time, the conference announced the results of the international AI contest for children who have demonstrated considerable ambition.

President Putin started his speech by thanking CEO Herman Gref and Sber's employees for a great job, noting that Sber's banking operations have always been, and remain, a true "people's bank" of systemic significance to the Russian economy, serving over 100 million clients to date. While promoting the idea of technical progress, Sber has built a people-centric ecosystem, developing a new paradigm where the human is the centre of all processes. This transformation supports not only economy but also people's lifestyles.

With this background, President Putin noted, it is crucial to transition promptly from an experiment to a major launch of new cross-cutting technologies designed to improve the quality of people's lives. Accordingly, the development plans in various industries should be closely aligned with AI development strategies and extensive training programs on AI competencies for specialists from various fields are essential.

At the same time, when removing excessive barriers to advanced solutions and creating a regulatory environment appropriate to the challenges of the time, it is necessary to consider a wide range of complex legal and ethical issues. These relate to ensuring access to data and data depersonalization, intellectual property guarantees, and countering crime in the field of technology. To be leaders in the field of AI, we need a human environment  an atmosphere in the family and at school that supports moral values and the development of soft skills, including teamwork.

Sber CEO Herman Gref then announced the winners of the Artificial Intelligence International Junior Contest, with contestants presenting their AI solutions to President Putin. Among them was an app for converting Russian sign language into text; a neural network that adapts school tasks to the interests of the student (sports, music, literature, animals) without distorting its meaning which increases motivation; a system for detecting deepfakes; and an algorithm that generates a cartoon based on a text string and a requested genre.

President Putin then answered questions from the students. The students were interested in topics such as the development of a mentoring system in Russia, the possibilities of utilising AI technologies in public administration, automation, and the pace of mass implementation of AI in all spheres of domestic life. In answering the questions, President Putin stressed that when implementing AI, it is necessary to ensure the interests of people and respect for their rights. This should be facilitated by a code of ethics in the fields of AI development and application, developed with the participation of the Artificial Intelligence Alliance member companies.

Sber CEO and Chairman of the Sberbank Executive Board Herman Gref said:

"All of us  large companies, companies of the alliance for the development of artificial intelligence in the country  will try to do everything to fulfil our social mission and your request that we do everything to place people at the centre of technological development. In the past we tried to offer familiar goods and services to the market. Today, with the help of AI technology, it is possible to place the customer at the centre of our activities and seek to provide services many could not even dream of yesterday, as conveniently and affordably as possible. We are already at this stage of our technological and economic development, and with your support, attention, and that of the government, I see no hurdles to achieving the goal of making Russia a world leader in the development of AI technologies, and in economic development in general."

SOURCE Sber
"In each Anchor Community, a diverse coalition brings together all parts of a community with partners committing to work across systems and silos, sticking with their collective approach until they have functionally ended youth homelessness. This means they have the capacity to prevent most homelessness, use personalized, real-time data to identify all the unaccompanied young people who are experiencing homelessness, and quickly provide connections to safe and stable housing," said Julie Patino, Executive Director, A Way Home Washington.

The ACI, which began in four communities, is in the process of expanding to include additional communities across the state. This expansion builds on recent milestones achieved by Anchor Communities, including Spokane, which has become the largest community in the United States to achieve a reduction in youth and young adult homelessness, and Walla Walla, which has reduced homelessness for young people by 20 percent in the last six months.

"A Way Home Washington's data-driven approach to preventing and ending youth and young adult (YYA) homelessness in the state is something that really resonated with us in the Seahawks organization" said Jeff Richards, Vice President of Marketing & Community Engagement for the Seattle Seahawks. "We know how clearly communicated insights keep our teams moving in the right direction on and off the field. The same is true for community organizations working together to make sure young people have a safe place to call home and the support needed to thrive."

As part of the partnership, the Seahawks will host and celebrate several direct service providers from the Anchor Communities at the Seahawks game on Sunday, November 21. Throughout the pandemic, local homeless service providers across the state have worked tirelessly to support young people in need.

"Welcoming the ACI partners to Lumen Field is our way of saying 'thank you' to those who have given so much of themselves to help others," said Richards.

"A Way Home Washington and the Anchor Communities Initiative are proving that we can not only address the total number of homeless youth and young adults in Washington state, but that data empowers communities to be intentional about addressing the disproportionate number of kids of color who experience homelessness each year," said Jason Schumacher, Tableau Foundation's lead on homelessness and housing initiatives. "Seattle has been Tableau's home since its founding in 2004, and we're thrilled to be joined with another iconic Washington organization in the Seahawks to support this statewide effort to help kids in need."

Addressing YYA homelessness is often helping a young person address family disruption related to sexual orientation, gender identity, family abuse, and other issues that are exacerbated by the vulnerability and diminished power young people have in the United States. Additionally, the leading indicator of homelessness later in life (e.g., chronic homelessness, vehicular homelesness, etc.) includes previous episodes of homelessness.

Recognizing the impact that the spread of COVID-19 has had on these vulnerable young people, AWHWA recently sought out additional information to better understand the impact that the pandemic has had on them in Washington. From the Household Pulse Survey, which is conducted every two weeks and gathers data on how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting households across the United States from social and economic perspectives, our analysis shows that 18-25 year olds in Washington state have been deeply impacted by the pandemic, including:

Mental well-being is precipitous among those surveyed. 71% reported being depressed and 82% reported experiencing anxiety.

Only 52% of respondents indicated that they were very confident they could afford food.

Across the board, young people are more vulnerable and are having more acute negative experiences than other age groups in Washington state .

"We expected the impacts of COVID-19 on young people experiencing homelessness to be bad, but what we learned was truly eye opening. Young people fared worse than every other age group in our state, with young people of color being disproportionately impacted," says Patino. "The insights provided by this tailored, real-time data are essential to informing policies and practices that help us to provide the right services and take the right steps to prevent and end youth and young adult homelessness."

About A Way Home Washington

A Way Home Washington (AWHWA) is a statewide movement to prevent and end youth and young adult homelessness, with a focus on prioritizing young people of color and LGBTQ+ youth who experience homelesness at higher rates than their white, straight, cisgender peers. Co-Chaired by First Lady Trudi Inslee, AWHWA unites passionate stakeholders across the state to build systems that respond to the unique needs of all young people.

SOURCE A Way Home Washington; Tableau Software

Related Links

www.tableausoftware.com


PALM SPRINGS, Calif., Nov. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced that Sheila Mikhail, Founder and CEO of AskBio has been named the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 National Overall Award winner. For 35 years, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized and celebrated the unstoppable and audacious entrepreneurial leaders who are transforming our world.

Sheila was selected by an independent panel of judges from 222 Entrepreneur Of The Year regional winners from 185 companies across the US. As the Founder and CEO of AskBio, Sheila transformed the company from an IP holding company to an operating company. She is responsible for increasing the employee base from 3 to more than 350 employees operating globally and has significantly increased the company's revenues.

"As a leader who has advanced genetic technology and AAV gene therapy to save lives around the world, Sheila exemplifies many of our Entrepreneur Of The Year values," said Andrew (AJ) Jordan, EY Americas Entrepreneur Of The Year Director. "Sheila has proven herself to be a savvy entrepreneur and her creativity, grit and agility has led AskBio on an incredible journey. Her dedication to advancing diversity and inclusion, both within her business and respective industry, along with her unwavering commitment to advancing life-saving cures across the globe, makes Sheila an outstanding addition to our Entrepreneur Of The Year community."

AskBio is a leading clinical-stage biotechnology company engaged in AAV gene therapy research and the development of drugs for rare genetic childhood and adult-onset diseases such as Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, Pompe disease, heart failure and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. AskBio is a pioneer of adeno-associated virus (AAV) technology, which can be used as a delivery system for therapeutic genetic material into living tissues, curing disease. Bayer purchased the company in December 2020.

To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the program, EY US commissioned its Impact Study, which provides an analysis and survey of past program winners and in-depth interviews. Findings highlight the impact that the Entrepreneur Of The Year community has had on the broader business community, including:

On average, the companies of program winners have a growth rate that's approximately 50% faster and create jobs at nearly four times faster than the US economy.

On average, Entrepreneur Of The Year organizations go public approximately 100 times more than new US private organizations and have outperformed the US stock market in 26 of 29 years.

More than 70% of all winning companies self-reported outperforming their peers in 2020 and attribute this performance to decision-making speed and organizational flexibility.

Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners are driven to succeed and aspire to a higher purpose of leaving the world a better place than they found it.

In addition to Sheila Mikhail, EY US recognized 11 additional Entrepreneur Of The Year National Award winners from 9 companies in 2021, including:

Jesse Singh , CEO, The AZEK Company, Chicago, Illinois

, CEO, The AZEK Company, John Keppler , CEO, Chairman and Co-Founder, Enviva Partners, LP, Bethesda, Maryland

, CEO, Chairman and Co-Founder, Enviva Partners, LP, Dastagir Nobel , Founder and CEO and Nipa Nobel, Co-Founder and CMO, MTX Group, Frisco, Texas

, Founder and CEO and Nipa Nobel, Co-Founder and CMO, MTX Group, Abhi Ramesh , Founder & CEO, Misfits Market, Delanco, New Jersey

, Founder & CEO, Misfits Market, Marc Gorlin , Founder and CEO, Roadie, Suwanee, Georgia

, Founder and CEO, Roadie, Jared Isaacman , CEO, Shift4 Payments, Allentown, Pennsylvania

, CEO, Shift4 Payments, Cherie Kloss , Founder and CEO, SnapNurse, Atlanta, Georgia

, Founder and CEO, SnapNurse, Dr. Jason Wersland , Co-Founder and Ben Nazarian , Co-Founder/CEO, Therabody, Los Angeles, California

, Co-Founder and , Co-Founder/CEO, Therabody, Mat Ishbia, Chairman and CEO, United Wholesale Mortgage, Pontiac, Michigan

The candidates were evaluated based on their entrepreneurial leadership, talent management, financial performance, societal impact, degree of difficulty in navigating and overcoming obstacles to make their companies successful, and originality, among other core contributions and attributes.

"In an unprecedented era for business, all of our national winners showed an exceptional level of resilience, agility and innovation," said AJ Jordan. "Our national winners demonstrate the true spirit of entrepreneurial leadership, pivoting as necessary to keep their commitment to society at the forefront, while also continuing to build companies rooted in uplifting their people and community stakeholders."

The winners were announced during a celebration held at the Strategic Growth Forum, one of the nation's most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. These entrepreneurs will go on to become lifetime members of the esteemed multi-industry community of award winners, with exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of fellow alumni and other ecosystem members in more than 60 countries  all supported by a wide variety of unique EY resources.

Videos and photos

Videos and photos of all Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners will be available at https://www.ey.com/en_us/entrepreneur-of-the-year/meet-the-winners-2021

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored by SAP America and the Kauffman Foundation.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. National overall winners go on to compete for the title. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.

About EY Private

As Advisors to the Ambitious, EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/us/private.

About EY

EY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.

Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.

Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited operating in the US.

SOURCE EY

Related Links

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LONDON, Nov. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Endless lockdowns, travel restrictions and the suspension of temporary visas by several countries during the pandemic motivated high-net-worth-individuals (HNWIs) in particular to seek alternative citizenship. Due to this increase in demand, the Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, has arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Prime Minister will promote the Federation's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme and engage in meetings to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries during his stay.

As doubts about capital controls, higher taxation, and political disruption grow, CBI Programmes aid Middle Eastern investors and entrepreneurs ensure security and mobility for themselves and their families. St Kitts and Nevis has remained a top destination for CBI amongst Middle Eastern clients for several decades. Established in 1984, St Kitts and Nevis' CBI Programme is the longest-standing option in the market and with nearly four decades of experience.

According to a Financial Times publication, St Kitts and Nevis ranks as the best CBI Programme of 2021. It is also recognised for having the most extensive offering in the Caribbean for visa-free and visa-on-arrival destinations. Presently, St Kitts and Nevis citizens can travel to over 160 countries and territories across seven continents without limitations of extensive pre-departure paperwork.

Prime Minister Harris is also expected to participate in St Kitts and Nevis' National Day ceremony in Dubai on November 16th, 2021. Moreover, his delegation, which includes Les Khan, the nation's Citizenship by Investment Unit's CEO, and Justin Hawley, the country's Ambassador to the UAE, will participate in several bilateral meetings and engage with citizens of the Federation residing in the region.

"The arrival of COVID-19 nearly two years ago triggered a range of global trends  some predicted, and some unforeseen  as people radically re-evaluated their life plans. One major trend that saw rise was individuals exploring options for second citizenship across the world," said Les Khan, the CEO of St Kitts and Nevis' Citizenship by Investment Unit. "To better facilitate our Middle Eastern brothers and sisters and families looking for security, St Kitts and Nevis' CBI Unit has a limited time offer on its Platinum Standard CBI Programme."

The temporary offer, which expires at the end of 2021, enables families of up to four to acquire citizenship for $150,000 rather than $195,000. Only applicants who pass the rigorous due diligence procedure can make the investment and qualify for citizenship. Investors can include a wide range of dependants who are family members as a part of their application process.

[email protected], www.csglobalpartners.com



SOURCE CS Global Partners
Minsk, Nov 14 : Press Secretary of the Belarusian President Natalya Eismont has told the media that Belarus is always ready for a dialogue with European Union politicians on the migrant crisis.

She said "we have always been ready. We are ready now and we will be tomorrow. It was not us who destroyed this dialogue," as she commented on the possibility of a conversation between President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed that the chancellor of Germany and the Belarusian president are ready to talk to each other, and hoped that it would happen soon.

In the past few days, Putin and Merkel held two phone calls on the migrant crisis on the Belarus-European Union border.
Kasganj, Nov 14 : An FIR against unidentified policemen on murder charges has been registered in the alleged custodial death of 22-year-old Altaf.

The FIR has been lodged on Saturday on the complaint of the victim's father Chand Miyan who said the police picked up his son for questioning on Monday at around 8 p.m. when he was eating dinner.

"I followed him to the police chowki but I was sent back. The next day, we were told that Altaf has ended his life by hanging himself in the washroom of Sadar police station. It is not possible for a 5 feet tall boy to hang from a two feet high water tap. My son had been murdered according to a conspiracy in the police station," said Chand Miyan in the FIR.

He further alleged that he was pressurised by officials to apply a thumb impression on a letter which, he was later told, absolved the police of the responsibility of the death of his son in the police station.

While the FIR is against unnamed police personnel, Chand Miyan said that he has accused five policemen for killing his son.

They are station house officer Virendra Singh Indolia, sub-inspector Chandresh Gautam, sub-inspector Vikas Kumar, head moharrir (clerk) Dhanendra Singh, and constable Saurabh Solanki. All five had earlier been suspended for "negligence on duty" after news of Altaf's death in custody spread.

Altaf's uncle, who accompanied Miyan to the SP's office, alleged that they were not provided with a copy of the complaint and were told to 'go home' "They said that a copy of the FIR will be provided to us soon," he added.

Police claimed that the FIR was lodged on the basis of an "earlier complaint received from Altaf's father by post". The letter does not mention the names of any policeman.

The SP said, "The fresh complaint will be included in the existing FIR. Following an investigation, names of all policemen involved in the matter will be added. A special team has been constituted to investigate the case.

According to the police, Altaf was called to the police station in connection with a kidnapping FIR of a minor Hindu girl in whose house he worked as a mason on Tuesday morning. During questioning, he asked to go to the washroom where he hung himself from the water pipeline, using the string of the hood of his jacket.

Five policemen were suspended and a magisterial inquiry was ordered.

Chand Miyan told reporters that the police came along with three people from the girl's family, one of whom threatened to severe the head of his son and took away his son.

"When I reached the police chowki, I could sense that my son is being tortured but I was sent back by the police. When we received the body, it had swelling on the feet, apart from a mark on the neck," he said.

Police sources claimed that the Altaf helped the girl elope with a boy and entered the police station after ingesting a poisonous substance.

Sources close to Altaf's family said it was a case of honour killing where the local police succumbed to the pressure from the girl's father who is into the dairy business.

"Why has the girl has not been recovered so far?" asked Waseem, a neighbour of Altaf.
Los Angeles, Nov 14 : Actress Kirsten Dunst last appeared playing Mary Jane Watson in the 'Spider-Man' franchise almost 14 years ago. She now says that she's open to returning to the web-slinger's world.

"I would do it. Why not? That would be fun," she told variety,com at 'The Power of the Dog'screening at AFI Fest at the TCL Chinese Theatre.

"I would never say no to something like that. I'd be old MJ at this point with little Spidey babies." Dunst made her Mary Jane debut opposite Tobey Maguire in the title role in Sam Rami's 'Spider-Man' in 2002 followed by 'Spider-Man 2' and 'Spider-Man 3'.

While there are rumours of former Spider-man stars possibly popping up in 'Spider-Man: No Way Home', it's been confirmed that Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton will reprise their Bruce Wayne/Batman roles in the upcoming 'The Flash', starring Ezra Miller in the title role.

In the Jane Campion-directed 'The Power of the Dog', Dunst plays Rose, a widow who remarries a rich rancher in 1925 Montana. She and her son move in with her new husband George and his brother Phil.

"I was scared," Dunst recalled about her first day of shooting.

"I just wanted to do such a good job by Jane. Her movies have been a huge inspiration for me as an actress. I just didn't want to let her down." As the story unfolds, Phil's disdain for Rose and her effeminate son drive Rose to drink. Dunst had to act severely impaired or horribly hungover in many scenes.

"If I had to be wobbly in a scene, I would spin in circles a lot," Dunst said.

"Alison Janney taught me that. If you want to look and feel out of it, spin. They'd be going, 'Rolling', and I would be spinning in a circle."
London, Nov 14 : Hollywood star Jared Leto believes he is living through the best time of his acting career with roles in the crime drama 'House of Gucci' and Marvel Cinematic Universe's (MCU) 'Morbius'.

Speaking at the UK premiere of 'House of Gucci' at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London, Leto said: "I don't think it gets any better than this. Every day I am filled with gratitude, honestly, it's a dream. I've worked long and hard and to have these opportunities is very special." After playing The Joker in the 2016 DC Extended Universe (DCEU) movie 'Suicide Squad', Leto commented on the prospect of being one of the first actors to appear in Marvel and DC projects, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

He shared: "I don't know but I'll take it." Leto stars in 'House of Gucci' as Paolo Gucci and shared that he was particularly impressed by his character's wardrobe.

The 'Thirty Seconds to Mars' frontman said: "Paolo had the best outfits. I certainly learned a thing or two about fashion from Paolo." The movie tells the story of the 1995 murder of Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver), which ultimately led to his former wife Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) being jailed for 18 years for hiring a hitman to kill him.

Gaga has defended the actions of her alter ego, suggesting that she was more than a "sexy gold digger".

The pop star said: "Anybody who thinks Patrizia was a sexy gold digger, they're wrong. I believe that she went through a lot. What I would say with this character is when she married him, his father had turned his back on him and he had no part of Gucci and when she killed him they were divorced."
Glasgow, Nov 14 : After six years of strenuous negotiations and pending items that prevented the full implementation of the Paris Climate Change Agreement -- a legally binding international treaty that was adopted by 196 nations -- on carbon markets and transparency have finally been approved.

The 26th meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP26) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) came to an end Saturday night in this Scottish city, a day after their scheduled conclusion.

The wide-ranging set of decisions, resolutions and statements that constitute the outcome of COP26 is the fruit of intense negotiations over the past two weeks, strenuous formal and informal work over many months, and constant engagement both in-person and virtually for nearly two years, says the UNFCCC.

The package adopted is a global compromise that reflects a delicate balance between the interests and aspirations of nearly the 200 Parties to the core instruments on the international regime that governs global efforts against climate change.

Under the UK presidency and with the support of the UNFCCC Secretariat, delegates forged agreements that strengthen ambition in the three pillars of collective climate action.

Adaptation was the object of particular emphasis during the deliberations. Parties established a work programme to define the global goal on adaptation, which will identify collective needs and solutions to the climate crisis already affecting many countries.

The Santiago Network was further strengthened by elaborating its functions in support of countries to address and manage loss and damage. And the CMA approved the two registries for nationally determined contributions (NDCs), the heart of the Paris Agreement, and Adaptation Communications, which serve as channels for information flowing towards the global stocktake that is to take place every five years starting in 2023.

Finance was extensively discussed throughout the session and there was consensus in the need to continue increasing support to developing countries. The call to at least double finance for adaptation was welcomed by the 196 nations.

The duty to fulfill the pledge of providing $100 billion dollars annually from developed to developing countries was also reaffirmed. And a process to define the new global goal on finance was launched.

On mitigation, the persistent gap in emissions has been clearly identified and Parties collectively agreed to work to reduce that gap and to ensure that the world continues to advance during the present decade, so that the rise in the average temperature is limited to 1.5 degrees.

Parties are encouraged to strengthen their emissions reductions and to align their national climate action pledges with the Paris Agreement that came into force on November 4, 2016.

In addition, a key outcome is the conclusion of the so-called Paris rulebook. An agreement was reached on the fundamental norms related to Article 6 on carbon markets, which will make the Paris Agreement fully operational.

This will give certainty and predictability to both market and non-market approaches in support of mitigation as well as adaptation, says the UNFCCC.

And the negotiations on the enhanced transparency framework were also concluded, providing for agreed tables and formats to account and report for targets and emissions.

Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, said: "I thank the Presidency and all ministers for their tireless efforts throughout the conference and I congratulate all Parties on finalising the rulebook.

"This is an excellent achievement! It means that the Paris Agreement can now function fully for the benefit of all, now and in the future." Alok Sharma, UK President of COP26, said: "We can now say with credibility that we have kept 1.5 degrees alive. But, its pulse is weak and it will only survive if we keep our promises and translate commitments into rapid action. I am grateful to the UNFCCC for working with us to deliver a successful COP26." The Glasgow Climate Pact reflects important steps that the world could not afford to avoid, responded UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner at the conclusion of COP26.

"One significant achievement is that the Paris Agreement Rulebook -- the long-negotiated operational guidelines of the agreement -- was adopted in Glasgowathe agreement fell short on bold and necessary actions, such as calling for an end to fossil fuels and putting a price on carbon," he said.

The heads of state and government and the delegates who participated in COP26 brought to the conference a keen awareness of the severity of the climate crisis that the world faces and of the need to live up to the historic responsibility of setting the world on the path to address this existential challenge.

They leave Glasgow with clarity on the work that needs to be done, more robust and effective instruments to achieve it, and a heightened commitment to promote climate action -- and to do so more quickly -- in every area.

With 197 Parties, the UNFCCC has near universal membership and is the parent treaty of the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement.

The main aim of the Paris Agreement is to keep a global average temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius and to drive efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

The UNFCCC is also the parent treaty of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. The ultimate objective of all agreements under the UNFCCC is to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system, in a timeframe which allows ecosystems to adapt naturally and enables sustainable development.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)
Mumbai, Nov 14 : Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa are now engaged as the actor went down on one knee to propose to her with a ring.

The couple were dressed in all whites during their engagement celebrations, videos of which are currently doing the rounds on social media.

The "Newton" star was seen going down on one knee to propose to Patralekhaa, who too did the same and asked him to marry her.

In the clip, Rajkummar, who looks dapper in a white kurta-churidaar paired with a matching jacket and sneakers, is heard saying: "Patralekhaa, will you marry me?" Patralekhaa goes down on her knees and asks him: "Rajkummar Rao, will you marry me?" and puts a ring on his finger.

Once the two exchange rings, the couple are seen dancing on Ed Sheeran's 'Perfect'.

Rajkummar and Patralekhaa, who are all set to get married this month, have together worked in films such as 'Citylights' and the web show 'Bose: Dead/Alive'.
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 14 : On the Children's day, a mother, Divya, killed her two children aged four and one and attempted suicide by cutting her veins.

The incident occurred on Sunday morning at Shoranur in Keral's Palakkad district. Anirudh (4) and Abinav (1) are the deceased children.

Police said that Divya of Manjakandath in Palakkad district, who killed her children, is admitted in a critical condition at a private hospital. She cut her veins after consuming sleeping pills.

Amminiamma, Grandmother of Divya's husband Rajesh also attempted suicide by cutting her vein. She is admitted to hospital and police said that she is out of danger.

Domestic violence is said to be the reason for the extreme step taken by Divya.

A senior police officer at Shoranur police station, who does not want to be named, while speaking to IANS said, "The mother seems to have lost her mind following a quarrel at home and killed the children. If a woman is taking such an extreme step killing her 4 and 1-year-old boys, it means she has either lost her mind or she could not bear some domestic issues. Police is investigating all the aspects, including the reason for her husband's grandmother also attempting suicide by cutting her vein."
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 14 : Heavy rains continued to lash southern Kerala for a second consecutive day on Sunday, leaving many areas of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram inundated, while some roads were also blocked in parts of Kollam district.

Strong westerly winds and a cyclonic circulation formed over the southeastern region of the Arabian sea that triggeredthe heavy rains.

A red alert has been issued in Thiruvananthapuram district and the weathermen have predicted that rains will continue for two more days.

Besides Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Kottayam, and Kasargod districts are also expected to receive heavy rains.

A high alert has been issued by the IndianMeteorological Department (IMD) in many parts of these districts.

Meanwhile, the water level of the Idukki river has increased and an orange alert was issued at the catchment area of the dam.

Meanwhile, the Mullaperiyar's water level has also increased and Tamil Nadu has issued an alert after it touched 140 feet.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called upon people to remain cautious in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts and in high ranges of the state as well as in riversides and tourist destinations.

Due to the damage of the Marathur bridge in Neyyatinkara, traffic was disrupted along the national highway to Kanniyakumari from Thiruvananthapuram.

The state has also opened relief camps at some areas of Thiruvananthapuram district as low-lying areas were waterlogged.

At Container road in Ernakulam, a truck driver was rescued after soil fell on the truck but he died on reaching the hospital.

Incessant rains in Ernakulam district have led to several roads being blocked.
Seoul, Nov 14 : The number of "rich people" with financial assets worth 1 billion won ($847,000) or more increased nearly 11 per cent in South Korea last year from a year earlier largely on stock gains, a report revealed on Sunday.

The number jumped 10.9 per cent to 39,300 as of last year, around 0.76 per cent of the country's total population of 52 million, and the proportion of property in their portfolio has increased, apparently driven by soaring apartment prices, according to the Korea Wealth Report 2021 released by the KB Financial Group Research Institute.

The total financial assets owned by the rich jumped 21.6 per cent on-year to 2,618 trillion won due to a surge in stock gains, Yonhap News Agency quoted the report as saying.

Among them, 59 per cent of the rich's wealth portfolio was made up of property assets, while 36.6 per cent were invested in financial assets.

The rich allocated a larger percentage of their total assets in property on the booming local housing market, up from 56.6 per cent in 2020.

Meanwhile, South Koreans who owned less than 1 billion won allocated 78.2 per cent in property assets and only 17.1 per cent in financial assets.

In a survey conducted on 400 wealthy South Koreans by KB, the number of active and aggressive investors who were willing to take a higher risk for high returns increased 5.2 per cent on-year, indicating that the tendency for risky investment among the rich grew over a year.

Over 70.4 per cent of the wealthy Koreans were based in the capital and the greater Seoul area, with 45.5 per cent, or 179,000 individuals, living in Seoul.
Beijing, Nov 14 : The latest Covid-19 resurgence in China has spread to 21 provincial-level regions, where new locally transmitted cases or asymptomatic carriers were reported in the past few days, a health official said.

With the number of cases surpassing 250 million worldwide, the country is facing greater challenges of preventing inbound cases, Xinhua news agency quoted Mi Feng, a spokesperson for the National Health Commission (NHC), as saying at a press conference.

The country is also facing the risk of infectious respiratory illnesses brought about by low temperature, noted Mi, adding that risks are doubled under such circumstances.

In the wake of the resurgence, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) has stepped up prevention and control measures across China's land border ports in an effort to stop the transmission of the virus.

The GAC has tailored an emergency plan for each land border port and constantly fine-tuned them, Lin Wei, an official with the GAC, told reporters here.

The transfer of goods will take place with a non-contact approach. Goods, including cold-chain food, shall be sampled and disinfected, he added.

All frontline workers at customs have been vaccinated against Covid-19, and the GAC will continue to enhance Covid-19 immunity among the group.

Efforts have also been made to ensure sufficient epidemic prevention supplies at land border ports and upgrades in their testing capacity for the virus.

As of Sunday morning, China's overall Covid caseload stood at 98,263, including 1,350 patients still receiving treatment, 19 of whom were in severe condition, according to the National Health Commission.

In the last 24 hours, the country registered 70 new locally transmitted cases, of which 60 were reported in Liaoning, three in Hebei, two each in Heilongjiang, Jiangxi, and Yunnan, as well as one in Sichuan.

The overall death toll stood at 4,636.
Mumbai, Nov 14 : After his appearance on the reality show 'Bigg Boss 15', actor Kartik Aaryan stopped by a Chinese fast food van and gorged on some of the fare on offer on his Lamborghini's bonnet.

Viral Bhayani, the popular paparazzo, shared a clip on Instagram showing the actor enjoying roadside Chinese food in the most unconventional setting.

Kartik's luxury car is seen parked beside the food van and he's seen eating the food he had ordered from his car's bonnet. He's accompanied by a friend, who was the one who shot the video.

The actor even takes some food from his friend's plate and is heard saying: "Khaane ka documentary hota hai (Documentaries have been made on food)." The actor was on the sets of 'Bigg Boss 15', hosted by superstar Salman Khan, to promote his upcoming film 'Dhamaka'.

On the work front, Kartik will be seen playing a television journalist in 'Dhamaka', directed by Ram Madhavani. The intense action thriller follows the story of TV anchor Arjun Pathak, who finds himself sinking in the quicksand of deceit, loss and trepidation after he is contacted by a terrorist who issues a threat to an entire city.

The film also stars Mrunal Thakur and Amruta Subhash. It is set to premiere on Netflix on November 19.

Apart from 'Dhamaka', Kartik has a number of projects across different genres in the pipeline. These include 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2', 'Shehzada', 'Captain India' and 'Freddy'.

Latest updates on Bigg Boss Season 15
New Delhi, Nov 14 : In what would facilitate execution of work contracts by companies away from their registered place of operation, the Karnataka Authority of Advance Ruling (AAR) has ruled that no separate GST registration in Karnataka is required for the supply of service by companies and they can raise invoice by charging IGST from their registered offices.

The clarity would prevent companies from getting multiple GST registrations in different states if supply is merely for execution of a contract and the entity has no intention to set up permanent establishment outside their registered office.

The KAAR order came on clarity on taxation sought by GEW (India) Pvt. Ltd. This company got a sub-contract work from M/s L86T, claimed to be a works contract, for erecting steel structure cast and bolted on the ground in the civil foundation, at the site at Karwar, Karnataka. The scope of the contract involved procurement of structural steel from approved suppliers, fabrication to be done at GEW India factory premises at Noida, and transportation of material, and erection at Karvar site.

The applicant received the work order to execute the contract at Karwar in Karnataka. The supply here is in the nature of composite supply of goods and services involving supply, erection, and installation of steel after fabrication used for harboring/anchoring of ships and classified as service.

The applicant sought the advance ruling on the issue of whether the company is required to be registered in the state of Karnataka for executing the works contract.

The KAAR ruled that the applicant need not obtain separate registration in Karnataka, for the supply of services and can raise the invoice by charging IGST from their registered office at Noida, Uttar Pradesh, with the place of supply as Karnataka.

The authority said that the applicants are neither having nor intending to have any establishment at the site at Karwar, Karnataka, so they cannot obtain ISD registration for the site at which they are delivering service.

Though AAR ruling is case specific, it can set a precedent for similar orders in other applications as well.
Kathmandu, Nov 14 : Four Indian nationals were killed in a road accident in Rautahat district near the Nepal-India border, police said.

The car with an Indian number plate met with the accident at around 10 p.m. on Saturday night along the Chandranigahapur road section at Jhunkhunwa Chowk, according to the District Police Office in Rautahat.

They were heading from Chandranighapur, a small city to district headquarters, Gaur.

The police said that the speeding vehicle plunged 20 metres down the road and fell into a pond.

The identities of the victims, all male, are yet to be ascertained.

"We have recovered Indian Aadhar cards from the deceased," Superintendent of Nepal Police, Binod Ghimire said, adding that "we have informed the Indian police about the accident".

Nepal Police has already launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.
New Delhi, Nov 14 : Have your children pleaded and negotiated with you for extended screen time? 'Just five minutes more please, sounds familiar, right? However, when the five minutes deadline is over, we get to see their tantrums and at times their temper, as if they have some sort of a nervous breakdown.

The dominance of screens in the lives of children has been a pressing challenge for parents and the pandemic has worsened it exponentially. Parents are constantly worried about their kids spending too much time on screens, and it's hard to set limits.

Studies by 'The American Academy of Paediatrics' recommends: Avoiding screen exposure for children less than 18 months of age,

Introducing children 18 to 24 months of age to screen media slowly,

Limiting screen time to an hour a day for children from 2 to 5 years of age,

However, 87 per cent of children have screen time exceeding these recommendations.

Increased screen viewing is becoming common in children with working parents being busy and finding inadequate time to spend with them. Also, screen viewing often comes as an easier option for parents as they go about their chores. But can we blame either the child or parent for this? It is an extremely difficult task to keep kids entertained round the clock when they are indoors. Most parents unwillingly cave into more screen time as a last resort despite knowing its harmful effects. Their eyes are the first to be affected due to the constant staring at screens. This is followed by back problems in young kids because they tend to slouch whilst doing this. It directly affects their body posture. It also stifles their creative thinking and interferes with social skills development.

Experts say that listening to music, podcasts, and audiobooks are the only digital activities kids can do on their own, without parental supervision, as much as they want. Audio offers the right level of engagement for kids. It activates their minds while leaving them plenty of space to build their world around what they're hearing.

As a result, SUPER BUDDY, a speaker that acts as a storyteller, entertainer, and the ideal friend for every child, comes to the rescue.

Dinkar Pathak, Founder of Tarbull, says, "Super Buddy is close to my heart because as a father of 2 kids we have experienced the struggles with screens, the internet, and introducing age-appropriate content on a first-hand basis. Modern-day parents need a modern solution and a companion for their kids to help them embark on the journey of less screen time and more storytime. Our curated content helps kids unlock a beautiful world of music and stories while keeping them engaged throughout the day without the side effects of screen addiction. It takes your little ones on a path where they can explore their imagination and weave their magic. With Super Buddy, you can give your child a best friend and a teacher without worrying about issues of privacy, inappropriate content, or unhealthy engagement."
Uttar Pradesh is one of the largest markets in the world, it has over 8 per cent of the nations purchasing power; it is blessed with variety of resources/ raw material, out of over 10 major lines of agri-production, the state ranks first in seven of them. Any production facility located in Uttar Pradesh has access to over 50 per cent of nations market (including neighbouring states). This should have made Uttar Pradesh one of the most blessed and fastest growing states of India. For long, Uttar Pradesh has strived to find a place of glory but in vain. Of late, however, a story of structural shift seems to be scripting itself. Its not merely about new found buoyancy; rather it is more about inherent resilience that is clearly discernible. Emerging scenario is fraught with possibilities and cannot be allowed to go unnoticed.

Something relevant is happening in the state which seems to be facilitating the emerging opportunities. It may be relevant to mention two major facilitators namely Fiscal Consolidation and Ease of doing Business. Over the years Uttar Pradesh has been able to achieve fiscal consolidation. In recent times in line with global scenario of negative growth where India itself suffered a negative growth of nearly 25 per cent for a while; a fall in tax collection in the state was only expected. However Unlike most parts of the world Uttar Pradesh shows exceptional tax buoyancy in these difficult times. Almost all taxes showed high buoyancy which may be reflective of the extraordinary resilience that the state demonstrates. Consumer State Advantage is Uttar Pradesh's USP and this may have played to Uttar Pradesh's advantage. However, the taxes where the state had complete control show phenomenal buoyancy. Hence the effort that goes to make this possible cannot go unnoticed.

Similarly, as a result of state effort ease of doing business in the state recorded a quantum jump from 12th position to 2nd position in a span of four years. It is no surprise that more more industries are vying to set up their shops in the state due to the conducive working environment. Samsung has moved its large display unit from China to Noida, footwear giant Von Wellx shifted production from China to Agra and Adani shut it Logistics Park in Punjab and is now investing in Noida's data centre.

The state organised a 'Global Investors Summit' in 2018 in which 1,045 investment intents worth Rs 4.28 lakh crore were filed. So far, nearly 43 per cent of the leads generated at the summit worth around Rs 1.84 lakh crore are under various stages of implementation. Of this, total 34 MoUs worth Rs 15,892.93 crore started "commercial operations" and 23 MoUs worth Rs 6,935.38 crore have started implementation since April 2020. Recently, Tata & Airbus signed a Rs 22,000 crore deal to manufacture C-295 aircraft in the state as well.

Investing in rural communities is also an idea whose time has come. The state has transferred Rs 37,388 crore to more than 2.54 crore farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana along with hiking the MSP rates. So far the government has paid over Rs 4.72 crore to farmers as crop loans. 'One District One Product' (ODOP) initiative launched in 2018 is an interesting attempt at creating a framework for sustained engagement of artisans, mostly in rural areas. Today, millions of people have got employment though ODOP. According to the data of the MSME department, 8.67 lakh new units were started in the state in the last eight months, which were given loans to the tune of Rs 30,840 crore by banks. Over 1.5 crore employment opportunities were created by banks by providing loans totalling more than Rs 2,12,000 crore. In the last three years, ODOP has has helped Uttar Pradesh's exports rise 38 per cent. The initiative which has given employment (direct and indirect) to more than 25 lakh people is now being replicated throughout the country. While the initiative is outstanding it may be useful to align the initiative with nine agro-climatic zones of the state. Such realignment is likely to transform the initiative into a potent engine of economic transformation.

Fiscal transformation and ease of doing business seem to have prepared the field enabling the state to anchor development. Many of the interventions seem to be falling in place and are certainly working for the state. With improved economic environment state needs to take a lead in initiating second generation reforms anchored around rural development (including MSME) and Human development (primarily health and education). We have begun to tread the path and Uttar Pradesh is transformation ready. Unleashing of these engines of transformation woven into second generation reforms will transform this potential into economic reality.
New Delhi, Nov 14 : Apple Arcade, a video game subscription service offered by Apple has added two new games -- 'Galaga Wars' a classic arcade shooting game from Bandai Namco and the popular tower defense game 'Kingdom Rush Frontiers' from Ironhide Game Studio.

According to MacRumors, both games were already available on the App Store, but the Apple Arcade editions do not contain any in-app purchases or ads.

Galaga Wars+ is available on the iPhone and iPad, while Kingdom Rush Frontiers+ is available on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Apple adds new games to Apple Arcade on a regular basis, and earlier this month, surpassed 200 available titles.

Apple Arcade games include no in-app purchase options or ads, with the service priced at $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year for the whole family.

Apple Arcade titles can be played on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV, and many games are designed to support controllers, with support available for PlayStation and Xbox controllers. The service is available in more than 150 countries.

Apple has been working with both indie developers and big name gaming companies on Apple Arcade titles since it was launched and in April 2021, Apple began re-releasing classic titles like Fruit Ninja, Monument Valley, Mini Metro, Threes and more
Mumbai, Nov 14 : Shamita Shetty is out of the 'Bigg Boss 15' house because of medical reasons, according to news circulating on social media. But she will be "back" by Tuesday or Wednesday.

Colors, the channel airing the show, has not confirmed the news, but Shamita's fans are in a tizzy. They were watching with interest her chemistry with housemate Raqesh Bapat, but he, too, has moved out of the house citing medical reasons. Later, Afsana Khan was asked to leave the house by Bigg Boss.

Both Shamita and Afsana were recently in the news for the spat they had. Afsana was said to have "harmed herself" after the heated argument.

The latest news from the house (officially unconfirmed, of course) is that Raqesh won't return to the show, unlike what was previously speculated -- that he would be back after recovering from his medical problem. Social media stories, however, indicate that his doctors have advised him against going back to the house.

The news definitely comes as a double blow to Shamita-Raqesh fans, who were so looking forward to seeing where they were headed.

Latest updates on Bigg Boss Season 15
In Madhya Pradesh, tribal communities constitute over 21 per cent of total population, highest in the country.

New Delhi, Nov 14 (IANS) By renaming Habibganj railway station in Bhopal after Gond queen Rani Kamlapati and announcing November 15 as <sng-qts>Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas<sng-qts>, the BJP is eyeing tribal voters in Madhya Pradesh and rest of the country.

In Madhya Pradesh, tribal communities constitute over 21 per cent of total population, highest in the country.

In October, IANS had reported that the BJP in Madhya Pradesh is launching a massive outreach programme aiming to bring Dalit and tribal people closer to the party by highlighting the lives and personalities of freedom fighters and prominent personalities of the two communities as part of a movement to restore pride of Dalit and tribal heroes whose contribution was forgotten.

A senior saffron party functionary said that the move will help the BJP expand its footprint in the tribal dominated areas of Madhya Pradesh.

"Despite being in power for almost two decades in Madhya Pradesh the BJP is still not able to make a significant presence in tribal dominated seats. Now, through several programmes and reach out activities, we are trying to woo them and it will help us in future polls," he said.

Madhya Pradesh has about 21.5 per cent tribal population and the Gond community is the largest among them. It is believed that Gond is also the largest tribal community in the country India with more than one crore population.

On November 10, the Union Cabinet had approved the declaration of November 15, the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas' dedicated to the memory of brave tribal freedom fighters so that coming generations could know about their sacrifices for the country.

A party functionary said that the move will benefit the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Odisha and other parts of the country.

"Celebrating the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda is politically very significant and will help the party to make inroads among the tribal population of the state," a BJP Madhya Pradesh leader said.

In September, while addressing a event in Jabalpur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said, "It is very unfortunate that the previous governments did the crime of forgetting and not recognising the contributions and sacrifices of freedom fighters belonging to SC and ST, big public figures and those who laid down their lives for the country." Shah had mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to organise the 'Azadi Ke Amrit Mahotsav' in honour and remembrance of those freedom fighters who were not given due recognition and their contributions were forgotten.

The next election of Madhya Pradesh Assembly will be held at the end of 2023. Party insiders believe that reaching out to these communities will help the BJP in consolidating its support among these communities.

--IANS ssb/dpb

</sng-qts></sng-qts>
Tehran, Nov 14 : Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has called for a "serious" approach of the negotiating sides in the upcoming nuclear talks for a "good deal".

"I believe that if the opposite sides enter the Vienna talks with a serious and positive approach, it will be possible to achieve a good agreement in a short time," Amir Abdollahian was quoted as saying.

The Islamic Republic and the remaining parties to the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), are set to meet in the Austrian capital of Vienna on November 29 to resume the negotiations which were paused in June due to Iran's presidential election and the subsequent alteration in the administration.

"The Islamic Republic has no intention to be locked in the stalemate remaining from the previous negotiations," he said, urging for "effective and verifiable removal of (US) sanctions and the return of the opposite sides to their full obligations" as the necessary steps for the progress of the talks.

Washington's behaviour in imposing new sanctions against Iran has made providing "objective guarantees" an unavoidable necessity, he said, referring to the Iranian officials' persistence for the guarantees that the next US administrations will not repeat the legacy of former President Donald Trump by withdrawing from the deal and re-imposing sanctions against Tehran.

Amir Abdollahian also pointed to the recent European tour of Iran's nuclear negotiator Ali Baqheri Kani, saying that he has had "explicit and useful" talks in a number of European capitals ahead of the scheduled reconvene of the talks.

The JCPOA Joint Commission is scheduled to reconvene in Vienna with the participation of delegates from China, France, Germany, Russia, the UK, and Iran.

The US, which terminated its participation in the agreement in May 2018, is expected to engage in the talks indirectly.
Mumbai, Nov 14 : Actress Sandeepa Dhar is collaborating with filmmaker Imtiaz Ali for his yet-untitled upcoming web show.

Exploring new dimensions of versatility with an interesting project, Sandeepa marks her first collaboration with the prolific storyteller Imtiaz for a web show in the comedy genre.

Directed by 'Laila Majnu' director Sajid Ali and Archit, the show is written by Imtiaz.

Talking about the same, Sandeepa says, "For every actor it is a great opportunity to work with a marvellous storyteller like Imtiaz Ali, who is known to bring out the best in his actors." She added: "The characters from his stories come alive so beautifully on screen and stay etched in our minds as well as our lives." Sandeepa says that she has always craved for roles that stand out as an individual with elements that make it distinct and memorable.

"We have already shot major portions of the show and I'm extremely thrilled about our collaboration and I am eagerly looking forward to present the show to the audience." Apart from the same, Sandeepa will also be seen in Anushka Sharma's production 'Mai', which will stream on Netflix.
Bengaluru, Nov 14 : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday announced that "we will crackdown on those involved in the Bitcoin scandal".

Speaking to mediapersons after paying tributes to late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary, Bommai said that there is no question of sparing anyone who is involved.

"Our government is open on this issue. We are the one who exposed this case. It is our government which recommended the ED and CBI to probe the case. The ED is conducting the probe and the CBI has taken it to Interpol as well. All the necessary information has been provided for these agencies," he said.

If those involved are found to have perpetrated any fraud on the interests of the country, state or any individuals "we will act mercilessly against them", Bommai asserted.

Reacting to the questions raised by the AICC incharge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala, Bommai in a strong retaliation said: "We have replied to his six questions. If the case had a Karnataka connect since 2016 why their own government did not probe the case then. Why the then Congress Chief Minister and Ministers did not pay attention to it? They released the accused Srikrisha who was arrested,.

"They could have acted seriously even when the accused sought anticipatory bail. Why are you raising all the questions with us after deliberately allowing the case to attain mega proportion? We need not learn lessons from those who allowed the accused to go scotfree." It would be better for them to provide the documents, if any, to the ED for effective investigation, Bommai said, adding that

Surjewala's efforts to project the issue as a major scam reflects his intellectual bankruptcy.

"It is not appropriate for a national spokesperson of a national party to indulge in such act just based on a Twitter handle. He should speak with circumstantial evidence."
Mumbai/Gadchiroli, Nov 14 : A top CPI (Maoist) Central Committee Member Milind Teltumbde -- who carried a booty of Rs 50 lakh -- is among the 26 Maoists, including 4 women, who were gunned down by the security forces in Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil said here on Sunday.

They include at least four women Maoists, 13 carrying huge rewards on their heads and at least three Commanders of various Dalams active in the Naxal-infested district and surroundings -- making it one of the most successful security operations in recent years. The operation was held on Saturday.

The prominent Commanders who have been eliminated include: Kishan alias Jaiman of Korchi Dalam and Sannu alias Kovachi of Kasansur Dalam, Lokesh alias Mangu Podyam of Company No. 4.

Besides Teltumbde with a reward of Rs 50 lakh, Mangu Podyam alias Lokesh carried a booty of Rs 20 lakh, and Shivaji Ravji Gota alias Mahesh with Rs 16 lakh on his head.

Those who carried lower amounts of rewards include: Kishen alias Jaiman and Sannu alias Kovachi (both Rs 8 lakh), and Tilak Manku Jade alias Bhagatsingh alias Pradeep (Rs 6 lakh).

The others are: Manso Sukhram Boga alias Vimla, Dalsu Raju Gota alias Bandu, Dalpat Lalsai Kachlami alias Pramod, Musakhi alias Kosa, Sadhu Sonu Boga alias Prakash, Lacchhu, Dilip Hirooram Tulayi alias Navluram (all Rs 4 lakh) and Chetan Pada Rs 2 lakh).

The security forces recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition comprising 5 AK-47 rifles, 5 SLRs, three mm pistols, an INSAS gun, a 12-bore gun, and a .303 rifle, besides other weapons.

The encounter, spread over Saturday early hours to late afternoon or more than 12 hours, is one of the biggest with 16 C-60 Commandos and over 500 personnel participating in the operation in the dense forests on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh borders.

The high fatalities notwithstanding another 70-plus extremists are reported to have fled under cover of darkness as many of their associates fell to the bullets of the security forces.
Islamabad, Nov 14 : Three soldiers were killed in separate anti-terror operations in Pakistan, an army statement said.

Pakistani security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation about presence of externally supported terrorists in Hoshab area of the southwest Balochistan province, the military's media wing said in the statement.

"On being surrounded by the security forces, an engagement ensued in which terrorists suffered heavy losses," Xinhua news agency quoted the statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations as saying.

It adding that two soldiers were killed in the clash.

In a separate incident, another soldier was killed while clearing an improvised explosive device planted by terrorists along a route frequented by civilians, said the statement.
Jakarta, Nov 14 : An oil refinery tank in Indonesia's Central Java province caught fire, prompting the evacuation of residents living around the facility was firefighters were battling the blaze, the country's state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina said.

The company ensured in a statement that the supplies of oil and liquefied petroleum gas for buyers were not disturbed by the accident, reports xinhua news agency.

The fire broke out in Cilacap district at about 7,20 p.m. on Saturday night, the statement said.

"The efforts to extinguish the fire are intensively being carried out, using high capacity foam monitors at the burned tank, and for the tanks located around it, water sprinkles are being used to cool them in a bid to prevent further spread of the fire," the statement said.

"Residents living around the fire site will be evacuated to safer grounds," it said.

The Cilacap refinery is one of PT Pertamina's six refineries.

The refinery comprises 200 tanks for crude to be processed as well as oil and gas from crude oil processing.
Hyderabad, Nov 14 : Nandamuri Balakrishna is currently wooing fans and audience with his wit on his celebrity talk show 'Unstoppable with NBK'.

As the show kickstarted on Diwali, the first episode was a huge hit with the Manchu family on the show. Balakrishna was seen having a great time with Mohan Babu on the show.

The second episode featured Nani as the guest as Balakrishna hosted him. Nani, who is personally a huge fan of Balakrishna, surprised the veteran actor.

Balakrishna runs a cancer hospital named 'Basavatarakam Cancer Hospital', which is located in Hyderabad.

Balakrishna has provided free treatment to hundreds of poor people through his hospital. Nani had surprised Balakrishna on the show by playing a video of a girl who survived cancer with the help of Balakrishna and his dedicated team of doctors at Basavatarakam Hospital.

The makers also managed to bring the girl who survived cancer on the sets of 'Unstoppable'. The girl ran to Balakrishna and hugged him, which made the 'Lion' actor become quite emotional. Nani who was a spectator was emotional too.

The senior actor then expressed his happiness and contentment in meeting the little girl. "I was not able to recognise her. Things like this make me feel better," Balakrishna said, as Nani lauded him for helping the girl fight cancer with money out of his own pocket.
New Delhi, Nov 14 : The government is reviewing the performance of its think tank Niti Aayog to ascertain whether the agency is meeting its objectives for which it was created six year ago replacing the Planning Commission.

Sources said that the review is being undertaken at the behest of the prime minister's office (PMO) that as there is a feeling that the body is not delivering as per stated objectives and may need a reset in terms of its role and responsibilities so that it could play a more proactive role on policy matters in the country.

Sources said that the review of its functioning is already on by a team of external experts under a set up called Niti Evolutionary Committee. This committee is headed by Quality Council of India chairman Adil Zainulbhai, with Bain Capital MD Amit Chandra, Avaana Capital founder Anjali Bansal, former telecom secretary Aruna Sundararajan, founder of Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship Ravi Venkatesan, and the environment secretary as its members.

Sources said that the panel is ready with its report that will be submitted to the PMO for further action. They added that the panel has come out with a clearer mandate for Niti Aayog that includes barring the agency from certain activities while adding a few additional tasks. It also wants Aayog to play a more proactive role of engaging with the states on various matters. For this, sources said, the suggestion is to augment its capabilities so that wider and more frequent engagements could be organised.

Niti Aayog has also been suggested to engage actively with external experts and build a knowledge pool that comes handy to various government agencies.

While sources said that the panel had come to an extensive set of suggestions for the Aayog, a final call will only be taken by the PMO on possible restructuring of its role and responsibilities.
Glasgow, Nov 14 : Central Asia has joined hands at the 26th meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP26) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for conservation of the snow leopard.

Now some smaller, more vulnerable countries are coming together to join forces to preserve their natural treasures and livelihoods of the local communities.

The high mountains of Asia are also known as the athird pole' of the earth. Home to 14 of the highest peaks in the world, the 'third pole' is spread across the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, Pamir, Tien-Shan and Altai mountains, as well as the Tibetan plateau.

It is one of the most vulnerable regions of the planet to climate change where warming is occurring twice as fast as the rest of the Northern Hemisphere.

The snow leopard serves as an indicator of the health of the mountain ecosystems in terms of climate change and biodiversity. Its presence symbolizes ecosystem services such as fresh water and carbon sequestration that benefit human populations of billions living downstream.

Experts say the conservation of snow leopards is synonymous to conservation of biological and cultural diversity and securing livelihoods of the 'third pole'.

The mountains represented by the snow leopard habitat offer economic opportunity, and open avenues for influx of green investments for sustainable livelihoods of the local communities sharing their space with wildlife across the pastures and agricultural lands in the region, Koustubh Sharma, International Coordinator for the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program, told IANS here.

The close relationship between the snow leopard conservation and the well-being of the local communities makes snow leopard conservation equivalent to climate adaptation, he said.

The snow leopard moves between international borders seamlessly as long as they are not fenced, making it an ambassador for trans-boundary cooperation in the mountainous regions.

Conserving the snow leopard and its unique habitat requires coordination beyond international borders, and its importance is highlighted in the Bishkek Declaration 2013 and 2017 that was endorsed by the governments of all snow leopard range countries.

The UN resolution titled aNature knows no borders: Transboundary cooperation is key factor in conservation and sustainable using of biodiversity', proposed by the Kyrgyz Republic and endorsed unanimously at the 75th UN General Assembly is a testimony to the greater global acknowledgement for transboundary action for biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation.

A memorandum of understanding for trans-boundary cooperation was signed between the Central Asian snow leopard range countries for cooperation in research and monitoring, combating illegal wildlife trade, and community-based conservation in the West Tien Shan and Pamir-Alay.

The signing was part of a ministerial event hosted by the Benelux pavilion and the Luxembourg government that focused on the innovative approach that UNEP's Vanishing Treasures project is taking to build resilience of mountain flagship species, their habitat and local communities to climate change.

Bahodur Sheralizoda, Chairman of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the government of Tajikistan, Beksultan Ibraimov, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Technical Supervision for Kyrgyz Republic, and Jusipbek Kazbekov, Deputy Chairman of the State committee for Ecology and environment protection of Uzbekistan, signed the pact on behalf of their respective countries' governments.

The signing was preceded by a session on joining forces for snow leopard conservation in the context of climate adaptation, hosted at the Central Asia pavilion of COP26.

Snow leopards face a multitude of threats, including retaliatory killing, illegal wildlife trade, poaching and excess hunting of its wild prey, poorly planned infrastructure, and mining.

Climate change is hailed as the mother of all threats for how it interacts with and amplifies each of the existing threats biodiversity and local communities face.

A recent policy brief released by the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program and the Snow Leopard Trust highlights reports that the snow leopard habitat is far more vulnerable to infectious diseases than earlier believed.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)
New Delhi, Nov 14 : A BJP delegation on Sunday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and requested to reopen Kartarpur corridor on occasion 'Guru Nanak Jayanti' on November 19.

BJP national general secretaries Tarun Chugh and Dushyant Gautam, Punjab unit president Ashwani Sharma, national spokesperson Sardar R.P. Singh and youth wing national secretary Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga and other leaders from Punjab. The BJP's national vice president Saudan Singh led the delegation.

The BJP delegation gave a memorandum to the Prime Minister requesting for the reopening of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, which has been closed since March last year due to Covid-related restrictions.The memorandum lauded the Prime Minister's effort for ensuring construction of the corridor, which was neglected by the Congress and other parties.

The memorandum mentioned that the people were expecting the corridor to reopen while the country is moving ahead with the unlock process after vaccinating 110 crore eligible population and when active cases are around 1.35 lakh.

"On the occasion of Guru Nanak Dev Maharaj's 'Prakash Parv' on November 19, we request you to give order to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib corridor. We have faith that you will act immediately," it said.

After the meeting, Bagga said that the delegation of Sikh leaders met the Prime Minister and requested to ensure reopening of Kartarpur Sahib corridor which has been closed since last year due to Covid.

"We are hopeful that the Prime Minister will address the demand of Sikh community like he did in the past by ensuring justice to 1984 riots victims," Bagga said.

Earlier, SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur and former union minister and Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal had also written to the Prime Minister demanding reopening of Kartarpur Sahib corridor.
San Francisco, Nov 14 : Elon Musk-owned electric vehicle company Tesla has reportedly been shipping out some of its cars without USB ports, media reports say.

Several new Tesla Model 3s and Model Ys have been delivered in the last few days with missing USB ports, often without any warning before the owners get their new cars home and notice that the car's phone charger is not working.

According to the auto-tech website Electrek, the automaker blames the missing parts on the global chip shortage.

Most affected cars seem to be missing the USB-C ports along the back wall of the center console, though at least one claims that the rear-seat USB ports are missing.

For new owners with missing centre console USB ports, wireless charging also seems to be inactive, the report said.

Reports of missing USB ports seem to have started with cars delivered on November 11. Other owners with recent deliveries have chimed in to say that they do have USB ports.

The global chip shortage has been affecting the auto industry for the better part of a year now, though Tesla has avoided the worst of it.

Some automakers have started delivering cars without certain parts installed, including Tesla, which removed passenger lumbar support adjustment from new Model 3 and Y vehicles.

BMW has had the same lumbar support issue, and is also removing touchscreens from new vehicles, but is giving a $175 and $500 credit, respectively.
Brisbane, Nov 14 : The Australian state of Queensland is set to reach its first major, 70 per cent, vaccination milestone for the over-16 population on Monday, almost a week earlier than previously expected.

Queensland's Health Minister Yvette D'Ath announced the state's double vaccination rate at 69.94 on Sunday, adding that it is guaranteed to hit the 70 per cent milestone on Monday, reports Xinhua news agency.

"This 70 per cent target is just the start, we are absolutely on our way to not just meet our 80 per cent target, but getting to that 90 per cent target," said D'Ath.

She said 81.66 per cent of the state's over-16 population had received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Once the state reaches the milestone, fully vaccinated Australians living in designated hotspots would be allowed to fly into Queensland but would still be required to undergo 14 days of home quarantine.

Once the state reaches 80 per cent of the vaccination rate, quarantine would not be required for fully-vaccinated individuals.

Queensland has consistently managed to keep out the spread of the delta variant of Covid-19, and the state reported no new cases on Sunday after recording numbers in the single-digits throughout the week.
Mumbai/Gadchiroli, Nov 14 : A top CPI (Maoist) Central Committee Member Milind Teltumbde -- who carried a booty of Rs 50 lakh -- is among the 26 Maoists, including 4 women, who were gunned down by the security forces in Gadchiroli district, Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil said here on Sunday.

Milind, aged around 57, is the brother of human rights activist and scholar Anand Teltumbde -- the brother-in-law of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi President Dr. Prakash Ambedkar.

Anand Teltumbde is among the so-labelled 'Urban Maoists' who were raided in early and mid-2018 in connection with the Koregaon Bhima-Elgar Parishad cases, and is currently lodged in the Taloja Jail, Raigad.

Among those eliminated include at least four women Maoists, 13 carrying huge rewards on their heads and three Commanders of various Dalams active in the Naxal-infested district and surroundings -- making it one of the most successful security operations in recent years.

The prominent Commanders who have been obliterated include: Kishan alias Jaiman of Korchi Dalam and Sannu alias Kovachi of Kasansur Dalam, Lokesh alias Mangu Podyam of Company No. 4.

Besides Teltumbde with a reward of Rs 50 lakh, Mangu Podyam alias Lokesh carried a booty of Rs 20 lakh, and Shivaji Ravji Gota alias Mahesh with Rs 16 lakh on his head.

Those who carried lower amounts of rewards include: Kishen alias Jaiman and Sannu alias Kovachi (both Rs 8 lakh), and Tilak Manku Jade alias Bhagatsingh alias Pradeep (Rs 6 lakh).

The others are: Manso Sukhram Boga alias Vimla, Dalsu Raju Gota alias Bandu, Dalpat Lalsai Kachlami alias Pramod, Musakhi alias Kosa, Sadhu Sonu Boga alias Prakash, Lacchhu, Dilip Hirooram Tulayi alias Navluram (all Rs 4 lakh) and Chetan Pada Rs 2 lakh).

The security forces recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition comprising 5 AK-47 rifles, 5 SLRs, three mm pistols, an INSAS gun, a 12-bore gun, and a .303 rifle, besides other weapons.

The encounter, spread over Saturday early hours to late afternoon or more than 12 hours, is one of the biggest with 16 C-60 Commandos and over 500 personnel participating in the operation in the dense forests on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh borders.

The high fatalities notwithstanding another 70-plus extremists are reported to have fled under cover of darkness as many of their associates fell to the bullets of the security forces.

Top police officials suspect that a major forest convention was underway to possibly plan out some armed operation.

However, the security officials managed to get a realtime whiff from the intelligence networks, and resulted in the warfare lasting nearly 12 hours.

Jade and Vimla Boga happened to be the personal bodyguards of Milind Teltumbde, and the identity of a few of the slain Maoists is being established, said officials.

In the past around 4 years, the Maharashtra security forces have registered massive victories against the insurgents, and killed around 90 so far besides recovering big caches of weapons, arms and ammunition.

More than 40 Maoists including 4 commanders were gunned down in a bloody gun-battle in the district on April 22-23, 2018 - till date the biggest anti-Maoist operation.

On May 21 and October 11 this year, 13 and five Maoists respectively were killed in the encounters in different areas of Gadchiroli, followed by the November 13 operations that saw 26 Maoists eliminated.

In addition, on March 3-4 last year (2020), the security forces stormed a huge arms and ammunition manufacturing factory thriving in the deep jungles of the district.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
Washington, Nov 14 : People in the US are living with gun violence, as shootings across the country continue to rise, according to the American Broadcasting Company (ABC).

In Philadelphia, there were 1,500 people shot through October this year, with nearly 400 people killed, Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday citing a recent ABC story as saying.

Gun violence is not unique to Philadelphia, the ABC report said, adding that homicides have been on the rise this year in cities all over the country.

During just one week in July, there were 430 deaths and over a 1,000 people shot, according to data collected from the Gun Violence Archive.

So far this year, there have been 17,723 deaths due to gun violence, not including suicides.

There were more than 19,400 shooting deaths in 2020, and 15,400 in 2019.

"The environment is a hostile environment," Joshua Corneilius, a 17-year-old senior at a north Philadelphia school, told ABC News. "It's a real war zone."
Chennai, Nov 14 : A constable attached with the Armed Reserve Police in Coimbatore city has been suspended after he received a kiss from a woman at a park in the city.

The police constable was in uniform while the incident took place which was recorded by a few youngsters who complained to the Coimbatore city police. The department put him under suspension on Saturday.

The policeman in the issue is V. Balaji (29), who is a grade- 1 police constable at the Armed Reserve Police at Coimbatore city. He is a native of Cuddalore and has joined service in 2017.

Balaji who was in the police uniform was chatting with a woman at Valankulam bund park in the city on Friday evening and suddenly she kissed him.

A group of youngsters who were in the park recorded the intimate scene of the cop and sent it to the Coimbatore police officers. The video also went viral and Balaji was put under suspension by the Coimbatore Deputy Commissioner of Police, (City armed reserve), Muralidharan on Saturday.

According to police, Balaji had married a woman from a different religion and was staying in the police quarters at Coimbatore. He befriended a relative of his wife and later took her to a park where the incident took place.
Bhubaneswar, Nov 14 : The Special Task Force (STF) of the Odisha Police have arrested a wildlife criminal and seized one elephant tusk from his possession, an official said on Sunday.

Acting on a tip up, a team of the STF conducted a raid with the help of forest officials near Kendubhatta of Baragarh district and seized the elephant tusk from Ramesh Pradhan of Bolangir district.

As the accused person could not produce any valid authority in support of possession of the tusk, the police arrested him and later handed over to Baragarh forest officials for necessary legal action at their end, the STF said.

During the last one year, the task force has seized 20 leopard skins, 11 elephant tusks, two deer skins, six live pangolins, 15 kg pangolin scales and arrested 43 wildlife criminals.
Beijing, Nov 14 : Xiaomi has given details of the third batch of devices that will be receiving MIUI 12.5 Enhanced Edition, the latest version of the company's mobile operating system based on Android.

According to GizmoChina, all the smartphones in this third batch will get the update by December 2021.

More than 25 devices including Xiaomi CIVI, Redmi 9, Redmi 10X 4G, Redmi Note 11 Pro, Redmi K30 Ultra, Redmi 10X 5G, Redmi 10X Pro 5G, Redmi Note 11 5G, Xiaomi Pad 5, Redmi K30 5G, Redmi K30i 5G, and Redmi K30 will receive the MIUI 12.5 Enhanced Edition.

MIUI 12.5 Enhanced brings several performance-related tweaks. With the update, the system performance will drop by less than 5 per cent after 36 months. It will also bring Atomic or Atomized Memory feature that will let a user to keep more apps in the background.

According to the smartphone maker, the time of the Chinese launch that MIUI 12.5 Enhanced also fixed 160 system issues and over 220 system app issues.

The update also comes with all-round optimisations for the bottom framework to the top-most application layer. The optimisations are divided into four aspects--Liquid Storage, Atomic Memory, Focus Calculation, and Intelligent Balance.

Meanwhile, Xiaomi's founder Lei Jun also confirmed that the next major version of the company's user interface (UI) 'MIUI 13' is on track to arrive before the end of this year.

The MIUI 13 will deliver performance and battery optimisations along with a revamped UI design, reports GSMArena.

Jun also said that the MIUI 13 will bring lots of changes that will greatly improve the user experience.
Chennai, Nov 14 : Director Pandiraj recently announced that he had completed shooting 'Etharkkum Thunidhavan' which features actor 'Jai Bhim' star Suriya in the lead.

Now, sources say that actor Suriya pleasantly surprised the unit members by gifting them gold coins.

Says a highly placed source that is close to the unit of the film, "It is true. Actor Suriya gave away gold coins to all the technicians and artistes working on the film. This does not include the top notch professionals heading the various departments." While it is not known if all the technicians got coins of the same weight, the source says that seniors in some departments like the direction department and the cinematography department were gifted one sovereign coins.

Nevertheless, the gifts, the source said, had made the entire unit happy.

The film, which is produced by Sun Pictures, has Priyanka Arul Mohan playing the female lead. Like most of his other films of Suriya, this one too will espouse a social cause.
Tirupati, Nov 14 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the meeting of the Southern Zonal Council here on Sunday.

Chief Ministers, ministers and top officials from the southern states and Union Territories were attending the meeting, which began at a star hotel in the afternoon.

Chief Ministers of three states including host Andhra Pradesh were among the participants in the 29th meeting of the Southern Zonal Council.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy delivered the welcome address. Karnataka Chief Minister Basvaraj Bommai and Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangaswamy were also attending the meeting.

The other states were represented by the ministers or officials. Telangana Home Minister Mohammed Mehmood Ali, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, Tamil Nadu Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, Kerala Revenue Minister K. Rajan, Puducherry incharge Lt Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Andaman and Nicobar Lt Governor Devendra Kumar Joshi, and Lakshadweep Administrator Praful Patel were attending the meeting.

The meeting was discussing 26 key issues such as cooperation between states, conflicts, border issues, internal security, infrastructure development, industries, tourism development, and economic development.

The meeting will also review the implementation of the decisions taken at the previous meeting.
Chennai, Nov 14 : The Madras Bar Association on Sunday passed a resolution requesting the Supreme Court collegium to reconsider the transfers of the Madras High Court's Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice T.S. Sivagnanam.

It also requested the Central government to remit the recommendation of the collegium in respect of Banerjee's transfer for fresh consideration, following the procedure contemplated under Memorandum of Procedure for Transfer of Chief Justice of a High Court.

The Supreme Court collegium had recently recommended the transfers of Banerjee to the Meghalaya High Court and Sivagnanam to the Calcutta High Court.

The resolution was passed at the Association's Emergency General Body Meeting held on Sunday in a virtual mode.

The Emergency GBM was requisitioned by senior advocate V.Prakash and 52 other members of the Association to discuss the issues regarding the transfer of Banerjee and Sivagnanam.

The Association expressed its deep concern at the opaqueness surrounding the transfers of Sivagnanam and Banerjee.

The transfers are perceived to be in violation of Memorandum of Procedure for Transfer. Such transfers are perceived to be punitive and do not augur well for the independence of the judiciary, the Association felt.

"The resolution was passed in the meeting held on Sunday morning," Prakash told IANS.
Agartala, Nov 14 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the northeastern region of the country was neglected as overall development of the country was seen on a piecemeal basis and viewed through a political lens.

Talking about the long prevailing neglect of the northeastern region, Modi said that earlier, our rivers from the northern and western parts of the country used to come to the east, but the Ganges of development used to stop before reaching here (the Northeast).

He said the region's huge potential will be unleashed by creating modern infrastructure and improving connectivity.

He expressed confidence that work being done in the region will take the country to new heights of growth.

"Today, the development of the country is seen with the spirit of 'Ek Bharat (united India)'," Modi said during his virtual speech from Delhi after transferring a total of over Rs 709 crore directly to the bank accounts to more than 1.47 lakh beneficiaries (Rs 48,000 each) of Tripura as the first instalment for constructing houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G).

Without naming the previous Tripura governments, the Prime Minister criticised the earlier system wherein beneficiaries were not able to get any benefits without giving bribes.

He said: "Today, the development of the country is seen with the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'. Development is now considered synonymous with the unity-integrity of the country." After interacting with some PMAY-G beneficiaries -- Anita Kuki Debbarma, Soma Majumdar, Kadar Biya and Samiran Nath -- Modi said that ever since his government came into power, welfare of the poor and tribal section has been its highest priority.

The aim of his government is to make the beneficiaries get the benefits of the scheme without any hassle or middleman, the Prime Minister pointed out.

According to Tripura's Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma, following Prime Minister's intervention, taking into account unique geo-climatic condition of Tripura, the definition of 'kuccha' house has been changed specifically for the state, which has enabled such a large number of beneficiaries living in 'kuccha' houses to get assistance to construct a 'pucca' house.

Praising Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, Modi said: "Biplab Deb's government in the state and the government at the Centre are committed to take the progress of the state forward. The Prime Minister said the thinking that keeps Tripura poor, keeps the people of Tripura away from amenities, has no place in Tripura today.

"Now the double engine government is engaged in the development of the state with full force and sincerity." The Prime Minister singled out India's confident 'Nari Shakti' for their yeoman contribution in the development of the country.

"As a major symbol of this Nari Shakti, we also have women's self-help groups. These SHGs have been connected with Jan Dhan Accounts. The collateral free loan available to such groups has been doubled to Rs 20 lakh," Modi said.

The Prime Minister said the country will celebrate the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda every year on November 15 as "Tribal Gaurav Diwas".

Union Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Pratima Bhoumik, Tripura Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and Lok Sabha Member Rebati Tripura also attended the event.
Patna, Nov 14 : Bihar Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested an Army personnel for leaking secret information to a Pakistani handler, an official said.

The accused, identified as Janardhan Prasad Singh, was arrested on secret information provided by the Intelligence Bureau.

The accused confessed that he has shared some information pertaining to Army cantonment Danapur during a chat with a Pakistani woman, the official said.

Bihar ATS believes that Singh, a native of Nalanda district and deployed in Danapur cantonment, was honey-trapped by the Pakistani woman.

Singh was probably blackmailed by the Pakistani woman to share secret information about the Army establishments in the country, the official added.

The accused has also shared some classified documents with her as well.

Further investigation is on.
Mumbai, Nov 14 : Troubles refuse to cease for Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty. The husband-wife duo have been named in an FIR with regards to financial discrepancy in a fitness venture started by them.

The complainant alleged that the couple took money from investors across India for their pan-India enterprise and when he demanded the reversal of a payment of Rs 1.5 crore, he was threatened by them.

Taking notice of this, Shilpa has issued a clarification with regards to the FIR and made a public appeal for safeguarding her civil rights well within the framework of law. The actress shared a note on her social media where she presented her side of the story. She wrote, "Woke up to an FIR registered in Raj and my name! Shocked!! To set the record straight, SFL Fitness, a venture run by Kashiff Khan (sic)." She adds, "He had taken naming rights of brand SFL Fitness to open SFL Fitness gyms around the country. All deals were struck by him & he was signatory in banking & day-to-day affairs. We are not aware of any of his transactions nor have we received a single rupee from him for the same." "All franchisees dealt directly with Kashiff. The company closed in 2014 and was entirely handled by Kashiff Khan. I have worked very hard over the last 28 years. And it pains me to see that my name & replication is getting damaged & dragged so loosely. To get eyeballs. My rights as a law abiding proud citizen in India should be protected. With gratitude Shilpa Shetty Kundra," she concluded.
New Delhi/Srinagar, Nov 14 : Militants in Kashmir are out to kill Kashmiriyat. The Recent killing of a Muslim salesman of a Kashmir Pandit businessman in Srinagar's old city has once again shown that terror has no religion and anyone can become a victim. He can be a Muslim or a Hindu.

The ultras had come to murder Sandeep Mawa but shot dead his salesman Ibrahim Khan in case of a mistaken identity. The son of a prominent Kashmiri Pandit businessman Roshan Lal Mawa, who had left Kashmir in 1990, Sandeep Mawa returned to the Valley in 2019 and re-started his shop at Bohri Kadal in the old city. He was given a warm response by local Kashmiri Muslims, who were happy to see their Kashmiri Pandit brother returning to his roots after three decades.

On November 8, 2021, Sandeep left his shop early after he was alerted by the police that militants may target him. When in the evening, his salesman Ibrahim Khan went to get Sandeep's car parked outside the shop, militants mistook him as their target and pumped four bullets into his chest. It was yet another case of Kashmiri killing a Kashmiri and Kashmiriyat. What a shame, Kashmiri militants had come to kill a man just for a reason that he was a Hindu. But they murdered a Muslim man for whom they claim they are fighting.

Mawa is the relative of late Makhan Lal Bindroo, who was shot dead by militants in Srinagar in October this year. Bindroo had not migrated. He had stayed back and helped his Kashmiri brethren in the most turbulent times. Design of the militants is clear they don't want Kashmiri Pandits to stay in the Valley only for a reason i.e. they are Pandits and not Muslims.

Kashmiriyat Kashmir was known as the abode of sufis and saints due to the centuries-old indigenous tradition of communal harmony and religious syncretism in the Valley known as Kashmiriyat, which emerged around the 16th century and was characterised by religious and cultural harmony, patriotism and pride for their mountainous homeland of Kashmir.

It exemplifies the joint Hindu-Muslim culture, festivals, language, cuisine and clothing in Kashmir. But after the outbreak of Pakistan sponsored armed insurgency in 1990, the gun-toting militants carried out the selective killings of Kashmiri Pandits which led to the mass exodus of the entire community from the Valley.

Most Kashmiri Pandits are still living in exile but after August 5, 2019 - when the Centre abrogated J&K's special status and divided it into two Union Territories - hopes of displaced Kashmiri Pandits returning to the Valley were rekindled. During the past two years, many KPs, including Mawa, have returned to Kashmir. They are making an attempt to resettle in the Valley but the militants are hell bent to chase them out.

Selective killings Selective killings, including that of Kashmiri Pandit, Makhan Lal Bindroo, two teachers - a Sikh woman, Supinder Kaur and a Hindu man, Deep Chand, five non-local labourers and an assassination attempt of Sandeep Mawa, are clear indications that madness in Kashmir seems to be a never-ending process. The indoctrinated ultras at the behest of their handlers sitting across the Line of Control (LoC) are killing the innocents and have torn apart the very ethos of Kashmiriyat.

India's rogue neighbor, Pakistan, that's sponsoring militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, is under the control of such people who don't know anything except preaching hate and violence. Muslims killing Muslims in Pakistan is a routine. It's unfortunate that people sitting across the LoC want to turn Kashmir into its reflection. They have indoctrinated Kashmiris to such an extent that they are following the footsteps of their mentors by targeting the pluralistic values of Kashmiri society.

The organisations like banned Jamaat-e-Islami are carrying out their agenda to radicalise the Kashmiri youth and are turning them into killers by preaching hatred for the people from other communities.

The Kashmiriyat - promoted by Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin, the story of the Kashmiri mystic Lal Ded in which her body turned into a mound of flowers that was buried by both Hindus and Muslims-is disappearing from Kashmir. It's high time for the members of majority Kashmiri Muslim community to wake up and condemn the communal, anti-Hindu, extremist and jihadist character of those people who have been preaching hate for the past three decades. If they don't do so, there will be no space left for the people of other faiths in Kashmir. The emergence of jihadist characteristic will push Kashmir deep into crisis, which can lead to Kashmiri Muslims getting no acceptance outside the Valley.

Kashmiris need to help themselves Militants who are targeting members of the minority community are making things difficult for Kashmiri Muslims. If any terror incident takes place across the globe, Pakistanis are treated as prime suspects for a simple reason that their nation is a breeding ground for terrorists. The Kashmiri militants who have embarked on the mission to kill innocents and target the members of a particular community are creating a notion that every Kashmiri is a terrorist and no one except ethnic Kashmiri Muslims can live in the Valley.

Thousands of Kashmiri Muslims are putting up in different parts of India and in other countries, if the militants keep on killing Kashmiris and Kashmiriyat in the Valley, people of Kashmir in other states may have to face the brunt as they will be looked down upon and treated as prime suspects like Pakistanis.

Members of the majority community in the Valley need to understand that the ultras are making them vulnerable and are out to label every Kashmiri as a hardliner and an intolerant human being. People of Kashmir have to stand on their own feet and have to join people like Sandeep Mawa, who despite surviving an assassination attempt has decided to stay put in Kashmir and work for restoring pluralistic culture of the Valley.

Mawa's father, Roshan Lal Mawa, too was shot at by militants in 1990. After surviving the assasination attempt he left Kashmir. His son mustered courage and returned to his roots to build the burnt bridges between Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims. Majority of people in the Valley want to live a peaceful life as they are fed up of violence and uncertainty. But for that they have to come forward and help themselves, no outsider can do it. They have to become their own Messiahs then only Kashmiriyat can be saved from becoming extinct.
New Delhi, Nov 14 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief J.P. Nadda will be on a two-day visit to Uttarakhand from Monday to review the party's preparations for the Assembly elections scheduled to be held next year.

It is learnt that during his visit, the BJP chief will be holding several organisational meetings to take stock of the situation on the ground.

Uttarakhand Assembly poll is scheduled in February-March next year along with Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa and Manipur.

In a statement, BJP's media in-charge and Rajya Sabha member, Anil Baluni, said: "Nadda will be in Uttarakhand on a two-day visit from Monday (November 15) where he will participate in the 'Saheed Samman Yatra' and will hold several organisational meetings." Nadda is expected to arrive in Dehradun around 9.50 a.m. on Monday.

He will participate in 'Saheed Samman Yatra' in Chamoli district and also address a public meeting.

He will also attend organisational meetings.

On Tuesday, Nadda will meet Subhash Chhabra, who was imprisoned for 18 months under MISA during emergency, in Rudrapur.

Later on, he will interact with the Bengali community and chair organizational meeting.

In Rudrapur, Nadda will address meeting of state office bearers, district in-charge, district president, president and general secretary of different wings of party state unit, assembly in-charge and co-incharge, and vistarak.

Nadda will also separately meet BJP Uttarakhand in-charge and co-incharge, election in-charge, state unit president and state general secretaries.

In August, Nadda had visited the hill state to take stock of BJP poll preparedness and attended over 10 meetings.

Sources said that during meetings, Nadda will review the progress of different organizational work in last two and half months.

In March, the BJP had made Tirath Singh Rawat Chief Minister of Uttarakhand replacing Trivendra Singh Rawat.

In July, he was replaced by Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Nellore : , Nov 14 (IANS) Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said that service to people is the real religion.

He said that the essence of religion is to serve and that going to a temple and to serve the needy is equally important.

While visiting a temple gives 'punya', serving the people gives immense satisfaction, he said in his address at the 20th annual celebration of Swarna Bharat Trust founded by him, at Venkatachalam in his native district Nellore. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also attended the event.

Naidu said he invited central ministers and other leaders so that they can see the activities of the Trust and motivate others to take up similar works.

The Vice President said in spite of his being in various positions at various levels, he always attended Swarna Bharat Trust programmes.

He underlined the need to reduce the divide between rural and urban areas and called for focussing on agriculture and farmers. "Not only the government, people should also focus on agriculture. We all owe agriculture and farmers," he said.

Naidu described youth as the future of the country and said giving them skill training and helping them secure loans for self-employment and making them stand on their feet gives immense happiness.

Stating that women are 50 per cent of the population, he said more needs to be done for their empowerment. He also called for putting an end to atrocities on women and for ensuring equal share in property.

Naidu, who is also the Rajya Sabha Chairman, described passing of the Bill to repeal Article 370 as a historic moment in his life. "Repeal of Article 370 was my life ambition and mission. We always believe Kashmir is an integral part of India and there should be no question mark over it. Each inch of Kashmir belongs to India and all people are equal citizens. People's wish was not respected for so many years but under the leadership of Narendra Modiji and Amit Shahji, the Bill was passed," he said.

The Vice President recalled that though there was tension and there were also apprehensions that there will be violence, no such thing happened and the Bill was passed after detailed discussion.

He also revealed that a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi had come to his house and requested that the Bill be taken up first in Rajya Sabha. "The entire night, me and officials worked out the programme for the next day. My wife and children were worried about my health," he said.

Shah was all praise for Venkaiah Naidu for staying connected to his roots irrespective of the positions he held and always leading a disciplined life.

He said that it was during Naidu's tenure as BJP's President that the party went back to basics. He recalled that Naidu used to come to the party office at 9 a.m. every day, and described him as an ideal for him and thousands of party workers.
Patna, Nov 14 : Two persons, including an 8-year-old boy, were killed and two others critically injured after a mentally-challenged person stabbed them in Bihar's Bhagalpur district on Sunday afternoon, police said.

The accused, Dipak Kumar, also pelted stones on two police vehicles and damaged them.

The incident occurred in Motichak village under Sultanganj police station.

The police said that Dipak Kumar, who was carrying a sword in his hand, suddenly attacked Siaram, 60, and his grandson Ravi Kumar, 8, stabbing them several times, leading to their death on the spot.

The accused also attacked Maheshwar Yadav and Ramdev Yadav but they managed to save themselves despite stab wounds.

Following the incident, the villagers cornered the accused but none of them dared to go near him. They have informed local police.

"When we reached the spot, the accused was carrying a sword in hand. We have forced him to put down the sword but he refused. He pelted stones on us and damaged two vehicles. We have managed to overpower him after a brief scuffle," investigating officer R.C. Sharma said.

"The accused was booked under relevant IPC sections of murder and attempt to murder. Further investigation is on," he said.
New Delhi, Nov 14 : The Communist Party of India-Marxist on Sunday termed the recent reduction in fuel prices a "mockery" and demanded that additional cess and surcharges must be withdrawn immediately to provide some meaningful relief to the people.

In a statement after the its Polit Bureau meeting in the national capital, the party said that the cut in Central excise duty of Rs 5 per litre for petrol and Rs 10 per litre for diesel provides no relief to the people who are suffering from the growing burden of higher prices of petroleum production.

"This token reduction must be seen in the light of the fact that central excise constitutes Rs 33 per litre of petrol and Rs 32 per litre of diesel," it said.

The CPI-M said that the Central government has made this meagre reduction from excise duties that are sharable with the states.

"However, it continues to collect special additional excise duty (surcharge) amounting to Rs 74,350 crore, additional excise duty (cess) amounting to Rs 1,98,000 crore, and other cess and surcharges amounting to Rs 15,150 crore, totaling a whopping Rs 287 lakh crores that are not sharable with the states," it noted, demanding that "these additional cess and surcharges must be withdrawn immediately to provide some meaningful relief to the people".

Referring to recent revelation in purchase of Rafale aircraft, the party said: "Even after the French investigative journal Mediapart revealed fresh evidence of commissions to middlemen in India and the documents related to this, along with the official negotiation details showing that the Dassault Aviation substantially benefited, the Central government is refusing to investigate the scam." "The efforts to bury high level corruption involved in the Rafale deal and the cover-up operation are reprehensible. While many governments of other countries have in some manner ordered investigations, the Modi government continues to remain obdurate in refusing to conduct such an investigation. This smacks of total complicity," it said.

It demanded that a high-level independent enquiry must be conducted in the matter.

The CPI-M Polit Bureau also expressed concern about reports of attacks against minorities all over the country. "Rightwing groups patronised by the governments are emboldened to perpetuate such crimes. The administration, instead of protecting victims, actually punishes them and their supporters with the arrests under draconian laws," it said, claiming that in Uttar Pradesh, the use of NSA against Muslims have become common place along with numerous encounters.

"The fundamental right to offer prayers is being curtailed, as the recent incidents in the NCR, Gurgaon has shown," the statement said.

It also demanded that the Centre withdraw its decision to extend the jurisdiction of BSF upto 50 km from the international border, from the earlier 15 km, in Punjab, West Bengal, and Assam.

The CPI-M Polit Bureau also extended solidarity and support to the decision of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha to observe the first anniversary of the historic kisan struggle by strengthening the mobilisation at the border points of Delhi and conducting protest actions in all state capitals on November 26.
Beijing, Nov 14 : Smartphone brand Realme is all set to advance into the high-end smartphone market, CEO Sky Li has revealed.

The brand has solidified its position as one of the major players in the budget and mid-range smartphone segment, GizmoChina reported on Saturday.

Earlier this year, Realme successfully entered the flagship killer segment with the release of its GT series.

Now, the founder and CEO has revealed the company's plan to compete with top smartphone brands in the ultra-premium segment through a tweet.

"It's official: Realme to advance into high-end market with smartphones over $800. What do you expect most from Realme full flagship phone?" Li wrote on the micro-blogging site.

In other words, Realme will be going up against industry giants like Samsung, Apple and Google in more than the $800 smartphone segment, the report said.

Currently, the company does not have any device in this segment and their top offering is the smartphone killer GT Neo 2, it added.
New Delhi, Nov 14 : The Economic Offences Wing of Delhi Police has arrested a person in connection with selling a Trust property in the national capital's Chandni Chowk area, an official said on Sunday.

A police officer said that Mukesh Tulsian, 59, has been arrested for selling the Tulsian Dharmshala Trust in Chandni Chowk area at Rs 35 lakh. However, the market price of the property has been estimated to be approximately Rs 15 crore.

Delhi Police said 'Tulsian Dharmshala Trust' was founded by Late Jamna Dass along with and 5 trustees including accused Manoj Tulsian's father Lt. Radhe Shyam.

Later, Radhey Shyam became the managing trustee of the Trust. After death, his wife Pushpa Devi was appointed for the position. And later, accused Manoj Tulsian became the managing trustee in the Trust.

Contrary to the Trust's provision that no property of the Trust can be handed over to anyone, the accused impersonated himself as the grandson of late Jamna Dass, founder of Trust, and sold the property at Rs 35 lakh, the police said.

Police said that a case was registered in this regard on the complaint of one Sharwan Agarwal on May 25.

Agarwal in his complaint said that Manoj Tulsian has sold 15 properties belonging to trust by impersonating himself as the sole owner and legal heir of Late Jamna Dass, the founder of the trust, for Rs 35 lakh.

During the investigation, police found that the accused person was absconding from three months. However, police managed to apprehend Tulsian from Shalimar Bagh.

He was arrested during the interrogation, said police.
New Delhi, Nov 14 : Four batches of food imported from Russia were detected with coronavirus on their outer packaging, said officials in China's border city Heihe in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Sunday, Global Times reported.

Heihe, a coronavirus-hit city in China's latest round of Covid-19 resurgence, had taken multiple samples of the four types of food in circulation after the discovery of coronavirus-positive packaging, and all tested negative of coronavirus, the city's health authority said on Sunday morning.

Heihe conducted nucleic acid tests on the city's stock food imported from Russia on Saturday. Four types of the food tested positive, namely a Konti-brand chocolate-flavour wafer candy, Konti brand chocolate-flavour wafer biscuit, Konti-brand muskmelon-flavour soft sweet and a milk powder.

The Heihe government has reminded citizens who have these products at home to disinfect and seal them, and contact local centre for disease prevention and control (CDC) in time, the report said.

Heihe health authority reported two new local confirmed cases in its Aihui district on Saturday. Including the two, Heilongjiang Province has found 275 local Covid-19 patients (273 confirmed cases and two silent carriers) in the latest round of virus outbreak since October 27.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Chennai, Nov 14 : Dead Sri Lankan underworld don Angoda Lokka's aide and wanted criminal has been arrested from Bengaluru, where he was hiding, by a team of Crime Branch CID from Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore, police said.

Chanuka Thananayaka was arrested on Saturday, while Jayapal alias Gopalakrishnan, 46, was also taken into custody for sheltering him.

According to Coimbatore police, Thananayaka was one of the most wanted criminals in Sri Lanka.

Both of them were produced before Chief Judicial Magistrate, Coimbatore, Sanjeevi Bhaskar, who sent them to judicial custody on Saturday night.

Lokka passed away in Coimbatore on July 3, 2020 due to cardiac arrest. He was in hiding at Coimbatore and police arrested Madurai-based lawyer, Sivakami Sundar for sheltering him. Her friend Dhyaneswaran was also arrested for helping Lokka stay with a different identity.

Lokka's lover Amani Dhanji, who was staying with him at Coimbatore, was also arrested and the three told police during interrogation that Lokka's pistol was with Thananayaka.

It was a tip-off to CB-CID Superintendent, P. Sivakumar that led to the arrest of Thananayaka after police traced him to Banswadi in Bengaluru. He was tracked at an apartment at Banaswadi owned by the sister of Gopalakrishnan and the police arrested the duo.

Gopalakrishnan was on bail after being arrested by the Kancheepuram 'Q' branch police in a case related to the shelter extended to another Sri Lankan national, Suresh who was arrested a few months before. Gopalakrishnan had come out on bail, in that case, a couple of months before.
Kolkata, Nov 14 : The hearing of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's petition on Nandigram election results that was likely to be heard at Calcutta High Court on Monday might get deferred because a petition in the Supreme Court by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari to transfer the case outside the state might come up for hearing on the same day.

The case was supposed to come up for hearing after a gap of nearly four months.

Legal experts are of the opinion that the High Court might defer the case and wait for the verdict of the Supreme Court. They also opine that the process of development of the Chief Minister's petition that is presently lying before the bench of Justice Shampa Sarkar might get further delayed because of the petition in the apex court.

The petition filed by Banerjee challenging the result of the Nandigram elections, where she was defeated by Adhikari by a margin of 1,965 votes and alleging manipulation was initially assigned to the bench of Justice Kaushik Chanda. However, Banerjee filed a separate petition requesting a change of the judge as he was associated with BJP legal cell before he was elevated to the bench.

However, Justice Chanda recused himself from hearing the petition but imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh on the Chief Minister for "the manner in which she levelled charges against the judge".

The case was reassigned to the bench of Justice Sarkar by the then Acting Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal, and came up for hearing in August but was adjourned till November 15.

A day after Chanda recused himself from the case, Adhikari moved the Supreme Court pleading to move the case from Calcutta High Court to any other High Court. According to sources, in the top court, the single bench of Justice Hima Kohli may hear the Nandigram vote case.

However, the Calcutta High Court has asked the Election Commission to preserve all the documents relating to the election and results of Nandigram.
Srinagar, Nov 14 : A policeman was injured in an exchange of fire between suspected militants and police in Nawa Kadal area of J&K's Srinagar district on Sunday, police said.

DGP Dilbag Singh said: "It was a police raid on a suspected hideout in Nawa Kadal. Some exchange of fire occurred in which one policeman suffered injury." The injured policeman was shifted to hospital. Meanwhile, the area has been cordoned off. Additional forces have reached the spot and an operation has been started.
Imphal, Nov 14 : Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Sunday said that to check infiltration from Myanmar and trans-border movement of "inimical elements", the government is making fencing the state's border with the neighbouring country a priority.

He said that the Union Home Ministry has already started erection of fencing along the around 400-km-long India-Myanmar border in Manipur, but due to the dispute in some patches, the process was stopped in these areas but it continued elsewhere.

The Chief Minister was talking to the media after paying his tributes at the Imphal airport to Assam Rifles Colonel Viplav Tripathi and four jawans of the paramilitary forces who were killed by People's Liberation Army (PLA) and Manipur Naga People's Front (MNPF) militants in the border Churachandpur district. Tripathi's wife, and their 9-year-old son were also gunned down in the deadliest militant attack.

Terming the PLA and MNPF "terrorists" and strongly condemning the attack, Biren Singh said that he has directed security forces to apprehend the perpetrators and punish them.

"The state government will not compromise with such heinous violence and killing of innocent people. The army, paramilitary, and the state security forces are always alert to foil the militants and any other acts of violence," he said.

Defence sources said that after the wreath-laying ceremonies, the bodies of Colonel Tripathi and riflemen Suman Swargiary, Khatnei Konyak, R.P. Meena, and Shyamal Das were sent to their respective home states on Sunday.

The PLA and MNPF, in a joint statement on Saturday night, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that they did not know that the Commanding Officer's family was also in the convoy.

"In the disturbed area, family and kid should not accompany. Chief of Army of PLA (Irengbam Chaoren) has congratulated the participating cadres in the operations," said the statement, signed by both the militant outfits' publicity in-charges.

The incident took place near Sekhen village, as the militants first detonated IEDs and then fired on the convoy of 46 Battalion Assam Rifles, when Col Tripathi, along with his family members, was going to supervise a civic action programme in Churachandpur.

Police and intelligence officials have suspect that the guerillas came from Myanmar and after the attack, went back over the border. For the first time, the militants in the northeast killed the family members of a security force official.

Manipur has over 40 outlawed insurgent groups, a large majority of them lying low following their signing of separate suspension of operations agreements with the government.

In 2015, 20 para-military personnel were killed in an attack by terrorists in Manipur, after which the Army had launched a surgical strike on their camps.
New Delhi, Nov 14 : An immediate challenge today is the prevention of Diabetes among the youth and pregnant women, Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Sunday.

The minister, also a renowned Diabetologist, called for a mandatory diabetes test in all maternity hospitals and for every pregnant women, adding that more than 70 per cent of India's population is below 40 years of age.

Calling for an integrated and holistic approach to fight Diabetes, Singh said: Covid has prompted us to discover new norms in adversity and underlined the importance of combining traditional Indian management modalities with the Allopathic System." "Diabetes is a growing epidemic globally and more so in India. A total of 88 million adult populations in India has diabetes in 2019 as per the latest International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates and this is projected to rise by almost 74 per cent to 153 million by 2045, giving India the dubious distinction of becoming the diabetes capital of the world," Singh said.

Sharing the concerns about of Diabetes that is making fast inroads in rural India with huge economic bearing on poor families, Singh said that there is a need to popularise Telemedicine to provide easy and affordable access to the ailing population.

Talking about the National Digital Health Mission, Singh said it can revolutionise healthcare in India as citizens will be issued a health card that will have all their medical information.

He said, the details of medical tests, illnesses, doctors' prescriptions and medical reports will be on a single identity card and will be the first of its kind in the world.

The Union Minister was speaking at a webinar on diabetes on the occasion of World Diabetes Day, jointly organized by Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samasthana, S-VYASA, Bengaluru and Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy, CCRYN, New Delhi.
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 14 : The Kerala state SC/ST commission has directed the police to book a case under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities)Act 1989. The panel will also conduct a sitting on Monday following complaints of eight scheduled caste and scheduled tribe families.

The SC/ST families have lodged a complaint that they were prevented by some residents at Ranni-Pazavngadi gram panchayat in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala from constructing homes in the area in a land donated to them by a US citizen with roots in Ranni.

The families complained that some residents in Ranni stopped them from constructing their homes as they belonged to SC, ST communities.

The Kerala state SC/ST Commission Chairman, B.S. Mavoji, and his team visited Ranni Pazhavangadi gram panchayat on Friday.

Mavoji said that the commission understood the issues faced by the eight families. He said that every person has the right to live a life of dignity in a democratic country.

It may be noted that a person, Valliath Thomas Vargheese, 77, who is a citizen of the US had donated three cents of land to each of the eight families from his property.

The local people, all Christians had opposed Vargheese's decision to donate the land to the SC, ST families.

Vargheese told IANS said that he had picked the eight families who were living in rented accommodation with their children.

He said: "I picked these eight families from 65 applications received as they were all living in rented accommodation and did not have any land in their names. The local people opposed me to converting the area into a Dalit colony. They were shameless in speaking like this." Thomas Vargheese was living in Ranni for the past few years and said that the Panchayat member of Congress party, Shirley George had openly told him that she would not allow Dalits to live in her area as long as she was a Panchayat member.

Shirley was not available for comments.
New Delhi, Nov 14 : The Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD) organised a pre-release virtual event on Saturday to introduce the movie "The Kashmir Files" and to kick-start the US wide promotional tour of the movie starting from November 26 till January 6, 2022.

Noted community stalwarts Kashi Pandit, Chaman Lal Gadoo, Moti Kaul, and Sudhir Sopory released the movie brochure and "behind the scenes" video of the movie on behalf of the community.

Sandeep Bamzai, Editor-in-Chief and CEO, IANS, was the keynote speaker at the event.

In his keynote address, Bamzai shared some details of his recent visit to Kashmir, which was both painful and encouraging for him at the same time.

There has been a great deal of development in Kashmir in the past few months under the leadership of present Lt Governor Manoj Sinha with great boom in tourism and associated industries which is very encouraging and praiseworthy, he said.

However, he was pained at the site of his ancestral home, which he has been unable to visit and live in for a very long time, ever since he, like lakhs of Kashmiri Pandits, was made a refugee in his own country.

Vivek Agnihotri, the noted director, and Pallavi Joshi, the noted actor, who have directed and produced the movie under their banner IAmBuddha and VRA productions also attended the event as special guests of honour.

On behalf of GKPD, Surinder Kaul welcomed the guests and gave the audience the background information on how the movie was conceived and its important role in increasing worldwide awareness of the story of Kashmiri Pandit genocide and ethnic cleansing.

He emphasised that the objective of the movie is not to propagate malice towards any religion/community but to highlight a part of history that has been largely ignored till date. He also shared the details of the US wide movie promotional tour that has been organised starting November 26 whereby the movie will be screened at all major US cities and prominent venues like the Capitol Hill and thanked the wider Indian community in the US for overwhelming supporting the movie.

Vivek Agnihotri and Pallavi Joshi spoke about the behind-the-scenes hard work put in by the team and thousands of hours of research, that has gone into making this movie with the hope that they are able to do full justice to our story.

Chaman Lal Gadoo spoke about his role in helping the beleaguered community in 1990 as an office bearer at the Kashmiri Samiti Delhi and that a white paper on the community situation was released in 1996. The community focus at that time was to provide education to our children and he and his organisation played a key role in safeguarding this. This helped the community immensely in time of distress.

Kashi Pandit thanked the production team for their efforts. He talked about the challenge of radicalisation and the herculean efforts that are needed to overcome these threats. This is the only way to save our civilisation from being annihilated. His contribution towards highlighting our story at the global level including at the United Nation was highly appreciated by all present.

Sopory talked about the importance of media and movies such as "The Kashmir Files" in highlighting our story. Movies leave a lasting impact on the minds of people especially those in power and have an intergenerational impact. How world over memorials and like the Holocaust Museum in Germany have educated generations, he noted.

The event was watched online by thousands of people from across the globe.
New Delhi, Nov 14 : In an unparalleled partnership, Myntra announces a strategic collaboration with renowned UK-based fashion marque, Missguided, to retail its products in India on the Myntra platform.

The association allows fashion-first consumers in the country, especially in the age-groups of 16 to 25 years, to access the brand's latest, super-trendy, chic, and leading collections across women's wear in the country.

Missguided, one of the UK's leading fashion-forward online brands, became a global fashion phenomenon among women across several countries, including the US, France, Australia, and Germany, in a relatively short span of time in a little over a decade.

Its key products include figure-hugging dresses, hot to crop tops, snazzy jumpsuits, casual party wear, and comfy nightwear, in both knitted and woven segments, among others.

Missguided is popularly known for its smart play with silhouettes, progressive styles, and design-led tailoring across verticals.

Myntra will showcase 350 styles from the brand, to begin with, and will be adding new styles every week directly from the UK.

Missguided's range of clothing is available at an average selling price of Rs 2,500, catering to the mid-premium segment in the category.

Missguided believes in empowering women globally to be confident and own their narrative. The brand has been created by drawing inspiration from this generation of fearless -- real women, who are strong-willed, straight talkers, dreamers, and forward thinkers.

Missguided's designs are hand-picked from leading social media, street style, and popular culture trends, creating a brand that delivers everything a woman on the go needs to be unstoppable in the world today.

With this collaboration, Missguided is targeting young women, who are typically Urban Trailblazers seeking the latest and trendiest in designs and styles across categories in the premium segment.

The brand will also have its own Official Brand Store on the Myntra app, helping shoppers explore the brand and its proposition with much ease.

With the addition of Missguided, Myntra now houses a range of international fashion brands on its platform in the premium segment for women, further strengthening its pole position in the online fashion space.

Demand for international brands has been on the rise on Myntra with the category witnessing significant growth in terms of sales.

Speaking on the association, Sharon Pais, Chief Business Officer, Myntra, said: "We are thrilled to announce the launch of Missguided on Myntra. It has surely made a mark for itself in the global fashion arena through sheer commitment towards its customers on delivering the freshest designs and styles based on ever-evolving trends, akin to Myntra's assurance of delivering the finest fashion shopping experience.

"Shoppers in India will immensely benefit from our association as we continue to raise the bar on enabling them to elevate their fashion quotient. Missguided is definitely going to be well-received among our thriving cohort of trendy, fashion-forward women shoppers as they are very open to globally creative and experimental styles. With Myntra's deep reach and seamless shopping experience, we are sure Missguided will be among the go-to brands for the fashion conscious." On Missguided's collaboration with Myntra, Nitin Passi, Founder, and Chief Executive Officer, Missguided said: "We are elated to foray into the Indian market by partnering with India's preferred fashion destination, Myntra. Missguided is poised to appeal to India's fashion-conscious with its global range of uber-trendy apparel and cutting-edge styles. We are certain that our partnership with Myntra shall help us strategically build the brand and deeply connect with Myntra's thriving cohort of young shoppers."
New Delhi, Nov 14 : With an aim to minimise the impact of severe air pollution on citizens, the Commission for Air Quality Management in Delhi NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) on Sunday advised Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to shut down schools and construction and demolition (C&D) activities this week for the districts falling in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Apart from the orders issued two days ago, the sub-committee of the CAQM on Sunday further invoked stringent measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and advised states and agencies concerned to be in "complete readiness for implementing 'Emergency Measures' as listed under GRAP".

This was decided at a crucial meeting on an emergent basis in wake of the continued deteriorating air quality of the Delhi-NCR region, a release from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change said. For over a week or more, Delhi and NCR districts have continuously witnessed "very poor" and "severe" air quality.

While soliciting views from the governments of Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, the Commission advised the departments concerned to consider similar restrictions/ regulations in the respective NCR districts as implemented by the Delhi government on Saturday, including "closure of schools up to November 20 and closure of C&D activities from Sunday till November 17".

Further, the state governments and district administrations in the NCR states were also suggested to issue a Citizen Charter/Advisory for the general public including various steps that need to be taken during various stages/categories of the GRAP. The Commission also reiterated the need for extra vigilance and concerted measures in various sectors that immediately and adversely impact the air quality.

The Commission identified five different areas contributing to the prevailing adverse air quality of Delhi-NCR that needed better focus with intensified efforts by the agencies concerned of the respective state governments. The areas identified are: control of paddy stubble burning incidences, control of dust from construction and demolition activities, control of dust from roads and open areas, vehicular pollution, and industrial pollution.

"CAQM has pulled out all the stops in the battle against air pollution. The Commission, from time to time, has been advising various policy initiatives and actions directed towards improvement of air quality in the region. From issuing 43 directions and seven advisories to regularly holding meetings with the departments concerned of the state governments and other agencies concerned of NCR, CAQM has been pro-actively taking stock of efforts taken by the respective states towards abatement of air pollution," the Ministry release said.

The CAQM, at the meeting, said that it is of the view that there is a vital need for regular assessments by senior level management in the state governments and the agencies concerned so as to be well aware of the visible impact of the efforts initiated on-ground towards improvement of air quality in Delhi-NCR.
New Delhi/Itanagar, Nov 14 : Environmentalists have welcomed with caution the Arunachal Pradesh government's 'Pakke 2047 Declaration' on Climate Change Resilient and Responsive Arunachal Pradesh that was adopted by the state cabinet on Saturday.

In a landmark decision, the Arunachal Pradesh government had on Saturday adopted the 'Pakke Tiger Reserve 2047 Ministerial Declaration on Climate Change Resilient and Responsive Arunachal Pradesh' to accelerate comprehensive, smart, climate resilient and inclusive development of the people and state with all-round efforts.

The Declaration envisages a multi-sectoral 'whole of government- and whole of society- approach' on the pathway towards low emissions and climate-resilient development through its five broad themes, termed as 'Panch Dharas' that, in turn, rest on 75 strategies.

The Panch Dharas comprise 'Environment, Forest & Climate Change'; 'Health & Well-being of All'; 'Sustainable & Adaptive Living'; 'Livelihoods & Opportunities' and 'Evidence Generation & Collaborative Action'.

For the first time, the state cabinet went all the way to the Pakke Tiger Reserve, Pakke Kessang, about 75 km from Itanagar, to hold the cabinet meeting that passed this Declaration.

"The #PakkeDeclaration on climate change resilient & responsive Arunachal adopted in cabinet meeting today is a historic & significant milestone in #AzadiKaAmritMahotsav," Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu tweeted soon after the cabinet passed it.

This declaration is a first of its kind by any state government in the country.

Besides, it seeks to synergize the efforts of the state government to realize Sustainable Development Goals (SGGs) in the larger context of climate change.

"The Arunachal Pradesh government would do its best to protect the people from challenges posed by the ongoing climate change and its impacts on biodiversity through addressing both the risks to the economy and the ecosystem," Khandu had stressed on Saturday.

Khandu had also highlighted the focus on Research & Development to develop capacities and enhance technical know-how on climate resilience mitigation and responsive strategies through collaboration with academia and think tanks with a priority area being documentation of Traditional Knowledge Systems of Indigenous Communities to preserve and propagate adaptive climate resilient methods and locally sustainable practices.

The first theme, 'Environment, Forest and Climate Change' has 23 strategies, including 'Protect and maintain the Very Dense Forest in Arunachal Pradesh', 'Attenuate the drivers of deforestation such as illegal felling encroachment in forest areas', 'Increase solar power generation' and 'Increase penetration of LED'.

The second theme of 'Health and Well Being' has seven strategies; the third theme of 'Adaptable and Sustainable Living' has 15 strategies, including 'Conduct climate risk vulnerability assessment and demarcate hazard-prone zones' and 'Promote low carbon transport systems for local commute in all cities and towns'; the fourth theme of 'Livelihood and Opportunities' has 20 strategies while the fifth theme of 'Evidence Generation and Collaborative Action' has 10 strategies.

Social worker and founder of Ehili Memorial Foundation, Sumila Linggi was upbeat about the declaration. She said: "It is definitely a positive development, a very good initiative on part of the government." But given the track record of the Arunachal Pradesh government, Linggi, who hails from Roing in Dibang Valley district, said: "Let us see how it actually rolls out on the ground. The government also has grand promises on paper but it hardly translates on the ground properly. Hope this does not turn out that way." Referring to one of the strategies of 'Increasing hydel power production, including through micro/mini/pico projects', Himanshu Thakkar of South Asia Network for Dams Rivers and People (SANDRP) said: "Big hydro (anything above 1 MW) is not a climate solution because there are multiple ways in which these projects, the dams, the reservoirs contribute to the emissions causing global warming. One is of course, the methane generation through the reservoirs. Second is the destruction of carbon sinks in terms of forests and wetlands." "And then there is this use of large quantity of cement, steel and fuels in the project during construction, all these also contribute to the global warming," Thakkar said, adding: "But most important is that these hydropower projects have a huge environmental footprint, which also destroy the adaptation capacity for the community and the environment. Moreover, it also works as a force multiplier in case of disasters, induced by climate change or otherwise." Arunachal Pradesh's wetlands in general and the high altitude wetlands in particular are fragile ecosystems and vulnerable as they are under pressure of developmental projects, including big ticket infrastructure projects, said World Wide Fund - India's coordinator for Western Arunachal Landscape, Kamal Medhi.

"There are 1,600-odd high altitude wetlands in the state, which is supposed to have prepared a brief document but not done yet. Not sure, exactly what does the government plan to do with recreational fishing? May be part of tourism promotion for those areas that hardly have any habitation."
Chandigarh, Nov 14 : Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday rubbished the claims made by one of the ministers in the state government that he will be meeting Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and he will return to the party.

"These are malicious and mischievous assumptions apparently made with an ulterior motive," he said in a statement, while reiterating that "there was no question of his looking back ever".

The former Chief Minister said he was shaping up his party and giving the finishing touches to the organisational set up. "We are waiting for the registration of our party, Punjab Lok Congress, by the Election Commission of India and the allotment of the party symbol," he added.
New Delhi, Nov 14 : Chinese observers slammed the Indian government's plan to deploy the BrahMos missile - its most advanced missile - at the India-China border, warning it would add new barriers in talks to peacefully address the border tension and further deteriorate ties, Global Times reported.

However, they noted that the new weapon would be only of theoretical use while posing no actual threat to China's security, the report said.

India TV news reported on Friday that the Indian government has backed the ambitious Char Dham road project, for "wider roads are needed to transport missiles like the BrahMos and other military equipment" to the western part of the India-China border, Global Times reported.

The BrahMos is the most advanced supersonic cruise missile India has. Developed since 2007, it can be installed on ships, submarines, aircraft and ground vehicles and has a range of up to 290 kilometers and a maximum speed of Mach 3, according to Army Technology.

"This is why tension keeps rising along the China-India border and unwanted military conflicts broke out," said Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert. The deployment of the BrahMos shows India's unstoppable greedy ambition to encroach on western China's territory, Song told the Global Times on Sunday.

Song said that despite the theoretical threat to China's border security, the People's Liberation Army has been strengthening its air defense capability to intercept supersonic cruise missiles like the BrahMos, the report said.

Global Times said China could even strike and destroy BrahMos missile silos and other military facilities in advance in events of conflicts, Song emphasiSed, explaining that "India's poor infrastructure construction in west section of China-India border limits the maneuverability and invisibility of the missile base." The deployment of the BrahMos can be interpreted as India's pretense of taking a tough stand over the matter, contrary to the fact that the two sides both emphasize the need to address the border issues through peaceful talks, Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times on Sunday.

--IANS san/d

New Delhi, Nov 14 (IANS)

Chinese observers slammed the Indian government's plan to deploy the BrahMos missile - its most advanced missile - at the India-China border, warning it would add new barriers in talks to peacefully address the border tension and further deteriorate ties, Global Times reported.

However, they noted that the new weapon would be only of theoretical use while posing no actual threat to China's security, the report said.

India TV news reported on Friday that the Indian government has backed the ambitious Char Dham road project, for "wider roads are needed to transport missiles like the BrahMos and other military equipment" to the western part of the India-China border, Global Times reported.

The BrahMos is the most advanced supersonic cruise missile India has. Developed since 2007, it can be installed on ships, submarines, aircraft and ground vehicles and has a range of up to 290 kilometers and a maximum speed of Mach 3, according to Army Technology.

"This is why tension keeps rising along the China-India border and unwanted military conflicts broke out," said Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert. The deployment of the BrahMos shows India's unstoppable greedy ambition to encroach on western China's territory, Song told the Global Times on Sunday.

Song said that despite the theoretical threat to China's border security, the People's Liberation Army has been strengthening its air defense capability to intercept supersonic cruise missiles like the BrahMos, the report said.

Global Times said China could even strike and destroy BrahMos missile silos and other military facilities in advance in events of conflicts, Song emphasized, explaining that "India's poor infrastructure construction in west section of China-India border limits the maneuverability and invisibility of the missile base." The deployment of the BrahMos can be interpreted as India's pretense of taking a tough stand over the matter, contrary to the fact that the two sides both emphasize the need to address the border issues through peaceful talks, Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times on Sunday.
Kolkata, Nov 14 : In the run-up to the Kolkata and Howrah Corporation elections, a video clip released by West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress purportedly of a BJP activist promising a party ticket from south Kolkata for Rs 1 lakh has triggered controversy, and a slugfest between the two parties.

The video depicting a WhatsApp call with a person identified as "Pritam BJP", who claimed to be close to state BJP President Sukanta Majumadar, has him saying that he can arrange for "setting" with the state leadership including Majumdar, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and General Secretary, Organisation, Amitava Chakraborty and arrange for BJP ticket from south Kolkata in the civic polls. The person also said that Rs one lakh will have to be paid per candidate.

Releasing the clip on their official twitter handle, the Trinamool wrote: "@BJP4Bengal is demanding 1 LAKH FOR EACH CANDIDATE. @DrSukantaBJP, is this how you collect funds for your propaganda? SHOCKING!" The clip triggered controversy with BJP claiming that it was a handiwork of the Trinamool only to malign the party and their state President.

The Trinamool, refuting the allegation, accused the BJP of being "without any ethics" and "that is what is expected from them".

Addressing the media, state BJP chief Majumdar said: "In BJP the tickets are not distributed on the choice, whims and fancies of one person. It is a collective decision and giving money to one person doesn't mean that the person will get the ticket." "Moreover, I know this person as a supporter of the party. If he claims to have a meeting with me then nothing can be more ridiculous. I meet so many people all through the day and if someone claims that he would give me money against giving tickets I have nothing to say. So far, we could make out this person used to do Trinamool Congress and came to our party some days before. Now what he does we don't know. It is nothing but handiwork of Trinamool Congress to malign me and the party," he added.

On the other hand, outgoing Kolkata Municipal Corporation Mayor Firhad Hakim said: "What more can we expect from a party like this. BJP is a party that believes in riots and killing. It is a party with a bunch of hooligans. They neither have any ethics nor do they have any morality. This is very much expected from them."
Agartala, Nov 14 : Two Delhi-based journalists, on the request of the Tripura police, were arrested by the Assam police on Sunday, for "creating hatred between communities".

A Tripura police spokesman said the journalists -- Samriddhi K. Sakunia and Swarna Jha, have been detained by Nilam Bazaar police station of Karimganj district in Assam on the request of the Tripura police.

A Tripura police team would to bring them to the state.

A statement by Tripura police on Sunday said the two journalists had come to Tripura on Thursday, and a case has been filed against them in the Kakraban Police Station (in southern Tripura's Gomati district) on Sunday under various section of the IPC for "creation of hatred between communities by fabricating, concealing of record etc. in furtherance of a criminal conspiracy as revealed from the Twitter posts by Samriddhi Sakunia".

"Taking cue from the recent state of violence at Amravati and other parts of Maharastra as a repercussion of communal incident, it has become clear that some vested interests are trying to flare up the communal incident in Tripura.

"The investigating officer felt it wise to lodge a suo-moto complaint for creating hatred between religious groups by false fabrication, concealing documents etc.," said the statement.

It said the police asked the two journalists to share the documents visible in their videos but instead of coming to Agartala, the two reporters made an escape towards Assam.

They were also found involved in spreading communal hatred at Paul Bazaar in North Tripura district and another case was also registered against them at the Fatikroy police station under various sections of the IPC, the statement said.

They were served with notices under section Cr.PC and supposed to appear before the investigation agency by November 21 according to their convenience, it added.

Sakunia and Jha reportedly work for HW News Network.

The media house in a statement, criticising the Tripura police and questioning the procedure of the arrest of the two journalists, said: "This is sheer harassment and targeting of the press on the part of Tripura police and Tripura government to suppress us from reporting the facts of the case." The FIR has been filed at the Fatikroy police station on the basis of a written complaint submitted by Kanchan Das, who is a member of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the media house said.
Colombo, Nov 14 : While twice rejected bacteria-infected Chinese fertiliser ship has created diplomatic tussle between Sri Lanka and China, agriculture rights activists in the island nation have charged that the vessel with so-called organic fertiliser is worse than a 'nuclear bomb'.

Namal Karunaratne, National Organiser of the All Ceylon Farmers Federation complained that once mixed with the local soil, the spread of bacteria contained in the Chinese organic fertiliser in question could not be stopped and neither bacterium could be destroyed.

"You can at least see the nuclear bomb but you cannot see the harmful bacteria," the activists demanded.

"Nuclear bomb can be defused before it blasts but how can bacteria infected soil be cured. If this fertiliser entered the island nation it would be much worse than the coronavirus pandemic and we could never be able to get rid of the bad effects of it," Karunaratne added.

He also warned that the government should not stand by a Chinese company as the National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS) which comprised of experts in the subject is an independent institution in the country.

In September, the NPQS has twice rejected Chinese vessel 'Hippo Spirit' which had arrived at Sri Lanka carrying 20,000 metric tonnes of organic fertiliser.

The consignment was a part of the 99,000 metric tonnes of organic fertiliser cost at nearly $5 million.

The government had planned to import $63 million worth of fertiliser from China's Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co., Ltd.

With plans to go fully organic, the island nation had banned the use of chemical fertiliser and was promoting the organic farming. But agitated farmers had taken to the streets demanding fertiliser from the government for major paddy harvesting season.

On September 17 agriculture scientists found that China manufactured organic fertiliser contained a harmful microorganism identified as 'Erwinia'.

However, China was forcing Sri Lankan authorities to pay for the organic fertiliser but the Sri Lankan court had imposed a temporary order not to make any payment to the Chinese fertiliser company.

In reply, China had immediately blacklisted one of Sri Lanka's oldest state banks, through which the transaction was to take place.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong told media that the government has agreed to test the fertiliser sampled by the third party.

However, Agriculture Ministry Secretary Prof. Udith K. Jayasinghe has said that the decision not to go to a third party for testing has not changed.

A number of agricultural academic organisations have protested against China's fertiliser ship and had claimed it would have a long term consequences on country's soil.

Over the last two month, the fertiliser vessel has been hovering around western seas off Sri Lanka at times switching off the Automatic Identification System (AIS), hiding ship's location.
Gangtok, Nov 14 : Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Sunday launched Project "Aagaz" to make school environments safe, maintain health and hygiene measures, and extend psychosocial and nutritional support to students to strengthen their overall health and well-being in the wake of the ongoing Covid pandemic.

Officials said that under this project, launched by the Education Department, approximately 900 students, 300 teachers, 75 caregivers, and 200 community level workers from all the districts of the state are going to be trained about how to adapt and keep pace with the 'new normal'.

"In some schools, wellness centres would be set up to provide the necessary information and equipment related to Covid-19. The project 'Aagaz' would involve a range of protective and supportive facilities, recovery and rehabilitation plans and optimal communication and outreach in the far-flung areas of Sikkim," an official statement said.

The project, which was launched in association with New Delhi-based Sulabh School Sanitation Club and Alkem Labs Pvt Ltd, focuses on health and education measures and includes specific guidance on school disinfection and the provision of inclusive, accessible, gender-sensitive wash facilities.

"Feelings of anxiety, depression and stress that have been developed among the students shall also be addressed. The project will empower the students both mentally and physically to face any future disaster. The project 'Aagaz' is just the beginning. This project has been launched to seek solutions for the problems faced by students after the pandemic," the statement said.

Sulabh Sanitation Social Reform Movement founder Bindeshwar Pathak said that water and hygiene facilities would be a crucial part of schools reopening safely.

"We should look at opportunities to improve hygiene measures, including hand washing, respiratory etiquette - coughing and sneezing into the elbow, physical distancing, and cleaning procedures for facilities," he said at the launch.
BSI Financial has a great culture, and has grown substantially in recent years... it was an easy decision to become a member of this impressive organization

BSI Financial, a MortgageTech platform that enables sustainable homeownership, announces that Brett Behrens has joined BSI Financial as senior vice president and head of Non-Agency Servicing. In this newly-established position, Behrens will oversee all aspects of servicing for business-purpose, non-performing, re-performing and non-QM loans.

Executive Vice President Jared Walsh will continue to manage servicing for Agency Loans.

"With Brett's experience in financial services, and particularly loan servicing, BSI is well positioned to serve its clients originating and acquiring such portfolios," said Gagan Sharma, BSI Financials President and CEO. "Capitalizing on our decades of experience and advanced regtech to support investors, Brett will lead the growth of our non-agency platform."

"Segmenting our servicing platform into Agency and Non-Agency loans will enable us to fine-tune the client and customer experience for both books of business," said Sharma. "This step sharpens our focus on bringing world-class technology and service to every client and customer we touch."

Behrens has more than 32 years in financial services with 20 years in servicing management. Most recently, he was a business development executive with Aspen Capital, a private equity firm specializing in acquisitions and servicing of residential and commercial real estate loans.

He has also held management positions at Calmco Servicing, Wilshire Credit Corporation/Seterus, Wealthbridge Mortgage Corporation and FCI Lender Services.

"BSI Financial has a great culture, and has grown substantially in recent years, so it was an easy decision to become a member of this impressive organization, said Behrens.

About BSI Financial Services

Established in 1986, BSI Financial Services is an experienced financial services company specializing in loan subservicing and special servicing, loan quality control, REO/asset management and loan loss mitigation services. BSI Financial has a high quality servicing rating from FNMA and FHLMC and is HAMP, 2MP, FHA, VA and Ginnie Mae approved. Licensed in 50 states, BSI Financial maintains its headquarters in Irving, Texas, with major operations in California, Pennsylvania and India. To learn more, visit http://www.bsifinancial.com
Grand Opening HydroSpa Muskoka And Crystal Head Vodka Icebar Wellness By Water

Grand Opening Friday December 10th, 2021 - The HydroSpa Muskoka Wellness by Water and Crystal Head Vodka Icebar experience at JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa.

Recognized as one of Ontarios ultra-premier Hotel Resorts, the J.W. Marriott The Rosseau is currently under extensive Spa renovations, multi-month transformation, and the experience begins with the introduction of a new name. The Grand Opening for HydroSpa Muskoka Wellness By Water and Crystal Head Vodka Icebar is Friday December 10th, 2021.

Renovation projects have touched all corners of the 13,000 square foot HydroSpa facility. Renovations are highlighted by the new Crystal Head Vodka Icebar experience partnership which will also launch December 10th.

We are honoured to partner with CO-FOUNDER, Dan Aykroyd on the CRYSTAL HEAD ICEBAR Experience. Prepare to be entertained in a -15C ICEBAR. Guests will experience flights of all three Crystal Head Vodka expressions: Original made from Canadian corn, Aurora from English wheat, and Onyx crafted from premium Blue Weber agave. Dont forget the finale, experience a special Northern Lights show.

With its unique biophilic design, the HydroSpa Muskoka Wellness by Water will accent and connect to the Muskokas natural beauty, helping guests return to vitality and life, connecting to nature through an absolutely unique and distinctive guest experience. HydroSpa Wellness by Water, Muskoka uses the ancient practice of hot and cold water therapy through therapeutic pools, Mens and ladies saunas and eucalyptus steam rooms and outdoor CO-ED wood burning cedar sauna, made locally and operating all year long. Alternating between hot and cold temperatures have many physical and psychological benefits.

Guests can purchase HydroSpa Day passes and may enjoy the new Relaxation Circuit and Reinvigoration Circuit Components that includes Oxygen Bar, Oxygen Facials, Massage Chairs, Foot Massagers, H20 Bed, Warm Dead Sea Salt Pool, Hot Epsom Salt Pool, Cold Plunge, Eucalyptus Barrel Saunas, Infrared Sauna, Ice Cave Massage, Amazon Shower and signature mammoth Muskoka Hammock.

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About JW Marriott The Rosseau

Guests visit the JW Marriott the Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa for a truly unforgettable experience. Discover limitless luxury, scenic views of Lake Rosseau and convenient access to a variety of Muskoka's celebrated outdoor activities. Enjoy luxury hotel rooms and suites, award-winning on-site restaurants, a signature Hydrospa, fitness center and a year-round indoor/outdoor swimming pool. The newly-renovated lobby and restaurants, over 13,000 square feet of contemporary event venues and experienced planning and catering teams make this an ideal choice for your business event, wedding or social event. The hotel's location is in the heart of Muskoka's pristine natural beauty and near well-known attractions. Luxury abounds at JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa.

JW Muskoka Outdoor Ice Cave Dining - An exciting new private outdoor dining concept has launched at JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka  the Muskoka Ice Caves.

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Book Your Ice Cave Dining Experience: https://www.opentable.ca/r/jw-marriott-the-rosseau-muskoka-muskoka-ice-caves-lounge-minett

Media & Influencer Contact Information

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Jeff Johnson, Social Media Manager, Email: jeff.johnson2@marriott.com Phone: (705) 765-7000

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The Passage These villages were always under the threat of attack as settlers continued to believe in their right to these lands which were gifted by God to expand democracy and commerce across the United States

In the Tennessee River Valley, there are many important Native American leaders who played active roles in the history of this country. Often overlooked in American History books, these leaders contributed to significant events in a region that served as a world stage for the political climate of a new nation, westward expansion and the struggle for sovereign rights of the tribes.

This year marks the 31st year since the United States first formally began celebrating an entire month designated to honoring the history of indigenous peoples' on the continent. It started in 1990 when President George H.W. Bush declared November the first National American Indian Heritage Month.

Similar proclamations, under variants on the name (including Native American Heritage Month and National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month) have been issued each year since 1994, according to the official National Native American Heritage Month website, sponsored by the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Park Service and other organizations dedicated to American historical preservation.

Understanding the legacy of the leaders such as Dragging Canoe, Nancy Ward, Sequoyah, Chief Tishomingo, and John Ross is to understand the battle for sovereign rights and legal claim to ancestral lands. These are people who had experienced invasions from the colonial empires of Great Britain, France, and Spain. The increasing tension between the Native Peoples and the white invaders colonizing lands owned by the Cherokee and Choctaw resulted in bloodshed, and ultimately the infamous Trail of Tears.

The Tennessee River Valley is home to multiple remembrance sites that recognize the legacy of these Native American leaders. Here are just a few worth a visit to gain a better appreciation of the saga of the Indigenous People in Southern Appalachia:



Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, Vonore, TN

Cherokee Removal Memorial Park at Historic Blythe Ferry in Birchwood, Tennessee

Nancy Ward Gravesite, Polk County, Tennessee

The Passage at Ross Landing in Chattanooga

The John Ross House in Rossville, Georgia

Rhodes Ferry Park in Decatur, Alabama

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.

The Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Council serves as the steering committee and editorial board for the Geotourism MapGuide website. It is comprised of volunteers from a seven state region. The Council's efforts are made possible through the generous support of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). For information on TVA's campgrounds and TVAs public trails, visit their website at http://www.tva.gov and click under the Recreation section.
Wapiti Medical Staffing, a healthcare staffing company with a strong presence throughout the Upper Midwest, celebrates 25 years in business this year. Throughout its history, Wapiti has remained committed to a vision of improving the well-being of the communities served: one employee, one healthcare provider, and one facility at a time.

Wapiti traces its roots to 1996 in a small, rural hospital in Iowa. Dr. Brad McDonald, a resident physician at the time, was tasked with managing the ER schedule at that facility. While there, Dr. McDonald saw a need to staff other rural communities with physicians temporarily to help fill staffing gaps (commonly referred to as locum tenens coverage), and an idea was born. Wapiti Medical Staffing began as a start-up of residents covering ERs on weekends, eventually expanding to full ER coverage, as well as Clinic, Urgent Care, Inpatient, Anesthesia, and other services throughout the Upper Midwest.

Wapiti partners with both healthcare facilities and medical providers to ensure that schedules are covered and that rural hospitals can continue to function at their full capacity. In addition to locum tenens coverage, Wapiti now provides permanent placement as well as an assortment of consultative services customized to meet the unique needs of rural healthcare facilities and keep them fully staffed. To help fill this staffing need, Wapiti partners with over 700 healthcare practitioners including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and other specialties.

Additional Milestones:

2002: Wapiti headquarters move from Lake Nebagamon, WI to Milbank, SD.

2006: Wapiti starts its first Anesthesia contract in Hibbing, MN. Since that time, Anesthesia coverage has grown to several full and part-time accounts.

2008: Wapiti adds hospitalist services, starting in Virginia, MN.

2012: Wapiti merges with Siouxland Staffing Services (a medical staffing company located in Huron, SD) under the Wapiti name.

2015: Leadership, with the support of local investors, acquires majority interest in Wapiti from Dr. McDonald.

2018: Wapiti acquires Emergency Practice Associates (a medical staffing company located in Waterloo, IA).

Today, Wapiti Medical Staffing is one of the largest medical staffing firms in the upper Midwest with leadership based in Milbank and Huron, SD. Wapiti is a multi-year recipient of ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing Award, designating it among the top 2% of all staffing groups nationwide. Wapiti supports the healthcare needs of over 250 communities, working with more than 700 healthcare providers supported by 40+ internal Wapiti employees.
These days, a nonfiction books subject tends to be broken into pieces to cater to the short attention spans of the screen-addled. In biographies, this can manifest as an alternation between individuals. The format has been prevalent for some time, at least since Deborah Scrogginss Wanted Women (2012) toggled between the life of Ayaan Hirsi Ali and that of a Pakistani terrorist. The latest H.W. Brands biography toggles between John Brown and Abraham Lincoln.

What happens when a prosopographist uses this method? That interesting word crops up in WASPS: The Splendors and Miseries of an American Aristocracy. Originally a term applied to scholars of the Roman Empires ruling class, it denotes researching a group of people with common characteristics. Michael Knox Berans prosopography can be overwhelming. It moves among veins of interconnected White Anglo-Saxon Protestants  what used to be thought of as our ruling class  at a pace that feels like narrative fracking. The shards that fly at the reader sometimes enlighten; sometimes they even thrill. Frequent breaks will be needed to cope with this dizzying array of oligarchs, Brahmins, and Anglo-Dutch patroons.

This is a book in which chapter divisions barely divide. If a chapter happens to be entitled Teddy, it doesnt mean that all or even most of the books material on the Anglo-Dutchman Theodore Roosevelt will be found there. As Beran roves from Dean Acheson to Endicott Peabody to Edie Sedgwick to Henry Adams to Jane Addams to Louis Auchincloss to Learned Hand (I've randomly selected from the crowd) and back again, he also glides among different approaches to the writing of prosopography. At times the book is McCulloughesque  a mainstream and dignified tour of eminent Americans  but then it turns lurid a la the true crime genre. Then it dives deeply into the intellectual and religious sources on which U.S. institution-builders drew.

Is it indecision? Could it, more creditably, be a bid for comprehensiveness? Comprehensiveness would be a worthy aim. But surely there is something questionable about trying to cover the lives of the East Coast elite from bloody effluvia (has to do with Averill Harrimans second wife) to Bretton Woods.

In these pages bursting with 19th and 20th century WASPs, one does pick up an overarching idea. The men and women with colonial pedigrees acted like the in-group, the masters of us all, but this clubby, privileged, and accomplished set was full of rogues and misfits. Nathaniel Hawthorne exposed the morbidities of a dying Puritanism nearly two centuries ago, writes Beran, and he tries to collect as many morbidities as will fit in 530 pages. They offer quite a collection of Mayflower screwballs, a phrase he nabbed from a Robert Lowell poem. We meet the John Jay descendant who set fire to his own hand, plus assorted out-of-control poets (such as Lowell), drunks, depressives, embezzlers, payers of bribes, unscrupulous sharpers, pill-poppers, sex addicts, neurotics, and hypocrites (repeatedly the wife of the socialite and pundit Joseph Alsop is referred to as Alsops beard).

This scandalous brew is infused with Berans love of great literature, art, and architecture. When gossip-mongering cynic turns Great Books idealist, the effect can be incongruous. A Dead Poets Society emotionalism sometimes wells up: the author would, with De Quincey, vindicate the power of the soul to dream magnificently, to reveal something of the grandeur which belongs potentially to all human dreams. Beran specifies the caliber of firearm socialites used to shoot their spouses with the same zest that he recounts what the Episcopalians and Anglo-Catholics really thought of the Unitarians (conceited modernists was the consensus). He has apparently read everything ever written about the WASP ascendancy and everything about every other subject, too. The text is replete with footnotes, a postscript, and end notes in tiny print that are often hundreds of words long; he cites scores upon scores of biographies along with works of theology, ecclesiology, sociology, literary criticism, cultural criticism (in English and in foreign languages), art and architectural criticism, geopolitics, classic novels, ancient and modern poetry, and histories of the Greeks and Romans.

To get an idea of the sheer busyness, consider the discussion of Ernest Hemingway and his novel The Sun Also Rises. Beran has a real sense of what WASPs like Hemingway, Henry James, Isabella Gardner, and T.S. Eliot were seeking from their sojourns in the Old World. The riff on the festival of San Fermin in Hemingways 1926 bullfighting novel would have been great if it were not studded with references to Ruskins The Stones of Venice, Burkhardts Griechische Kulturgeschichte, and a Dutch historians observations on the degeneration of festivals in modern times. From there the author expatiates on WASP literary titans Hemingway and Henry Adams, also mentioning Proust in Venice, Baudelaire, Picasso, the appearance of the printing press, and Balzacs Illusions perdues. Then a leap to five or six centuries earlier and the Florence of Dante, a favorite poet of the WASPs and also of Berans. The next page begins a new chapter, which leads off with Eleanor Roosevelts discovery that her husband Franklin was having an affair with Lucy Mercer.

Floating through the book is a notion of WASP influence rising, falling, and rising again over time. The ups and downs are meant to give the story historical sweep. These folks are a feeble and burnt out breed, then newly emergent, sometimes on the same page. These purported peaks and valleys, fleeting as they are, never overtake the conventional view (which Beran also endorses at many points) that its been pretty much downhill for the WASPs since Lexington and Concord.

Henry Adams  a poster child for the downward WASP trajectory  is mentioned throughout. Being the great-grandson of John and grandson of John Quincy, Henry is a misfit you wouldnt think would feel like one. His perverse stance of not feeling rooted in a nation where his roots went deep sets the pattern for a large contingent of people under consideration. Adams adopted the pose of a neurasthenic weakling oppressed by his New England heritage, writes Beran. Neurasthenia, [Adams] maintained, was the natural response of gifted natures to an environment unsympathetic to their gifts. While duly noting Adamss snobbery and resentments, Beran puts much stock in Adamss attitude and searches for it in others. Paraphrasing Edmund Wilson, he writes: When even fortunately situated souls have difficulty in doing justice to their gifts, something is rotten in the res publica. Of Whittaker Chambers, he writes: As much as Henry Adams and George Kennan, [Chambers] was convinced that Americas contemporary culture stood in the way of . . . human fulfillment. Whether voiced by Wilson, Chambers, Richard Henry Dana III, George Cabot Lodge, William James, Henry James, or others in Berans hectic network of personae, complaints of feeling stymied in a burgeoning industrial democracy founded on too narrow a conception of human flourishing are widespread.

The haven for sensitive souls in a land of philistines is school. Or more specifically, a school set up to nurture those souls on the wisdom to be found in the Great Books. Or more specifically, Groton. Among the elite educational institutions that figure in WASPS, this Massachusetts middle and high school  the alma mater of Franklin Roosevelt, a place beloved by Teddy and Edith Roosevelt (whose son was enrolled there), the contributor of 440 men to the Allied fighting forces in World War I, this diminutive Sparta in Berans words  dominates. Beran attended Groton, a circumstance that, at the mention of the school in the main text, prompts highly personal and autobiographical end notes that constitute the most self-indulgent aspect of this self-indulgent book.

Endicott Peabody, one of Grotons founders, is also one of the authors admired WASPs. Bad optics there; still, Cotty Peabody does deserve to be admired. The Rector, as he came to be known, fought off the Adamsian neurosis and doubt by throwing himself into the cause of broadly educating youth. Humane education at its lowest ebb had little purpose other than to preserve distinctions of class, writes Beran. By Peabodys design, Groton at its highest ebb made room for boys (and later girls) of merit regardless of their parents level of income.

Institutions such as Groton pride themselves on shaping future leaders. Answering the call to public service is presented here, understandably enough, as a noble alternative to working on Wall Street. Henry Stimson left a white shoe law firm to serve U.S. presidents, a choice portrayed as spiritual and psychological balm: he needed the inspiration of a higher purpose to make his life at all bearable. Lawyering on behalf of banks and holding companies was giving him insomnia, poor digestion, bad nerves, the whole ships catalogue of neurotic fatigue. The self-help aspect adds an interesting wrinkle, for it complicates our facile idea that a businessperson feathers his or her own nest whereas the public servants efforts are directed toward the welfare of others. Stimson solves a personal problem by choosing the public over the private sector.

In Berans reckoning, many patricians pursued careers in the pulpit, the lecture hall, or the higher reaches of government to escape the bruised and aching inner life so many WASPs dreaded. Even famously strong-minded WASPs such as Teddy Roosevelt, whose neuroticism forced him to make a man of himself, fit this pattern. The authors admired WASPs are virtuosos of sublimation, fighting off decadence, ennui, and self-doubt through projects of cultural renewal or political reform of the philistine America their ancestors made. Whether he thinks these projects succeeded is a separate question. When it comes up, he tends to put on his cynics hat and recur to the thoughts of Henry Adams, or of his other declinist role model, T.S. Eliot. His attitude toward free-market capitalism isnt completely cynical, mind you. For every rapacious mogul whose sole ambition was to make money, there is a J.P. Morgan. The banker is lauded for his sense of civic obligation and his sincere Episcopalianism (if not for his artistic taste, which was apparently pretty bad).

The author identifies different socioeconomic levels within the WASPs. Henry Adams was at the higher verges of WASPdom, Edmund Wilson in the respectable middle, and the family of Whittaker Chambers, who in 1948 identified Alger Hiss as a spy for the Soviet Union, belonged to its ragged lower fringe. We gain by considering Chamberss brooding alienation in this light.

Hiss is always pegged as the suave and well-bred State Department man in contrast with Chambers, the unprepossessing lumpen prole with bad teeth. Both, in fact, were born to dysfunctional families that had fallen from respectability. Chambers was taught grace of conduct by his cultured mother. After he left the communist underground, the newly conservative Carroll County farmer rooted his family in the soil, but it emphatically was not, Beran points out, a blood-and-soil conservatism to which he turned. Pipe Creek Farm owed nothing to Maurice Barres or Charles Maurras, he says. Why had Chambers ever been attracted to the Marxist-Leninist ideas that animated Hiss and the rest of his former underground comrades? It was the attempt of a neurasthenic WASP . . . to bridge the gap between his own cultivation and the different backgrounds of most of his fellow citizens. Surely this must be so; I had never thought of it.

Not just the treatment of Chambers but some of the more out-of-the-way tidbits are treasures. The books virtues extend to its staunch defense of the liberal arts as a search for truth and its unflinching criticism of the in-groups maltreatment of out-groups (blacks, Jews, Catholics). The narrative, digressive though it is, unfolds in impeccably written prose. Still, the author was indulged to an alarming degree by his editors. (Judging from online information about Pegasus Books, the operators of this Manhattan press are preppies who could have stepped out of a Whit Stillman movie, which is fitting.) Panning for gold in this volume paid off, but the process should not have been so difficult.

Lauren Weiner is a writer in Baltimore.
Caitriona Balfe, Ann Dowd, Dakota Johnson, Nicolas Cage and Simon Rex said independent films offered them freedom from the micromanaging that often comes with studio budgets. The actors were on an AFI Fest panel on Saturday discussing the state of independent film.

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Balfe stars in Beflast, writer/director Kenneth Branagh 's film about a child in Ireland during The Troubles. 42-year-old Balfe, who plays the boy's mother, said she feared if Branagh had made Belfast at a movie studio, they would have demanded he explain the historical conflict between Unionists who wanted Northern Ireland to remain in the U.K. and nationalists who fought for a united Ireland.

"You'd get these glimpses of what's going on, but it's not really important if you understand every nuance of what was going on in Northern Ireland at that time," Balfe said. "It's about how this child was feeling at that moment and how it affected his life."

Dowd, 65, stars in Mass, a drama set entirely in one room as four parents discuss a school shooting in which their kids were involved. Dowd said lower budget independent films inspire more collaboration than large studio productions.

"What I love about an independent picture is that it's, in a way, like the school play in the sense that no one is more important than the other," Dowd said. "Nobody's hopping off to the trailer for privacy or the nap. You do it right with everybody, crew and cast."

Johnson, 32, stars with Olivia Colman in The Lost Daughter, written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal . Johnson said independently made dramas like Lost Daughter allow the audience to feel conflicted about mothers expressing their frustrations with parenthood.

"Why I love it and love indie films is you're not being spoon-fed information," Johnson said. "You're not being told how to feel."

Johnson starred in the trilogy of Fifty Shades films, based on the hit novels about a woman's relationship with a bondage enthusiast. Johnson said the Universal Studios productions frustrated her.

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"Something like Fifty Shades, it was almost like an algorithm," Johnson said. "You really had to get certain things right rather than just tell the truth. Larger films are oftentimes scared of the truth."

Cage, 57, stars in Pig as a truffle hunter pursuing the kidnappers of his truffle pig. Having starred in blockbusters like Con Air, Face/Off and National Treasure, Cage said the presures of larger budgets inhibit a storyteller's freedom of speech.

"More money is being spent and there are more people trying to tell you what you should do with your story," Cage said. "At the basic roots, which is freedom of speech, to tell the story honestly, you can do that a lot easier with an independent movie."

47-year-old Rex stars in Red Rocket as a former adult film star who returns home to Texas. Rex said writer/director Sean Baker asked him personally to drive to Texas to make his production schedule, which invigorated his performance.

"He said, 'I need you here in three days but you have to drive here. If you fly here, we have to quarantine you for a week and that'll fall into the production of the movie,'" Rex said. "So I basically had to drive three days while memorizing a lot of dialogue."

Limitations can often increase the creativity of an independent film, Balfe said. Balfe said the production designers of Belfast could reuse a single set for multiple locations in the film, since they did not have the option to rent multiple locations.

"We spent, I think, four or five of the seven weeks in this one old boarding school that they kept finding different ways of using it, making it work for this location, that location," Balfe said.

Cage also said studio films can become cluttered with distractions. Cage said he has been distracted by behind-the-scenes crews filming him work.

"There's more oxygen in the room when I'm making an indie movie," Cage said. "You're not micromanaged that much."

Dowd shared a similar experience. Dowd has found still photographers snapping photos mid-scene distracting to her work.

"Step away," Dowd siad. "I'm happy to stand for you afterwards but we're not doing dog tricks here."

Zola star Colman Domingo was also on the panel. Pig, Mass, Belfast and Zola are out now. Red Rocket opens in theaters Dec. 10 and The Lost Daughter opens in theaters Dec. 17 and premieres on Netflix Dec. 31.
Dakota Johnson, who stars in The Lost Daughter, out in December, said writer/director Maggie Gyllenhaal saved her from fretting about her appearance.

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"A lot of the movie takes place on the beach and I never worried about what my body looked like," Johnson said on an AFI Fest panel on Indie Contenders. "None of the women did. That was [expletive] cool."

32-year-old Johnson compared the experience to the Fifty Shades films. Johnson appeared nude on screen in the erotic dramas, which she said felt far less comfortable.

"I made a big naked trilogy and that was a thing every day," Johnson said. "It was constantly protecting myself, never ever feeling protected."

Gyllenhaal adapted Elena Ferrante's novel about two different mothers who meet on their beach vacations. Olivia Colman plays Leda, a woman whose daughters recently moved in with their father, and Johnson plays Nina, a young mother.

The film reveals secrets in Leda's past, while Nina is up front about struggling with motherhood. Johnson said The Lost Daughter shows common feelings women and mothers express that rarely find voice in film.

"I guess it's less of escapism and more of a slap in the face," Johnson said. "It's more reality."

Johnson said Gyllenhaal, making her feature film directorial debut after COVID-19 pandemic short film, allowed the actors to explore extreme feelings. Johnson said Gyllenhaal's experience as an actor gave them a shared language.

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"You can be doing a sex scene at six o'clock in the morning and then at noon you're at some family dinner or a funeral," Johnson said. "She really gets that. I never worried about being stupid and I never worried about not being seen."

The Lost Daughter premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September. At festival screenings, including Telluride, Zurich and BFI London, Johnson said women approached Gyllenhaal to share how much they related to the film.

"A lot of women are thanking her," Johnson said. "Maybe [these are] not thoughts and feelings that are widely accepted, but everyone has them."

Johnson said that Nina struggles with the demands of her young daughter and feels trapped by motherhood.

"She will never ever be seen as a real human with a mind and a heart," Johnson said. "It's horrible but that's also so real for so many people."

The Lost Daughter opens in theaters Dec. 17 and premieres on Netflix Dec. 31.
Traverse City, MI (49684)

Today

Cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Temps nearly steady in the low to mid 30s. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 24F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Traverse City, MI (49684)

Today

Cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Temps nearly steady in the low to mid 30s. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 24F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
TRAVERSE CITY  A new fund at the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation aims to more robustly equip northern Michigan with qualified mental health workers.

The Mental Health and Well-Being Support Fund was created through a donation from Kate Dahlstrom, who established it with $25,000 and a pledge to match up to $50,000 of additional contributions. The money is earmarked to help pay for the education of those pursuing careers in behavioral health with an intention to work in the local community when they complete their studies.

Northern People An ongoing, weekly series of stories focusing on the people of northern Michigan.

Dahlstrom witnessed the shortage of qualified mental health workers firsthand through her work on the NAMI-Grand Traverse Board. She called the shortage an enormous problem, and wanted to both help students complete their costly behavioral health degrees and encourage them to come serve their community.

We are targeting students who are close to graduating, kind of in the home stretch with $10,000 awards, said Dahlstrom. Id like to get it really well funded for the next two or three years so that we can make an impact quickly and bring clinicians here as quickly as possible.

According to the foundation, the initial $10,000 grant was given to Western Michigan University to use in a student support fund targeted for graduate students pursuing masters degrees in mental health counseling. A second grant to be used similarly is in the works for Ferris State University.

It just became very apparent to her that theres a great need, and that one of the pieces of that need has to do with clinicians and has to do with having kind of the qualified people who can provide the care thats needed and theres just not enough  theres just not enough here, said Alison Metiva, vice president of donor engagement at the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.

The hope is the fund money will shore up the deficits in the local behavioral health workforce.

Just like organizations across the country are experiencing, we are experiencing fewer applicants applying for open positions in behavioral health, said Terri LaCroix-Kelty, director of behavioral health at Munson Medical Center.

Munson Medical Centers facility houses a 17-bed adult general psychiatric unit. The center is able to help those experiencing mental health crises but because of staffing gaps, expanding services to more robustly focus on prevention, for example, is not part of the conversation. This is despite a drastically increased need, said LaCroix-Ketly.

The stress and loneliness that accompanied COVID-19 only increased the demand for people in need of mental health support, she said.

Its definitely related to the stress of COVID and not only the stress but the isolation that people are experiencing, she said. I mean we are told to be isolated to stay safe, which is not how human beings are wired, said LaCroix-Ketly.

Dr. Carla Adkison-Johnson, a professor of counselor education and counseling psychology at Western Michigan University agreed that for many, the pandemic was nothing less than a traumatic experience.

The mental health balance that we once had was challenged and put to the test  and many of us failed, she said.

In her field, Adkison-Johnson said securing the necessary advanced training is crucial.

Its very important that a person has the credential, she said. To that end, a licensed mental health counselor is required to have a masters degree, she said.

The foundation will be working with universities that place interns in the local community as a pathway to distribute the fund money, according to Metiva.

The fund is a collaborative community effort to respond to a need, according to those involved.

Anything that we can do to entice people to the good work of behavioral health, is really great and honorable work, said LaCroix-Kelty.
Though June is the official national Pride month in celebration of LGBTQ+ people as it was the month of the historic Stonewall riots, many pride-centered events in Athens take place in the month of November to allow the university community to participate.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Mostly cloudy with occasional rain...mainly in the morning. Morning high of 49F with temps falling to near 40. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low 26F. Winds light and variable.
FILE - Kayla Pendlebury, the COVID-19 vaccine coordinator for Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, in Brattleboro, Vt., gets the children's dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine ready at the hospital on, Nov. 6, 2021. First shots are averaging about 300,000 per day.
This combination photo shows cover art for "The 1619 Project: Born On the Water" based on a student's family tree assignment, with words by Hannah-Jones and Renee Watson and illustrations by Nikkolas Smith, left, and "The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story".
BOSTON (AP)  Just two weeks after winning Bostons mayoral election, Michelle Wu formally takes over the job with a swearing-in ceremony Tuesday at noon at Boston City Hall.

The ceremony will stream live at www.boston.gov.

The election of Wu marked the first time that Boston voters elected a woman or a person of color to the top political job. Before Wu, Boston had only elected white men as mayor.

The swearing-in means Wu will now face the daunting task of trying to make good on a series of sweeping policy proposals that were the backbone of her campaign.

To help push back against soaring housing costs that have forced some former residents out of the city, Wu has promised to pursue rent stabilization or rent control. The biggest hurdle to that proposal is the fact that Massachusetts voters narrowly approved a 1994 ballot question banning rent control statewide.

Another of Wus top campaign promises is to create a fare free public transit system. Wu has said the proposal would strengthen the citys economy, address climate change and help those who take the bus or subway to school or work.

Like the rent control pledge, Wu cant unilaterally do away with fares on the public transit system. Wu has said she would try to work with partners in state government to make each proposal a reality.

The 36-year-old Wu, whose parents immigrated to the U.S. from Taiwan, grew up in Chicago and moved to Boston to attend Harvard University and Harvard Law School.
A growing wave of cyberattacks is threatening governments, businesses and everyday residents. Across the globe, there is a critical shortage of skilled professionals to guard against these criminals.

But the situation is especially dire in Connecticut, which has struggled mightily to grow its cybersecurity workforce, data show, alarming public officials and private industry alike.

The states cybersecurity workforce increased by only 1 percent between 2015 and 2020, which was the seventh slowest rate in the nation, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. By comparison, the ranks of these key professionals more than doubled in a dozen states over that timeframe. Other, more recent data suggests Connecticuts cybersecurity workforce actually shrunk slightly over the past year.

Peter Denious, president and CEO of the economic development nonprofit AdvanceCT, said the state must do more to grow its cybersecurity and tech workforce.

Cybersecurity is like an arms race, he said. Malicious actors out there are constantly evolving and finding new vulnerabilities. There has to be a matching investment of time and expertise to meet the challenge.

Indeed, the problem has the attention of Governor Ned Lamonts office, which has taken steps to try to address the workforce shortage.

Likewise, businesses in Connecticut are increasingly concerned about cybersecurity, Denious said. Many turn to outsourcing options to help shore up defenses. Connecticut, like many other states, is trying to keep up, he said.

Globally, cybersecurity experts are in extraordinarily high demand. An analysis from Cyberseek, a public-private partnership that measures cybersecurity workforce shortages in the United States, notes the talent gap is severe in every state besides Maine.

Nationally, the number of unfilled cybersecurity jobs is estimated to be 464,000, including 3,800 in Connecticut, according to Cyberseek, which is backed by a subdivision of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The shortage comes as employers across Connecticut are increasingly reporting that sensitive, private information about residents  like Social Security numbers, addresses and medical records  was compromised. Records from the state Attorney Generals office show the number of reported data breaches has climbed by 20% each year over the last three years. And so far in 2021, breaches have affected more than twice as many residents as in 2018.

The records maintained by the AGs office, which are required by law to be reported, does not distinguish between targeted attacks by criminals and accidental breaches, such as a lost thumb drive or computer with sensitive data stored on it, or mail with personal information on it inadvertently sent to the wrong address. But the office believes more breaches in recent years are attributable to external threats.

Just this week, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong urged Connecticut residents to take caution after the popular stock trading platform Robinhood reported a breach that exposed the email addresses of 2 million users.

Accurate accounts of the number of attacks targeting citizens and organizations in each state are sparse. Though, one source, the cybersecurity firm PCMatic, singles out Connecticut organizations as having experienced the fourth-highest rate of ransomware attacks, where criminals lock up computers and access to private data and demand payment for their return, since 2016.

The state's utilities must be particularly wary of cyberthreats, given the risk of essential services being cut off to citizens. For example, attackers were able to stop operation of the Colonial Pipeline, which spans most of the country and supplies fuel to millions, earlier this year.

A committee of utilities and cybersecurity leaders meets and submits a report to the state annually; shortages in personnel are often a topic of concern. In a statement, a spokeswoman for the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority said its members in Connecticut are facing a limited pool of qualified professionals.

"All companies face this challenge, not just Connecticut's regulated utilities," the spokeswoman said. "Smaller companies have a more difficult time hiring and retaining trained personnel, because they often cannot bring the same resources to bear to compete with hiring or retaining these sought-after employees."

The shortage of cybersecurity workers in Connecticut follows a broader trend of a stagnant tech workforce in the state.

The widely cited annual Cyberstates report from the nonprofit trade association CompTIA places Connecticut in 43rd nationwide this year in the number of tech jobs the state has added, signaling slow growth in the overall tech workforce.

The cybersecurity workforce in Connecticut even decreased in size slightly between 2020 and 2021, according to the CompTIA report. Only five other states saw larger declines than Connecticut. Nationwide, the field grew overall during that period.

The nonprofit projects that nationally, the cybersecurity field will be the fastest-growing among all tech occupations between 2020 and 2030.

Whether Connecticut will see that same job growth in the high-paying field remains to be seen.

Lamonts administration has made the issue an area of focus.

His office announced on Monday the state would participate in CyberStart America, a nationwide educational initiative geared toward encouraging high school students to explore the field given the massive shortage of cybersecurity professionals, according to a press release.

The state-funded technical high school system is also playing a part in graduating students with cybersecurity skills. Don Mason, an educational consultant for the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System, said roughly 750 students each year choose one of the IT tracks across the network of 17 high schools. Then, some will graduate with specializations in cybersecurity. Mason said the schools are offering adult-level certifications to students.

Mason said the system often hears from companies in great need of more cybersecurity professionals that are hoping to tap into the talent at the technical high schools.

Were working very hard to let kids know about the need, he said.

Even kids as young as elementary and middle school should be exposed to the idea that working in the IT field could be for them, Mason said.

While many other industries also need high-skill workers, one argument in favor of coming to the tech field, including cybersecurity, is the higher wages: The mean wage for information security experts in Connecticut in 2020 was $103,000, higher than the state average for all types of jobs by $38,000, according to the BLS.
ATHENS, Ga. (AP)  A northeastern Georgia school district next month will begin searching for a new superintendent.

Clarke County School District Superintendent Xernona J. Thomas announced last week that she intends to retire at the end of next year. She said she plans to step down on Dec. 31, 2022, The Athens Banner-Herald reported.

Thomas has spent 31 years in public education, beginning her career as a school social worker. She also worked as assistant principal, principal and chief of staff. She was the first principal to lead Judia Jackson Harris Elementary School.

Thomas became superintendent just under a year ago when she succeeded former Superintendent Demond Means. In December 2019, she began her tenure as interim superintendent before being approved to the top post by the school board.

The school board will begin discussing the search for a new superintendent during its next meeting in December.

Though my tenure may be coming to a close over the next year, I will approach each day with the same commitment that I have in the past, Thomas wrote in a message to the CCSD community. The expectation that I hold for myself and each of you is that we give our best every day to ensure our students reach their full potential.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  A judge has rescinded the appointment of a public defender for a Black activist who alleges he was assaulted by a group of white men who threatened to lynch him.

Johnson Superior Court Judge Lance Hamner initially granted Vauhxx Booker's request for a public defender earlier this month, but reversed it days later when he got notice of money that Booker raised through a GoFundMe account, according to The Herald-Times.


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New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) Customs officials have seized heroin worth Rs 90 crore from two Ugandan women, who had come to India as medical tourists, at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport here, an official statement issued on Saturday said.

The officers seized 12.9 kg of heroin from the two passengers who had arrived from Nairobi, Kenya via Abu Dhabi during the intervening night of November 12 and 13, it said.

The value of the seized narcotic is approximately pegged at Rs 90 crore as per the prevailing international prices, the customs department said in the statement.

The narcotic and the smugglers had passed through several jurisdictions, including Uganda, Kenya and India, before being intercepted, it said, adding that the heroin was concealed in the false cavity of their check-in luggage.

The baggage of the passengers was also sniffed by canine squad of the Indian customs stationed at the Delhi airport and they indicated the presence of some narcotic substance in the baggage, the statement said.

On detailed personal and baggage search and questioning, the woman passengers admitted to having brought the heroine in their checked in baggage by ingeniously concealing it in the especially made cavities beneath the fake layer of fibre-plastic base on both the sides of the suitcases, it said.

It was vacuum packed in plastic and paper bags containing crystalline form of off-white-coloured powder or granules of heroin, the statement said.

During questioning, one of the woman passengers revealed that she was introduced to a Kenyan national, who had promised her money in exchange of delivery of certain goods in Delhi, it said.

Thus, on this invite, she travelled to Nairobi from Kampala by road where the Kenyan handed over a bag to be delivered in Delhi while also providing tickets and certain documents to cover her visit as a medical tourist, the statement said.

"She was supposed to deliver the goods to a person who would contact her on exit. When she was intercepted by customs officials, she was found to be in possession of a bag with a false bottom/cavity where 5.4 kg of heroin was concealed," it said.

The other woman passenger was also intercepted in the same flight in almost similar manner in which she was found to be in possession of two bags with false cavity containing cumulative of 7.5 kg of concealed heroin.

"During her preliminary questioning, the woman passenger revealed that she was sent by her sister from Kampala to Nairobi by road and from there to Delhi via Abu Dhabi by the aforementioned flight. This passenger was also possessing certain documents to fake the profile of a medical tourist," the statement said.

The success against the drug smuggling menace comes in the wake of earlier seizure of approximately 3 kg of heroin recovered from a Kenyan national who had arrived on the intervening night of October 28 and 29 from Nairobi via Sharjah, it said.

In April this year also, two Indian nationals, who were coming from Uganda, were intercepted with 2 kg of heroin in which investigation resulted into identification of three more accused persons based out of Uganda.

In this calendar year, the Delhi customs have seized more than 100 kg of heroin and arrested over 26 persons.

Given the spurt in the attempts to smuggle in narcotics through the passenger route, Indian customs have heightened the scrutiny and checking of suspects through robust intelligence gathering mechanism and pin-pointed profiling at all the international airports.

Customs department is at the forefront of crusade against drugs smuggling and syndicates. In September this year, a huge consignment of 3,000 kg of heroin were seized at Mundra port in Gujarat, it said. PTI AKV KJ

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
In a bid to curtail the spread of COVID-19 cases in the country, the government of Morocco has ordered mandatory COVID appropriate measures, which include negative PCR tests for foreign travellers arriving in Morocco, double-check by thermal cameras, antigen tests, social distancing among others, reported news agency Xinhua, citing an official statement. Any international travellers who tested positive on arrival in Morocco will be asked to return to their origin country, and the expense of that person would be incurred by the airline or shipping company.

The government of Morocco took border control measures in view of the increasing COVID-19 cases across the country and the world, especially in the European regions that share borders with Morocco. According to data issued by the Health Ministry of the nation, Morocco's COVID caseload has been on the incline but is marginally lower than a few months ago. The nation's reported number of confirmed cases has risen to a total of 9,48,157.

Earlier, the government in the country imposed a "Health State of Emergency," a nationwide curfew between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM. While a national mask mandate remains in place across the country. The authorities have asked restaurants, cafes, gyms, and other public venues to operate at only 50% capacity under COVID measures. However, last Wednesday the country ended the night curfew, which was in place since March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic arrived.

COVID Situation in Morocco

Morocco is experiencing a rather sharp spike in COVID infection cases. A total of 132 new COVID infection cases have been recorded in the last 24 hours, followed by three deaths, taking the death toll to 14,740. The number of recovered patients stood at 929,909 after 134 new ones were added. Morocco launched a nationwide vaccination campaign in January of this year, and the country has so far administered 24,359,996 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine, with 22,388,630 people fully vaccinated. Meanwhile, a total of 1,570,471 people have received the booster jabs. With a total of 36 million people, Morocco has administered the highest number of COVID vaccines compared to any other African country.

Image: Unsplash/ Representative Image
The deteriorating security and economic situation in Pakistan has seemed to have shaken the so-called all-weather friendship between Islamabad and Beijing. According to the Times of Israel, Political expert Sergio Restelli noted several instances of Pakistan being humiliated at the hands of China including the halted China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and telecommunication tower belonging to China Mobile Pakistan (CMPak). He said that the cracks have surfaced in the higher than mountains, deeper than oceans kind of relationship between Pakistan and China, even though the two nations tout their friendship as unprecedented.

"The 62-billion-dollar economic corridor (CPEC) from Kashgar in Xinjiang to Gwadar on the Arabian coast, has been hailed as people of Pakistan thought it would bring prosperity and riches for them. But now, it seems the CPEC is turning out to be an albatross around Pakistan's neck, Sergio said.

Since the day the deal was signed, questions have been raised about issues like lack of transparency, hidden terms and conditions of the loans offered, influx of Chinese labourers in Pakistan, mounting debt," he added.

Deteriorating Pak-China relations

Further, the political expert went on to also note that woes for Pakistan have also arisen out of the CPEC as, in the latest development, Beijing asked Islamabad to pay $38 million as compensation for nine deceased Chinese workers and engineers who had died in a bomb blast in July. Additionally, Sergio said that a telecommunication tower belonging to China Capital Mobile Pakistan which was destroyed in the restive North Waziristan region by explosives has also complicated the relations between the two nations.

According to Sergio, the noose of a financial burden is getting tighter for Pakistan. He said that China is turning away big-ticket investments in Pakistan due to security concerns and delays in returns on investment. Sergio noted that China has not yet cleared funding for three major highway projects. He added that this delay means cost escalation for Islamabad, however, Beijing remains unmoved for the past three years citing charges of blatant corruption.

Sergio noted that it is high time Pakistan realises Beijing is only exploiting its all-weather friend to further its strategic geopolitical goals.

(With inputs from ANI)
United Nations, Nov 14 (PTI) UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said that the outcome of the United Nations climate summit in Glasgow has welcome steps, but they are not enough, as he described the approved texts as "a compromise".

Guterres, in a statement issued after the conclusion of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow on Saturday, said that our fragile planet is hanging by a thread.

The approved texts are a compromise. They reflect the interests, the conditions, the contradictions and the state of political will in the world today, the UN chief said.

They take important steps, but unfortunately the collective political will was not enough to overcome some deep contradictions, he said.

As I said at the opening, we must accelerate action to keep the 1.5 degree goal alive. We are still knocking on the door of climate catastrophe. It is time to go into emergency mode  or our chance of reaching net zero will itself be zero.

I reaffirm my conviction that we must end fossil fuels subsidies, Guterres said.

Phase out coal. Put a price on carbon. Build resilience of vulnerable communities against the here and now impacts of climate change, he said, adding that make good on the USD 100 billion climate finance commitment to support developing countries.

Negotiators from nearly 200 countries have accepted a new climate agreement after the COP26 summit in Glasgow concluded its extra time plenary on Saturday with a deal, which recognises India's intervention for the world to "phase down" rather than "phase out" fossil fuels.

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, head of the Indian delegation at the Glasgow conference, said that the world needs to awaken to the reality that the current climate crisis has been precipitated by unsustainable lifestyles and wasteful consumption patterns in the developed countries.

The UN Secretary General said: We did not achieve these goals at this conference. But we have some building blocks for progress. Commitments to end deforestation. To drastically reduce methane emissions. To mobilise private finance around net zero.

And the texts today reaffirm resolve towards the 1.5 degree goal. Boost climate finance for adaptation. Recognise the need to strengthen support for vulnerable countries suffering from irreparable climate damage. And for the first time they encourage international financial institutions to consider climate vulnerabilities in concessional financial and other forms of support, including Special Drawing Rights, Guterres said.

And finally close the Paris rule book with agreement on carbon markets and transparency, he noted.

These are welcome steps, but they are not enough. Science tells us that the absolute priority must be rapid, deep and sustained emissions reductions in this decade. Specifically  a 45 per cent cut by 2030 compared to 2010 levels.

But the present set of Nationally Determined Contributions -- even if fully implemented -- will still increase emissions this decade on a pathway that will clearly lead us to well above 2 degrees by the end of the century compared to pre-industrial levels, Guterres said.

He welcomed the agreement between the US and China in Glasgow that pledges to accelerate action to reduce emissions in the 2020s.

To help lower emissions in many other emerging economies, we need to build coalitions of support including developed countries, financial institutions, those with the technical know-how, the UN chief said, adding that this is crucial to help each of those emerging countries speed the transition from coal and accelerate the greening of their economies.

I want to make a particular appeal for our future work in relation to adaptation and the issue of loss and damage. Adaptation isnt a technocratic issue, it is life or death. I was once Prime Minister of my country (Portugal). And I imagine myself today in the shoes of a leader from a vulnerable country, he asserted.

Commenting on the availability of the vaccine against the coronavirus, he said that the COVID-19 vaccines are scarce.

My economy is sinking. Debt is mounting. International resources for recovery are completely insufficient.

Meanwhile, although we contributed least to the climate crisis, we suffer most. And when yet another hurricane devastates my country, the treasury is empty. Protecting countries from climate disaster is not charity. It is solidarity and enlightened self-interest.

We have another climate crisis today. A climate of mistrust is enveloping our globe. Climate action can help rebuild trust and restore credibility, Guterres said.

That means finally delivering on the USD 100 billion climate finance commitment to developing countries, he said.

No more IOUs (I owe you). It means measuring progress, updating climate plans every year and raising ambition, the UN chief said.

I will convene a global stock-taking summit at the heads of state level in 2023. And it means  beyond the mechanisms already set out in the Paris Agreement  establishing clear standards to measure and analyse net zero commitments from non-state actors. I will create a High-Level Expert Group with that objective.

Finally, I want to close with a message of hope and resolve to young people, indigenous communities, women leaders, all those leading the climate action army. I know many of you are disappointed, Guterres said.

Success or failure is not an act of nature, he said, adding that its in our hands.

The path of progress is not always a straight line. Sometimes there are detours. Sometimes there are ditches, he said.

As the great Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson said: Dont judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant. We have many more seeds to plant along the path. We wont reach our destination in one day or one conference. But I know we can get there. We are in the fight of our lives.

Never give up. Never retreat. Keep pushing forward. I will be with you all the way. COP 27 starts now, the UN Secretary General added. PTI CPS AKJ CPS

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has urged the negotiating parties to be 'serious' in order to reach a 'good deal' in the upcoming nuclear talks, reported the Tasnim news agency on Saturday. The Islamic Republic and the remaining parties to the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), are scheduled to meet in Vienna on November 29 to resume nuke talks that were halted in June due to Iran's presidential election and the subsequent change in administration.

Tasnim news agency quoted Amir-Abdollahian as saying, "I believe that if the opposite sides enter the Vienna talks with a serious and positive approach, it will be possible to achieve a good agreement in a short time."

He said because of Washington's behaviour in imposing new sanctions on Iran, providing "objective guarantees" has become an unavoidable necessity; referring to Iranian officials' insistence on guarantees that the next US administrations will not follow in the footsteps of former US President Donald Trump by withdrawing from the deal and re-imposing sanctions on Tehran. The Islamic Republic has no intention of remaining trapped in the stalemate left by previous negotiations, he said, reportedly, urging the effective and verifiable removal of (US) sanctions and the return of the opposing parties to their full obligations as necessary steps for the talks to progress. Amir Abdollahian also mentioned Iran's nuclear negotiator Ali Baqheri Kani's recent European tour, saying he had explicit and useful talks in a number of European capitals ahead of the scheduled reconvening of the talks.

EU intends to bring US and Iran back into the JCPOA

The JCPOA Joint Commission is set to reconvene in Vienna, with delegates from China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Iran in attendance. The nuclear talks, which are being mediated by the European Union because Tehran refuses to deal directly with US negotiators, are intended to bring Washington and Tehran back into the JCPOA, which was terminated by former US President Donald Trump. Following the withdrawal, the Trump administration slapped Iran with harsh sanctions, primarily targeting its oil exports. US President Joe Biden has stated his willingness to rejoin the agreement, under which Iran agreed to strict limits on its nuclear activities in exchange for relief from sweeping sanctions, as perAP.

Iran demands that all US sanctions imposed after Trump's withdrawal be lifted. The Biden administration has stated that it will only negotiate nuclear-related measures imposed by its predecessor, not steps imposed over other concerns such as human rights. Washington insists that Tehran return to full compliance with the nuclear programme limits agreed to in 2015, and has repeatedly warned that the window of opportunity for a deal is closing fast.

(With inputs from agencies)

Image: AP
Esmatullah Ergashev, a special representative of Uzbekistan's president, said that his country would reconstruct Maulana Jalaluddin Mohammad Balkhi international airport in Mazar-e-Sharif (Balkh airport). The official held a meeting with local officials in the northern Afghan province of Balkh on Sunday, ANI reported citing TOLO News. Ergashev met with Balkh local officials and officials from Afghanistans ministry of transport and aviation.

Uzbekistan has sent a 30-member technical team to help the Afghans reconstruct the airport and repair the technical damages and equipment. TOLO News quoted, Ergashev, saying, we were urged to help in the resumption of the airport and repair the damaged equipment. Hence, we have brought 30 technical staff from Uzbekistan, and they are repairing the equipment and reconstructing the airport, and soon the airport will become operational." The country has announced support for Afghanistan in various areas, mainly infrastructure.

Uzbekistan to train 83 technical staff at the airport

Officials from the Ministry of Transport and Aviation stated that Uzbekistan would support Afghanistan in repairing equipment. Also, the country will train technical staff at the airport, TOLO News reported. Uzbekistan's team will repair and reactivate all the equipment and every section of the airport. It will also train in Uzbekistan around 83 technical employees of the ministry who are deployed at Maulana airport, Hasibullah Soroush, the deputy minister said, quoted TOLO News.

Maulana Jalaluddin Mohammad Balkhi international airport serves the Afghan population in the north of the country. In August 2021, the airbase fell to the Taliban after surrendering by the Afghanistan government forces. The Taliban is yet to have an air force deployed from the airfield. It has seized weaponry and vehicles from the Afghan National Army and Afghan Air Force.

Officials call for the expansion of trade relations between the two countries

Balkh local officials have sought Uzbekistan's collaboration with Afghanistan in financial and trade relations. TOLO News quoted Qudratullah Hamza, Balkh's governor, saying, The delegation from the transport ministry which has come to Balkh held talks with Uzbekistan officials on airport reconstruction and the railway. Talks were also held on Afghanistans electricity bill debt to Uzbekistan, and we said when the banking system problems are resolved, we will pay the bill, and Uzbekistan should not cut the imported electricity."

Uzbekistan's approach to Taliban

According to The Diplomat, Uzbekistan wants to be viewed as a neutral party. It does not want an image of anti-Taliban or pro-Western power.

In October, Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov held a meeting with the Taliban commanders in Kabul and discussed the expansion of economic cooperation. As per the media reports, the foreign minister got assurances that the insurgent group would never pose a security danger to Uzbekistan.

In addition to this, the Taliban representatives, including its acting Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi held another meeting with Uzbek officials led by Deputy Prime Minister Sardor Umurzakov. The discussions covered, "issues of trade and economic interaction, ensuring border security, cooperation in the field of energy, international cargo transportation, and transit, the Foreign Ministry said in an official statement.

NSAs' meet on Afghanistan crisis

India's National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met his counterpart from Uzbekistan during the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue earlier this month. Uzbekistan was led by Victor Makhmudov, Secretary of the Security Council. Both sides highlighted the need for Afghanistans neighbours to offer humanitarian assistance for the Afghans and agreed that neighbouring states got a vital role in the war-torn nation's future.

(With inputs from ANI)

Image: @shoaibinrahim/AP
Russia has started delivering the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems to India and the deliveries are going as planned, said the Director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) Dmitry Shugaev. It is to mention that India and Russia had signed the deal for five S-400 regiments worth USD 5.43 billion in October 2018.

Now, while speaking to Sputnik ahead of Dubai Airshow, Shugaev said, The supplies of the S-400 air defence system to India have started and are proceeding on schedule.

Previously Vyacheslav Dzirkaln, the deputy CEO of the air and space defence concern Almaz-Antey, had informed that Indian military personnel training was already underway to operate the S-400. Dzirkaln did not reveal the number of people who underwent the training. However, he said that it was a sufficient number for the Indian armed forces to effectively operate our equipment.

Putin likely to visit India

Meanwhile, the latest development comes ahead of India-Russia bilateral summit next month. According to Republic sources, Russias President Vladimir Putin will be visiting the nation in December and meeting PM Narendra Modi. The date of the visit could be on December 6, though it remains to be confirmed.

It is pertinent to mention here that this will be Putin's second foreign visit post-pandemic if it happens, reflecting the significance of the strategic partnership between the two nations. It is learnt that the two sides are going to firm up a number of agreements in the areas of defence, trade and investment, and science and technology at the summit. A framework for military-technical cooperation will be renewed for the next decade at the summit. Additionally, the topic of Afghanistan is also going to come up during the meeting.

(With inputs from ANI)
Taiwan on Saturday, Nov. 13 appealed for the international communitys support for its bid to join a trans-Pacific trade pact at the meeting of economic leaders of the Asia-Pacific group APEC held on Friday. Taipeis President Tsai Ing-wens envoy to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum Morris Chang made an appeal to the member countries to support Taiwans bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) of the 11-nations, a move that had triggered Beijing. China, along with Britain, has also applied to join the CPTPP, a free trans-Pacific trade agreement (FTA) between Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore, and Vietnam.

The trans-Pacific bloc pact, which came into effect on December 30, 2018, aims to give the member states better access to each others markets and also to eliminate import tariffs by as much as 95 per cent. And as mainland China has increasingly shown interest in joining the club, island nation Taiwan also filed an official application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade group.

Leaders from APEC's 21 economies met virtually last night for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. #APEC2021 pic.twitter.com/Wh80hVCwat  APEC2021 NZ (@apec2021NZ) November 12, 2021

Taipeis President Tsai Ing-wen earlier last week had said at a state conference that Taiwan will seek support from the worlds economic leaders, which includes the United States, China, and Japan when it attends the Asia-Pacific group APECs virtual meeting which will discuss the pathway to the COVID-19 pandemic recovery.

The summit this week was hosted by New Zealand. Ahead of the APEC meeting held on Nov. 12, Tsai had said that she would ask TSMC founder Morris Chang, and Taiwans envoy to the APEC forum to use this meeting to gather support from more APEC members for Taiwan to join CPTPP. Envoy Chang will express Taiwans support for and insistence on free trade, Tsai said, according to local media outlets.

Time to 'deepen economic integration,' Taiwan's APEC envoy tells world leaders

On Friday, Chang in his speech at the APEC forum stressed that economic integration has forged closer economic and trade ties in the region. He said, that it was now important for economic leaders to support initiatives that deepen economic integration, promote high standards on trade-related rules and help improve the livelihoods of people across the Asia-Pacific region, according to Taipei Times. Founder of Taiwans top Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chang went on to add that Taiwan applied to join the CPTPP driven by these beliefs.

Being a part of CPTPP is important for Taiwan as the comprehensive agreement could generate momentum for the development of the region  liberalizing trade and investment while promoting sustainable growth, Chang was quoted as saying by Taipei Times. Chinese Taipei plays an irreplaceable role in the global high-tech supply chain. We also have a highly transparent market economy, and are able and willing to respect the CPTPPs high standards, he added.

Taiwan submitted an application to join CPTPP in September under the name the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu.In a news conference after the APEC meeting, Chang reportedly said that the Chinese representatives at APEC did not offer an olive branch to Taiwan but the country is well-positioned to join the CPTPP despite the hurdles. Chang also informed that US President Joe Biden did not comment on Taiwans bid to join the CPTPP.
Taiwan Police have opened a probe into two ex-employees of a Kaohsiung based optoelectronic device maker for allegedly stealing trade secrets and selling them to China.

On Friday, the National Police Agency confirmed the news stating that they received tip-offs about the theft back in March from the companys Chief Executive who discovered that confidential material was being stolen. As they started investigating, they found that two former employees at the Kaohsiung Science Park had made NT dollar 10 million (Rs 26.7 million) from selling confidential information, Taipei Times reported.

Trade secrets and proprietary material sold to Chinese salesman

According to the police officials, they along with the Criminal Investigation Bureau conducted several raids throughout September and earlier in November. Their search lead them to evidence indicating that a woman with the surname Wang and a man surnamed Chen had sold trade secrets and other proprietary material to a Chinese salesman who further passed it to buyers across the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.

Notably, analyses of the firms computer systems revealed that both the ex-employees had downloaded sensitive material for years until August when Chen quit his job. Wang, who was the co-founder of the unnamed company, had resigned earlier.

Product design, testing procedures stolen

Amongst the stolen material was product designs, system analyses, testing procedures, parts purchasing databases and other confidential files, Taipei Times reported, citing investigators involved in the case. Earlier this month, Wang was put into judicial custody under restricted communication while Chen who was detained alongside was released on a conditioned bail of NT dollar 60,000 (Rs 1,60,478).

Apple trade secrets sold in US

Trade secrets are sold at astronomical prices in the market. A similar case of theft was registered in the US. Back in March, Apple filed a lawsuit against Simon Lancaster, who worked as a materials lead, for stealing private trade secrets about one of the company's projects and then leaking them to the media.

Now, as a second proceeding in the lawsuit filed by Apple is scheduled for 18 November 2021, Lancaster has at least four search warrants executed by the State in respect to online accounts and information on two computers used by the former Apple employee. As mentioned by a report by 9To5Mac, the search warrants are based on the cause that "the information sought was stolen or embezzled, or evidences the commission of a felony."

(Image: Unsplash/Representative)
A member of an unidentified group of gunmen was killed in a clash with Lao government troops this month in the latest of a series of sporadic attacks by anti-government forces in Xaysomboun province, sources close to the Lao military and police said.

After the the March 9 clash in Xaysombouns Thathom district, government troops spread out over a nearby mountain to track other fighters down, sources told RFAs Lao Service, speaking on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.

Currently, the authorities wont allow anyone to enter the fighting area, a relative of one of the soldiers told RFA on Tuesday. Some members of the anti-government force have escaped, and soldiers have been sent to the combat zone, which is on top of a mountain.

Yes, there was a shooting incident in the area, a former government military officer told RFA, while another source close to a high-ranking provincial military officer also confirmed reports of the clash.

It happened in early March, the source said, also asking that his name not be used, and the Xaysomboun authorities have sent a great number of provincial military troops to reinforce the forces in Thathom.

Soldiers from the province are now patrolling and blocking the roads in the areas nearby so that insurgents cannot recover the body of their fallen comrade, a villager in Thathom said, adding, They normally wont leave their friends behind, but the soldiers have captured the body now.

Persons are now prohibited from entering the area between Thathom districts Vangkhan Point and Sobjae Point, according to a March 15 district office notice citing military activity in the area. The period of the ban runs from March 15 until March 30, says the notice, a copy of which was obtained by RFA.

Thathom District Chief Phouthasath Noythavy meanwhile turned away requests for comment, saying Im not able to provide you with more details about this right now. Im in a meeting.

Two members of an identified anti-government group in Laos pose for a photo after a clash with Lao soldiers in Xaysomboun province, March 9, 2021.

Shootings, bomb attacks

Since 2000, Laos has sustained periodic shootings and bomb attacks on transportation hubs and border checkpoints by suspected insurgents.

The March 9 clash was only the latest in a series of shootings and other attacks in Xaysomboun province, most recently on June 20, 2020 when a government soldier was shot and killed while on patrol inspecting for illegal poppy cultivation.

In January 2016, a car carrying Chinese miners was ambushed in the province, leaving two dead and one injured, and in November 2015 an exchange of gunfire between an armed group and local troops left three soldiers and four civilians dead, sources said in earlier reports.

In most cases, Laos secretive government stops short of identifying individuals or groups who might have perpetrated the attacks while there are no claims of responsibility or political statements issued in connection with the incidents.

Authorities in multi-ethnic Laos have long been wary of opposition among the country's Hmong ethnic minority, many of whom say they face persecution from the government because of their ties with the United States during the Vietnam War, when thousands of Hmong fought under CIA advisers during the so-called secret war against communists in Laos.



Reported by Ounkeo Souksavanh for RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Former detainees of military junta say they suffer from debilitating depression and fear rearrest.

Detainees whove endured torture and other forms of abuse at the hands of Myanmars junta security forces say they suffer from severe depression and mental illness long after their release and live in constant fear of rearrest.

Thousands of people have been arrested since the military seized power in a Feb. 1 coup. Detainees who have been released told RFAs Myanmar Service that the experience left them severely traumatized.

The former detainees, who are mostly young and were taken into custody after joining anti-junta protests, say they are haunted by their experiences in captivity and are no longer able to enjoy a normal life despite having been allowed to return home.

Ko Thaw, a 20-year-old man from Myanmars largest city Yangon, told RFA that he had been arrested on March 3 for joining a protest and released three weeks later. On March 24, the same day that he was set free, authorities came to his home in the capital Naypyidaw and rearrested him, accusing him of defamation against the military.

Later released as part of a general amnesty on Oct. 18, Ko Thaw said that he was beaten severely while he was being interrogated about his alleged crimes.

They tore my shirt off  and then hit me on the chest and arms with batons. When I covered my face, about 15 of them beat me all over my body, kicking me in the neck and back, he said.

They hadnt even questioned me about anything yet. They just beat me up.

Over the next few days, he said, his captors grilled him about his connections and tried to link him to other crimes he had not committed.

Later, while in prison, I saw some men with deep cuts to their necks who had been there for about a month but for some reason were never given any medicine, he said. I did not suffer as much as they did, but it upset me terribly.

Ko Thaw said he is restless and always afraid.

I cant eat or sleep well because I am constantly wondering, when will they come back for me, he said.

Sometimes, when I want to do something as simple as go out shopping, my thoughts haunt me, and I question whether I will be safe.

Yin Yin, 24-year-old pro-democracy activist from Yangon, was also arrested on March 3 for participating in a protest and detained in Insein Prison on defamation charges before being released as part of the Oct. 18 amnesty.

She told RFA she lives in constant fear that she will be arrested again.

Since my release from prison, I feel so insecure. If I go somewhere, who might be following me? Will it be safe to go there, I often ask myself, she said.

As there have been several cases of rearrests, I worry all the time that they will come after me.  Even though Im at home now, I dont feel like it at all. When I wake up in the mornings, it takes some time before I realize that Im in my own bed. I still have nightmares as if I am still in prison.

Ko Thaw and Yin Yin told RFA that after more than eight months in prison they are both dealing with debilitating anxiety but have no one to turn to for help.

Prisoners aboard a bus wave to loved ones after exiting Insein Prison in Yangon, Oct. 18, 2021. RFA Mental and physical torture

Nang Lin, a member of Takatha Students Union, said that detainees experience various forms of abuse during interrogation that continues to traumatize them after being released.

They are mentally tortured by their captors, who interrogate them about things that have nothing to do with the charges against them. It is inhuman, he said.

Women are often sexually harassed. Men are asked personal questions about their sex lives. These kinds of questions are meant to damage their psyche.

Other detainees will bear the marks of physical torture long after they are freed.

Last month, prominent Myanmar political activist Kyaw Min Yu, better known by his alias Ko Jimmy, was left in critical condition after suffering a head injury while being arrested in Yangon. After three days of intensive care at a military hospital, he was transferred to an undisclosed location, according to Myanmar Now.

At the time, his wife Nilar Thein told RFA that she was expecting the worst-case scenario because he was in the custody of junta soldiers.

We have seen in the past that many people who were arrested either died or were left with serious lifelong trauma because they were severely tortured, she said. We have prepared ourselves for everything, mentally as well.

Kyaw Min Yu is the former leader of the so-called 88-generation group of students, which led the August 1988 uprising against the previous military regime that had run Myanmar since 1962. He was accused by the current regime of defamation in February. He now faces six new charges, including high treason and terrorism, for allegedly planning attacks on junta targets.

Dr. Tin Oo, a psychiatrist, told RFA that people who endure abuse in custody should seek out professional care to help them deal with the anguish they often must deal with long after being released.

People with these kinds of experiences can suffer extreme mental trauma and if this happens, they should see a counseling expert when they are freed from prison, he said.

Only you know what you are dealing with, so go see an expert when you are haunted by these experiences.

Nine months after the Feb. 1 coup, security forces have killed 1,253 civilians and arrested at least 7,144, according to the Bangkok-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. Many of the deaths and arrests have occurred during crackdowns on anti-junta protests.

Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Bulgaria announced on August 26 that it will bolster its border with Greece and Turkey with between 400 and 700 soldiers amid growing concern in Europe over an influx of migrants from Afghanistan.



The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan has stoked fears of a repeat of Europe's 2015 migration crisis, when more than 1 million people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East arrived in the bloc. Many migrants crossed from Turkey and took the so-called Balkan route to wealthier EU countries.



"The pressure on the Bulgarian border is increasing, which requires the government to act, and it is doing just that," Defense Minister Georgi Panayotov said.

The soldiers would be available to help police and gendarmes with "constructing barriers and surveillance, he added.



The Interior Ministry has said there is increased migratory pressure in recent weeks on the border with Turkey and Greece.



In a sign of Europe's concerns about Afghan migrants, the Slovenian presidency of the EU announced that an emergency meeting of the blocs interior ministers will be held Brussels on August 31.



Greece and non-EU member Turkey are also concerned about a new migration wave to Europe and have begun to coordinate a response.



Turkey hosts nearly 4 million Syrian refugees and 300,000 Afghans, in addition to migrants and refugees from other parts of the world.



Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on August 19 that Turkey has no responsibility to be "Europe's refugee warehouse."



Greece became a front-line state during the European migration crisis, although arrivals from Turkey have dropped since 2016 when the EU reached a deal with Ankara to stem the flow in exchange for billions of dollars of financial support.



Turkey and Greece have recently hardened their borders due to concern about Afghan migrants.

With reporting by AFP
BUDAPEST -- At the Ferenc Liszt International Airport, people wait in long lines to check in for their early morning flights. For Nora, a 22-year-old Hungarian university student, it's a big day.

Today is the first day she can travel without quarantine to many Europeans destinations, despite getting vaccinated against the coronavirus in the spring of 2021. Her earlier travel plans had been thwarted by the vaccine she had received: two doses of the Chinese-produced Sinopharm.

Nora is just one of thousands of Hungarians who were vaccinated early, often with Sinopharm or Russia's Sputnik V, but have since regretted their choice and have scrambled to get an EU-approved vaccine so they can travel.

Nora solved her problem in October, when she was able to walk into a Hungarian clinic to receive a single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

So far, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which is responsible for the evaluation and supervision of medicinal products within the EU, has approved only four vaccines: Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson. Citizens and residents of the EU who received those vaccines are mostly exempt from testing or quarantine when travelling to other EU countries.

While Sinopharm does not have EMA approval, it has been granted emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO), meaning a handful of European countries, including Austria and Spain, will accept it. Sputnik has neither EMA nor WHO approval, which means that in the EU, for example, only Hungary, Slovakia, Cyprus, and Greece, will accept it as proof of immunization.

Another Hungarian, Daniel, 23, was in a similar situation. Now working in Germany, he received two doses of Sinopharm in Hungary in April, he told RFE/RL over the phone. Like other interviewees quoted in this article about their vaccination choices, he preferred to only give his first name for reasons of medical privacy.

"Back then, I accepted the Chinese vaccine so I could see my grandmother," he said. But after receiving Sinopharm, he could not travel back to Ireland where he attended university without a coronavirus test and going into quarantine. So he decided to get a third vaccine, a single-shot Johnson & Johnson, in Austria, where he was also registered for vaccination. "They just asked me if I had received any vaccines in the last four months and I told them no. Which was true," he said.

'Vaccine Tours'

Even Russians who have received Sputnik are travelling abroad to receive Western-approved vaccines. In recent weeks, hundreds of Russians have flocked to Serbia to get Pfizer shots, taking advantage of organized "vaccine tours" put on by companies in the capital, Belgrade.

At the start of 2021, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's vaccination strategy seemed bold and perhaps even forward-thinking, carried out with the cavalier populism that often defines his politics. Rather than waiting for EMA-approved vaccines, Hungary was the first EU country to buy Sputnik and Sinopharm, putting the country at the front of the vaccination pack.

Bypassing the European Commission, Hungary has since stockpiled more than 5 million doses of the Chinese vaccine and 2 million doses of the Russian and also entered talks with Russia about launching its own Sputnik production operation.

On April 26, the Hungarian authorities said that every Hungarian over the age of 18 could register for an appointment to get Sinopharm. By comparison, at the same time in the United Kingdom -- another vaccine early-starter when compared to their European neighbors -- only people over the age of 45 were able to register for their first dose.

Many young Hungarians heeded the call, eager to get a pass back to their social lives of pubs, nightclubs, and communal sports. They were less wary of the Russian and Chinese vaccines than their older compatriots, many of whom were skeptical about medical products coming from communist or former communist countries.

As of November 11, 60.6 percent of Hungary's total population had received at least one vaccine dose, and 58.5 percent of the total population had received two, according to data from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control. More than 2 million of these shots were Chinese (17 percent) and 1.8 million were Russian (14 percent).

At 58.5 percent, the amount of Hungary's total population that is fully vaccinated is approximately 6 percent lower than the EU average, but a good deal higher than in neighboring countries, such as Romania (33.9 percent) or Slovakia (44.8 percent).

For those who want to travel, though, and who have received the Sputnik vaccine, a simple solution doesn't seem to be on the horizon. Despite starting a rolling review in March, the EMA will reportedly not make a decision on the approval of Sputnik before the first quarter of 2022. According to media reports, the approval process has been hindered by Russia repeatedly postponing inspections.

The situation is looking a little rosier for those vaccinated with Sinopharm. While the EMA has never started a review for the Chinese vaccine, the WHO's emergency approval for Sinopharm has opened up more options, including travel to the United States from November 8 and to the United Kingdom from November 22.

Increasingly Controversial Practice

For people vaccinated with Sputnik who want to travel, the best option available is trying to get a third shot with a different vaccine -- a practice that has become increasingly controversial in Hungary.

Oliver, a 26-year-old resident of Budapest, wanted to get a Johnson & Johnson shot after two doses of Sputnik but his doctor refused.

According to Hungary's Health Ministry, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should not be given to patients who have already received shots of Sputnik or AstraZeneca. The ministry's recommendation states that the third shot could weaken preexisting protections, as Johnson & Johnson, Sputnik, and AstraZeneca are all vector vaccines, which inject a modified version of a virus into a person's body.

Some doctors are resolute about following the Health Ministry's advice. "Those who received Sputnik jabs will have to wait until the European Union and Russia settle the uncertainty around vaccination," Daniel Eorsi, a practicing doctor in Budapest, said.

"In line with the legislation in effect, the patient has the right to choose which vaccine they would like to get, as long as it does not contradict professional recommendations," Eorsi said. And the Health Ministry does not recommend mixing vaccinations, he added.

Hungary's Health Ministry did not respond to RFE/RL's questions for this article.

But Oliver desperately wanted to go to Malta. So, despite the Health Ministry's guidelines, he found another vaccination center where he could receive a Johnson & Johnson shot. "Before inoculating me, the doctor informed me that the protection will become weaker," he said.

Even senior government officials are skirting the rules. HVG, a leading Hungarian economic and political weekly, reported that Gergely Gulyas, the head of the prime minister's office, consulted multiple doctors before deciding to get a Johnson & Johnson vaccine after receiving two doses of Sputnik.

The different application of medical practice on the ground in Hungary illustrates the much larger, global debate about the efficacy of third shots from different vaccine providers.

"In the absence of good quality clinical trials, the Hungarian recommendation for mixing [different] vaccinations cannot be verified or disproved," Szabolcs Dobson, an expert in the approval of medicines, told RFE/RL. He added that there is now some evidence that vector vaccines can be combined.

While some studies have shown that mixing vaccines can be effective and even, in the case of vector vaccines, boost a person's immune response, experts have said that there is still not enough conclusive data.

"I think I gained a lot of time," Daniel said, a few months after receiving his Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Austria. "I felt freer because I knew I was protected and my family knew I was protected. I wouldn't do it any other way."
Voters in Pristina headed to polling stations for mayoral runoffs on November 14. The voting in 21 municipalities took place one month after the first round of Kosovo's local elections. The polls are seen as a test for the ruling Vetevendosje (Self-Determination) Movement.
Its provenance was unexpected, the underlying motives unclear, and its seriousness questioned.

But a public squabble born of Slovenian indelicacy rippled through the Bosnian and EU capitals this week and raised uncomfortable questions about the durability of borders and institutions in the Balkans, particularly Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Slovenian President Borut Pahor reportedly broached the possible "dissolution" of Bosnia-Herzegovina in conversation with Bosnia's tripartite presidency last month, and unconfirmed reports this week cited a phantom "non-paper" by Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa echoing talk of possible border changes to address lingering malaise in the former Yugoslavia.

Both leaders publicly dismissed suggestions that they were advocating or agitating for such an outcome.

But the alarm was duly raised and, strategic or not, the flap has unsettled outsiders to whom tinkering with decades-old borders is anathema and who think reforms are the best way to lift ethnically fraught Bosnia out of political paralysis.

"The idea of border changes is dangerous," Florian Bieber, director of the Center for Southeast European Studies at Austria's University of Graz, said.

He cited particular peril in the Balkans, where Serbian and Kosovar leaders were rumored to have considered a possible land swap three years ago. But he also warned of an unintended spillover into places like Ukraine, where Russia annexed Crimea seven years ago and still supports armed separatists.

"It was already highly risky [to] discuss a mutually agreed border change between Kosovo and Serbia and [is] even more risky in Bosnia because it would involve not only a nonconsensual process [but] affect people against their will and throw overboard the approach of the international community [that has been in place] since 1991, namely that no border changes along ethnic lines are acceptable," Bieber said. "This would have knock-on effects in Crimea and elsewhere and could trigger renewed conflict in Bosnia."

Out In The Open?

A local Slovenian news portal first reported on April 11 that Pahor had asked Bosnia's co-presidents at a March 5 meeting whether "separating peacefully" was an option for Bosnia, which is still governed as a Bosniak and Croat federation along with a Serb-majority entity called Republika Srpska.

The complicated arrangement and labyrinthian levels of government were codified in the Dayton accords that ended the Bosnian War in 1995.

Bosnian Croat* Zeljko Komsic said a day later that the question had been put to him and the other two members of Bosnia's presidency at a meeting in March.

Pahor's office later confirmed that he had asked the Bosnian leaders about "ideas about the dissolution of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the redrawing of borders in the Western Balkans" during a visit to Sarajevo in early March "out of concern about these ideas."

Reports suggested that Milorad Dodik, the Serb member of the presidency and leader of Republika Srpska who recently intensified his calls for secession from the rest of Bosnia, responded more warmly to the Slovenian idea than his Bosniak and Croat counterparts.

Pahor subsequently stressed his "advocacy" for Bosnia's languishing EU membership bid and his respect for the country's territorial integrity.

Then came whirlwind reports this week suggesting that Jansa personally delivered a "non-paper" earlier this year to European Council President Charles Michel in which possible border changes were mentioned.

Jansa, a politically pugnacious ally of Hungarian nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has denied writing any such "non-paper."

An EU official responded on behalf of Michel's office on April 12 by saying that "we cannot confirm that we have received" such a document.

On April 15, a Ljubljana-based outlet, necenzurirano.si, published what it said was the "non-paper" in question.

In it, under the heading "Western Balkans -- A Way Forward," the authors propose "solutions" that included "the unification of Kosovo and Albania" and "joining a larger part of the Republika Srpska territory with Serbia."

They propose special status "following the model of South Tyrol" -- the mainly German-speaking province in northern Italy -- for "the Serbian part of Kosovo."

They also suggest either "joining the predominantly Croatian cantons of Bosnia-Herzegovina with Croatia, or...granting special status to the Croatian part of Bosnia-Herzegovina."

Bosniaks, they reason, "will thus gain an independently functioning state and assume responsibility for it."

They go on to say that, after EU preparations for stabilization and other programs, "silent procedures" that are already "under way" include running the plans by "decision-makers in the region" and "decision-makers in the international community."

Pressure For Change

Bosnia-Herzegovina has faced near-constant problems of governance since its creation with the two ethnic-based entities and locally governed Brcko district leaving the country with a highly constrained, weak central government.

Brussels and its high representative for foreign policy, Josep Borrell, have repeatedly stressed the bloc's desire to see a commitment to reforms from Bosnian officials that would "enable the country to progress towards the EU."

But unresolved issues -- including the problem of Bosnia's ongoing political instability and stagnation when it comes to reforms -- dominated conversation around the 25th anniversary of the Dayton accords in December.

Last month, Croatia's Foreign Ministry was quoted saying Zagreb was "the driver" of an initiative earlier this year to draft a "non-paper" to highlight Bosnia "as an important issue for the European Union which should be more visible on the geopolitical space in Southeast Europe."

WATCH: Peace, But No Prosperity: Bosnia Marks 25 Years Since Dayton Accords

EU institutions and member states occasionally share confidential but unofficial "non-papers" as suggested talking points or possible frameworks for discussion of particularly fraught topics.

In the Croatian one, Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic-Radman advocated EU candidate status for Bosnia, including for its effect to improve the beleaguered country's "fragmented political landscape and atmosphere of mistrust" that exists among Bosnia's political representatives.

Slovenia was among the other signatories, as were Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, and Hungary.

Grlic-Radman said after a meeting of EU foreign ministers on March 22 that other European counterparts -- including from France and Germany -- had also expressed support for the document.

It said Bosnia must reform its electoral legislation before next year's general election.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier this month appealed to Bosnia's tripartite presidency to work toward at least modest reforms, including "limited constitutional change...to reform the electoral system."

He reportedly cited EU membership goals and "rulings of the European courts," a reference to a 2009 European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decision demanding that Bosnia allow a minority outside the three main ethnicities -- Bosniak, Croat, and Serb -- to run for high office, an act that is currently banned.

It was the first official communication to Bosnia from U.S. President Joe Biden's administration and, while delicately worded, sent an unmistakable signal to Sarajevo.

"There's a whole bunch of things that are happening right now," Toby Vogel, a policy analyst focused on the Western Balkans and senior associate of the Democratization Policy Council (DPC), told RFE/RL prior to the leak of Jansa's purported "non-paper."

"And I think it makes a lot of people nervous, not just Bosnians but others as well who fear that the incumbent ethnic elite [in Bosnia] might be seeking to sort of cement or solidify their stranglehold over politics, society, and the economy and preempt any challenge to their rule," he said.

In that sense, Vogel added, the main ethnic parties that were essentially enshrined in the Bosnian Constitution that emerged from Dayton "absolutely have a congruence of interest."

Then came the confusing barrage of diplomatic signals from Slovenia.

'Dangerous Game' In Ljubljana

Slovenia is scheduled to join the rotating Trio Presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2021, so the timing of Pahor and Jansa's statements packs a particular punch.

Perhaps they are simply seeking political points by appearing to offer solutions to the lingering instability among fellow former Yugoslav republics to the southeast.

Some analysts speculate that the Slovenian leaders could also be channeling dissatisfaction with Bosnia among "bigger actors" within the European Union.

Mateusz Seroka, a research fellow at the Center for Eastern Studies (OSW) in Warsaw, told RFE/RL he thinks border adjustments are a nonstarter -- "such an option would cause as many problems as it could theoretically solve."

But speaking before the "non-paper's" contents were leaked, he said "there are still groups which could embrace thinking about partitioning the Western Balkan region along ethnic lines," and doesn't necessarily fault Ljubljana for raising the topic.

"Of course serious politicians should take into account that things could go in [the] wrong direction, so they should talk about various scenarios with their counterparts from the region," Seroka said. "But it does not necessarily mean that they are in favor of, for example, the partitioning of existing countries."

Policy analyst Vogel said he doubts the reported talk of Balkan border changes by Slovenian officials is a thoughtful strategic push.

"I think it's more of a trial balloon or a provocation maybe," he said. "But the question is, what's the secondary effect this is going to have? Independently of whether any of this will actually happen, I think the effect it has is to create an atmosphere in which people feel that everything is negotiable -- nothing is to be taken for granted. And that's a very dangerous game to play, I think, in the Balkans."
Ukraines new defense minister says the country will speed construction of a naval base at the port of Berdyansk amid tense relations with Russia in the unstable region.

Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said on November 13 following a visit to Berdyansk that the move is designed to prevent what Ukraine calls attempts by Moscow to take control of the crucial Sea of Azov.

The sea borders along the Crimea Peninsula, which Russia illegally seized from Ukraine in 2014.

Strengthening our capabilities in this direction and the development of the navy in general is one of the priorities, said Reznikov, who toured the region along with Armed Forces Chief-of-Staff General Valery Zaluzhny.

"The corresponding instructions will be given to accelerate the construction of the naval base," Reznikov said in statement released by the Defense Ministry.

The comments come as Kyiv and Western powers, including the United States, raised alarm bells over Russian activities near Ukraine, where Russia-backed separatists control swaths of territory in an ongoing seven-year conflict.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Russia against making another "serious mistake" on Ukraine as Washington sought information about an alleged Russian troop movement near the border that the Pentagon called "unusual in its size and scope."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Western suggestions Moscow might be considering offensive military action and accused Washington of aggressive moves in the Black Sea, where Ukraine and the United States have held major military drills in recent months.

Ukraine in 2018 said it planned to build a naval base in Berdyansk after losing its military bases on the Crimean Peninsula when Moscow seized the territory.

The creation of the base "will create conditions for repelling Russian aggression in that region," the Ukrainian government said at the time.

Reznikov said security risks had been heightened and threats to shipping had emerged because of Russian actions in the Azov and Black Seas.

"Following the occupation of Crimea and parts of [eastern Ukraine], Russia is trying to de facto occupy the Sea of Azov as well," Reznikov said.

Russia has denied that it wants to take control of the Sea of Azov, but it did not comment on Reznikov comments.

With reporting by Reuters and Unian
Vladislav Zhdanov, Professor at the Higher School of Economics, Advisor to Director General - Chairman of the Management Board of the Russian Railways company, and former Vice President of ALROSA (2015-2018). He is a physicist by background. He graduated from the Ural State University (General and Molecular Physics), Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, City University London, Oxford University, and the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA).

He is a prizewinner of the national competition Leaders of Russia 2020 and the author of a number of scholarly articles on the use of diamonds in high technologies. Vladislav Zhdanov told R&P about the use of synthetic and natural diamonds in modern high technologies, about the trends and prospects of their use in this area.

You received an all-round education. Why are you so interested in diamonds?

Remember Vysotskys words ...that means you read the right books in childhood, I have a wonderful uncle, Anatoly Zhdanov who gave me two books about diamonds in my early childhood - Cecil Rhodes and His Time by Apollon Davidson and The Diamond Hunters by Georgy Sviridov. I read these books many times, I can say I was prepossessed with the diamond rush from the age of ten - Kimberly, De Beers, Zarnitsa, these new words fascinated me.

But this was the theoretical part, the practical acquaintance with diamonds took place at the metallurgical laboratory where my uncle Anatoly managed to synthesize diamonds by mixing graphite with iron-based powders and heating the mixture under pressure; really, the diamonds were finely dispersed and made no impression on his laboratory lady-assistants (which upset my charismatic uncle) and my classmates (unfortunately) - but to my mind, it was magic! So, my journey to the diamond world began at my uncles laboratory where I spent part of my childhood. I can say with a certain amount of self-irony that I have been in diamond synthesis since I was 13 years old.

Actually, my further education and great interest in diamond mining and synthesis were only inspired by the books I read in my childhood and the experiments at the metallurgical laboratory. Working at ALROSA from 2015 to 2018, I was lucky enough to get to know the issues of diamond mining better, as well as communicate with many outstanding physicists, whose experiments with diamonds are amazing; Vladimir Blank, Sergey Vartapetov, Anatoly Vikharev, Alexander Kolyadin, Victor Ralchenko, Roman Khmelnitsky are among them! The uniqueness of the work of their teams is difficult to overestimate, from academic and practical points of view! Perhaps, today, Russia has one of the most powerful schools of diamond synthesis in the world, and undoubtedly, this is the merit of the above-mentioned researchers as well. The Russian scientists and synthesis practitioners are constantly improving technological processes, equipment, and synthesis modes to achieve the most effective processes that allow achieving controlled and regularly repeatable results, which is critical for the use of synthetic diamonds in high-tech industries.

The synthetic diamond manufacturers in the West position synthetics as a technological novelty with the prefix eco and conflict-free. Does it have any bearing on reality?

The diamond synthesis is hardly a novelty. These technologies are almost 80 years old. And putting the marketing context of the prefixes eco-friendly and green technology aside, indeed, it is interesting to compare what kind of diamond production - synthesis or natural mining - is more in line with the concepts of green technologies. As it turned out, the question is very difficult and controversial. In part, the answer to this question is our recent work with our Skoltech colleagues described in the article A Comparative Analysis of Energy and Water Consumption of Mined versus Synthetic Diamonds published at the end of October in the Swiss magazine Energies (https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/21/7062/htm). We have analyzed the ALROSAs and De Beers reports for recent years; thankfully, both of these companies are extremely transparent. As a result, we received the data that the average energy consumption for the production of one carat of diamonds in these companies is in the range of 96-150 kWh, and De Beers has shown a steady increase in energy efficiency in recent years. Actually, taking into account the dynamics of the increasing production efficiency, the specific energy consumption per unit of production (in our case, a carat) is one of the key parameters in the technological and sectoral sense, and in the ecological sense as well.

Also, as a result of the study, water consumption was analyzed (ALROSAs data). In 2018, ALROSA used only 77 liters of water to produce 1 carat of diamonds; although back in 2014, according to official reports, this figure was several times higher, that is, the positive dynamics is obvious. It is necessary to clarify that most of the power used by ALROSA is produced by its own hydroelectric power plants. In addition, water goes through technological treatment cycles and is recycled using a closed loop, which also significantly reduces water consumption and increases efficiency.

Thus, we see that the environmental agenda is very important for the two leaders of the diamond industry, technologies are constantly being improved and demonstrate positive dynamics.

When it comes to synthesis, our favorite method is the High-Pressure-High-Temperature (HPHT) one! According to our data and other researchers data (for example, Ali, S.H., 2016), the specific energy consumption of modern presses is only a few tens of kWh per carat. It is worthy of note that these indicators relate to open-loop cooling systems. I believe that they are the most rational and effective ones. If you take a look at the HPHT presses with a closed-loop cooling system, in this case, the specific energy consumption has to be approximately doubled (the law of energy conservation is still valid) and an additional chiller would be required to remove heat from the 3-kWt cell of the HPHT press. In this case, the energy efficiency of a particular HPHT project would decrease, approaching the level of the electricity consumption required in mining the natural diamonds. The obvious environmental advantage of the HPHT method is zero water consumption for diamond synthesis!





CVD reactor (left, foreground) and HPHT press (right) /  From the author's archive of Vladislav Zhdanov

The second common synthesis method is CVD. Some researchers show the effective figures of the specific energy consumption at the level of 77 kWh and 143 kWh per carat, but at the same time, our own results obtained in the study are modest and equal to 215 kWh. In the article A Comparative Analysis of Energy and Water Consumption of Mined versus Synthetic Diamonds, we also took into account and described the frequency and power of the magnetron, the performance of the reactor based on it, and we wrote a lot about the role of nitrogen, the steroid of the synthesis, - in general, there were many caveats. The CVD technologies are very sensitive to various factors, depend on many variables (peculiarities of the synthesis modes, reactor configuration, quality of substrates, plasma distribution, gas mixture composition, etc.). Of course, a lot depends on the expertise and skills of a technologist able to adjust the optimal production process and synthesis mode.

In other words, we see a range of CVD-specific energy consumption to be 77-215 kWh per carat, it covers the previously mentioned range of energy consumption, 96-150 kWh, in diamond mining. Therefore, I will not venture to say that any CVD diamond is a priori more environmentally friendly (in the sense of less energy consumption compared to a natural one). As for water consumption, really, the CVD synthesis practically does not require water compared to mining; according to our observations, it requires no more than 2 liters per carat, since water is needed only for the hydrogen plants that are the basis of the gas mixture in the CVD synthesis.

As a summary, I would like to note that not all synthetic diamonds are superior to natural ones in terms of the energy efficiency of their production. But all synthetic diamonds are superior to natural ones in terms of water consumption. Does this mean that all synthetic diamonds are greener than natural ones? I think, not all of them are.

What is your attitude to synthetic jewelry?

I confess that I am indifferent to the diamond jewelry market - I cant help myself, I understand that this is the driver of the diamond industry, but unfortunately, I have no passion for jewelry projects. I believe that the gem-quality synthetics jewelry market is growing, as is the number and quality of the lab-diamond producers; the prospects for this business are obvious, given a relatively low entry threshold. The cost of the modern HPHT presses is quite affordable, and their payback is fast enough if you have a good technologist. The same situation is with the CVD systems, as despite their lower specific energy efficiency, the cost of the equipment has not been high-sky for a long time. At the same time, the expenditures for energy in synthesis is not the main one, therefore the CVD expansion will increase. It is no coincidence that Element Six in its promo videos shows exactly the CVD synthesis of its new Lightbox jewelry line and I also believe that the potential for the CVD synthesis is really huge.

Ill try to explain why CVD is changing the whole paradigm of diamond synthesis. Firstly, we can cover a large area with plasma, which would allow many crystals to grow simultaneously. And theoretically, with a lot of caveats, the coverage area can be even larger - hence, it results in a qualitative leap in the performance of CVD reactors. Secondly, in 2014, the German scientist Matthias Schreck et al. published the results of the synthesis of a 92-mm (!!!) 155-carat diamond plate grown in the CVD reactor, which is extremely eloquent evidence of the CVD technologys uniqueness. Taking into account the above, it is obvious that the size of CVD diamonds will increase, thereby increasing the demand for them in the technology and jewelry industries, where their cost depends almost exponentially on the size. Imagine diamond lenses in glasses - given its higher refractive index than that of silicon dioxide (glass), the focal length will be shorter, glasses, as a quasi-jewelry piece, will be at least elegant and more functional as the diamonds spectrum bandwidth is unique. Thus, the jewelry market can change and new niches will appear as the synthesis technologies are developing very fast.

However, in my opinion, the use of diamonds in high technologies is the main and key target of diamond synthesis technologies. The jewelry industry is adaptive as the exact repeatability of the products characteristics and parameters is not important in it and just the size and color are enough; even defects (cracks and inclusions) are the signs that make a synthetic diamond more visually similar to a natural one. For this reason, everything that is not suitable for high technologies may well be used in the jewelry sector where crystal lattice defects can be considered as the uniqueness of a particular stone.

What do you think about using lab-grown diamonds in high-tech sectors? Do they have a competitive advantage over traditionally mined diamonds?

I have already partially answered this question, and I will add that the crystal lattice of natural diamonds does not repeat itself, which, on the one hand, demonstrates the uniqueness of natural diamonds, but on the other hand, makes it impossible to use them in high-tech sectors where stable repeatability of parameters is required. For this reason, natural diamonds are suitable for technical use only as abrasives, but this is not a high-tech sector at all.

As for synthetic diamonds, only synthesis makes it possible to obtain a pure crystal lattice with preset properties. By changing the synthesis parameters, it is possible to obtain not only a colorless crystal, a flawless one, from the point of view of a jeweler, but also a unique crystal, from the point of view of a quantum physicist, with an NV center; and if it is not just nitrogen, but a nitrogen-15 isotope, this would be great!





CVD synthesis scheme: The dissipation of methane (CH4) into methyl (-CH3) and atomic hydrogen (H); the capture of a methyl group by the diamond cell, and the subsequent dehydrogenization.

I sincerely believe that diamond synthesis is open for non-jewelry applications and is continuously improving. The diamond synthesis is gradually reaching the stable and high-quality parameters and characteristics, and most importantly, stably reproducible (repeatable) ones, so the commercial application of synthetic diamonds in various high technologies becomes possible. In my opinion, such applications are much more promising than just cutting and polishing a crystal and using it as a substitute for a natural diamond in jewelry pieces. I am sure that in the near future, the advanced technologies and synthesis processes will allow the lab-diamond producers to reach a qualitatively new level to achieve all the product parameters required for their use in high technologies.

What are the trends in the use of synthetics and natural diamonds in high technology? Which ones are the most promising?

Diamonds have excellent characteristics, which allows them to be used in a very wide range of applications! Today, more than 70% of synthetic diamonds are used in tools used in construction, oil and gas production, and mining where the abrasive properties of diamonds and their wear resistance are important (diamonds break into small pieces during their use, but due to the peculiarity of their crystal lattice, they remain sharp throughout the entire service life). Slightly more than 13% of synthetic diamonds are used in electronics and optics for the production of semiconductors, sensors, dosimeters, laser, and fiber optic systems, etc. where the optical and thermal characteristics of diamonds are important. About 6% are used in medicine in the diamond scalpels, laser, and radiation therapy sensors. The rest of the volume falls on diamond electrodes for water ozonation systems, diamond glass, and other narrow-focused applications for various industries.

Well-known facts about a diamond are as follows:

a) it is super hard (abrasives);

b) it has a high refractive index (optics, including X-ray);

c) it has the highest thermal conductivity coefficient (electronics, thermonuclear power engineering, etc.);

d) it is able to stably hold nitrogen and other atoms within its lattice (quantum technologies);

e) it has a high coefficient of secondary electron emission (optics, electronics);

f) it makes auto electronic (field) emission (optics, electronics);

g) it is the basis for the synthesis of new crystal structures that do not exist in nature (meta-materials).

The list can be continued, but I will talk in detail about the points on which my colleagues from Skoltech and I are mainly working now and that are mentioned in e and g.

Last year, The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, the USA, published two interesting articles with my co-authorship: the first is Exotic Two-Dimensional Structure: The First Case of Hexagonal NaCl and the second one is Role of Nitrogen and Oxygen in Capacitance Formation of Carbon Nanowalls. They are extremely interesting from the academic point of view since the hexagonal structure of table salt (NaCl) was obtained for the first time on the diamond lattice as a result of experiments, and the role of oxygen and nitrogen in the synthesis of new carbon structures was analyzed.

For example, now our research group is conducting a series of experiments on the deposition of gold on a diamond substrate, which allows us to make various experiments to change the electrical conductivity of this metal used in jewelry production. In addition, Vladimir Blanks team has laid the very interesting scientific groundwork related to the secondary electron emission of diamonds, and my colleagues and I do our best to develop this direction, burning tunnels of different configurations in the diamond substrates in an attempt to find the optimal one.

Actually, the article about the energy efficiency of diamond production is beyond our current academic channel. I was lucky to meet talented scientists, colleagues, and like-minded people in this field. For us, the synthesis is just a stage in a large process of innovative application of the technologies based on diamonds or using them. Today, the synthesis, first of all, allows us to obtain high-quality diamond substrates, on which we deposit other materials or burn electronic tunnels in them without regret. We are researchers, not businessmen.

I would also like to mention one of the most relevant and debated diamond topics in the academic community - diamond quantum bits or qubits. These are truly revolutionary and have the future as the diamond qubits are finding their application in quantum technologies, and the development of quantum technologies is now a strategic goal for many research teams and corporations in the USA, EU, China, and, of course, Russia. I closely follow the publications by Fyodor Zhelezko, one of the leading physicists of our time, whose work in the field of NV centers in diamonds is aimed at improving biomedical technologies, among other things, and the possible use of diamonds is steadily increasing, this trend is obvious.

My research group has several more draft articles about diamond mining and synthesis. During the study, we compared the unit labor costs and CapEx for diamond mining and synthesis. The results will be useful to anyone who thinks about diamond production. It is these expenditure items that determine the economic efficiency of any diamond project; it is these figures that will help rationally plan the synthetic diamond production.

As a benchmark for diamond mining, the data were taken from two African mines - Orapa, Jwaneng, and one North American Gahcho Kue - all these mines are part of the De Beers group of companies. By the way, I would like to mention the perfectly structured reporting of the company. The transparency and orderliness of the data provided allow us to use their figures in a wide range of analytical studies and researches - we could not help using them. We again compared the methods of synthesis - HPHT and CVD - and saw that the results differ as expected, so, looking ahead, I would like to tell that again, the old schools HPHT outstrips the CVD method in formal terms. I promise, as soon as the articles are accepted for publication, I will be ready to give a detailed report on the research to your reputable media outlet. I will only say that it is definitely impossible to abandon diamond mining, this diamond production technology is not going to give up in terms of economic or technological indicators; so, the story of De Beers and ALROSA continues.

In conclusion, I cant help sharing my feeling that the books I read in my childhood Cecile Rhodes and His Time and The Diamond Hunters and mentioned at the beginning of the interview require the continuation as this is a fascinating world of high technologies and charismatic leaders, and of course, an A Diamond Is Forever slogan! I completely agree with this De Beers slogan and although I understand it from the point of view of quantum physics, nevertheless, its meaning does not change, there will always be demand for diamonds!

Galina Semyonova for Rough&Polished
(miningmx.com) - The search for mineral resources critical to global decarbonisation is seeing mining companies weigh some unusual choices. Consider BHP  the worlds largest miner  which is said to be considering a return to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the worlds riskiest locations. The DRC is rich in copper and cobalt which, along with nickel and lithium, are crucial to electric vehicle battery and renewable energy production. Existing mines are depleting whilst a paucity of exploration spend means theres little left in new resources for future production. Its against this background that a debate is underway between non-governmental organisations on one side, and specialist mining firms on the other regarding the viability of mining the seabed.
Rutland, VT (05701)

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Chance of a shower or two during the morning, followed by partly cloudy skies this afternoon. Morning high of 45F with temps falling to near 35. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 23F. Winds light and variable.
Danvers, MA (01923)

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Cloudy. Periods of rain this morning. Morning high of 57F with temps falling to near 45. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

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Scarsdale, NY (10583)

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Cloudy with occasional rain...mainly in the morning. High around 50F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

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Two suspected cases of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as "cow disease," have recently been reported in Brazil.

An Outbreak News Today report said, through a note, the Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, INI/Fiocruz, reported that the two patients from Rio de Janeiro who were suspected of mad cow disease are suspected of having the "sporadic form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease or CJD, taking into consideration both clinical and radiological aspects.

In the said note signed by the deputy director of Clinical Services, Estevao Portela Nunes, at the Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, the INI reported that this sporadic form is not associated with meat consumption.

The official said they reiterate that the two patients are admitted to the Hospital Center for the COVID-19 Pandemic at the INI and that both cases have no diagnostic verification.

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Clinical Conditions Being Investigated

In a separate note that the deputy director found, in the early afternoon, the INI said it was investigating the clinical condition of the two patients suspected to have Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy admitted at the Hospital Center for the COVID-19 Pandemic at the Fiocruz unit.

The official note from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply clarify that the occurrences of neurodegenerative diseases the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation investigated, as reported in the media, are suspected CJD.

Therefore, added the statement, the suspected conditions are not linked to beef consumption. More so, the not also specified that the highest occurrence of the disease takes place sporadically and has an identified infectious "cause and source."

Based on the Ministry of Health website information, from 2005 to 2014, more than 600 suspected CJD cases were reported in Brazil.

Since the surveillance of the condition was instituted in Brazil, no occurrence of vCJD has been confirmed. vCJD is a CJD strain linked to beef consumption.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

The Center for Diseases Control and Prevention information specified that classic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a "human prion disease." It is a neurodegenerative syndrome with characteristic both clinical and diagnostic features.

Such a disease is quickly progressive and frequently fatal. Infection with CJD results in death typically within one year of the beginning of the illness.

Essentially, the CDC report specified that CJD is a quickly progressive, often deadly neurodegenerative disorder perceived to be resulting from an "abnormal isoform of a cellular glycoprotein identified as the prion protein.

CJD Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

According to Mayo Clinic, CJD and its strains belong to a broad group of diseases of humans and animals, also called the "transmissible spongiform encephalopathies" or TSEs.

The name comes from the spongy holes, seen under a microscope, that develop in affected tissue of the brain. This disease is marked by quick mental deterioration, typically within a couple of months.

Early indications and symptoms of CJD include memory loss, impaired thinking, personality changes, blindness or blurred visions, difficulty speaking, insomnia, incoordination, and difficulty swallowing, among others.

In a separate report, Mayo Clinic said no existing treatment for CJD or any of its strains remains. Various drugs have been tested, but they have not shown benefits.

For that reason, doctors concentrate on alleviating pain and other symptoms and making people suffering from these diseases as comfortable as possible.

Related information about CJD is shown on Soton Brain Hub's YouTube video below:

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Check out more news and information on Medicine & Health in Science Times.
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP)  Two people were killed and 19 were injured when a van packed with migrants overturned in eastern Serbia, police said Sunday.

Police said the accident occurred late Saturday near the border with Bulgaria and that the Serb driver of the vehicle was arrested on suspicion that he illegally smuggled the migrants into Serbia.
JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel on Sunday approved giving the COVID-19 vaccine to children between the ages of 5 and 11.

The Health Ministry decision follows approval by U.S. health authorities earlier this month to OK the vaccine for the same age group.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden will announce steps Monday to improve public safety and justice for Native Americans during the first tribal nations summit since 2016, the White House said.

Leaders from more than 570 tribes in the United States are expected to join the two-day event, with nearly three dozen addressing the gathering. The summit is being held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected Native Americans and Alaska Natives at disproportionate rates.

Biden and first lady Jill Biden are set to speak on Monday, with Vice President Kamala Harris to follow on Tuesday. Several members of Biden's Cabinet will also participate.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the summit coincides with National Native American Heritage Month and is being hosted by the White House for the first time. The summit was not held during the previous Trump administration. Past conferences were held at the Interior Department.

Biden will use the summit to announce steps to improve public safety and justice for Native Americans and to protect private lands, treaty rights and sacred places, Psaki said.

American Indians and Alaska Natives are more than twice as likely to be victims of a violent crime, and at least two times more likely to be raped or sexually assaulted compared to other races, according to the Association on American Indian Affairs.

Since taking office in January, Biden has taken steps several steps that the White House says demonstrate his commitment to tribal nations.

Among them are naming Deb Haaland, a former congresswoman from New Mexico, as t he first Native American to lead the Interior Department, the powerful federal agency that has wielded influence over U.S. tribes for generations. Haaland is a member of the Laguna Pueblo.

Biden's coronavirus relief plan included $31 billion for tribal communities, and the administration also has worked closely with tribal leaders to help make COVID-19 vaccination rates among Native Americans among the highest in the country, the White House said.

Biden also recently became the first president to issue a proclamation designating Oct. 11 as Indigenous People's Day, giving a boost to longstanding efforts to refocus the federal holiday celebrating Christopher Columbus toward an appreciation of Native peoples.

Earlier this year, Jill Biden spent two days in April visiting the Navajo Nation's capital in Window Rock, Arizona.
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A contractor died Friday night at the Valero Benicia Refinery, officials said.

Paul Adler, a spokesperson for Valero, told The Chronicle on Saturday that the contractor died at about 10:30 p.m. Friday.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of death and whether it was work-related, Adler said.

The Solano County Sheriffs Office identified the victim as Luis Gutierrez, 35, of the Los Angeles area. The cause of death was still under investigation as of Sunday morning, said Tenzin Dorji, a coroner investigator.

The Vallejo Sun reported, based on dispatch recordings, that the worker died after falling six stories.

Valero officials are cooperating with the contractor company and local and state agencies, including the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, Adler said.

State health and safety regulators with Cal/OSHA could not immediately be reached for comment for further information.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the contractor and their family during this time of loss, Adler said.

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Roughly 430 employees work at the refinery, which processes crude oils into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and asphalt, according to the refinerys webpage.

Jessica Flores contributed to this report.

Lauren Hernandez and Danielle Echeverria are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com, danielle.echeverria@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByLHernandez, @DanielleEchev
As two dozen police officers stood at attention, the mournful strains of a bagpipe echoed at the corner of Pine and Franklin streets on Saturday night at a memorial for a San Francisco Police Department officer killed at that spot 27 years ago during a horrific gunbattle with a heavily armed carjacking suspect.

The Police Department and his family pay tribute every year to SFPD Officer James Guelff, a 10-year department veteran who left behind two young children and died at age 40.

His children, Landon and Laura, now grown and with children of their own, spoke at the memorial about their fun-loving father. He was rambunctious, always first on the scene, enthusiastic, said Landon Guelff.

Lt. Jason Sawyer, acting captain of the Northern Police Station, where Office Guelff served, also spoke.

He served with bravery, integrity and the type of honor legends are made of, Sawyer said.

The bloody rampage that took Guelffs life wounded another officer, a paramedic and a passerby on Nov. 13, 1994. A small bronze plaque on the sidewalk on the north side of Pine Street marks the location where Guelff fell after firing his service weapon. He was the first officer to respond to a shots fired report at the location.

More for you Business Aims to Give Police More Fire Power

The perpetrator, ex-con Vic Lee Boutwell, was armed with two assault rifles, a Glock handgun, a Colt semiautomatic pistol and an Uzi semiautomatic, and had hundreds of rounds of ammunition. He was wearing a Kevlar armor suit and an armored helmet that allowed him to withstand a half-hour gunbattle with police, until a SWAT team finally shot him to death. The quiet lower Pacific Heights neighborhood was turned into a war zone, with bullet holes riddling nearby buildings.

The tragedy prompted the city to give its police force more powerful weapons and better body armor. It impelled national legislation sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., that banned convicted felons from wearing protective armor, enhanced penalties for violent offenses while wearing protective armor, and required the federal government to give its surplus protective vests to local police agencies. Similar laws were enacted in California and a dozen other states.

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.

Lee Guelff, Officer Guelffs older brother, spent years campaigning to get the legislation enacted.

It is not fair for us to ask you to protect us, and to have you go out there outgunned and out-armored, he said to the assembled officers.

Guelffs kidneys, liver and heart were donated for transplants.

Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: csaid@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @csaid
Someone threw a beer bottle through a window of the Islamic Center of San Francisco late Friday night, police officials and mosque representatives said Saturday.

Police officers with San Francisco polices Ingleside Station responded at about 11:48 p.m. to a report of vandalism of the mosque, police said. The center, which was formed in 1959 and is the first mosque in the San Francisco Bay Area, is located on Crescent Avenue in the citys Bernal Heights neighborhood.

A member of the mosque told police officers that he and other members were inside when they heard the sound of glass breaking, police said.

They went to where they heard the noise and observed a window that had been broken and a bottle that was inside building, police said.

The suspect left the scene on foot after throwing the bottle and shattering the window, police said. Authorities said the suspects motive is unknown at this time, adding that the investigation is still in its early stages. Authorities collected evidence at the scene, police said.

The community is shaken, said Shahbaz Shaikh, 30, a religious scholar and one of the mosques board of directors, but added the center has already received an outpouring of support and outreach from its neighbors. Members appreciate messages reiterating that the mosque is an important part of the community, he said.

I wish we could reach out to whoever did it and kind of educate them on who we are, and what we represent, Shaikh said. We actually invite this individual to have a dialogue and have a conversation as human beings.

A donation page set up by the mosque says, This act of hate will not shake ICSF, we have been part of San Francisco since the 1950s and will continue to remain here working for the community.

Shaikh told The Chronicle on Saturday that he rushed to the mosque when he received a call from members about the incident.

Broken glass was strewn on the floor, beer was spilled on the mosque carpet, and the window was shattered, Shaikh said. Mosque members swept the glass, and center representatives have since cordoned off the area where the alcohol stained the carpet, Shaikh said.

We have to modify how we pray, so there is going to be less space for our prayers now, until we get that area cleaned off, Shaikh said.

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Shaikh, who has attended the mosque since he was a child, said that there might have been isolated incidents of vandalism in the past, but does not believe the mosque has been vandalized in a very, very long time. Just hours before the vandalism, Shaikh said members had been gathered in the mosque to discuss the centers Islamic education school and the importance of having a religious education.

Mosque officials are asking the community for donations to help pay for the cost of replacing the window and upgrading their outdated security camera system, pointing to blurry, pixelated video that captured the incident.

We want to kind of fortify our security around the mosque, to make everyone feel comfortable, Shaikh said.

Anyone with information about this incident should call San Francisco polices tip line at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.

Lauren Hernandez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByLHernandez
Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

A woman who was shot on Lakeshore Avenue along Lake Merritt in Oakland early Thursday morning has died, police officials said Saturday.

The victim, identified only as a 22-year-old woman, was shot shortly before 12:30 a.m. Thursday, Oakland police said. Patrol officers responded to a report of a shooting on the 1400 block of Lakeshore Avenue, at the southwest side of the lake, and administered first aid until she was taken to a local hospital by medical personnel, police said.
Among the coronavirus pandemics most frightening features is that a brush with COVID-19, however mild, pushes survivors into a dangerous lottery: They recover within weeks or stay ill, perhaps for a very long time.

Unpredictable to doctors and confounding to researchers, long COVID syndrome can saddle patients with deep fatigue, scramble their thinking and rob them of breath or the sense of smell. Those are just the most common long-term complaints. The National Institutes of Health calls the syndrome a public health priority and is pouring millions of research dollars into learning more about this medical mystery.

Vaccines have brought hope because few fully vaccinated people get COVID in the first place. (A new study of more than 4 million vaccinated people in Washington state showed fewer than 1% infected with the coronavirus.)

Yet early research into breakthrough cases, in which vaccinated people become infected, hints that persistent COVID symptoms do not fully vanish, although problems are milder and far less frequent than for unvaccinated people.

Long COVID is down, but not out, said Dr. Lekshmi Santhosh, who co-directs a UCSF clinic set up last year to treat such patients.

The situation for unvaccinated people with COVID-19 is much more dire. A Stanford analysis of dozens of research projects reported in May that more than 70% said they had at least one lingering symptom of their illness that lasted for months.

As COVID-19 appears destined to dig itself permanently in among the worlds endemic diseases, a vaccinated persons risk of getting sick and suffering persistent symptoms remains statistically unclear. But the current rise in coronavirus cases across California  a trend that may worsen through the holidays  serves as a warning that long COVID remains a threat to everyone.

Two early studies so far have identified ongoing symptoms in people who got COVID after being vaccinated.

In the first, seven vaccinated health care workers offer a clue that long COVID will remain a threat, even in a mostly vaccinated world. The small study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, looked at nearly 1,500 vaccinated health care workers in Israel. Of the 39 with breakthrough infections  traced to unvaccinated people  seven reported symptoms lasting at least six weeks: loss of smell, cough, fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath or muscle pain.

Notably, the researchers say their study covered December 2020 through April 2021  before the more contagious delta variant took hold.

In the second study, U.K. researchers analyzed breakthrough cases among hundreds of thousands of adults who reported symptoms through a COVID-reporting app. The researchers concluded that the odds of having COVID symptoms lasting beyond four weeks drops by about half if the person became infected after the second vaccine dose, instead of after the first.

This result suggests that the risk of long COVID is reduced in individuals who have received double vaccination, according to the study published Sept. 1 in the medical journal the Lancet.

But the risk is not zero, and that study also was conducted before delta took hold, from December 2020 through July 4, 2021.

Delta makes the COVID gamble that much more perilous, Dr. Bob Wachter, chair of the UCSF Department of Medicine, tweeted in July. Despite being fully vaccinated, he said, he did not want to get this disease.

Among his reasons: Im not certain that a mild Delta breakthrough case cant lead to Long Covid.

Last month, the World Health Organization narrowed the definition of long COVID in an effort to guide researchers, doctors and patients themselves.

The agency said that long COVID, or post COVID-19 condition, usually begins within three months after a probable or confirmed coronavirus infection, and that symptoms last at least two months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis.

Since May 2020, UCSFs long COVID clinic has seen more than 400 patients  but the numbers have been tapering as more people have been vaccinated, said Santhosh, its co-director.

Every day, my clinic is filled with patients who say they regret not taking the vaccination, she said.

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Others have gotten shots, become infected with a breakthrough case of COVID  and suffered from ongoing symptoms. But those can often be explained by an alternative diagnosis, particularly among patients hospitalized with severe disease. Fatigue and brain fog, for example, may be the fault of post-ICU or post-hospital syndrome  not necessarily long COVID  and are common among people admitted for more than a brief stay.

But nonhospitalized people with breakthrough COVID and persistent symptoms have also shown up in the UCSF pulmonology clinic, where Santhosh is a lung expert.

We have seen some patients who still have persistent symptoms after (breakthrough) infection, she said. And this has varied in duration. Overall, we are all still learning much more about our patients who are in this situation.

Whats missing, eight months after vaccines became widely available, is good data about how people with breakthrough infections experience long COVID, said Dr. Linda Geng, co-medical director of Stanford Medicines long COVID clinic.

But clues about what to expect with COVID are found by looking at other common viruses that can cause long-term medical consequences, Geng said. Such viruses include Epstein-Barr, a type of herpes, which can cause mononucleosis and other illnesses; human papilloma, which can lead to cancer; and West Nile, which can cause memory and balance problems.

So it is very likely that if COVID stays, I suspect that we will continue to see long COVID as well, because of the patterns of other viruses, Geng said.

And few experts expect COVID to vanish anytime soon.

Eventually, everyone will be exposed, said Dr. Abraar Karan, an infectious disease expert at Stanford, noting that even a small study like the one in Israel suggests that vaccines, while excellent, will not eliminate long COVID.

And because it is an entity we dont fully understand, I would not underestimate the long-term effects, he said of this virus. We must tread carefully for now.

Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov
Californians obsess about the sheer number of people leaving our state. But maybe we should worry more about the quality of these departures.

Californians are supposed to dream big. So why do their ambitions get so small when they head for the exits?

So, enough with vamoosing to vapid Vegas subdivisions. Cool down before you sign a lease in hot Phoenix. Think twice before making a down payment on a hurricane-damaged house in Houston. If youre going to depart a state as fabulous as ours, why not make your leaving a fantastic triumph?

Amon and Christina Browning can show you how.

Two years ago, entering their 40s, the Brownings retired and left the state with their two teenage daughters. Their destination: Portugal, one of the few places on Earth that offers a lifestyle to rival Californias and at a much lower price.

The Brownings documented their move on their YouTube channel, Our Rich Journey, fueling fantasies of flight among Californians, including this columnist. So I reached out to the couple, who remain proud Californians. To repurpose Shakespeare, nothing was ever so Californian as their leaving it.

Amon, an urban planner, and Christina, a lawyer, met at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Christina, who moved here from Iowa at 7, grew up in Stockton. Amon grew up in Oakland and the East Bay; for one stretch of his childhood, his family was homeless.

Growing up without wealth made the Brownings take finances seriously. And when  after stints in San Diego, Spain and Japan  they returned to the Bay Area a decade ago, they embraced the FIRE movement (Financial Independence Retire Early) and made a plan to retire in 10 years.

To achieve it, they saved relentlessly (socking away 70% of their income), added income through side hustles (like driving for Uber and Lyft), and bought rundown homes in the Bay Area, fixing them up as they lived in them, and then selling them. They hit their financial target two years early.

I dont think we would have been able to make as much money and be as successful on our journey if we werent in California, says Amon.

If they were going to stay in the United States, they would have remained in California. But their money could go further elsewhere, and they knew they wanted to live overseas.

Portugal offered similarly amazing weather but with less crime (its the worlds third-safest country). Lisbon also tops rankings of the best cities for raising children, and the Brownings say schools there feel more welcoming and community-oriented than American high schools. Portugal is healthier, too, with an average lifespan four years longer than Americas and cheap universal health care. Amon and Christina have marveled at how their neighbors embraced COVID vaccinations, making Portugal one of the most vaccinated countries.

And the housing is much cheaper. After renting for a year to study the market and establish residency, they bought a house on Portugals central coast, not far from the beach, for 190,000 Euros (about $220,000). Their place would cost more than a million back home in the Bay Area.

Even as they grow their YouTube channel, sell online classes on finance and make media appearances, including on CNBC and Good Morning America, the Brownings are enjoying retirement. They have more time and energy for their children, for themselves, and for inexpensive trips around Europe.

Its this very relaxed environment, peace of mind  you dont feel like youre looking over your shoulder, says Christina.

The Brownings are African American, and their friends back home often ask how race is shaping their European experience. Their answer is that they feel comfortable and connected; Lisbon and other bigger cities are highly diverse, with many Black people from Africa and elsewhere in Europe.

When Im in California, when Im in the United States, I have to be conscious of race wherever I go, says Amon. Ive never had a problem here, or a bad interaction with people here.

Life in Portugal isnt perfect. Learning Portuguese is harder than they thought (they speak some Spanish, and the similarities between the two languages can make things more confusing). And they miss family, friends and their home states unmatchable culinary diversity (especially Mexican and Chinese food).

The Brownings say they love California, and will continue to visit as much as possible. They could eventually become bicoastal, splitting their time between the west coasts of Portugal and the Golden State.

We couldnt see ourselves living in any other state, Christina says. We positioned ourselves where we could leave, experience what its like in another place, and then go back if we couldnt handle being away from California.

After all, the perfect California departure is one that leaves the door open for a return.

Joe Mathews writes the Connecting California column for Zocalo Public Square.
The recent 8-3 vote by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to reject turning a valet parking lot at 469 Stevenson St. into a 495-unit apartment building has been cast by some as a victory in the fight against gentrification. Many have cited the tenuous housing state of some residents in the SoMa community as justification for opposing the project.

It is important that we hear the concerns of marginalized communities who fear displacement, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman tweeted in explaining his vote to reject the development.

As leaders of the Mid-Market Coalition, a collective of 11 resident-led and resident-serving organizations representing South of Market and the Tenderloin, we certainly agree that listening to the input of our community is essential for any project in our neighborhoods.

And yet thats not what happened with 469 Stevenson.

Our voice was consistently minimized in the conversation about the proposed development, undermining a years-long effort by community members of SoMa and the Tenderloin to bring new benefits to our neighborhoods.

While some members of the Board of Supervisors and TODCO, the housing nonprofit that appealed the project, have tried to recast the narrative as the development not having community support, that is simply not true. Our respective organizations represent a diverse group of SoMa and Tenderloin residents, including members of the Filipino American, BIPOC and LGBTQ communities. We spent years working closely with District Six Supervisor Matt Haney, who represents area, as he actively engaged with SoMa and Tenderloin residents on this project.

Since 2018, the projects sponsors have done substantial community outreach with the Mid-Market Coalition and others and engaged in a productive dialogue. As part of those discussions, a community benefits agreement was negotiated and signed by resident-led organizations and active community members, giving voice to the neighborhood and its priorities. These robust benefits would have included two community-dedicated spaces on the ground floor of the building at significantly reduced or free rent, over $500 thousand in funding for community programs, a parcel of land for future affordable housing and additional funding for: arts that recognize SoMas Filipino American community, local employment and a program for unhoused folx. The project would have created over 100 units of much-needed affordable housing, with apartments large enough to house families and multigenerational households.

For years, the coalition took a collaborative and inclusive approach to this project, with an open invitation to community partners, including those who supported the appeal, to participate in a dialogue with the project sponsors. TODCO, the project appellant, was invited to meet with us and the project sponsor many times and chose not to come to the table.

And thats a shame, because this project would bring incredible benefits to our neighborhood.

The truth is that this project is not going to displace a single resident, and it will not gentrify Sixth Street, as there are robust protections for the existing buildings that safeguard them from market speculation. Most of the single-occupancy room hotels on Sixth Street between Market and Howard streets are rent-controlled and managed or owned by nonprofits. Two large affordable housing developments are within the projects vicinity (Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporations 1036 Mission Family Housing and Mercy Housings Bill Sorro Community at Sixth and Howard). Another affordable housing project by Mercy will open on Mission between Sixth and Seventh streets.

What this community needs now is more resources to improve the lives of its residents.

Sixth Street has been neglected for decades. We have asked for support in revitalizing this area, yet nothing has changed. It remains one of the most dangerous areas for pedestrians in the city, and residents continue to complain about sanitation and crime. We need more community-serving spaces and programs for the people living there now, all of which can be funded through the community benefits agreement.

A resident-led and community-centered approach can create the change this neighborhood needs. And now is the time to do it.

We believe that the Board of Supervisors vote should amplify residents voices, not erase them from the public dialogue. City officials, especially those who dont represent the district they are weighing in on, should find ways to engage with residents themselves when considering our needs. That engagement should be proactive from the start, not a last-minute blindside after years of hard work has already taken place.

We also call upon supervisors to advocate and build more affordable housing in their own districts. It should be the responsibility of all districts to build affordable housing, not just the SoMa and Tenderloin neighborhoods.

If an approved project, proposed by a San Francisco-based developer, with a substantial affordable component, a comprehensive environmental analysis, a community benefits agreement and extensive community outreach cant get built, then what will?

Lorenzo Listana is the founder of the Tenderloin Filipino-American Community Association. Freddy Martin is co-chair of SoMa Neighborhood Residents Council. Chriselle Raguro is executive director of the Filipino Community Development Corporation. Together, they co-lead the Mid-Market Coalition.
Max Steiner didnt need to see Terry McAuliffe whacked in the Virginia governors race to learn that Democrats have problems connecting with rural voters. Hes living the dream every day as a Democrat running in Californias most rural  and conservative  House district.

How conservative is Californias District One? Represented by cowboy-boot-wearing Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa since 2013, its a massive swath that includes 11 thinly populated counties in the northeastern part of the state where 8 in 10 voters are white and 22% graduated from college.

Last year, Donald Trump won 56% of the vote there. Last month, on the day that thousands of students in the district walked out to protest vaccine mandates, LaMalfa, whose four children are homeschooled, told an anti-vax rally in Redding that no vax is going to be forced on my kid.

And last week, the Oroville City Council declared itself a constitutional republic city  legal scholars are still scratching their heads over what that means  so it wouldnt have to obey any federal or state (read: COVID-related) mandates it didnt like.

Steiner estimates that 99% of the district voted to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom. Or at least it sounds like that from the working-class white voters voters hes been talking to at farmers markets and elsewhere across the district. (Actually, anywhere from 55% to two-thirds of voters in most counties in the district backed booting Newsom.)

They think hes a pretty boy, Steiner, 35, said. Or that hes too nice to PG&E, which is a conversation-ender in a region where wildfires have taken so many lives and homes.

But Steiner said he isnt ending the conversation just because hes running against conservative caricatures of Newsom and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi almost as much as he is against LaMalfa. The first part of his strategy in overcoming the D next to his name on the ballot: Dont try arguing with voters or winning an intellectual argument.

Instead, start by showing up. And listening.

I think the real issue is that Democrats dont pay very much attention to what motivates rural voters, Steiner said.

So he said he leans in on local issues, like the need to better care for forests.

Everyone knows the forests are a problem, Steiner told me. So you say, Democrats are the party that spends money. Vote for a Democrat. Give me a chance to show you what I can do spending money on the forest.

He describes himself as a pro-gun Democrat and thinks the way California regulates guns is crazy.

When voters ask where he stands on issues that are real on Fox News but not in reality  like the teaching of critical race theory  Steiner doesnt counter with research from the California School Boards Association (There is no evidence that CRT is widespread in K-12 education). Instead, he says, I want school kids to be proud of their country, but I also want them to know that slavery was terrible, we killed a lot of Native Americans and we locked up U.S. citizens in World War II.

Hes an Army veteran who volunteered after the Sept. 11 attacks and saw combat in Iraq. He returned home, got a degree from UC Berkeley (OK, so that doesnt help woo rural conservatives) and joined the State Department, (ditto) and served in Honduras and Mexico.

No, Steiner isnt some godsend of a candidate who has MSNBC swooning. He hasnt run for office before and only recently moved to Chico, which is in the district. Hes not only new to politics, hes new to being a Democrat. He was an independent who joined the party after watching the Jan. 6 insurrection against the Capitol and became incensed with how Republicans like LaMalfa have continued to march in lockstep with Trump.

Just as its not much about my policies, its not as much about LaMalfas he said. He said he tells voters that Doug is a 20-year-politician. I get it, youre a Republican. But hes sad and low-energy. Im a combat veteran.

That line, (told) with a smile and a wink, is gold, Steiner wrote to me in a note after we spoke. The key is to speak their language (low-energy) and come across as super patriotic.

No national political prognosticator predicts that LaMalfa will lose  and those predictions are unlikely to change no matter how this district shifts after redistricting. But Steiner had a solid early few months of fundraising, pulling in $193,090, not much less than the $274,099 that LaMalfa collected. Then again, Democrat Audrey Denney raised $2.4 million last year  twice as much as LaMalfa  and lost by 14 points.

Its not about the money Democrats spend in rural districts. Just ask the parade of Democrats whom GOP Rep. Tom McClintock has stared down over the past dozen years in Californias other massive rural district, which includes parts of 10 counties from Truckee to Fresno and is similar demographically to LaMalfas. Last year, Democrat Brynne Kennedy raised $3 million, $1 million more than McClintock. She lost by 12 points.

Every two years I hear from the latest Democrat who explains how theyll beat McClintock. They talk about how McClintock was a carpetbagger who represented a Southern California district while in the Legislature in the 1980s before moving north to run for Congress. About how he was dubbed Dr. No in the Legislature for seemingly voting no on everything  even measures from Republicans. About how he rails on government spending  yet has spent much of the last four decades working for state and federal government.

Voters yawn. McClintock wins again.

But Kermit Jones sounds different from McClintocks previous opponents and not just because he speaks in the soothing, measured tones of a trusted doctor  which is his day job. His patients call him Dr. Kermit.

He was a Navy surgeon who served in Iraq after being inspired to serve by the Sept. 11 attacks and spent time in the Obama White House as a health policy fellow after his return. He has never served in public office, but has received both law and medical degrees from Duke University, which he predicted, with a laugh, that McClintock will use to portray him as part of the pointy-headed elite.

He has worked in the district since 2017 and his family has lived there since July, but hes rooted in rural values. He was born just outside of Chicago; his family moved to a farm in rural Michigan shortly after he was born. So he learned how to handle a gun, slaughter animals and chop wood at a young age. If I didnt grow up on that farm, Jones, 45, told me, I wouldnt be the person I am.

He wants to use his medical and policy expertise to help lower the cost of health care and prescription drugs for rural voters. Jones favors a public option, which enables recipients to buy into Medicare, much like President Biden does. Politically, he compared his approach to rural voters to how he would talk to a patient who was late to an appointment. Instead of browbeating them, he tries to understand their perspective.

Maybe they had to drop their kid off to school and there was traffic or some other issue, he said. If he were more pedantic, how far do you think Im going get in terms of really trying to change their behavior for the better?

So far, hes connecting on a fundraising level, pulling $314,095 in just a couple of months of campaigning compared to McClintocks $517,921 haul over the whole year. If elected, Jones would be the first Black man to represent California in Congress in more than two decades. Collective PAC, which supports Black candidates, has endorsed him, as has Vote Vets, which backs military veterans. (Steiner is still very much on the groups radar a Vote Vets spokesmen told me, noting that the organization rolls out its endorsements over several months.)

Jones is adamant about focusing the race on the voters in his district  and not making the campaign about McClintock or Pelosi or any other Washington politician.

The reason?

They have the best insurance in the world; they have pensions, Jones said. Meanwhile, a lot of the people in my district have neither of those.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli
Asha Kreimer had been awake for five straight days when she arrived at the Rollerville Cafe in Mendocino County for breakfast.

Kreimer, then 26, was in the midst of a severe mental health incident. The night before, her concerned boyfriend and friends took her to a local hospital for treatment. Due to her erratic behavior, she was put under a psychiatric hold, known as a 5150 in California, for three hours before the hospital released her back to the care of her companions. Her mother, Jeannie Kremier, says that there is a history of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in Asha Kreimers family, and that she appeared to be showing signs of a sudden psychotic event.

Although she was able to present herself calmly enough to hospital staff to secure her release, Jeannie Kreimer says Asha again began acting out of character once back at the home she shared with her boyfriend in Albion. She allegedly attempted to run away from the home multiple times and obsessed over having killed a neighbor who she had never harmed. She also tried to jump out of a moving vehicle.

On the morning of Monday, Sept. 21, 2015, Kreimers friends thought a trip to her favorite breakfast spot in Point Arena might help to comfort her. Kreimer, her boyfriend and a friend got in the car, then drove down Highway 1 to the cafe. Sometime between 10:30 and 11 a.m., Kreimer said she needed to use the bathroom and left the table.

Google Street View

Peoples statements all vary, but the end result is that she went missing at that time, Jeannie Kreimer said in a 2020 Facebook live. Everyone's recollection of that event has a little bit of a different scenario to it. However, going to the restroom was the initiating movement of her from the table, and then she wasnt seen after that.

Six years later, investigators and loved ones are no closer to finding Asha Kreimer.

Kreimer was born in Hawaii and raised in Australia. A few years prior to her disappearance, she moved to San Francisco, but, like so many people, she left the city after finding it out of her price range. She and a boyfriend moved to Mendocino County, where they lived with a number of pets. (Many online retellings of her disappearance fixate on the fact one of her dogs also went missing on the same day, but her mother has chalked this up to coincidence.)

The Charley Project/Handout

In the days after she walked out of the restaurant, there were a number of unverified sightings. According to Jeannie Kreimer, Asha was seen a few hours later at a Gualala store in the company of a young man with sandy hair. She also claims her daughter was seen at a nearby beach with the same unidentified man. Ive had positive sightings of Asha all throughout the area, she said in 2020.

The cliffs near the Point Arena Lighthouse are less than a mile from the cafe, but ground and aerial searches did not find Kreimer. A jacket was discovered in the area; some believe that it is Kreimers, although the friend who accompanied her to the restaurant said she wasnt wearing a jacket at that time. Kreimers boyfriend told the Independent Coast Observer shortly after her disappearance that he felt law enforcement wasnt searching hard enough; a spokesperson for the Mendocino County Sheriffs Office said at that time Kreimer may be voluntarily missing. Although she is considered at risk, law enforcement have never said she was a victim of foul play and her boyfriend was cleared of any suspicion.

Kreimers mother believes that her untreated mental illness may have prompted her to start a new life somewhere in the state; Kreimer left behind her identification and phone. Jeannie Kreimer flies from Australia to California every few months to put up missing posters in the Mendocino area. Those flyers caught the attention of Netflix producers, who interviewed Kreimer for the 2018 true-crime docuseries Murder Mountain. Although that show focuses on violence related to marijuana farms in Humboldt County, the mention of Ashas case turned it into a staple of true crime podcasts and unsolved case forums. (One weird fact, however, is that Kreimers neighbor at the time, Loral Eddie Pratt Ryan, is also missing. He hasnt been seen since 2018, although there is no indication their cases are related.)

The Charley Project/Handout

"Mendocino County Sheriff's Office investigators have continued to follow up on any leads regarding missing person Asha Kreimer, who would be 31 years old now, department detective Luis Espinoza said in a statement. The Sheriff's Office continues to ask for anyone with information concerning recent potential sightings of her or information concerning her disappearance to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office at our dispatch number of 707-463-4086 or the MCSO tipline at 707-234-2100."

Asha Kreimer is 5-foot-10 and biracial, with brown hair and brown eyes. She has an Australian accent, a gap between her front teeth and a red triangle tattoo on her right wrist.
AP Photo/KTVU-TV

Lakireddy Bali Reddy, one of the most infamous landlords in the Bay Area, died Monday. He was 84.

Anyone who has tried to rent in Berkeley in the last 30 years has likely encountered a property owned by Reddy. Reddy moved from India to pursue chemical engineering at UC Berkeley in the 1960s, but in 1975 opened Pasand Madras Indian Cuisine in the city's downtown. With the successful restaurant, he was able to begin acquiring the properties that would make up his real estate empire.
Andrew D./Yelp

Venticello Ristorante, a popular Italian restaurant perched on top of San Franciscos Nob Hill, is closing after 29 years, citing challenges related to the pandemic and its subsequent impact on tourism in the city, the San Francisco Chronicle first reported. (SFGATE and the San Francisco Chronicle are both owned by Hearst but operate independently of one another.)

The two-level restaurant located on Taylor Street initially shuttered in March 2020 amid the citywide shelter-in-place order. It largely depended on business from out-of-town visitors staying at the historic Mark Hopkins and Fairmont hotels nearby, as well as locals attending shows at the Masonic. Co-owners Mike and Christina Deeb, who also run Nob Hill Cafe, told the Chronicle they had no choice but to vacate the space last summer.
LIBERTY, Mo. (AP)  A 20-year-old man has been charged with killing his mother in a Kansas City suburb.

The Clay County Prosecutor's Office charged Austin Little with second-degree murder and armed criminal action after he was arrested late Friday night.

Liberty, Missouri police responded to reports of a man being out of control in a neighborhood around 11:45 p.m. Friday. When officers arrived, they found 46-year-old Jill Little, of Liberty, dead inside her home. Investigators determined she was a victim of a homicide.

The Kansas City Star reports that deputies from the Clay County Sheriff's Department helped police search the area for Little's son, Austin Little, who fled the home before officers arrived.

Austin Little was arrested several blocks away from his mother's home in the neighborhood. Authorities say Austin Little is being held in lieu of $1 million bond.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  He waited 15 hours at Kabul International Airport, among thousands of people, hoping to escape Afghanistan with his life.

Jostling for his place among a crowd of strangers, the Afghan, at least, had someone on his side: An ex-U.S. military contractor in Louisiana who stayed on the phone through the night with his tired, desperate friend and former interpreter.

Finally, the Afghan made it through Abbey Gate, a main entryway into the airport, and onto a plane.

It was like you were in a hell, and then youre going to paradise, the former interpreter said in a recent phone interview.

He was stunned to learn later of the suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. troops and at least 60 Afghans near the same airport gate just six hours after his plane left.

For safety reasons and to follow the policies of Catholic Charities of Baton Rouge, which helped resettle the Afghan in Louisiana, pseudonyms will be used to name the two men in this story: Adam for the refugee and Sam for the friend who helped rescue him.

A PATH TO SAFETY

Sam worked in Afghanistan for four years with a contractor hired by the U.S. State Department. Adam was the interpreter who bridged the language barrier for Sam and others.

The two men stayed in touch regularly since Sam returned to the states several years ago, sharing news about their families and how they were getting on.

Then, Sam said, in August came a different kind of communication. He calls me and says the Taliban were marching to Kabul, Sam said.

Sam began a frantic letter-writing campaign to Congress members and President Joe Biden.

Adam was in danger.

After learning English at an early age from an American neighbor in Afghanistan and then continuing his studies at a private English-language school, Adam became an interpreter for the military contractor.

He had gone on to work in Kabul as a diplomat for the Afghanistan government to the U.S. embassy when things changed dramatically this past summer, as the Taliban took control of the country while American troops pulled out.

The situation got worse and worse, Adam said. His longtime friend in Louisiana, though, always encouraged me, he added.

By Aug. 25, Adam said, the situation in his homeland became so bad that he fell in despair.

I was hopeless, he said.

Adam spoke to Sam, who told him to drive to the airport in Kabul.

Emboldened by his friends support, Adam fled.

He arrived at the airport by about 10 p.m. on Aug. 25. Some 15 hours passed before he made it onto a plane.

Sam stayed on the phone with him throughout.

It was very dangerous and terrible, Adam said. He was telling me Im going to make it.

And he did.

A WORLD AWAY

With a host of other escapees on the plane, Adam first went to Kuwait, then to Spain.

He traveled next to Fort Bliss, New Mexico. After a 40-day stay, he boarded a plan for the final leg of his journey to Louisiana.

Sam became his sponsor and helped him find housing when Adam arrived in late October.

Adam secured a Special Immigrant Visa, one created by Congress to protect Afghan allies who aided U.S. troops.

He said hes waiting on additional paperwork and, when it arrives, will begin his job hunt.

Sams letter-writing campaign, after he found out Adam was in trouble in Afghanistan, got one response  but it turned out to be an important one.

It came from Congressman Mike Johnson, who represents Louisianas 4th Congressional District.

Sam said Johnson  and one of the lawmakers employees in particular  moved mountains.

The employee sent cables to diplomatic channels in Afghanistan and to military contacts.

Adam said that when he was at the Kabul airport on Aug. 25, pressed in by crowds of people, he was waving his documents in the air and calling out the name of Rep. Mike Johnson.

Suddenly a U.S. soldier just looked at my documents, Adam said.

The soldier, possibly a Louisianan who recognized Johnsons name, started nodding his head, Yes! Yes! Adam said.

That moment of recognition became Adams ticket out.

Fortunately, I could get inside the airport, he said.

It was a very happy moment.
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AP)  In the town square recreation area in Aman Omid Village on Holloman Air Force Base, children and parents play in the cool mid-morning early November weather.

Near the outdoor recreation area is the Womens Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center where girls and women dance the Attan, Afghanistans national dance. Nearby other women crochet and watch over children who color and are entertained by a Bollywood movie.

This is how Afghan refugees living on Holloman air Force Base pass the time while they await resettlement, the Alamogordo Daily News reported.

The refugees  Task Force Holloman call them guests  live in the tent city on the base that just months ago was desert full of scrub brush. From that desert, base staff and the refugees themselves created Aman Omid Village  a name which the villages governor Col. Curtis Velasquez said expresses what each person there is searching for: Peace and hope.

Velasquez said the village is this generations Ellis Island, the immigration inspection station in New York Harbor that was active between 1892 and 1954. The residents of Aman Omid Village do not leave until they are ready to fly out to their resettlement location.

Since Aug. 31, Holloman Air Force Base has been hosting a rolling average of about 4,500 Afghans. The number changes due to the nature of the resettlement process.

The team of Americans who collaborate with the Afghan refugees on the base is a multi-departmental group known as Task Force-Holloman, which is made up of service members, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. State Department and the Department of Defense.

The collective efforts here of DHS, Department of State and (Department of Defense) are focused in on one simple goal, and that is the successful resettlement of each and every Afghan guest that we have under our care, Matt McKeehan of the Department of Homeland Security said. McKeehan is the federal coordinator for Operation Allies Welcome on Holloman Air Force Base.

McKeehan said resettlement begins with processing, reception, feeding, safety, security, cultural orientation, training and education of each person in the village.

Adults and children are taught English and take courses on cultural orientation. They learn about Daylight Savings Time and the history of Thanksgiving Day, concepts that are everyday to Americans. When hungry they can access two mess halls that serve halal food and drinks. Children are given toys donated by Toys for Tots  choosing between child-sized guitars and Minnie Mouse plush dolls.

___

A bad nightmare: Bibis story

To protect the Afghan refugees staying on Holloman Air Force Base, they are not photographed or fully identified. This includes State Department worker Bibi.

Bibi spoke about her experiences during the fall of Kabul, her journey to Holloman Air Force Base and her plans once she and her family  those who were able to escape Afghanistan  are settled.

It was a really bad experience, Bibi said. It was very rushed. We were crowded and the Taliban was surrounding us.

The Taliban fired on Bibi and her family even as they asked why they were going into the airport, Bibi said.

After four days, Bibi and her family got into the airport but got separated from her father, uncle and cousin who are still in Afghanistan, Bibi said.

The Taliban was hitting us. They were hitting my mom, my aunt and my brother with a gun and with a so-big stick in the right shoulder, Bibi said making the approximate width of the stick with her hands.

Bibi said she and her family were assaulted and then were told no planes were available to take them to the U.S. and that they should leave the airport. A second violent encounter with the Taliban was followed by a three-hour wait for Bibi, her mother, aunt and brother who then managed to enter Kabul Airport, Bibi said.

That was like a bad nightmare, Bibi said. This was the first time I had seen the Taliban.

That was not Bibis mothers first experience with the Taliban.

About 20 years back, Taliban doing the same thing again now with the ladies, they are hitting the ladies now, Bibi said. (The Taliban are hitting) children, even the men who had hairstyles or theyre wearing pants not like Peraahan-Tonbaan, what Afghani wears. Theyre hitting my brother because he was wearing a locket.

When Bibi, her mother, aunt and brother were inside Kabul Airport, they were met by U.S. soldiers who were nice, Bibi said.

They told us, Youre gonna be okay, you are now our citizens. You are becoming an American. We are protecting you from the Taliban. You are good, Bibi said. Now Im just worrying about my dad (my uncle and one of my cousins) because we got separated."

Bibi and her family were taken from Kabul to Qatar, where they stayed for 14 days before heading to Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

Bibi said the experience in Qatar was nice.

The journey to Aman Omid Village had one more hardship when Bibi and her family were at Ramstein Air Base, she said. Her mother was attacked by an Afghan man at the Ramstein Air Base refugee camp, she claimed. Her mother was brushing her hair and had removed her headscarf prior to the attack.

The family stayed in Germany for two months before being transferred to Holloman Air Force Base.

Im very much happy here, Bibi said. Maybe we have a great future in here. Im happy.

Bibi hopes to get her pilots license one day.

___

A shocking incident The parents story

Rohafza Sajid and Yunus Sajid have two small children in Amad Omid Village.

It was a shocking incident happened two months or more before in Afghanistan and no one was expecting to happen, Yunus said. But it happened and we were in unwanted situation.

The U.S. government was helpful to the Sajid family, Yunus said.

However, the process of leaving Afghanistan was fraught with hardships particularly when going through Taliban checkpoints, Yunus said.

It was horrible (when entering the Kabul Airport) and will be remembered always in our minds forever, Yunus said. Finally, we made it and we came to Germany to Ramstein (Air Base) and we spent more than a month there. So, we hopped over and entered the U.S. and finally to our last stop here at Holloman Air Base.

Holloman Air Force Base is the last stop before resettlement for the Afghan refugees staying there.

Aman Omid Village, for all its amenities, is still a tent city.

Its a temporary place so (it has) basic life facilities, Rohafza said. We are hoping to have our final destination; our own house, our own rooms. We are happy for all the facilities they are providing. We dont have so much expectations... Its better than some other places we have heard from our friends.

The situation is a new experience, even for the youth, Yunus said.

(The U.S. government) are trying their best to provide what is necessary or needed but it is not desirable, of course, Yunus said. We hope that we will get out of this situation. This is not a permanent situation.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)  People flying out of the Lincoln Airport are getting their first glimpse at big changes aimed at an improved experience for passengers.

The airports $55 million terminal and renovation project is in full swing.

Gone are gates at both ends of the terminal, with separate security checkpoints. United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, the two carriers that serve the airport, both now have flights departing and arriving on the south end of the terminal, and there is only a single security checkpoint.

For the most part, things have gone smoothly, airport officials told the Lincoln Journal Star.

At times it gets pretty busy in the morning, when multiple flights are leaving at the same time, said Rachel Barth, the airports director of communications and customer engagement.

That can lead to backed-up security lines and few available seats in the gate areas. Barth said there have also been times when the gate areas have gotten really full because of flight delays or cancellations.

The airport also has been seeing more passengers, hitting the 20,000 mark in September for the first time since before the coronavirus pandemic. Though thats still down about 20% from normal pre-pandemic passenger numbers, its about 50% higher than six months ago.

To alleviate crowding, the airport has transitioned its former conference room and administrative offices into an overflow space, adding dozens of extra seats in the secure gate area.

While all flight activity is currently taking place on the south end of the terminal, it will eventually shift to the north end. Thats where work is now occurring to expand the terminal.

As part of the project, the north end of the terminal is being expanded by about 35,000 square feet, expanding the existing terminal by more than 60%. The north end will also be home to all six gates once work is complete.

The work area is mostly off-limits to passengers, other than a temporary hallway constructed to allow people to use the skywalk from the parking garage to access the terminal.

The intent is to keep (the skywalk) open for 99% of the time, said Chad Lay, the airports director of planning and development.

Some other airport services are closed, such as the restaurant. Its space is being turned into the new security screening area.

However, that doesnt mean flyers dont have food options. In fact, they now have something theyve never had before: food and drinks in the gate area.

Last week, the airport completed the move of all concessions and gift items to the secure gate area. Its something most airports, even small ones, have, but its an amenity the Lincoln Airport has never been able to offer because of logistical issues.

Even though the current setup is only temporary, a big part of the terminal improvement project is ensuring that passengers will have concessions options both before they go through security and while they are in the gate area.

In addition to moving all flight operations to the north side of the terminal, consolidating security functions and adding gates, the expansion project also will consolidate airline ticketing areas on the first floor.

The project is scheduled to be substantially complete by sometime late next year, at which point airlines and passengers will start using the new gates. Once that occurs, work will start on the south end of the terminal to reconstruct administrative offices and the board room, which will be enlarged and offered as a free community meeting space for nonprofits, Barth said.

Despite labor and supply chain issues, officials said the project is largely on schedule.

The great thing is, for the most part, we havent had any excessive delays, said David Haring, the airports executive director.

Lincolns Sampson Construction is the construction manager at risk for the project, and both Haring and Lay said the company has done a good job of staying on top of potential issues and keeping work on track.

Haring said that not only have passengers been understanding about the changes to the terminal needed to accommodate the project, the airports two airlines have as well.

Both United and Delta have been extremely cooperative working through those issues, he said.

While passengers have noticed the work up close for a few months, Lancaster County residents will soon get their first look at the bill to pay for it.

The Lincoln Airport Authority voted earlier this year to institute a property tax for the first time since 1986 to pay for the terminal project. The tax takes effect in January and will cost the owner of an average home in Lincoln an extra $17 next year and double that in subsequent years.

Because of the way its bond payments are scheduled, the Airport Authority is using only half of its approved levy in 2022 and plans to use the full levy starting in 2023.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary who holds the purse strings to much of President Joe Bidens $1 trillion infrastructure package, was holding forth with reporters on its impact  the promise of more electric cars, intercity train routes, bigger airports  when a pointed question came.

How would he go about building racial equity into infrastructure?

The 39-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate laid out his argument that highway design can reflect racism, noting that at least $1 billion in the bill will help reconnect cities and neighborhoods that had been racially segregated or divided by road projects.

Im still surprised that some people were surprised when I pointed to the fact that if a highway was built for the purpose of dividing a white and a Black neighborhood ... that obviously reflects racism, he said.

Racial equity is an issue where Democratic priorities and Buttigiegs future align. One of his greatest shortcomings as a White House candidate was his inability to win over Black voters. How he navigates that heading into the 2022 midterms will probably shape the fortunes of Bidens agenda and the Democratic Party, if not his own prospects.

Republicans seeking to exploit the issue pounced on Buttigieg's words.

I heard some stuff, some weird stuff from the secretary of transportation trying to make this about social issues, said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. To me, a road's a road. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz tweeted sarcastically: The roads are racist. We must get rid of roads.

But Buttigieg didn't engage and was off to his next stop, the climate summit in Scotland. There he stood for almost a dozen interviews as he promoted provisions of Biden's bill that would build a network of electric vehicle charging stations. He also engaged with young climate activists and took photos with former President Barack Obama.

On racism in roadways, he said simply: I dont know who it hurts to acknowledge that harm was done and to propose doing something to fix it.

His department later announced it would grant extra discretionary aid to help as many as 20 U.S. communities remove portions of interstates, redesign rural main streets and repurpose former rail lines. That could help places from Syracuse, New York, where many residents back a plan to tear down portions and build a walkable grid, to racially divided areas in New Orleans and St. Paul, Minnesota.

As Biden prepares to sign the infrastructure bill on Monday, eyes are turning to the man still best known as Mayor Pete, a newcomer whose promise of generational change and real-world sensibility of fixing potholes launched him to the top of the early Democratic primary contests during the 2020 campaign.

Quickly endorsing Biden after abandoning the race, Buttigieg now stands to become one of the more powerful brokers in Washington, handling the largest infusion of cash into the transportation sector since the 1950s creation of the interstate highway system.

Armed with that much money and significant latitude in how to spend it, Buttigieg is poised to be the most influential secretary of transportation ever," said Jeff Davis, a senior fellow at the Eno Center for Transportation. The department was founded in 1967.

In all, about $120 billion of the $550 billion in new transportation spending in the bill would come in the form of competitive grants that give Buttigieg discretion in how the money is used.

A separate social spending bill pending in the House would pour billions more dollars into the Transportation Department, which already expects to see its annual budget surge by over 50% to $140 billion.

Its a whole lot of money, says Ray LaHood, a former Republican congressman from Illinois and transportation secretary under Obama, who in comparison presided over the release of $48 billion in transportation money in the 2009 Recovery Act. Since then, LaHood said, major federal investments in transportation have been stagnant, creating pent-up demand for road, bridge and Amtrak projects that can quickly launch.

Its both a boon and challenge to Buttigieg, who revealed in August that he was going to become a dad with husband Chasten. He took several weeks of paternity leave to care for the twins, returning in October as Republicans criticized him for leaving his post. More recently, he juggled time keeping watch over his infant son, who was ill for three weeks and hospitalized for a respiratory illness, while he worked to address national supply chain problems.

When somebody welcomes a new child into their family, and goes on leave to take care of that child thats not a vacation, its work," he said last month. Im not going to apologize.

Starting this week, Buttigieg will join other Cabinet members to pitch the plan around the country.

Look, a lot of this sells itself because communities never needed to be persuaded that their bridge needed to be fixed or that their airport needed an upgrade or that their ports needed investment, Buttigieg said. Theyve been trying to get Washington to catch up to them.

Anthony Foxx, who was Obama's transportation secretary from 2013 to 2017, said a big challenge will be the massive operational details in the department, where Buttigieg is supported by veteran hands. Many programs are new, requiring clear guidelines to states and localities on what they are eligible for and how the money is to be awarded. They will be managing multiple plans with very high dollar figures, creating pressure on administrative staff, Foxx said.

On Sunday, Biden named former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, who oversaw the citys rebuilding effort after it was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, to be a watchdog on the disbursement of the money.

Once many programs are in place, after six to nine months, Foxx said, that's when the magic happens on what to fund and what may not cut the mustard." The winners would come in the form of hundreds of grant announcements for medium-sized road projects that could accelerate into spring 2023 with the first awards for multibillion-dollar bridges, intercity rail and New York's Gateway tunnel.

As a mayor, Buttigieg was attuned to calls to fix roads and potholes. He relished talking about state-of-the-art sewer system. Now that message will be national with the stakes far greater.

The currency of politics is exposure, and hes getting a lot of exposure, said Larry Grisalano, who was Buttigiegs advertising consultant.

At the White House, staff warmly refer to him as Secretary Mayor Pete, and Biden has compared Buttigieg to his late son Beau. The White House celebrated Chastens birthday with cupcakes. Youre the best, man," Biden said after Buttigieg spoke at the White House over the summer.

Yet in a city laden with ambition, Buttigiegs potential to move farther onto the national stage can make him a target.

Nina Smith, Buttigiegs former traveling campaign press secretary, said as Biden's top lieutenant on the bill, Buttigieg has the opportunity to lead an effort to eradicate past injustices." Buttigieg during the 2020 campaign was never able to win over large shares of Black voters.

Thats an added responsibility that I think hes very much aware of and making a central part of the work, said Smith, a Democratic political consultant.

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Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa.
CHICAGO (AP)  A man whose wife was struck and killed by a car being pursued by Chicago police officers will receive $2 million if a city committee approves a proposed settlement over her death.

The Chicago City Councils Finance Committee is set on Monday to consider the settlement involving Julia Lynn Callaway, who was struck so violently in May 2018 her body was thrown 50 feet (15.2 meters) into the air.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Indianapolis-based IntelinAir Inc. sees a big business opportunity in the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to help farmers keep tabs on their fields.

The company, which was founded in 2015 in the Los Angeles area, moved its headquarters to the north side of Indianapolis in August.

Its technology platform, called AGMRI, can analyze high-resolution aerial, satellite and drone imagery, temperature and other data to provide a range of information, including ground and crop temperatures, crop health, drainage problems, weed cover, expected yields and more.

Remote sensing of agricultural operations is nothing new. Farmers have for years hired pilots to take aerial photos of their fields, and more recently satellites and drones have provided other options for visual surveys.

But what sets IntelinAir apart, the company says, is that it uses technology to help farmers make sense of what theyre seeing.

The company was recently named to Data Magazines list of Americas 101 most innovative analytics companies. Data Magazine is owned by the London-based media company Fupping LTD.

And in a signal that investors see value in what IntelinAir is doing, the company landed $20 million in outside funding in September.

Theres really nothing that can replicate what IntelinAir is doing, said board member and investor Doug Hirsh of Glencoe, Illinois, about 20 miles north of Chicago. To date, Hirsh and his family have made three separate investments in the company, including participating in last months round of funding.

As a board member, Im extremely bullish on the future of the company, he said.

Hirsh and his family own more than 10,000 acres of farmland in central Illinois that they lease to farmers. The family has also made investments in more than 30 companies over the years, mostly concentrated in ag tech and multifamily housing.

IntelinAirs goal is to give farmers accurate and timely information that can help them quickly identify and address emerging problems, helping to increase crop yields and profitability.

Using IntelinAir data, for instance, a farmer might see that weeds are emerging in a certain part of a field. The farmer can then apply weed killer to those problem areas rather than spraying the entire field. Or, if an image shows areas of standing water, the farmer might decide to improve the drainage in that section.

Such information can be hard to get without aerial imaging  if a patch of weeds pops up in the middle of a huge field, for instance, the farmer might not notice it until the weeds have spread, creating a much bigger problem.

That ability to pinpoint where the issues are  across thousands of acres, is critical, said IntelinAir co-founder and CEO Al Eisaian. Eisaian, a serial entrepreneur, founded the company along with Naira Hovakimyan, an engineering professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

IntelinAir is currently focused on corn and soybean crops in Indiana and Illinois, and this past growing season, the companys technology was used to monitor nearly 5 million acres of farmland. Next year, the company expects to double that.

To put that into perspective, Indiana farmers planted 11.2 million acres of corn and soybeans in 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Agricultures National Agricultural Statistics Service. Illinois farmers planted 21.6 million acres of those crops.

Most of IntelinAirs customers are agricultural retailers who then offer the IntelinAir service to their own customers. The company also sells services directly to farmers.

Among those customers is Tom McKinney, a seventh-generation farmer who lives in Kempton, a town in western Tipton County. A part of his familys farmland, which operates as McKinney Farms, is in Hamilton County.

He doesnt use the service on his entire acreage but does use it for the more high-risk areas that need closer management.

As familiar as McKinney is with his acreage, he said IntelinAir has helped him learn additional things about my operation that I really didnt even have any idea on.

For example, IntelinAir data revealed that McKinneys ground temperatures varied by as much as 15 degrees in certain spots because of variations in the composition of the soil. That information helped him decide the optimal time to plant corn on different parts of the farm, or whether to sow a more cold-hardy variety of seed in some areas.

The technology also helped him discover an underground drainage pipe he hadnt known existed.

Its just an eye in the sky that sees anything and everything, McKinney said.

Before signing on with IntelinAir, McKinney sometimes used droneswhich fly at a lower altitude. That approach, though, is time-consuming because it takes a drone a lot of passes to capture images for an entire field. Its kind of fun, but it does take you away from other things on the farm.

And hiring a plane is expensive, especially for repeat trips to capture a series of images over time.

During the growing season, IntelinAir sends planes up 13 times to photograph fields. The planes fly every eight days during planting season in May and June, every 15 days in July and August, and one final time in September.

IntelinAir then analyzes the images and pushes the information out to its customers within 24 to 48 hours, giving farmers quick notification about potential problems. Customers can receive the information on desktop computers, iPads or iPhones, and they can compare images of the same field over time to monitor changes.

You can start seeing issues in fields even before you could walk out and see whats going on, said Kevin Krieg, IntelinAirs director of product marketing.

The company started when Eisaian visited the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and met Hovakimyan, who had developed a patented technology for aerial imagery analytics. That technology became the inspiration for IntelinAirs AGMRI platform.

Eisaian had never worked in agriculture before, but he does have experience with big-data startups, all of which were launched in California.

In 2000, he was hired as an executive at LowerMyBills.com, an early-stage startup that helped families lower their monthly expenses by alerting them to local deals on things like cell phone service. He left the company a year later, and in 2005, Dublin-based credit monitoring giant Experian plc acquired LowerMyBills.com for $330 million.

Eisaian next cofounded Integrien Corp., a predictive analytics company that helped businesses manage their information technology systems. In 2010, Silicon Valley-based VMware acquired Integrien for an undisclosed amount.

He then cofounded a mobile apps and analytics company, IconApps Inc., in 2012. That company was acquired by Los Angeles-based venture studio Science Inc. in 2014.

Finding needles in a haystack has been common across all the companies that Ive started, Eisaian said. I just like complex problems.

To develop IntelinAirs technology, the company started by using humans who analyzed a lot of images.

The trained experts looked at aerial photos and identified different features: weed hot spots, variations in crop emergence, areas of poor drainage and the like.

Then, after the experts had created about 1,000 annotated photos, the company sent out scouts to visit the properties and verify that the annotations were correct.

Once the humans work had been verified, it was used to train the technology how to identify the features. Using artificial intelligence, the system then learned to identify the features on new images without human guidance.

Youre trying to teach the AI to discern, to tease out those issues, Eisaian said.

Though the heavy annotation work has already been done, he said, the company still has some reviewers and annotators on staff to deal with possible new problemsthe emergence of new types of weeds, for instance.

Our work will never be done, Eisaian said. A cornfield is not a cornfield is not a cornfield. There is a lot of nuance and particular issues that you need to address.

After two years of development work and some pilot testing, IntelinAir officially launched its technology in 2017.

In 2020, the company ranked 714th on the Inc. 5000 list of Americas fastest-growing private companies, reporting year-over-year revenue growth of 660%.

The company is privately held and doesnt release revenue numbers or customer counts, but it says customers can sign up for a years subscription to IntelinAir for less than $5 per acre. Prices vary depending on whether the farmer is a direct IntelinAir customer or accesses the service through an agricultural retailer.

Eisaian declined to answer directly whether the company has turned a profit, but his response to the questionthat the company is still in the expansion stage and were still spending moneysuggests that it hasnt yet.

One of IntelinAirs challenges, Eisaian said, is that many potential customers dont yet know about the technology or the company. In part, thats because the technology that enables the company to exist is still so new.

Over the past five to seven years, he said, three advancements have coalesced to make companies like IntelinAir possible. The quality of imaging equipment has improved while costs have dropped sharply, cloud computing and data storage costs have come down, and artificial intelligence technology has improved.

We could not do this seven years ago. We could not do this 10 years ago, Eisaian said.

Indeed, a recent survey shows that interest in this type of technology is on the rise.

The 2021 Precision Agriculture Dealership Survey, released in July by the trade publication CropLife and Purdue University, indicates that a growing number of agricultural dealers are offering imagery technology to their customers.

A full 69% of the dealers who responded to the survey said they offer satellite or aerial imagery services, up from 59% in 2017. The figure is predicted to climb to 78% in 2024.

The survey also showed that 44% of dealers offered drone or unmanned aerial vehicle imagery services, up from 32% in 2017. That figure is predicted to climb to 65% in 2024.

People have always been curious to get that birds-eye view, but I think theres more interest now because its easier to get, said John Scott, digital agriculture extension coordinator for the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service.

As the technology improves, Scott said, the platforms are becoming more user-friendly, which makes it more likely farmers will give them a try. The farmers are not computer scientists. They want to find out the information so they can make a decision to benefit their business.

Scott said he is familiar with IntelinAirs technology platform, which he calls fairly unique and competitively priced. Theres a lot of interest in it from the producers Ive engaged with.

One challenge Scott sees in general is that the ag-tech company must convince potential customers that the service is worth the cost.

Folks are willing to pay for somethingif it generates value for their organization, he said.

IntelinAir moved to Indianapolis this summer from California for a couple of reasons, Eisaian said. The company wanted to be closer to its core customer base, and it wanted to tap into the areas pool of talent in both tech and agriculture, especially as the company grows.

If youre in ag tech, there are only about five places you can be, and Indianapolis is at the top of the list, said Eisaian, who moved to Carmel in July.

He sees a lot of potential for growth, both for IntelinAir and for Indianapolis as an ag-tech hub.

I think Indianapolis can truly become the epicenter of AI in ag, Eisaian said. Its not nowbut it can be.

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Source: Indianapolis Business Journal
NATIONAL PARK, N.J. (AP)  Rescue crews from New Jersey and Pennsylvania as well as the U.S. Coast Guard have been searching the Delaware River between the two states for two missing boaters over the weekend.

State police and Coast Guard officials said a 19-foot recreational vessel capsized in the river just before 3 p.m. Saturday, sending three people into the water. One boater was rescued near the former Sunoco Eagle Point Refinery but the others remained missing, officials said.
MAZOMANIE, Wis. (AP)  A woman suspected of stealing a dog from a Mazomanie residence was arrested Sunday and the canine was returned home safely, authorities said.

The Dane County Sheriff's Office says a 13-year-old German shorthaired pointer named Jackson was reported missing Thursday afternoon. There were no signs of forced entry and nothing else was missing from the home, according to the sheriffs office.
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP)  An attack by jihadis on a gendarme post in northern Burkina Faso killed at least 19 officers and one civilian Sunday, the ministry of security said.

The attack took place in Inata town in Soum province, near Burkina Faso's border with Mali, Minister of Security Maxime Kone said on state television.

The post faced a cowardly and barbaric attack, an attack during which our forces, with a lot of dignity and devotion kept their position during the fighting, he said.

Kone told The Associated Press via text message that the death toll was provisional and likely to rise. A soldier, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak to the media, said a military helicopter flying overhead had seen a lot of bodies.

The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents across the conflict-riddled nation, which has been overrun by jihadi groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State for more than five years. Violence by the groups has killed thousands and displaced more than 1.4 million people.

Soum province, one of the epicenters of the violence, has seen an uptick in fighting in recent weeks after months of relative calm, due to negotiations between the national security service and some jihadi groups surrounding last years presidential election.

But since October, explosives have been found outside the main town of Djibo and there has been a resurgence of irregular jihadi checkpoints who force people to show identification and sometimes kidnap them, according to a local government official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he feared for his safety.

The latest attack was a significant blow because the gendarme detachment in Inata was the only one that stood its ground for two years while troops at surrounding bases retreated when jihadi violence escalated, said Heni Nsaibia, senior researcher at the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project.

Unfortunately this two-year stand may today have come to an end, unless measures are taken. I think these regular large-scale attacks which take place on a weekly basis are indicative of the uphill battle that the Burkinabes are facing to effectively regain ground and stabilize a very fragile security situation, he said.

According to a widely circulated internal military report from Nov. 12, the detachment in Inata had been out of supplies for two weeks and nearly starved, surviving by killing animals around the base.

Ill-equipped and undertrained security forces are struggling to stem the violence. Last week in the Sahels Seno province, Goudoubou refugee camp, which housed some 13,000 Malians, was forced to close after a series of security breaches, according to the U.N. An internal U.N. document discussing the security situation in the Sahel and seen by AP, said that despite the security forces best efforts they have not been able to secure the area and are unlikely to moving forward.

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BRISTOL, Wis. (AP)  Authorities are investigating a shooting outside a controversial Bristol strip club early Sunday that police believe left at least one person injured.

The Dane County Sheriff's Office said it responded to Club Bristol at about 12:20 a.m. on reports of people exchanging gunfire in the parking lot.
CHICAGO (AP)  Former U.S. Rep. Harris W. Fawell of Illinois, who served seven terms in Congress and was a state senator, has died. He was 92.

Fawell died of complications from Alzheimers disease Thursday at his home in suburban Naperville, his wife Ruth told The Associated Press on Sunday.

Fawell, a Republican, represented a Chicago-area district in Congress from 1985 to 1999 when he retired. He was known as a fiscal conservative, and spent time on a bipartisan panel that objected to excessive government spending on lawmakers' pet projects.

Family members recall a caring man of quick wit.

He was a loving, honest and intelligent man, his wife of 69 years said. A husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Fawell was born in West Chicago in 1929. He earned a law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law and practiced as an attorney. He was part of a well-known family in DuPage County politics; His late brother, Bruce, was a circuit court judge and his late sister-in-law, Beverly, was a state senator.

Harris Fawell began his Illinois Senate career in 1963, leaving office in 1977 for an unsuccessful Illinois Supreme Court bid.

While he was a Republican, he supported Democrat Barack Obama's presidential bid in 2008 and was one of 30 former GOP members of Congress who in 2016 publicly said they would not vote for Donald Trump.

In later years, Fawell reflected on his work as an elected leader in essays, including for a 2007 volume of Gonzaga University's International Journal of Servant-Leadership.

I have come to believe, after 14 years in our nations government, that eventually we all must learn that we need an ability, indeed, perhaps better referred to as a response-ability, to drop our negative judgments, defensiveness, resentments, hatreds and criticisms that serve only to short-circuit our natural gifts of love, he wrote. We do, indeed, need to remind ourselves constantly that love is the only reality there is and that we are all here to love and serve.

Funeral services were private, according to Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Homes & Crematory in Naperville.

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Follow Sophia Tareen on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiatareen
Tucked within an icy mountain lies a meticulously preserved World War I bunker.

Climate change means we can now see it.

The intact cavern-cum-barracks contains munitions, books, cigarette holders and animal bones, and was once teeming with Austro-Hungarian troops. They staked out on Mount Scorluzzo, almost 3,000 meters above sea level, on the Italian-Swiss border, now part of Italy's Stelvio National Park territory.

"These places were literally frozen in time," Giovanni Cadioli, historian and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Padua told The Washington Post.

Now, he added, climate change was playing a "pivotal role" in their discovery, as warming temperatures have led to the melting of glaciers and permafrost revealing a "time capsule."

Amid the backdrop of the global climate change summit COP26 taking place in Europe, Cadioli underscored that the impressive findings were bittersweet: "We'd really rather not have retreating glaciers."

The artificial caves were made back in 1915 by blowing up parts of the mountain and transforming them into makeshift barracks and shelters to house hundreds of European troops.

The barracks, along with the machine gun emplacements, sheltered walkways and tunnels, were held by Austro-Hungarians who were fighting Italian troops. They vacated their position on 3 November 1918, in line with retreat orders, just days ahead of the Armistice agreement on 11 November, which ended the First World War.

From 1915-18 European soldiers were stationed in the extremely harsh mountain terrain, facing punitive climatic conditions all year long. Ultimately nature, frostbite, falls and avalanches claimed more lives than enemy fire, said Cadioli.

Another barrack on the same mountain was excavated in 2017 after ice melted, revealing an entire wooden superstructure that was disassembled and transported along with 300 artifacts to the town of Bormio, in Lombardy, where it will be on show in a museum to be opened in 2022-2023. This latest barrack has not yet been excavated.

In the cave discovered in 2017, researchers even found frozen mounds of hay that soldiers used to sleep on, containing seeds that were so well preserved that they were put in the sun to dry and later planted. They have now blossomed 100 years on, said Cadioli, in what he called a "heart warming" anecdote.

"Life was preserved even in a place that was really mainly about death," he said.

The aim of the excavations is to secure the area and preserve organic traces conserved in the ice, which through historic and scientific research will shed light on "alpine warfare" and the lives of the soldiers, said Cadioli. The various projects involve around 40 researchers in disciplines such as botanicals, cartography and glaciology and is supported by the Stelvio National Park and Italy's University of Padua.

It's highly likely there are more caves to uncover, Cadioli said, but weather conditions mean researchers can only access the sites from May to October.

He added with excitement that he had felt like "a little Indiana Jones" stumbling upon treasure troves when he examined the barracks. "This is something that historians dream about."
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Police departments across Indiana are sharing in millions of dollars in federal grants intended to help curb reckless driving that's led to an increase in fatal crashes during the pandemic.

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute recently awarded the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department $1.5 million for the effort, Indiana State Police is getting $1 million and nearly 200 other police departments will divvy up a remaining $4 million.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP)  A shortage of teachers, substitutes, paraeducators and other school staff is forcing educators to come up with creative ways to meet the needs of students and find more workers.

On the Iowa job board for schools, over 250 education job openings are posted in the Cedar Rapids area alone. Several Eastern Iowa educators say their districts are ramping up recruiting efforts amid a shrinking pool of possible applicants, enacting financial incentives or cutting into teacher prep time to maximize capacity.

To be sure, kids are still doing great things, needs are being met and there are great adults showing up for them every day, said Cedar Rapids Community School District Superintendent Noreen Bush, who said that teachers indeed are taxed to make it happen.

There are just not enough of them  particularly in areas like teaching special education and advanced classes  and the ongoing shortage of substitute teachers has only been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the Cedar Rapids district, some administrators, principals and classroom teachers are substitute teaching on top of their other responsibilities. John Rice, executive director of teaching and learning, for instance, substitute taught last month at Wilson Middle School. Some teachers are giving up their prep  time they get to prepare lessons, grade assignments and do other non-teaching tasks  to help cover a class if a substitute is not available for it.

Hoover Elementary School kindergarten teacher Kelly McMahon told the Cedar Rapids Gazette that she and her colleagues are drowning.

At a school board meeting last month, McMahon said there is an urgency to meet the needs of students, whose education has been interrupted for the last two years by the pandemic.

We cant do that without time to plan and target our instruction, McMahon said. Im at school every weekend and taking stuff home with me every night.

Tracy Ehlert has substitute taught at Hoover for the last three years, sometimes being four teachers in a day.

I cant split myself in half, said Ehlert, also a Democratic state legislator. Theres demand to be all over the building.

Ehlert, a long-term substitute teacher for a second grade class from now until December, has observed Title 1 teachers  who work with students struggling academically  and English Language Learner teachers being pulled away from responsibilities to substitute. Even the principal and counselors are teaching this year, she said.

Ehlert hopes more people sign up to substitute teach soon.

It cant just be a body in a classroom, she said. Because of learning loss weve had, we absolutely need people coming in and moving education forward  and make a difference in these kids lives.

Although Cedar Rapids schools pay teachers hourly when they substitute teach for other classrooms, Bush said the teachers need  and would prefer  their prep time.

With college enrollment in teaching programs down  and the lack of people going into the education profession, Bush points out, a national epidemic  Cedar Rapids this year launched an educational assistance program to create a way for school employees to become certified teachers. Participants must commit to teach in the district for a few years after they graduate.

We absolutely need certified teachers, Bush said. Were going to have to start thinking differently about how we make that happen.

The program is for three years, and classes are once a week at the University of Dubuque satellite location in Cedar Rapids. Free child care is available through the university. Cedar Rapids school employees can be reimbursed up to $5,250 a year for the classes.

Theyre already a vetted employee, and we want them to be in our system, Bush said.

The district also is offering jobs to student teachers  who are working under a licensed classroom teacher  after they graduate.

Shortages of teachers can be even more challenging for smaller school districts like Mount Vernon and Solon, which each serve about 1,500 K-12 students.

Mount Vernon Superintendent Greg Batenhorst said the district is discussing ways to be more aggressive in its recruiting efforts, including hosting its own career fair.

The continued pandemic does not help as we have seen our pool of recently retired teachers who serve as substitutes shrink, Batenhorst said. Others in the substitute teaching pool appear to be more cautious in accepting assignments and seem to pass up open jobs more frequently than they may have in the past.

Solon Superintendent Davis Eidahl said the district is short three to five substitute teachers most days.

Last month, the district increased its pay rate for substitute teachers from $110 to $130 a day. If a substitute teacher teaches for 10 consecutive days, he or she earns $180 a day. This pay rate is more in line with neighboring districts, Eidahl said.

The district still is down a third grade teacher it wasnt able to hire for this year, Eidahl said. This increased the four sections of third grade classes from around 20 students to 25 each.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  Alabama students for years have ranked at the bottom in a national math assessment.

That has led one lawmaker to propose an overhaul in math instruction that would include more math coaches in schools, summer programs and interventions. Eventually, fifth grade students would need to show they were meeting certain math benchmarks to move to the sixth grade under the proposal, he said.

Republican Sen. Arthur Orr, who chairs the state education budget committee, is working on the proposal for the legislative session that begins in January. He said it would be a math counterpart to the Alabama Literacy Act, which puts a similar promotion requirement on third grade reading skills.

When you are 50th in the country you have no choice but to improve, Orr, R-Decatur, said. He said the persistent lagging scores shows the need for the state to put a heavy emphasis on math.

The proposed promotion requirement is likely to be controversial since lawmakers pushed last year to delay the reading promotion test because of the pandemic. Orr emphasized the math promotion requirement for fifth graders wouldnt kick in until the latter part of this decade and only after students had been in the revamped math program since first grade, he said.

Orr said he supports the retention component because students must have basic math skills  adding, subtraction, multiplication, division and fractions  to function well in life or to be ready to take on advanced math.

You need to have a comfort level with those fundamentals, he said.

Alabamas math performance in fourth and eighth grades ranked dead last among states in the 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress, often called The Nations Report Card.

Education officials have expressed concern that the pandemic led to learning losses. Test scores from last spring, after the pandemic interrupted classrooms, showed just 24% of fourth graders and 14% of eighth graders were considered proficient in math. Students took a new assessment last year called the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program, complicating comparisons with prior years, but officials said the test results were concerning.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey told state Board of Education members this week that she is supportive of developing a math counterpart to the Alabama Literacy Act.

In the weeks and months ahead, I look forward to working with you to place the same sense of urgency on mathematics as we have rightfully placed on reading, Ivey said

Asked if the governor supports a requirement to hold back fifth graders who dont meet math benchmarks, spokeswoman Gina Maiola said, improving mathematics education in Alabama will require a comprehensive plan that is informed by all stakeholders.

The 2019 Alabama Literacy Act will require third graders to meet reading benchmarks to be promoted to the fourth grade. The promotion requirement is set to take effect this spring. However, Ivey said she will ask lawmakers to delay the promotion requirement for one year.

Orr said he is working with subject-matter experts on the proposal.

Its no secret the state is last in math, said Mark Dixon, president of the A+ Education Partnership. We need a statewide commitment to improving math achievement.
MILFORD, Conn. (AP)  A man charged with running a scam that cheated a woman out of more than $80,000 missed a recent court date and was supposed to be rearrested, but his attorney says that will be impossible because his client has been dead for months.

Johnny Masesas attorney told state's attorneys in June that he received a death certificate saying his client died from complications of malaria in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he has family. The Connecticut Post reported police and federal authorities have been unable to confirm the authenticity of the death certificate.
TEHRAN, Iran (AP)  A 65-year-old man has died after he set himself on fire in central province of Markazi when a court issued a verdict against him in dispute with his employer.

YJC.ir, a news website affiliated to the Irans state TV, is reporting that the man set himself on fire in front of labor and social welfare building in Arak city, 230 kilometers (some 140 miles) southwest of the capital of Tehran.
PADUCAH, Ky. (AP)  A Kentucky playwright will finally get to see her play hit the stage when Market House Theatres production of Riot: Ashbury Park premieres this week.

Riot: Asbury Park, the story of how a group of Black and white individuals held a meeting and came together as race riots are happening in the city of Asbury Park, New Jersey in the early 1970s. The play is based on actual riots and meetings between groups of different races in the city.

Thursdays performance serves as the world premiere of the play as it has never been produced on stage by another theatre company.

Director Michael Cochran said Market House Theatre chose to produce the script after Amanda Haan, the playwright, entered Market House Theatres New Play Competition, where Kentucky-based writers and writers from nearby states can enter scripts that have never been produced.

Cochran said the plot of the play involving race riots and people coming together to address race issues is especially relevant in todays political climate.

Its a play about having two opposing sides come together and out of that confrontation, come out with solutions, Cochran said.

Haan said she came across the idea for the play from a 1971 issue of Look Magazine. She said her mother frequently shops in antique stores, and likes to find old magazines that were published around the time Haan was born, and found a copy of Look Magazine from 1971. One of the features in the magazine was A Cop Named Joe, which looked at what happened at these meetings and discussions between a group of Black residents and a group of white residents from the perspective of a white police officer that attended the meeting.

Haan, 52, has not always been a scriptwriter. With a background in psychology, Haan has also worked as a producer and casting director in New York City. One constant in her life is writing: she has written poetry since she was a teenager, is a published childrens book author, and even tried her hand at writing a childrens film script.

Its just something I always wanted to do, so I did it, Haan said.

She became invested in researching and writing for this play, spending more than six months in New Jersey in 2008 speaking with people who were at the riots. She has become good friends with the two remaining attendees of the original confrontation who are still alive today.

I kind of just took a huge risk. Im not a journalist, I dont have an agent, Im not part of the writers guild. I just wanted to work on this, and people trusted me, Haan said.

The play, Haan said, is one that focuses on the human experience and the story of the people who facilitated the meeting.

Cochran said the play also helps with Market House Theatres multi-year initiative to produce plays that allow for diverse casting. Riot: Asbury Park features a cast made up of eight local actors, half of whom are white and half are Black.

Riot: Asbury Park is performing at Market House Theatre from Nov. 11-14 and Nov. 18-21. On Nov. 12, Haan and Holly VanLeuven, one of the original facilitators of the confrontations between Black and white residents, will be at Friday nights performance, and Haan will be available for a talk-back session after the performance.
VANCE, Ala. (AP)  The Mercedes-Benz automotive plant in Tuscaloosa is donating 15 sport-utility test vehicles to Alabama schools for use in classroom training.

Mercedes-Benz International, Inc. announced the donations to 13 high schools and two community colleges on Friday.

Most of the GLE SUVs were used for testing and to ensure quality standards. The company said that once quality tests have been completed, the vehicles can't be sold for customer use or driven on public roads, but they can be used for classroom training.

The vehicles will provide training and help automakers grow a future workforce, Michael Goebel, president and chief executive of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc., said in a statement.

We have found a sustainable solution to re-purpose vehicles that would have been destroyed at the end of their test cycle and diverted them instead for an educational purpose," he said.

Located between Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, the Mercedes factory employs more than 4,400 people and provides more than 10,000 additional jobs at suppliers and service providers. The company is spending $1 billion on a second location that will include a new battery plant to prepare for the assembly of electric vehicles.
MIAMI (AP)  The Miami-Dade Police Departments newest crime-fighting tools are baseball-like cards with QR codes on the back, similar to those that have replaced paper menus in restaurants during the pandemic.

But the faces on the front of these cards arent professional athletes. Theyre the faces of Jada Page, Carnell Williams-Thomas, Elijah LaFrance and Angelo Guzman all children killed by gunfire in unsolved homicides, some that have vexed detectives and family members for more than half a decade.

These are the babies of our community right here. Now were giving the community a seat at the table, Miami-Dade Police Director Freddie Ramirez said Tuesday morning in announcing the initiative, the first of its kind nationwide, according to police.

The two-and-a-half- by three-and-a-half-inch green cards have the faces of victims on the front with their names and dates of birth. The top of the card says Help Us Solve Cases. Flip the card over and it says REWARD with the case number underneath.

Below that is the QR code, the number to Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers and a promise that anyone providing information will remain anonymous. By using the camera feature on a cellphone and touching the screen, information on the homicide pops up that is usually accompanied by a video of a homicide detective explaining what happened.

Elijah, for instance, was only 3 years old on April 24 when gunmen with semi-automatic rifles pulled up to the front of the North Miami-Dade home his parents had rented for the childs birthday party, and opened fire. Elijah was shot and killed. In the video Detective Kevin Thelwell says the shooting was so heinous the police director made the departments entire resources available to solve the crime.

This was despicable. This was callous. These were cowards, Thelwell says in a slickly produced video.

Another card has Jadas picture. She was only 8 in August 2016 when she was shot and killed near her front porch while getting ready to go to the movies with her father. He was also shot, but survived.

Carnell Williams-Thomas was only 2 when he was shot and killed playing with his new scooter outside of his Arthur Mays Villas home in South Dade four years ago.

Also on a card is Angelo Guzman. The young teens life ended on Sept. 19 when he was gunned down in a South Miami-Dade park he was visiting with family.

A 14-year-old boy is no longer with us, Homicide Detective Edhy Mederos says in yet another video. Angelo was just starting his life.

The plan is for officers to distribute the cards to family, friends and residents. Police also hope to place stickers with the same QR codes on business fronts and make cards available at supermarkets and pharmacies or anywhere groups of people might gather.

Anything thats going to help, as long as its protecting witnesses, said anti-violence activist Tangela Sears, who lost a son to gunfire six years ago. Im all for getting information out and finding solutions to these violent crimes.

The initiative was announced Tuesday morning at Miami-Dade Police headquarters in Doral.

County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said it was just another instrument police could use in addition to operations Summer Heat and Community Shield  which flooded high-crime areas with police presence  to fight crime. The mayor said those efforts have been wildly successful and that shootings are down more than 50 percent since the programs went into effect over the summer, compared to the same time period a year ago.

Tools like this gets us justice, she said.

Even Miami-Dade Homicide Major Jorge Aguiar made a rare appearance, calling homicides the most heinous crime in society.

It destroys family members and it changes and terrorizes communities, said Aguiar. The most important thing we can receive from the community is information.
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP)  A new National Park Service grant will help Mississippi State University assess human remains found at a historically significant late prehistoric Native American mound near campus and return them to their decedents.

The $90,000 grant is part of a larger $1.9 million in federal funds dispersed by the National Park Service through 11 grants across the U.S. supporting the transportation and return of cultural items.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)  To operate a casino at a Nebraska horse racetrack companies will have to pay $1 million for a 20-year license and follow a litany of other rules.

The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission released the new casino rules on Friday. Voters authorized casino gambling at horse tracks in Nebraska in 2020.

Racing and Gaming Executive Director Tom Sage said an industry consultant helped the state draft its rules by looking at what has worked well in other states.

The Lincoln Journal Star reported that in addition to the $1 million up-front license fee, casino operators will have to pay an annual assessment to the state.

All six licensed horse tracks, in Lincoln, Omaha, South Sioux City, Columbus, Grand Island and Hastings, have announced plans to add casinos.

Besides the six existing tracks, there also have been proposals announced for new tracks in Bellevue, Gering, Kimball, Norfolk, North Platte and York. All of them are likely to seek casino licenses as well.

Lynne McNally, executive vice president of the Nebraska Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association, which is partnering with Ho-Chunk Inc. to build casinos in Lincoln, Omaha and South Sioux City, said the rules are very thorough.

The Racing Commission worked efficiently and diligently, and we really appreciate their efforts, McNally said.

Fonner Park racetrack CEO Chris Kotulak said he's worried the state may wind up with too many racetracks because of companies wanting to operate casinos.

Theres not the human or equine infrastructure in place to support any more racing than we already have, Kotulak said.
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP)  A Portsmouth police officer is facing a domestic assault charge stemming from an incident at his home in Maine, officials said.

Officer Todd Goodwin is on administrative leave following his arrest Thursday night in South Berwick, Maine, Portsmouth Police Chief Mark Newport said.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP)  Providence College has been awarded more than $300,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities to help its art gallery rebound from the coronavirus pandemic.

The school was one of 90 colleges nationwide that received American Rescue Plan funding that will help cultural and educational nonprofits retain and rehire staff, and rebuild programs and projects disrupted by the pandemic.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Terrance Jackson remembers driving down Lake Street in 2002 when he saw police arresting his cousin for driving with an invalid license. When he pulled over and offered to take his cousin's car home to keep it from being towed, things went badly.

One officer grabbed his hand and bent it back to try to get me to react, Jackson said. When his shoe came off as he was being restrained, another officer threw it across the parking lot.

Jackson, 63, is one of more than a thousand people who have recounted their run-ins with Minneapolis police to activist groups that plan to share their stories with U.S. Justice Department officials conducting a civil rights investigation into the police force. The effort is aimed at making sure community members have a say in the probe launched the day after former officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd.

Investigators are looking into whether Minneapolis police have shown a pattern or practice of policing that is unlawful or unconstitutional. They are also examining the police department's use of force, including against protesters, its treatment of people suffering from behavioral health issues, its systems of accountability and whether officers have engaged in discriminatory policing.

The inquiry could lead to a consent decree under which the department would be legally required to make certain changes.

A Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment on the civil rights probe's progress or say how much weight investigators might place on the civilian accounts that groups provide them, because the probe is ongoing.

But a former Justice Department official, Christy Lopez, said such accounts can help steer investigations. And those helping gather the civilian accounts say they think the stories will make it hard for investigators to ignore the abuse.

Its one thing to see things in a document. Its another thing for someone to tell you, This is what happened to me, or This is what the police did to me, said Michelle Gross, a member of one of the groups, Communities United Against Police Brutality.

That kind of information puts a face to the problem and it also shows the pattern, she said.

The Associated Press submitted a records request to the police department seeking information on Jacksons 2002 encounter with officers, but a spokesman said the department had no record of the event.

The Justice Department investigation wasnt affected by the campaign for a ballot initiative that Minneapolis voters rejected in early November to replace the city's police department with a reimagined public safety agency that would have relied less on armed officers. And a state investigation remains ongoing.

Pattern-or-practice investigations became a tool to combat police misconduct in the 1990s, when the acquittal of four Los Angeles police officers in the beating of Rodney King sparked riots in the city and protests across the country. After an independent commission determined Kings assault was ultimately due to institutional failure within the Los Angeles Police Department, Congress authorized the attorney general to investigate whether a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers was violating peoples civil rights.

From the first such investigation in Pittsburgh in 1997, through 2016, the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division conducted nearly 70 formal probes of police departments nationwide resulting in 40 reform agreements, according to agency data.

The Minneapolis probe was the first of three Justice Department investigations of local law enforcement launched during the Biden administration. It is also investigating policing in Louisville, Kentucky, following the death of Breonna Taylor and in Phoenix over excessive force allegations.

If investigators find a pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing in Minneapolis, federal and city officials will negotiate required changes, or a consent decree. A federally appointed monitor oversees progress and reports to a federal judge. Insufficient progress or failure to follow the decree could result in the federal government taking control of the department.

It could look similar to the agreement between the Justice Department and the city of Ferguson, Missouri, that followed the 2014 killing of Michael Brown, a Black teenager, by a white police officer. The agreement changed the Ferguson police force's policies on the use of force, body-worn cameras, searches and seizures, and responses to protests.

Lopez, who led the group within the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division that conducted pattern-or-practice investigations from 2010 to 2017, said stories from community members can help direct investigators toward particular officers, units, tactics or types of interactions. The number of complaints and consistency between them can alert investigators to patterns of unlawful policing that only community members would experience, and they can then go verify those accounts with documentation from the city such as arrest records and police bodycam footage, she said.

That proved true in Ferguson when accounts from members of the public helped Lopez's team identify issues within the municipal court system, which was also part of the ensuing agreement.

In Ferguson, if you had gone in there and just looked at lethal shootings and use of force, because that was what happened to Michael Brown, you would have focused on that, she said. But in talking with people, thats where we really learned about the depth of the concern about fines and fees, and how they were using the courts to violate peoples rights. We would have missed that entirely if we hadnt talked to people and heard their stories.

Iris Roley, a founder of the Cincinnati Black United Front, said her community played a significant role in crafting the agreement between their city and federal officials after the killings of Jeffrey Irons and Roger Ownesby Jr. by Cincinnati officers in 2000. Roley said her group collected more than 400 accounts of police brutality and misconduct from members of the community who were brave enough to come forward despite fearing retaliation.

What we did when we listened to our community  the Black community  we took complaints and turned complaints into training, and we took training and turned that into policy," she said.

Roley said the agreement brought changes to police department policies, including on its officers use of force. But she said the document hasn't been a cure-all, and that policing continues to evolve and requires constant oversight.

Lopez said investigators aim to complete inquiries and issue findings within a year, but that it varies from case to case, with Ferguson taking six months but others taking years. Though it may take another year to negotiate the consent decree with Minneapolis and get it entered into court, Lopez said investigators are always aware of the urgency to deliver their findings and kickstart the improvement process.

There's always tension between the fierce urgency of now  which is a very, very real thing  and wanting to use this opportunity you have to learn everything you can about a department because you know that's how you develop the best remedy to fix the problem, she said.

Gross' group in Minneapolis has gathered more than 1,400 citizen accounts. In some cases, activists are asking people to share their stories directly with investigators.

Jackson said he hopes his story and others will help bring much-needed change to the city's police force.

When I was growing up in north Minneapolis, we had officers in our community and we played with their kids, they got nothing but respect. They knew everybody's family, they were from the neighborhood, he said. It's a whole different thing now.

___

Mohamed Ibrahim is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel has been using settler violence as a major informal tool to drive Palestinians from farming and pasture lands in the occupied West Bank, an Israeli rights group said Sunday.

A report by the group BTselem detailed the takeover of nearly 11 square miles (30 square kilometers) of farm and pasture land in the territory by settlers over the past five years. That's an area around half the size of the island of Manhattan.

BTselem also challenged repeated claims by the government that violence against Palestinians is carried out by a violent fringe among the settlers and security forces are doing their best to stop it.

Recent months have seen a steep increase in violence committed by Jewish settlers in the West Bank against Palestinians. Last week, a group of Israeli settlers vandalized dozens of cars in a town near Ramallah, and in September, dozens of Israeli settlers attacked a Bedouin village in the southern West Bank, leaving several injured, including a Palestinian toddler.

B'Tselem said the military does not prevent the attacks, and in some cases, soldiers even participate in them. It says that law enforcement does little to take action against settlers who commit violent acts against Palestinians and whitewashes the few cases it is called upon to address.

When the violence occurs with permission and assistance from the Israeli authorities and under its auspices, it is state violence. The settlers are not defying the state; they are doing its bidding, the organization said in its report.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war. In the decades since, it has built dozens of settlements  now home to nearly 500,000 Israelis  that most of the international community considers illegal and an obstacle to peace. The Palestinians seek the West Bank, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, as part of their future state.

On Friday, a group of Jewish settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives who were accompanied by Israeli activists. Two Israelis, including a prominent rabbi and peace activist, were injured in the incident.

Neta Ben Porat, one of the injured activists, said she suffered injuries to her head and arm. She said the entire area is video monitored by the army, and soldiers chose not to come to their aid. The military said in a statement to Army Radio that troops separated between the sides and dispersed the confrontation and arrested three settlers.

Rabbis for Human Rights in Israel said in a statement Friday that the state and its enforcement agencies are failing time after time to ensure the safety of farmers and activists in the harvest, and the blood spilled today is also on their hands.

Last month, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz called on the military to combat rising settler attacks against Palestinians and Israeli troops in the West Bank to react systematically, aggressively and uncompromisingly to such behavior.
SOUTHINGTON, Conn. (AP)  Recent instances of retail thefts at Connecticut stores are reflecting a nationwide trend.

Several stores in Southington and Oxford were hit recently by thieves who walked out with hundreds or even thousands of dollars in goods and threatened workers who tried to stop them.

Video posted online last week showed two men and a woman loading up a van with items from a supermarket in Southington then driving away in a van with no license plates. One of the men had shoved a manager to the ground who had asked if the items had been paid for, the Hartford Courant reported.

In Oxford, thieves in two vehicles got away with about $1,600 in laundry detergent, toiletries and other items, state police told the Courant. In a separate incident, three men sped away with multiple TVs from a store in Southington.

The National Retail Federation said a recent survey of retailers has found stores are seeing an uptick in thefts, with the perpetrators being more aggressive. The organization said one of the factors may be state laws that have raised the threshold for what constitutes a felony, or more serious crime.

Experts also say stores are using a less confrontational approach to shoplifters over the years and the ease of reselling stolen goods online are factors.

Ben Dugan, director of organized retail crime and corporate investigations at CVS Health, recently told the Senate judiciary committee that an estimated $500 billion in illicit stolen and counterfeit goods are sold on third-party marketplaces each year.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP)  Police in Rochester are investigating a string of fatal shootings that came just hours after Mayor Lovely Warren declared a local state of emergency to combat rising gun violence.

The recent killings, including three within a 12-hour period, brought the city's annual tally of homicides to 74  the most since 70 people were slain in 1993, the Democrat & Chronicle reports.
SPANISH LAKE, Mo. (AP)  A 9-year-old boy was injured by a stray bullet while inside a home in the suburbs north of St. Louis.

St. Louis County police said officers went to the home near Spanish Lake, Missouri, shortly before 8:30 p.m. Friday and found the boy with a gunshot wound. His injuries were not considered life threatening, but he was taken to an area hospital for treatment.
LORIS, S.C. (AP)  Willie Jean Caldwell finally knows his name.

At 76 years old, hes known as Cowboy by his friends and caretakers at the Recovery Ranch, a haven for recovering addicts in western Horry County. After taking him in from a local hospital nearly two years ago, ranch owner Christa Reynolds couldnt figure out his name. She couldnt find a trace of his identity.

Arriving at the hospital, Caldwell didnt have a birth certificate. He didnt have an ID. He didnt have a social security card. His memory was unreliable.

So Caldwell, nameless at the time, became Cowboy, a reference to the description on hospital records when staff didnt know his name: American cowboy (Black male).

The name has become a persona. An old-fashioned cowboy hat has become an unofficial uniform sometimes accompanied by reflective sunglasses. Hes settled in at the ranch, he has friends and a routine. But somethings been missing: his identity.

After almost two years and countless dead ends trying to find relatives or personal documents, a happy ending has finally come to fruition.

Reynolds and a social worker, Lisa Hyatt, have tracked down Caldwells birth certificate and some of his siblings.

It feels better, Caldwell said. A whole lot better.

A LOST WALLET AND A LOST IDENTITY

Three decades ago, Cowboy dropped his wallet. Working in an orange grove near Orlando, Florida, it was lost. With it went his state ID and any other identification he carried.

So began a winding tale of twists and turns that would result in a search for his identity spanning four states and nearly two years. He fell through the cracks of the system, lacking a social security number, a drivers license, stable housing, secure employment or contact with family.

It tells me weve failed as a society when we take advantage of vulnerable people, Hyatt said.

Caldwell shows signs of memory loss, which Reynolds believes could be dementia. His accounts of information, including names of his parents and where he grew up, can be inconsistent or incorrect, so gathering information to research is difficult.

His memory is sharp some days, shaky other days. After a while, it became clear certain details were consistent. Caldwell was born in Louisiana and spent time in Mississippi and Florida before coming to South Carolina. Eventually, Reynolds and Hyatt believed they knew his name and some of his siblings names.

NO BREAKTHROUGH FOR MONTHS

The Sun News first reported Cowboys story in August of 2020, after Reynolds believed she had exhausted her options to find out who Cowboy is, like Adult Protective Services with the states Department of Social Services.

At the time, Reynolds believed his name was Jim Willie Caldwell, but pointed out theres no way to know for sure. Once Hyatt tracked down records, they confirmed his name is Willie Jean Caldwell.

The Sun News article opened up fresh leads. Self-appointed investigators reached out with information on ancestry and genealogy, and people donated money. But nothing reached the point of a breakthrough, Reynolds said.

Until Hyatt entered the scene. Hyatt, a clinical social worker with Family Matters who works with rescued horses, heard about Reynolds and the Recovery Ranch through an equine vet. She began doing therapy and mental health work with the residents, and she took a liking to Cowboy.

Most people do.

He loves to make people laugh, flashing his own toothless grin when they crack up. His face brightens at the mention of any type of sweets, especially peanut butter or pecan pie.

At the ranch, residents pitch in by helping take care of animals and do maintenance work. Cowboy is in charge of picking up pecans falling from three massive trees on the property.

FROM LOUISIANA TO MISSISSIPPI TO FLORIDA TO SOUTH CAROLINA

Hyatt has a history of working with people who are recovering from trauma. Piecing together Caldwells story through long conversations and intentional questions, she has no doubt hes been traumatized from a young age. Once he began to lose memory and fell on hard times, she says people have likely taken advantage of him, too.

Hyatt found Caldwells mother in a Census document from 1940, which listed her as 13 years old. At the end of that same year, she had her first child, Hyatt said.

Cowboy was born August 10, 1945, in Hammond, Louisiana. That was also a missing piece of the puzzle. Reynolds estimated he was in his 80s, but couldnt nail down an exact age or birthday until his documents were located.

By the time he was 11 years old, Caldwell remembers drinking gin with his dad in the Louisiana and Mississippi countryside, he says. His father died a few years later after drinking heavily for years  moonshine, or blackjack wine, was his drink of choice, Caldwell said with a chuckle.

After the death of their father, Caldwell and his 10 siblings appear to have dispersed, Hyatt said. They dont seem to keep in touch, potentially a consequence of their troubled upbringing, she said.

Cowboy left for Florida, where he worked picking oranges for a while. He eventually made his way to South Carolina, where he stayed in Green Sea before coming to the ranch with Reynolds.

Of his 10 siblings, only a few are still living, and some havent been welcoming of Hyatts calls. But a welcome reunion could be on the horizon.

Caldwell is planning to speak to his youngest brother, Terry, over the phone and visit him on an upcoming trip to Louisiana to get his birth certificate.

I think about going home, Caldwell said. (Its been a) long time, way back, 50, 60 years.

HOW THE TEAM FOUND COWBOYS FAMILY AND BIRTH CERTIFICATE

Through her background in social work, Hyatt knew some of the channels to find records that Reynolds hadnt tried.

She started in McComb, Mississippi, where Caldwells mother grew up and where he lived for some time in his youth. She tried to find documents in Louisiana and Florida, too. Throughout the process, Hyatt enlisted the help of an attorney and a private investigator, and called numerous people who may have personal information about Caldwell or his family.

After pulling a few threads to no avail, Hyatt found an obituary printed in a local newspaper called the Enterprise-Journal. The obituary said one of Caldwells sisters had died in 1997 at a hospital in McComb, and it listed Caldwells name and those of his siblings.

Finally, a solid lead.

Hyatt posted in a Facebook group of McComb residents, asking if anyone knew the Caldwell family. One commenter suggested contacting her aunt, who was a secretary at a local church. Turns out, the secretary, Annie Carr, knew Caldwells brother, Terry. Through that connection, Hyatt was able to find out more family information.

With help from Carr, Hyatt called the local school and asked if they had any record of Caldwell, thinking it was a long shot, especially since she called near the end of the day on a Friday.

She called me back 15 minutes later, Hyatt said. She said, I found him. I said, Youre kidding me.

The school had records of Caldwells parents and siblings names, which have been reviewed by The Sun News. Most importantly, it had his name, matching his sisters obituary.

Finally, relief, Hyatt said. Ive had some difficult cases in my time but never have I had a case where somebodys fallen through the system like this.

The Sun News left messages for Carr, but didnt hear back.

In the coming weeks, Reynolds and Hyatt are looking toward the light at the end of a tunnel thats been frustrating and exhausting, but simultaneously heartwarming and hopeful.

There was a time or two when I got really discouraged, but you cant give up on people, Hyatt said.

COWBOYS NEXT STEPS TO SECURE HIS IDENTITY

Reynolds and Hyatt plan to take Caldwell to Louisiana to access his birth certificate and prove his identity. Theres an error on his birth certificate  Caldwell is spelled Carwell  that needs to be fixed before he can access the social security benefits hes missed out on for more than a decade. Reynolds is accepting donations to pay for the trip, which she estimates will cost around $1,600 between gas, hotel rooms, food and other expenses.

Hyatt said Caldwell likely doesnt meet the criteria to appoint his own power of attorney, so she and Reynolds are discussing starting a conservatorship for him so someone can make life decisions on his behalf.

When Caldwell gets the proper identification, Reynolds hopes to move him from the ranch to an assisted living facility near Florence, where he has a lady friend, who used to be a resident at the ranch.

When I met her  I was on the front porch, (I) played the harmonica, Cowboy said. She wanted to see.

Reynolds has been Cowboys main caretaker for the better part of two years. She calls the resolution a happy ending she didnt always expect.

Its a really sweet ending to a precious story, Reynolds said. Seeing him on a daily basis and watching him smile, walking up from the back part of the farm to the front is always a blessing.

Sitting on a picnic table at the ranch on a recent chilly morning, Reynolds looks at Cowboy. Both grin.

Lifes a better place because of you, Reynolds says.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP)  For more than 100 years, the Santa Claus Girls have been providing gifts to Kent County children who might not otherwise receive anything for Christmas.

The nonprofit postponed its 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic. Volunteers are back spreading holiday cheer this season, as it approaches its 113th year of providing toys, books, and clothing to needy children up to age 12, The Grand Rapids Press reports.

In recent years, the all-volunteer organization founded in 1908 by Arianna VanDoorn, has served nearly 13,000 children in the Kent County area. The number served can vary annually depending upon the economy or other factors. This year, officials say they hope to reach 5,000 children.

Nancy Ditta, vice president of Santa Claus Girls vice president, said they recently received a donation from a woman who donates every year to the organization.

When she was a child, she received a game of Checkers from the Santa Claus girls, and she still has that game today, Ditta said. People who have donated or helped us have said that before. It meant so much to them and their family. These stories make it worth it.

Like many charity-based organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic, Santa Claus Girls has struggled. Santa Claus Girls President Tina Hudson said they lost their home last year. She said they were in a space provided by furniture manufacturer Knoll Inc., at its Kentwood facility for seven years. Knoll, based in Pennsylvania, closed.

We never had to leave the building, we just had to put stuff away so they could utilize the workspace, said Hudson, who said Meijer was willing to take its remaining inventory and store it.

This year, a temporary location has been provided in Grandville to transform into Santas workshop.

Up until last year when we couldnt work, I always would help deliver, Hudson said. To see the families, the gratefulness, the tears in their eyes and the excitement the kids have in seeing someone ring their doorbell with a huge garbage bag full of wrapped Christmas presents. Its heartwarming.

The process before the pandemic was to individually wrap the gifts and deliver them to each child that was registered.

Now, the gifts wont be delivered, rather families will pick them up at curbside from volunteers. The gifts will be put into plastic bags without wrapping.

Usually, we wrap all the gifts, and theyre addressed and delivered personally to homes, Hudson said. We dont have a facility to do that, we only have a facility for four days this year.

She said gifts must be picked up at the assigned pick-up time once registration is complete. Organizers say the actual location of the temporary facility is only being disclosed to those Kent County families notified they will be receiving gifts.

We already have 3,400 children registered, Hudson said. Registration goes until the first of December, but if we fill up before then, well have to close the registration down.

The gifts are exclusively for Kent County children from families facing hardship and otherwise wouldnt receive anything for Christmas. Families can register online-only by completing a general information form, including questions about household size found here.

The deadline for registration is Wednesday, December 1, and the pick-up time is Saturday, Dec. 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Only Santa Claus volunteers will be outside the curbside location and have access to the items. Inside the building, people will be working with papers that have the registration information corresponding to each family, Hudson said.

She said theyll give the paperwork to the other helpers in the building, walk along and pick up the one-year-old boys gift, for example, which includes pajamas, books, toys, hats and mittens. She said the gifts will be placed in a plastic bag and delivered to the family in the parking lot.

This year, the number of volunteers is expected to be lower than in previous years because they dont have as much space to work out of.

The nonprofit has asked that all volunteers be COVID-19 vaccinated. Volunteers can work as much or as little as wanted from Thursday, Dec. 9 through Sunday, Dec. 12. If interested, organizers says contact Mary Bartling at marybartling@earthlink.net.

Each year, Ditta said the organization works to raise $200,000 as a fundraising goal. She said theyve met that goal every year except for last year.

Last year, we did receive some donations, but this year, were hoping that we can get the donations to make it, she said, noting they dont have any prospects for a new home.

Its too important to us to let this organization go away, Ditta said. So many people know Santa Claus Girls from the past. They know that every year, their children will get gifts, and we hope it lives on for 113 more years to come.
DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP)  At a time when many teenagers are learning how to drive, Carter Hancock was learning to fly.

Carter, whose father is a pilot, started flying with his dad when he was a sophomore in high school. Now a senior at Wahlert Catholic High School in Dubuque, he has his private pilots license and is planning to get his commercial license  which will allow him to get paid to fly  before he finishes high school.

I like the challenge, the freedom and also the responsibility aspect of it, that you have your life in your own hands, Carter said. I kind of like that feeling.

The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports Carter is among local teenagers who have earned their pilots licenses  or are working to obtain them  while still in high school. In some cases, those students also take college-level aviation classes to hone their skills.

Local teen pilots said the aviation experience they are gleaning now helps them get a jump on future college and career plans. Plus, theres the thrill of being in the air.

You definitely hold your head up just a little bit higher, said Joseph Chapman, a senior at Wahlert.  It just feels special, I guess, to be able to fly this airplane thousands of feet in the air at hundreds of miles per hour and have the kind of responsibility, that skill set, and to know that youre really pursuing your goals.

Joseph has never doubted that he would one day become a pilot.

Ive wanted to be a pilot pretty much my entire life, since probably well before I was 6, he said. Ive just wanted to fly.

Joseph started his flight training through the Key City Fliers in 2020 with a scholarship to help cover the costs. He earned his private pilot certificate earlier this year after accumulating enough hours in the air and completing a series of tests.

Bridger Hawkinson, a junior at Wahlert, is nearly finished with his training to become a private pilot. He plans to get his certification when he turns 17 and is able to do so.

Bridger started his flight training when he was 14 and flew a plane for the first time.

At first it was kind of nerve-wracking because its your first time in an airplane, and a small airplane especially, and getting the feel for the controls and what it feels like, but after a few lessons, you get used to it, he said.

One of the things he loves about flying is the freedom that comes with it.

You get up there, and you feel like you could practically do anything, and to be able to do that in high school, when you know most people dont get that opportunity, you feel pretty special, Bridger said.

Jaxon Smith, a senior at Hempstead High School in Dubuque, currently is taking a ground school course at University of Dubuque as he works toward his private pilot certificate. He is waiting on his medical certificate so he can start getting experience in the air.

Im just excited to fly so much because I love traveling and I like seeing the views, so Im excited for that, Jaxon said.

Jaxon is taking his UD course through Iowas Postsecondary Enrollment Options program, which allows high school students to enroll in college classes.

Tony Foster, head of academics for UDs aviation department, said the college has a few high school students taking aviation courses at UD through the program. Those classes give students a head start toward aviation careers, he said, noting that seniority is key in the airline industry.

Its a pretty exciting opportunity to get your foot in the door, figure out if aviation is a good fit for you, Foster said.

While the number of high school students in UD aviation courses is small, Foster noted that this years incoming class of UD aviation students had a larger number of students who already had their private pilot certificate.

Our incoming class is in the vicinity of 80 students, and I think about a quarter of them already had their private completed already, he said. That does seem to be an upward trend.

Carter already has taken three aviation classes through UD and plans to take another in the spring. After high school, he plans to attend UD and, eventually, become an airline pilot.

It just feels good to know, have peace of mind knowing what its going to be like when Im actually in college, he said. So now I have already an idea of what its going to be like, and I know that Im going to like it.

Marcus Stolk, a junior at Dubuque Senior High School, took a UD aviation class in safety and ethics this fall. He plans to take a ground school class his senior year so he can start flying.

While he still has a few options in mind for his future, he is considering a career in aviation.

These classes will definitely help me decide if I want to take this career path or not, Marcus said. I think everyone should give something exciting a try.
By Eli Walsh

Bay City News Foundation

A Texas woman made her initial court appearance Friday after allegedly shoving a flight attendant who asked her husband to put a face mask on during a flight from Alaska to San Francisco.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California, 50-year-old Debby Dutton of Cypress, Texas, and her husband, named only as "J.D." in the criminal complaint, were passengers aboard the flight on June 29, 2021.

Flight attendants aboard the plane gave several safety announcements to the flight's passengers, including reminders of the federal mask requirement aboard commercial flights. The flight attendants also outlined that if passengers' masks fell off while asleep, an attendant would wake them up and ask them to place their mask back over their face.

After roughly three-and-a-half hours of the four-and-a-half-hour flight, a flight attendant collecting trash through the plane's cabin noticed that several passengers did not have their masks on properly, including Dutton's husband.

The flight attendant then tapped J.D. on the shoulder and asked him to place his mask back on, which he subsequently did, according to the affidavit included with the complaint against Dutton.

Dutton, sitting next to J.D., then allegedly got up from her seat and became irate with the flight attendant. She then walked toward the flight attendant and pushed the flight attendant twice, requiring that they step backward to maintain their balance.

Dutton eventually returned to her seat after J.D. had asked her to do so, according to the complaint. The flight attendant reported the incident to the captain and claimed that they felt threatened and afraid, and that Dutton's shoves were painful and forceful.

According to federal prosecutors, the flight attendant's right bicep was bruised by Dutton's pushes and the flight attendant subsequently sought medical care after the flight had landed at the San Francisco International Airport.

The charge against Dutton, one county of interference by assault, threat, or intimidation with flight crew members or attendants, has a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a fine, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California.

Dutton made her initial court appearance in Houston, Texas, and is scheduled to make her next appearance Tuesday in Houston's federal court.

Federal prosecutors are attempting to obtain an order to have Dutton ultimately face the charge in San Francisco federal court.

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.
You are now listening to the sounds of the New Generation. A podcast created for those who desire a new way of gaining information rather than reading a traditional newspaper. In our show we will discuss everything from sports, pop culture, politics, and local news. To stay up to date on our latest episodes every week be sure to follow us on your favorite podcast service. And dont worry, we keep it short.
A mandatory health pass and negative PCR test will be required for international travelers, as well as a double-check by thermal cameras, and antigen tests will be conducted upon arrival in Morocco, said an official statement published by the Moroccan official news agency MAP.

Rabat, Nov 14 (IANS) Morocco announced on Saturday to strengthen the control measures for access to its territory, as part of efforts to curb the Covid-19 pandemic.

The statement added that any passenger who tested positive on arrival in Morocco must return immediately to the country of origin at the expense of the airline or shipping company, Xinhua news agency reported.

This decision aimed to preserve Morocco's achievements in the fight against Covid-19, and took into account the increase in cases of infection in Morocco's European neighbours, it said.

Morocco's Covid-19 tally rose to 948,157 on Saturday as 132 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours.

The death toll stood at 14,740 with three new fatalities, and the total of recoveries hit 929,909 after 134 new ones were added.

A total of 24,359,996 people have received the first shot of Covid-19 vaccines in the country, and 22,388,630 people have received the second dose.

Meanwhile, 1,570,471 people have taken the third dose.

--IANS

int/shs
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AstraZeneca is moving to profit from the COVID-19 vaccine it developed with the University of Oxford after watching Pfizer and Moderna reap huge returns over the past year of the pandemic.

The UK drugmaker will start generating modest profits from the shot as new orders are received, AstraZeneca said in a statement. The vaccine will continue to be sold at cost for developing nations.

AstaZeneca chief Pascal Soriot. The companys decision to make its jab without taking a profit has squeezed margins. Credit:Edwina Pickles

The company is shifting to a for-profit model even as many countries grapple with rising COVID-19 cases. AstraZeneca chief executive officer Pascal Soriot said COVID-19 is moving into an endemic phase, and the move is in line with the companys plan early in the crisis, when it pledged not to profit from the vaccine as long as the disease remained a pandemic.

AstraZeneca and Oxford created one of the first coronavirus vaccines, receiving authorisation from the UK in December. The company has looked on as Pfizer and Moderna, which rolled out successful vaccines around the same time, have made billions of dollars in sales. Astra has said it will only take a profit from wealthier nations, and it will rely on tiered pricing to make sure the shot is affordable.
Until a few years ago, J Cap was domiciled in Hong Kong and its clients included long-only funds. However, the firm re-domiciled in the US when it became clear Hong Kongs regulators were cracking down on short sellers, especially those critical of mainland Chinese companies. They still have a small China-based team. Murray recently announced plans to run for Waverley Council in Sydneys eastern suburbs on a platform of increasing renewable energy. He has not yet decided if he will re-nominate as the Labor candidate for the federal seat of Wentworth in the next federal election. Stevenson-Yang is also politically active, doorknocking on behalf of the Democrats. J Capital co-founder Tim Murray has taken to Australian politics. He ran as the ALP candidate in the seat of Wentworth in eastern Sydney in the 2018 federal election. He is now turning to council elections. Credit:Peter Rae SMH Activist short sellers want to be the first to point out a company is over-valued and are motivated by the chance to make money out of a falling stock price. In Australia, J Cap is best known for recent reports on logistics technology firm WiseTech, aerial mapping software provider Nearmap, and its recent critique of lithium play Vulcan Energy. In the past, it has also issued research criticising health supplements business Blackmores, iron ore giant Fortescue and retailer Harvey Norman. You have to find something that is just so obviously egregiously... a fraud that everybody can see it. And even those things dont always work J Capitals Anne Stevenson-Yang

Short sellers borrow stock from long-term investors for a fee and sell the shares into the market. They aim to repurchase the shares later at a lower price and return the shares to the original owner. The short seller hopes to pocket the difference between the higher sale price and lower repurchase price. Not all short sellers are activist  some quietly hold their position and wait. While activist short sellers have exposed corporate scandals at companies such as collapsed US commodities firm Enron, German payments business Wirecard and ASX listed investment firm BlueSky, the practise remains controversial. Loading Some firms that engage in the strategy have been accused of conducting short and distort raids, making exaggerated claims about companies, sometimes anonymously, and amplifying them via social and traditional media. This story does not suggest J Cap has engaged in any wrongdoing. But the firm has been hit with its fair share of lawsuits. It was sued by billionaire Thomas Kaplan in the Eastern District of New York for defamation and trade libel over a short report on resources company Novagold. Just last week Vulcan Energy sued J Cap in the Federal Court in Western Australia for misleading or deceptive conduct over a report released in early November alleging Vulcans flagship lithium extraction technology is unlikely to succeed.

Murray has done thematic reports over several years, and says, just as with long investing, short investing a stock may be good in one period and bad in another. He sees J Caps reports more like a transparency health-check. Stevenson-Yang said equity markets have just gone vertical ever since 2017 and prices everywhere are over-inflated. You have to find something that is just so obviously egregiously a promote (pump) or a fraud that everybody can see it. And even those things dont always work, she said. Controversially, Murray says they dont always contact a company before releasing a report, despite regulatory guidelines to do so. This is because management usually wants to keep issues raised in their reports private, it runs the risk of a pre-emptive injunction or a co-ordinated short squeeze. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) notes the impact of short reports was being amplified by social media, chat rooms, online groups, and online news. But unlike Hong Kong, it hasnt chased short sellers out of the country.

On average, the J Cap team publishes one report for every three ideas they investigate. Each one will take a team of us three months to work on and so during that three months we are always like what if somebody else notices? Stevenson-Yang says. They get tips from insiders or begin researching a company because of financial anomalies like unusually high margins compared to peers. They scour publicly available financial records then move onto interviewing industry experts. You look a little further, poke a little harder. You see if there are some other things that make you wonder. If everything looks normal you just leave it alone. But very often you start poking further and find more, she said. If you have a big stake in a company that is fraudulent, then buyer beware. If you got out in time because of us, good, Stevenson-Yang says.

In 2019, their curiosity was piqued by WiseTechs 39 international acquisitions over four years, and they issued a report querying accounting irregularities and revenue. WiseTech shares dropped 21.2 per cent over two days to $28.53. Within a few weeks, another offshore firm, Bucephalus Research, released its own short report arguing WiseTech was inflating organic growth and using contorted accounting. Shares fell even further in February 2020 when WiseTech lowered its guidance due to the pandemic, hitting $10.48 on 19 March 2020. But since then, WiseTech shares have risen nearly 420 per cent. The view now is that WiseTech wasnt fraudulent, but was in the middle of a delicate and complicated multi-year strategy. Murray said J Caps short reports helped WiseTech improve its disclosure. Their transparency is much better now. I would say two years after the fact people have more trust in them because its clearer what they are doing. I dont think I was wrong. I think I helped them to clean up their act.

Morningstar analyst Gareth James drastically changed his target price for WiseTech in the past 18 months from $8.10 to $60. He said a new investor relations team helped him understand the company better. We had a valuation on the company which made us the most bearish in the market by a long, long way and that was not because we could see something that was bad, it is because there was not enough information to substantiate the price, Mr James said. Loading A spokeswoman for WiseTech said the short reports were misleading, deceptive and issued during ASX trading hours, which destabilised our share price and allowed J Cap to profit. Now that J Caps short thesis on WiseTech has clearly been shown to be wrong, any claim by them that their reports facilitated improved disclosure by WiseTech is untrue and self-serving, a spokeswoman for WiseTech said.
The NSW government must not bow to pressure from employers complaining about workers compensation premiums. They should be standing with and looking after the essential workers who have been looking after all of us. Premier Dominic Perrottet said the law should be repealed now that more was known more about COVID-19 transmission to ensure businesses were not hit with an unexpected spike in their insurance bills. A coalition of small business groups wrote to the government on November 11 to strongly urge the NSW Parliament to repeal section 19B of the Workers Compensation Act (1987) as soon as possible. The section states, it is presumed (unless the contrary is established) that the disease was contracted by the worker in the course of the employment, and the employment. The coalition said it was opposed to the amendment because it presented a significant risk of escalation of workers compensation premiums for small business.

It potentially exposed business owners to litigation  that is, being held vicariously liable for harm caused to a third person who had been shown to be infected by a worker who had been deemed to have contracted COVID in the workplace, they wrote. Mr Perrottet said now that the economy was reopening we want businesses investing in new staff and higher wages, not inflated insurance bills. When the NSW government originally made the amendments, we had little information about how COVID-19 was spread and whether it was more likely to be contracted in workplaces, and we certainly didnt have a vaccine rollout, he said. Treasurer Matt Kean said the NSW government is ensuring businesses dont foot the bill for more than half a billion dollars in premium increases. If the NSW government doesnt repeal this amendment, we risk losing jobs just as our recovery is gaining momentum, he said.

Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said without changes, the scheme could be hit with more than 25,000 extra claims with an average increase in insurance premiums of $950. Loading Removing the automatic workers compensation entitlements will not remove a workers right to make a claim if they contract COVID-19 as a result of their employment, he said. Unions NSW secretary Mark Morey said the impact of the policy change was harsh, heartless and unnecessary. Any savings to government will be tiny, but the impact on individual workers will be massive, he said. The most affected workers will be those who are putting themselves in harms way ... overwhelmingly this will be women.

Greens MP David Shoebridge said the changes introduced last year were designed to protect frontline workers like nurses, teachers, bus drivers and retail staff who had a higher risk of being exposed to COVID-19. Without these laws the people who have been keeping us safe, keeping us fed, keeping our city running wont have the protection they deserve if they catch COVID-19, he said. Its next to impossible to prove you caught COVID at work rather than at home or on public transport getting to and from work - thats why these laws are there to protect frontline workers. NSW Labors spokeswoman for industrial relations Sophie Cotsis said the policy change was a stab in the back for the tens of thousands of workers fighting COVID-19. Australian Hotels Association NSW chief executive John Whelan said hotels and staff had been hit hard by COVID-19 restrictions. These changes will restore balance and fairness, rather than hit pubs with multimillion-dollar premium increases, he said.

Loading National Retail Association chief executive Dominique Lamb said the repeal would help mum-and-dad retail businesses survive. As the state continues to reopen it is undeniable that there will be a spike in cases across December and January, she said. It would be completely illogical to presume that workers across our industries who contract COVID would have definitely done so at work. Restaurant and Catering Association chief executive Wes Lambert said it was no longer reasonable to assume in the first instance that an employee contracted COVID-19 in the workplace. Retaining this legislation continues to set a dangerous precedent, which could lead to dramatically increased expenses to businesses and potential misuses of the workers compensation system, he said. The Herald reported last month that workers compensation claims for contracting COVID-19 were expected to surge at the end of the NSW lockdown, with the industry regulator predicting a bill of up to $638 million within 12 months.
Luckily the traditional cold and wet June festival weather returned in November. In hot and steamy conditions, all this sex might have overheated the cinema airconditioning. Hidetoshi Nishijima, left, and Toko Miura in Drive My Car. Credit:Sydney Film Festival The more serious concerns of major international filmmakers naturally featured throughout the festival, including war crimes, refugee crises, oppressive regimes, injustice of all kinds, Indigenous issues, lost love, identity struggles and cinema itself. But just why there was so much sex is fascinating to consider: it could be the pandemic has encouraged filmmakers to think about it more, except that these films were largely written before COVID-19. Have quality dramas on streaming services pushed writers and directors to be more adventurous? Is it no longer taboo to show both male and female genitalia on screen? Or, as director Radu Jude suggests in Bad Luck Banging, is daily life now full of so many things that are more obscene than sex. A smaller festival program than usual to allow COVID-safe protocols included more films from Cannes, Venice and Toronto as well as first looks at Hollywood cinema releases, including Denis Villeneuves impressive first instalment of sci-fi blockbuster Dune.

Other stand-outs included The Rescue, Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chins gripping documentary about the Thai cave rescue in 2018, and Pedro Almodovars Parallel Mothers, with Penelope Cruz and Milena Smit as two women who bond in a maternity ward. In the festival competition, there was Danish director Jonas Poher Rasmussens inventive animated documentary Flee, about a gay Afghan refugee recalling the traumatic escape from his homeland, and Bosnian director Jasmila Zbanics Quo Vadis, Aida?, an intense drama about a UN translator trying to save her family during the Srebrenica massacre in 1995. Jonas Poher Rasmussens inventive animated documentary Flee. Credit:Sydney Film Festival The opening night attraction was Here Out West, a likable drama from eight emerging writers and five female directors that is a fresh take on contemporary western Sydney. There was also a warm reception for Leah Purcells fierce Indigenous western The Drovers Wife The Legend Of Molly Johnson . Sydney Film Festival On Demand continues until November 21.

Banned Iranian film-maker wins $60,000 competition Sydney Film Festivals competition for audacious, cutting-edge and courageous film has been won by banned Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulofs There Is No Evil, four short dramas about official executions in his country. Winner of the $60,000 Sydney Film Prize: Mohammad Rasoulofs There Is No Evil. Credit:Sydney Film Festival The winner of the top prize at the Berlin Film Festival last year, it was shot secretly after Rasoulof was threatened with a jail term and banned from filmmaking for spreading propaganda against the Islamic republic. He overcame the ban by submitting fake scripts for four short films under false names then posing as a crew member on set - with a pretend director - lest the authorities arrive. He also grew his beard and wore glasses to be less recognisable in public.

With the competition returning after missing last years digital-only festival, the awards were announced at the closing night gala before the Australian premiere of Wes Andersons The French Dispatch. Jury president David Michod described There Is No Evil as a moving, multi-angled exploration of a singular theme - the ways a culture can carry the burden of institutional cruelty. Winner of the Documentary Australia Foundation Award for best Australian documentary: Im Wanita. Credit:Sydney Film Festival Its a movie adventurous with form and genre, beautifully performed and realised with a deft touch for simple, elegant filmmaking craft, he said. In a strong field, equally worthy winners would have been Flee, Bad Luck Banging Or Loony Porn, Quo Vadis, Aida? or Drive My Car. It is the second Iranian film to win the award after Asghar Farhadis masterful A Separation in 2011.

Accepting the $60,000 Sydney Film Prize on video from Tehran, Rasoulof said he was happy there was something more than simple appreciation in the award. Something like being heard, being understood, he said. This is what keeps hope alive. The jury also gave a special mention to Ben Sharrocks Limbo, a deadpan comic drama about a young Syrian refugee on a remote Scottish island. Director Matthew Walker won the $10,000 Australian documentary competition for Im Wanita, which follows Tamworths damaged queen of honky tonk as she goes to Nashville to record an album. The jury called it observational documentary at its finest ... made with great empathy, respect and intimacy. It also highly recommended Jeff Daniels Television Event, about the 1983 nuclear attack telemovie The Day After, for showing that films really can change the world. In the Dendy Awards, the winner of the $7000 prize for best live-action Australian short was Sophie Somervilles Peeps, about the turbulent world of teenagers on a shopping trip.
MPs from Australias two most populated states have written to the federal government with concerns that outdated vaccination data is preventing families from travelling to South Australia.

Victorian state MP for Melbourne, Ellen Sandell, and Jenny Leong, the NSW state MP for the inner-city electorate of Newtown, have both expressed concerns that their constituents have been separated from loved ones who are unwell and live in South Australia as a result of a possible data bungle.

South Australia is on track to open up to the rest of the country on November 23, but will still require visitors from local government areas with a double-dose vaccination rate lower than 80 per cent (for people aged 16 and over) to quarantine upon arrival.

Both Victoria and NSW have already surpassed that milestone on a statewide level and are inching closer to achieving 90 per cent double-vaccination coverage for residents aged 12 and above (NSW has already reached the latter milestone if counting people aged 16 and up).

However, South Australias border rules for local government areas reflect population data from 2019, before tens of thousands of international students and migrants left Sydney and Melbourne.

Loading

There are concerns that suburbs in both state capitals are reporting vaccination rates much lower than neighbouring areas due to the decline in population. For example, the University of Sydney postcode area has recorded a vaccination rate of less than 10 per cent. In neighbouring suburbs such as Darlington, Chippendale and Golden Grove that figure hovers between 50 and 60 per cent.

Reports from the City of Melbourne indicate international students made up about a third of the CBDs population prior to the pandemic.

It is problematic to be preventing interstate travel based on outdated population predictions which seem to skew the actual vaccination rates of these areas, a joint letter from Ms Sandell and Ms Leong reads.

The pandemic has [also] given people the opportunity to move away from their workplaces and work remotely in suburban or rural areas, however these movements will not be shown statistically until after the next census.

The letter is addressed to federal Health Minister Greg Hunt. Ms Sandell and Ms Leong are both members of the Greens.
The revelations come after the Herald revealed on Sunday that Destination NSW has not employed an Indigenous person for nearly a decade, despite developing two Aboriginal tourism industry plans and boasting about encouraging staff to celebrate diversity. Lisa Annese, the chief executive of the Diversity Council of Australia (DCA), said increasing workforce diversity should be prioritised. All of the evidence points to the fact that the more diverse your workforce is and the more inclusive it is the better it is in any measure," she said. In any organisation these things are important but in the public sector it's really critical because the public sector obviously is there to provide services and provide policy and, in a sense, it reflects back the Australian community. Some agencies, such as the Australian Federal Police, did not report how many First Nations people they employ, but told the Herald that it employs 180 Indigenous people, or 2.5 per cent of their workforce.

In May, AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw APM, launched the AFP First Nations Unit (FNU) to promote full and unhindered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in the AFP workforce, and inform the provision of culturally competent policing services to the Australian community. In 2015, the Government set a target of 3 per cent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation in the public service by 2018. Despite meeting the target, a government evaluation found it put too much focus on entry-level jobs with low retention rates. Mr Morton said a 2020 workforce strategy has a stretch target of 3 per cent Indigenous people represented in each salary band across all portfolios. He argued that not all agencies could meet this target due to factors including, limited staff turnover, a small number of roles within the agency, or the specialist nature of the work.

While the employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has improved over time, more work is required to realise the employment outcomes in the strategy, Mr Morton said. "Agency heads, as the employers, are responsible for implementing deliverables and reporting on their employment figures." The government says Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people account for 3.5 per cent of Australian Public Service (APS) employees, but there is a data gap because the APS does not collect information from all Commonwealth agencies due to legal restrictions. The Herald analysed Indigenous employment disclosures in the annual reports of more than 120 federal agencies.

Aboriginal Hostels Ltd was the best performing agency with more than 100 employees - nearly half its staff reported being Indigenous. Parks Australia (42.9 per cent), Indigenous Business Australia (30.4 per cent), and the National Indigenous Australians Agency (22.9 per cent) were also high performers. Several departments that oversee policy areas where Indigenous people are disproportionately affected also contain an unrepresentative workforce. At the Attorney-Generals Department, which advises the government on Native Title claims and is helping lead its response to several justice-related Closing the Gap targets, Indigenous people make up 1.2 per cent of staff. Loading

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) employs more than 540 people, but only four are Indigenous, plus one Board member and an Indigenous expert on their ethics committee. An AIHW spokesman detailed several strategies they are using and said despite actively trying to increase Indigenous staff, they have struggled and in the past year, several job offers have been declined. Obviously it's disappointing  However, I've worked in this space for a really long time and change doesnt happen overnight, so I think any progress is a step in the right direction because it's important for it to be irreversible," Ms Annese said. Systemic changes in organisations are needed, she said, citing a recent economy-wide study conducted by the UTS Jumbunna Institute and the DCA that found many Indigenous people dont feel culturally safe in the workplace. One of the things that really stood out for First Nations people was the experience of exclusion being really amplified, and their experience of racism in Australian workplaces," she said.

Opposition spokeswoman for Indigenous Australians, Wiradjuri woman Linda Burney, said the employment rates in major departments like the Attorney-Generals and Prime Minister and Cabinet werent good enough. Labors Linda Burney said that as a former NSW department head, shes keen to tackle the issue. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen I find it very disappointing that agencies that really are responsible for some very important aspects of Aboriginal peoples' disadvantage don't have more Aboriginal people employed, but also Aboriginal people at a senior level where decisions are taken, she said. Before entering politics Ms Burney served as the Director-General of the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs. It's really difficult, if you dont have confidence, if you dont have support, then it's very, very hard to stay in that position, she said.
Captain Joseph Burnett, RAN who was in command of HMAS Sydney when she was lost during an engagment with the German raider Kormoran off the west Australian coast on November 19, 1941 Credit:AWM Previously with only the mitochondrial DNA (mitochondrial DNA tests are used to trace peoples mother-line ancestry through their mitochondria  known as the powerhouse of a cell) researchers would have had to find a sister or female relative of the sailor on HMAS Sydney. Also, with the search not starting until 2006, many who could have provided DNA were already dead. Now Y chromosomes known as Y-DNA testing enable a trace to be made through the paternal line. If the sailor had a brother who had a son, then the son could now provide DNA for testing which opens the opportunity to search a new and broader range of people. The Herald and The Age have not seen the new test results and therefore have not been able to seek to verify them with independent researchers. Some details of the Unknown Sailor were learnt at the time the body was discovered. He was a white man wearing blue overalls bleached white by the sun. Blue overalls indicate a lower rank sailor and not an officer. Australian-made press studs were recovered from the remains with blue material between the studs.

It was previously believed that his hair was blond, light brown or red, rather than black or dark brown. He is thought to have had blue eyes and been between five foot two inches (1.58 metres) and six foot two inches (1.88 metres) tall. He was most likely between 20 and 30 years old. A high number of those on board were aged in their late teens, according to a spreadsheet of all 645 names. Those details, together with dental records, once cross-checked with information available in National Archives when the sailors enlisted, means more than 500 names had already been delegated as unlikely candidates. HMAS Sydney Memorial in Geraldton, Western Australia. The dome has 645 seagulls, one for each sailor who died. Credit:Photo: Karl Monaghan In World War II, some sailors had dog tags, if they had them at all, which were made of fibreboard that would turn to pulp or be destroyed in fire. Metal tags were issued later in the war. Brad Argent, senior director of International Programming at Ancestry, speaking from London, said: Growth in the consumer genomics industry  and the normalisation of DNA testing  has created a wonderful resource for solving all kinds of unanswered questions.

Its exciting to think that we could be close to finding a name for the Unknown Sailor  and all the more poignant it being so close to the anniversary of such a tragedy. This is the perfect marriage of science and history. Perhaps if we can put a name to the body that washed up on Christmas Island almost 80 years ago it will act as an anchor for the souls of the other 644 men whose bodies were lost to the sea and they, and their families, can find peace. Robert Henry Hill, an engine room artificer, enlisted in 1940, just months after he had fallen in love and become engaged. He was the great-uncle of Alison Mudie who learnt of his experiences as a crew member on HMAS Sydney, including one in which he and his crew marched through the streets of Sydney as heroes after a successful deployment in the Mediterranean. Rosemary White (front) with Alison Mudie in Turramurra, reflects on her uncle Robert Hill who died in the sinking of HMAS Sydney. Credit:James Alcock Robert, aged 26, wrote a last letter home to his family that arrived only a few weeks before the ship was lost. The letter was to congratulate his sister, who had given birth to a daughter, Rosemary White, his niece and Ms Mudies mother, who turned 80 on October 27.

Ms Mudie from Lilyfield said her mother had given a DNA sample five years ago but had heard nothing. It wasnt just Robert who died in the war; his brother Ron in the RAAF died when his aircraft, a B-25 Mitchell crashed off the coast of Nightcliff in 1943, she said. Of the latest development, she said: I think it would be an incredible closure to know the identity of the Unknown Sailor but also just for him to represent the other boys who were lost, a lot of them were just boys. He may have died soon after he got into the raft but the fact that he was found is really special. Others can look through photographs and see if our loved ones knew him. Robert Henry Hill lost on HMAS Sydney in front of 6-inch guns, he was an engine room artificer, 4th class. Lavington Jack Agar, aged 40 was serving on the ship as a chief mechanician. In a letter to his mother dated September 30, 1941 At Sea (three weeks before the ship went down) he wrote: I hope you receive this letter all right and hoping to hear from you again very shortly. I will say goodnight for the present, best love to you and dad, from your loving son, Lav. There were 14 kisses. Jacks granddaughter Kaye Farnsworth from Seaford who has used Ancestry to research the family history, said she was emotional thinking of the hard life her grandmother had. Told of the DNA development, she said: I have always wondered who it was, I suppose you would feel a little bit better as a family member to know that somebody at least got off the ship.

It would be nice if somebody actually had a grave as opposed to everybody being on the floor of the ocean. Kayes aunt Margaret Noble, aged 86 (Jacks daughter) said she was five years old when the Sydney went down. My Mum showed my sister and me one day all dads letters tied up with a blue ribbon, she said. Kaye Farnsworth lost her grandfather Jack Agar in the sinking of HMAS Sydney. Credit:Wayne Taylor She said this is for you girls when you get a bit older. When my mother died my stepfather, who I hated with a passion, burnt all of it. It makes me emotional just thinking about it. Mum always said he had a premonition because on that last trip he took things to sea that he never took to sea and he left at home things he always took to sea.

Based on the procedure for World War One soldiers identified in recent years, the identity will be put to a Navy casualty board to assess. If they are agreed, changing of the name on the headstone would pass to the Office of Australian War Graves. Why only one body? Loading After the wreck of both ships was found in March 2008, a Commission of Inquiry was launched by Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston and then-deputy prime minister Julia Gillard. The Coles Inquiry noted, There is a sense of frustration within the community that the navy has not revealed the full circumstances surrounding the deaths of the crew of HMAS Sydney. It found damage to both vessels confirmed the closeness of the battle supported by German eyewitness accounts that the Sydney was struck by a torpedo. Sydneys bridge and control tower suffered damage seen on the wreckage believed to have resulted in the deaths of many officers. There was fire damage to the entire bridge. Shell damage and fire made it unlikely that the Sydneys lifeboats would be usable by survivors.
Since 2005, we have reduced emissions faster than any other major commodity exporting nation in the world, Senator Payne and Mr Taylor said, noting Australias performance relative to other comparable countries such as Japan, the United States and New Zealand. Australias 2030 target is fixed and we are committed to meeting and beating it, as we did with our Kyoto-era targets. Mr Hunt broadly welcomed the outcome of the summit, saying it was important progress for the world but repeatedly declined to say whether Australia would update its 2030 goals. Instead, Mr Hunt quoted Shakespeare while on the ABCs Insiders program. It reminds me of Prince Hal to Hotspur in Henry IV: I never never promised to pay thee but now that Im here, Ill pay thee double. The steelworks and coal loading facility in Port Kembla, Wollongong. For many the Glasgow summit has been a step in the right direction even though it failed to call for countries to phase out coal. Credit:Getty Images

The Glasgow pact calls for rapid reductions in emissions this decade if 2050 targets are to work, and completes key elements of the so-called Paris rule book, governing how a global carbon market can operate. Loading Asked what the consequences should be if a country like Australia ignored the request to come back in 2022 with higher 2030 emissions reductions targets, COP26 president Alok Sharma said: All countries have signed up to this and at the end of the day this is an international agreement and every country will be judged by whether or not they stuck to the commitments theyve made. Reaction to the final agreement was mixed.

Councillor with the Climate Council and Macquarie University biology professor Lesley Hughes said the pact was a step in the right direction but not as strong as many had hoped. Weve got some of the weakest targets in the world, she said. The Australian government is letting the world down and certainly letting Australia down, they are out of step with global action and certainly out of step with the community. Greenpeace Australia Pacific chief executive officer David Ritter said the pacts message to Australia and other fossil fuel producers was clear: This is not the deal the world needed, but it is what has been delivered and the momentum is in the right direction, he said. Make no mistake. One clear positive is that the governments of the world have agreed for the first time that the age of coal is over.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd said COP26 was always going to be judged about whether it changed the emissions curve. While Glasgow has shown that the ambition mechanism at the heart of the Paris Agreement is beating, survival for those on the frontline of this climate crisis is still not certain, he said. Countries like my own which refused to update their 2030 targets have not simply been granted a leave pass to do nothing for another five years  and they will now need to come back to the table by COP27 next year. While the official text might have stopped short of agreeing to phase out coal, the statements made by world leaders in Glasgow leave no doubt that coal is on its way to being consigned to history, Rudd said. The pact also moved to recognise the importance of indigenous peoples, local communities and civil society, including youth and children, in addressing and responding to climate change. Australian climate activist Louis Mitchell, in Glasgow for the summit, said he hoped the passion for stronger climate action and pressure on world leaders sparked during COP26 would continue.

Everyone here is exhausted, its been tiring both physically and emotionally, he said. Its tough that after all this we are left with something beyond subpar. I hope we can take some of the ambition that was shown here and take it forward. Australian climate activist Louis Mitchell attended the COP26 summit. Lot of people saw COP26 as this silver bullet to fix everything, but it was never going to be that. We hoped in some sense it would be better than what we thought, but we were let down once again. Climate Analytics chief executive Bill Hare said if countries did not step up in the next few years to take substantial action, including phasing out coal and addressing the role of gas, then the future looked bleak. There is a sense of urgency with the accelerated timeline for action. There is consensus that this is a critical decade for accelerated action. It is a race against time, he said. There was a disappointing outcome for loss and damage, but with some encouraging signals that it is possible to come back to the table to do additional work.
It is easy to point out the holes in the deal struck in Glasgow on climate change, but the outcome offers at least a glimmer of hope and keeps the pressure on both political parties to revise Australias weak emissions reduction targets for 2030.

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This first major meeting of heads of government on climate since the Paris Treaty in 2015 was always going to be a messy event. The 197 governments were distracted by the geopolitical rivalry between China and the US and, of course, by the global pandemic, which has caused huge economic and social damage, especially in the developing world.

Pessimists can justifiably complain that the political leaders copped out and produced a fairly empty deal that will not stop global temperatures rising by more than 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. Scientists say if we miss that target the world will suffer a catastrophic increase in droughts, hurricanes, rising sea levels and the disappearance of the Great Barrier Reef.

The meeting failed to generate enough cash for research into new emissions reduction technologies and aid to developing countries. After an 11th hour rebellion by China and India, the final declaration calls for the phasing down rather than the phasing out of coal. The fossil fuel industry has been given wiggle room to argue, as Australias Nationals do, that it still has a long-term future.
DOOGUE: I think shes been very disappointed by men. McCULLOUGH: Shes like a lot of really, really intelligent women. She cant pick her men. DOOGUE: When you meet her, shes formidably bright. She is really bright. And she also has the great Australian spirit of larrikinism - our form of eccentric in a way. Shes unusual in that shes academic and a larrikin. Q: Is it part of Greers character to be controversial - to get people to think? MOORE: Shes an institution. It doesnt matter whether you agree with her or you dont ... you are affected.

DOOGUE: In The Female Eunuch she definitely was advocating sexual liberation as one of the key conduits for liberation for women and was asking women to throw off the repression which had characterised their sexual lives in the 50s and 40s ... And I think in a way shes come full circle on that. And I think she is disappointed by what sex has done. This is a manifesto for a woman who wants to find a meaning beyond sex which says: I am OK. This is my new way which is post-sex and its very convenient. McCULLOUGH: Germaine Greer, author of The Change. Credit:Publicity. When she was young she was very beautiful. And I think that a lot of this too is from the profound effect on her of losing her beauty. Q: How about Greers quote: Invisibility starts at a certain age? What happens when a woman ages?

McCULLOUGH: I think beautiful women suffer more. I mean, if youre like me and you were always fat and you were never hooked by the mirror, it doesnt really matter. Do you know what matters? If I look like my mother (laughs). MOORE: From what Ive read, the message thats coming through seems to be: After menopause, you are indeed liberated because you dont have to be involved in sex anymore and you are no longer just a sexual object or a child bearer ... DOOGUE: Shes saying you have the opportunity to go back, in effect, to be the girl you were before you became pubescent ... Q: ... before you became a tool of your sexual and reproductive destiny. How do you feel about that quote? McCULLOUGH: I think a lot of us would not agree we ever were a tool of our sexual and reproductive destiny. At 46 I married a younger man - whos not a toy boy I might add - and I think its wonderful. Im having a terrific time and Im 54. Life has never been better. And sex is just so much better than it ever was.

DOOGUE: I think this thing of losing her beauty is really important. She says that she suddenly realised she didnt have the pulling power, the sexual attraction. And I think it was an extraordinary shock. But I think shes still an extremely attractive woman because of her power and assertiveness. I think theres now much more of an emphasis on the assertive woman as a quite powerful sexual object. MOORE: I think women are still blazing trails. There are nine women in the Lower House out of 99 and what we do, what we wear - it still creates a great deal of comment all the time. But Ive refused categories. I quite enjoy reading the things in Germaines books but I think shes self-indulgent ... she worries about life - takes it out, looks at it, massages it. Q: What about the arguments Greer is putting forward about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause - that it hasnt been looked into sufficiently and perhaps its not the great panacea? DOOGUE: Theyve done these long-term studies weighing up the advantages of HRT versus the disadvantages in terms of quality of life expressed in the trade-off between osteoporotic fractures and cancers and Im afraid the evidence is absolutely overwhelming in favour of HRT. McCULLOUGH: I am medically trained and I think hormone replacement therapy has helped an enormous number of women. Unfortunately, I cant take it. But Im sure theres something better around the corner.

DOOGUE: But I do think she has a point. The latest editorial from The Lancet looks at HRT and it basically says it is under-prescribed; that it had done a total canvassing of doctors in the UK and that, in fact, up to 85 per cent of doctors who were canvassed were unwilling to put their patients on it because they didnt know a lot about it and they didnt want their patients on long-term therapy ... I think what Greer is talking about is, as The Lancet says that the challenge of the 90s for medicine is to properly identify those women who need HRT and to make sure they get it. The irony is that there are women who are getting it who dont need it. Q: An overall assessment of the book? DOOGUE: I think its her most important book since The Female Eunuch -because its a huge challenge to think again about female autonomy. There are bombs thrown in it - typical Germaine - but she talks about the beautiful long autumn of life. Its so eloquent. MOORE: Positive. Unless women do fight to have these things brought out and dealt with, its a tough time. They need support and that is very positive. McCULLOUGH: This book is going to be another milestone, enormously influential. It doesnt much matter if what she says is right or wrong - it brings the issue into the open and people will think about it and talk about it and thats the most important contribution.

DOOGUE: Maggie Tabberer: Its how you feel thats important. Credit:Staff Her great triumph is that she makes everybody talk about menopause -men and women alike. MAGGIE TABBERER Lets talk about it.

I grew up in a household of women who didnt mention the menopause. It was a taboo subject. Its important to encourage a greater amount of dialogue as it gives the subject an agenda. The youth culture has been around for a while and we have to start talking about older women and realising the pressure on them. Its such a fragile thing. You dont hear people saying: Shes got lovely grey hair as they do for men. Its amazing how forward-thinking Germaine Greer is and was. But the excerpts Ive read from The Change about hormone replacement therapy concern me. Loading
Burning fury over Dili deaths

The Prime Minister indicated last night he might cancel his planned visit to Jakarta in February because of the massacre in Dili. Mr Hawkes visit would be contingent on the Indonesian Government expressing genuine contrition for the military action, a proper inquiry into the incident and an intention to punish those responsible, he said. He had come under heavy pressure to cancel the visit from Timorese protestors.

Column 8

During a particularly boring Question Time in State Parliament the other day, Bob Carr, Leader of the Opposition, and Brian Langton, transport spokesman, picked up an Oxford Dictionary from the table and amused themselves by quizzing each other on the meaning of obscure words. For instance, Whats a catachresis? (This led to a study of malapropism). Gruntled ? (As in The minister was gruntled).

The telling imperfection

Consider for a moment just what constitutes beauty. Does it have to be flawless? Or can it arise, instead, from the telling imperfection, the blemish that defines character? British band My Bloody Valentine clearly believe the latter. Virtually all their work is built on that tension, veering between moments of sublime beauty and jarring ugliness. Rarely have two guitars, bass and drums sounded so unearthly.
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 The sky is blue and dotted with fluffy white clouds when Melanie McGrady turns up at the leafy grounds of Boggabilla TAFE for the second day in a row, hoping theyll let her use the printer. Earlier last Wednesday, her three children were turned away by the bus driver who ferries them across the Macintyre River that separates Boggabilla in inland NSW to Goondiwindi in Queensland, where they go to school. The border pass Ms McGrady printed for her daughter last Tuesday was rendered obsolete overnight by another unannounced Queensland government rule change, she says. Her sister, who is double vaccinated, would have taken the children to school but had been turned away by Queensland Police at the border because her second jab was less than two weeks ago. Federal government regulations state it takes up to 14 days after the second dose for a person to be fully immunised. Thats whats been promised: once you get the jab youre allowed to enter Queensland, but thats not happening, Ms McGrady said. Theres nothing you can do but sit back, get frustrated ... and thats about it. Hours after she got the new border pass, the weather event that has brought floods to large parts of western NSW threatened to further isolate the community. Mercifully, the flooding of the Macintyre was not as major as predicted for a community already in the eye of the COVID-19 state borders storm. The only shop in Boggabilla, about a 1.5 hour drive north of Moree, is a Coles Express service station and truck stop on the outskirts of town. The servo is also home to Boggabillas only ATM, which has been out of service for the past week because the part needed to fix it is in Queensland.

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Boggabilla is home to about 500 residents, the majority of whom are Indigenous. It shares a postcode with Toomelah, an Aboriginal community of about 300 on a former mission about 15 kilometres to Boggabillas west, with next to no phone reception. Loading South of the Macintyre which forms the inland border with Queensland, the two communities operate on Queensland time, drivers have Queensland number plates, and they are almost entirely reliant on the businesses, services and workers from Goondiwindi, the larger town (population 6000) to the north of the border. With less than half its residents receiving a single dose, Boggabilla (with Toomelah included) has one of the lowest double vaccination rates in NSW, hovering between 30-to 40 per cent. Goondiwindi, in contrast, is by far Queenslands highest vaccinated town at more than 93 per cent first dose, and 84 per cent double-dosed. For most of the pandemic the towns have been in a border bubble  but on Thursday last week, following an outbreak of COVID-19 in Moree that has since ballooned to 140 cases, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk brought back the hard border, leaving residents on the southern side reeling. The stricter border has been in place before, but under new rules only the fully vaccinated in the border zone are allowed to cross into Goondiwindi to do essential grocery shopping. Residents tell of being timed by police or having their licences taken as insurance theyll return. Essential workers can cross  but Queenslands definition of essential doesnt include teachers or nurses, so Boggabillas K-12 school is left with a handful of staff.

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The health clinic, too, is usually operated by Goondiwindi residents. Nurses in Moree have been travelling daily to collect swabs and deliver vaccinations. Because they cant cross into Goondiwindi, Boggabillas COVID-19 swabs have to be driven back to Moree  an hour ahead on daylight saving time  then fly to Sydney for testing. NSW Cross Border Commissioner James McTavish said cutting off the disadvantaged communities from essential services, especially given Goondiwindis high vaccination rate, is really problematic. Its very, very difficult. We understand Queenslands concern, but we dont understand the rationale, he said. A Queensland government spokesperson said residents to the south who arent fully vaccinated may enter the state to receive a COVID-19 vaccination or to receive emergency care at Goondiwindi Hospital. Goondiwindi mayor, former Queensland opposition leader Lawrence Springborg, said he empathises with the communities to the south and has pushed for those who are double vaccinated to be able to move more freely. But he said the low vaccination rate is no fault of either state government. There has been a very intense process to make vaccines available on both sides of the border zone, he said.

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People make their own choices. And weve seen what happens with people who are unvaccinated when this gets away. We dont know what the health consequences will ultimately be there, but we hope that we dont lose anyone out of it. Toomelah resident Sharon Duncan, 46, is a mother of nine and grandmother of seven  including three babies. All but one of her children and grandchildren live under her roof. Shes fiercely protective of them, and like too many in the community, doesnt trust the vaccine. Sharon Duncan at home in Toomelah with her seven-year-old granddaughter Alani McIntosh. Credit:Louise Kennerley Because of that, her Toomelah household is unvaccinated, and the only way shes been able to get baby food, wipes, fresh food and cleaning products is to have her sister in Goondiwindi pass groceries through a hole in the hurricane fencing on a footbridge across the river. But during the week, that bridge was fortified with metal sheeting. Its so wrong in so many ways, and it makes you feel so helpless, Ms Duncan said. The government doesnt understand the struggles of little communities like this, especially when youre this close to the border.

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Ms Duncan said the trip to the border was stressful even when the bubble was in place, and she could cross because the rules always seemed to be changing. Thats a big stress and I was told once where he said to me, one of the officers said to me: see that camera there, thats watching you. She said she would only go to Coles, pick up her groceries, and come straight back. I would even be frightened to put petrol in there because I would think Id be breaking the rules. Younger unvaccinated members of the community now rely on double-dosed elders, like Elaine Edwards, to do their essential shopping. Standing at her rickety front gate, the 68-year-old says shes excited to cross the border for the first time in four months. But shes also nervous. Gomeroi elder Elaine Edwards says shes convinced some locals to get the vaccine, but not her own children. Credit:Rhett Wyman Ive been getting my daughter and grandchildren to do my shopping. Now theyre not vaccinated, so I have to go up there, Ms Edwards says, adding that shes managed to convince others to get the vaccine. My daughters into this conspiracy channel. I hate it. It is tough. Im a mother of these children and I cant talk them into it. Ms Edwards wishes she could visit her sister in a Goondiwindi aged care home too; but in line with the rules, shes just going for the bare essentials.

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Sludge containing a cocktail of toxic chemicals and heavy metals will be dug up from Sydneys Middle Harbour and shipped to Newcastle as part of construction of the Northern Beaches Link.

A new government report reveals about 12,000 cubic metres of material containing lead, mercury, silver and zinc will be dredged from the top layer of the harbour. Further analysis has also discovered it contains poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and dioxins.

A new government report reveals about 12,000 cubic metres of material containing lead, mercury, silver and zinc will be dredged from Middle Harbour. Credit:Wolter Peeters

The material will briefly be treated at Middle Harbour and then barged to Newcastle, where the government is considering storing it at Mayfield North for about a month.

Another 150,000 cubic metres of dredged material from Middle Harbour will probably be disposed of offshore.
Police are hunting a thief who has threatened employees at bottle shops and service stations with a box cutter and robbing them across North Brisbane overnight.

The man involved in the north Brisbane robberies is described as Caucasian in appearance, approximately 175cm tall with a bald head. He was wearing a red bandanna with white detail over his face, a grey jumper, dark shorts and white shoes.

The man has stolen cash, energy drinks and cigarettes at stores in Aspley, Clayfield, Windsor and Alderly in about seven hours, police said.

Police believe the man began his stealing spree at a bottle shop on Gympie Road in Aspley just before 11pm on Saturday and demanded cash from an employee while producing the box cutter.

He then fled on foot with cash heading northbound on Gympie Road.
The designs for two new green bridges in Brisbane have been revealed, with works possibly starting in 2024.

New concept designs for the Toowong to West End and St Lucia to West End bridges were unveiled by lord mayor Adrian Schrinner on Monday, with both projects expected to take about two years to complete.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner called on Brisbane residents to have their say on the proposed designs.

The Toowong bridge will be completed first following community feedback that it was a higher priority for Brisbane.
A man has been charged after an incident where another man was shot in a car parked in an inner-city Brisbane car park early on Monday.

Emergency services were called about 2.10am to Joan Jacobi Lane in Spring Hill, where a shooting had happened in the car park behind a 7-Eleven convenience store on Leichhardt Street.

Police believed the victim had driven to the car park of the convenience store and parked his car, before getting into a second vehicle - a green Holden sedan - in the car park with two other people.

While inside the sedan, one of the other people in the car pulled a gun and shot the victim in the abdomen.
It was not long after midnight on Monday, April 16, 2018, when a white station-wagon entered the unlocked gates to a warehouse in the inner Sydney suburb of Alexandria. Six minutes later, at 12.31am, a camera from a building across the road recorded a massive explosion as the station-wagon drove away.

More than 80 firefighters battled the inferno which destroyed Admiral Internationals warehouse along with its customers contents. Before the fire, the security system and the cameras at the warehouse had been disabled and the premises were unsecured.

Dmitry Fateev is alleged to have organised the theft of millions of dollars worth of cigarettes and a subsequent arson attack before leaving on a one-way ticket to Vladivostok. Credit:Facebook

In an extraordinary twist, last week Justice Des Fagan denied Admirals insurance claim ruling that its director Denis Fateev, 31, not only knew his father Dmitry had arranged for fire to be deliberately lit but that the arson was to cover the theft of imported cigarettes and alcohol, valued at $34 million.

At the centre of the saga was the family patriarch, Russian-born Dmitry Fateev, who was facing bankruptcy proceedings at the time. He was seen at the warehouse on late Friday evening and throughout Saturday overseeing three trucks that continually came and went from the warehouse.
Judge Cain on Monday begins a six-week inquest into Australias deadliest coronavirus outbreak, which took place over one month beginning in July last year. Christine Golding, whose mother, Efraxia, 84, died after contracting COVID-19 at St Basils, will appear as the opening witness. Ms Golding said on Sunday she wanted the true story of what happened to my mother to emerge: Why she caught COVID-19, why she was neglected, why she suffered and why she died. Christine Golding and her mother, Efraxia, at St Basil's. One veteran nurse, Catherine Pring, who worked at a private hospital but volunteered to help care for residents at St Basils, told police investigating the homes failings on behalf of the Coroner that she had not seen for decades the kind of pressure injuries and wounds she had encountered at the home. There was one woman who stood out to me. I observed a pressure sore. I hadnt seen an injury like that in 20 years. It hadnt been dressed and looked nasty. You were able to see into the wounds and see the tendons.

She told police she saw many pressure injuries and also believed it was obvious that there were incorrect meals being provided to residents. Police reports compiled for the inquest show residents who survived St Basils and were evacuated to hospitals were found by medical staff to be dehydrated, malnourished  and in very poor general health. One senior nurse brought in to help at the height of the outbreak was shocked to find St Basils 24-bed dementia ward unattended by a single staff member. The report also shows management at the home spent just $6950 on personal protective equipment for staff between January and July 2020. By comparison, the operator of a group of aged care homes where there were no coronavirus cases  also located in Melbournes north and north-west, where outbreaks were rampant last year  spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on PPE. In 2019, before the outbreak, St Basils had been given the highest quality rating by the Aged Care Safety and Quality Commission, and St Basils management passed their own self-assessment of COVID-19 readiness in April 2020. In June 2020, a state Health Department infection-prevention team visited and was also quite positive about the homes preparations.

But a care worker told police this was an illusion. The week before [one visit], the outbreak staff were running around putting up signs and posters about social distancing, handwashing. Trolleys were stacked with extra PPE, with things like hand sanitiser and gowns, which were seldom on the trolleys. It was all fake, and only done when the commission came to inspect. The police documents show a staff member was the index case who brought the virus into the home in early July. The personal care assistant worked for four days while her family members had sore throats. The St Basils outbreak was among a cluster of aged care disasters in Victorias second wave in 2020. Credit:Justin McManus That staff member, whose name has been suppressed by the Coroners Court, was sent home after a relative tested positive. But few of her colleagues were told why she was sent home. Some staff she worked with were still coming to work three days later. St Basils chairman Kon Kontis has so far declined to talk to police about what unfolded at the home, relying on a section of the Coroners Act that provides protection against self-incrimination. Mr Kontis and Vicky Kos, the head of nursing when the outbreak unfolded, are to appear before the Coroner on the final days of the hearings.

Mr Kontis told Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton in mid-July last year that the church should keep control of the home, which the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has run at the Fawkner site since 1991. When the Andrews government wrested control of the facility from the church and handed it to the federal Department of Health to manage, the surge nursing staff sent in to care for residents were met with a home in disarray. Heleni Bagiartakis, a senior manager from another Greek nursing home who tried to help at St Basils, told investigating police that from there, it went from crisis to crisis. After attending for one day, a number of staff refused to attend. They simply did not show up. Private medical provider Aspen Medical, the company the Morrison government contracted to supply staff, could not secure enough experienced workers. A nurse from the company told police that some care assistants didnt know how to shower residents, as they had been previously employed in community care to do housekeeping and shopping. Communication between St Basils and worried families also broke down during the outbreak. A call centre set up by the federal Health Department to update relatives often gave wrong information.

One resident, Theodoula Andreou, was taken from St Basils to Glenferrie Hospital. A doctor from the hospital phoned Ms Andreous daughter-in-law and said the 85-year-old barely had a pulse and was dehydrated. During this phone conversation, the daughter-in-law missed a call from the Health Department call centre, which later called back and told her that Theodoula was in her room [at St Basils] and doing well. Ms Andreou died that day at Glenferrie Hospital. Loading On July 21 last year, the day the first resident at the home died with coronavirus, reports show St Basils management, federal and state health department officials and Canberras aged care regulator arguing over who would run the centre. After being ordered out by Professor Sutton, St Basils management left the centre entirely and declined to provide further help. The police brief says that, on July 22, contractors were forced to visit the home to program new security access cards because St Basils management would not leave their own cards for incoming staff. The police brief to the Coroner says the fire brigade had to be called to force locks to let residents back into rooms because there was no master key.
By the end of the 1800s, Victorians had nearly gorged the states native oysters out of existence.

Such was the appetite for oysters that overfishing in Victorian waterways left the marine habitat severely damaged, dramatically reducing the shellfish numbers and all but wiping out the local trade. Decades later, dredging also did considerable harm to oyster stocks.

But now there is a plan to bring native oysters back in the waters of East Gippsland by launching Victorias first Indigenous-run oyster farm.

Gunaikurnai general manager on country operations Daniel Miller with oysters that will be grown in Lakes Entrance. Behind him are Steve Cooper from the Flinders Oyster Company and Craig Ingham from Victorian Fisheries Authority. Credit:Joe Armao

The precise locations for the aquaculture project in Lakes Entrance were being finalised last week, as part of a three-year trial expected to produce up to 30 tonnes of oysters annually.
Someone has tried to behead a statue in Melbourne of Mahatma Gandhi, a global symbol of peace and harmony, in an act of vandalism Prime Minister Scott Morrison said was disgraceful.

Mr Morrison, who unveiled the statue at the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville on Friday, said attacks on cultural monuments would not be tolerated in a country he called the most successful multicultural and immigration nation in the world.

A vandal attempted to decaptiate a statue of Gandhi in Rowville. Credit:Australian Indian Community Charitable Trust./Facebook

It is disgraceful and extremely disappointing to see this level of disrespect, Mr Morrison said in a statement on Sunday.

Whoever is responsible for this has shown great disrespect to the Australian Indian community and should be ashamed.
Victoria Police has been funding its crime-fighting operations with a series of emergency government bailouts amid warnings the force may no longer be financially sustainable.

The repeated budget blowouts have forced Victoria Police to launch a cost-cutting program after the Andrews government baulked at providing annual budget top-ups and rescue packages worth hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

Police confront anti vaccination and anti lockdown protestors during a protest in September. Credit:Jason South

As The Age revealed on Saturday, Victoria Police has grown through the last decade into the largest law enforcement agency in the country after adding a record 3100 new police officers as part of the Andrews governments sweeping law and order agenda.

The states war on crime has seen spending on police, courts and prisons grow at double or triple the rate of other states and territories over the last decade with Victoria now arresting and jailing people at levels not seen since the 19th century.
The commitment will force the Coalition to confront the issue of its 2030 target again after the Nationals refused to countenance any updates to the target during a bruising negotiation last month. Loading It also puts pressure on Labor to reveal its 2030 target, a sensitive issue for the party after then-opposition leader Bill Shorten was criticised for not outlining the cost of its 45 per cent target at the 2019 election. Opposition leader Anthony Albanese said on Sunday Labor would have more to say this year on climate change. Whichever party wins government after an election expected early next year will have less than 12 months to commit to a new 2030 target  or keep the existing one  ahead of the next major international climate summit in Egypt in November, 2022. The diplomatic language of the Glasgow pact, to which Australia agreed, requests parties to revisit and strengthen the 2030 targets but also allows national circumstances to be considered. Senator Payne and Mr Taylor said the governments 2030 target was fixed, and we are committed to meeting and beating it, as we did with our Kyoto-era targets. They said Australias 2030 and 2050 targets would be met through our technology not taxes strategy.

Liberal MP Jason Falinski, who is part of a group of MPs who pushed the government internally to be more ambitious on climate change, said the focus should now be on new technology and a 2035 target. Weve now said look, we signed up to a 2030 target, were meeting and beating it, Mr Falinski said. We need to sign up to a 2035 target and not get hung up on 2030. Nationals senator Matt Canavan said COP26 was a big nothingburger and the Coalition should take on the activist green lobby instead of paying lip service to it. Unless we change, turn back to the promotion of coal exports and the coal industry we wont be able to expose a difference between us and the Labor Party on coal, he said.

Loading We can see the coal industry is going better than it ever has before, then you turn on the TV and people in Canberra are saying its going to die. If were going to close our eyes and be blind to what is actually happening ... then people wont put their vote and trust in parties they dont believe are speaking the truth. Queensland LNP senator Gerard Rennick said he was concerned voters would mark the Coalition down for adopting a policy it doesnt believe in. If we didnt lose votes through COVID  this will be a game changer for a number of reasons, he said. They dont believe in it, number one. And number two - weve gone back on our word.

Loading Im not going to support something I said I wouldnt support three years ago. My view is those people who are real zealots about net zero will never vote for us anyway. Labor is expected to outline its 2030 target within weeks amid an intense internal debate on how ambitious it should be. Mr Albanese attacked the Morrison governments record, saying Australias report card is a definite fail. Thats why the conference has agreed that countries like Australia that refused to increase their 2030 target have to return to the next conference in 2022 with a higher target, he said.
For a state weary of endless lockdowns, it should have been an easy sell for the government.

It is proposing laws that effectively reduce the power of an unelected health official to limit our rights and freedoms, and put them in the hands of elected members of Parliament who are answerable to Parliament and forced to face the public on polling day.

So, how did the government get its pandemic laws so wrong?

On the weekend, thousands of Victorians took to the streets furious with the proposed legislation that will ultimately deliver more accountability and scrutiny and improve a broken system.
London: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the UN climate summit as a game-changing agreement that sounded the death knell for coal power - although he added that his delight at the progress on fighting climate change was tinged with disappointment.

Johnson said at a press conference in London early Monday AEDT that it was beyond question that the deal coming out of the Glasgow conference marks an important moment in the use of coal because most of western Europe and North America have agreed to pull the plug on financial support for all overseas fossil fuel projects by this time next year.

Britains Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a press conference inside the Downing Street Briefing Room in London, England. Credit:Getty

But in a major shift demanded by coal-dependent India and China, the Glasgow Climate Pact used watered-down language about phasing down the use of coal instead of phasing out coal.

Johnson, however, said the compromise did not make that much of a difference.
Manila: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, son of the former dictator of the Philippines, has claimed a major boost in his effort to become the countrys next president, saying that the daughter of its current leader, Rodrigo Duterte, would effectively be his running mate.

Dutertes daughter, Sara, had yet to confirm that she was supporting Marcos in the May election. But she declared her candidacy for the vice-presidency on Saturday, after much speculation that she would run for president herself.

A union of Marcos, whose family draws its strength from the north, and Sara Duterte, whose base is in the south, would combine the power of two major political dynasties in the Philippines, posing a steep challenge to the other candidates in a crowded race. Presidents and vice-presidents are elected separately in the Philippines, but it is common for candidates to join forces as running mates.

President Rodrigo Dutertes daughter Sara registered her candidacy for vice-president in next years elections. Credit:AP

Rights activists fear that a Marcos-Duterte win would continue the authoritarian style of governance that Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines populist and ruthless president, has put in place during his five years in office. Both of them would be likely to maintain, at least to some degree, Dutertes harsh approach to crime, which has led to international accusations of human rights abuses, and some scholars said a broader erosion of democratic values under him could continue.
A top Chinese official has applied to join Interpols governing body, sparking alarm that Beijing could use the international crime-fighting organisation to pursue its critics abroad, including members of the Uighur community and Hong Kong democracy activists.

Hu Binchen, a deputy general in Chinas Ministry of Public Security which oversees policing, is among a list of candidates standing for election to Interpols executive committee.

He will be seeking the votes of delegates at Interpols general assembly in Istanbul in just over a week. The meeting will be held behind closed doors.

Hu Binchen is among the candidates vying for two vacant seats. Credit:Chinese Embassy in the United States

Binchen is among three candidates jostling for two vacant seats held by representatives from Asian countries. The other candidates are from Singapore and India.
Tate, a former navy officer who had worked for years as a civilian analyst with the Defence Intelligence Agency and the National Counterterrorism Centre before moving to the inspector-generals office, said he criticised the lack of action and was eventually forced out of his job. The details of the strikes were pieced together by The New York Times over months from confidential documents and descriptions of classified reports as well as interviews with personnel directly involved and officials with top-secret security clearances who discussed the incident on the condition that they not be named. The Times investigation found that the bombing had been called in by a classified US special operations unit, Task Force 9, which was in charge of ground operations in Syria. The task force operated in such secrecy that at times it did not inform even its own military partners of its actions. In the case of the Baghouz bombing, the US Air Force command in Qatar had no idea the strike was coming. After the strike, an alarmed air force intelligence officer in the operations centre called over an air force lawyer in charge of determining the legality of strikes. The lawyer ordered the F-15E squadron and the drone crew to preserve all video and other evidence. He went upstairs and reported the strike to his chain of command, saying it was a possible violation of the law of armed conflict  a war crime  and regulations required a thorough, independent investigation. But a thorough, independent investigation never happened.

This past week, after the Times sent its findings to US Central Command, which oversaw the air war in Syria, the command acknowledged the strikes for the first time, saying 80 people were killed but the air strikes were justified. It said the bombs killed 16 fighters and four civilians. As for the other 60 people killed, the statement said it was not clear that they were civilians, in part because women and children in the Islamic State sometimes took up arms. Scenes of destruction in Baghouz on March 24, less than a week after the air strikes. Credit:Getty The only assessment done immediately after the strike was performed by the same ground unit that ordered the strike. It determined that the bombing was lawful because it killed only a small number of civilians while targeting Islamic State fighters in an attempt to protect coalition forces. Therefore, no formal war crime notification, criminal investigation or disciplinary action was warranted. But the air force lawyer, Lt Col Dean Korsak, believed he had witnessed possible war crimes and repeatedly pressed his leadership and air force criminal investigators to act. When they did not, he alerted the Defence Departments independent inspector general. Two years after the strike, seeing no evidence that the watchdog agency was taking action, Korsak emailed the Senate Armed Services Committee. Korsak did not respond to requests for comment.

A secret task force The United States portrayed the air war against the Islamic State as the most precise and humane bombing campaign in its history. The military said every report of civilian casualties was investigated and the findings reported publicly, creating what the military called a model of accountability. But the strikes on Baghouz tell a different story. The details suggest that while the military put strict rules in place to protect civilians, the Special Operations task force repeatedly used other rules to skirt them. Even in the extraordinary case of Baghouz  which would rank third on the US militarys worst civilian casualty events in Syria if 64 civilian deaths were acknowledged  regulations for reporting and investigating the potential crime were not followed, and no one was held accountable.

Nearly 1000 strikes hit targets in Syria and Iraq in 2019, using 4729 bombs and missiles. The official military tally of civilian dead for that entire year is only 22, and the strikes from March 18 are nowhere on the list. The battle at Baghouz represented the end of a nearly five-year US-led campaign to defeat the Islamic State in Syria. On the ground, Task Force 9 co-ordinated offensives and air strikes. The unit included soldiers from the 5th Special Forces Group and the Armys elite commando team Delta Force. The destruction in Baghouz, Syria, on March 23, 2019. Credit:Getty Over time, some officials overseeing the air campaign began to believe that the task force was systematically circumventing the safeguards created to limit civilian deaths. The process was supposed to run through several checks and balances. Drones with high-definition cameras studied potential targets, sometimes for days or weeks. Analysts pored over intelligence data to differentiate combatants from civilians. And military lawyers were embedded with strike teams to ensure that targeting complied with the law of armed conflict.

But there was a quick and easy way to skip much of that oversight: claiming imminent danger. The law of armed conflict  the rule book that lays out the militarys legal conduct in war  allows troops in life-threatening situations to sidestep the strike team lawyers, analysts and other bureaucracy and call in strikes directly from aircraft under what military regulations call an inherent right of self-defence. Task Force 9 typically played only an advisory role in Syria, and its soldiers were usually well behind the front lines. Even so, by late 2018, about 80 per cent of all air strikes it was calling in claimed self-defence. The rules allowed US troops and local allies to invoke it when facing not just direct enemy fire, but anyone displaying hostile intent. Under that definition, something as mundane as a car driving miles from friendly forces could in some cases be targeted. The task force interpreted the rules broadly, the former officer said. CIA officers working in Syria grew so alarmed over the task forces strikes that agents reported their concern to the Department of Defence inspector-general, which investigated the claims and produced a report. The results of that report are top secret, but a former task force officer said the CIA officers alleged that in about 10 incidents, the secretive task force hit targets knowing civilians would be killed. The former officer said the report determined that all the strikes were legal.

The inspector-general declined to release the report or discuss its findings. A fatal strike The camp at Baghouz was effectively the Islamic States Alamo  a last stand where hard-core militants vowed to fight to the death. The coalition had laid siege, hoping to starve the fighters out. In six weeks, 29,000 people, most of them women and children, surrendered. On March 18, drone footage showed the camp still harboured large numbers of people suspected of being fighters and their families. Coalition drones had scoured the camp 24 hours a day for weeks and knew nearly every inch, including the daily movements of groups of women and children. What happened on the morning of March 18 is in dispute.

That day Islamic State fighters trapped in the camp launched a predawn counteroffensive, according to Central Command, which oversaw Task Force 9. It said hundreds of Islamic State fighters started firing rifles and grenade launchers and sending forward fighters with suicide vests. The coalition pummelled the fighters with air strikes  so many that by midmorning, the coalition had used all the missiles on its drones. Only one US drone, controlled by the task force, was left in the area, and it was unarmed. Loading About 10am, local Syrian forces reported they were under fire and in danger of being overrun and called for an air strike, Central Command said. The task force drone tracked a group of fighters as they made their way through the camp to the area where the women and children sheltered. A 5th Special Forces Group officer in the task force looked at the drone footage and did not see any civilians. But the drone he relied on had only a standard-definition camera. Central Command said there were no high-definition drones in the area that could get a better view of the target. The Special Forces officer gave the order to fire. With no precision missiles left, the ground commander called in 500- and 2000-pound bombs. The strike log classified the strike as self-defence.

In fact, a high-definition drone was available. The task force did not use it. Circling above, it was streaming footage of the same patch of ground to the operations centre in Qatar. Because the task force operated at a high level of secrecy, the people in Qatar watching the high-definition drone were not aware the task force was about to call in a strike. Central Command said the task force did not know that the better drone was overhead. The high-definition drone recorded a very different scene from what was described by Central Command this past week. In it, two or three men  not 16  wander through the frame. They have rifles but do not appear to be manoeuvring, engaging coalition forces or acting in a way that would seem to justify a self-defence strike with 2000-pound bombs. A chat log used by analysts who were watching the footage noted the presence of women, children and a man with a gun but did not mention any active combat. Moments after the task force called in the strike, an F-15E attack plane hit the spot with a 500-pound bomb. Five minutes later, when ground forces saw people fleeing the blast site, the F-15E dropped two 2000-pound bombs on the survivors. The entire attack took 12 minutes. A failed investigation

Defence Department regulations require any possible, suspected or alleged violation of the law of armed conflict to be reported immediately to the combatant commander in charge as well as criminal investigators, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the secretary of defence and the secretary of the army. After viewing the footage, Korsak ordered the units involved to preserve nine pieces of evidence, including video, and reported the strike to his chain of command. He also notified the command of concerns that the unit appeared to be covering up the alleged war crimes violations by adding details to the strike log that would justify a self-defence strike. Commanders did not take action. Coalition forces overran the camp that day and defeated the Islamic State a few days later. Civilian observers who came to the area of the strike the next day found piles of dead women and children. Satellite images from four days later show the sheltered bank and area around it appeared to have been bulldozed.

Concerned that details of the air strike would be buried as well, Korsak alerted the air forces version of the FBI, the Office of Special Investigations. A major responded that agents probably would not look into it. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations declined to comment. The civilian deaths stated in the report were an impossibly small number. Korsak again pressed his chain of command to act, informing his commands chief legal officer in a memo in May 2019 that regulations required an investigation. His superiors did not open an investigation. Unwilling to let the issue drop, Korsak filed a hotline complaint with the inspector-generals office in August 2019.

A four-person team in the office was already looking into shortcomings in the civilian casualty reporting processes in Syria and quickly set up an interview in a secure setting. After reviewing the high-definition footage and interviewing Korsak, the team, which included Tate, told superiors in the inspector-generals office that the allegation of a war crime was extremely credible. But like the air force lawyers earlier effort, Tates team soon hit roadblocks. Central Command was slow to turn over evidence. Tate obtained video from several drones flying over Baghouz that day but could not locate the footage from the task force drone that called in the strike. Tate studied the task forces casualty report, but it did not match what he saw on video. The civilian deaths stated in the report were an impossibly small number, he said. The final section of the casualty report was reserved for the legal opinion. In one version of the report that Tate was sent by the staff at Operation Inherent Resolve, the Baghdad-based military command overseeing operations in Iraq and Syria, a task force lawyer and an operations officer wrote that a violation of the law of armed conflict may have taken place. In another copy that came from Central Command, he said, that opinion had been removed. Tate could find no evidence that the Joint Chiefs, the defence secretary or criminal investigators had been alerted, as required.

Within days of interviewing Korsak, Tates team took their findings to supervisors and told them the office was required to alert those officials and criminal investigation agencies. Tate said his supervisors took no action. The team pressed leaders numerous times over the next several months, and in January 2020, Tates team leader drafted a memo that would formally alert authorities. It only needed to be signed by the deputy inspector-general overseeing the team. Tate said the supervisor did not sign it. In the months that followed in 2020, the team finished its report on broader issues in the civilian casualty reporting process, but as it went through the editing and approval process, all mentions of the Baghouz strike were cut. Tate became increasingly pointed in criticising the leadership of the inspector-generals office. In October 2020, he said he was forced out of his position and escorted from the building by security. A spokesperson for the inspector-generals office disputed Tates account. She said that it alerted the proper authorities at Central Command shortly after receiving the first hotline complaint in 2019. The spokesperson said the office also notified criminal investigators about the strike in October 2020, 14 months after receiving the hotline call. Tate refused to give up. He contacted the Senate Armed Services Committee in May and sent a 10-page letter describing the strike and what he viewed as a systematic failure on civilian casualty reporting. The committee then contacted Korsak, who replied with a detailed email.
New York: Ghislaine Maxwell has spoken from behind bars to describe how she has been plagued by rats and creepy guards in jail ahead of her forthcoming trial.

The former socialite will appear before a federal court later this month in New York, where she has pleaded not guilty to procuring underage girls for Jeffrey Epstein to abuse.

It is expected to be one of the most closely followed criminal cases of the century and has already set in motion pre-trial efforts by Maxwells team to shape public perception.

Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in New York in 2005. Credit:Getty

As well as an interview setting out her fetid existence in a US jail, Maxwell is believed to have dyed her hair to conceal grey streaks, while her family have commissioned their own court artist to draw her in a flattering light.
It is forced suffering by a country upon its citizens

PHILIPSBURG:--- The board of the United St. Maarten (US) party has called for the complete retraction of the three laws that regulate cuts to income and benefits, stressing that the government have failed in its basic obligations towards its people and are embarrassingly unable to motivate or defend the reason for the laws other than blaming the Netherlands.

The only thing we know for sure is that our people are suffering and times are getting harder. It is unacceptable to us that a government that is supposed to ensure a decent quality of life for its people, persists in enforcing these unfair and abusive laws. It is forced suffering by a country upon its citizens, the US board said.

The US board pointed out that there have been no savings realized by the government by cutting peoples income and benefits. This was confirmed by the CFT who stated clearly that no savings were realized. Yet, this government refuses to bear down and tackle its own waste. Instead, it continues to hire more people instead of using those funds to pay current workers what is owed to them, the US board said.

Having always stated its partys opposition to the three laws, the board noted that a motion was still tabled in Parliament to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the three laws after six months.

This motion was passed with some MPs using this motion as motivation to support the laws. Well, six months have long passed. Where is the evaluation? Who is leading this evaluation? What is the position of the MPs who tabled and supported this motion? In actuality, the motion has been rendered moot. So we are now calling on the authors and supporters of this motion to lead the way in retracting these laws, the US board said.

The board lamented that the Christmas season is coming up and civil servants and workers at semi-government entities do not know what kind of Christmas they can expect or provide for their families. We just had a St. Martins Day which saw members of the National Alliance-led coalition wishing people a Happy St. Maartens day. While there are many things to be thankful for on our national day, we can guarantee that it was not a happy one for many people, the board said.

It continued: The government cannot say how the laws will be further implemented, they cannot say how long is temporary, there is no SSRP, uncertainty of the food program, they are busy running people down for taxes, discussing implementing of more taxes, global reports point to food prices continuing to increase drastically, meaning the cost of living will only get harder especially with GEBE fuel clause, gas prices are going up. The trend is clear; the quality of life of its citizens is deteriorating and the government has no solutions for anything.

As such, the board stressed, the three laws must be retracted and people paid and re-paid what they are owed. Will the government give people and businesses a tax break? No, it will not. Will government reduce turn-over-tax? No, it will not. Will government suspend the fuel clause? No, it will not. Nothing is happening but the Prime Minister sent a letter to civil servants on November 5 telling them that the laws will be retracted once we are able to handle our financial obligations independently. And when exactly will this be? After we have paid off millions in loans?

What is the governments identified target to retract the laws? What is the governments plan? Where is the comprehensive economic plan? None of this exists and so we call on the government not to wait but retract the laws immediately. Your people are suffering. How can this not move you to act and act as decisively as you did when you took away their income, the board concluded.




The pilot for the original series included a client who was being stalked. (In 1984 disturbing Im watching what youre doing now calls had to be made from a payphone on the street in front of the apartment building.)



This case was a nice 21st century update.





Client: Internet detectives need Robyns help to save a woman unaware shes being stalked.

A stalker has been uploading videos filmed inside his victims house without her knowledge to the Dark Web. Abe and Rachel run a Facebook group thats trying to figure out who the stalker is so they can turn him over to the police.Unfortunately, no one in this Facebook group has been able to figure out who the victim is. They have, however, decided upon a suspect, Brandon Mackey.Rachel declares everything points to Mackey as the stalker.As far as were told, everything comes down to the fact that Mackey told the group about the videos and works at a cable company.Harry discovered that the man has a sealed juvenile record, but I doubt the group knows about that.Thats all it takes for members of this group to destroy an innocent mans life. At least the police would have had to find proof before condemning the man.But one thing weve learned...some people dont really need facts (or actual evidence) to indulge their worst instincts.Even with the facts, Abe was willing to leave Brandons life in a shambles so that he could catch the bad guy and get his 15 minutes of fame.The only person not part of The Equalizer Team with pure motives was Rachel.It turns out that everyone has made a huge assumption about the stalker; that the stalker is male. Nope.One of the my favorite scenes in the episode was Rachels discussion with Vicky. It was creepy.Vicky was so excited about where the situation was headed that she couldnt hide it from Rachel. Rachel was as creeped out as I was.Not that her performance as a terrified victim was flawless. Robyn saw through the cracks. Unfortunately she wasnt quick enough to keep Amber from escaping.I was pleasantly surprised that they brought the Facebook group back into the story by crowd sourcing the huge problem of matching a window to a specific building. They came through.Robyn, Mel and Harry could only watch the potential Snuff feed waiting for Dante to come to the rescue. Even knowing that Dante would be on time, I held my breath for a few moments.

Family Life: Vi and Delilah have a run in with a Karen.

Vi and Delilah stop in a clothing store before heading to a movie. When Vi picks up a robe, a entitled, bigoted, Caucasian woman, Lori, steps around the rack looking for a fight.I dont know any woman who doesnt carry an article around the store with them while they decide whether they want it or not.Lori follows the pattern many of us have seen on social media. She creates a scene and calls the police.I suppose I dont even need to say that Delilah filmed the whole thing.Vi was much more upset that Delilah initially understood. That kitchen scene, in which Vi explains how a lifetime of fighting the same battle hurts, was heartbreaking.My other favorite scene in this episode was Delilah visiting the real estate agency. While the level of Vis distress was so high that she had to do something, Delilah still went for the high road first. Shes listening to the strong women in her life. Really glad of that.But since Lori was uninterested in opening her mind and listening to another point of view....she went for punishment.For me this show is solid. I have so little to complain about. As for the wrong doers in the episode (Abe and Lori in particular), I was satisfied with the way their stories ended.What did you think of the episode?
Shahid Al-Hafed, 14 November 2021 (SPS) - The South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Naledi Pandor, arrived today, Sunday, at Tindouf Airport on an official visit to the Sahrawi Republic.



Upon her arrival at Tindouf Airport, the Minister was greeted by the Sahrawi Foreign Minister, Mr. Mohamed Salem Ould Salek, accompanied by the Sahrawi Ambassador to South Africa Mohamed Yeslam Besset, and Saeed Jamani, a member of the Pan African Parliament.



According to the agenda of the visit, the Minister and her accompanying delegation will receive a public reception in the Wilaya of Awsard, meet with the Wilaya People's Council, before visiting the Soweto Victims School and an English language school.



The visit aims to deepen and strengthen the existing good bilateral relations, which date back to the years of struggle against colonialism and apartheid. Minister Pandor will be received by the President of the Republic, Secretary-General of the Polisario Front, Mr. Brahim Ghali, who will host a lunch in honor of the Minister and her accompanying delegation.



The South African Minister will also hold bilateral talks with her Sahrawi counterpart, Mr. Mohamed Salim Ould-Salek, during which the parties will exchange views on the strengthening of relations between the two countries and their positions on issues of common interest.



The South African Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation indicated on its official website that Minister Pandor will reaffirm, during her bilateral talks with her Sahrawi counterpart, South Africa's constant support for the inalienable rights of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination.



062/T
Algiers, 14 November 2021 (SPS) - South African Minister of international Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor affirmed Saturday that Algeria and South Africa know too well the meaning of freedom, adding that this principle must be ensured to all the African peoples (), including the people of Western Sahara.



In a statement to the press after being received by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, at the headquarters of the Presidency, Pandor said that Algeria and South Africa could play key roles in the African continent given their struggle against the occupation and their common history. They know too well the meaning of freedom () that we enjoy today and that we must convey to all the African peoples.



We wish the Palestinian and Sahrawi peoples freedom and self-determination, and we must work within the African Union to achieve them for all the African peoples, she underlined.



062
NORWALK  After nine months of weekly offerings in Norwalk and 14 months of drive-thru pantries statewide, the Connecticut Food Bank ended its COVID-19 emergency services.

Connecticut Food Bank, which rebranded in September as Connecticut Foodshare, announced the closure of its drive-thru food distribution sites, including the Norwalk location. The last day for the sites was Oct. 30, according to a Foodshare statement.

The sites began in April 2020 as a two-week project to help feed at-risk communities during the first coronavirus lockdowns, but it lasted 18 months.

Foodshare first announced plans to open three drive-thru distribution sites in the state in January. The sites were to be in New London, Norwich and Norwalk, and replicate Foodshares emergency drive-thru food distribution at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

The weekly distribution site opened in Norwalk on Jan. 13 and was held at Calf Pasture Beach until moving to Veterans Park in May.

More drive-thru distributions began popping up around the state following the January announcement, with locations in Danbury, Putnum, Bridgeport, West Haven and East Hartford, among other municipalities, according to the Foodshare distribution schedule.

During its time in Norwalk, the drive-thru site served 1,619,628 pounds of food to 46,246 cars, Foodshare President and CEO Jason Jakubowski said last week.

Those are not unique families, there are people that came through multiple weeks, Jakubowski said. Its definitely a lot of food. Its kind of overwhelming when you think about it.

At the peak of the pandemic, the drive-thru sites were feeding more than 2,000 households daily. Over the course of the 18 months the eight drive-thru locations were open throughout Connecticut, demand waned as cases decreased, vaccinations increased and local providers were able to return to more regular service, Jakubowski said.

Maybe there were 1,800 and then it leveled off at about 1,000 and then less than 1,000, Jakubowski said. The other factor we look at too  not just the number of cars  the other piece of the puzzle is how does the rest of the network look? Is it up and running? We have five other options in the city of Norwalk alone. Theyre pretty much back up and running at full or near full capacity.

Foodshare works with five distribution sites in Norwalk: Person-to-Person, Open Doors, Salvation Army, New Life Church and St. Vincent De Paul, Jakubowski said.

There is never an easy time to end these emergency drive-thru distributions. There is always going to be somebody who doesnt have the same level of convenience they have by just driving through, Jakubowski said. The feedback weve gotten not just from the pantries but the state of Connecticut as a whole, we ended up doing these for much longer than intended and people were appreciative.

On Jan. 27, about two weeks after the drive-thru distribution began in Norwalk, 900 cars passed through, according to Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling.

Our volunteers and staff never missed a Wednesday despite rain, snow, sleet and hot sun for the entire program, Rilling said. Sadly, food insecurity remains a very real challenge for many in our community. We will continue to work with our partners to make food resources available to our most vulnerable residents.

For those still in need of food assistance in Norwalk, several food pantries are available.

Norwalk compiled a list of food and meal distribution sites in the city to help ease food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The list, which includes 14 Norwalk nonprofits, churches and organizations, distribute meals or offer food pantries on a weekly or daily basis.

Among the sites, Open Doors shelter offers weekday pantry and daily takeaway meal options, and the Norwalk Senior Center offers weekday meal deliveries.

Statewide, Foodshare continues to work with about 700 community partners and distribution sites across the state, according to the statement.

We always said that these emergency distributions would not last forever and given Connecticuts high vaccination rate and active job market, its time for us to shift back to our regular programming, Jakubowski said. We have nearly 700 community partners throughout the state, which means there are numerous options for people to access food after these drive-thru sites close.

abigail.brone@hearstmediact.com
STAMFORD  Westover Elementary School has put its best foot forward.

The school community collected more than 2,440 pairs of socks as part of Socktober  an effort to help needy individuals by collecting socks throughout October.

Socks are the most-needed item but the least donated. Everyone wears socks, Westover Principal Lisa Saba-Price said in a statement.

This year, the entire fifth grade worked together by making posters and promoting donations with TikTok dances that were created in dance class, she said. We were able to take something as simple as a pair of socks to make a positive difference in someone elses life by showing we cared. No act of kindness for others is too small.

The socks, collected by students, staff and their families, will be donated to local organizations, including Person to Person, Inspirica, Community Closet and Pivot Ministry. A bundle of socks will also be dropped off for people who are homeless in New York City.

About 500 pairs of socks were donated from Bombas, an apparel brand known for its support of homeless-related charities.

Led by fifth-grade teacher Heather Stramandinoli and supported by the fifth-grade classes, the Westover community, staff and students chose local community organizations that support many in need in the surrounding area.

Westover has participated in the collection for a number of years, although this years total exceeded all expectations, Saba-Price said.
WILLISTON, Vt. (AP)  Construction is likely to start in the spring on a commuter park-and-ride lot at Exit 12 on Interstate 89 in Williston, after more than a decade of discussion and planning.

A state permit was awarded this week to start construction, the Burlington Free Press reported.
Milton, PA (17847)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 43F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear skies. Low near 25F. Winds light and variable.
Ashtabula, OH (44004)

Today

Considerable cloudiness. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. Low 29F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Social Democratic Party (PSD) Chairman Marcel Ciolacu said at the end of the negotiations with the National Liberal Party (PNL) on Sunday that the country's President is entitled, according to the Constitution, to designate the prime minister, and that the President would be proposed two options.

In a statement to the press, Ciolacu showed that the first option would be the two parties' chairmen filling in this position in rotation. The second option could be designating a prime minister from among the two parties.

"We are going to go to Romania's President with two options and make a decision. You very well know that Romania's President is entitled, according to the Constitution, to designate the prime minister. (...) There is the option, the first one - by rotation, the chairs of the two parties. We'll also see the option agreed by the President. (...) I would want each of us to respect our constitutional duties. This is my approach," Ciolacu pointed out.

Interim Prime Minister and National Liberal Party (PNL) Chairman Florin Citu, after a new round of PNL - Social Democratic Party (PSD) negotiations at the Palace of Parliament on Sunday, said that there will be several prime minister proposals on behalf of the two parties to be forwarded to President Klaus Iohannis.

"In regards with the prime minister, we have discussed, we'll go to Mr. President with a few options and then we'll come and make them public (...). Instead of having all sorts of pieces of information emerging from sources, when we have a conclusion, we shall present it," said Citu, avoiding to reply to the journalists' question about him being one of the options taken into account for the PM office.

He explained that a date for meeting the president had not been set yet.

"We haven't set a date yet. Today - tomorrow the prime minister matter should be solved. There are several prime minister options. (...) We'll have a meeting at the party to approve the final form of the governance programme. We have agreed that tomorrow there will be the final form of the governance programme. Afterwards, we'll deal with the ruling coalition protocol," Citu highlighted.
The Philadelphia refinery eventually shut after a massive explosion in 2019.

PES taught the market that you can play chicken with the EPA and win. Its a form of civil disobedience of the law, said Ed Hirs, an energy economist at the University of Houston.

Hirs said shorting the market is clearly a strategic play, but the gambit carries great risk.

If the administration doesnt buckle, then these companies will have to pay billions of dollars to comply. That could force Monroe Energy into bankruptcy and we will see if Delta reaches into its pockets to bail out the refinery, Hirs said.

Historic year for credits

Refiners must turn in the compliance credits to the EPA by March for the previous year, giving them plenty of flexibility on when they take these costs. In the past, refiners purchased biofuel credits daily to match their production, even though they could defer buying if they believed the prices are too high, or to manage cash flow.
Tony Messenger Tony Messenger is the metro columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Tony Messenger Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Before he died more than a decade ago, comedian George Carlin wrote about how proud he was that a comedy bit of his spurred a little bit of legal history. It started in Southern California, when Carlin performed a live routine that he was recording for a new album. Called The Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television, the bit was a raunchy commentary on how silly it was for government officials, or society in general, to arbitrarily decide what was and wasnt obscene.

When a radio station played part of the routine on the air, an organization called Morality in the Media filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission, which threatened sanctions over the indecent airing. The owner of the radio company appealed, and FCC vs. Pacifica Foundation ended up before the U.S. Supreme Court, where the majority ruled 5-4 that the First Amendment allowed some government regulation of the public airwaves, though the ruling limited the scope.

Carlin, in his autobiography, Last Words, wrote that he took a perverse pride in being involved in a case that is taught in law schools: Im actually a footnote to the judicial history of America, he wrote.
And that, the judge said, was disrespectful and impolite.

That is really the central problem in this case, Sengheiser wrote. If either Boyle or defendant would have acted like a mature adult having a civil conversation instead trying to assert dominance, this incident would have been avoided.

Neil testified that he perceived Boyles actions and words as threats, including Boyle taking off his sunglasses and brushing past Neil while picking up a drink he purchased from the counter. He said he told Boyle: Now youre in my personal space, and Boyle responded, You dont have personal space, little man.

Neil said Boyle then cursed at him and called him the N-word. Both Neil and Boyle are Black.

After the slur was used, Neil said he decided to arrest Boyle for peace disturbance. He testified that he told Boyle he was under arrest and tried to deploy his Taser, but it did not work.

Two cashiers at the gas station and Boyle testified for the prosecution and identified Neil as the instigator of the fight.

Video played at trial showed Neil hit Boyle in the face with his handcuffs and brought Boyle to the ground.
When the violence occurs with permission and assistance from the Israeli authorities and under its auspices, it is state violence. The settlers are not defying the state; they are doing its bidding, the organization said in its report.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war. In the decades since, it has built dozens of settlements  now home to nearly 500,000 Israelis  that most of the international community considers illegal and an obstacle to peace. The Palestinians seek the West Bank, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, as part of their future state.

On Friday, a group of Jewish settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives who were accompanied by Israeli activists. Two Israelis, including a prominent rabbi and peace activist, were injured in the incident.

Neta Ben Porat, one of the injured activists, said she suffered injuries to her head and arm. She said the entire area is video monitored by the army, and soldiers chose not to come to their aid. The military said in a statement to Army Radio that troops separated between the sides and dispersed the confrontation and arrested three settlers.
Report by the group BTselem details the takeover of nearly 11 square miles of West Bank farm and pasture land by settlers over the past five years.
The same was true for Agrari, the next beach over, where I got a sunbed in an outlying cluster for 15 ($18)  by far the cheapest I had seen. A diligent, somewhat forlorn man served inexpensive comfort food.

I set off by foot for the opposite end of the beach, climbing a hill spiked with jagged rocks, facing Elia Beach, just to the east. Below the crest, however, was a small, sandy alcove. Although it was not marked on my tourist map, it held over three dozen men, nearly all of them naked, crowded together on beach towels. Many were young and quite well-built; I figured: Im older and lately bald, but Ive kept well-tempered abs  surely thats an entry visa to the domain of Poseidon.

Since my last visits, havent I learned that to travel well you must reach past your comfort zone? I went down the single, narrow path to the beach, not exactly saying, Pardon me, straight guy coming through, but so obviously giving that impression, I was once again politely ignored by all.

To close the circle on my first experience at Super Paradise Beach, so long ago, I joined the other guys for a proper Grecian skinny dip. The water was perfect  the right temperature and rolling in a gentle way that made it feel more like an open-air bath than a trip to the beach.
In October 2021 South Korea signed a letter of intent to break EU sanctions on Turkey to supply engines and transmissions for the new Turkish Altay tank. The sanctions were imposed on Turkey because of their bad behavior in Syria since 2016 and against NATO ally Greece in Libya since 2019. Those sanctions meant that Turkey could not import essential components for Altay from Germany (engine and transmission) and France (composite armor). Tukey immediately began seeking replacement engines and transmissions from South Korea but has no alternative source of advanced composite armor tech because few countries have developed the technology and export it. Composite armor was developed in Britain at the Chobham research facility and came to be called Chobham armor. The U.S. developed their own version using some novel new components, like depleted uranium. France has also developed a novel new composite armor technology and expected to export a lot of that expensive (to develop and manufacture) technology. Turkey was one such customer but now that deal is suspended.

South Korea was willing to supply the engines and transmissions but had to consult with its Western allies, especially the United States, if this deal would cause problems for the Americans. The U.S. had cooperated with South Korea in the development of their K1 and K2 tanks and is a major ally of South Korea, which is threatened by North Korea and China.

Altay is similar to the American M1 as both have a 120mm gun, composite armor, and high-end electronics. The two tanks are so similar because in 2011 Turkey paid South Korea $400 million for rights to much of the technology in the new 55-ton South Korean K2 tank. This vehicle was in turn based on the 1980s K1, which deliberately emulated the M1 design in many ways and did so with the cooperation of the United States. The K1 and K2 proved to be successful designs, and the Turks already had decades of experience maintaining and upgrading American M-60 tanks, the predecessor of the M1. With the addition of the South Korean tech the Altay rapidly took shape. Unfortunately, Altay evolved into a very expensive (over $13 million each) and import dependent Turkish made tank. Turkey is trying to develop local sources for tank engines and transmissions but these two components are specialist items for heavy tanks and cheaper to import than build locally. Turkey has already spent nearly a billion dollars developing Altay but the project was now endangered by sanctions blocking obtaining key components. In this case China and Russia are no help, although Ukraine did supply APS (Active Protection System) technology that will be used in Altay. Ukraine and Russia can provide some novel new ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor) tech and Turkey has used that to upgrade some of its M-60s but Turkey clearly prefers the superior (in many ways) advanced composite armor designs.

This Altay debacle is a major fall from the situation in 2017 when the Turkish Army successfully completed acceptance tests for the Altay. This tank began development in 2008. The Turks wanted to buy a thousand Altays and would acquire them in four lots of 250 each. Not all of them may be needed depending on the regional military-political situation. Turkey also plans to develop an unmanned version of Altay once all current problems are solved.

The Turkish Army currently has about 700 German Leopard 1 and 2 tanks, 900 American M-60s (upgraded by Israel) and 1,300 American M-48s. Most (except for the Leopard 2s) are quite old and need replacing soon. Turkey doesnt really need 3,000 tanks when half the number of more modern ones would do. Altay is also like the Leopard 2s the Turks currently have. Most of the rest are Cold War era tanks and rapidly approaching retirement age. The later German sanctions also blocked Turkey from upgrading its Leopard from the A4 to the superior A7 standard.

The K2 design was attractive to the Turks because it used several new electronic defenses. These include a laser detector that will instantly tell the crew the direction the enemy laser beam is coming from. Most tanks use a laser rangefinder before firing the main gun. The K2 fire control system also enables the main gun (120mm) to be used to hit low flying aircraft (helicopters, mostly). There are also numerous improvements to the K1 mechanical and electronic systems, as well as more armor, both composite and ERA. This made the K2 (and Altay) easier to use and maintain. An autoloader reduces the crew to three men. The Altay is more heavily armored than the K2 and does not use the auto-loader.

All those stalled since 2019, Altay found a potential solution during 2020 when South Korean firms offered suitable substitutes. South Korea had already developed the powerful tank engine needed for Altay but had some reliability problems with their transmission. This is a key element that enables a powerful engine to move a tank efficiently. Those problems have been fixed to the satisfaction of the Turks and a purchase contract or letter of intent was expected before the end of 2021.

Altay still needs someone to replace the French composite armor. The South Korean composite army is of a different design than what Turkey was obtaining from the French and it is unclear if using South Korean heavy tank armor is even under serious consideration. What may kill the Altay project is cost. Since 2017 the per-tank cost has doubled as more tech was added or component costs increased. A new tank is not crucial to Turkish defense but relations with foreign suppliers of military tech are.
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - November 14, 2021) - Safemoon is a DeFi protocol built on Binance Smart Chain. The native token is Safemoon, and was launched on 9th May 2021. Safemoon team is developing a decentralised financial system, a platform that will be providing users with a range of products. Though Safemoon has been doing well in the market as a DeFi project, it faces competition from newer DeFi projects.





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8372/103465_36b2d63f149dca2a_001full.jpg

Bitrise, a coin that is growing at a very fast rate and is quickly becoming a tough Safemoon competitor. The coin recently joined Bitmart Exchange. Like Safemoon, Bitrise is developing a DeFi protocol on the Binance Smart Chain. The Native token is $BRISE and was launched on 28th July 2021, almost five months after Safemoon. Bitrise platform is looking to decentralise the financial system just like Safemoon. But the team has delivered more than Safemoon so far.

Just like Safemoon, Bitrise coin is planning to provide users with a wide range of products on its platform. From the roadmap, Safemoon is developing a Safemoon mobile wallet, Safemoon exchange, Safemoonhard-wallet and a Safemoon V2 (Safemoon protocol contract). Bitrise is also developing a wallet, exchange, Audit tools, buyback protocol, and also blockchain.

What makes Bitrise different from Safemoon?

The Bitrise team has already launched Bitrise Audits and Techrate Audit just a month after the coin launch. They are free auditing programs for smart contacts and blockchains. Safemoon is not offering free audit tools. Bitrise dApp wallet was launched on 28th October, two months after the token launch. Safemoon has the mobile wallet out, but it took them a long time. Such fast accomplishments are making Bitrise coin a tough Safemoon competitor.

Bitrise is now in the process of developing its exchange. So far, not much has been said about the Safemoon exchange. Safemoon has developed only one product since March. Unlike Safemoon, Bitrise already has three products, and in November, the team is launching its revenue sharing staking program.

Bitrise has now taken its competition with Safemoon to the next level after joining Bitmart Exchange. This is one of the biggest exchanges, and with Bitrise joining, the coin will be more available to the Safemoon community. The coin recently reported receiving new members from Safemoon. With more Bitcoin available, more Safemoon members could join Bitrise.

With Bitrise joining Bitmart exchange, it will be competing with Safemoon. Both Safemoon and Bitrise are developing similar products. Being on an exchange means now traders can swap from Safemoon tokens to Bitrise tokens with ease.

After joining the Bitmart exchange, Bitrise will be taking competition a notch higher against Safemoon with the launch of the staking process. This will be a huge opportunity even for the Safemoon community members. With the staking launch, more Safemoon members will join.

Bitrise will be sharing 80% APY of all revenues generated from utility products on the ecosystem. This is an income that will even attract Safemoon users. Safemoon is yet to announce token staking on its ecosystem.

The value of BRISE is increasing at a higher rate than the Safemoon token because of the automated buyback and burning of liquidity pool tokens. Safemoon also automatically buys back but burns manually. On rewards, Safemoon is not sending reflections to token holder's wallets automatically like Bitrise.

The Bitrise crypto team will be way ahead of the Safemoon team in delivering their roadmap. With Bitrise available on the Bitmart exchange, competition with Safemoon will become tougher. The exchange will make it possible for users to swap Safemoon to Bitrise, which will make it easy for Safemoon users to join Bitrise.

Media Contact

John K

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LOS ANGELES, Nov. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Members of the Los Angeles Quilana community of Oaxaca, Mexico, gathered in East Hollywood to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, at the Church of Scientology Los Angeles.

The procession down L. Ron Hubbard Way ended with a ceremony in Zapoteco, the ancient language of the Oaxaca.

The sacred holiday is celebrated as the day souls of the dead return to Earth to visit their families and loved ones. It began with a musical procession down L. Ron Hubbard Way in East Hollywood to a traditional flowered altar at the front of the Church. There, a ritual conducted in Zapoteco, the ancient language of the Oaxaca, honored their ancestors.

Then traditional music, folkloric dancing and the best of Oaxacan food made the day special for all who attended.

Organizacion Regional de Oaxaca was founded in Los Angeles in 1988. The organization promotes and preserves indigenous Oaxacan culture. Last month, leaders of the L.A. Oaxacan community also took part in a convention in support of the human rights of Oaxacan and other Mexican and Central American indigenous people at the Church of Scientology of the Valley in North Hollywood.

The Church of Scientology Los Angeles is an Ideal Scientology Organization dedicated in April 2010 by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige. The Church, featured in an episode of Inside Scientology, is configured to service Scientologists in their ascent to spiritual freedom and serve as a home for the entire communitya meeting ground of cooperative effort to uplift citizens of all denominations.

For more information, visit the website of the Church of Scientology Los Angeles, www.facebook.com/ScientologyLA @ScientologyLA on Instagram or the Scientology Newsroom.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/church-of-scientology-honors-and-helps-preserve-oaxacan-indigenous-culture-301423533.html

SOURCE Church of Scientology International
ATLANTA, Nov. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Clark Atlanta University (CAU) President George T. French, Jr., Ph.D., announced today that financial literacy entrepreneur and businessman John Hope Bryant has been appointed the first Entrepreneur Scholar-in-Residence at CAU's School of Business Administration, commencing this month.

CAU announced that John Hope Bryant has been appointed first Entrepreneur Scholar-in-Residence at CAU School of Business

Bryant is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Atlanta-based Operation HOPE, Inc., a leading national non-profit dedicated to financial literacy and economic empowerment. He is also the Founder of The Promise Homes Company and a bestselling author of books on economics and leadership. Bryant has served as a member of the President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy under President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama. At the recommendation of Mr. Bryant, U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew renamed the former U.S. Treasury Annex Building the Freedman's Bank Building.

"John Hope Bryant is a global leader in the areas of financial literacy, financial inclusion, and a champion for providing economic empowerment tools and services for youth and adults alike," said President French. "He has been a consistent partner to the University, most recently through Operation HOPE's One Million Black Business (1MBB) entrepreneur initiative, where our students are being provided with tools to support their aspirations of building successful careers and businesses."

"Mr. Bryant brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as a founder and serial entrepreneur who will bridge innovation and entrepreneurship within our university," said Dr. Silvanus Udoka, Dean of the School of Business Administration. "I believe his presence on our campus will help our scholars bring their work, disruptive ideas and creativity to a wider audience."

CAU's Entrepreneur Scholar-in-Residence program brings experienced private sector leaders to the School of Business Administration to advise and assist students and faculty as they launch startups or explore the commercialization of research. During his tenure, Mr. Bryant will provide mentorship and guidance to the CAU community on business strategy and design, and social impact. In addition, Bryant will help connect investors with inventors, developers, and

researchers, with assistance from Clark's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development (CIED) staff, to support students as they accelerate their ideas.

"Entrepreneurship is the bedrock of American culture and its economic success for generations," said Mr. Bryant. "It is an honor to join Clark Atlanta University's School of Business to enhance opportunity for tomorrow's business leaders as a means of positively impacting economic equality. And, I consider my mission is to help educate and inspire this generation of future leaders in the spirit of W.E.B. Du Bois, to preserve the legacy of HBCUs as an incubator for innovative ideas that will ultimately change the world."

Celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year, the CAU School of Business Administration has produced and continues to graduate a large number of African American MBAs. Its undergraduate program is one of the top ten producers of African American business professionals in the nation. CAUSBA graduates enjoy leadership and management careers in public and private sector organizations throughout the world. The School of Business has produced a substantial class of entrepreneurs who are providing jobs and services for the nation. CAU was the first HBCU chartered to provide advanced degrees to African Americans following the civil war and was the first institution for Blacks in the south. It was also the first instruction to accept Black women for degrees.

About Clark Atlanta University Established in 1988 by the historic consolidation of Atlanta University (1865) and Clark College (1869). CAU continues a 150-year legacy rooted in African-American tradition and focused on the future. Through global innovation, transformative educational experiences, and high-value engagement. CAU cultivates lifted lives that transforms the world.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/john-hope-bryant-named-first-entrepreneur-scholar-in-residence-at-clark-atlanta-universitys-school-of-business-301423182.html

SOURCE Clark Atlanta University
MELBOURNE, Australia, Nov. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Security Matters (https://smx.tech/home) (ASX: SMX) ("SMX" and "the Company") a next-generation brand protection and authentication service provider announces a new collaboration with LVMH Metiers d'Art on a series of R&D projects aimed at improving traceability for raw materials in the luxury fashion industry.

SMX offers an attractive technological solution due to its easy drop in solution, that consists of a marking technology that can permanently and irrevocably mark any kind of material, whether it be a solid, liquid or gas. And with the same integrated digital reader, the user is able to read the embedded data across all the different types of materials and products in real time without any need for extensive lab tests.

The unique and ground-breaking technology allows for the complete tracing of products to verify ESG ethical sources, enable efficient sorting of materials for waste and provide full transparency of the value chain from source through the manufacturing processes, to retail and recycle/reuse.

Successful completion of the joint projects will enable complete traceability of origin and subsequently lay the foundations for a tangible and measurable transition to the sustainable circular economy in-depth knowledge of the supply chain for LVMH Metiers d'Art. The first of its kind project is expected to be completed in early 2022.

Commenting on the partnership, CEO and Founder of SMX, Haggai Alon, said, "Companies are increasingly championing a new vision to epitomize the leadership role it plays in society and the impact of its operations and products on the environment. Major luxury & lifestyle brands are actively transitioning from a linear to a circular business model.

Creating a closed-loop, sustainable supply chain for the luxury fashion industry

An estimated 92 million tons of textile waste is produced each year by the fashion industry, a figure that's expected to rise 60 per cent by 2030.

In December 2020, SMX launched the Fashion Sustainability Competence Centre to help slow this trend and enable brands to become more efficient and environmentally friendly.

By using SMX's marking technology and digital blockchain platform, fashion brands can efficiently sort, reclaim and reuse raw materials in unwanted or discarded products. Effectively reducing the number of virgin materials required, the amount they send to landfills and their carbon emissions to deliver on the ESG expectations of their consumers and stakeholders.

"With SMX's white label B2B offerings, luxury brands can shape the future of the industry by creating desire inducing narratives that connect tangible sustainable ESG practices with their transparent traceability strategy to create a profitable lifetime relationship with their customers - that is circular rather than linear or transactional. We are helping to craft tomorrow's sustainable luxury with SMX's innovative technology." Alon concluded.

About LVMH

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton is represented in Wines and Spirits by a portfolio of brands that includes Moet & Chandon, Dom Perignon, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Krug, Ruinart, Mercier, Chateau d'Yquem, Domaine du Clos des Lambrays, Chateau Cheval Blanc, Colgin Cellars, Hennessy, Glenmorangie, Ardberg, Belvedere, Woodinville, Volcan de Mi Tierra, Chandon, Cloudy Bay, Terrazas de los Andes, Cheval des Andes, Cape Mentelle, Newton, Bodega Numanthia, Ao Yun and Chateau du Galoupet. Its Fashion and Leather Goods division includes Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior Couture, Celine, Loewe, Kenzo, Givenchy, Pink Shirtmaker, Fendi, Emilio Pucci, Marc Jacobs, Berluti, Nicholas Kirkwood, Loro Piana, RIMOWA, Patou and Fenty. LVMH is present in the Perfumes and Cosmetics sector with Parfums Christian Dior, Guerlain, Parfums Givenchy, Kenzo Parfums, Perfumes Loewe, Benefit Cosmetics, Make Up For Ever, Acqua di Parma, Fresh, Fenty Beauty by Rihanna and Maison Francis Kurkdjian. LVMH's Watches and Jewelry division comprises Bvlgari, TAG Heuer, Chaumet, Dior Watches, Zenith, Fred and Hublot. LVMH is also active in selective retailing as well as in other activities through DFS, Sephora, Le Bon Marche, La Samaritaine, Groupe Les Echos, Cova, Le Jardin d'Acclimatation, Royal Van Lent, Belmond and Cheval Blanc hotels.

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A Coast Guard Response Boat-Medium crew conducts search patterns by water during a search and rescue exercise near Kapalua, Maui, Oct. 24, 2019. (Jim Connor/U.S. Coast Guard)

NATIONAL PARK, N.J.  Rescue crews from New Jersey and Pennsylvania as well as the U.S. Coast Guard have been searching the Delaware River between the two states for two missing boaters over the weekend.

State police and Coast Guard officials said a 19-foot recreational vessel capsized in the river just before 3 p.m. Saturday, sending three people into the water. One boater was rescued near the former Sunoco Eagle Point Refinery but the others remained missing, officials said.

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Jones of the New Jersey state police told WPVI-TV that a storm that had rolled through the area earlier with wind gusts to 30 or 40 mph could have been a contributing factor in the accident. He said hypothermia was a major concern with air temperatures "probably somewhere in the low 40's."

Family and friends huddled for warmth near Red Bank Battlefield Park as Coast Guard, marine units from both states and multiple fire departments from New Jersey and Philadelphia deployed into the river.
Seif al-Islam is seen after his capture in the custody of revolutionary fighters in Zintan, Libya, Nov. 19, 2011. (Ammar El-Darwish/AP)

CAIRO  The son and one-time heir apparent of late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi announced Sunday his candidacy for the country's presidential election next month, Libya's election agency said.

Seif al-Islam, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity related to the 2011 uprising, submitted his candidacy papers in the southern town of Sabha, 650 kilometers (400 miles) south of the capital of Tripoli, the High National Elections Commission said in a statement.

Gadhafi's son was captured by fighters in the town of Zintan late in 2011, the year when a popular uprising, backed by the NATO, toppled his father after more than 40 years in power. Moammar Gadhafi was killed in October 2011 amid the ensuing fighting that would turn into a civil war.

In a video shared by an election official, Seif al-Islam addressed the camera, saying that God will decide the right path for the country's future. The 49-year old, who earned a PhD at the London School of Economics, wore a traditional Libyan robe, turban and spectacles. It was the first time in years that he appeared in public.

The second-born son to the longtime dictator, he was seen as the reformist face of the Gadhaf regime before the 2011 uprising. He was released in June 2017 after more than five years of detention. This July, he told The New York Times in an exclusive interview that he was considering a run for the country's top office. His candidacy is likely to stir controversy across the divided country.

Seif al-Islam is wanted by the ICC on charges of crimes against humanity allegedly committed in the first weeks of the 2011 uprising. ICC spokesman Fadi El Abdallah declined to comment on Seif al-Islam's candidacy.

"The Court doesn't comment on political issues, as for the legal side there is a pending warrant of arrest and that hasn't changed," he said.

Gadhafi's son, who has deeply rooted links to tribes across Libya, is the first major presidential hopeful to submit his candidacy to run for the country's highest post. Also widely expected to announce their bids are powerful military commander Khalifa Hifter, Parliament Speaker Agila Saleh and former Interior Minister Fathi Bashaga.

Seif al-Islam's campaign may focus on the failure of political parties and armed groups to establish a government capable of stabilizing and uniting the fractured country since the 2011 overthrow and killing of his father. However, he is highly likely to face stiff resistance from armed groups and militias particularly in the capital, Tripoli, and the western town of Misrata.

Abdel-Rahman el-Swahili, a lawmaker from Misrata, voiced his rejection to Seif al-Islam's candidacy, saying that Gadhafi's son should be prosecuted, not running for president.

"Those who believe in the possibility of Libya's returning to the era of dictatorship after all these sacrifices, are delusional," he wrote on Facebook.

A group of elders and militia leaders in the western town of Zawiya also announced their rejection of the candidacies of Seif al-Islam and Hifter, warning about the return of civil war. They threatened in a statement to shut polling stations if the elections proceeded with the current laws.

The election agency began the registration process for presidential and parliamentary hopefuls last week. Potential candidates have until Nov. 22 to register to run for the country's highest post, while parliamentary hopefuls have until Dec. 7 to register their candidacies.

Libya is set to hold presidential elections on Dec. 24, after years of U.N.-led attempts to usher in a more democratic future and bring the country's war to an end. Following the overthrow and killing of Gadhafi, oil-rich Libya spent most of the last decade split between rival governments  one based in the capital, Tripoli, and the other in the eastern part of the country.

The announcement of Seif al-Islam's candidacy came after an international conference in Paris on Friday expressed support for holding "free, fair, inclusive and credible presidential and parliamentary elections" on Dec. 24.

The long-awaited vote still faces challenges, including unresolved issues over laws governing the elections, and occasional infighting among armed groups. Other obstacles include the deep rift that remains between the country's east and west, split for years by the war, and the presence of thousands of foreign fighters and troops.

Gadhafi the dictator had eight children, most of whom played significant roles in his regime. His son Muatassim was killed at the same time Gadhafi was captured and slain. Two other sons, Seif al-Arab and Khamis, were killed earlier in the uprising. Another son, al-Saadi Gadhafi, was released in September after more than seven years of detention in the capital of Tripoli following his extradition from neighboring Niger.

Associated Press writer Mike Corder contributed from The Hague, Netherlands.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken listens during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Blinken urged Beijing to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve Taiwan Strait issues peacefully and in a manner consistent with the wishes and best interests of the people on Taiwan, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement Saturday. (Kent Nishimura+Los Angeles Times/TNS))

(Tribune News Service)  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concerns over China's continued military, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Taiwan in a phone conversation with Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday.

Blinken urged Beijing "to engage in meaningful dialogue" to resolve Taiwan Strait issues "peacefully and in a manner consistent with the wishes and best interests of the people on Taiwan," U.S. Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement Saturday.

The two officials also discussed preparations for President Joe Biden's upcoming virtual meeting with President Xi Jinping. The summit is set for Monday evening Washington time, which is Tuesday morning in Beijing.

"The meeting presents an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss how to responsibly manage competition between the United States and the PRC while working together in areas where interests align," Price said.

Blinken also stressed the importance of taking measures to ensure global energy supply and price volatility do not imperil global economic recovery, according to the statement.

___

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Buy Photo Police in Kanagawa prefecture, Japan, arrested a sailor from Naval Air Facility Atsugi on suspicion of negligent driving following a fatal collision with a motorcycle driver on Nov. 12, 2021. (Stars and Stripes)

TOKYO -- A U.S. sailor stationed at Naval Air Facility Atsugi was arrested by Japanese police following a fatal collision Friday morning with a motorcyclist in Kanagawa prefecture, officials said Sunday.

Romo Cosme Reyes, 33, was held on suspicion of negligent driving resulting in injury after a car he was driving collided with a motorcycle driven by a high school student, 17, around 8 a.m. at an intersection in Ayase city, a prefectural police spokesman told Stars and Stripes by phone.

The intersection has no traffic light, the spokesman said. He said the teenager was pronounced dead around 10 a.m. at a local hospital.

Government authorities in Japan typically speak to the media on condition of anonymity.

TV Kanagawa reported Friday that Reyes is a petty officer first class assigned to NAF Atsugi.

Sam Samuelson, a spokesman for NAF Atsugi, on Sunday said he could not immediately confirm the sailors identity but said the sailor is stationed there. As of Friday, Samuelson said, nothing indicates alcohol was a factor in the incident.

He said the base and the sailor are cooperating with Japanese authorities. NAF Atsugi is in Kanagawa prefecture, 31 miles southwest of Tokyo.

The Navy holds it military and civilian members to the highest level of civil responsibility on and off duty, Samuelson said. We want to make sure our sailors do the right thing and use responsible driving.

TV Kanagawa reported that Reyes admitted to police that he drove through a stop sign and collided with the motorcycle. The charge may be changed to negligent driving resulting in death, the broadcaster reported, citing the prefectural police.
Anti-government protesters hold banners calling for monarchy reform while marching to the German embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2020. (Surat Sappakun/AP)

BANGKOK  Three pro-democracy activists were injured during a rally in Bangkok on Sunday that criticized a ruling by the country's Constitutional Court that said the protesters' demands for reform of the monarchy were tantamount to attempts to overthrow the system of government.

Hundreds of protesters had planned to march to the capital's Democracy Monument but changed route after police blocked their way, and instead trooped to the German Embassy to submit a petition. A protest representative read out a statement saying the rally was to protect democracy and to raise voices against absolute monarchy.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn is a frequent visitor to Germany, and is believed to have traveled there recently. Thai authorities and media have not commented on his whereabouts.

Police and the city's Erawan emergency service confirmed three injuries among the protesters, two of whom were later discharged from a hospital while one remained.

The cause of the injuries was not clear, deputy police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen said, adding there were explosive sounds heard as the protesters made their way to the embassy. According to local media reports, two of the protesters were shot in front of the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Police Hospital.

The protesters burnt effigies of the Constitutional Court judges to protest the court's ruling on Wednesday that some previous calls for reform of the monarchy were illegal. The decision implied that the authority of the royal palace supersedes other institutions in a country that's nominally a democracy under a constitutional monarchy.

It appeared to broadly deter all calls for reform of the monarchy by highlighting there are legal liabilities beyond a royal anti-defamation law under which more than 150 activists have been charged in the past two years.

The protests were started last year to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who came to power in 2014 by staging a coup as army commander; amendment of the constitution to make it more democratic; and reform of the monarchy to make it more accountable.

The demand for reform of the monarchy is the most radical and controversial because the royal institution has rarely faced public scrutiny and is considered by many to be a sacrosanct pillar of Thai identity. Its reputation is fiercely guarded by the country's ruling elite, including the courts and the military.

The statement read outside the German Embassy said the protest movement was "the fight to insist that this country must be ruled with equality."

Sirachad Treewisawawet, a representative from the Coalition of Salaya for Democracy, said that the protest against the threat of what he termed "absolute monarchy" will continue until its goals are achieved.

Protesters say Vajiralongkorn, who took the throne after the death in 2016 of his father, has steadily accumulated power and has downplayed the historical significance of the 1932 revolution, which established a constitutional monarchy.
Doctor Petruta Filip, right, and a colleague place an oxygen mask on a man in the COVID-19 section at the University Emergency Hospital in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. (Vadim Ghirda/AP)

BELGRADE, Serbia  At the main hospital in Romania's capital, the morgue ran out of space for the dead in recent days, and doctors in Bulgaria have suspended routine surgeries so they can tend to a surge in COVID-19 patients. In the Serbian capital, the graveyard now operates an extra day during the week in order to bury all the bodies arriving.

For two months now, a stubborn wave of virus infections has ripped mercilessly through several countries in Central and Eastern Europe, where vaccination rates are much lower than elsewhere on the continent. While medical workers pleaded for tough restrictions or even lockdowns, leaders let the virus rage unimpeded for weeks.

"I don't believe in measures. I don't believe in the same measures that existed before the vaccines," Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said last month as the Balkan nation sustained some of its worst daily death tolls of the pandemic. "Why do we have vaccines then?"

A World Health Organization official declared earlier this month that Europe is again at the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic. While several Western European countries are seeing spikes in infections, it is nations to the East that are driving fatalities. Romania, Bulgaria and the Balkan states recorded some of the highest per-capita death rates in the world in the first week of November, according to the WHO.

Experts say fumbled vaccination campaigns and underfunded and mismanaged health systems set the stage for the latest outbreaks, which gathered pace as leaders dithered. Some are acting now  but many doctors say it took too long and is still not enough.

Many governments in the region are facing elections soon, and that no doubt made them reluctant to force people to get vaccinated or impose unpopular lockdowns even in former Communist nations that once carried out mandatory inoculations without hesitation or where leaders were quick to introduce closures earlier in the pandemic.

But politicians' failure to quickly heed the calls of the medical community has likely undermined an already weak trust in institutions in countries where corruption is widespread. Misinformation about vaccines has also found fertile ground amid the broader distrust of authority.

That has left countries stumbling through the latest surge with few protections. While nations around the world have struggled with resistance to vaccines, many in Central and Eastern Europe have particularly low rates for places where supply is not an issue. Bulgaria and Romania, both in the European Union, have fully vaccinated about 23% and 35% of their populations, respectively. Bosnia and Herzegovina has just 21% fully vaccinated.

Referring to Romania's slow response, physician and health statistician Octavian Jurma described his country as a "textbook example" of the "tragic consequences produced by a political takeover of the pandemic response."

Leaders finally introduced a curfew this month, requiring people who don't have a COVID pass  which shows proof of vaccination, recovery from the illness or a negative test  to stay at home from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Infections have since dropped slightly, but hospitals remain overwhelmed.

At the main one in Bucharest, the bodies of those who died from COVID-19 lined a hallway in recent days because there was no room in the morgue. Part of a waiting room was transformed into an emergency ward, with the raising of a plastic sheet.

In Serbia, some hospitals are so swamped that they are only handling virus patients  leaving doctors to sue Brnabic, whose government faces elections in April.

"Since Brnabic said she doesn't believe in measures, some 900 people have died," Slavica Plavsic, a lung disease specialist, told N1 television on Oct. 21.

The prime minster has rejected that criticism, saying Thursday that she is proud of her government's response.

Meanwhile, authorities at the graveyard in Belgrade say that now they have an average of 65 burials a day, compared with between 35 and 40 before the pandemic. Gravediggers now bury people on Sundays  which typically they didn't  to handle the load.

In neighboring Hungary, few mitigating measures are in place. Like Serbia's, Hungary's government says it would prefer to rely on vaccinations. With nearly 60% of people fully vaccinated, the country is better placed than most in the region  but that still leaves a large swath of the population unprotected.

Hungary's government earlier this month ordered mask-wearing on public transportation and allowed private employers to mandate vaccines for their staff.

But Gyula Kincses, chairman of the Hungarian Chamber of Doctors, said that that was "too little, too late" and recommended that masks be made mandatory in all indoor spaces.

In a recent radio interview, Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose populist party faces election next spring, said that mandatory vaccinations would "be beyond the limits of what Hungarians will accept," even while acknowledging the new restrictions could only slow, not stop, the virus's spread.

Hospitals in Bulgaria, with its low vaccination rate, were forced to temporarily suspended all non-emergency surgeries so more doctors could treat the influx of COVID-19 patients.

"Politicians now think only about the elections, but there inevitably will be a lockdown, however in tragic circumstances," Ivan Martinov, a leading cardiologist at Sofia's main emergency hospital, told national radio. Parliamentary elections are being held Sunday.

Soaring infections appear to have been a wake-up call to some extent in Croatia, which saw unusually large lines of people waiting for vaccines in recent days.

Authorities said on Wednesday that more than 15,000 people received their first dose a day earlier  a significant jump after vaccinations all but halted in the Adriatic country of 4.2 million.

Croatia and neighboring Slovenia have also introduced COVID passes in recent weeks.

But medical organizations in Slovenia have warned that the Alpine country's health system is still on the verge of collapse. They urgently appealed to people to do their best to avoid seeking urgent care in the coming months.

"There are traffic accidents, accidents at work, other infections," gasped Bojana Baovic, head of Slovenia's Medical Chamber. "This is an alarming situation that we can cope with through maximum solidarity."

Associated Press writers Stephen McGrath in Bucharest, Romania; Justin Spike in Budapest, Hungary; Veselin Toshkov in Sofia, Bulgaria; and Karel Janicek in Prague contributed.
Migrants warm themselves by a fire as they gather at the Belarus-Poland border near Grodno, Belarus, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. (Leonid Shcheglov, BelTA pool/AP)

WARSAW, Poland  Poland, Lithuania and Latvia are considering asking NATO to hold emergency talks as they struggle to manage a tense migration standoff on their borders with Belarus, the Polish prime minister said Sunday.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he and his two Baltic counterparts are discussing whether to ask for such talks under the NATO treaty, which allows any ally to request consultations if it feels its territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened.

Still, it's a step that has only been requested a few times in the history of the Western alliance.

The authoritarian Belarusian regime in Minsk has for months been orchestrating a flow of migrants across its border into the three European Union nations, which form the eastern flank of both the 27-nation EU and NATO. In response, the three have been reinforcing their borders.

In an interview with state news agency PAP, Morawiecki vowed that Poland's border with Belarus "will be an effective and final barrier" to actions by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

"There is no doubt that things have gone too far," Morawiecki said.

Many migrants are now stuck in makeshift camps in freezing weather as Poland has reinforced its border with 15,000 soldiers in addition to border guards and police. Most are fleeing conflict, poverty or hopelessness in Syria and Iraq and hope to reach Germany or elsewhere in western Europe.

The situation grew more dramatic last week as a large group of migrants appeared across the border from the Polish town of Kuznica. More arrived there on Sunday, and Poland's Interior Ministry released a video showing police warning the people: "If you don't follow the orders, force may be used against you."

In Baghdad, the Iraqi government urged its citizens stranded at the edge of the EU to return home voluntarily on Iraqi Airways flights that the government is providing.

Ahmed al-Sahhaf, the spokesman for Iraq's Foreign Ministry, told The Associated Press on Sunday that "large groups of Iraqi migrants are being exposed to difficult humanitarian situations." He said the ministry has also suspended the work permit of Belarus' honorary consul in Baghdad to stop the issuing of entry visas to Belarus.

"Smuggling and human trafficking networks are working in inhuman ways and imposing risks on large numbers of Iraqi travelers," he said.

The EU accuses Lukashenko of encouraging the migrants from the Mideast to breech the borders in retaliation for sanctions on his repressive rule. Belarus denies the allegations.

The EU's foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, said he spoke Sunday with Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei "to raise the precarious humanitarian situation at the border."

"The current situation is unacceptable and must stop. People should not be used as weapons," Borrell wrote on Twitter.

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry said Makei informed Borrell of the steps Belarus was taking "to reduce the flow of migrants from Asia, Africa and the Middle East" and to provide them with humanitarian assistance.

"The interest in the early resolution of the migration crisis was confirmed," the ministry said, while also stressing the "futility" of sanctions on the Belarus-EU relationship.

Polish authorities reported Sunday that migrants who tried to cross in from Belarus the evening before attacked Polish police officers with stones, hitting one in the helmet. On Saturday, Poland said Belarusian forces were using a vehicle to try to dismantle a border fence and were using lasers to blind Polish forces.

The reported incidents are all but impossible to verify. Independent journalists face limits in Belarus and a state of emergency in Poland's border zone prevents media from entering the area.

Poland's Border Guard agency said it has recorded over 33,000 illegal attempts to cross the border from Belarus so far this year, up from 120 last year. Polish forces generally push people back across the border. Yet German authorities say they have recorded more than 9,000 migrants who have come through Belarus.

Polish police have also been detaining suspected human smugglers.

Poland's Interior Ministry is seeking to dispel rumors among migrants that Poland has agreed to let them go by bus to Germany. The government is sending alerts in English to phones in the border area saying: "It's a total lie and nonsense! Poland will continue to protect its border with Belarus."

Salar Salim in Baghdad contributed.
Migrants stand in front of Belarusian troops as they gather in a camp near the Belarusian-Polish border in the Grodno region on November 14, 2021. (Oksana Mancuk/BELTA, AFP via Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  President Vladimir Putin said Russia isnt behind the migrant crisis playing out at the Poland-Belarus border but instead is ready to help resolve it.

Speaking to Rossiya-1 TV Channel on Sunday, Putin said he had learned about developments in the border region from media reports. Meanwhile, a top EU official said foreign ministers would work Monday on the framework for additional sanctions against Belarus.

We are ready to contribute to this in every possible way, if of course, something depends on us, Putin said.

Poland has accused the Kremlin of masterminding the artificial flow of thousands of people from countries including Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan onto the border, hoping to cross into the EU.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Sunday that Poland, Lithuania and Latvia are considering asking NATO to hold emergency talks about the standoff.

Putins economic and political backing allowed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to weather mass demonstrations against his 27-year rule in 2020, as well as U.S. and EU sanctions imposed after his brutal crackdown on the opposition. Its unlikely Lukashenko makes many bold decisions without the blessing of his Kremlin ally.

The authoritarian leader has since upped the ante against the west, using migrants as a weapon and threatening to block the transit of natural gas supplies from Russia to the European Union.

The actions by the Lukashenka regime threaten security, sow division, and aim to distract from Russias activities on the border with Ukraine, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement on Sunday.

Writing in the Telegraph on Saturday, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Russia bears clear responsibility for the border situation and should put pressure on Minsk to end the current standoff. According to her, the unfolding situation with migrants was carefully orchestrated.

This carefully crafted crisis is an attempt to divert attention away from the litany of abhorrent acts and human rights violations that the regime has already committed, Truss said of the Belarusian government.

In Sundays interview Putin rejected the accusations: We have absolutely nothing to do with this, just absolutely. Its just a desire to transfer problems from a sick head to a healthy one.

Belarusian foreign minister Vladimir Makei spoke Sunday with EU high representative Josep Borrell, the ministry said on its website.

According to the release, the pair discussed the difficult migration situation at the border of Belarus and EU. Belarus said it was ready for mutually respectful dialog.

In a tweet after the call, Borrell said the current situation must stop. People should not be used as weapons.

The EU is considering additional sanctions against Belarusian officials and companies, with an announcement expected later this month. Mondays meeting will focus on the legal framework for expanded sanctions, the Financial Times reported, citing Borrell.

Poland is concerned about increasing attempts by migrants, who have been pushed to its border by Belarus servicemen, to break through the makeshift barbed-wire fence running along the EUs eastern frontier.

Morawiecki told PAP news agency that he may request talks under Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which allows any member nation to request consultations if it considers its territorial integrity, political independence or security is at risk.

The Polish-Belarusian border will be an effective and final frontier to Lukashenkos actions, he was cited as saying by PAP.

Belarus television on Sunday showed images of Red Cross personnel distributing food and water inside large tents, possibly signaling a more permanent migrant presence at the border. Belarus estimates some 2,000 migrants are currently camped in the area.

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Evacuees wait to board a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 30, 2021. (Victor Mancillal/U.S. Marine Corps)

BATON ROUGE, La.  He waited 15 hours at Kabul International Airport, among thousands of people, hoping to escape Afghanistan with his life.

Jostling for his place among a crowd of strangers, the Afghan, at least, had someone on his side: An ex-U.S. military contractor in Louisiana who stayed on the phone through the night with his tired, desperate friend and former interpreter.

Finally, the Afghan made it through Abbey Gate, a main entryway into the airport, and onto a plane.

"It was like you were in a hell, and then you're going to paradise," the former interpreter said in a recent phone interview.

He was stunned to learn later of the suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. troops and at least 60 Afghans near the same airport gate just six hours after his plane left.

For safety reasons and to follow the policies of Catholic Charities of Baton Rouge, which helped resettle the Afghan in Louisiana, pseudonyms will be used to name the two men in this story: Adam for the refugee and Sam for the friend who helped rescue him.

A PATH TO SAFETY

Sam worked in Afghanistan for four years with a contractor hired by the U.S. State Department. Adam was the interpreter who bridged the language barrier for Sam and others.

The two men stayed in touch regularly since Sam returned to the states several years ago, sharing news about their families and how they were getting on.

Then, Sam said, in August came a different kind of communication. "He calls me and says the Taliban were marching to Kabul," Sam said.

Sam began a frantic letter-writing campaign to Congress members and President Joe Biden.

Adam was in danger.

After learning English at an early age from an American neighbor in Afghanistan and then continuing his studies at a private English-language school, Adam became an interpreter for the military contractor.

He had gone on to work in Kabul as a diplomat for the Afghanistan government to the U.S. embassy when things changed dramatically this past summer, as the Taliban took control of the country while American troops pulled out.

"The situation got worse and worse," Adam said. His longtime friend in Louisiana, though, "always encouraged me," he added.

By Aug. 25, Adam said, the situation in his homeland became so bad that he fell in despair.

"I was hopeless," he said.

Adam spoke to Sam, who told him to drive to the airport in Kabul.

Emboldened by his friend's support, Adam fled.

He arrived at the airport by about 10 p.m. on Aug. 25. Some 15 hours passed before he made it onto a plane.

Sam stayed on the phone with him throughout.

"It was very dangerous and terrible," Adam said. "He was telling me I'm going to make it."

And he did.

A WORLD AWAY

With a host of other escapees on the plane, Adam first went to Kuwait, then to Spain.

He traveled next to Fort Bliss, New Mexico. After a 40-day stay, he boarded a plan for the final leg of his journey to Louisiana.

Sam became his sponsor and helped him find housing when Adam arrived in late October.

Adam secured a Special Immigrant Visa, one created by Congress to protect Afghan allies who aided U.S. troops.

He said he's waiting on additional paperwork and, when it arrives, will begin his job hunt.

Sam's letter-writing campaign, after he found out Adam was in trouble in Afghanistan, got one response  but it turned out to be an important one.

It came from Congressman Mike Johnson, who represents Louisiana's 4th Congressional District.

Sam said Johnson  and one of the lawmaker's employees in particular  "moved mountains."

The employee sent cables to diplomatic channels in Afghanistan and to military contacts.

Adam said that when he was at the Kabul airport on Aug. 25, pressed in by crowds of people, he was waving his documents in the air and calling out the name of Rep. Mike Johnson.

"Suddenly a U.S. soldier just looked at my documents," Adam said.

The soldier, possibly a Louisianan who recognized Johnson's name, "started nodding his head, Yes! Yes!" Adam said.

That moment of recognition became Adam's ticket out.

"Fortunately, I could get inside the airport," he said.

"It was a very happy moment."
An Afghan child receives lunch in the new dining facility at Aman Omid Village on Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 20, 2021. (Anthony Sanchez/U.S. Army)

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (Tribune News Service)  In the town square recreation area in Aman Omid Village on Holloman Air Force Base, children and parents play in the cool mid-morning early November weather.

Near the outdoor recreation area is the Womens Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center where girls and women dance the Attan, Afghanistans national dance. Nearby other women crochet and watch over children who color and are entertained by a Bollywood movie.

This is how Afghan refugees living on Holloman air Force Base pass the time while they await resettlement.

The refugees  Task Force Holloman call them guests  live in the tent city on the base that just months ago was desert full of scrub brush. From that desert, base staff and the refugees themselves created Aman Omid Village  a name which the Villages governor Col. Curtis Velasquez said expresses what each person there is searching for: Peace and hope.

Velasquez said the Village is this generations Ellis Island, the immigration inspection station in New York Harbor that was active between 1892 and 1954. The residents of Aman Omid Village do not leave until they are ready to fly out to their resettlement location.

Since Aug. 31, Holloman Air Force Base has been hosting a rolling average of about 4,500 Afghans. The number of Afghan refugees on Holloman Air Force Base changes due to the nature of the resettlement process.

The team of Americans who collaborate with the Afghan refugees on the base is a multi-departmental group known as Task Force-Holloman, which is made up of service members, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. State Department and the Department of Defense.

The collective efforts here of DHS, Department of State and ( Department of Defense) are focused in on one simple goal, and that is the successful resettlement of each and every Afghan guest that we have under our care, Matt McKeehan of the Department of Homeland Security said. McKeehan is the federal coordinator for Operation Allies Welcome on Holloman Air Force Base.

McKeehan said resettlement begins with processing, reception, feeding, safety, security, cultural orientation, training and education of each person in the Village.

At Aman Omid Village adults and children are taught English and take courses on cultural orientation. They learn about Daylight Savings Time and the history of Thanksgiving, concepts that are everyday to Americans. When hungry they can access two mess halls that serve halal food and drinks including Pepsi products and a variety of teas. Children are given toys donated by Toys for Tots  choosing between child-sized guitars and Minnie Mouse plush dolls.

An Afghan child colors in the letters of the English alphabet during the opening of a new education center at Aman Omid Village on Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 19, 2021. (Anthony Ford/U.S. Army) A Department of Homeland Security volunteer points out different U.S states on a map during the opening of a new education center at Aman Omid Village on Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 19, 2021. (Anthony Ford/U.S. Army)

A bad nightmare: Bibis story

To protect the Afghan refugees staying on Holloman Air Force Base, they are not photographed or fully identified. This includes State Department worker Bibi.

Bibi, however, spoke freely about her experiences during the fall of Kabul, her journey to Holloman Air Force Base and her plans once she and her family  those who were able to escape Afghanistan  are settled.

It was a really bad experience, Bibi said. It was very rushed. We were crowded and the Taliban was surrounding us.

The Taliban fired on Bibi and her family even as they asked why they were going into the airport, Bibi said.

After four days, Bibi and her family got into the airport but got separated from Bibis father, uncle and cousin who are still in Afghanistan, Bibi said.

The Taliban was hitting us. They were hitting my mom, my aunt and my brother with a gun and with a so-big stick in the right shoulder, Bibi said making the approximate width of the stick with her hands.

Bibi said she and her family were assaulted and then were told no planes were available to take them to the U.S. and that they should leave the airport. A second violent encounter with the Taliban was followed by a three hour wait for Bibi, her mother, aunt and brother who then managed to enter Kabul Airport, Bibi said.

That was like a bad nightmare, Bibi said. This was the first time I had seen the Taliban.

That was not Bibis mothers first experience with the Taliban.

About 20 years back, Taliban doing the same thing again now with the ladies, they are hitting the ladies now, Bibi said. (The Taliban are hitting) children, even the men who had hairstyles or theyre wearing pants not like Peraahan-Tonbaan, what Afghani wears. Theyre hitting my brother because he was wearing a locket.

When Bibi, her mother, aunt and brother were inside Kabul Airport, they were met by U.S. Army soldiers who were nice, Bibi said.

They told us, Youre gonna be okay, you are now our citizens. You are becoming an American. We are protecting you from the Taliban. You are good, Bibi said. Now Im just worrying about my dad (my uncle and one of my cousins) because we got separated... The rest of my family with us, my aunt, another cousin and my grandpas second wife, she is also with us in here, in this camp ( Aman Omid Village).

Bibi and her family were taken from Kabul to Qatar, where they stayed for 14 days before heading to Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

Bibi said the experience in Qatar was nice.

The journey to Aman Omid Village had one more hardship when Bibi and her family were at Ramstein Air Base, she said. Her mother was attacked by an Afghan man at the Ramstein Air Base refugee camp, she claimed. Her mother was brushing her hair and had removed her headscarf prior to the attack.

The family stayed in Germany for two months before being transferred to Holloman Air Force Base.

Im very much happy here, Bibi said. Maybe we have a great future in here. Im happy.

Bibi hopes to get her pilots license one day.

A Task Force Holloman Airman holds up an Afghan child during a performance by the U.S. Air Force Academy Winds musical ensemble at Aman Omid Village at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 12, 2021. (Skyler Combs/U.S. Air Force) Academy Winds from the U.S. Air Force Academy, performs at Aman Omid Village for Afghan evacuees to provide musical entertainment at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 13, 2021. (Nicholas Goodman/U.S. Army)

A shocking incident The parents story

Rohafza Sajid and Yunus Sajid have two small children in Amad Omid Village.

It was a shocking incident happened two months or more before in Afghanistan and no one was expecting to happen, Yunus said. But it happened and we were in unwanted situation.

The U.S. government were helpful to the Sajid family, Yunus said.

However, the process of leaving Afghanistan was fraught with hardships particularly when going through Taliban checkpoints, Yunus said.

It was horrible (when entering the Kabul Airport) and will be remembered always in our minds forever, Yunus said. Finally, we made it and we came to Germany to Ramstein (Air Base) and we spent more than a month there. So, we hopped over and entered the U.S. and finally to our last stop here at Holloman Air Base.

Holloman Air Force Base is the last stop before resettlement for the Afghan refugees staying there.

Aman Omid Village, for all its amenities, is still a tent city.

Its a temporary place so (it has) basic life facilities, Rohafza said. We are hoping to have our final destination; our own house, our own rooms. We are happy for all the facilities they are providing. We dont have so much expectations... Its better than some other places we have heard from our friends.

The situation is a new experience, even for the youth, Yunus said.

(The U.S. government) are trying their best to provide what is necessary or needed but it is not desirable, of course, Yunus said. We hope that we will get out of this situation. This is not a permanent situation.

nmaxwell@alamogordonews.com

2021 Alamagordo (N.M.) Daily News.

Visit alamogordonews.com .
Brooke Wheaton, 6, made a sign to remember police dog Kitt at a funeral on June 22, 2021. (Greg Derr, The Patriot Ledger/TNS)

BRAINTREE, Mass. (Tribune News Service)  Three Braintree police officers injured during a gunfight at the Braintree Village apartments in June were honored by the Massachusetts National World War II Memorial Committee during a ceremony at the police station last week.

Braintree police officers William Cushing, Matthew Donoghue and Richard Siebert were presented with Peace Medals by the committee. One of the designers of the medal was longtime Braintree resident Charles MacGillivary, an Army sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.

Ed Sullivan, of Weymouth, the chairman of the memorial committee, said the award is given to those who maintain peace both at home and abroad.

Cushing and Donoghue were both wounded in the incident, and Siebert is credited with saving their lives by rendering first aid to his fellow officers. The gunman who fired the shots was killed.

State Police Col. Christopher Mason said the three officers represented the best characteristics of law enforcement.

Also honored at the ceremony was Cushings canine partner, Kitt, who was shot and killed during the confrontation.

You folks did something very heroic that day, Norfolk County Treasurer Michael Bellotti, a longtime county sheriff, said of the officers. You did not let anyone down.

Braintree police officer William Cushing receives a World War II Peace Medal at the Braintree police station on Nov. 11, 2021. (Greg Derr, The Patriot Ledger/TNS) Braintree police officer Matthew Donoghue receives a World War II Peace Medal at the Braintree police station on Nov.11, 2021. (Greg Derr, The Patriot Ledger/TNS)

Braintree Mayor Charles Kokoros said he was part of the hiring process that brought Cushing to Braintree, and called him a great community police officer.

Former Boston Police Commissioner William Bratton congratulated and thanked the officers.

The honorees are excellent in terms of achievement, Bratton said via Zoom.

And while all law enforcement officers risk their lives on the job, the risks are higher for K-9 officers, Kokoros said.

Being a K-9 officer means you are on the front line all the time, he said.

George Regan, a memorial committee member, said the committee is giving the police department a new police K-9 and will pay the training expenses.

Kitt died a hero, Regan said.

Siebert was away on vacation and did not attend the ceremony.

Many of the officers Braintree police colleagues attended the ceremony in the stations roll call room, as did honor guards from the State Police and the Braintree Veterans Council. State Police bagpipers played Amazing Grace in tribute to Kitt.

2021 The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, Mass.

Visit patriotledger.com .
President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate is shown in Palm Beach, Fla., in July 2019. A Chinese businesswoman convicted of trespassing at Mar-a-Lago and lying to Secret Service agents has been deported, federal authorities said, more than two years after serving her sentence. (Wilfredo Lee/AP)

PALM BEACH, Fla.  A Chinese businesswoman convicted of trespassing at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club and lying to Secret Service agents was deported over the weekend, federal authorities said, more than two years after serving her sentence.

Yujing Zhang was turned over to immigration officials in December 2019 after serving her eight-month sentence. But she was held at the Glades County Detention Center for three times as long as her prison term mainly because of deportation delays during the COVID-19 pandemic, immigration authorities told the Miami Herald.

At the time of her sentencing, the then 33-year-old Zhang went to Mar-a-Lago "to meet the president and family and just make friends." When an incredulous judge questioned her about whether she thought she could really meet the Trumps, Zhang laughed loudly and said she hoped to meet other people, too.

Zhang then told U.S. District Judge Roy Altman that the president told reporters that he had invited Zhang to Mar-a-Lago. But Altman said that was another lie.

It's unclear what Zhang's motives were, but the judge said it was clearly about more than getting a photo opportunity.

After serving her sentence and while still detained by U.S. immigration officials, Zhang grew desperate to expedite her return to China. The newspaper reported she filed a petition in December 2020 to speed up the process, but was not successful.

Zhang wrote in English that she had been held at the Glades County Detention Center, had no money to call her family in China, and needed an attorney to gain her freedom and go home, according to court documents.
Four American hostages held in Iran listen to the latest demands for their release on Dec. 25, 1980. From left: William Belk of Columbia, S. C.; Thomas Schaefer of Tacoma, Wash.; Donald Hohman of West Sacramento, Calif.; and John Craves of Reston, Va. Hohman, who was among the Americans held hostage in Iran for 444 days between 1979 and 1981, was laid to rest along with his wife in a veterans cemetery in Kentucky. (AP Photo)

RADCLIFF, Ky.  Donald Hohman, who was among the Americans held hostage in Iran for 444 days between 1979 and 1981, was laid to rest along with his wife in a veterans cemetery in Kentucky.

The couple, both 79, lived in Elizabethtown, Ky., and died within several days of each other this fall after contracting COVID-19, their daughter-in-law, Jocelyn Hohman, told the Lexington Herald-Leader. They were married for 52 years.

American Legion Post 113 in Hardin County helped arrange to have a color guard and a bagpiper for the services on Friday, she said.

Donald Hohman, a retired chief warrant officer two, died Sept. 22, according to an obituary. Anna Hohman died Oct. 1, her obituary stated.

Jocelyn Hohman credited her father-in-law's stubbornness with helping him survive the ordeal. She said he went on hunger strikes and spent time in solitary confinement because of it.

"Instead of being scared over there, he was angry," Jocelyn Hohman said. "He gave them a run for their money."

The hostages were released the day President Ronald Reagan took office, Jan. 20, 1981.

Hohman was later awarded the Soldier's Medal, Purple Heart, Legion of Merit and other military honors, media outlets reported.

In the years after the hostage crisis, Donald Hohman rarely talked about his time in captivity, his daughter-in-law said.

"He kept it close to his chest, for the most part," she said. "He had a lot of psychological trauma from that."

She described Anna Hohman as "a little powerhouse" who "kept the family together."

"They were quite a team," said Jocelyn Hohman, who is married to the couple's son Yuri and lives in Elizabethtown.

Jocelyn Hohman said the family moved to Kentucky in 1998.

After retiring from a 25-year career in the military, Donald Hohman continued to work as a civilian at Fort Knox's Ireland Hospital until 2005, his obituary stated.

Donald Hohman had been vaccinated for the coronavirus, and Anna Hohman was "very careful" in her interactions with others during the pandemic, their daughter-in-law said.
San Diego Salute Formation Team Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial At an event honoring the nurse corps of the Army, Navy and Air Force at Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 in San Diego, CA., the Marine color guard from MCRD San Diego marches to center for the national anthem. (Nelvin C. Cepeda/The San Diego Union-Tribune/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Just as she had done for him more than 50 years ago, U.S. Army veteran John Baca kept Angela Liakos in his sight and under his care on a warm Saturday afternoon atop Mount Soledad in La Jolla, California.

Wearing a Congressional Medal of Honor around his neck like a bolo tie, the 72-year-old Baca was seated next to the frail Liakos, a 93-year-old retired Navy captain and nurse, at a Veterans Day ceremony at the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial.

The event honored all military veterans but also paid special honor to nurses such as Liakos who served in the Nurse Corps of the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force.

During the hourlong event, Baca would sometimes take Liakos' hand and touch her arm. He removed his cap and placed it gently above her eyeglasses, on her head of curly silver hair, to shield her face from the sun. He smiled generously, being sure to make eye contact often, letting her know in unspoken terms that all was well.

"She's my guardian angel," said Baca, an Army specialist 4th class in Vietnam who was seriously injured in combat on Feb. 10, 1970.

That night, a grenade landed near him, and acting swiftly, Baca threw his steel helmet on top of it.

"Time kind of stopped, my life flashed before me," Baca said. "I saw my mother's face; I saw my sister."

The grenade exploded, and Baca recalled absorbing the fragments with his body, the shrapnel singeing his abdomen.

"My lieutenant, John Dotson, he lay beside me removing all the burning metal from my stomach and my legs," Baca said.

Baca saved eight soldiers from certain serious injury or death, and for his lifesaving action, he was presented the Medal of Honor in June 1971 by President Richard Nixon. Baca, who lives in Serra Mesa, has also been awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Air Medal.

It was when Baca was flown to San Diego to receive care that he first met Liakos at Balboa Naval Hospital, where she was running the nursing contingent. He said Liakos watched over him "like a second mother," visiting him every day to check on his healing during his road to recovery.

"The nurses were our guardian angels in Vietnam," Baca said. "I sat here a couple of years ago next to five Vietnam nurses, and they've seen more death and dying in their hospital beds than we did in the jungles. When we get together for reunions, they get overcome with emotions thinking about those they couldn't save."

The event  attended by a couple hundred people, including several uniformed Navy nurses and members of the Navy Nurse Corps Association of Southern California featured a somber commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a flyover with nine planes. The flyover also included a "missing man formation" that paid tribute to Bob Phillips, a Navy veteran and a longtime trustee and event organizer with the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial Association who passed away recently.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Neil O'Connell, president of the association, lauded the service members of the past and present, and shared time at the microphone with San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, a Navy veteran.

Gloria said that San Diego County is the "proud home to more than 240,000 veterans," and said that the region is the No. 1 destination for veterans who have returned from post-9/11 conflicts such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Each year, 15,000 active-duty service members transition out of the military into our city," Gloria said. "And more than half of those patriots choose to stay right here in this community. I don't think that's a coincidence ... the service orientation (of San Diego) has drawn people to come to this community and stay in this community."

Gloria spoke in reverence of Stu Hedley, a Pearl Harbor survivor and president of the local Pearl Harbor Survivors Association who died at age 99 in August from COVID-19. Hedley never missed events that celebrated veterans.

"It is a huge loss to look out into this crowd and not see his white windbreaker, with all the patches, the puka shells, the lei, and his incredible style and smile, just happiness," the mayor said.

Rear Adm. Cynthia Kuehner, commander of Naval Medical Forces Support Command and a senior Navy nurse, flew in from Texas for the event. Kuehner served with the 1st Force Service Support Group in Fallujah, Iraq, where she provided direct casualty care in a busy medical facility during the height of combat operations.

She spoke to the crowd, explaining that the first nurses in the American military were appointed to the Army Nurse Corps in 1901, with the Navy Nurse Corps joining in 1908. The Air Force Nurse Cops wasn't established until 1949. But Kuehner made it clear that nurses have been helping the battle wounded since the late 1700s, and that they will continue to be a force well into the future.

At the close of the ceremony, Baca helped guide his former nurse from a wheelchair into a van driven by Liakos' caretaker. Baca said Liakos had been on a path to becoming an admiral, but he was grateful that she did not end up "behind a desk at the Pentagon."

"She's one of the angels that watched over us," Baca said. "I won't forget."

This story originally appeared in San Diego Union-Tribune.

2021 The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Visit sandiegouniontribune.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty city leaders are strongly encouraging their community to get vaccinated, following the ESR notifying the Ministry of Health of positive wastewater detections of the Covid-19 virus on Saturday.



The COVID-19 virus has been detected in waste water samples collected November 10 - 11 from Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.

Our team will be collecting additional samples for testing in the coming days, says Tauranga City Council Commission Chair Anne Tolley.

I need to urge everyone in our community who has not done so to please get your free vaccination."

Tauranga City Council Commission Chair Anne Tolley. Photo: SunLive.

The clock is ticking, we have confirmed cases in Hamilton, as well as Taupo. The time to act is now, says Tolley.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board EOC Incident Controller Brent Gilbert de Rios is encouraging people who are unwell and have symptoms of COVID-19, even mild symptoms, get tested.

After testing people will need to remain isolated until they return a negative test result.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include a new or worsening cough, sneezing and runny nose, fever, temporary loss of smell or altered sense of taste, sore throat, and shortness of breath.

Testing sites open Sunday:

Katikati Medical Centre Open today 8.30am to 12pm

Bay of Plenty COVID-19 Community Testing Centres Open today 10am to 3pm

Accident and HealthCare Open today 8am to 9pm

Te Manu Toroa 11 Tebbs Lane (off Courtney Rd) Gate Pa. Open until 3pm.

We also encourage people to get vaccinated if they are not already vaccinated as it is the best way to keep our communities safe from the virus, says Brent.

To find the locations of where vaccination centres are open please check the Healthpoint website for testing site details.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council Mayor Garry Webber is encouraging everyone to put politics aside and to get vaccinated.

It is unfortunate that Covid has found its way into our rohe, but not surprising given its emergence around us at Taupo and Stratford, says Webber.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council Mayor Garry Webber. Photo: SunLive.

Now is not the time for politics or procrastination. Now is the time for everyone to get vaccinated as vaccination is the only way we, as whanau, community and as a nation, can get ahead of this global pandemic," says Webber.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges is also strongly encouraging people to get tested and vaccinated while carrying on with everyday life.

While this was inevitable at some point, it will still be concerning to locals, says Bridges. Those with symptoms should get tested and those who arent yet should get vaccinated. Otherwise I believe we need to continue going about our everyday business and getting on with life.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges. Photo: SunLive.

The Bay of Plenty District Health Board has advised it will have a number of testing and vaccination sites available on Sunday. Please check the Healthpoint website for testing site details.

Vaccination locations for Sunday:

Tauranga Central - COVID Vaccination Centre

87 First Avenue Walk-in Sunday 8am to 3pm Gate Pa New World Pop-Up Walk-in Sunday all day Tauranga Crossing Shopping Centre

2 Taurikura Drive Walk-in Sunday 9am to 5.30pm Life Pharmacy Bayfair

Shop T204, Bayfair Shopping Centre, 19 Girven Road, Mount Maunganui Walk-in Sunday 9am to 4.30pm Katikati RSA and Citizens Club, Corner of Henry & Main Roads Walk-in Sunday 10am to 2pm Whakatane Vaccination Centre

11 Quay Street, Whakatane Walk-in Sunday 8am to 3.30pm

Get tested, get vaccinated and check locations of interest. This is the advice from Toi Te Ora Public health following the positive Covid-19 test result in a person from Taupo.

The Medical Officer of Health at Toi Te Ora, Dr Lynne Lane, says it is imperative that anyone in the Taupo district or who has visited Taupo recently, get tested if they have Covid-19 symptoms.

Symptoms of Covid-19 include a new or worsening cough, sneezing and runny nose, fever, temporary loss of smell or altered sense of taste, sore throat, and shortness of breath.

Locations of interest are updated regularly and can be found here.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board CEO Pete Chandler. Photo: Supplied.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board CEO Pete Chandler has been actively encouraging the Bay community to get vaccinated, and highlights some of the side issues that the DHB is managing.

"Our hospital activity this week has been over 100 per cent of beds occupied which is abnormal activity and very sick people," says Chandler.

"We also have an increasing trend of car and road accidents which take up huge amounts of hospital capacity from ED through theatres and wards.

Chandler says 'the last thing we need when we get Covid is avoidable heavy resource consuming demands like car and other accidents."

Dr Lane says the cases in Taupo are a timely reminder for people to get their Covid-19 vaccination.

Vaccination is the best way to keep yourself, your loved ones and the community safe from the virus. If you havent already had your vaccination, now is the time to get it.

Other important health measures against Covid-19 include wearing face coverings, using the Covid-19 tracer app, practicing good hand hygiene and social distancing, says Dr Lane.

I strongly encourage everyone to be vaccinated and encourage those who may not have decided to do so today and be part of a strong community response to fight Covid-19.

Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty residents are also encouraged to stay vigilant.

It is also crucial for everyone in our community to keep wearing face coverings, socially distance, maintain good hygiene and use the NZ Covid-tracer app. Lets do everything we can to keep our whanau and friends safe, says Tolley.
Police are very pleased to report that a family reported overdue from a fishing trip in Kawakawa Bay has been located safe and well.

Police received reports just after 9am on Sunday morning that members of the public had sighted a boat matching the description of the missing boat, heading towards Matingarahi Point.

Coast Guard vessel Trillian Trust has since located the boat and confirmed it is the missing boat.

All on board are safe and well.

Police were notified at 9.35pm on Saturday night that the family  one adult and four children aged 7-11  had not returned as expected. An extensive search has been under way overnight but at first light on Sunday the familys boat had not been located. The search continued this morning involving the Police Maritime Unit, Coast Guard and shoreline searches.

The boat is currently being escorted to Kawakawa Bay by Coast Guard.

At this stage it is not clear why the boat had not returned as planned yesterday morning and Police will be undertaking further enquiries with the family today.
From today, Taumata Arowai begins its role and powers as the new independent water services regulator for New Zealand, replacing the previous responsibilities of the Ministry of Health, under the Water Services Act 2021.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says that she welcomes this milestone.

"Everybody in Aotearoa should be able to get drinking water from the tap knowing that it is safe," she says.

"We should also be able to swim or gather mahinga kai in our rivers, lakes or at the beach without fear of becoming sick. We have an obligation to ensure this for current and future generations.

The establishment of Taumata Arowai as the drinking water regulator represents a major transformational advance for the health and wellbeing of all New Zealanders."

Taumata Arowai Board Chair, Dame Karen Poutasi, says that the new Crown entity will begin by focusing on regulating drinking water services to help ensure safe and sufficient drinking water across Aotearoa.

This includes taking enforcement action when a drinking water supplier fails to meet its duties, particularly where drinking water poses a serious risk to public health.

Everyone in Aotearoa should have reliable access to safe drinking water every day  no matter where they live. This is not the case currently, says Dame Karen.

Taumata Arowai will also have a future role in relation to wastewater and stormwater network performance. From 2023, Taumata Arowai will monitor and report on the environmental performance of wastewater and stormwater networks.

Taumata Arowai was established following the inquiry into a 2016 outbreak of waterborne disease in Havelock Norths drinking water supply. It is the first key pou, or pillar, of the Governments Three Waters Reform Programme.

The Governments Havelock North Inquiry and subsequent Three Waters Reform Programme has turned the spotlight on the quality and delivery of drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater services. The sector has asked for the creation of a three waters regulator, and it has come in the form of Taumata Arowai, says Dame Karen.

Consumption of contaminated drinking water in Havelock North resulted in up to 8,320 campylobacteriosis illnesses. Of these, 953 cases were physician-reported, 42 were hospitalised, three people developed Guillain-Barre syndrome, and four people died.

Our tamariki, elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic illness are particularly vulnerable.

We know from the number of boil water notices that are in place, that many water supplies are not safe for consumption. The risk to peoples health is even greater if water suppliers fail to put boil water notices in place when they should be, says Dame Karen.

Taumata Arowai is governed by its Board, established under the Taumata Arowaithe Water Services Regulator Act 2020. The Board was appointed on February 17 2021 by the Minister of Local Government and is chaired by Dame Karen Poutasi.

The Maori Advisory Group was appointed by the Acting Minister of Local Government on May 20 2021 and is chaired by Tipa Mahuta. Established under the Taumata Arowaithe Water Services Regulator Act 2020 the Maori Advisory Group advises on Maori interests and knowledge as they relate to the objectives, functions, and operating principles of Taumata Arowai and the Boards collective duties.

Chair Tipa Mahuta says that the Maori Advisory Group is pleased to be able to support the Board and Taumata Arowai to build its understanding and knowledge of how to uphold its responsibilities with regards to Te Mana o te Wai.

Embarking on this journey together as a new regulator means that we can forge a new way of approaching and incorporating Te Mana o Te Wai into the fabric of the organisation, says Mahuta.

Taumata Arowai Chief Executive Bill Bayfield, says Taumata Arowai had a big job in front of it, so it was essential that the new regulator worked closely with the water sector to lift performance.

For drinking water suppliers, we are keeping our messages simple. You have a duty to ensure the drinking water you provide is safe, says Bayfield.

Bayfield says that the new drinking water regulator will take a phased approach, with focus in the first year on those suppliers currently registered with the Ministry of Health.

This means that Taumata Arowai deals first with the registration and regulation of the countrys most complex water supply arrangements and those supplies that represent the greatest risk. Most of these are currently managed by local bodies.

Due to the population size local government suppliers serve, there are more rigorous rules, standards, monitoring, and reporting requirements they will have to meet.

Because smaller suppliers serve a smaller population (less than 500 people) and are less complex, there are mechanisms built into the legislation to provide a pragmatic approach to managing their risks. One of these mechanisms is called Acceptable Solutions.

Applying an Acceptable Solution is a way for small suppliers to ensure they are providing safe drinking water in a practical and cost-effective way Mr Bayfield said that small suppliers could include a community water scheme, a farm providing water to several households, a marae, community hall, rural school or holiday homes sharing the same water supply.

During the initial years, we will provide information and guidance to smaller suppliers on what solutions including the Acceptable Solutions could look like for the diverse types of water supply arrangements that exist. We will seek input into the development of that guidance and Acceptable Solutions through reference groups and open consultation.

The door will also be open to the development of new Acceptable Solutions over time, so that modern technology and approaches to supplying safe drinking water can be accommodated, says Bayfield.

Under the new legislation, non-registered suppliers will have up to four years to register their supply (November 2025), and up to seven years to comply with the new standards and rules (November 2028).

This is a major change from the Water Services Bill as first drafted and recognises submissions made by many parties. By listening to suppliers, this timeframe will allow us to work collaboratively and find practical solutions together.

We are going to approach this in a pragmatic way based on the scale, complexity, and risk of different water supplies. It is important though, to remember that as the regulator, we will be expected to hold suppliers accountable when they fail to meet their legal duties to their communities, says Bayfield.

Taumata Arowai

Taumata Arowai is a Crown entity established under the Taumata Arowaithe Water Services Regulator Act 2020.

The establishment of Taumata Arowai as an independent regulator for drinking water and new legislation in the form of the Water Services Act 2021 (replacing Part 2A of the Health Act 1956) are integral parts of the Governments Three Waters Reform Programme.

The Havelock North outbreak was not an isolated incident. In 2007, research conducted for the Ministry of Health estimated the overall burden of sporadic or underlying drinking water-borne gastrointestinal disease in people at 18,000 to 34,000 cases per year.

The number of notified cases understate the real rates of illness. This is because some people are infected but asymptomatic, some ill people do not visit a doctor, some doctors do not report a suspected case, some doctors do not request a faecal specimen, some people do not provide a requested faecal specimen, and many potential waterborne illnesses are not notifiable.

The Ministry of Healths recent Annual Report on Drinking Water Quality 2019-2020 shows 76 boil water notices on supplies serving more than 100 people (26 permanent and 50 temporary) during the reporting period. This report only includes registered supplies serving more than 100 people, so total numbers of supplies where boiling water is necessary to prevent illness are likely to be higher.
'Workers in Gibraltar took matters into their own hands and repaired the ship in secret, and unpaid' The book, Red Ship and Red Tape, tells the little-known story of a Spanish destroyer which took refuge in Gibraltar, causing a real dilemma for the authorities there and in UKFrancis Silva Lead author of a new book about Gibraltar and the Spanish Civil War

GIBRALTAR. Friday, 12 November 2021, 10:58

Some people seem to pack more into every 24-hour day than most, and Francis Silva is one of them. In addition to his full-time job as a Civil Servant with the Government of Gibraltar, he is a history enthusiast and author, and his latest project is a book about a subject very close to his heart, the Jose Luis Diez, a Republican ship which had to take refuge in Gibraltar during the Spanish Civil War and the dilemma that caused for the Gibraltarian and UK authorities. Francis is the lead author of the book, which will be officially launched next month, and he took time out of his very busy schedule to tell us more about it.

What first sparked your interest in the Jose Luis Diez story?

A while back, I went to an exhibition on Gibraltar and the Civil War, which was organised by Unite the Union. I saw all the pain and suffering on the republican side, and that of the refugees in Gibraltar. I'm also interested in naval history, and realised that I didn't know much about this ship, so I dug into the history of it. Then a friend who knew about the research I was doing suggested that I write something for the Forum for Historical Memory in the Campo de Gibraltar. My aim was to write a clearer and more readable version of the correspondence between Gibraltar and London. In fact, I had already started to write about the different captains and crew of the Jose Luis Diez during the Civil War, highlighting the human side. What they went through was very dramatic, right from the beginning of the war. So that is also a chapter in the book.

The ship tried to get through the Strait of Gibraltar, which was blockaded by Franco's ships, disguised as a British destroyer, but she was attacked and holed and took refuge in Gibraltar harbour, didn't she?

Yes, and that caused a real dilemma for the Gibraltar and UK authorities because of the Non-Intervention agreement which meant they were not supposed to get involved in the Spanish war. It was further complicated by the fact that in general, the authorities were on Franco's side, although many of the working-class people in Gibraltar supported the republicans.

It must have taken a tremendous amount of research to find all this information.

Yes, I started with Internet articles, then local newspapers and I went to the National Archives in Gibraltar. The file on the Jose Luis Diez was kept in a separate room and I had to ask permission from the government to access it. It was declassified later, but at the time it was with the secret files. I also went to London, to the National Archives in Kew, and obtained copies of several files from the Admiralty and the Foreign Office. Apart from that, I also found a booklet by a crew member which had been published in Spain some time back, giving a first-hand account of what happened to the crew in Gibraltar and subsequently. In all, I went through hundreds of pages of documents. It has taken over a year, sifting through them, creating a clear picture from the information available.

You are the lead author of the book, which is called Red Ship and Red Tape. Who are the other writers?

We have been lucky enough to have contributions from three very well-known historians. Chris Grocott has written the introduction, Dr Gareth Stockey has written a chapter about the way that Gibraltar and the UK failed to comply with the Non-Intervention agreement in many ways, and in another chapter Luis Miguel Cerdera has given an overview of the ship itself and its other experiences during the Civil War.

You have previously published articles and given talks on the Jose Luis Diez in Gibraltar, haven't you?

Yes, I have written an article for the Gibraltar Heritage Trust Journal, which is coming out this month, on the salvage operation when the ship ran aground. In the end, with all the arguments between Gibraltar, the UK and the republicans and nationalists in Spain about what should happen to her, and local companies not wanting to repair her for different reasons, some of the dockyard workers decided to take matters into their own hands and repaired her secretly themselves, unpaid. The ship had arrived in August, but it wasn't until December that she was repaired, and she then attempted to leave in secret in the middle of the night. Spies in Gibraltar let off flares to warn the nationalist ships which were always waiting outside Gibraltar in case she tried to escape, and she was attacked again and ran aground off Catalan Bay. In the book, we also explain what happened to the captain, the crew and the ship after that. And last month I gave a talk to the Gibraltar Heritage Trust members at the John Mackintosh Hall, explaining my research and giving the background story of the ship and its crew in Gibraltar.

Is there anything in Gibraltar nowadays to indicate that a Republican destroyer was there during the Spanish Civil War, and that local people repaired her?

The ship's flag, which was sewn by a local lady, is now held by The Gibraltar National Museum. The Jose Luis Diez was flying that flag when she tried to leave Gibraltar. The Museum also has a silver plaque which was commissioned by the crew of the ship, after receiving so much help and support from the people of Gibraltar. For several years they were on display at the TGWU headquarters in London, and then they were returned. In the 1980s attempts were made to return the flag to Spain, but there didn't seem to be much interest.

I must admit that I am not normally interested in naval or military history, but I found Red Ship and Red Tape not only fascinating but gripping. There is so much information which, I imagine, it would be rare to find elsewhere, and it is written in a way which is extremely readable. What are you going to do next? Have a well-deserved rest after all this research and hard work, or do you have any more projects in the pipeline?

Well, I'm a history buff so I am always interested in carrying out research, especially in military history. I'm going to write about the 100-Ton Gun for the Gibraltar Heritage Trust Journal, and that could end up in a book on Victorian artillery. I could easily have written more about the Jose Luis Diez, but time was of the essence. You never know where research will take you. You follow a lead, and come across a myriad of interesting facts. It's fascinating. And it's addictive. There is a treasure trove of material to read and discover.
'Drug trafficking is a major challenge but there are no easy solutions' Tauriainen is aware that there are Swedish gangs on the Costa del Sol and says there is close cooperation between police forcesTeppo Tauriainen, Swedish Ambassador to Spain

The Swedish ambassador, Teppo Tauriainen, came to Malaga recently to open an exhibition about Raoul Wallenberg at the Caja Blanca. Wallenberg was a Swedish diplomat who saved thousands of Jews from the holocaust. While here, the ambassador spoke to SUR about the different issues that link the Swedish community with Malaga province.

Talking about Sweden in Malaga makes me think of tourists who had a freedom that didn't exist here.

What was seen then was a simple expression of Swedish reality. I believe it also served to open some people's eyes. The world is not how you see it in your own small way.

QUOTEREMOTE WORKING "Entrepreneurs and families are coming to the Costa del Sol because they want the quality of life"

What is your first memory of Malaga?

In 1981 I spent three months studying Spanish in Pedregalejo. That was my first experience of Spain, and my view of the country is therefore always very Malaga-oriented.

What do you think of the Malaga of today?

It's another city. When I came the first time, there were hardly any tourists. The historic centre wasn't pedestrianised, it was a much darker place. I think Malaga has improved a great deal, it's a very nice place to stay now.

There are communities of British, Germans and Finns. Do you think there will be a Swedish one in the future as well?

There are already a lot of Swedish people on the Costa del Sol. In Fuengirola, in Marbella and in Mijas. We don't have exact figures because people don't register, but we do know that there are about 25,000 people from Sweden on the population registers in Spain. We estimate that about 30 or 40 per cent are on the Costa del Sol. It's the most important place within Spain.

Can working from home and digitalisation make it easier for Swedish people to come to Malaga?

Absolutely. The pandemic has shown that it is possible to work remotely. We know there are people who have moved to the Costa del Sol. Historically, what we used to have were sun and sand holidays and residential tourism. Now, we see families with children coming, and entrepreneurs. They want the quality of life that the climate offers here.

In Sweden, is there much interest in doing business in Malaga and the Costa del Sol?

Malaga is a place where there are a lot of entrepreneurs, a lot of new companies. I believe it is very possible that there are some Swedish investors who are interested in investing in Malaga.

What is the main product exported from Sweden to Spain?

I don't know exactly which product is most exported, but I'm sure it will be an industrial one. The most important Swedish companies in Spain are Ericsson, Volvo and Scania.

Does Sweden have a problem with drug trafficking? The police say more than 100 Swedish people have been arrested on the Costa del Sol since 2018.

I believe this is a global problem. Unfortunately, the Costa del Sol is somewhere these criminals have chosen. And some are Swedish, of course. We know these criminal gangs are active. We are looking at a major challenge for society, and there are no easy solutions.

Do the police authorities in your country keep one eye on Malaga province?

Absolutely. And there is close cooperation with the police here.

Most of these criminals have a migrant background. Do you think integration is failing in Sweden?

It's something that concerns us daily in Sweden. We have received many immigrants and exiles in recent years. About 165,000 arrived in 2015 alone. People who come from other cultures, who don't speak the language and don't speak English either. Integrating them into our society is a big challenge and the one that worries us most.

Does it all come down to education, do you think?

Absolutely. But in our case the problem is that the numbers of immigrants have been so high that the system has not been able to absorb them. So many people came in such a short time that it was overwhelming.

What do you see as the defining elements of the welfare state?

Elements like housing and education. The welfare state means having basic needs covered. That doesn't mean that we don't have to work and act responsibly. But if there is a time of crisis, someone who loses their job has the security of knowing they are not going to die in the street, that there is a safety net.

To what extent should the State intervene in the market?

The State should be present, but we believe very much in the market. In fact, the market defines much of what happens in Sweden. Each of us has to work and live within this system. But if there are shortcomings in the functioning of the market, the State has to be there to help.

In the coronavirus crisis, Sweden has introduced hardly any restrictions.

Sweden has introduced recommendations rather than restrictions. It seems that every country has had its own strategy. We are going to have to wait until the pandemic is over to see which strategy has really been the most effective.

What do you think about face masks? In your country nobody wears them.

I'm not an expert. Here in Spain they are worn, and in Sweden they aren't. The Swedish experts even warned of risks in making masks obligatory, because they can give a false sense of security.

Europe wants to lead the fight against climate change. Many traditional jobs are under threat. How can that be done without harming the poorest?

We have to start on the basis that there is no option other than environmental policies. Climate change is frightening and we have to act. I believe Sweden is a good example of being able to maintain economic growth and lower emissions at the same time. Obviously there is an initial cost, but if we don't do this we are going to die because of the consequences of climate change.

How do you find Spanish working hours? Is it more effective to have a concentrated working day?

In Sweden, nobody is in the office after 5pm. It is very important for people to be able to balance their lives. I believe you can use the day more efficiently so there is time for work and time to spend with your family.
Malaga fails the pollution test: the city needs more green spaces but Costa towns fare better The university is working on a study of nearly 1,000 cities in Europe which links pollution to 600 avoidable deaths a year in Malaga city

For the first time, a Europe-wide study of cities has linked a lack of green spaces and atmospheric contamination with the number of avoidable deaths. And Malaga does not exactly come out of it well. The capital of the Costa del Sol appears among the places in which a higher number of deaths could have been prevented if there had been more greenery and less pollution.

In the specific case of Malaga city, the report calculates that some 600 deaths a year are related to air quality, taking into account the amount of vegetation and the contamination by particles (PM 2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), according to the extensive study, which was led by researchers at the Global Health Institute of Barcelona (ISGlobal), which the Faculty of Sciences at Malaga university (UMA) is working on to draw local conclusions.

These include the fact that two out of every three residents live in districts with less vegetation than is recommended for them to be healthy, and with major differences between the eastern and western areas of the city.

After looking at the cities which form part of a single metropolitan area, the final ranking includes 858 population centres. The data reads inversely, in other words the top place is the city with the worst mortality figures, and the 858th position has the best results.

When analysed by the contamination layer, two Italian cities (Brescia and Bergamo) are in the top positions, while Umea in Sweden and Oulu in Finland are the healthiest. In terms of green spaces, two other Italian cities - Trieste and Turin - hold the unfortunate honour of being in worst place, while Santa Lucia de Tirajana (Gran Canaria) and Paredes, in Portugal, are rated the best.

Situation in the province

In the case of Malaga, when it comes to the vegetation index the city is in the lower half of the table, in 506th position, which is positive. However, it is in the higher part of the ranking in Spain (number 35, negative) and is number 10 of 22 Andalusian towns and cities.

In this case, the worst aspect is the difference between districts: 62 per cent of people in Malaga, which is practically two out of every three, live in streets with a Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) below the recommended level, basically the most densely populated districts in the west of the city. Only 38 per cent have enough vegetation near their home, especially in the eastern districts.

This is the cause of 75 deaths a year which could have been avoided. Another 204 deaths can be attributed to contamination from nitrogen dioxide (NO2); and 304 others from high concentrations of suspended particlulate matter (PM 2.5), the report says. In fact, the city comes out particularly badly when the NO2 is measured, as it is in 196th place, in the upper part of the table, above the EU average; and the same occurs with the concentration of particles (328th place).

Torremolinos, one of the best

The document takes five municipalities on the Costa del Sol into account, as it considers them part of the Malaga metropolitan area.

Fuengirola is worst-placed, in 304th position, followed by Malaga. Marbella does somewhat better (620) and stands out for the fact that half of its population has sufficient vegetation. It is followed by Benalmadena (678), and the town which is among the best in the EU on the vegetation index: Torremolinos, at 757. Even so, there are still notable differences between districts, as seven out of every ten people live below the optimum level in terms of green spaces.

In Andalucia, the city of Cadiz is considered the worst in all of Europe when only the variable of green spaces is taken into account; and several municipalities in the same province are in the leading group. Seville also ranks poorly: it is 92nd in the EU, with 87 avoidable deaths each year from this cause. At the other extreme, the best European towns and cities in which to live - according to this variable - is Marbella.

The air pollution classification is based on a mortality burden score for each place. The scores have been calculated with an algorithm which takes into account the death rates, the percentage of deaths which could have been avoided and the years of life lost by each air contaminant and the lack of vegetation. The list is available on the website for anybody who is interested in knowing more: isglobalranking.org/es/inicio.

The team at the Global Health Institute of Barcelona (ISGlobal) has estimated for the first time the impacts of the lack of exposure to green spaces upon health in Europe at an urban level and its consequences on citizens' health. The researchers have estimated the annual mortality from a lack of green spaces, taking the World Health Organisation (WHO) reference of 10 square metres per inhabitant as a reference.

There are two results from the lists: one for the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the other for the percentage of green area (% GA).

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is the most serious pollutant in Malaga city, which is dangerously high on the European table (number 1 is the worst) because of the number of private vehicles on the roads.
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For the first time since August, Florida Department of Health reported an increase in COVID-19 cases over the week before. DOH reported 10,828 new cases (about 1,547 a day) for the week of Nov. 12-18, bringing the cumulative total since March 2020 to 3,677,968.
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What just happened? An email warning of a complex cyber attack was recently found to be a hoax carried out using real FBI servers. The Spamhaus Project, an international organization that provides cyber threat support to companies and law enforcement agencies worldwide, identified several thousand emails delivered across multiple waves early Saturday morning. The organization's researchers and analysts believe these messages are only a small part of a larger attack.

The fraudulent messages appeared to be sent from the FBI's Law Enforcement Enterprise Portal using a valid FBI email address. Spamhaus Project analysts verified the origin was indeed from the Bureau's servers, citing both the actual IP used and the email header information included in the message. The fake warning, sent to legitimate addresses taken from the nonprofit American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) database, is believed to have reached at least 100,000 valid recipients.

While the message did not appear to include a malicious payload, it wasted no time in attempting to frame a prominent cybersecurity expert for the event. Vinny Troia, Ph.D., the founder of the dark web intelligence company Shadowbyte, was named the threat actor behind the fake attack. It's not the first time this type of attack has targeted him. In another recent incident involving the National Center for Missing Children's site, an attacker accessed the site's blog and left a post accusing Troia of being a pedophile.

These emails look like this:



Sending IP: 153.31.119.142 (https://t.co/En06mMbR88)

From: eims@ic.fbi.gov

Subject: Urgent: Threat actor in systems pic.twitter.com/NuojpnWNLh  Spamhaus (@spamhaus) November 13, 2021

The FBI released a statement to BleepingComputer indicating that no additional information is available at this time but urges recipients to report suspicious activity when identified.

"The FBI and CISA are aware of the incident this morning involving fake emails from an @ic.fbi.gov email account. This is an ongoing situation and we are not able to provide any additional information at this time. We continue to encourage the public to be cautious of unknown senders and urge you to report suspicious activity to www.ic3.gov or www.cisa.gov."

The attack appears to be one more in a string carried out by an individual (or group) that goes by the name "pompompurin." Screenshots posted to Troia's social media account back his previous claims that he typically receives messages before any attack or attempt to discredit his reputation. In addition to this latest incident, Troia has been the constant target of the RaidForums hacking community, which has conducted several similar attacks in the past to deface websites and damage Troia's credibility.

Image credit: Spamhaus
(Photo : Unsplash/ Christian Wiediger) 5G network

Huawei Technologies, a Chinese telecommunications company, is being excluded by countries from the long-awaited global launch of the 5G network.

The development of 5G networks will provide people with faster online connections. It will give vast data capacity to meet the ravenous demand as more and more things connect to the internet and innovations like virtual reality, immersive gaming, and autonomous vehicles rise.

Huawei Exempted from 5G Rollout

The Conservatives have long pressured the Liberals to deny the Chinese company a role in launching the 5G infrastructure in Canada, stating that it would result in China spying on Canadians, according to GlobalNews.ca.

Earlier this year, Canada's Prime Minister Trudeau was also pressured to ban Huawei.

Some said that Huawei's participation could give China access to a list of digital information gleaned from how, when and where Canadian customers use their devices.

Some theories point out that Beijing's security agencies may pressure Huawei to give them their customers' personal information.

Also Read: Huawei MateBook Hits US And Canada Next Month: Price, Specs And Preorder Details

These concerns stemmed from the fact that the National Intelligence Law of China implies that Chinese companies, like Huawei, and Chinese citizens must support and assist the state intelligence with their work no matter what.

Huawei insists that they are exempted from that law because they are an independent company and they do not engage in such espionage for any country, even Beijing, according to The Star.

Alykhan Velshi, Huawei Canada's vice-president of corporate affairs, said that they sell in 180 countries around the world.

They added that they have to comply with the laws of each of those countries. And if they were to violate the trust, they would find themselves only selling in one country.

Huawei's Alleged Security Risk

Regardless of whether Huawei poses a genuine security risk, the concerns have given rise to a general notion that countries can't afford to gamble on a telecommunications firm that Beijing supports, according to Wesley Wark, an adjunct professor at the University of Ottawa.

Wark added that the Chinese company is too alight to the Chinese regime to allow Western countries to do anything else and that there are no alternatives presented, according to Verge Express.

Velshi added Huawei hoped that any decision that the federal government made on the 5G policy would be based on technology and that politics would not play a role.

Velshi also stated that most of the company's employees in Canada are involved in research and development and marketing products, aside from network equipment for telecom operators.

He said that they have a diversified business in Canada that is why they sell smartphones in the country and sell earbuds and laptops.

While there has been a focus on Huawei, the Canadian government's 5G review is a much broader take at how 5G can spur the country's economy.

Bill Blair, the public safety minister of Canada, said that in order to use the power of 5G for economic growth successfully, the safety and security of the technology must be ensured.

Blair added that incidents resulting from the exploitation of vulnerabilities by malicious actors will be more difficult to safeguard against and could have a broader impact than in previous generations of wireless technology.

As countries work on the launch of 5G, Huawei is allegedly researching the possibility of 6G in the future.

Related Article: Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou to Plead Guilty to Charges in Brooklyn Court After a Three-Year Legal Battle

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Written by Sophie Webster

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Tehachapi, CA (93561)

Today

Partly cloudy skies with gusty winds. High 64F. Winds ESE at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 38F. Winds light and variable.
Tehachapi, CA (93561)

Today

Windy with a few clouds from time to time. High 64F. Winds ESE at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 38F. Winds light and variable.
Voters in Baton Rouge and Baker approved a 10-year property tax renewal that funds a majority of the cities bus system, ending months of anxiety from local leaders who warned of disastrous consequences if the measure failed.

Unofficial results Saturday night showed a comfortable margin of victory for the renewal of the tax.

Today signifies a day of progress for our community," CATS CEO Bill Deville said in a statement. "With the passage and renewal of CATS 10-year millage comes opportunity to enhance our transit infrastructure and expand service offerings to better serve the transportation needs of our community."

With all Baton Rouge precincts reporting, "yes" led the rejection of the tax by more than 19 percentage points of the 21,700 votes cast, according to unofficial results.

Unofficial turnout was 15.7% of registered voters.

Baker voters offered an even more resounding approval of the tax. With all precincts reporting, 68% of the 1,200 voters in Baker approved proposition.

Unofficial turnout was 14.4% of registered voters.

The proposition asked voters to approve a 10-year tax rate of 10.6 mills. A "mill" is $1 of tax for every $1,000 in taxable property value, meaning the owner of a house with an assessed value of $100,000 would pay $106 annually.

In his statement, Deville outlined plans for "major" investments in the system over the next 10 years, including the creation of a bus rapid transit route and the modernization of the system's bus fleet.

The vote now ensures dedicated funding to the public transportation system for the next decade, 10 years after voters in the two municipalities approved the tax.

+2 With tax renewal coming up, here's how Baton Rouge's bus system fared on promised improvements When lobbying for a property tax in 2012, officials in charge of the Baton Rouge bus agency said voter rejection would spell the end for local

The 2012 election to fund CATS by taxing property owners in Baker and Baton Rouge took the system from the verge of bankruptcy to an annual budget of more than $30 million. Roughly $18 million of that yearly sum comes from the tax.

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Passenger fares typically account for about $2 million in annual revenue, and the agency regularly takes in millions of dollars in federal subsidies to cover capital projects and bus maintenance.

Saturday's result in both cities was a larger margin of victory for the tax than in 2012.

Leaders from both cities vocally supported the taxs renewal, warning that a rejection of the renewal could deal a fatal blow to the system that is the only form of transportation for a vast majority of its ridership.

I never tell people how I vote, East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said earlier this week during an event promoting the renewal. On this, I voted yes.

Organizations including Together Baton Rouge and the Baton Rouge Area Chamber also endorsed the tax extension.

Unlike when the tax first passed in 2012, there was no organized opposition to speak of. This time around, the bus system was plagued by bad publicity in the months leading up to the election.

+7 Broken buses, absent drivers: CATS cancellations mount as property tax vote nears When Ralph McDermott landed a job as a Waffle House line cook, he turned to the Capital Area Transit System to get to work. Like thousands in 

It took nearly a month longer than expected for the board to send the proposition to voters after CATS failed to submit required paperwork notifying the state of the election in the spring. Around that time, supply chain disruptions and a labor shortage caused trip cancellations to skyrocket, recently reaching the same level of problems as the system had at the start of the pandemic in March and April 2020.

A heat wave in late July combined with a parts shortage led to more than a third of the systems fleet breaking down, forcing CATS to use vans to transport riders.

Behind the scenes, the systems labor union leadership has been in legal conflict with management over a federal lawsuit that accuses CEO Bill Deville of union busting. The lawsuit came after the transit agency spent $50,000 investigating several union officers for allegedly disseminating a co-worker's sex tape.

And in October, Deville was forced to issue a statement after the agencys former policy coordinator emailed a cache of secret recordings he took of his boss, Chief Administrative Officer Pearlina Thomas, to members of the parish Metro Council and Broome, alleging illegal and unethical business practices at CATS. Deville noted that annual audits required by state law have never surfaced any evidence of the allegations.

In its statement of support, BRAC said it asked CATS management and board to improve transparency and accountability about its performance and how it spends public dollars.
Two small legal practices have moved into downtown office buildings.

The Baton Rouge offices of Irwin Fritchie Urquhart & Moore are now located on the 11th floor of the Chase North Tower, attorney Matt Bailey told the Downtown Development District Board Tuesday. Sprinkle Law Firm has moved into One American Place, said attorney Richard Sprinkle.
The passage of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, IIJA, was a generational change in how government approaches neglected roads, bridges, drinking water systems and other fundamental structures upon which the nations economy relies.

It also was political poison for the 13 Republican representatives who supported Democratic President Joe Bidens legislative success addressing a long-recognized problem that Republican Donald Trump tried but failed to accomplish during his tenure as president.

Michigan Republican U.S. Rep. Fred Upton said that among the thousand or so calls he received calling him a traitor was a death threat. He said the calls were a sign of a polarized, toxic environment.

Threatening calls came to several of the other House Republicans who voted for IIJA after Trump said in a statement: "Very sad that the RINOs in the House and Senate gave Biden and Democrats a victory on the Non-Infrastructure Bill.

And not just Republicans were the butt of opponent vitriol. Republican Rep. Paul Gosar, of Arizona, tweeted a video showing a character with his face killing a figure with the face of Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

+2 Biden hails infrastructure win as 'monumental step forward' WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden on Saturday hailed Congress' passage of his $1 trillion infrastructure package as a monumental step forward 

House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, didnt really respond when specifically asked for a comment on the death threats. His spokesperson said in an email Wednesday: Whip Scalise has always been vocal that there is no place for violence or threats in politics on either side.

His boss, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., also has remained mute on what GOP leadership would do.

None of Louisianas House Republicans voted for the infrastructure bill, all saying that little of it was about actual infrastructure. U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, said the bill was 9% roads and bridges and 91% socialist garbage.

What the delegation missed, however, is that infrastructure is more than just highways. Ports, the electrical grid, drinking water systems, broadband, flood control and coastal restoration are all parts of the IIJA, but not the GOP definition of infrastructure.

Maybe Republicans meant the original proposal. By the time IIJA was negotiated by liberals and moderates, Democrats and Republicans, the social safety net and most of the climate change portions of the original proposal had been carved out into a separate bill.

Louisiana Republicans reject infrastructure bill negotiated by GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy that passed Congress Louisianas Republican delegation in the U.S. House voted against the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that was negotiated by Republican U.S.

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, the Baton Rouge Republican who was part of those negotiations, was in town last week to stress how being at the table helped Louisiana when formulating the calculations of how much each state gets. In addition to roads and bridges and whatnot, he pushed how IIJA would help burgeoning Louisiana industries, particularly carbon sequestration and hydrogen production, at speeches before the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge on Wednesday and the Public Affairs Research Council on Thursday.

As luck would have it, U.S. Sen. John N. Kennedy, R-Madisonville and an ardent opponent of the infrastructure bill, addressed the PAR luncheon after Cassidy spoke and left.

Were going to get $6 billion for roads and bridges. What my Democratic friends dont tell you is that we were going to get $4.8 billion of that anyways, Kennedy said in explaining his opposition.

That $4.85 billion wasnt guaranteed. Legislation had to be passed. It had not been. The $4.85 billion was then added to the IIJA.

Kennedy added, without citing a source, the legislation would cost more in taxes than Louisiana would actually see in profit.

Oh yes, there will be blood. But taxes wont affect too many. The plan relies on collecting $28 billion in unpaid taxes on transactions made with cryptocurrency and $13 billion from restarting collection of a tax to clean up abandoned hazardous waste sites. That tax expired in 1995.

Much of the money to pay for the infrastructure bill comes from unspent COVID-19 relief aid plus the $53 billion left over from the supplemental unemployment aid that many GOP-dominated states had refused.

Prior to the Rotary luncheon, Cassidy acknowledged that misinformation fueled much of the heated rhetoric. His life hasnt been threatened. Conservative business organizations, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, praise his involvement in getting IIJA passed.

Cassidy said that changes in congressional behavior will come when voters change the polarized culture.

This might take longer, but hopefully, as the economy gets better, people feel more secure, COVID goes down, there will be less tension in the atmosphere. Im hoping the bipartisan infrastructure bill, creating the jobs its creating, maybe will be part of that.
Illegal fishing activity off the north-west coast of Australia has skyrocketed to unprecedented levels, as a joint federal operation seized 16 vessels and burnt three at sea during a three-day blitz last month.

National figures have revealed the scope of the increase in illegal vessels since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with more boats intercepted over three months this year than an entire seven-year span preceding the pandemic.

The influx could precede more serious national security concerns such as drug importation, piracy, people smuggling and terrorism operations.



Just five boats were intercepted in 2018-19 and only four the next year, but that figure surged to 85 vessels in 2020-21 and a whopping 103 from July to September this year, as the pandemic continued.
The Age has been told of instances where families of patients critically ill with coronavirus have requested potentially dangerous treatments including ivermectin, a medicine used to kill parasites in animals and humans, over proven treatments such as ventilators. Other families have expressed fear their loved one who is dying from COVID-19 in hospital is being used as a part of a global experiment. In rare, but nonetheless disturbing cases, the misinformation about the virus is so entrenched that families have made threats to kill or sue medical staff if their relative succumbed to a virus they do not believe is real. Australian College of Critical Care Nurses representative Michelle Topple said she had heard reports where families believed ICU staff were purposely making their loved one sicker.

Loading There have been cases where family members have filmed nurses during telehealth calls and made accusations, which is extremely distressing for the nurses because they are the patients advocate, she said. Everything they do is to support the patient. Western Health intensive care director Craig French told The Age last week that the level of verbal assault his clinical staff had been exposed to in the past six to eight weeks was something he had never experienced in his career. Australian Medical Association Victorian president Roderick McRae said he had heard reports from several Melbourne hospitals that staff were being confronted with a rising wave of COVID-19 conspiracy theories.

The anesthetist said he knew of cases where patients families were requesting that COVID-19 was not put on their death certificates. Despite their family members dying after contracting the disease they do not believe that is what caused their death, Dr McRae said. Professor Stephen Warrillow says there is often a confronting realisation by families of COVID-19 patients that the virus is very real. Credit:Justin McManus Professor Warrillow said there was often a moment when a patients family came to the realisation that the virus is very real and their loved one could die. There is a pause on the other end of the phone and you can almost hear the penny drop, he said.

Loading This realisation is often compounded by the shame of not having encouraged the person to be vaccinated or even immense guilt for being the person who unwittingly exposed somebody they loved to the virus. At a human level it really doesnt get much more confronting than that, Professor Warrillow said. Despite the challenges posed by these conversations, he said healthcare workers always seek to respond with empathy. Its helpful to try to understand how that would feel to suddenly realise that youve been misinformed and that due to that misinformation, someone that means the absolute world to you has become critically ill to the point where they might die, he said.

It would feel horrific. That is not to excuse the threats or menacing behaviour, but it gives you an insight into the emotional overlay. It helps you to meet that person where they are at and support them through it. When confronted with such scenarios, Professor Warrillow said he explains to the family that coronavirus is absolutely real and staff have carefully looked at all other possibilities for the persons illness. He runs through all the treatments that are used in the ICU for COVID-19, detailing their evidence base and safety profile. There have been isolated cases where families have not wanted their relative to be hooked up to a ventilator due to their beliefs about the virus.

Such decisions are extremely time-critical and in these instances, where there is no advance care directive from the patient, ICU staff will do everything they can to save a patients life, even if that means intubating them. If we are firmly of the view we can save this persons life or they at least need a chance, we will make that call and then have ongoing discussions with the family, Professor Warrillow said. He said he did not know of a single case in Victoria where the life of COVID-19 patient had been saved and the patients family, or patients themselves, had remained angry or upset about the treatment used to reach that outcome. Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Victorian Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said occupational violence had been exacerbated by the pandemic due to misinformation spreading on social media.

Its an indictment of society, she said. Sadly, violence and aggression towards nurses and midwives is a growing experience that all healthcare professionals put up with. She believes misinformation of the COVID-19 vaccination in particular has fuelled harassment of healthcare workers and led to an increase in abuse for those working at vaccination hubs. It has brought out an ugly side that weve never seen before, she said. Psychologists and mental health care professionals have been brought in to support healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients in hospitals across Melbourne.

On the other end of the spectrum, some hospitals are still dealing with the result of infections caught months ago. Many patients who got sick, in August or September for example, were planning to get vaccinated eventually, before being outrun by the virus. Some of them were scared. Some of them didnt understand the need for the vaccine or how severe the illness could get and then COVID went through their communities quite quickly, said the deputy director of Cabrinis ICU, David Brewster. Associate Professor Brewster said all their families had been very kind to the ICU staff. After a long time on a ventilator, many patients ask when can I get vaccinated? Head of the Department of Critical Care at the University of Melbourne, David Story, said pre-COVID-19, families were at the heart of the ICU, often by the patients bedsides every day.

Loading They shared a trusted relationship with the ICU staff, having built up a close personal rapport with them. He believes much of the hostility towards staff would dissipate if families were inside the ICU and could see firsthand the work being done to save their relatives life. The staff are working desperately hard every day to care for these people, he said. Professor Story said regardless of a persons beliefs or vaccination status, they will always receive the best care possible at a Victorian hospital. Whether or not theyre vaccinated or believe in COVID, we will always do whatever it takes to save their life, he said. We will only ever do it that way.
It is easy to point out the holes in the deal struck in Glasgow on climate change, but the outcome offers at least a glimmer of hope and it keeps the pressure on both political parties to revise Australias weak emissions reduction targets for 2030.

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This first major meeting of heads of government on climate since the Paris Treaty in 2015 was always going to be a messy event.

The 197 governments were distracted by the geopolitical rivalry between China and the US and of course by the pandemic, which has caused huge economic and social damage, especially in the developing world.

Pessimists can justifiably complain that the political leaders copped out and produced a fairly empty deal which will not stop global temperatures rising by over 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. Scientists say if we miss that target, the world will suffer a catastrophic increase in droughts, hurricanes, rising sea levels and the disappearance of the Great Barrier Reef.
Credit:Joe Benke

On Sunday ABC chair Ita Buttrose launched a haymaker against Liberal senator Andrew Bragg over the publicity cravers Senate inquiry into the ABC complaints process, which critics deem superfluous given the ABC has commissioned its own independent inquiry.

Accusations of government interference in Aunty is exactly the sort of controversy Prime Minister Scott Morrison runs a million miles from, particularly with a looming federal election.

But the even bigger news out of Aunty is the appointment of the new ABC deputy chair, who could ultimately replace the 79-year-old Buttrose when her five-year term ends in 2024.

Step forward recent ABC board appointee Peter Tonagh, whose elevation is sure to give some ABC staff conniptions, given he once worked for Rupert Murdoch.
NSW Police have sought an apprehended violence order against the foster parents of William Tyrrell on behalf of a child linked to the missing boy as police begin a new search on the Mid North Coast sparked by new information.

The couple, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are scheduled to appear in court next week for the AVO.

They did not respond to the Heralds request for comment.

William Tyrrell vanished in 2014 dressed in his Spider-Man suit.

Police would not comment on the AVO matter or how it came to their attention.
It cost about $800,000, and is one of two prototypes being tested.

One of the trams in action in 1990. Credit:The Age Archives

The new bendy tram was unveiled at the Preston tram workshops yesterday.

Commuters on the East Burwood tram line could be riding on Melbournes first articulated tram by late next month, the Minister for Transport, Mr Crabb, said yesterday.

As well as the East Burwood line, the Metropolitan Transit Authority says the vehicle can be used on the new Bundoora line and is suitable for use on proposed light rail lines to Doncaster, St Kilda and Port Melbourne.

But because the MTA wants the new vehicles to replace trains on the St Kilda and Port Melbourne lines, the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen says its members should man the vehicles on former rail lines.

The tramways union says its members should have the exclusive right to operate light rail vehicles on all lines and has applied to the MTA for a special technology and extra skills allowance.

The State secretary of the union, Mr Jim Harper, said: Unless thats done promptly then that vehicle will be sitting in the workshop for some time.
A Melbourne real estate agent who specialises in selling undeveloped land on the citys urban fringe has been charged with serious assault alongside two employees after a brawl involving up to 15 men in a park.

Manpreet Dandiwal, 39, the founder and managing director of PSP Property Group, has made a name for himself selling large, undeveloped, subdividable lots in Melbournes suburban growth corridors.

No one can compete with us: Manpreet Dandiwal Credit:Eamon Gallagher

The Toorak-based agents motto is everything I touch turns to sold, and his company boasts of negotiating more than $3 billion in sales.

Mr Dandiwal and two employees of the company  who are also his nephews  were charged by police after they were allegedly involved in a fight in Melbournes eastern suburbs on September 1.
She must have been on her period. Im sure almost every person who menstruates has had this unoriginal insult directed at them at least once in their lives.

During my time at high school, I would regularly hear boys make sarcastic comments behind our backs about menstruation  a normal, healthy bodily function that should be celebrated.

Plan International youth activist Elizabeth Payne (left) says more needs to be done to reduce period discrimination. Credit:James Brickwood

So I was saddened, but not really surprised, when a survey conducted by Plan International Australia and U By Kotex found that more than 40 per cent of Australian boys aged 16-21 said they had witnessed girls being bullied because of their periods. More than half of the boys said talking about periods made them feel uncomfortable, and half said their school education on menstrual health was poor or non-existent.

I often missed school the first day or two of my period  I suffered from painful cramps and a heavy flow and was worried I wouldnt be able to manage it at school.
The Chinese embassy in Canberra has lodged an official complaint with the Australian Parliament about a speech by Liberal senator James Paterson in which he accused Beijing of trying to divide democratic states.

Chinas embassy said Senator Paterson, who is head of Parliaments intelligence and security committee, had displayed bias and hostility against its country which would impede exchanges between Canberra and Beijing.

Chinas embassy in Canberra says Senator James Paterson is spreading false and misleading information about its country. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

In a speech to the European Parliament last week, Senator Paterson urged nations to work together with like-minded democratic governments to counter foreign interference from countries such as China.

Chinas embassy in Australia said the speech spread false information about so-called security threat of Chinas influence in Australia.
London: Counter-terrorism officers arrested three people after a vehicle explosion outside the Womens Hospital in Liverpool, northern England, left one person dead and another injured on Sunday, police said, adding that they were leading the investigation.

The police said a male passenger in the car was declared dead at the scene, while the driver, who was also a man, was injured and remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Emergency services outside Liverpool Womens Hospital in Liverpool, England. Credit:AP

British interior minister Priti Patel said in a tweet she is being kept regularly updated on the incident.

Three men - aged 29, 26, and 21 - were detained in the Kensington area of the city and arrested under the Terrorism Act, the police said in a statement.
Beirut: Three people have been stung to death and more than 450 injured after heavy rains washed scorpions into the streets in the Egyptian city of Aswan over the weekend.

Thunderstorms and hail swept scorpions and snakes out of their natural habitats and into homes.

The extreme weather also caused powercuts, and brought down street lamps and trees. Doctors have been pulled away from administering coronavirus vaccinations and recalled from holidays to deal with the number of scorpion sting admissions, local media reported.

Schools have been ordered to close to protect children and residents have been urged to stay at home and away from trees that could continue to fall.

A health official told Al Ahram news agency: Extra anti-venom doses are currently being distributed to medical-centres in the villages near mountains and deserts.
Up for debate:

Live legislation tracker

Check out the latest developments on bills pending before state lawmakers in four key topics.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis speaks during a news conference about Colorado offering coronavirus vaccinations to children, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Denver. Infection rates have soared in Colorado over the past month, and Polis signed an executive order on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, to expand the use of booster shots to quell the recent surge in COVID-19 infections.
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Bill Carey is a former Tennessean, Nashville Scene, WPLN and NashvillePost.com reporter who now works as executive director of a nonprofit known as Tennessee History for Kids. He also writes a monthly history column for Tennessee Magazine.
Forest City, NC (28043)

Today

Light rain this morning. Breaks of sun this afternoon. High 59F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low around 25F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Alan Dershowitz speaks at The Epoch Times' Defending the Constitution event in New York City, on July 19, 2021. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Alan Dershowitz: Kyle Rittenhouse Should Be Acquitted, Sue Media Outlets

Harvard law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz says Kyle Rittenhouse should be acquitted of killing two men and wounding a third during riots and protests last year in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and he should file defamation lawsuits against media outlets for claiming that hes guilty of murder.

If I were a juror, I would vote that there was reasonable doubt [and] that he did act in self-defense, Dershowitz told Newsmax on Nov. 13.

Rittenhouse, if acquitted, should then bring lawsuits against corporate news outlets for articles claiming the teen engaged in vigilante justice, Dershowitz said.

Its CNN who is involved in vigilante justice. Its The New Yorker thats guilty of vigilante justice, he said.

Several years ago, then-Kentucky high school student Nicholas Sandmann filed defamation suits against CNN, The Washington Post, and other outlets following accusations of racism against him after a viral video showed an encounter with a Native American activist in Washington, D.C. Last year, Sandmann ended up reaching a settlement with CNN and The Washington Post.

The idea is to make the media accountable for deliberate and willful lies, said Dershowitz, referring to Sandmanns case.

Now, left-leaning media outlets want an outcome in the trial, Dershowitz said.

They want a result, and if they dont get their resultsand you know this seeps through to the jury. I worry that the jury could be influenced by the fear that if they vote to acquit, theyll be called racist and theyll be attacked.

Rittenhouse, 18, is charged with killing Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, and wounding Gaige Grosskreutz, 27, in Kenosha on Aug. 25, 2020, during protests and rioting that followed a police-involved shooting. Rittenhouse has pleaded not guilty.

According to video footage of the incident, both Huber and Grosskreutz chased Rittenhouse as he was trying to run toward police after shooting Rosenbaum. Several videos and photos also show Huber hitting Rittenhouse with a skateboard, while Grosskreutz, who himself was armed with a handgun, testified last week that he thought Huber was attempting to attack Rittenhouse.

Dershowitzs remarks come after Judge Bruce Schroeder, the presiding judge in the case, said he may allow the jury to consider several lesser charges in addition to the murder charges that prosecutors brought against Rittenhouse.

On Nov. 12, he told Rittenhouse that with the lesser charges, youre raising the risk of conviction, although youre avoiding the possibility that the jury will end up compromising on the more serious crime.

Youre also decreasing the risk that youll end up with a second trial because the jury is unable to agree, he said. Rittenhouse confirmed that he understood.
Pfizer/BioNTech's new pediatric COVID-19 vaccine vials are seen in this undated handout photo. (Pfizer via Reuters)

Australia Expects Regulatory Decision on Pfizer for Children Under 12 in January

Australia, quickly becoming one of most-vaccinated nations against COVID-19, has been told by its regulators that its independent decision on whether to approve Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine for children could come as early as January, officials said on Sunday.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said medical regulators are still waiting for more real-world health and safety data for the vaccinations after the United States went ahead with an emergency approval for the Pfizer mRNA vaccine for children above the age of five.

The expectation that they have set is the first part of January, hopefully early January, Hunt told the Australian Broadcast Corps Insiders programme. But theyre going as quickly as possible  Were ready to go when our regulators are convinced that its safe and effective for children.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this month recommended the Pfizer Inc/BioNTech SE shot for broad use in the 5-11 age group, after it was authorized by the Food and Drug Administration.

However, Hunt said that the U.S. decision was based on a very small clinical trial by vaccine clinical trial standards, only a few thousand children, and that Australias regulators had said they do not want to cut corners on the study and data for children.

Army Lieutenant-General John Frewen, Australias COVID-19 Taskforce commander told The Age newspaper that Australia has secured the necessary supplies. We have actually purchased sufficient supply for doses and boosters down to infants, Frewen said.

On Friday, Australia crossed the 90 percent single-dose mark for those aged 16 and over, with 83 percent having two shots. The country has also vaccinated 57.7 percent of children between the ages of 12 and 15, according to health ministry data.

The Australian government said that the nations high vaccination rates were key to its decision to partially reopen international borders this month for the first time since the start of the pandemic, despite ongoing Delta variant outbreaks in its most populous states, New South Wales and Victoria.

On Sunday, there were 1,100 infections reported in the two states, home to nearly 60 percent of the countrys population. Five more people died.

However, despite the Delta outbreaks that led to months of lockdown in the two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, the national tally of just 191,000 infections and 1,596 deaths is far lower than those of many other developed nations.

Reuters contributed to this report.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi meet at a hotel in Rome on the sidelines of the G-20 of World Leaders Summit of Rome, on Oct. 31, 2021. (Tiziana Fabi/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Blinken Expresses Concerns About Taiwan to Chinas Foreign Minister

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinas foreign minister, Wang Yi, locked horns over Chinas approach to Taiwan during a phone call on Nov. 12, just three days before the leaders of the two nations hold a virtual meeting.

The Secretary emphasized longstanding U.S. interest in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and expressed concern regarding the PRCs continued military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.

He urged Beijing to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve cross-Strait issues peacefully and in a manner consistent with the wishes and best interests of the people on Taiwan.

China has recently held military drills near Taiwan, flown military jets into the islands air defense identification zone, and banned the import of certain Taiwanese fruits.

Chinas foreign ministry issued a strongly worded statement about the phone call. It stated that Wang took a solemn position over what China deemed wrong words and deeds expressed by the United States.

According to the Chinese statement, Wang also told Blinken that the United States should clearly and resolutely oppose any Taiwan independence moves, claiming that doing so would safeguard peace in the region.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) sees Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to seize the self-ruled island by military force if necessary. As a result, the communist regime often criticizes the Taiwanese government for seeking official ties with other countries, holding official talks with foreign government officials, and wanting to join international organizations as attempts to change the islands status to a formal independent country.

Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of China, is a de facto independent country with its own democratically elected government, military, constitution, and currency.

Taiwans president, Tsai Ing-wen, in an interview with the BBC in 2020, made forthright comments about Taiwans sovereignty, saying there was no need to declare Taiwan an independent state, since we are an independent country already and we call ourselves the Republic of China.

Taiwanese people have overwhelmingly rejected the possibility of being ruled by the Chinese regime. According to a recent poll (pdf) conducted by Taiwans National Chengchi University, less than 8 percent support gradual or immediate unification with China, while more than 55 percent want to maintain Taiwans current status quo for now or permanently.

Washington, currently a diplomatic ally of Beijing but not Taipei, has provided military equipment to Taiwan for its self-defense.

Additionally, the United States holds a one-China policy, which asserts that there is only one sovereign state with the name China, although thats different than the one-China principle under which the Chinese regime asserts sovereignty over Taiwan.

A day after Wang and Blinken talked, the Chinese regime openly demanded the United States accept the one-China principle. Chinas ambassador to the United States, Qin Gang, issued the demand while speaking remotely during a meeting held by the U.S.-based organization Alliance for Chinas Peaceful Reunification.

Qin also blamed the United States for the rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

Aside from Taiwan, Blinken and Wang also discussed preparations for the virtual talks between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. According to Price, the meeting presents an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss how to responsibly manage competition between the United States and the PRC while working together in areas where interests align.

The two leaders have spoken on the phone twice this year, but have yet met in person since Biden took office in January.

The Secretary also stressed the importance of taking measures to ensure global energy supply and price volatility do not imperil global economic recovery, Price stated.

The Chinese statement also stated that Blinken and Wang discussed climate change and Irans nuclear issues.

On Nov. 14, Taiwans Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked Blinken in a Twitter post for expressing concern regarding Chinas continued military, diplomatic & economic pressure against the island.
Californians Lead Recall Campaigns Against Local Officials

Californias recent gubernatorial recall election set off a wave of efforts to recall local officials in the state. This week, the recall campaigns of several notable California local officials earned enough signatures to trigger a recall election.

There were nearly 60 recall bids this year, more than double the number of bids in the past few years. Of those, 17 recall petitions received the required number of signatures to trigger a recall election.

Notable recalls in California include a recall against Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin, who has represented Venice Beach and surrounding neighborhoods since 2013.

In San Francisco, District Attorney Chesa Boudin will be on a recall election ballot in June 2022, and three of the seven members of the San Francisco Unified School District Board of Education will be on the upcoming February 2022 ballot.

Heres what you should know about the officials who will likely be up for recall election next year.

Recall Against Mike Bonin

Councilman Mike Bonin attends the Palisades Village grand opening private ribbon-cutting ceremony at Palisades Village in Los Angeles on Sept. 22, 2018. (Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

In Los Angeles, proponents must gather signatures of 15 percent of the registered voters in a district to prompt a recall election for a city council member.

Proponents of the recall against Bonin, whose District 11 includes the Venice Beach neighborhood, submitted 39,100 signatureswell over the 27,400 required signatures to begin a recall electionon Nov. 10.

Bonin has served District 11 since 2013 and was most recently elected in 2017, when he won 71 percent of the vote in the nonpartisan primary.

Venice Beach residents Nico Ruderman and Katrina Schmitt initiated the recall campaign in June over Bonins handling of the homeless and crime in the neighborhood, and his unwillingness to listen or take action to represent the interests of the people and communities of the westside, according to the recall campaigns website.

Under Mike Bonins watch, the humanitarian crisis of the homeless population is growing exponentially. Tax-payer money is squandered. Fires. Struggling local businesses. Crime is rampant and rising. Neighborhoods and schools are unsafe. We feel afraid to visit public beaches and community parks, the website stated. After seven years of this self-serving incumbent career politician, we have had enough, and we cant wait any longer.

Venice Beach resident Rick Swinger previously told The Epoch Times that many people who voted for Bonin have signed the recall petition because they are stepping on needles; they are steeping on feces, and they see their beach being polluted, and their sidewalk being blocked [by tents].

Bonin, a Democrat, responded by calling the recall efforts a waste of taxpayer money and a right-wing effort to silence progressive voices.

This effort is encouraged, backed, and fueled by people who have repeatedly fought to stop housing, shelter, and services, perpetuating a crisis that is hurting our neighborhoods and leaving people to die on the streets, Bonin said in a June statement. And make no mistakethis recall has been championed and promoted by the same right-wing forces that are trying to erode the democratic process and take down progressive officials around the state.

In 2021, Angelenos also lead efforts to recall Los Angeles Councilmembers Nithya Raman, Kevin de Leon, and District Attorney George Gascon.

Recall Against Chesa Boudin

Chesa Boudin (L), Leif Dautch (center), and Nancy Tung (R) deliver their platforms for the office of San Francisco district attorney on Sept. 4, 2019. (Nancy Han/NTD)

The San Francisco Board of Elections certified a petition on Nov. 9 to recall District Attorney Chesa Boudin.

While just over 50,000 signatures were required to force a recall election, the Boudin recall campaign garnered 83,000 signatures from San Franciso residents unhappy with Boudins handling of crime in the city.

Two separate attempts to recall Boudin were launched in 2021; the second recall effort won enough signatures to initiate the recall election.

The first recall effort was brought in January by Richie Greenberg, who previously ran for mayor as a Republican, and The Committee Supporting the Recall of District Attorney Chesa Boudin, and gathered 49,600 signaturesjust a few thousand signatures short of the 51,300 required.

Mary Jung and Andrea Shorter, under a group called San Franciscans for Public Safety, brought the second recall effort in April and gathered more than 80,000 signatures.

The group alleged that Boudin didnt keep his word on criminal justice reforms or priorities, leading to an increase in burglaries, homicides, and other crimes in the city.

Boudin is not keeping San Francisco safe. He refuses to adequately prosecute criminals and fails to take the drug dealing crisis seriously. He doesnt hold serial offenders accountable, getting them released from custody, and his response to victims is that hopefully home burglaries will go down, the groups official petition notice stated. Recalling someone shouldnt be taken lightly, but San Francisco cant wait two more years to improve public safety and fix our criminal justice system.

Boudin also characterized the recall effort as a right-wing campaign, saying in a May statement, This is yet another recall relying on false and disproven Republican talking points attempting to undo progress and take us backwards.

Boudins statement went on to tout his attempts to reform the criminal justice system, which include expanding support for crime victims and cracking down on police violence.

Boudins recall election will take place on June 7, 2022, the date of Californias state primary, according to the Department of Elections.

Recall Against San Francisco Board of Education Members

In this image from video, the San Francisco Board of Education meets in San Francisco on Oct. 12, 2021. (City of San Francisco via The Epoch Times)

In October, Petitions to recall board members Gabriela Lopez, Alison Collins, and Faauuga Moliga were certified to appear on the ballot on Feb. 15, 2022.

Autumn Looijen and Siva Raj initiated the recall over frustrations over the boards handling of their childrens education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

From day one, the campaign was a campaign to get politics out of education, Raj told the San Francisco Examiner in August. What we saw consistently was a pattern where the school board leadership focused on a lot of political stunts and symbolic gestures like trying to rename schools, and doing that ultimately badly.

The recall effort was endorsed by San Francisco Mayor London Breed on Nov. 9, saying that the school boards priorities were misplaced.

Sadly, our school boards priorities have often been severely misplaced, Breed said in a statement. During such a difficult time, the decisions we make for our children will have long term impacts. Which is why it is so important to have leadership that will tackle these challenges head on  Our kids must come first.

If the members get recalled, Breed will elect their replacements.

Each of the board members has previously defended their positions, saying that their presence on the board brings a valuable diverse perspective.

We cant let people scare us, Collins said during a Democratic Club event in August. When I see certain people getting upset, I know Im doing the right thing. If its people that have power and dont want to share it, theres people who want to make decisions without being inclusive, of course they are going to get upset.

All three members were elected to the board on Nov. 6, 2018, and reelected on Nov. 3, 2020. The other four members of the board werent eligible for recall this year because they havent yet served their current term for six months.
A sculpture of a lion is seen with the Peace Tower in the background on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on April 6, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Canadian Governments Have Overshot Spending and Tax Revenue Targets for 20 Years: Report

Governments need to budget better and more reliably meet budget commitments, say authors

Over the past 20 years, Canadian federal, provincial, and territorial governments have spent a cumulative $119 billion more than they budgeted for, while taxing Canadians $143 billion more than their budgets intended, a new report shows.

Since the 2000-01 fiscal year, these governments have overshot both their expense and revenue targets, according to the report, published by the C.D. Howe Institute on Nov. 10. In particular, the governments entered the COVID-19 pandemic spending $3,100 more per Canadian and taxing $3,800 more per Canadian than they would have if they had met their past budget commitments.

Titled Trouble on the Bottom Line: Canadas Governments Must Produce More Reliable Budgets, the report was co-authored by William Robson, CEO of the C.D. Howe Institute, and Miles Wu, a research assistant at the think tank.

On average, Canadas senior governments registered better bottom lines than they budgeted, but the cumulative impact of the overshoots means they are spending more and taxing Canadians more heavily than their budgets indicated, the authors wrote.

They said this pattern of revenue overshoots being greater than spending overshoots runs against conventional wisdom about the over-optimism of budget forecasts, but its also concerning because projections that continue to miss results raise important questions about fiscal policys behaviour over the economic cycle.

Another concerning pattern is that the annual revenue and spending overshoots usually coincide, something that wouldnt happen if the governments had responded to economic booms and busts with normal stabilization policies.

The authors said the pattern suggests that the governments reacted to accidental or engineered revenue overshoots with in-year spending, or otherwise manipulated their reported numbers to achieve a predetermined bottom line.

Robson and Wu also found it troubling to see a recent tendency for governments to report negative adjustments below the line in their financial reports, referring to adjustments made to statements of operations below the annual surplus or deficit figure. These adjustments for other comprehensive income or loss get less scrutiny than revenues and expenses do, and such a practice signifies deteriorations in their capacity to deliver services not anticipated in budgets.

While these adjustments are not, in principle, inconsistent with public sector accounting standards, they are an obstacle to accountability, the authors wrote. Ottawa, the provinces, and territories would be better placed to handle current fiscal pressures if their recent results had been closer to their budget projections.

Robson and Wu warn that spending increases prompted by the pandemic will persist for years and that debt increases will last for decades. They said two threats loom as a result: greater temptation for governments to manipulate their bottom lines and greater pressure to raise taxes and cut services.

Legislators and voters should demand more reliable budget targets and better adherence to those targets in the future, they said.

The authors recommended several ways to increase Canadas fiscal transparency and accountability. One is greater scrutiny by legislators, analysts, and the public of the interim revenue and expense numbers for the prior fiscal year at budget time, as those numbers provide vital information about what the government has done and expects to do. Another is stronger scrutiny of spending estimates.

Governments at the federal, provincial, and territorial levels should also release their main estimates at the same time they release their budgets, using the same accounting in both. This would let legislators see how each item they vote on aligns with the overall fiscal plan.

The authors also suggest more timely publication of interim and final financial results, which would provide timely information to alter the course when unexpected developments occur that could prevent the government from hitting its fiscal targets.

If legislators do not react to late, missing, or misleading numbers from governments, or fail to exercise their authority to discipline governments whose actions do not match their commitments, and if voters do not support legislators who do call governments out, then fiscal accountability is a fiction, the authors said.
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein testifies before the House Judiciary Committee about former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russia's alleged election interference in 2016, in Washington on Dec. 13, 2017. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Charles Dolans Involvement in Dossier Means DOJ, FBI Withheld Information: Kash Patel

The revelation that Democratic operative Charles Dolan was one of the sources for the dossier compiled by former British spy Christopher Steele shows that the FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ) withheld information from congressional investigators, Kash Patel said on Nov. 12.

Im the lead Russia guy, and I had never heard of this guy, said Patel, a former investigator for the House Intelligence Committee. It means, to me, the FBI, DOJ under Rod Rosenstein withheld information that was critical to the Russiagate investigation that we were running in 2017, 2018. And who knows what else theyve left out?

Patel was speaking on Kashs Corner, a program he hosts on EpochTV. Rosenstein served as deputy attorney general under former President Donald Trump and appointed special counsel Robert Mueller to investigate the TrumpRussia collusion theories.

Igor Danchenko, Steeles primary sub-source, was recently charged with making false statements to federal investigators. One of the counts stems from Danchenko denying that he spoke with a person dubbed PR-Executive-1 in the federal indictment. That person is Dolan, his attorney confirmed to The Epoch Times.

Dolan has had a relationship with former President Bill Clinton and former First Lady Hillary Clinton since the 1990s; Dolan campaigned on behalf of the latter in the 2016 presidential election. Hillary Clintons campaign helped pay for Steeles dossier, which targeted then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and has since been shown to be riddled with false information.

The House Intelligence Committee, which was headed by Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) while Republicans controlled the House following the 2016 general election, sent letters and subpoenas to the FBI and DOJ for all documentation relating to the dossier, including all of the connections that Rosenstein and the FBI had gathered throughout the scandal known as Russiagate, Patel said on his show.

Charles Dolan never came up once. Me nor not one member of my team, nor any of the Republicans on House Intel, had ever heard of Charles Dolan until John Durhams indictment, Patel said, referring to special counsel John Durham, whos conducting an investigation into the origins of the TrumpRussia probe.

As further evidence of what he described as the FBI and DOJ purposefully withholding information, Patel pointed to how the indictment reveals that agents had interviewed Danchenko on five different occasions. According to DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitzs 2019 examination of the dossier and related matters, only three interviews with Danchenko took place.

They did not admit that to us when we were investigating the Russiagate investigation. I think we added at most two or three instances of an interview and we never got the full contents anyway, Patel said. Now, theres five. Where did that come from?

Why didnt the FBI tell us this? Why did Rod Rosenstein withhold these documents and this information, even though Congress sent him subpoenas? They only turned over part of it, and what they did turn over, a lot of it was redacted. And thats why were fighting such an uphill battle to disclose it to the American public, the full story.

The FBI and DOJ didnt respond to requests by The Epoch Times for comment by press time. Rosenstein couldnt be reached by press time.
Im going to be a little bit radical here and say there is no racial reckoning to be had  I dont know what further reckonings would look like short of tearing this country apart, says Dr. Jason Hill, a professor of philosophy at DePaul University and author of What Do White Americans Owe Black People: Racial Justice in the Age of Post-Oppression.

At the National Conservatism Conference in Orlando, Florida, we sat down with Hill to discuss our current political moment, the spread of critical race theory, and his case against reparations.

It befuddles me to see how someone whos living in Appalachia in a trailer park, who has no access to water, health care, is a walking practitioner of racism, and that that person should, in some sense, participate in a reparations program for  an upper-class black person with five college degrees.

Jan Jekielek: Jason Hill, its such a pleasure to have you on American Thought Leaders.

Jason Hill, Ph.D: Thank you for having me. Its my pleasure.

Mr. Jekielek: Jason, I really enjoyed reading your book. This concept of post-oppression, it seems so counter to many of the narratives, the most popular narratives were hearing today. What is post-oppression actually?

Mr. Hill: Well, I think since the 1964 Civil Rights Act was passed in this country, which granted blacks full equality before the law, we are living in a post-oppressive society. By that, I mean that prior to 1964, when blacks were not existing in what I call the domain of the ethical, or were not part of the pantheon of the full human community, when Jim Crow still existed, when full equality before the law was not their rightful claim, there was some semblance of white supremacists that still existed in this country.

There was a sense in which blacks were oppressed, because there were still punitive laws that were created around race. Since the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which brought blacks full equality before the law, and which I argue in my book was a moral eugenics program. Also, which we can talk a little bit about, which sought to re-socialize the sensibilities of whites, and to make them into non-racist by saying that you cannot be private races anymore, you cannot use your businesses as extensions of, lets say your living room.

You cannot dispose of your private property in ways that you want to, that racism is such an egregious evil that were going to outlaw it. This is as far as a free constitution republic can do without transgressing on the rights of individuals, as individuals. We have to ask ourselves the question, What was the purpose of the civil rights movement? What was the purpose of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the 1965 Voting Act, and the 1972 Employment Act? It was designed not to bring about economic equality, the country was not founded on economic equality, it was founded on political equality.

This country was meant to bring everyone within the domain of political equality, which means that everyone is granted a full standing before the law as equals. That is, not equals in terms of intelligence, or capabilities, or beauty, or athletic prowess, but equal in the sense of possessing inalienable, intrinsic dignity, moral worth, and valid worth.

When I look out at the world today, I see a post-oppressive world in the sense that there are no movements existing in America today that are systemically and systematically designed to squash, terminate, annihilate the conceptions of a life that each person black, white, brown, yellow has designed for him or herself.

Quite the opposite. We live in such a progressive era that institutions, the state, is trying its best to put forward agendas, that whether youre a trans person, whether youre a gay person, whether youre a woman, that is trying to foster the growth and the acceleration of the conception of a good life that each of us choose to cultivate for our lives.

Mr. Jekielek: This is fascinating. Theres so many vantage points here and this whole moral eugenics concept, we have to get back to that. Thats fascinating, and frankly, controversial would be the right term.

I want to talk about how you conceive of this three-prong founding, like actually that the Civil Rights Act was something that was necessary to complete the founding. Is that a good way to think about it?

Mr. Hill: Right, so I think, of course, the first founding was the 1776 Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Thats when our great republic or unprecedented republic was founded. I would put the second founding at Lincolns Gettysburg Address and the Civil War, which freed the slaves and was the first installment of the great promise that Martin Luther King frequently referred to in terms of trying to bring blacks by freeing them into, again, the domain of the ethical, the full pantheon of the human community, to promise them what was promised in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, that all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with inalienable rights.

That was the second installment. It was necessary, it was not a sufficient condition. It was not enough to bring blacks within the ambit of the rights domain. It would take at least another century.

I think that the 1964 Civil Rights Act was the third founding. That is, it was the last installment on the promise of full freedom, full recognition of equality before the law, and thats as far as, I think, a constitutional republic can go. That is, if we go any further in terms of demanding, it already was trespassing on the rights of whites in telling them how they can use their private property.

I think given the collusion between the state and individuals, given the sense in which the state did manufacture racists, the way in which the country was born with a birth defect, the state upheld slavery. In a way, it made a lethal and tragic compromise because if it hadnt endorsed slavery, the southern states wouldnt have ratified the constitution and the republic would never have gotten off the ground.

Given the collusion between the state and private individuals, given the way the state had created an ethos of racism, one could argue that what Im calling a social eugenical moment in the 1964 Civil Rights Act was justified. That affirmative action, which was part of the latter part of the civil rights movement, had a role to play.

That was part of the eugenical moment in telling whites, Were going to make non-racists out of you. Were going to re-socialize your sensibilities. Were going to create a different orientation. Thats part of the third founding of this country. It was the radical eugenical moment in which the government interfered in the sensibilities, understandably so I think, but interfered in the character orientation of individuals saying, Even if you conceive of yourself as a racist.

Its like anti-sexual harassment laws. If a man thinks that hes a misogynist, the state says, Fine, but were going to introduce anti-harassment, sexual harassment laws in the workplace, that if you comport yourself in a certain way towards a woman, youre going to face punitive consequences. Over time, a man might find himself actually comporting himself differently, that his sensibilities, that his view towards women have changed. I think the 1964 Civil Rights Act accomplished something quite enormous and superlative in that sense towards blacks.

That is, it not just brought blacks full equality before the law, it actually concomitantly changed the sensibilities, the orientation, the way whites saw blacks by bringing them in such close proximity with blacks through affirmative action programs, and thats as really far as a republic can go in trying to achieve equality between the races.

Mr. Jekielek: This is really fascinating to me, as you describe it, because this extensively actually worked. But it almost seems like a lot of what were seeing today is like that same approach, but on steroids. Is that accurate in your mind?

Mr. Hill: Yes. I think what were seeing is an inverse form of that racism, where, as I said, I think the affirmative action programs should have had an expiration date on them. I think-

Mr. Jekielek: I guess, the first question is, did they work?

Mr. Hill: I think they worked temporarily for a group of individuals. I think they worked in sort of changing the ethos of the country, in the sense of showing that there were blacks who were not congenitally, cognitively inferior, that blacks were capable of the same kind of skill sets as whites.

I think over time, it was middle-class women and middle-class blacks who benefited enormously from the affirmative action programs, and that it became psychologically crippling by sending a message to white Americans that blacks needed these programs in order to matriculate through institutional systems and through the educational systems.

I think, in my sense, it was meant to change the ethos and the sensibilities of white America, and to give blacks a way of catching up and to redress grievances that were inflicted on a minority group.

As we make progress in a society, as the sensibilities of white Americans have changed, as race relationships, or race relations have changed, as they certainly have changed and have improved, we have to have an expiration date on social programs. We cant have the solutions that were meant to address problems during a moment of lets say, white supremacy, when we had Jim Crow, when that ethos no longer exists, when that ideology no longer exists. We have to terminate those programs and we have to terminate a mindset that is no longer befitting of an era that has long since expired.

Mr. Jekielek: Because, basically, youre saying that this helped foster this victim identity on one side, and on the other side this patronizing identity or something like that on the other side?

Mr. Hill: Thats right. I know what we have is something which Martin Luther king, I think, would disapprove of. We have a kind of inverse racism, where were seeing re-segregation among blacks on college campuses, race and identity politics are being conjured up in a manner that betrays reality.

That is, as institutions have grown more progressive, as academic institutions, corporate institutions are seeking leadership positions, seeking actively to recruit minorities into positions of leadership, a narrative is being conjured up that our society is becoming more systemically racist when the data shows that its not.

That were a white supremacist country when clearly were no longer a white supremacist country. We dont have an ideology that valorizes or prioritizes the supremacy of the white race or any other race anymore, as we once had admittedly, thats no longer the case. We are promoting an ideology that says that if you are a white person with white skin, that automatically you are a systemic racist, that youre an oppressor of black people, that you enjoy white privilege unilaterally across the board.

And that we now have to institute new programs to, again, re-socialize the sensibilities of white people into making them non-racists by introducing something called equity, which is a very nefarious notion because it means that every single disparity or every single asymmetry that exists between the races is traceable back to slavery, which is a subject of my book, when this is clearly not the case. It rests on a form of what I call metaphysical egalitarianism.

That is, if we can extensively point to any kind of asymmetry, any kind of disparity, it has to do with slavery, it has to do with racism. So the fact that 72 percent of out-of-wedlock births are attributed to single mothers in the black community, has nothing to do with racism, and those are correlative to poverty, to poor performance in high school, to suicide rates, to a proclivity for committing crimes.

That has nothing to do with racism. That has to do with certain pathologies that exist in the black community, because the marriage rates prior to the 1964 Civil Rights Act among blacks was something like 22 percent. The out-of-birth wedlock, I should say, rate was 22 percent. Literacy rates were much higher.

So theres a monocausal explanation thats given today for every single asymmetry, every single disparity between the races, and its all pointed to slavery. I think this is egregious, and this is atrocious, and its causing divisions. We need to look for reasons why such disparities exist, and the majority of those reasons have very little to do with slavery and have very little to do with systematic or systemic racism, I should say.

Mr. Jekielek: Well, as youre talking, the voice of a mutual friend of ours, Bob Woodson is ringing through my head. When white people were at their worst, and black people were at their best. It was fascinating to learn this reality that there was this whole parallel, social and financial, and everything system that blacks created for themselves under Jim Crowunder actual systemic racism.

That all collapsed after the Civil Rights Act, paradoxically. I guess youre starting to explain here how and why that happened. Because if there is this, the three foundings and finally the realization of the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights is manifested. How is it really that things could have gone so far south after that?

Mr. Hill: Well, I think what happened, I think so much of black identity was forged in the crucibles of oppression, and I write about this in my book. I think what happened in the latter part of the 1960s is blacks faced an existential crisis. They didnt know what to do with all this radical freedom. If you look at the black studies programs and when blacks are brought into what I call the sovereign mass, and theyre given all this freedom.

You have a people who, since their entrance into the United States of America, as slaves, it was forged in the crucibles of oppression. They are now suddenly radically free, the drama is over, the quest is over, the struggle is over. The question is, What do I do with my life? What one does with ones life is one creates more drama, or one creates a narrow, or one creates pseudo racism that doesnt exist.

Im not saying that racism doesnt exist, but it doesnt certainly exist on the broad scale that it existed before. And so in order to compensate for this existential crisis that one faces, because its a crisis of meaning, What do I do with my life when I was either a slave or either ensconced in a milieu of oppression that no longer exists? I think blacks faced a tremendous identity crisis in the post-civil rights movement.

And this is why so many of them on college campuses are asking for segregated dorms, their own dorms, their own libraries, in some cases, their own cafeterias. They have to conjure up a scenario that existed in the past and transpose it into the present in order to make sense of themselves. I think this is a great tragedy because what African Americans or blacks need to be doing right now is to take advantage of the hard-won victories that were achieved by the first phase and the late phase civil rights movement, and move with it.

There seems to be some sort of, not all, but a great many of them, a kind of paralysis in not knowing what to do, so they cling to a sense of victimology, a victim sense identity, in order to make sense of this paralysis. What the far left has done, or the not so far left, what the left really has done is expropriated their agency and assumed the role of a manager or a class, and resurrected the oppressive past and said, Yes, the oppressive past never really went away. Youre actually worse off than you were during the Jim Crow era.

That the Jim Crow era really is a new Jim Crow era that people like Michelle Alexander in her book, The New Jim Crow, states that, Its really just a new era in disguise, that youre just as oppressed by the status quo. Youre just as oppressed by white imperialism. Youre just as oppressed as under patriarchy. Expropriated their agency, told them that, Theres nothing you can do with your creative capabilities to defeat racism when you encounter it, and we, on the left, will take care of you. We will create social programs, as we saw Lyndon Johnson doing with the war on poverty and the great society programs.

The state will become your surrogate spouse, or your surrogate husband, or a parental figure that will take care of all your needs. I think this is part of the response of the left welfare state to the existential crisis that I think a lot of blacks have faced post the latter part of the civil rights movement.

Mr. Jekielek: This is really fascinating because now Im thinking about this concept of white guilt that Shelby Steele described in his famous book, and how this may have manifested after, I guess, this moral eugenic program that you describe. And how these two sides would go back and forth and reinforcing the ideas that were seeing today. So thats what Im seeing as were speaking here.

Mr. Hill: I think thats right. I think thats right. I think that white guilt has fostered a lot of the existential crisis, but I think its also a response. I would add to white guiltwhite embarrassment. That is, it has responded to the sense of outrage, and the sense of anger, and the sense of vitriol that came after the 1964 Civil Rights Act. I think what many of us were not expecting and this is probably the result of what happens when people who have been oppressed in real ways are emancipated, are delivered.

What one really expects is maybe gratitude or maybe a sense of relief. What one is really not expecting is anger. So what we saw happening with the student demonstrations in 1968 and throughout the 1970s and the resurgence of violence coming out of the black communities post-1964 Civil Rights Act was very surprising to a lot of white people.

They thought that the 64 Civil Rights Act was passed, blacks have access to all universities. There are all these black studies programs that are not just black studies programs, but theyre black studies programs infiltrating literature departments, history departments, philosophy departments, that finally blacks would feel a sense of relief. No, what we saw was an outpouring of rage, an attempt to wage an assault against enlightenment tradition, talk of decolonizing the black mind from the European incursion against the black mind.

I think the concomitant response from a lot of whites was guilt, was, We have done such ineradicable damage to blacks, that it caught them by surprise. The response was guilt. Had the response been something like gratitude or relief, or just, Lets move on with their lives.

Now we are part of the sovereign mass. We have all rights, we have full equality before the law, the inalienability of our rights have been recognized, our invalid dignity is now affirmed. Were moving into the future that political liberalism has always promised, but has never fulfilled. Lets move quietly into the future.

I dont think this guilt would have been forthcoming. I think the guilt is a response to the anger and the vitriol that we saw coming out of the latter part of the 1964 civil rights movement, and also the existential anguish of many blacks who seem directionless, lost, and just didnt know what to do with their lives when their identities had been forged.

Again, as I said in the crucibles of real oppression. Now, the oppression is over, there are no blacks, short of a set of Ku Klux Klan members and residual white supremacists, who pose no real existential threat to the advancement of black people. When there are no real systemic white movements designed to repress, and obliterate, and annihilate your conception of the life, a real identity crisis arose.

I think a lot of whites responded with guilt and a sense of, Were responsible for this, collectively, and now what do we do? Well, we continue to self-flagellate ourselves and engage in a moral masochism by ceding to every single demand that black victimologists make of us. We see this today in the way that people like Ta-Nehisi Coates, Ibram Kendi, every demand, every silly and ridiculous and unspeakable accusation that they make to the white liberal bourgeois left, is accepted unquestionably as if the utterances themselves are moral axioms or unassailable truths.

Mr. Jekielek: Looking as a Canadian onto America, this whole phenomenonit fascinates me. I cant help but think, theres still a racial reckoning that needs to be had here. Sometimes, I talk with people and they say, Well, no, its actually, we are in a colorblind society. That cant be entirely true, because if it were, then there wouldnt be this energy in exactly these types of utterances that are taken as moral axioms.

Theres something that clearly needs to be fixed here, still, or am I wrong?

Mr. Hill: Well, Im an immigrant. I came here in 1985 at the age of 20, and I moved to the deep south. I lived in Atlanta for eight years. In 36 years Ive watched increasingly improved race relations in this country. I think they have deteriorated a little bit in the past 10 years or so. Im going to be a little bit radical here and say, there is no racial reckoning to be had. There are episodic moments, and theres still episodic incidences of injustices that blacks face.

But look, short of a bloated totalitarian state in which you are going to be a hypervigilant watchdog over the conscience of people, there will always be racists or as Shelby Steele said, There will always be stupid people. Or, what Id like to call them, psychotic people, because racism is a form of psychosis. Its a misperception of reality. Its misperceiving the person standing before you where youre just judging that persons character, based on skin pigmentation, or the morphological characteristics that a person possesses.

There is really nothing that you can do to control the thought patterns of a person or the psychotic sensibilities that he or she possesses. All you can really do is racism is illegal. You can punish that person for a crime if he breaks the law, that is, if he discriminates against another person.

I dont think theres any reckoning to be had. The reckoning that were talking about is reparations, and in my book, What do White Americans Owe Black People?, I think I do a stellar job of laying out why there can be no such thing as any further reckoning. Weve had three great foundings in this country where there were moments of reckoning.

I dont know what further reckonings would look like, short of tearing this country apart and systematically and systemically transgressing, and violating the rights of both white Americans and black Americans, and turning this country into a charnel house. I think what we have to do is we have to look at those isolated cases where the rights of blacks are violated. If there are still cases of redlining going on in this country, then those belong in courts of law, not as reparative claims at all.

Mr. Jekielek: Just very quickly. What is redlining, for the benefit of our audience?

Mr. Hill: Well, its a vast phenomenon. Its when the government deliberately steps through zoning laws, among other things, to deprive blacks from acquiring loans for living in certain neighborhoods that are typically occupied by whites. There are certain policies that are enacted that prevent blacks from accessing areas of living, of healthcare, that would render them equal to those of whites.

Mr. Jekielek: I see. I have seen other examples in this vein that we dont necessarily need to jump into here. I want to talk a little bit about reparations. Of course, its a big part of your book, but before I go there, are you suggesting that critical race theory ideology put into practice, education, woke-ism in general, praxis, is this actually fostering a psychosis among the people who are being taught this stuff, or taught through the lens of this stuff?

Mr. Hill: Well, if you unpack critical race theory, which I think is the philosophic foundation or its like the philosophic principle that foundationalizes reparations, it is a form of psychosis, because among other things, its a misperception of reality. One of the main canards of critical race theory is that every single institution is suffused with systematic and systemic racist policies. That racism is endemic to every institution in America, that it is ineradicably endemic to every institution in America, and what I call the third iteration of critical race theory.

We had the first iteration, 1970s under Derrick Bell, we had the second iteration in the 1990s, and we have a new crop of critical race theorists, who claim that white people, just by possessing white skin, are either conscious, or implicit, or unconscious bearers of oppression, and so theyre walking practitioners of systemic racism. Thats empirically untenable.

It seems to be a form of psychosis because its based on a misperception of reality. And what the practitioners themselves seem to be after is power. The reparations advocates and the critical race theory advocates seem to have formed a very unholy alliance. Seemingly disparage groups like Black Lives Matter even, who are not necessarily critical race theorists, find themselves very often in alliance with critical race theorists, because Black Lives Matter, the group advocates the breaking up of U.S. banks, the destruction of the nuclear family. Theyre Marxist trained. They advocate the breaking up of capitalism.

These are all tenets that critical race theory claim are conduits through which what they call race capitalism are propagated. So what we find is that there are a lot of groups that are not necessarily promulgators of critical race theorists, but the theory has become so wide and so far reaching that it functions as a philosophical template for a lot of groups like Black Lives Matter. People who are what we could call, woke supremacists, find their justification on the critical race theory.

Mr. Jekielek: Its fascinating to be thinking about this. Theres this whole dimension that you alluded to here that the people that are, I guess, fostering the theories around critical theory, critical race theory, theyre actually deeply anti-Western civilization as a whole. I think this is still not something thats broadly known. Theres this question, whether the inherent divisiveness that weve been describing to some extent in our conversation is actually not a side effect, but its actually by design. What do you think about that?

Mr. Hill: I think its by design. I think what we have to be very clear, and I make this clear in my book, is that critical race theorists are out to fundamentally change the DNA of this country. They are like critical theorists, from which they gain their philosophic upshot, are out to destroy Western civilization, not just American civilization, but they have waged an assault against Western civilization and the foundations of the enlightenment.

Because in some sense, they think that all the moral vocabularies and all the cognitive machineries that emanate from the enlightenment tradition, an objective reality, reason, logic, the scientific method, the concept of universalism and universality, that these are all constructs created by white European imperialists that were used to dominate and keep marginalized people or people on the periphery, outside the ambit of the human condition. That they were used to describe characteristics that were exclusive only to one set of peoplethat is white people.

We cannot overemphasize the extent to which critical race theorists are out to not just wage an assault against the Western enlightenment tradition, but theyre actually, I think, systemic nihilists, in the sense that they want to destroy all those foundational values, all those codified values and principles that we use in times of crisis, as what I would call moral inoculates. We inoculate ourselves against those who would attack us from the outside. We use those foundational principles. They want to first erase personal identity, then erase history, erase those codified values to usher in a new, what I would call, Marxist communist agenda in our society.

Mr. Jekielek: If only that were more understood. Were not just talking about systemic racism, were talking about, like you said, reason or the scientific method. People wonder why these theories have wandered far afield from the social sciences, and into physics, and medicine, and health for that matter, right?

Mr. Hill: They are. Physics has now become racist, mathematics has now become racist. Because as far as critical race theory is concerned, the standpoint or the experiential way of learning by blacks and other minorities, they all differ greatly from how whites learn. While the old-fashioned way of teaching the physical sciences was always by an appeal, its an objective reality.

That is, there is something called truth, and there are objective methods of adjudicating among truth claims, there are processes of verification and appraising arguments. These are deemed as racist and its exclusionary. Why? Because they dont take into account the lived experiences and the subjective experiences of certain groups of people.

What we have is a situation in which feelings, emotional vibrations, the lived experiences of people supersede the objective criteria that have traditionally been used to adjudicate and appraise and judge competing truth claims that people have, which is just a radical form of subjectivism.

I dont have access to 10 peoples feelings in a room. What we all share in common is reason, and what we all share in common is an appeal to an objective reality that exists independently of our feelings, of our shared experiences, that can adjudicate among the truth claims. Thats gotten swept outside the door, because the whole idea of universality and objective reality is seen as a racist construct to sabotage or subvert, or even more, ignore the lived experiences of so-called minorities or disenfranchised people.

Mr. Jekielek: Well, and the thing thats most fascinating, or I guess bizarre to me, is that these subjective experiences, however bizarre, and correct me if Im wrong here, do seem to have a universality according to grouping. You would think subjective experiences are highly personal, because theyre subjective experiences. Its sort of the suggestion that the subjective experiences of say, one, black Americans for example, are all the same.

Mr. Hill: Thats right.

Mr. Jekielek: How does that work?

Mr. Hill: It doesnt work, because theres assumed monolithicity among all black people. This is ridiculous. There are just as many differences among black people as a group, as there are among white people. If you take middle-class blacks, you take working-class blacks, you take poor working-class blacks, even among middle-class blacks, the varied experiences among those middle-class blacks are incredible.

Theres no such thing as a monolithic cultural group, and theres even no such thing as a monolithic homogeneous cultural group, even among the homogeneous group that you can ostensibly point to. The individual experiences that they have, the idiosyncratic personalities that they have that shape their experiences are very, very different. The assumed monolithicity that one would have to presuppose among cultural groups is arrogant, and it all goes back to power.

That is, these individuals like Ibram Kendi, like Ta-Nehisi Coates, that assume themselves to be sentinels, or guardians, or spokespersons, for a group are after power. There can be no such thing as a single lived experience of a cultural groupit doesnt exist. You would have to go to each single person in that group and ask that person, What is your lived experience as a black person? I am identified as black in this country, Im a black person, Im a black immigrant. I have educational privilege, I have five college degrees, including a PhD.

My lived experience is not the same as an incarcerated person if he has lived on the south side of Chicago. Someone whos a medical doctor, married with five children, doesnt have this same lived experience as myself, whos a single person with no children at all. Its a fabricated political heuristic device, thats really meant to stifle the voices of individuals. And its really used as a bargaining chip to shore up identity politics for the sole single purpose of achieving power.

Mr. Jekielek: Well, and I have to mention this now because since were talking about it, but theres also this dimension that if you are vocal in your subjective reality being somewhat different than what the group is supposed to have according to this theory, then youre suddenly not politically black. I feel my mind is being warped every time I think of this concept.

Mr. Hill: Thats right. Thats true. As an independent conservative who happens to be black, Im not seen as authentically black because Im not buying into the left wing orthodoxy that is supposed to characterize the authentic black person. Im not claiming to be a victim, so therefore Im not authentically black. I dont think that my agency should be expropriated by white people because I am confident that my agency and my capabilities are both necessary and sufficient to deal with whatever problems present themselves to me.

And, because Im confident, Im not a victim, I am a little bit cocky in my approach to navigating myself throughout the world, that makes me almost white. Because I believe in excellence and I believe in the virtues of character, that makes me somehow more similar in the eyes of certain people to exhibiting white traits. This is ludicrous, this is monarchy.

Mr. Jekielek: So, but how terrible that excellence would be associated with quote/unquote, whiteness and seen as a terrible social evil? Terrible.

Mr. Hill: Right. Theres a form of complicity between whites and blacks who want power by keeping black people down, by telling black people that, to pin your aspirational identity on something like greatness, on heroism, on remarkability, is to sell out. You see the phoniness and you see the lack of scruples and integrity on both the people on the left who are black and the people on the left who are white, who really dont care about black uplift.

What they really care about is gaining a position in this managerial class bureaucracy, in lording it over in some kind of, almost like feudal lords in the old days, over a set of imagined downtrodden individuals, who cannot use their own capabilities and their own agency to better their lives.

It used to be a very anti-American phenomenon, but now Im afraid that its becoming quite American, or at least is running concurrently with another American strand that we know to be very American, which is individualism and pulling oneself up by ones bootstrap. Not alone, in conjunction with a community, but being responsible, mainly for your destiny and for your faith.

Mr. Jekielek: You describe this managerial class by imagined reparations, regime, or structure would require a considerable new infrastructure to deal with, because when I think about it, it would be a very expensive project. Lets talk about that.

The first thing I want to ask you is, what is the most compelling, in your mind, argument for reparations? Which, of course, you go to great length in your book to look at, I think honestly at many different examples, but what do you think is the most compelling argument that our viewers might be wondering about?

Mr. Hill: Well, the most compelling argument would be to show the extent to which the collusion between the state and infrastructures today, like public education, like public housing, are still being instituted by the state against blacks. To the extent that the state is still the primary oppressor of blacks in any form of the publics sphere, I can see people making a case for reparations. If I can type your zip code in, and I can tell the quality of the education youre going to receive, because the quality of education is based on the property taxes that you pay into the system.

Mr. Jekielek: Isnt this preposterous? Im still blown away by the idea that this is a thing. That a society would structure itself that way, because there is huge inequality in this type of a structure, isnt there?

Mr. Hill: Thats right. Thats right. I can see people saying, Look, the state is discriminating against blacks because public-funded education is based on property taxes, and so the state ought to show no preferential treatment towards its citizens, to the extent that we still have public-funded education, of which Im not an advocate. Lets just for the argument say, we do have public-funded education, it exists, its going to exist. The state should not be discriminating on the basis of income that people earn.

One could see a case where a reasonable argument for reparations could be made. I would issue the rejoinder and say that there are two issues here. One is simply not to tax people, poor blacks in this case, or poor working class whites, on the income that they would use to send their children to a competing private school or to issue tax vouchers for education.

I could see where reasonable people could have reasonable disagreements about this issue. Where the government is discriminating against poor people, whites, and blacks, and Hispanics, by using property tax to finance public education, when the federal government could dip into its coffers and subsidize the public education in poor districts.

If the government is going to take itself as being responsible for educating 90 percent of the populace, then it shouldnt be doing this on the basis of property taxes, which is in and of itself discriminatory. I think a compelling argument could be made there. I think it would be a fallacious argument, but I think reasonable people could have reasonable disagreements about this form of reparations.

Mr. Jekielek: I have to confess, despite all of the recent awareness that I have of the perils of public education, Im still a fan. Id love to talk to you sometime about this whole question of public schooling and why you think it doesnt have a place in society. Thats pretty fascinating, maybe for another episode.

For now, what would you say is the most compelling case against reparations? Of course, for the whole picture, the book would be required.

Mr. Hill: The book would be required for the full panoply of reasons that I give against reparations. Its unethical because its highly punitive. Its asking for a race of people, whites, to fiscally, financially pay for two things. Its predicated on two premises, one is the ancestral argument. The fact that white people living today had ancestors who were slaveholders, which is empirically either false or untenable.

The majority of white people living today, their ancestors came after the Civil War. Even if that were the case, I would say, So what? That has nothing to do with them. There are no white people today who are slaveholders and there are no black people today who are slaves.

The second argument, which is a more popular one is that white people living today are the beneficiaries of white privilege. That this country was built on the back of slave labor, and that blacks continue to experience the residual effects of slavery. I would say that is putatively false. That is, race is no longer determinate of destiny and faith as it once was. That is, the 1964 Civil Rights Act has made reparations outdated.

Ostensibly, if we can point to any discrimination against blacks, those claims belong in the courts of law, they are not sufficient reparations claims. If we can ostensibly point to land that was confiscated, thats in the south, or in the north, or anywhere in this country, by the state, to which blacks have a legal claim, as in the Holocaust, where artworks, jewelry, property, was confiscated by the Nazis, then those lands need to return to blacks.

That would be a legitimate case for reparations. Restorative justice. I think there have been a few cases in the south where generationally land was passed on to blacks. I think in Mississippi, the state did appropriate those lands.

In those individual cases, reparations had to be made. But to make the collective argument that all blacks are unilaterally, unilaterally the victims of slavery today, that all blacks equally suffer the residual effects of slavery, and that qualitatively are deserving of reparations, seems quite ludicrous. How one would measure this and how one would go about enforcing this, is very, very, very problematic.

I think we have to reach a point in our society where we just simply move forward, that we admit that egregious wrongs have been committed against blacks. That, as I said, there were three founding moments, there were three restorative moments. I have made the argument in the book that there have been reparative moments, that reparations have been occurring.

Actually, this is the controversial part of the book. Reparations have been occurring since 1776, incrementally so. Politically, in 1964 and in the 1970s, reparations have been occurring incrementally towards blacks in this country. There is no further need for reparations. If were going to talk about reparations, we need to talk about the extent to which the federal government simply stop placing obstructions in the path of blacks who are exercising efforts on behalf of their lives to make something remarkable of their lives. That, I would say, in the spirit of a contrarian, would include welfare.

I think when you assume responsibility for the life of another person, and you take that responsibility away from that person, you are crippling the agency of that person. I think, paradoxically, welfare and excessive assistance to blacks, are actually restrained and constraints against the agency of those blacks.

I say a lot more in the book thats a lot more complicated, and I think that even going back to the debate. History lovers are going to like the book because theres an intense debate between Justice Taney and Lincoln, in which Lincoln is arguing for not necessarily the color blind society, but arguing for the inalienability of the rights of blacks, and arguing for the rights of blacks to enjoy the republic. He thinks blacks have a rightful place in the republic, and Taney thinks that thats just not the case.

We see the beginnings of a reparative movement originating in the Constitution itself, in the decades and the centuries, but really the decades after the Constitution and the century after the Constitution was ratified in this country. I think the book is going to be a slow journey and its going to take the readers on a slow journey in showing the reparative moments that have been occurring since this country was founded, for blacks to bring them within the ambit of rights and the domain of the ethical.

Talk of reparations today, is really a talk about punishing a race of people, that is white people, for crimes that their ancestors might have committed. Or, assuming something that I have written about, that is that all white people enjoy equal white privilege. To make that statement is very, very problematic.

Im not sure that a white person living in Appalachia today with no teeth, with no healthcare, whos illiterate, living at a trailer park, enjoys the same kind of privilege that I do, or enjoys the same kind of privilege as a well-educated doctor living on the upper east side of New York in a brownstone. Its not meant to complicate or problematize anything. I think the job of an academic philosopher such as myself, is to bring into sharper relief what people are trying to model.

This talk that all white people are systemic and systematic oppressors, it befuddles me to see how someone whos living in Appalachia in a trailer park, who has no access to water, healthcare, is a walking practitioner of racism, and that that person should, in some sense, participate in a reparations program for a middle-class black person or an upper-class black person, with five college degrees or four college degrees. When you really sit down and figure out the mechanics and the logic of it, then it becomes very problematic, and then it seems ethically untenable to me.

Mr. Jekielek: Well, and so at the risk of exposing all of your book here as we finish up, you envision what you describe, an interesting term, a trans-racial future. So briefly tell me about that.

Mr. Hill: Well, the book ends with a note of forgiveness. That is, I think it ends on a very optimistic note where Im entreating blacks to end on a note of radical forgiveness, that there are many options and there are many routes that we can go. Black people can continue this trajectory of aggrievement, where we continue to look to whites as oppressors, and as our enemies or adversaries, and continue to make claims against them.

This can continue in perpetuity with no hope of an end insight. Or, we can simply say, Look, lets engage in a project of radical forgiveness for the injustices of the past and move forward in what I call a moment of trans-racial hopefulness, in which we give up a certain form of cultural blackness. By that I mean, once blacks continue to tenaciously hold onto a form of blackness that is predicated on victimology, and helplessness, and hopelessness, which I talk about in chapter four of the book, black nihilism and Afro pessimism, then theyre going to remain landlocked in their own souls.

This trans-racial future that I envision is not necessarily an annihilation of ones identity as a black person, but ones annihilation of blackness that is predicated on helplessness, victimology, aggrievement, and to join our compatriots, our fellow white citizens, in a spirit of universal brotherhood and radical forgiveness.

Thats the only way the countrys going to move forward beyond the divisiveness that it has. Im very inspired by the truth and reconciliation hearings that Bishop Desmond Tutu spearheaded after South Africa ended its horrible apartheid regime, and Nelson Mandela was elected as the first black president. South Africa could have gone the route of vengeance and vendetta, instead they chose a different route.

Im saying that in that vein, blacks can choose a spirit of vengeance, which I think the reparations claims are a spirit of vendetta and aggrievement, or we can choose a route of radical forgiveness and a trans-racial alliance with our white compatriots, and move forward to figure out what kind of future do we really want to create as individuals, as value makers in this wonderful republic of ours. Its a beautiful cosmopolitan moment that is not predicated on racial divisiveness.

Mr. Jekielek: Well, Jason Hill, such powerful words, such a pleasure to have you on.

Mr. Hill: Thank you for having me. Its my pleasure.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

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EpochTV Review: Americas Other Longest War

Commentary

Its been a few months since the disastrous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan proved former Defense Secretary Robert Gates wasnt kidding when he said President Joe Biden has been on the wrong side of every major foreign policy decision hes ever made.

The withdrawal gave China, arguably the United States greatest global adversary, an opening to expand its influence in Asia, though youd never know it if you followed the mainstream media. The mainstream media act like we left Afghanistan years ago, not months ago, and wed be better just to forget all about it.

Unfortunately, theres another rising threat in Asia that U.S. policy could greatly impact that the media is treating in much the same way. It centers around a war the United States has been involved with even longer than Afghanistan; namely, the armistice between North and South Korea.

If you ask anyone born after 1980, its entirely possible they wont know that the Korean War is technically still ongoing. They may know that we still have just shy of 30,000 troops in South Korea, but we have military bases all over the world and the armistice was signed in the 1950slong before the current crop of millennials were even a twinkle in their parents eyes.

Its important at this point in time to educate anyone fuzzy on the details of the ceasefire, as theres a bill quietly working its way through the House of RepresentativesH.R. 3446that would officially put an end to the Korean War. If you think that sounds good on its face, youll probably change your mind after watching How a Bill in the U.S. Congress Could Influence the Spread of Communism in Asia.

Trevor Loudon brings the receipts yet again in this episode of Counterpunch, in which he lays out just how dangerous it would be to end the Korean War even after a nearly 70 year ceasefire.

There are always those voices in the United States who insist we shouldnt have soldiers stationed anywhere overseas, but they should consider South Korea an exception. As Loudon explains, ending the Korean War means the United States would pull our troops out, leaving the South completely exposed to invasion from the North, which, in case anyone has forgotten, is desperate to build nuclear weapons. It would also lift U.S. sanctions on North Korea, allowing massive capital to flow into its struggling economy and breathe new life into the communist regime running the country.

Its also very possible that without U.S. forces on the ground, China would absorb South Korea before the North had a chance to invade. China has been threatening everyone in the region for a while now, including India, Taiwan, and Japan. If the war ends and the United States withdraws, theres nothing to stop China from taking over South Korea if North Korea doesnt get to it first.

South Korea may be a long way away from the United States, but it is one of our allies in a region of the world growing increasingly unstable. Loudon reminds any viewer who doesnt think reunification of the North and South into one Korea is a very big deal that this wouldnt result in two Koreas intermingling harmoniously. North Korea would impose communism on South Korea, either through political means or by force, and with one less democracy in the region China will be emboldened even further.

Japan has grown ever more nervous as China ramps up its overt threats across Asia, and every day Taiwan becomes more of a sitting duck. Since Taiwan is where basically the entire world gets its superconductors, every country would be in serious trouble if China invades Taiwan.

As far as Japan goes, Loudon points out that they cant exactly start producing nuclear weapons overnight to protect themselves if Taiwan or South Korea fall into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party. South Korea could be just one in a series of dominoes toppling to communism if H.R. 3446 passes, and the United States could lose three allies in the region in rapid succession.

How a Bill in the US Congress Could Influence the Spread of Communism in Asia | Counterpunch [Full Episode]

Watch the full episode here.

These concerns may sound slightly hysterical to anyone who hasnt spent much time thinking about geopolitics, but Loudon is clearly following the outcome of ending the Korean War to its logical conclusion.

There are people both within the United States and South Korea that do not have the Souths best interests at heart when it comes to shaping policy, and Loudon knows who they are. Multiple organizations in the United States are pro-North Korea, and the current president of South Korea, Moon Jae-in, took part in violent, pro-communist uprisings in South Korea in the 1980s when he was a college student. Moon Jae-in was even jailed for participating in these uprisings, which the military needed to suppress. Loudon likens him to President Barack Obama, as hes surrounded himself with leftists who have a pro-North Korean bent, has been working to suppress the media in South Korea, has gone after some military members who oppose him, and is doing everything in his power to turn South Korea into a one-party state. Its all frighteningly familiar to what is happening in the United States under the current administration, but at least we dont have Canada licking its chops just waiting to invade us.

Moon Jae-in isnt the only one Loudon is worried about. Yoon Han Bong was also involved in the uprisings in the 1980s, but while Moon Jae-in ended up in jail, Yoon Han Bong ended up in the United States, where he began founding various pro-North Korea groups throughout the country. Most of these groups are still in existence and work together under a kind of umbrella group called NAKASEC, the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium. This organization lobbies members of Congress, pushing programs that would benefit North Korea without being openly pro-North.

Loudon also discusses a second, separate pro-North organization called NoDutDol based in New York, which has ties to members of Asian Americans for Equality, a workers organization that came out of the communist party in the 1980s. NoDutDol regularly arranges visits to North Korea, and along with the other organizations Loudon lists, has created numerous pro-North organizations across the United States.

Loudon then shifts to Women Across DMZ and their leader, Christine Ahn, who has allegedly been a pro-North activist in the United States for nearly two decades. Shes worked extensively with NoDutDol and knows how to work the media by putting a kinder, gentler face on North Korean advocacy through organizing groups of women, including Americans and Canadians, to pull off publicity stunts like walking across the demilitarized zone (DMZ) from South Korea into North Korea. They get lots of photo ops on top of making communism look not so bad. She has ties to Pak Chol, who has been a North Korean intelligence officer for many years. He helped her coordinate her 2015 womens march across the DMZ.

Loudon cant stop yet, because theres still the Korean American Political Action Committee (KAPAC), the National Unification Advisory Council, and the many, many congress members sponsoring H.R. 3446 who are allegedly cozy with pro-North Korea activists. It likely wont come as a shock to anyone that the members sponsoring H.R. 3446 are all Democrats, with the exception of one Republican. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz) is a reliable conservative, and Loudon surmises that Biggs has signed on with no awareness of the machinations of his Democratic counterparts and the activists influencing them. He thinks its likely Biggs is looking at this as a way to bring American soldiers home from a country where Biggs thinks we dont belong, and urges Biggs to reconsider giving his support to such a dangerous bill.

Loudon closes the episode likening the potential loss of South Korea to allowing the Germans to keep France or Great Britain during WWII. Though an exhaustive number of comparisons to Nazi Germany have been made in the last five years or so, in this instance it feels more than appropriate.

Counterpunch premiers every Wed and Saturdayexclusive on EpochTV.



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Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
GOP Leaders Betray Their Voters Over Murkowski

The other day, I received the following email from Lisa Murkowski, currently Republican senator from Alaska:

Fellow Conservative,

Today I announced my campaign for re-election to continue representing the great state of Alaska. Youve been there from the beginning, Fellow Conservative, and I wanted you to hear the news directly from me.

As a born and raised Alaskan, serving my state has been the honor of a lifetime. This privilege is only possible because of fantastic supporters like you!

This will be my toughest fight yet and it is critical that we get this campaign off to a strong start. Thats where you come in, Fellow Conservative.

Fellow Conservative? (How many questions marks can I put after that without seeming illiterate?) Murkowski is about as conservative as Nancy Pelosi on one of her middling days. I was going to write AOC, but that would have been unfaira tad anyway.

In 2013 the National Journal ranked Murkowski the 56th most liberal and 44th most conservative member of the Senate and it has only gotten worse since.

More recently, among many more liberal-friendly acts, the Alaska senator waffled forever on the Kavanaugh nomination, even after the most despicable smears, and then, of all things, voted to convict Donald Trump during that fiesta of the most overt leftwing partisan hackery, the second impeachment trial.

At the moment, three other candidates, all decidedly more conservative than Murkowski, have declared against her in the primary with two more, one of them being Sarah Palin, having expressed interest.

But lest we the great unwashed forget where Lisa really stands Fellow Conservative [caps. hers] appears not just the quoted three times, but five times in the brief solicitation email I received, which closes in the following manner (resist the gag reflex, please):

I cant thank you enough, Fellow Conservative. This will be a long and difficult road but with you by my side I know we will prevail.

If you click on that email, it takes you directly to the familiar WinRed site that almost all conservative causes and politicians use for donations. By law the site is required to pass the money on to the individual candidates campaign within ten days.

You could call what Murkowski is doing attempted robbery through misrepresentation, but the larger, and more important question, is how this was allowed to happen.

According to the Washington Post, the following transpired when Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.)chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committeeappeared on Meet the Press Nov. 7:

Scott reaffirmed his support for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), defying the attacks that Trump has levied against both. Trump has endorsed Murkowskis primary challenger, Kelly Tshibaka, saying in June that Tshibaka is MAGA all the way.

When asked if the NRSC would back Murkowski financially, Scott said Absolutely.

What kind of game is the Florida senator playing here? Arguments exist pro and con McConnell, who has done some things well, notably judicial nominations, but Murkowski?

Nothing is discernible for her and, as noted above, several good Republicans are running against her in the primary. Moreover, Alaska is a reliable GOP state. Trump won it comfortably in 2020.

I can only speculate whats behind Scotts support, but it couldnt be more obvious that he is betraying, disdaining, alienating, ignoringchoose the word you wishthe Republican rank-and-file, who are finished with Murkowski. Ask virtually anyone. (Its worth remembering Murkowski initially became senator through being appointed by her father, then state governor.)

This is a foolish thing to do on many levels, so the conclusion must be there is money involved for someone (or some candidate or candidates). Otherwise it makes little sense unless its part of a covert plot by so-called moderate (read: RINO) Republicans to subvert Trump. Possibly both are involved.

That this was done at a moment of maximum Republican enthusiasm after the victory in Virginia and the near-victory in Democrat stronghold New Jersey makes it all the more disturbing.

Many people wonder why Republicans lose when they are able to outdraw the Democrats on the ground, and not just at Trump rallies, in large numbers.

Perhaps it is that some of them, the leadership in particular, secretly want to loseor to win only when their candidates are part of the Deep State/Uniparty.

That would appear to apply to Scott who should be removed from his position forthwith.

As for Murkowski, shes probably toast anyway. The NRSC is wasting their excuse me, your money. I would advise you not to give them any. Pick your candidates individually and carefully.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The FBI logo is seen outside of the headquarters building in Washington on July 5, 2016. (Yuri Gripas/AFP/Getty Images)

Hackers Compromise FBI Email System, Spam at Least 100,000 Recipients

Hackers have compromised an external email system of the FBI, a watchdog group that tracks spam and similar cyber threats announced on Nov. 13.

We have been made aware of scary emails sent in the last few hours that purport to come from the FBI/DHS [Department of Homeland Security], the group, Spamhaus Project, wrote on Twitter.

The messages came from a legitimate email addresseims@ic.fbi.govfrom the Law Enforcement Enterprise Portal (LEEP), which is owned by the FBI and DHS, according to the group. However, it noted that our research shows that these emails *are* fake.

The FBI, part of the Department of Justice, said in a statement that it and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are both aware of the incident this morning involving fake emails from an @ic.fbi.gov email account.

The agency stated that although the affected hardware was taken offline quickly upon discovery of the issue, the situation is an ongoing one, and it wont be providing additional information for the time being.

The emails that were sent to tens of thousands of recipients in the database appeared to be warnings of a possible cyberattack, according to a copy of the email that Spamhaus shared on Twitter. That email showed a subject line that read, Urgent: Threat actor in systems and signed off as DHS.

Our intelligence monitoring indicates exfiltration of several of your virtualized clusters in a sophisticated chain attack, the email reads. We identified the threat actor to be Vinny Troia, whom is believed to be affiliated with the extortion gang TheDarkOverlord[.] We highly recommend you to check your systems and IDS monitoring.

Spamhaus provided more details regarding the email on Twitter.

These fake warning emails are apparently being sent to addresses scraped from ARIN database, the group wrote. They are causing a lot of disruption because the headers are real, they really are coming from FBI infrastructure. They have no name or contact information in the .sig. Please beware!

From what other people are reporting, this was not limited to the ARIN database. Other, non-ARIN related harvested emails were included in the spam run.

Spamhaus also provided possible motivations that could underlie the spam emails that came with no trojan links or attachments.

Triple action: Convince people to shut things down just in case, while veracity is determined, character assassination of Vinny Troia who was mentioned in it, and flooding the FBI with calls, the group wrote. Or, as someone else said, for the lulz. Maybe all of the above. Maybe something else!

Vinny Troia, a security researcher and founder of dark web intelligence company Shadowbyte, commented about the situation on Twitter.

Wow I cant imagine who would be behind this. #thedarkoverlord aka @pompompur_in, he wrote.

He told Bleeping Computer on Nov. 13 that the individual pompompurin is likely the culprit behind the FBI email system compromise. He noted that the individual has allegedly been involved in a past incident that sought to damage his reputation.

The last time they [pompompurin] hacked the national center for missing childrens website blog and put up a post about me being a pedophile, he said.

Troia also stated that the individual had contacted him a few hours before spamming the FBI email servers and that the individual tends to alert him when theyre about to discredit him.
Hundreds Protest Near Golden Gate Bridge Against Vaccine Mandates

SAN FRANCISCOHundreds of people gathered at the Golden Gate Bridge on Nov. 11 to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The demonstration was one of many that are being held throughout the month of November as part of the Nationwide Walkout.

California recently adopted vaccine mandates for children aged 5 to 11, in addition to existing vaccine mandates for select jobs and a statewide mask mandate for some indoor facilities. Elected officials say vaccine mandates are meant to reduce transmission and boost immunity.

Several people at the protest shared with The Epoch Times their perspectives on the mandates.

The vaccine mandates for COVID shots are illegal, Alix Mayer, president of Childrens Health Defense. There are still only three emergency-use authorization shots on the market. The fourth one called Comirnaty is not fully approved and its not on the market. The reason its not on the market is because BioNTech has full liability for injuries, disabilities, and deaths.

And they are scared to put that on the market, because theyll have to pay so much money that they could go out of business. So, theyre going to be using our children as pawns to protect themselves from liability.

People attending the protest said they disagree with government mandates.

Im seeing a lot of my friends and family being forced to vaccinate to work for jobs and being put in a corner, said Jessica Gogas, a Bay Area law practitioner. And they say that you have other options, but then your options are few and far between, and youre losing your job anyway. So thats the big reason why I came.

Some say the mandates violate peoples freedom of choice.

The more mandates that come down the line, eventually those people that think its right now, will find something they dont believe in, that they dont want to do, said Allyx Toney, a stay-at-home mom. And possibly, by that time, itll be too late because all of us have just kind of gone with the flow and did what our leaders told us to do.

Matthew Bennett, a cybersecurity sales manager, said, I have a 7-year-old son, and theyre trying to force him to get a vaccine, and I dont believe in that. This is America, not Russia or communist China, and if we dont stand up, were going to be the frog in the pot of water boiling and wondering how we ended up as a communist country.

People hold various signs expressing their objection to COVID-19 vaccine mandates at a protest in San Francisco. (Nancy Han/NTD Television)

Other protesters cited their religious beliefs.

What Ive discovered is that theres something called natural law, which is above any jurisdiction of any government, and its even above the republic, said Monica Auburn, a Bay Area engineer. And it started centuries ago. We have innate God-given rights. And so, we only answer to God, we dont answer to a government; government is lower in jurisdiction.

Leigh Dundas, a human rights attorney and event organizer, told The Epoch Times that opposition to vaccine mandates has united people from all walks of life.

People are waking up, from the left, from the right.  Tell me the last time you saw BLM, human rights attorneys, Falun Gong survivors [of persecution], human escapees from Fidel Castros Cuba, all standing, gay women running for governor, all standing lockstep.

Democrat, Republican, left, right, every color, Native Americans, blue-collar workers, white-collar workers. We are out here in full force, saying it doesnt matter what our political differences are. This thing is too important; we understand we need to come together and say No, she said.

Unexpected Road Closures

Event organizers estimated around 500 people took part in the protest; they also noted that several shuttle buses carrying more people were unable to enter because of unexpected road closures.

They wanted to make this look like a tiny event that didnt have the support of the blue-collar and white-collar workers. And they systematically started closing the exits off the Golden Gate Bridge as crunch time occurred here, Dundas said.

Epoch Times and NTD reporters covering the event also encountered heavy traffic and road closures near the bridge. Upon arriving on the bridge, we asked California Highway Patrol officers for access to the protest area, but were denied entry. Along the bridge, signs indicated that parking lots were closed and exits were blocked.

However, some media outlets had vehicles parked in the same area as police cars, and some reporters were seen speaking to California Highway Patrol officers.

Authorities block access to parking lots near a vaccine mandate protest, making it difficult for more people to attend the event. (Nancy Han/NTD Television)

Epoch Times and NTD reporters were forced to drive across the bridge and back to find an entrance via side roads within the Presidio. Upon arriving at the protest location after hiking along Crissy Field, the bathrooms were found to be locked, with only one portable toilet available for hundreds of protesters.

Dundas said that she and other event organizers were aware that certain parking lots would be closed, so they worked with city departments in charge of overseeing large events to organize shuttle buses to transport people to and from the protest area. She said police, however, unexpectedly began closing roads and exits around 3 p.m., when the protest officially began.

More protests are expected later this month throughout California, as well as in other states, including Michigan and Arizona.
Former President Donald Trump looks on during his first post-presidency campaign rally at the Lorain County Fairgrounds in Wellington, Ohio, on June 26, 2021. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)

Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Trump; Second Suit Dropped by Woman

A New York judge on Nov. 12 dismissed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, while a second suit against him was dropped by the woman who filed it.

Judge Joel Cohen tossed a suit filed by former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen that had sought nearly $2 million to cover legal expenses. Cohen claimed Trump initially promised to cover the expenses but reneged.

A written agreement between Cohen and the Trump Organization, which Cohen cited, explicitly contains a no oral modification clause, undercutting Cohens claims that an oral agreement differed from the written one, the judge ruled.

Also, Cohen failed to prove that he became involved with investigations by former special counsel Robert Mueller and Congress, from which some of the expenses allegedly arose, due to his position at the organization, the judge said.

Cohen pleaded guilty to several charges, including tax evasion, and was sentenced to three years in prison in late 2018.

A Trump Organization spokesperson told news outlets that Cohen attempted to invent a basis for requiring the Trump Organization to pay his legal fees for personal criminal conduct (including perjury).

Mr. Cohens attempts at self-enrichment, however, once again failed. Having won this case, we now look forward to seeking monetary damages against Mr. Cohen for all of his despicable conduct, the spokesperson said.

Lanny Davis, an attorney for Cohen, called the decision unfair and urged people to donate money to his clients legal fund.

The other suit was dropped by Summer Zervos, a former Apprentice contestant who had accused the former president of groping her and sued him for defamation when he denied the allegations.

The parties jointly decided to stop the case, according to a court filing. A lawyer for Trump agreed not to pursue counterclaims against Zervos.

Today the parties have ended Zervos v. Trump. After five years, Ms. Zervos no longer wishes to litigate against the defendant and has secured the right to speak freely about her experience. Ms. Zervos stands by the allegations in her complaint and has accepted no compensation, lawyers for Zervos said in a statement.

Trump said in a statement that the accusations were false and no money was paid out.

The Fake News Media totally and completely distorted the factsthey are corrupt. President Trump has been totally vindicated, he said, adding later: It is so sad when things like this can happen, but so incredibly important to fight for the truth and justice. Only victory can restore ones reputation!
Kaiser Permanente, Workers Reach Tentative Deal to Avoid Strike

LOS ANGELESA tentative deal was reached Nov. 13 between Kaiser Permanente and union leaders that will prevent a strike by thousands of nurses and other health care workers who were planning to hit the picket line Nov. 15 at Kaiser facilities across Southern California and beyond.

Kaiser and the Alliance of Health Care Unions agreed on a four-year contract covering nearly 50,000 health care employees in 22 local unions, according to union spokesman Jeff Rogers.

The Alliance of Health Care Unions fought to preserve a Kaiser Permanente where patients can count on excellent patient care and service. This has guided our work for 24 years. This agreement will mean patients will continue to receive the best care, and Alliance members will have the best jobs, said Hal Ruddick, executive director of the alliance. This contract protects our patients, provides safe staffing, and guarantees fair wages and benefits for every Alliance member.

According to the union, the tentative deal includes:

Guaranteed across-the-board wage increases each year through 2025.

No reductions to family medical and dental coverage.

Maintaining generous retirement income benefits and employer-subsidized retiree medical.

Introduction of the Alliance Bonus Plan, which provides annual payouts for achieving new mutually agreed-upon objectives to address affordability.

Opportunities for career growth and advancement.

The two sides also agreed to form a national affordability and competitiveness task force to find innovative ways to address issues of affordability while continuing to work together to protect high-quality patient care.

The deal now goes to the full common issues committee, and then to union members for ratification. Voting will occur over the next several weeks.

If ratified, the agreement will have an effective date of Oct. 1, 2021. The union canceled its strike notifications.
Man Dead, Teen Wounded in Shooting Outside Chula Vista Bar

CHULA VISTA, Calif.A 41-year-old man was shot to death and a teenager was wounded today outside a bar, police said.

The incident began at 2 a.m. Saturday when people called 911 to report a fight inside the On the Rocks Cocktail Bar at 656 E St., according to Lt. Dan Peak of the Chula Vista Police Department.

The fight moved outside the bar and someone pulled out a gun and began firing, the lieutenant said.

When officers arrived, they found two gunshot victims. Richard Bernal, 41, and a 17-year-old male were treated by officers and paramedics at the scene and rushed to a hospital.

Bernal was later pronounced dead and the juvenile was reported in stable condition, Peak said.

Investigators are still looking into the details regarding this tragic incident, Peak said. The reason for the fight and the involvement of both victims in the fight is still being determined. The shooting suspect fled the scene and is described as a dark-skinned male with a bright-colored

shirt.

The Chula Vista Police Department was trying to locate witnesses and potential suspects.

Anyone with information about the shooting was asked to contact San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
North Dakota Bans Critical Race Theory in Public Schools, Requires Factual, Objective Curriculum

North Dakota has become the latest state to ban critical race theory (CRT) from being taught in its public schools.

On Nov. 12, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a Republican, signed House Bill 1508 into law a day after the one-page measure was overwhelmingly approved by both chambers of the Republican-majority state legislature. Proponents of the ban said the legislative effort was based on the demands of concerned parents.

Our parents are seeing these types of ideas, these types of concepts in critical race theory being brought home by their children, said Republican state Rep. Jim Kasper, one of the legislations sponsors, according to The Bismarck Tribune.

Unlike anti-CRT laws enacted in some other states, such as the Texas law targeting individual concepts derived from CRT, the new North Dakota law specifically mentions the ideologywhich is rooted in Marxismby its name and prohibits its incorporation into the K12 curriculum.

Under the new law, school districts in North Dakota must ensure factual, objective instruction for students and may not include instruction relating to critical race theory in any portion of the curriculum that they require or offer. The law defines CRT as the theory that racism is not merely the product of learned individual bias or prejudice, but that racism is systemically embedded in American society and the American legal system to facilitate racial inequality.

In a statement to Fox News, Burgum said the law addresses parental concerns, while also maintaining school board autonomy.

This bill addresses the concerns of parents while preserving the decision-making authority of local school boards to approve curriculum that is factual, objective, and aligned with state content standards, he said.

The approval of the measure drew criticism from the North Dakota chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, which claimed that the CRT ban would prevent students from having an open and honest dialogue about Americas history.

This bill treats honest and frank discussions of race and its place in American history as a threat and attempts to censor classroom conversations, the organization said in a statement. This is particularly egregious in consideration of the North Dakota governments turbulent history with Indigenous people who have been here since before colonization.

The legislation comes amid outrage over CRT in K12 education, a prominent issue in some of the nations recent high-profile elections. In Virginias gubernatorial race, Glenn Youngkin, a Republican running on an anti-CRT platform, defeated former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who insisted that CRT isnt being taught in Virginias K12 classrooms and stated that parents shouldnt tell schools what to teach their children.
The NSW government plans to roll back a special amendment made for frontline workers early in the pandemic that assumed those who tested positive for COVID-19 would have caught it from work.

Workers will still be entitled to compensation if they can show that they contracted COVID-19 in their workplace, the premier said, adding the update was both fair to employees and ensuring businesses arent hit with an unexpected spike in their insurance bills.

The special COVID-19 amendment was added to the Workers Compensation Act in May 2020, soon after the start of the pandemic. It had made it easy for workers risking their health and safety in retail, healthcare, hospitality, and other frontline industries to file a workers compensation claim if they presumably caught COVID-19 in the course of their employment. In effect, the amendment placed the cost of catching COVID-19, which originated from Wuhan, China, on the shoulders of Australian businesses.

When the NSW Government originally made the amendments, we had little information about how COVID-19 was spread and whether it was more likely to be contracted in workplaces, and we certainly didnt have a vaccine rollout, Premier Dominic Perrottet said.

Now that the economy is steadily reopening, we want businesses investing in new staff and higher wages, not inflated insurance bills.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks at the New York State Capitol in Albany, New York, on Aug. 24, 2021. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

NY Governors Hospital Worker Vaccine Mandate Said to Be an Unconstitutional Religious Crusade

Gov. Kathy Hochul previously said unvaccinated people are ignoring "what God wants

A lawyer for 17 doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who object on religious grounds to New Yorks tough vaccine mandate for health care workers filed an emergency application with the U.S. Supreme Court late on Nov. 12, claiming the states governor is waging a veritable religious crusade to force medical professionals to be vaccinated.

The application is pending before a Supreme Court that has been reluctant to block mandates requiring people to accept vaccinations aimed at the CCP virus, which causes the disease COVID-19, but has been willing to curtail pandemic-related restrictions when religious freedoms have been threatened.

In New York, for example, a year ago, on a 54 vote, the high court blocked then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo from enforcing restrictions on attendance at houses of worship, as The Epoch Times previously reported.

All 17 applicants16 Catholics and 1 Baptisthave sincere religious objections to the vaccines because they come from abortion-derived [human] fetal cell lines in testing, development, or production, according to the application. Neither the Respondents nor the courts have questioned Applicants sincerity or religiosity.

The application in the case, known as Dr. A v. Hochul, court file 21A145, was filed against respondent Kathy Hochul, New Yorks Democratic governor, who is being sued in her official capacity alongside two other state officials. The application was directed to Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who ordered Hochul to file a response by Nov. 16 at 4 p.m.

Hochul previously injected religion into the public debate over COVID-19, denouncing the unvaccinated and accusing them of defying the will of God.

Theres people out there who arent listening to God, what God wants, you know this, you know who they are, the governor told an audience Sept. 26 at New York Citys Christian Cultural Center, adding that those who have been vaccinated are the smart ones.

I need you to be my apostles, Hochul said.

I need you to go out and talk about it and say, we all owe this to each other. We love each other. Jesus taught us to love one another. And how do you show that love, but to care about each other enough to say, please get vaccinated because I love you. I want you to live. I want our kids to be safe when theyre in schools, I want you to be safe.

Previously, a federal district court rightly held that New Yorks extraordinarily punitive COVID vaccine mandate, which offers medical exemptions but not religious exemptions, is not a neutral law, but a religious gerrymander that targets religious opposition to the available vaccines, said Thomas Brejcha, counsel of record and president of the Thomas More Society, a public interest law firm, in a statement.

The Thomas More Society is working on the case with attorneys from another public interest law firm, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

Thomas More Society Special Counsel Christopher A. Ferrara, lead counsel in the district court proceeding, said in a statement: Two doctors working in the same hospital, with the same patients, are treated differently based on nothing but the religious motivation of the one seeking a religious exemption versus the one seeking a medical exemption.

The unprecedented First Amendment violation could not be more apparent.

Also unprecedented are outrageous statements by Hochul, who is conducting a veritable religious crusade to force medical professionals to be vaccinated. She had the audacity to declare that those who decline to be vaccinated arent listening to God and what God wants and that everybody from the Pope on down is encouraging people to get vaccinated.

In other words, doctors and nurses will be fired if they dissent from Hochuls religious view on vaccination, Ferrara said.

According to the application, New Yorks discriminatory mandate makes it a national outlier.

While 47 states and the federal government respect religious objectors, New York punishes them.  It now allows medically exempt unvaccinated employees to continue normal job responsibilities so long as they wear personal protective equipment  but it refuses to allow unvaccinated religious objectors to work on-site at all.

Worse, New York also bars religious objectors who lose their jobs over the mandate from receiving unemployment compensation, the document stated.

Last month, the health care workers won a stay against the mandate from the district court, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit overturned the lower court order, leading to the Nov. 12 appeal to the Supreme Court.

The Epoch Times reached out for comment to New York Solicitor General Barbara Underwood over the weekend but didnt receive a reply by press time.
A member of the U.S. Air Force receives the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, on Dec. 29, 2020. (U.S. Air Force/Jordan Garner)

Pentagon Responds to Oklahoma National Guards Rejections of Vaccine Mandate

The Department of Defense (DOD) has indicated that it will respond to Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt after his states National Guard suggested that it would reject a Pentagon COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all service members.

We are aware of the memo issued by the Oklahoma Adjutant General regarding COVID vaccination for Guardsmen and the governors letter requesting exemption. We will respond to the governor appropriately, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement to media outlets on Nov. 13.

Without elaborating on how the DOD would respond, Kirby said Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin believes that a vaccinated force is a more ready force and that its why he has ordered mandatory vaccines for the total force, and that includes our National Guard, who contribute significantly to national missions at home and abroad.

Kirbys remarks came after the newly appointed Oklahoma National Guard commander, Army Brig. Gen. Thomas Mancino, issued a Nov. 11 memorandum indicating that he would decline to implement the Pentagons vaccine mandate.

The first military vaccine mandate deadline was Nov. 2, although each branch has set different deadlines by which members should get the vaccine for the CCP virus. The Pentagon set a June 30, 2022, deadline for all Army reservists and the National Guard to get the shot, according to a September statement from the federal Military Health System.

I hereby order that no Oklahoma Guardsmen be required to take the COVID-19 Vaccine, notwithstanding any other Federal requirement, Mancino wrote in his memo. Oklahoma Command will continue to process Federal vaccine waivers in accordance with DoD policy.

Additionally, no negative administrative or legal action will be taken against Guardsmen who refuse the COVID-19 Vaccine.

Stitt, a Republican, previously asked Austin and other Pentagon leaders for waivers regarding the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, and hes still waiting for a decision, according to Mancinos memo.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on Sept. 3, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

The memo was issued just a day after Mancino was appointed commander of the Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard, replacing Maj. Gen. Michael Thompson, who had been a proponent of COVID-19 vaccines and said Guard members would face consequences.

The governor had been exploring making a change for a number of months, and [Gen.] Thompson had submitted his resignation, Stitt spokesperson Carly Atchison said in a statement to The Epoch Times. Once the governor selected [Gen.] Mancino as his replacement, the governor decided to move up the timeline.

The Pentagon didnt respond to a request for comment by press time.

Meanwhile, the DODs vaccine mandate for service members has faced numerous challenges in court, including one filed earlier this month by a group of Navy SEALs who are arguing that the Biden administration has denied them religious exemptions to the vaccine mandate.

Their complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Texas, argues that the plaintiffs sought a religious exemption to the Pentagons vaccine mandate, but were denied the fundamental right to the free exercise of religion and protection from agency action, which they said is unlawful, contrary to law, and arbitrary and capricious.
Scott Gottlieb testifies during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on April 5, 2017 at on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

Pfizer Board Member: CDC Has Confusing COVID-19 Booster Messaging

Pfizer board member and former Food and Drug Administration head Scott Gottlieb said federal health officials messaging on COVID-19 booster doses is generally unclear.

The confusing messaging from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding COVID-19 booster shots may end up being one of the biggest missed opportunities in this pandemic, Gottlieb told CBS on Sunday.

We now see very clear evidence of declining vaccine effectiveness over time. Theres different reasons why that may be the case, but the trend is unmistakable. And this has been apparent since the end of the summer, now its very clear, Gottlieb added, arguing that Americans who are eligible should get a booster.

Gottlieb, like other current and former health officials, has not publicly elaborated on a timeline for vaccine booster doses. Some countries like Israel have required booster shots six months after the second vaccine dose in order for a person to be classified fully vaccinated and keeping their vaccine passports from expiring.

A CDCs advisory panel in September announced it would recommend a third dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 65 and older, nursing homes, and individuals between the ages of 18 and 64 who have underlying health problems.

However, CDC Director Rochelle Walenskywho admitted to the Wall Street Journal that she is really struggling with her COVID-19 vaccine communication to the publicwent against the panels recommendation one day later and authorized booster doses for people who have potentially high-exposure risk occupations. The CDC panel voted that recommendation down.

This may be a very big missed opportunity to try to get ahead of this Delta wave, Gottlieb said Sunday. If you go out and start vaccinating someone right now for the first time, it might take five or six weeks for them to get full immunity in many parts of the country. This delta wave will be over in five or six weeks, so we need to do what we can right now, he added.

On Sunday, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis similarly expressed frustration by the CDCs and FDAs messaging about boosters.

Ive been very frustrated with the convoluted messaging out of the CDC and the FDA, he told CBS. On Thursday he signed an executive order allowing boosters for all adults in the state.

Last week, the CDC confirmed that it has no record of people who are naturally immune transmitting the virus that causes COVID-19, triggering concerns from public health experts about a possible lack of transparency and how little data is being released by the agency.

The agency was asked during the fall by a lawyer on behalf of the Informed Consent Action Network for documents reflecting any documented case of an individual who: (1) never received a COVID-19 vaccine; (2) was infected with COVID-19 once, recovered, and then later became infected again; and (3) transmitted SARS-CoV-2 to another person when reinfected.
Polish soldiers and police watch migrants at the Poland-Belarus border near Kuznica, Poland, in this photograph released by the Territorial Defence Forces on Nov. 12, 2021. (Irek Dorozanski/DWOT/Handout via Reuters)

Polish Police Say Group of 50 Migrants Broke Through Belarus Border

WARSAWA group of about 50 migrants broke through defenses on the border with Belarus and entered Poland near the village of Starzyna, police said on Sunday, as the situation on the frontier becomes increasingly tense.

Thousands of migrants have traveled to Belarus in the hope of crossing into the European Union (EU), only to find themselves trapped on the border in freezing conditions.

The EU accuses Minsk of orchestrating the crisis to put pressure on the bloc over sanctions it has imposed, but Belarus has repeatedly denied this. Some countries in the region have warned the stand-off could escalate into a military conflict.

Yesterday, before 5 p.m., around 50 people broke into Poland near Starzyna, Podlaska police said on Twitter.

All of the people were caught by Polish uniformed services and brought back to the border, Border Guard spokeswoman Katarzyna Zdanowicz told Polish state news agency PAP.

In total, the Polish Border Guard said there were 223 attempts to illegally cross the border on Saturday. It said it expected another big attempt at crossing the border.

The police also said the helmet of an officer serving at the border was damaged after a stone was thrown at him.

The spokesman for Polands security services Stanislaw Zaryn wrote on Twitter on Sunday about reports of trucks carrying stones and rubble from Belarusian construction companies to areas near the border.

By Alan Charlish and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk
James O'Keefe, founder Project Veritas, at the Values Voter Summit in Washington on Oct. 12, 2019. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Prosecution of Project Veritas Sounds Warning About 2-Tier Justice, Big State Corruption

Commentary

Whatever else can be said about the FBIs vendetta against James OKeefe and Project Veritas, his investigative journalism enterprise, its a useful reminder of two things: 1) that we increasingly live in a two-tier society in which the lower tier can expect the arbitrary intrusion of all the coercive elements of the state, and 2) that the fundamental legitimacy of many important American institutions is draining away rapidly like a full bathtub that is suddenly unplugged.

Scott Johnson at the PowerLine blog has an excellent summary of the case thus far.

On Nov. 11, the FBI conducted a raid against two former employees of Project Veritas. A few days later, they conducted a dawn raid against OKeefe himself. It was the full monty.

According to Harmeet Dhillon , a lawyer for PV, the G-men showed up with a battering ram, cuffed OKeefe, and tossed him out in the hallway in his underwear as they proceeded to ransack his home.

They made off with lots of booty, including two mobile phones chock full of privileged attorney-client communications, and information about donors and ongoing Project Veritas investigations.

Yes, but what were the feds looking for?

Why the fancy-dress SWAT-team routine?

They were apparently looking for a diary kept by Ashley Biden, daughter of Joe Biden, president of the United States. The diary, you see, may be realor not. If real, it may have been stolen. It may have been left behind in a room once occupied by Ashley Biden.

Project Veritas, in any event, denies having stolen it.

From bits that were leaked back before the 2020 election, we can say that the document is certainly full of items that, if true, are embarrassing to Joe Biden.

But think about this.

What if your uncle, who enjoyed a Tabasco youth, decided to write his memoirs, naming names and describing situations. He left his diary behind at a hotel, and its vanished. What do you do?

If you are P.G. Wodehouse, you have Bertie Wooster find and destroy the thing.

If you are Biden, you call your geheime Staatspolizei, formerly known as the FBI, and put them on the case.

Merrick Garland, attorney general of the United States (it sounds funny doesnt it?), must have peeled off a number of agents he had just assigned to badger parents who attend school board meetings and set them looking for the diary.

But what if it were your Uncle Fred who was scribbling his embarrassing memoirs? Could you call your Uncle Joe and have him put the FBI on the case?

Of course you cant. Who do you think you are?

Remember Hunter Bidens laptop?

That was as good as a diary.

Better even. The salacious things it contained werent mere assertions, musings, or fantasies inscribed with pen on paper. There were photos and videos and emails and other documentshard evidence, in other words.

But the entire regime media complex closed ranks over Hunters laptop.

The New York Post broke the story.

The New York Post was quickly kicked off Twitter.

Regime spokesmen denounced it as Russian disinformation.

(I wonder if there are some Russians who are receiving royalties for all the drama they have, by proxy, provided over the past four or five years. I feel sure someone should be compensated.)

Hunters laptop became unmentionable, like potatoes during the Irish potato famine.

The spectacle of the FBI breaking down the doors of journalists was too much even for U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres. After the assault on OKeefes property, Torres ordered that the agents pause in their efforts to extract data from OKeefes phones.

The feds apparently took this as their signal to start leaking material about OKeefe and Project Veritas to The New York Times.

As of this writing, our former paper of record has published not one, not two, not three, but four separate stories about the investigation into OKeefe and Project Veritas.

As Scott Johnson delicately suggests, the NY Times pieces are full of their signature snottiness, questioning whether Project Veritas is really even a legitimate news organization.

Andy McCarthy, in a column on Nov. 12, offers some salutary advice for Torres. She should start, McCarthy writes, by ordering the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York to provide the court with affidavits detailing communications between prosecutors and the media.

She should also ask Garland to refer the matter to the Justice Department.

What do you suppose the chances of that are?

Id say approximately zero.

In his conclusion, McCarthy touches upon what I think is the critical issue.

You dont need to love Project Veritas, he writes, to be offended by the blatant government leaking of confidential investigative information and by the Times hypocritical coverage.

Indeed. As it happens, I do rather love Project Veritas, as much for its insouciance as for its whats-good-for-the-goose-is-good-for-the-gander deployment of Alinskyite tactics against the left.

Why should the left have a monopoly on ferreting out hypocrisy and corruption?

I am not sure I would agree with McCarthys subsequent description of the NY Times as the crown jewel of American journalism.

I think the paper is utterly bankrupt and completely untrustworthy. I have vowed never to speak to a reporter from the NY Times. I canceled my subscription years ago and cant remember the last time I held a copy in my hands.

But McCarthy is right that the paper endeavored to brand Project Veritas as a lower caste enterprise, not entitled to the presumptions of privacy and legitimacy that the Times demands for its own information-collection practices.

You can say that again.

Were back again at that two-tier structure I began with.

McCarthy is correct in his implication that the NY Times actions cast doubt on its own journalistic integrity.

But I think the episode uncovers, yet again, a sickness that is far deeper.

The moral bankruptcy of the NY Times is merely a reflection of a much larger bankruptcy: that of the institutions and the social compact that once underwrote our society.

In my view, that bankruptcy includes, but isnt limited to, the FBI and the Department of Justice, under whose aegis it operates. Both have become thoroughly politicized shills for the permanent regime apparat that now governs us.

More and more people are waking up to this dispensation.

Garland, while testifying recently before Congress about his memo siccing the FBI on recalcitrant parents who dared to question their local school boards, noted that the DOJ employs some 115,000 people.

That is indeed a lot of peoplemany too many, Id say.

But even with 115,000 people at his disposal, the ghoulish Garland will find that there arent enough SWAT teams, handcuffs, or battering rams to save his secret police from the fury of an awakened populace.

Project Veritas is part of the general reveille, and thank God for that.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy speaks during a press briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington on July 15, 2021. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Surgeon General: Court Ruling Against Vaccine Mandate Would Be a Setback for Public Health

After the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals over the weekend said it would continue to temporarily block a Biden administration mandate requiring all private businesses with 100 or more workers to require COVID-19 vaccines or weekly testing, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said he believes such a rule would be a setback.

I think it would be a setback for public health, Murthy told Fox News on Sunday. What we know very clearly is that when people get vaccinatedand the more people who get vaccinated the quicker were able to bring this pandemic to an endthe more lives that we can ultimately save.

A number of studies have shown that fully vaccinated individuals can spread COVID-19 to other fully vaccinated individuals. Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)s data shows the United States has reported about 47 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and 759,000 deaths since the pandemic started 20 months ago.

This month, meanwhile, the CDC released a document saying that it has no record of people who are naturally immune transmitting the virus that causes COVID-19, prompting concerns from independent health experts that the federal health agency has, so far, released little data on the virus.

In any community sometimes our decisions do affect other people  When it comes to getting vaccinated, we know the people who are unvaccinated are at high risk of getting sick and spreading it to others, Murthy said.

Federal health officials such as Murthy have said they believe COVID-19 vaccines can prevent serious disease, hospitalizations, death. Earlier this month, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) unveiled its rule for private businesses, sparking numerous lawsuits from dozens of states, individuals, businesses, and organizations.

When the rule was announced, President Joe Biden argued that while he didnt want to impose such a mandate, its the best wayaccording to himto lift the country out of the pandemic.

Biden also issued rules for federal workers, federal contractors, Department of Defense staff, and healthcare workers at facilities that receive Medicare or Medicaid funding. Unlike the rule for private businesses, those mandates do not allow employees to opt-out via weekly testing; they instead have to seek a religious or medical exemption.

In a ruling handed down on Nov. 12, the Fifth Court of Appeals rejected a challenge by the Biden administration to continue blocking the vaccine mandate for private workers.

The mandate is staggeringly overbroad, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans said in a scathing opinion, ordering OSHA to take no steps to implement or enforce the Mandate until further court order.

The OSHA rule vaccine mandate raises serious constitutional concerns and likely exceeds the federal governments authority, according to the ruling.
Tap water is seen in this photo illustration in Washington on Aug. 19, 2019. (Alastair Pike/AFP via Getty Images)

Tap Water Database Lists Toxins by Zip Code

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has updated its database on tap water in the United States, revealing where testing has detected potentially deadly pollutants in the nations water systems.

First published in 2005, the database was most recently updated in 2018.

Were collecting testing data from almost 50,000 water utilities nationwide, said Sydney Evans, a science analyst with EWG, in an interview with The Epoch Times.

In just one stateIllinoisEWGs database shows that many water utilities exceeded the legal limits of arsenic, radium, and total trihalomethanes (TTHMS), among other chemicals.

In its entry for the City of Chicagos water system, EWGs database reveals the presence of chemicals ranging from chloroform and hexavalent chromium to nitrate and radium.

While these chemicals were below the legal limit or, in some cases, not subject to any legal limit, EWGs health guidelines for individual chemicals are far more stringent than current U.S. legal standards.

Although the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPAs) legal limit for nitrates is 10 parts per million (ppm), EWGs health guideline limits nitrates to 0.14 parts per million.

Many of those tougher standards are based on California public health goals, while others are based on the EWGs own research or the EPAs calculation of the pollutant level associated with a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk.

According to Evans, even legal concentrations of contaminants may have additive or synergistic effects in combination with other pollutants, underscoring the need to reduce the legal limits of many chemicals.

A 2019 EWG study on the disinfection byproducts in drinking water estimated that the combined effects of those contaminants in community water systems could cause an additional 100,000 cancer deaths in the United States each year.

One of the biggest things is we want people to recognize is not only are they being exposed to a contaminant, but usually multiple contaminants, said Evans, who was an author on the above-mentioned study.

I would say there is sufficient evidence to say there are some sort of mixture effects. The part thats up for debate is how extreme the effect is and in what mixtures, she later added.

In a news release on the updated database, EWG President Ken Cook claimed that the federal office meant to protect our water is in an advanced stage of regulatory capture.

The Environmental Protection Agencys Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water has demonstrated for decades that it is utterly incapable of standing up to pressure from water utilities and polluters to protect human health from the dozens of toxic contaminants in Americas drinking water, he added.

When you look at the actual regulations, a lot of these were set decades ago, and have not been updated, Evans said.

Evans couldnt say which tap water contaminant should be of greatest concern to Americans.

I dont even know that its really possible to answer that question, because it varies so much, she said. There are so many factors. Which contaminants are in your drinking water? What levels are they at? How potent are those contaminants? What kind of source water are you on? How many contaminants are in your water? The list goes on and on.

Addressing even one high-profile contaminantlead in waterunderscores just how complex these issues can be.

Lead exposure has been clearly linked to lower IQs among children, propelling concern about exposure to it through lead pipes installed before Congress banned them in 1986.

Incidents such as lead contamination in Flints water system dominated headlines for months, and the new infrastructure bill, due for President Bidens signature on Monday, allocates $15 billion to the removal of lead service lines.

Yet Robert VerBruggen of the Manhattan Institute has pointed out that lead exposure through paint chips or soil polluted by leaded gasoline is an under-emphasized factor in lead exposure. He cited 2017 research from EPA scientists that showed the major roles played by those lead sources in exposure among infants and very young children.

The nation does have 6 to 10 million remaining lead service lines, but proper corrosion control measuresalready required, though not always deliveredcan largely stop lead from leaching into the water, argued VerBruggen.

Thats hard. If there were an easy answer, wed have already answered it, Evans said. I think that all kind of depends on the community. Different sources of different contaminants are going to be different in different communities.

You dont want to lose sight of the fact that there is lead in tap water and it is a problem in many communities, Evans later added.

In response to EWGs claims about tap water, including Cooks statements about regulatory capture of the EPA, a spokesperson for U.S. EPA told The Epoch Times that EPAs National Primary Drinking Water Regulations assure that public water systems are monitoring and taking actions to achieve meaningful reductions to human health risks from contaminants in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

EPA follows the science-driven process required [by] law to evaluate unregulated contaminants and to review existing regulations, the spokesperson later added.
The Rady Shell in Jacobs Park is the new home of the San Diego Symphony. (Courtesy of Gary Payne)

The Rady Shell Is San Diegos New Landmark

Its a perfect evening in San Diego, the setting sun casting a golden glow over the citys skyline. Along the waterfront, a passing parade of visitors is admiring the mighty presence of the aircraft carrier Midway and the sleek hull and towering masts of the clipper ship Star of India.

At the same time, a mile or so to the south, a crowd of enthusiastic concertgoers is making its way to San Diegos newest waterfront attraction, the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. Its the new outdoor home of the San Diego Symphony and its charismatic young conductor from Venezuela, Rafael Payare.

Maestro Raphael Payare conducts the San Diego Symphony at the new Rady Shell in Jacobs Park. (Courtesy of the San Diego Symphony)

Skillfully conceived on 3.7 acres of former park land by Tucker Sadler Architects and Soundforms (which designed the performance shell), the visual impact of the venue is meant to reveal itself gradually. The first area you encounter after entering is an open-air food court featuring picnic-perfect items prepared by well-known San Diego eateries. At this point, the full visual impact and magnitude of the shell remain a mystery.

It is only after ascending to the top of the gently rising slope at the rear of the grounds that the great reveal takes place and you have the chance to take in the overall impression of the shell, its peninsula setting, and 360-degree panoramic view of the city skyline, Coronado Island and Mission Bay.

From this grassy area, set aside for blanket seating (at $25), the tiered landscape slopes down gradually toward the shell. And it is only then, as you make your way toward the 4,800-square-foot stage, that the immense scale and graceful elegance of the shell with its luminous stretched white fabric skin become apparent.

These seating areas closest to the stage feature tables for four with a top ticket price of $108, where patrons have the option to order from a cooked-to-order menu prepared by host chef Richard Blais.

The new Rady Shell in San Diegos Jacobs Park sits on the water and provides a spectacular view of the city. (Jim Farber)

But while the view is awe-inspiringas the sun gradually sets, the stars come out, the city lights begin to twinkle and sailboats glide byits the enveloping atmosphere of the music, enhanced by the shells superb sound system, that brings the whole experience together. The night I attended, Payare led a classical program with works by Wagner, Schumann (his piano concerto featuring soloist Alexander Gavrylyuk), Beethovens Symphony No. 7, and Fate Now Conquers by the rising young American composer Carlos Simon.

In Payare, the San Diego Symphony has found a music director who projects a dynamic presence on the podium, distinctly reminiscent of the Los Angeles Philharmonics superstar conductor, Gustavo Dudamel. Its not surprising, since the two men share close cultural and musical roots.

Not only are Payare and Dudamel both from Venezuela, but they are also both graduates of El Sistema, the remarkable, totally free public music education program founded by Jose Antonio Abreu. They have each conducted and toured internationally with the schools celebrated Simon Bolivar Orchestra. And during his student days, Payare was the orchestras principal horn player.

For an orchestra to forge a bond with its audience, having a signature conductor at the helm is a must. With the introduction of Payare, the San Diego Symphony has boldly entered an exciting new era in its performing history.

Not many orchestras would dare to schedule outdoor concerts through December, but that is exactly what the San Diego Symphony is planning to do throughout the holiday season at the Rady Shell. Here is the orchestras yule log: Nov. 1314, principal guest conductor Edo de Waart will conduct a program of The Russian Romantics; Dec. 10, 11, and 12, a Noel Noel concert will combine the forces of the San Diego Symphony, the San Diego Master Chorale, and San Diego Childrens Choir. The series will end with two movie nights: The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert, Dec. 18; and Disneys Frozen in Concert, Dec. 22. Just remember to bundle up.

Payare will return to the podium when the orchestra begins its 2022 winter season. At that time, however, the concerts will be indoors at the San Diego Civic Theatre while Copley Symphony Hall is under renovation.

When You Go

For tickets and information: TheShell.org

Jim Farber is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at Creators.com. Copyright 2021 Creators.com
A 3D printed Google logo is seen in this illustration taken on April 12, 2020. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

US States File Updated Antitrust Complaint Against Alphabets Google

WASHINGTONA group of U.S. states led by Texas have filed an amended complaint against Alphabet Inc.s Google, accusing the tech giant of using coercive tactics and breaking antitrust laws in its efforts to boost its already-dominant advertising business.

The updated allegations are the latest in an onslaught of regulatory scrutiny of Google over its practices. The tech company faces several lawsuits, including one by the Justice Department for monopolistic practices.

Earlier this week, Google lost an appeal against a $2.8 billion European Union antitrust decision.

The amended U.S. lawsuit, filed in a federal court in New York late Friday, accuses Google of using monopolistic and coercive tactics with advertisers in its efforts to dominate and drive out competition in online advertising.

The lawsuit also highlights Googles use of a secret program dubbed Project Bernanke in 2013 that used bidding data to give its own ad-buying an advantage. For example, in a 2015 iteration of the program, Google allegedly dropped the second-highest bids from publishers auctions, accumulated money into a pool, and then spent that money to inflate only the bids belonging to advertisers who used the companys Google Ads. They otherwise would have likely lost the auctions, the states alleged.

Neither Alphabet nor the Texas Attorney Generals office responded immediately to requests for comment on the lawsuit.

By Chris Prentice
Jessica Mendez, a LCPS parent whos also a member of the local activist group Fight for Schools, speaks to Virginia Governor-Elect Glenn Youngkin (R) at Youngkins thank-you rally for Northern Virginia outside of Loudoun County Public Schools administration building in Ashburn, Va., on Nov. 13, 2021. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)

Virginias Youngkin Vows to Be Education Governor

ASHBURN, Va.Less than two weeks after his election victory, Virginia Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin renewed a pledge to remove the controversial critical race theory (CRT) from the states schools.

I am going to be the education governor; this is going to happen, Youngkin said at a thank-you rally held outside Loudoun County Public Schools administration building in Ashburn, Virginia, on Nov. 13.

Five months earlier, the then-candidate stood at the same place to announce that he would ban CRT from Virginia schools on day one if elected. From that point, education would become his main campaign theme.

Youngkin is set to be the states first Republican governor in nine years, while the GOP also took control of Virginias House of Delegates.

Youngkins victory marked a shift away from the states blue-leaning voting trends; Virginia hasnt voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 2004. In recent years, northern Virginia has also been a strong base for Democrats: Fairfax County turned Democratic in the 2004 U.S. presidential election, while Loudoun and Prince Williams Counties followed suit in 2008. Now the same counties have shown early signs of reversal.

Virginia Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin speaks to supporters at a thank-you rally for Northern Virginia outside of the Loudoun County Public Schools administration building in Ashburn, Va., on Nov. 13, 2021. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)

Something special happened in Northern Virginia, Youngkin said. The areas contribution was significant for him in a race won by 64,000 votes.

Versus the last governors race, we got 25,000 more votes in Loudoun County. We got 18,000 more votes in Prince William County. And we got 35,000 more votes in Fairfax County. Its unbelievable.

He credited parents in Loudoun County for igniting the education issue and spreading it throughout the commonwealth.

Parents matter, he said, adding that he would include parents on his transition committee.

Were going to make sure that were focused on our entire historythe good and the bad. This is not about hiding our past. This is about knowing where we have come from, so we will know where we are going. But I will tell you that we will not be teaching critical race theory in our schools! he said, reiterating his campaign promise.

CRT advocates for critiquing social problems through the lens of racial struggle, and argues that racism is inherent in the foundational values of Western societies. It seeks to fundamentally transform social institutions to end racial oppression. Opponents say the ideology has been promoted in schools through training and programs on equity and other topics given to teachers and students.

Loudoun County Public Schools officials, who have repeatedly said that CRT isnt taught in classrooms, say the district uses a standard curriculum designated by the Virginia Department of Education.

Jessica Mendez, a Loudoun County parent at the rally whos also a member of the local advocacy group Fight for Schools, said the Nov. 3 election results gave her an incredible sense of relief and hope.

That day was doubly significant for Mendez and other local parents because they had also finished collecting all the signatures necessary to recall certain members of the Loudoun County School Board. She said that parents who attended Youngkins election watch party cried together.

We just cried tears of joy together because we were done with the signatures. We did it. And now we have a governor who has been listening to us.

Mendez said she brought her two elementary-school-aged daughters with her to witness history, and to see the difference that just one person can make.

During the process of trying to challenge decisions of the Loudoun County School Board, Mendez said she doubted the utility of making public comments at meetings because the board wasnt listening.

I had it all wrong. It wasnt the school board members who needed to hear us, it was everyone at home. It was the parents, grandparents, and neighbors, she told The Epoch Times.

Stan Surrette, who has a doctoral degree in education and is a retired human resources executive living in Ashburn, also attended the rally.

I think all parents whose children are going to Loudoun schools, who know whats been happening, are very much aware and concerned. But its not any kind of radical movement, he told The Epoch Times.

Some of the ideas that have evolved from the CRT and other foreign ideas are trying to bring everybody to a common low level, which means were not competitive with China or other places.

Surette has three grandchildren, including a 6-year-old who is going to enter a public school in Loudoun County soon. He said he was optimistic that with the new governor, CRT would be removed from the regions school system.

The grandfather also became a poll watcher for the first time during the Virginia gubernatorial election.

I just wanted to be satisfied that the election was honest. Very simple, he said.

Youngkin, during his speech at the rally, also vowed to get our cost of living down on day one, including cutting taxes, removing grocery tax, and deferring the gas tax for a year.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen walks next to Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, during their meeting in Taipei, Taiwan, on Nov. 13, 2021. (Taiwan Presidential Office/Handout via Reuters)

We Are Real Friends, Honduran President Says on 4th Visit to Taiwan Before Leaving Office

The president of Honduras said on Nov. 13 that he hopes that his country will continue its friendship with Taiwan even after he leaves office, with his comments coming as the Central American country might switch its diplomatic recognition to Beijing.

We are real friends, Juan Orlando Hernandez told Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on the second day of a three-day surprise visit to Taiwan. Only real friendship can be seen at difficult times.

We hope to deepen such friendship and diplomatic ties either within or after my presidency.

Hernandez, who is completing the second of his two four-year terms, is due to leave office in January.

Hernandez visited Taiwan as president in 2015 and 2016, after a previous visit as the speaker of the Honduran Parliament in 2010, according to the Taipei-based Central News Agency.

Tsai called Hernandezs arrival significant, because it was the first trip made by any of Taiwans Latin American allies since the COVID-19 pandemic. Tsai said she hopes that the two countries will continue to help each other on the international stage.

Even as the meeting celebrated 80 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations, their future ties are now in doubt, as Hernandezs party faces a tough challenge in the Nov. 28 election to retain the presidency.

A leading candidate backed by the main opposition parties in Honduras has vowed to establish an official relationship with the regime in China if elected, which means that the country will no longer recognize Taiwan as an independent country.

The presidential candidate, Xiomara Castro, also said shell legalize abortion in some situations if elected.

Honduras is currently one of just 15 countries that maintain formal diplomatic ties with the self-governed island, which Beijing claims as its territory, to be reunified by force if necessary.

The Chinese regime has been using diplomatic and economic methods to win over the remaining allies. Seven countries changed recognition to Beijing from Taipei between 2016 and 2019. Honduras, among a small number of Latin American countries to maintain diplomatic ties with democratic Taiwan, has been under pressure to switch.

While neighboring nations have received COVID-19 vaccines from Beijing, countries such as Honduras and Guatemala didnt, although Beijing has denied that the so-called vaccine diplomacy is to gain geopolitical clout.

In a regular session of the United Nations in September, Honduras didnt vocally support Taiwans international inclusion, marking the sixth consecutive year that the Central American ally has refrained from doing so.

Taiwan had accused China of seeking to use the Honduran election to create controversy and warned Honduras not to be drawn in by Beijings flashy and false promises.

I expect Taiwan and Honduras will continue to support each other and make progress in future developments, Tsai said on Nov. 13, while expressing her wish for a smooth presidential election.

Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez speaks during a meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, in Taipei, Taiwan, on Nov. 13, 2021. (Taiwan Presidential Office/Handout via Reuters)

There has been widespread speculation about Hernandezs future and whether a Castro government would allow for him to be extradited to the United States, where hes the target of a narcotics investigation. The president has vehemently denied any links to drug cartels.

Three of Hernandezs children are currently studying or working in Taiwan, according to Taiwan presidential office spokesman Xavier Chang.

Chinas Foreign Ministry officials didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on Hernandezs trip to Taiwan.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Gov. Ned Lamonts expected announcement a few days ago that he would seek a second four-year term not only kickstarted the 2022 election campaign in Connecticut, it rekindled the perennial issue of the states tax structure  and possible election-year cuts or rebates.

Awash with federal pandemic-stimulus money, higher than expected sales tax revenue and an emergency surplus in excess of $1.6 billion, Lamont should be in a prime position to offer tax cuts and endear himself to state voters at a time when he also enjoys popularity for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Asked on Wednesday what he might propose next year, Lamont was cryptic. Im thinking about that, he said, smiling at several reporters after an unrelated event in Enfield. Hows that? Then, when he was asked whether it would mirror what he proposed during the 2018 campaign, the governor said Were looking at that right now, with no further explanation.

Lamont campaigned on property tax relief, which has a complex recent history in Connecticut, largely in the rise and fall of a credit on state income taxes for municipal property taxes  which the governor has not increased amid tight budgets.

The last governor to serve only one term was Lowell P. Weicker Jr., whose historic implementation of a personal income tax in 1991 led to his not seeking reelection in 1994.

Max Reiss, Lamonts communications director, acknowledged that the state could be in a position to restore multi-hundred-dollar credits on income taxes for local property-taxpayers. In 2018, Lamont, while ruling out an effort to end the states personal income tax, said he wanted to restore the credit that around was worth about $385 million in tax relief for state residents around the year 2000.

If there is more we can do with the surplus, the governor wants to take a long, hard look at the property tax credit, Reiss said. Relief for squeezed taxpayers is something hes going to pursue.

No agreement

Depending on what, if anything, Lamont actually proposes in February, when his budget for fiscal 2023 is due, he could face opposition from both sides.

Liberals favor measures that help low-income families more than straight tax credits, and many favor increased spending on state programs. Conservatives favor reductions in actual rates for taxes on income, sales and corporate earnings. And everyone agrees on the need for deeper reforms of how Connecticut raises revenue, though not on how to do it.

Fred V. Carstensen, professor of finance and economics and director of the Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis in the School of Business at UConn, warned Friday that unlike a cash rebate, which can immediately go to groceries and other costs of living, a credit hurts low-income households that dont pay state income taxes but bear a heavy burden from property taxes, including renters.

We know that Connecticut taxes, in aggregate, are very regressive, perhaps the most regressive in the nation, said Carstensen, acknowledging that there are few details of Lamonts intentions. Adding a credit on the state income tax benefits only those that pay the income tax: suburban and moderately well off and largely white. This is classic class-based policy. It excludes the very households that bear the heaviest burden: low-income and often households of color.

An across-the-board rebate, he said, would benefit all households, particularly those with lower incomes.

It would also encourage households to file returns through which the state would gain much better insights into household mobility and patterns of employment, Carstensen said. Wisconsin offers rebates just for filing precisely so it can get comprehensive real-time data on these dynamics. As it is, Connecticut flies blind.

State Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, D-New Haven, said he was pleased that Lamont mentioned possibly restoring a meaningful property tax credit. I think we should always move in a progressive way for any tax changes were planning to make, Looney said. A property tax credit can be progressive by targeting the relief to relatively low and moderate incomes.

The General Assemblys bipartisan compromise budget of 2017 narrowed the existing property tax credit to those over 65 with dependents. Its a shadow of its former self, Looney said in a phone interview.

State Rep. Laura Devlin, R-Fairfield, a member of the tax-writing legislative Finance Committee, said Friday that she favors any tax relief, but shes seen this political movie before.

Any opportunity to reduce taxes in a sustainable way is something that certainly I would be in favor of and I would think my colleagues would be as well, Devlin said Friday. But Devlin cautioned that Lamont made the same promise to provide property tax relief during his 2018 campaign for governor, which he hasnt delivered on.

We need to find a way to provide relief that is sustainable and that isnt just an election-year gimmick, Devlin said, stressing that high property taxes are particularly impacting seniors in Connecticut.

Launched by Weicker

The credit dates back to 1994, when it was first scheduled to phase in over five years, from 1997 to 2001. Its initial goal was to counter property taxes on private vehicles. But in 1995 state lawmakers set up a new $100 credit for taxes paid on both residences and vehicles. By 1997, lawmakers agreed to phase out the credit for higher income taxpayers.

Since then, the General Assembly, facing various levels of budget crisis and flexibility, decreased the maximum credit eight times, from $500 to $200, while also lowering the income levels for eligibility, according to legislative researchers. For instance, in 2015, majority Democrats included a reduction of the property tax credit from $300 down to $200.

Today, state law provides a property tax credit of up to $1,250 for couples over 65, or disabled people whose income meets limits.

Devlin recalled a recent conversation when an elderly woman in Trumbull worried about being able to stay in her home.

If we can give people signs of hope that we are making changes to make the state more affordable for the long-term, that sends such a powerful message, she said.

Like Devlin, state Rep. Holly Cheeseman, a top Republican on the Finance Committee, is wary that much of the states revenue surplus is tied to using $1.5 billion in federal relief funds to fill holes in the budget.

I dont think anyone would argue with the need to look at some way we can reduce the burden of property taxes on all our residents, she said. Lets not do it in a way that we have to go back on our word in two years.

Deeper reforms

The notion of deeper tax reforms, not just election-year givebacks, lurks beneath every conversation about state taxes. On property tax credits, Cheeseman said she would consider a proposal to base the benefits on income, with greater gains going to those with lower incomes.

Relieving the burden on those in middle class is more important than someone higher up, she said. I suppose Im a progressive on that front.

Carstensen noted that with Connecticut professionals moving to out-of-state locations from 2010 to 2020, the quality of jobs deteriorated and low-wage, low-skill workers paid less in income taxes. The federal American Rescue Plan funding from Washington as well as capital gains taxes has essentially hidden the revenue loss.

So in reality, Connecticut faces the likelihood of significant deficits within a few years because of the fundamental weakness of its economy and the likely loss of population, Carstensen said. The bottom line is that any clear-headed assessment of Connecticuts fiscal health argues strongly against a tax cut; it will likely result in deficits in a few years being substantially worse than would otherwise be the case.

Thats an argument for fundamental reforms, he said.

Joe DeLong, executive director of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, first praised Lamonts ability over the last 20 months to navigate the pandemics public health crisis. But this issue, property taxes, hes not been good on, DeLong said. Theres no way around that.

DeLong goes into great length describing the ways the state should make it easier and more efficient to work together and to pay for needed services without relying as heavily on property taxes  including collective bargaining reforms.

Still, DeLong is eager for the election campaign discussion about taxes. Too bad we only talk about it in election years, he said.

kdixon@ctpost.com
HOUSTON (AP)  Brianna Rodriguez, who at 16 was among the youngest of the 10 people killed as the crowd surged at the Astroworld music festival in Houston, has been remembered by friends and family for her friendliness and love of dance.

Over 250 people gathered Saturday in Houston for Rodriguez's funeral, the Houston Chronicle reported. Her white casket was surrounded by flowers and balloons in pink and white  her favorite colors.

Every time she walked into a room, she would light up the room, said her friend, Ariah Herrera, 16, as she cried. She cared for everybody. She was a friend to everybody.

Rodriguez was with a group of friends at the festival on Nov. 5 when the crowd surged toward the stage during rapper Travis Scott's performance. Hundreds of people were treated for injuries sustained in the crush of bodies.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston delivered a eulogy and presented Rodriguezs parents with an American flag that flew over Congress and a Congressional resolution that recognized Rodriguez's life.

Earlier this week, Jackson Lee visited Heights High School, where Rodriguez was a junior and a member of the school's dance team.

Everyone said she was kind, Jackson Lee said. Everyone said she made them smile. In fact, I can see her now dancing in the sky.

Her father, Osvaldo Rodriguez, recalled telling her: Respect everyone. Everybody has different likes and wants in life, but if you love everyone, theyll love you back.

Jocelin Camero, 16, said Rodriguez befriended her when she was a new student in middle school.

I walked into dance class not knowing anybody, and she welcomed me, Camero said, choking back tears. She was one of the greatest friends I had.

The funeral for another Houston teen who died at the concert, 14-year-old John Hilgert, is set for Wednesday.

___

For more AP stories on Astroworld: https://apnews.com/hub/astroworld-festival-deaths
VATICAN CITY (AP)  Pope Francis on Sunday urged political and economic leaders to show courage and long-range vision, hours after U.N. led-climate talks in Glasgow, Scotland, ended in compromise on how to combat global warming.

Francis in remarks to the public in St. Peters Square said the cry of the poor, united to the cry of the Earth, resounded in the last days at the United Nations COP26 summit on climate change.
SPRINGFIELD  Plaintiffs in three lawsuits challenging Illinois' new legislative district maps  including one that could impact state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville  have submitted proposed changes to a three-judge federal court panel.

Democrats pushed the redistricting maps through the General Assembly earlier this year. The changes proposed by the litigants would create more Latino- and Black-majority districts in the Metro East and Cook County.

The map challenges will be the subject of a combined hearing tentatively set for the week of Dec. 6, although exact dates have not yet been announced. The filings this week also included written testimony of expert witnesses and arguments as to why the plaintiffs believe the maps are unconstitutional and violate the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The filings were submitted by the East St. Louis branch of the NAACP, Chicago-area Latino voters represented by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), and the two top Republican leaders in the General Assembly, Sen. Dan McConchie, of Hawthorn Woods, and Rep. Jim Durkin, of Western Springs.

All three of the suits name House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch, Senate President Don Harmon and the Illinois State Board of Elections, along with its individual members, as defendants. They seek an order to block the Illinois State Board of Elections from implementing the maps Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law Sept. 24 and to adopt the new maps they have submitted to the court.

The NAACP in East St. Louis argues that Black areas in and around the city that could have made up a Black-majority district were deliberately broken up and spread across separate House districts to protect two white incumbent Democrats.

Its filing focuses on three House districts  the 112th currently held by Stuart; the 113th, a safe Democratic district currently held by Rep. Jay Hoffman, of Swansea; and the 114th, currently held by Rep. LaToya Greenwood.

Their proposal would reconfigure all three districts to make the 114th District a Black-majority district.

The NAACP argues there has been a long history of racial discrimination against Blacks in East St. Louis and surrounding communities since Blacks began moving there in the early 20th century in search of industrial jobs. That culminated in race riots in 1917 which led to the murder of an untold number of Black men and women, their filing states.

Over the past 10 years, they note, the region has seen a seismic loss of population and a shift of its Black population out of East St. Louis and into surrounding suburbs, resulting in increasingly competitive races in some districts.

They say the redistricting was designed solely to protect Stuart and Hoffman. They argue that Democrats in the General Assembly moved a large number of Black voters, who tend strongly to vote Democratic, out of Hoffmans district and into Stuarts. They then replaced those voters by moving a large number of Black voters out of Greenwoods district back into Hoffmans, and moved a large number of mostly white voters from other districts into Greenwoods.

They allege the move ultimately lessened the election prospects of the only Black state representative elected to the legislature from the entire Metro East area or even Southern Illinois, all in order to bolster the prospects of a white incumbent" in District 112.

All three sets of plaintiffs rely heavily on a 1986 U.S. Supreme Court precedent from North Carolina, Thornburg v. Gingles, which set out three factors needed to invalidate legislative district maps on the grounds of racial discrimination.

Under that standard, plaintiffs must show that the minority groups at issue are sufficiently large and geographically compact to constitute a majority in a single-member district; that the minority groups are politically cohesive; and that the majority votes sufficiently as a bloc such that it can usually defeat the minoritys preferred candidate.

Like the NAACP plaintiffs, the GOP suit argues the September maps unfairly break up the Black population in the Metro East region when it is possible to create a compact Black-majority district.

The proposed GOP maps would create four House districts in northern Cook County where Latinos make up a majority of the citizen voting age population, seven Latino-majority districts in southern Cook County and one district in nearby Aurora, District 50, where Latinos make up slightly less than half the voting age population but would still have an opportunity to elect a Latino candidate.

Their plan would also create a Black-majority House district centered in East St. Louis.

The September Map violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 ... by diluting the votes of minority citizens and by preventing such citizens from participating equally in the political process and having an opportunity to elect candidates of their choice, attorneys for the GOP plaintiffs argued. Among other problems with the September Map, the drafters committed a fundamental error by falsely assuming there is no racially polarized voting in Illinois and failing to properly consider race and ethnicity when drawing the districts in the map as required by the VRA.

During legislative debates over redistricting, Republicans declined to offer their own map proposals, arguing they believed redistricting should be done by an independent commission rather than elected officials who have a direct interest in the outcome.

They initially sued in June after lawmakers passed their first redistricting plan using population estimates instead of official U.S. Census numbers, hoping that by invalidating those maps they could trigger a provision in the Illinois Constitution that hands the process to a bipartisan commission if no legislatively-approved map is effective by June 30 in the year following a decennial census.

A three-judge panel ruled the June maps were unconstitutional. The GOP argues the General Assembly was given a second bite at the apple by coming back for a special session in late August and redrawing the maps using official census data.

We submitted a proposal that fixes specific constitutional problems with the current map that had only served to keep entrenched incumbents in power, Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, chair of the Senate Republican caucus said in a statement Thursday. Democrats led by Governor Pritzker had only one thing in mind when drawing their map  protecting politicians at the expense of the people of Illinois.

In their filing, MALDEF argues there is a long history of anti-Latino discriminatory practices in Illinois elections, particularly in Cook County, that have affected their ability to register, vote, or otherwise participate in the democratic process. Those have included such things as gerrymandered districts to dilute Latino voting strength, lengthy residency requirements for voting in some jurisdictions, voter intimidation and harassment at the polls, and overt and subtle racial appeals in political campaigns.

Latinos now make up 11.2 percent of Illinois population, the MALDEF attorneys argue, but the maps enacted in September contain only four out of 118 House districts with majorities of Latino citizen voting age populations, and only two of 58 Senate districts

Their proposal focuses exclusively on southwest Chicago and its adjoining suburbs. It would create a total of 10 Latino-majority House districts, Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 21, 22, 23 and 24  and four Latino-majority Senate districts  Districts 1, 2, 11 and 12.

All three sets of plaintiffs rely heavily on a 1986 U.S. Supreme Court precedent from North Carolina, Thornburg v. Gingles, which set out three factors needed to invalidate legislative district maps on the grounds of racial discrimination.

Under that standard, plaintiffs must show that the minority groups at issue are sufficiently large and geographically compact to constitute a majority in a single-member district; that the minority groups are politically cohesive; and that the majority votes sufficiently as a bloc such that it can usually defeat the minoritys preferred candidate.
Photo: Governor Kathy Hochul at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association headquarters on Mott Street. By Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of the Governor.

Some of the stories that caught our eye in the past week:

Governor Kathy Hochul came to Chinatown to announce a $20 million grant to revitalize three public spaces, including the East Broadway Mall. [Gothamist]

Community groups in Chinatown are opposing draft redistricting maps that would divide the neighborhood in proposed new state senate districts. [AM New York]

The tabloids have discovered that theres drug dealing in Sara D. Roosevelt Park. If theres any news in this article, it appears to be that Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer recently sent a letter to the Parks Department, urging the city administration to pay more attention and devote more resources to the park. [New York Post]

Police arrested a man in New Jersey who they believe shot his pregnant wife in the neck during an argument inside an apartment at the Vladeck Houses. The woman was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Hospital in critical condition. [New York Post]

The death of a toddler in an apartment near Baruch Place has been ruled a homicide after drugs were found in his system. [Channel 11]

The New Yorkers Helen Rosner hung out at P.S. 20 on the Lower East Side as the DOEs massive Covid vaccination program got underway for students. [The New Yorker]

The Instagram-fueled brand Susan Alexandra opens its first retail store, a kitschy outpost on lower Orchard Street. [Refinery29]

The citys interactive map paints a scary picture when it comes to rat sightings on the lower East side! [Time Out]

The Public Hotel keeps trying to gain some traction in the post-pandemic world with yet another nightlife destination, Bar Chrystie, which is meant to be a jazzy cocktail lounge. [Time Out]
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Anutin defends his fourth COVID shot

BANGKOK: Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has said he would need a fourth shot of COVID-19 vaccine because he needs to attend a meeting abroad.

ChineseCoronavirusCOVID-19healthVaccine

By Bangkok Post

Sunday 14 November 2021, 11:11AM

Health minister claims another AstraZeneca shot is necessary for him to enter Switzerland. Photo: Bangkok Post File

The Bhumjaithai Party leader, 55, received two Sinovac shots in February and later an AstraZeneca shot as the booster. But since he needs to attend a World Health Organization meeting in Switzerland later this month, he said he would need another AstraZeneca shot to qualify for entry without quarantine, reports the Bangkok Post.

Anutin told a meeting at the ministry on Thursday (Nov 11) that Thailand could be the first country to start administering fourth shots.

Now that more countries have reopened, we may have to rethink our vaccination strategy. Not every country approves entry [without quarantine] of people who have been vaccinated with the Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines, or the mixed regimens recommended by the [Thai] government, he said.

The ministry earlier recommended a mix-and-match approach of vaccinations based on local research. Under it, Sinovac was picked as the first shot and AstraZeneca as the second. Another formula adopted later was AstraZeneca-Pfizer.

Anutin cited himself as an example of people who might have trouble travelling abroad, saying he would need the fourth shot because he needed to attend the meeting in Switzerland.

I need a pair [of the vaccines] they accept. Since they dont approve Sinovac, I have to get another AstraZeneca [shot], he said.

However, Swiss entry rules show Sinovac is one of the vaccines the country approves.

The ministers comments led to speculation that he might be admitting for the first time the Chinese-made vaccine might be inferior.

Anutin clarified the next day that this was not the case. The fact that he needed another shot was due to different standards adopted by countries.

All vaccines save lives and all vaccinated people dont have critical symptoms or die when they contract the virus, he said.

He added that people who need to go abroad or those who get Sinovac or Sinopharm shots earlier can register to get mRNA vaccines.

Nobody wanted to get too many shots, he said. Too much antibody is not good, except for those who, like me, have to go abroad.
New Govt committee to sustainably address overpriced lottery tickets

BANGKOK: A working committee to sustainably address the problem of overpriced lottery tickets is being established with input from the civil sector, as the government seeks to work with all stakeholders to address the lingering issue, reports state news agency NNT.



By National News Bureau of Thailand

Sunday 14 November 2021, 12:06PM

Photo: NBT World

Seksakol Atthawong, assistant minister at the Prime Ministers Office, invited small lottery sellers in Loei province for a discussion to find solutions to the problem of overpriced lottery tickets, said a report by NNT.

Mr Seksakol said a working committee for the sustainable solving of the government lottery problem will be established with representatives from the Government Lottery Office, the Ministry of Finance, the civil sector, and the Office of the Permanent Secretary to the Prime Ministers Office. The latter is involved in this matter due to its responsibility of addressing the plights of members of the general public, he said.

The assistant minister said once the working committee has reached a conclusion, all relevant information will be sent to the prime minister for final consideration before guidelines for addressing the problem of overpriced lottery tickets are produced.

The Government Lottery Office (GLO) last year conducted a public hearing nationwide to assess public opinion on the online lottery project. The results of the survey were to be presented to the Cabinet for review.

Earlier there were reports that online lottery tickets would end the problem of tickets changing hands, which caused inflated ticket prices, and draw people away from underground lotteries. However, the plan has seen strong resistance from ticket vendors and highly influential distributors, noted the Bangkok Post at the time.
Putin: Russia has nothing to do with Belarus-Poland crisis

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday (Nov 13) denied claims Moscow is helping to orchestrate a crisis that has left hundreds of migrants from the Middle East trapped on the Belarus-Poland border.

immigrationRussianpolitics

By AFP

Sunday 14 November 2021, 11:43AM

Migrants, mainly Kurds from the Middle East, have been stuck for days on the Belarus-Poland border in near-freezing temperatures. Photo: AFP.

Blaming Western policies in the Middle East for the crisis, Putin hit back at claims from Poland and others that Russia is working with Belarus to send migrants to the border of the European Union.

I want everyone to know. We have nothing to do with it, he said in an interview with state television broadcast yesterday.

Putin said European leaders needed to talk to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to resolve the crisis and that as I understand it German Chancellor Angela Merkel was ready to do so.

We should not forget where these crises associated with migrants came from... Western countries themselves, including European countries, he said.

The migrants, mainly Kurds, have been stuck for days in a no-mans land on the border in near-freezing temperatures, setting up a tent camp and burning wood to keep warm.

Belarus says there are about 2,000 people in the camp, including pregnant women and children. Poland says there are between 3,000 to 4,000 migrants on the border, with more arriving every day.

Tents, heaters brought to camp

There is growing concern for their plight as temperatures continue to fall, with Poland refusing to allow them to cross and accusing Belarus of preventing them from leaving the area.

Belarusian authorities said yesterday they were delivering aid including tents and heaters to the migrant camp - a move that could make it a semi-permanent presence on the borders of the EU.

State news agency Belta reported that government bodies were erecting tents at the camp and that a generator had been delivered.

The Belarusian side is doing everything to provide them with what they need. Water, firewood and humanitarian aid have been delivered, Igor Butkevich, the deputy head of the state border committee, told Belta.

Migrants have been trying to cross the border for months, but the crisis came to a head when hundreds made a concerted effort on Monday and were pushed back by Polish border guards.

Sporadic attempts to cross have continued, and Polish police said yesterday that the body of a young Syrian man had been found in a forest close to the border.

Police said the cause of death could not be immediately determined and that a group of around 100 migrants had attempted to cross the border during the night in the area.

The death brings to 11 the number of migrants found dead on both sides since the crisis began in the summer, according to aid groups.

European leaders have accused Lukashenko, who has ruled ex-Soviet Belarus for nearly 30 years, of luring the migrants to his country to send across the border in revenge for sanctions imposed over a bloody crackdown on his opponents.

The EU is expected next week to widen the penalties to include new sanctions for human trafficking.

EU set for new sanctions

European Commission vice president Margaritis Schinas said in an interview in yesterdays edition of French newspaper Le Figaro that the sanctions would be approved and applied.

He said they would apply among others to Belarusian state airline Belavia, which has been accused of ferrying groups of migrants from Turkey and elsewhere to Minsk.

The EU said Friday it was having some success in efforts to stem the flow of migrants to Belarus, after Ankara banned Iraqis, Syrians and Yemenis from flying to the country from Turkey.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogans top foreign policy adviser told AFP yesterday that Turkey was also not to blame.

Travellers are going to Belarus and from there to Lithuania, Poland and other EU countries. Blaming Turkey for that, or Turkish Airlines, is simply so misguided, misplaced, Ibrahim Kalin said.

Tensions remain high at the border, where thousands of troops have been deployed on both sides.

Belarus said Friday it would respond harshly to any attacks and held joint drills with Russian paratroopers near the border.

Russia, Lukashenkos main ally, sent planes including strategic bombers to patrol over Belarus this week.

But Moscows support for Minsk is often cautious, and Putin in the interview said Lukashenko was acting entirely on his own when he threatened this week to cut off Russian gas transit through Belarus to Europe.

Honestly speaking, it was the first I heard about it, Putin said. He never told me, did not even hint. Well, he can probably. But it would not be good.
Speedier testing for arrivals likely

BANGKOK: The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has yet to decide if antigen test kits (ATKs) will replace the RT-PCR test for fully vaccinated international travellers to allow them to travel straight to their destinations.

tourismeconomicsCOVID-19

By Bangkok Post

Sunday 14 November 2021, 04:30PM

Tourist boats have returned to the Chao Phraya River with this vessel ferrying passengers towards the Memorial Bridge. Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul / Bangkok Post

The use of ATKs to screen visitors from 63 countries is being proposed to shorten queues as higher numbers of arrivals are expected ahead of the next phase of reopening next month, reports the Bangkok Post.

Currently, fully vaccinated travellers from the nations being considered are required to have an RT-PCR test upon arrival and stay in a hotel overnight for the results, which generally take six to eight hours to process.

Rapid screening was said to be among issues related to the forthcoming quarantine-free tourism scheme, or Test & Go, brought to the attention of the CCSA meeting chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday (Nov 12).

CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said the issue is being considered by authorities as he went on to report the outcome of the reopening after almost two weeks.

He said the number of in-bound tourists infected with the virus was low, at 0.35%. Of 34,978 visitors, only 41 were infected with the virus. The top three arrivals were from the US with over 4,200, Germany (3,890) and the UK (2,011).

According to the CCSAs Facebook, since the Nov 1 opening, a total of 147,503 people have registered to enter the country, with 63% approved, 14% rejected and 23% still under consideration.

Travel applications have been rejected for a number of reasons including failing to meet hotel booking and health insurance requirements.

During the first week, Thailand Pass which replaced the certificate of entry (COE) system also experienced hiccups resulting in QR codes generated for visitors being unreadable by machines. The document examination process had to be done manually.

During the second phase, beginning on Dec 1, rapid screening has been proposed to replace the RT-PCR test for visitors at their hotels. In the third phase, slated for Jan 1 if all goes well, a shorter quarantine period has been proposed for non-vaccinated travellers.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said while he has no objection to the proposed use of ATKs to replace the RT-PCR test, it needs to wait pending discussions.

He said the government is trying its best to provide convenience to visitors but it must not be at the expense of public safety.

Meanwhile, Gen Prayut ordered the setting up of a tourism panel to address issues faced by international visitors following the introduction of the new Thailand Pass system, according to government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana.

He said the task force would work to streamline the travel and health requirements for both Thai and foreign travellers as the country prepares to add more countries to the quarantine-free list.
World Specialised Expo can change face of Phuket tourism, says PTA

PHUKET: Phuket bidding to host the World Specialized Expo 2028 has the potential to change the face of the islands tourism industry, says Rangsiman Kingkaew, Vice President of Strategic Tourism at the Phuket Tourist Association.

tourismeconomics

By The Phuket News

Sunday 14 November 2021, 03:58PM

Rangsiman Kingkaew, Vice President of Strategic Tourism at the Phuket Tourist Association. Photo: Radio Thailand Phuket

Mr Rangsimans claim came in an explanation to the public yesterday (Nov 13), following Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew announcing last week that he will present to the mobile Cabinet meeting in Krabi on Tuesday (Nov 16) a proposal for Phuket to be focal point of hosting the expo, which will also include other Andaman provinces as secondary hosts.

The move is part of a plan to help broaden Phukets economic base and reduce the islands overdependence on destination tourism, Governor Narong explained in announcing the move on Nov 3.

The World Specialised Expo 2028 is the second largest event after the World Expo, Mr Rangsiman said.

This is an important issue that will change the shape of Phukets tourism sector from just tourism to leisure. It is more business tourism, he added.

Specialised Expos lasted about three months, Mr Rangsiman explained.

In the past, such expos have attracted about 5 million tourists. The highest is about 11 million people. Phuket is expected to host the most tourists from the event, with an average of over a million people each month, he said.

This will change how we work significantly. There will be hundreds of meetings held before the big event. This creates employment and will bring a relatively high economic turnover, ha added.

According to a study by the TCEB (Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau), it is estimated that the income generated will be at least B40 billion baht and create jobs for about 100,000 people.

It will make Phuket a new landmark for meetings, and the advantages of holding a Specialized Expo or an event of this nature include the rapid acceleration the development of utilities and public utilities infrastructure in order to support the meeting, adn which must be completed before 2028, Mr Rangsiman continued.

If it is approved by the Cabinet, we would have to prepare to submit bids to other countries in December 2021, he added.

OTHER CONTENDERS

The countdown to enter a bid to host a World Specialized Expo began in July, when the United States of America notified the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) that it is seeking to organise a Specialised Expo in the State of Minnesota between May 15 and and August 15, 2027.

Any other countries wishing to organise a Specialised Expo in 2027/28 have six months from this date  until 28 January 2022 at 5pm CET  to notify the BIE of their candidature, the intergovernmental organisation in charge of overseeing and regulating World Expos since 1931 said in its announcement.

The Minnesota bid, submitted on July 29, aims to hold a Specialized Expo under the theme, Healthy People, Healthy Planet: Wellness and Well-Being for All.

As Explained by Phuket Governor Narong last week, the Phuket bid, to be submitted to Cabinet on behalf of all the Andaman coast provinces, aims to be held under the theme of Medical and Wellness Tourism.

The Minnesota bid was submitted by letter directly from US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, handed to the Secretary General of the BIE, Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, by Brian Aggeler, Charge dAffaires of the U.S. Embassy in Paris.

As this is the first candidature submitted to the BIE to host a Specialised Expo in 2027 or 2028, a six-month countdown is now enacted during which all other countries wishing to organise a Specialised Expo in 2027 or 2028 may notify the BIE of their candidature, the BIE said in its announcement in July.

At the end of this candidature phase  on 28 January 2022 at 5pm CET  the BIE will close the candidate list. Once the list is closed, the project examination phase of the candidature process will be launched, during which each candidate will submit a detailed candidature dossier.

The BIE will then organise Enquiry Missions and assess the feasibility and viability of each candidature project, it added.

The host country of Specialised Expo 2027/28 will then be elected by the 169 Member States of the BIE gathered in a General Assembly, the BIE explained.

BIE Secretary General Mr Kerkentzes noted, The strength of Specialised Expos lies in their capacity to focus global attention on a particular topic of international relevance, and to seek a global response to a precise issue. I am looking forward to knowing more about the United States proposed theme.

The United States is an active and engaged Member State of the BIE and has been the host country of multiple expos ranging from World Expo 1876 Philadelphia to Specialised Expo 1984 New Orleans. It participates regularly in World and Specialised Expos and has been recognised for the quality of its participation.

Expos  also known in the United States as Worlds Fairs  are global events that explore a chosen theme through engaging and immersive discoveries. Among the different categories of Expos, Specialised Expos are global events designed to respond to a precise challenge facing humanity and may take place in the interval between two World Expos.

Specialised Expos are limited in terms of duration  lasting up to three months  and space  with the site not exceeding 25 hectares. The exhibition site is entirely built by the organiser, participants being provided with pavilion space.

The most recent Specialised Expo, Expo 2017 Astana, took place in the capital of Kazakhstan, Nur-Sultan, under the theme Future Energy, and welcomed almost 4 million visitors.
Southern Pines, NC (28387)

Today

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 56F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Widespread frost likely. Low 28F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
A previously lost track featuring Sir Ringo Starr and the late George Harrison, which was discovered in a loft, is set to be released.

The psychedelic pop song, Radhe Shaam, was penned and produced by legendary radio DJ and journalist Suresh Joshi in 1968.

The former Beatles stars played drums and guitar, respectively, while Aashish Khan provided an Indian instrumental.

Suresh stumbled upon the master tape at his home in Birmingham while sorting out his loft in lockdown.

The broadcaster told BBC Radio Merseyside's Tony Snell this week: "It was lost and found many times.

"We didn't have the chance to release it."

The recording came as the 'Let it Be' hitmakers - which also included Sir Paul McCartney and the late John Lennon - were working on 'Hey Jude' at Trident Studios in London.

He explained that it never got released at the time because the 'Eleanor Rigby' stars' split in 1970 was looming.

Suresh said: Time had gone on, [then] The Beatles were breaking up and had various problems so no-one wanted to [release the song]."

Producer Suraj Shinh lovingly restored the tape and cut the new mix, and Suresh felt it was the ideal time to release the song with a message of unity amid the global pandemic.

He continued: The song itself revolves around the concept that we are all one, and that the world is our oyster.

[That is] something that we have all realised during this pandemic.

Around 100 lucky people got to hear the song for the first time at the Fab Four museum.

Paul Parry, manager of the Liverpool Beatles Museum, commented: It was quite a moment. It took you somewhere else, he explained. It was unmistakeably Georges guitar [and] it was like almost bringing him back to life. It was unmistakeably Ringos drumming too.

Bang Showbiz


Montreal, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Rain and snow this morning becoming partly cloudy this afternoon. Morning high of 7C with temps falling to near 35. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low -5C. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
BANGKOK (AP)  Three pro-democracy activists were injured during a rally in Bangkok on Sunday that criticized a ruling by the countrys Constitutional Court that said the protesters demands for reform of the monarchy were tantamount to attempts to overthrow the system of government.

Hundreds of protesters had planned to march to the capitals Democracy Monument but changed route after police blocked their way, and instead trooped to the German Embassy to submit a petition. A protest representative read out a statement saying the rally was to protect democracy and to raise voices against absolute monarchy.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn is a frequent visitor to Germany, and is believed to have traveled there recently. Thai authorities and media have not commented on his whereabouts.

Police and the citys Erawan emergency service confirmed three injuries among the protesters, two of whom were later discharged from a hospital while one remained.

The cause of the injuries was not clear, deputy police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen said, adding there were explosive sounds heard as the protesters made their way to the embassy. According to local media reports, two of the protesters were shot in front of the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Police Hospital.

The protesters burnt effigies of the Constitutional Court judges to protest the courts ruling on Wednesday that some previous calls for reform of the monarchy were illegal. The decision implied that the authority of the royal palace supersedes other institutions in a country thats nominally a democracy under a constitutional monarchy.

It appeared to broadly deter all calls for reform of the monarchy by highlighting there are legal liabilities beyond a royal anti-defamation law under which more than 150 activists have been charged in the past two years.

The protests were started last year to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who came to power in 2014 by staging a coup as army commander; amendment of the constitution to make it more democratic; and reform of the monarchy to make it more accountable.

The demand for reform of the monarchy is the most radical and controversial because the royal institution has rarely faced public scrutiny and is considered by many to be a sacrosanct pillar of Thai identity. Its reputation is fiercely guarded by the countrys ruling elite, including the courts and the military.

The statement read outside the German Embassy said the protest movement was the fight to insist that this country must be ruled with equality.

Sirachad Treewisawawet, a representative from the Coalition of Salaya for Democracy, said that the protest against the threat of what he termed absolute monarchy will continue until its goals are achieved.

Protesters say Vajiralongkorn, who took the throne after the death in 2016 of his father, has steadily accumulated power and has downplayed the historical significance of the 1932 revolution, which established a constitutional monarchy.
ALTON  The all-day battle raged in Alton Saturday and although the outcome was always in doubt, one thing was certain: The food was interesting.

If you've ever had that lonely grocery store microwave dinner, that's about what they taste like, said Daniel Levy of Missouri. They're not bad, but they're not great.

Bing Field Paintball and Airsoft Park in Alton hosted Flash Point Milsim on Saturday, and a capacity crowd of participants got to take part in a full military simulation experience, right down to dining on Meals, Ready-to-Eat  MREs  that are consumed in the field by members of the United States Armed Forces.

MREs are intended to be a nutritious, but not necessarily delicious, way to get sustenance in a battle zone. On Saturday they were part of making the Flash Point Milsim experience more realistic.

For Levy, it wasn't just about the food; it was also about the physical activity at Flash Point.

It's a lot of exercise," he said. "I used to be really overweight before I started doing this, and I wear real body armor plates and that helps me to lose weight. I am a diabetic and I was planning to join the military before I was diagnosed.

A participant from Missouri who went by the name of "Summit" said the Milsim experience was a fun stress reliever.

"People believe that humans have a natural draw to violence, so I see it as kind of an outlet for that, but in a fun way, Summit said. Nobody really gets hurt.

The MREs, he said, add an unpredictable but authentic element to the experience.

Sometimes they can taste like cardboard, but sometimes they can be really good, Summit said. The beef tacos are really good but the spaghetti is not. They are designed to clog you up.

Milsim participants on Saturday got to search for and engage opposing troops, take part in airsoft firefights, advance and retreat, and generally have a good time while wearing protective goggles to minimize the chance of battlefield injuries.

It's a fun outlet for me and it's enjoyable. It's a friendly community and you can meet people with common interests, said 15-year-old Kolton Morris from Worden. The main reason I participate is I want to be in the Marines when I get older, so I want to get as close to that experience as I can.

Illinois resident Abel Faircloth also enjoyed Saturday's Milsim.

I like experiencing the fun of it, the action, everything about it, Faircloth said. It's nice to interact with other people who have the same hobby as you.
COLLINSVILLE  When one door closes, open a bigger door.

COVID-19 pandemic restrictions at Edwardsville High School caused organizers to move the 28th Annual Craft Fair for the Edwardsville High School Marching Tigers to the Gateway Center in Collinsville over the weekend.

An estimated 5,000 shoppers and nearly 300 vendors took advantage of the much larger space to do socially-distanced holiday shopping while supporting one of the area's most successful high school music programs.

Lisa Cwiklowski of Bridgeton, Missouri was toting a wooden reindeer she had just purchased on Saturday at the craft fair.

It's adorable, and then when I looked at the price I couldn't pass it up, Cwiklowski said. I've bought several presents, it's the perfect place to shop. It's exciting to see all of the different crafters and it's a great way to start the holidays.

Melissa McCarthy of St. Louis had just purchased a small Christmas tree because I love white trees and I love this basket. I love to decorate and have family over, just the change in season is nice, and it is absolutely nice to get out, she added.

A little bit of Christmas stuff was in Dawn Supp's bag.

I'm trying to spruce up the house more. It makes me happy because I can find good deals and nice things to give to people that others have made, said Supp, of Troy. It's very nice to get out and not have to stay home any more. In fact I'm going to go put Christmas stuff up now.

There were plenty of unique items for sale at the craft fair, although no one could argue that Russell Glenn's giant insects crafted from recycled ceiling blades were among the most unusual.

I've always liked making stuff, especially stuff that has been repurposed, said Glenn, of Highland. This is all recycled or used materials. It's great to be here, and it's good to be back out and be able to do this again.

Highland resident Tom Beckman had a great location and great sales today.

I'm always in the holiday spirit when it comes to this time of year, Beckman said. People are really excited to be here to shop and buy gifts for everyone. It makes you appreciate the opportunity to do it, especially after last year.

Funds raised through the craft fair help to pay for the rights to the music played during the bands marching and concert seasons. The revenues also help to purchase and repair instruments, acquire uniforms and performance props, and cover transportation and competition fees.

The Edwardsville Marching Tigers placed fifth out of 42 bands at the state competition this year, the school's best-ever finish. The Edwardsville Band Boosters were able to host the Tiger Ambush Classic marching band competition in September, but all of last year's major fundraising events had to be canceled due to the pandemic.

When Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7 officials determined that the size and expected attendance of the event would not meet current Centers for Disease Control guidelines at the school, organizers had one week to find an alternate location.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  Gunmen in north-central Mexico assaulted a house and killed five family members, including a 14-year-old boy, and wounded an 8-month-old baby. authorities report Sunday.

Prosecutors in the state of Guanajuato said the killings occurred Saturday in the town of Apaseo El Grande, where drug gangs have been fighting turf battles.

Three women, one man and the boy, all presumed to be related, were found dead of gunshot wounds.

The baby was taken to a hospital for treatment of a bullet wound to the arm.

A handwritten sign with a message making reference to a drug gang was found at the home.

In the nearby city of Silao, police said Sunday they found three men and one woman shot to death at another home. Plastic bags apparetly full of meth were found at the house.
Lynne Sladky/AP

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP)  A Chinese businesswoman convicted of trespassing at President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago club and lying to Secret Service agents was deported over the weekend, federal authorities said, more than two years after serving her sentence.

Yujing Zhang was turned over to immigration officials in December 2019 after serving her eight-month sentence. But she was held at the Glades County Detention Center for three times as long as her prison term mainly because of deportation delays during the COVID-19 pandemic, immigration authorities told the Miami Herald.
EDWARDSVILLE  A large number of burglary, auto theft and theft charges were filed Wednesday by the Madison County States Attorneys Office.

Brandon A. Reams, 34, of Bethalto, was charged Nov. 10 with burglary, a Class 1 felony.

The case was presented by the Wood River Police Department.

According to court documents, on Nov. 9 Reames allegedly entered a residence in the first block of West Beach, Wood River, to commit theft.

Bail was set at $100,000.

In an unrelated incident, Julie M. Bridgeman, 43, listed as homeless out of East Alton, and Noah R. Frymire, 38, of East Alton, were both charged with burglary, a Class 3 felony, and unlawful use of credit card, a Class 4 felony.

The cases were presented by the East Alton Police Department.

According to court documents, on Oct. 29 the two allegedly entered a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer in the 100 block of Niagra, East Alton, to commit theft and took an EBT credit card and purchased items valued at less than $300.

Bail was set at $20,000 each.

Between July and September Bridgeman has been charged with burglary and four other crimes on four separate occasions.

Other felony charges filed Nov. 10 include:

 Brooke L. Cazares, 41, of Phoenix, Arizona, was charged with offenses relating to motor vehicles, a Class 2 felony, and retail theft over $300, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force. On Nov. 9 Cazares allegedly was found to be in possession of a stolen 2010 Chevrolet Camero RS; and had taken merchandise valued in excess of $300 from the Collinsville Walmart. Bail was set at $60,000.

 Tara J. Deck, 36, address unknown, was charged with offenses relating to motor vehicles, a Class 2 felony, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On Nov. 9 Deck allegedly was found to be in possession of a 2016 Chevrolet Express Van and less than 15 grams of clonazepam. Bail was set at $50,000.

 Arica D. Blair, 25, with a last known in Alton, was charged with offenses relating to motor vehicles, a Class 2 felony. The case was presented by the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force. On Oct. 27 Blair allegedly was found to be in possession of a stolen 2020 Hyundai Elantra. Bail was set at $50,000.

 Christopher A. Bell, 32, of Collinsville, and Aaron M. Goff, 36, of Caseyville, were both charged with offenses relating to motor vehicles, a Class 2 felony. The cases were presented by the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force. On Oct. 13 the two allegedly were found to be in possession of a 2018 Jayco Jay Feather. Bail was set at $50,000 each.

 Tessa L. Price, 40, of Troy, was charged with theft over $500, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Troy Police Department. On Oct. 12 Price took $3,836.83 from another person. Bail was set at $25,000.

 Carlton E. Farr, 64, of St. Louis, was charged with retail theft over $300, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force. On Nov. 9 Farr allegedly took miscellaneous merchandise valued in excess of $300 from the Collinsville Walmart. Bail was set at $20,000.

 Joshua W. Laster, 43, of East Alton, was charged with aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony. The case was presented by the Wood River Police Department. On Nov. 9 Laster allegedly strangled a household or family member. Bail was set at $50,000.
QUITO, Ecuador (AP)  A prolonged gunbattle between rival gangs inside Ecuadors largest prison killed at least 68 inmates and wounded 25 on Saturday, while authorities said it took most of the day to regain control at the Litoral Penitentiary, which recently saw the countrys worst prison bloodbath.

The killing erupted before dawn at the prison in the coastal city of Guayaquil in what officials said was the latest outbreak of fighting among prison gangs linked to international drug cartels. Videos circulating on social media showed bodies, some burned, lying on the ground inside the prison.

The shooting lasted around eight hours, officials said, and then new clashes were reported in part of the prison in the afternoon.

Presidential spokesman Carlos Jijon finally announced after nightfall that the situation is controlled throughout the penitentiary. He said about 900 police officers had taken control of the situation.

In the initial fighting, inmates tried to dynamite a wall to get into Pavilion 2 to carry out a massacre. They also burned mattresses to try to to drown (their rivals) in smoke, said the governor of Guayas province, Pablo Arosemena.

We are fighting against drug trafficking, Arosemena said. It is very hard.

The bloodshed came less than two months after fighting among gangs killed 119 people at the prison, which houses more than 8,000 inmates.

Police commander Gen. Tanya Varela said early in the day that drones flown over the chaos revealed that inmates in three pavilions were armed with guns and explosives. Authorities have said that weapons and ammunition are smuggled into prisoners through vehicles that deliver supplies and sometimes by drones.

The prison violence comes amid a national state of emergency decreed by President Guillermo Lasso in October that empowers security forces to fight drug trafficking and other crimes.

On Saturday, Lasso tweeted that the first right that we should guarantee should be the right to life and liberty, which isn't possible if security forces can't act to protect. He was referring the Constitutional Court's recent refusal to allow the military into prisons despite the state of emergency. Soldiers are currently outside the Litoral.

Ecuadors penitentiaries are seeing a wave of brutal violence.

The bloody fighting inside Litoral prison that killed 119 inmates in late September was described by authorities as the South American countrys worst ever prison massacre. Officials said at least five of the dead were beheaded. Last February, 79 inmates were killed in simultaneous riots in various prisons. So far this year, more than 300 prisoners have died in clashes in penitentiaries across Ecuador.

Outside the prison, relatives of inmates gathered for news of their loved ones.

Enough of this. When will they stop the killing? This is a prison not a slaughterhouse, they are human beings, said Francisca Chancay, whose brother has been in the prison for eight months.

Some called for Ecuadors military to take control of the prisons.

What is Lasso waiting for? That there are more deaths? said Maritza Vera, whose son is an inmate. Have mercy, where are the human rights. We thought this was going to change, but its worse.

Ecuador has about 40,000 inmates in its penitentiary system, which is far above the capacity of 30,000. Of this total, 15,000 have not been sentenced.

Arosemena said authorities in Ecuador will deal with the prison overcrowding by granting pardons, relocating inmates and transferring some foreign inmates back to their homelands.

There will be more than 1,000 pardons, but this is part of a process," he said.

The Guayas governor also said Ecuador will receive international aid from countries like Colombia, the United States, Israel and Spain to deal with the crisis in its prisons. The aid will be in resources and logistics.

For example, installing a freight scanner in the Guayaquil Penitentiary to avoid the entry of arms costs $4 million, said Arosemena.

Vera said the situation is making the families of inmates desperate.

I feel sad and in anguish because there is too much death, Vera said.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP)  Scottsdale police announced Saturday that they were investigating allegations against a school board president who the school district's superintendent has said allegedly distributed a dossier on some parents, including photos and personal finances.

The Scottsdale Police Department said in a statement it was aware of the allegations against Scottsdale Unified School District President Jann-Michael Greenburg. We are conducting an investigation into the matter and will report our findings once it is complete."

The brief statement also encouraged anyone with information about the case to contact police.

Greenburg, a business executive and attorney, did not immediately respond Saturday to an emailed request by The Associated Press for comment.

Scottsdale Unified is one of the largest suburban school districts in metro Phoenix. It serves most of Scottsdale as well as parts of Phoenix, Paradise Valley and Tempe. Like many school boards nationwide, Scottsdales has clashed with some parents over coronavirus-related policies.

District officials announced Friday that the district will hire an outside forensic investigator to see if any school resources were utilized in the creation of Google Drive folders on certain parents.

In a statement, Superintendent Scott Menzel said the private dossier was allegedly made by the father of Greenburg and shared by the latter."

Menzel stressed that the district was not involved with the dossier, and he said no information from student records were in the folders.

Menzel says board members would only have access to student information if they are overseeing discipline cases.

One parent, Amanda Wray, told AZFamily.com a fellow parent noticed a link to the Google Drive in a computer screenshot attached to an email from Greenburg. She says they found folders on nearly 50 parents. Each had background information like divorce decrees, Social Security numbers and property records.

Hundreds of parents and other community members have signed a petition calling for Greenburg to resign his elected seat on the board, KSAZ-TV reported.
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.

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A digital revolution of BT's home phone network has been roundly criticised by pensioner groups who believe it leaves millions of vulnerable people at risk and isolated if the system goes into temporary meltdown.

They accuse the phone giant of not consulting over its rollout and alarming some customers by sending them emails in the middle of the night saying their landline is to be changed. On Friday, Jan Shortt, general secretary of the National Pensioners Convention, told The Mail on Sunday: 'What on earth was BT thinking when it decided to bring in such a huge change without properly consulting those who rely on traditional home phone lines the most?'

BT's digital changeover sees the traditional handset replaced by a new 'digital' phone (powered by electricity) that relies upon the internet for calls to be made.

Concern: BT's digital changeover sees the traditional handset replaced by a new 'digital' phone (powered by electricity) that relies upon the internet for calls to be made

If there is a power cut, this digital phone line will no longer work  and a potential lifeline for elderly people will be suddenly lost. Those needing to make an emergency '999' call or raise an alarm via a health pendant could be left stranded  and unable to call anyone to ask for life-saving support.

The Mail on Sunday has been inundated with messages from readers fearful about BT's change. Particularly galling has been those emails from the company in the middle of the night warning of the switchover. Flummoxed by the message, many have been left worried that when their old landline is switched, they will no longer be able to call anyone on their phone  family, friends or emergency numbers.

Shortt has had numerous pensioners contact her about the changeover, prompting her to question BT.

She says: 'I asked BT what might happen to the vulnerable living on their own if a power cut left them without access to their phone.

'BT said people should then use a mobile phone instead. It has no idea that many older people do not want a fancy smartphone or cannot afford one  and rely on their landline as a lifeline. It is wrong to discriminate against those  primarily the elderly  who are not wired up to the internet.'

There are an estimated 1.5million homes in the country that don't have internet access. BT's switchover, grandly branded 'Digital Voice', began two years ago and has so far made slow progress with only two million landlines converted.

But with an end-of-2025 deadline for switching 29million home landlines, there are fears that the new system's flaws will be increasingly exposed.

The change also involves replacing old copper phone lines with internet cables. Phone calls are then made over the internet using 'voice over internet protocol' (VoIP) technology, rather than the old system of analogue signals sent down copper wires.

Most users will not notice any change in sound quality, but the new technology requires modern handsets that connect to a router socket  not compatible with many old phones. Potential problems are compounded by the fact that broadband depends on an electrical supply and the new handsets have to be plugged into mains electricity  not exactly helpful in these 'green' and big energy bill times.

Retired IT consultant Frank Coma is one of the early adopters of digital voice, switching a year ago when fibre optic cables were laid to his remote home on the Isle of Skye. Frank, 66, says: 'When it works well, the technology is great and there is no loss of quality when talking to someone on the phone. But there is a massive problem if there is a power cut  and we get several a year that can last for a day or more. Then, the phone line simply dies.

'It's annoying, but fine if you have mobile phone reception. Yet it's a real problem if, like us, you don't.'

Frank, who is editor of the local Waternish Hall newsletter, decided he needed battery-powered backup for his router and phone when his home was hit by a power cut. This cost 160, but after a fight BT agreed to provide the equipment for free. Under guidelines laid down by industry regulator Ofcom, BT must ensure customers can contact emergency services in a power cut that lasts more than an hour. But how this can be achieved if you lose access from an internet phone line or do not have a mobile phone  or signal  is not clear.

BT offers a basic, free, 'advanced digital phone' handset. It is worth about 50 and should include an answering machine service as well as a 'call protect' option to screen calls. But if you want additional handsets you must pay the extra cost (you keep your old phone number). Charity Age UK is fearful the changeover could attract criminals claiming to be involved in the switch. Director Caroline Abrahams says: 'About half of those aged over 75 are not online. We are concerned the changes could make many elderly feel more isolated than they do already. Steps must also be taken to ensure the vulnerable do not become victims of any digital voice scams.'

Martyn James, of complaints service Resolver, says a growing number of BT customers have contacted the website worried about the digital switchover.

James says: 'They don't understand what is going on. It is as if BT is wanting to keep the rollout a secret.'

He adds: 'Scant publicity is only going to add to the unfolding shambles  and cause distress to vulnerable people. Landline phone users should not be forced online.'

Homes already on the internet should find the switch relatively straightforward. But the minority who do not already have an internet connection will have to be wired up to accept the new digital phone technology.

This will involve an engineer visiting for free to fix 'digital voice' sockets inside your home.

Even if you do not have fibre optic cables running to your front door and rely on traditional copper wire, these can still be adapted to provide an internet connection for phone calls  with the wires later replaced with fibre optic technology.

BT, for its part, claims customers should not see prices rise due to the change. Those already signed up to an internet service will see the landline charge included as part of the total bill  whether they use BT or a competitor.

Those just paying for a landline and not using the internet will be charged separately and not pay more. The move to digital for all phone calls is being led by the Government  which has charged BT with the task. Other phone providers will also help with the rollout.

On Friday, BT said: 'We have put precautions in place to exclude older or vulnerable customers from the Digital Voice migration while we look into solutions that can help those customers who cannot access or do not want broadband or a mobile phone in their home.'

BT ordered to keep call boxes open to public

Protection: An iconic phone box

BT is not only under fire over the scrapping of traditional landlines  it is also now being ordered to keep its iconic phone boxes open.

The telecoms giant has been told by regulator Ofcom that around 5,000 are to be protected from closure in areas where they are deemed to offer a vital lifeline to those in need. This includes in rural areas that have a poor  or non-existent  mobile phone reception.

Phone boxes that are close to road accident blackspots or where people have committed suicide are also among those to be put on the new protection list. After consultation, the rules will be enforced next year. Selina Chadha, a director at Ofcom, says: 'Public phone boxes can be a lifeline. We also support a rollout of boxes with free wi-fi and charging.'

There are 21,000 phone boxes dotted across the country that are still in use. But their number has plummeted in recent years with more people now relying on mobile phones. Yet five million calls a year are still being made from a public phone box.

At the start of the 1980s there were 77,000 kiosks  the vast majority of which were a classic red cast-iron design. Since then, about 6,500 have been turned into community services, housing defibrillators or books.

BT says: 'We look forward to working constructively with Ofcom to ensure our network of public phones meets the needs of customers.'
Early this year, I raised major concerns over the proposed takeover of mutual insurer Liverpool Victoria (or LV= as it now likes to call itself) by American private equity group Bain Capital.

Three issues troubled me. First, LV's board, led by former Post Office boss Alan Cook, seemed far too keen to cosy up to greedy private equity  and far too quick to dismiss other more suitable buyers such as fellow mutual Royal London.

A merger of likes, I suggested, seemed a far more sensible way forward than getting into bed with a profit-centric private equity company with no experience of running a UK life and pensions business.

Is the writing on the wall?: The screw is being turned on the LV board

Secondly, the board's determination to get the deal done meant Cook et al were quite happy to lower the hurdles over which the mutual must jump in order to get membership approval.

Thirdly, Cook and his chief executive Mark Hartigan appeared reluctant to reveal how they would personally benefit financially if the takeover proceeded.

Ten months on  and with a membership vote on the deal taking place next month  these issues have not been allayed.

Indeed, Cook and his board have gone into tunnel vision mode. With the finish line in sight and the prospect of undisclosed personal financial enrichment on the horizon, they are more determined than ever that the Bain Capital takeover must go ahead  despite the paucity of the offer made to the mutual's 1.2million members (in most cases, a measly 100).

Shamefully, they are threatening to reduce this 100 windfall to 60 if members do not sanction a rule change that would allow the deal to proceed on a turnout vote of less than 50 per cent.

In recent weeks, our sister newspaper, the Daily Mail, has turned the screw on LV's board.

Tory grandees, a host of MPs and most important of all a number of LV customers, have all spoken out against the deal. The board's response has been to say little and hope that it can get the deal over the line.

Although the City regulator has ticked off LV's board for the poor way it has communicated details of the deal to members, it appears powerless to stop the takeover, even though it is in no one's best interests other than Bain Capital's and LV's board members.

What that says about the effectiveness of the Financial Conduct Authority I will leave you to judge, but the words 'toothless' and 'useless' spring to mind.

Cook's record as a fit and proper person to oversee a company is questionable given he was the boss of the Post Office while it was busy, wrongly (and disgracefully) prosecuting postmasters and postmistresses for an IT shambles of the organisation's own making. He also presided over a massive  and damaging  programme of post office closures.

Time is running out for Cook to stop his reputation descending into the gutter. He should pull the plug on the Bain Capital deal and go back to the drawing board.

As we report, Royal London is happy to discuss a deal. It could be a better outcome for LV's members  not just LV's greedy board.

Make your voice heard on LV We are encouraging LV members, customers, or others, who would like to see it retain its mutual status, rather than be bought out by private equity, to write to it. You could use the wording from the letter printed in the Daily Mail newspaper's City pages (pictured here). We have included the words for you to copy and paste into a letter below. Send it to Alan Cook, Chairman of LV=, Liverpool Victoria, County Gates, Bournemouth, BH1 2NF Dear Alan Cook, I, the undersigned, urge you to reconsider your decision to sell LV= to Bain Capital and instead maintain its mutual status.

BT must address elderly concerns over digital switch

I trust BT's executives take time out today to read Toby Walne's worrying report on the company's digitalisaton of its home phone network  and then act to address the concerns raised.

Although digitalisation is welcome technological progress, BT has not thought through how some elderly and vulnerable people could suffer from the move.

In the worst case scenario, a power cut  the new phones unhelpfully rely on electricity to work, unlike traditional handsets  or an internet outage (calls are made via the internet) could leave some unable to make a '999' call if they suddenly needed emergency help.

BT needs to nip this potential problem in the bud by offering to provide all customers with a free battery powered back-up for both their router and phone.
The Great Resignation is sweeping across the developed world, with huge numbers of unfilled jobs just about everywhere, and in the UK we are being swept along by it. Something very big  and very puzzling  is going on.

In the first week of this month there were 221,000 new jobs advertised, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation. That brings the total jobs advertised to nearly 2.7million, the highest ever.

We will get new figures on Tuesday from the Office for National Statistics, which will probably show a new record for unfilled vacancies  though a lower number than the REC's as it calculates in a different way. So it looks as though the country will have managed the end of the furlough scheme without soaring unemployment.

On the move: It seems that many people don't want to do the same jobs as they did before

That will be a relief. But it is also part of the puzzle. Unemployment may not have risen nearly as much as feared, but there are still 1.5million people registered unemployed.

So there is clearly a mismatch. The people looking for jobs don't have the right skills, or perhaps don't live in the right place, to fill them.

That would make sense. There is huge unfilled demand for HGV drivers, care workers (more now given the requirement to be double-jabbed), IT experts and so on.

Many of the jobs lost have been in high street retail. But it is not easy for someone accustomed to working in a shop to train to become an IT expert, or to drive a lorry across Europe.

This upheaval in demand for labour is the most sudden transformation since demobilisation after the Second World War. So there was bound to be a mismatch of skills.

But the revolution is not only on the demand side. It is happening on the supply side too. That is what the Great Resignation is about. It seems that many people don't want to do the same jobs as they did before. This is pretty much universal.

The expression was invented in America but it is evident in Germany, where one-third of companies report staff shortages. They had trouble in Italy getting the grape harvest in. The huge hospitality industry in France is struggling to re-staff as it has opened up. And so on.

It seems that many people don't want to do the same jobs as they did before

What's up? What seems to have happened is twofold. The period during the lockdowns when people were forced to work differently, or perhaps were laid off, has led many to rethink their careers.

Do I really want to go on doing this for another 20 years?

Some older workers have retired early. Some younger people have decided to retrain. Others have decided to work fewer hours and cut their living costs. Work/life balance is something that just about everyone has pondered. For some this has been the opportunity to make the leap.

But it is not just that. The other driver is the cash pile that collectively we have accumulated through the lockdowns.

Here in the UK, the so-called excess savings  the money people have on their bank accounts as a result of being unable to spend over the past 18 months  stands at around 150billion.

Of course that money is unevenly spread, but for many it provides a cushion. Similarly, the house price boom will help downsizers who find they can retire earlier than they expected.

Pull all this together and the result is a huge shift in power between employer and employee.

The result is a huge shift in power between employer and employee

So employers find they have to offer all sorts of incentives to get people on board.

City legal firms are offering upwards of 100,000 a year for newly qualified lawyers. Amazon is offering 3,000 as a signing-on bonus at its Exeter warehouse ahead of the Christmas rush.

The chief executive of Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi, rushed over to London last week to tackle the driver shortage crisis. Pay and conditions, and of course fees, are rising sharply. Other employers are being forced to offer retention bonuses to stop staff leaving.

So where does it all end?

Well, as the world adjusts to the pandemic the labour market will come back to some sort of normality. But there are good reasons to expect the power to stay with employees for some years yet.

One is demography. A shortage of young people will push up their wages. Another is the push-back against offshoring jobs. Do you really want to risk another breakdown in global supply chains?

Still another is the realisation that work is not just about pay. It is about satisfaction and fulfilment. Wise employers will learn to behave better to their staff. And that is no bad thing at all, is it?
Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below.

Mystery: The bank failed to reveal the account during probate

E.W. writes: More than five years after my father passed away, Barclays has informed me that there is still money left in an investment account.

In 2015 and again in 2016, it led me to believe everything had been sorted out.

Now it says that it still holds about 4,000, but it insists on seeing the original grant of probate, which is no longer available.

Tony Hetherington replies: Every silver lining has a cloud. Suddenly finding that your father left 4,000 more than you expected is certainly good news. But then finding a pretty hefty stumbling block stops you getting access to the cash is more than a bit frustrating.

You sent Barclays a copy of the grant of probate, signed by your solicitor to certify that it is genuine. You also sent copies of your father's will, death certificate and other paperwork, including some documents which you have told me the bank lost, so which had to be supplied again.

But the stumbling block remained the bank's insistence that before parting with the money, it wanted the grant of probate.

To obtain this would have meant a legal bill for 400 or more, even though the bank had, of course, been actively involved several years ago, when your father's estate was being wound up and distributed. And the problem would never have arisen if Barclays had revealed the savings account at the proper time.

What went wrong? The bank's letter to you does not say. It simply tells you: 'Barclays undertakes periodic reviews of transactions and customer files. A recent review of documentation relating to the investments has identified there are assets due to be paid from the account following the passing of the late J.W. deceased.'

I asked officials at the bank to explain why they now needed the grant of probate, and they have told me that because they overlooked the savings account at the time, there was only a modest amount of money to hand over to you.

Because of this, they accepted a simple claim form, without seeing the grant of probate. If they had spotted the 4,000-plus, they would have asked for the grant.

A Barclays spokesman said: 'We offer our sincere apologies to Mr W for failing to identify his father's investment account when executing his estate back in 2015. We recognise that he has not received the high level of service he would rightly expect at such a difficult time, and have offered Mr W compensation for the initial error and a gesture of goodwill for the distress and inconvenience caused.'

In practical terms, what this means is that Barclays itself has now applied for and received an electronic version of the grant of probate at its own expense. Your father's account holds 4,092. The bank has added 788 interest and a further 250 by way of apology, and your account has now received a total of 5,130.

I've lost 505 in Amazon vouchers

M.G. writes: As well as my Amazon UK account, I had a US account that I decided to close. I went into Chat on the US website and was told I should deal with this through Amazon UK. I did so, and Amazon UK linked me to the US site.

However, I was never warned that closing the Amazon US account would also close down my UK account.

I have lost 505 in gift vouchers and a 53 refund.

Loss: M.G. was never warned that closing the Amazon US account would also close down the UK account

Tony Hetherington replies: Apart from the financial losses, your Wish List also disappeared, leaving your friends clueless as to what you might like for special occasions. And when UK customer services staff failed to help, you emailed Amazon boss Jeff Bezos himself, but all you received was an acknowledgement and no follow-up assistance.

In fairness to Amazon, its website terms and conditions do warn that closing your account through one Amazon website will close any accounts you have on others. It adds: 'Your available Gift Cards balance will no longer be available for you to spend.'

However, I am surprised the Chat staff who helped you close your account never thought to ask why you would wish to throw away 500. The good news is that I have had a word with Amazon. Your account has been reopened. Your 53 refund has arrived in it. And your Gift Cards worth 505 have been validated again. You have not lost a penny.

NS&I blocked my withdrawal...but won't give me a proper explanation

P.S. writes: I attempted to withdraw funds from my NS&I Direct Saver account, but the transaction failed, returning a message telling me to telephone its call centre.

I did this and was told that 'additional security' had been placed on my account, and that staff would call me  but, of course, this did not happen.

I emailed a number of times, but received no meaningful reply, so I wrote to NS&I's chief executive Ian Ackerley, but received no response.

Tony Hetherington replies: The replies you got from NS&I were hardly helpful. All you wanted was to make a withdrawal of your own money, so it was beyond annoying to be told: 'We're very busy at the moment, so we are only replying to emails that are a complaint, a request to cancel an account within the cooling-off period, a Freedom of Information request, or about your rights under the Data Protection Act.'

And when you did make a formal complaint, NS&I's customer service team told you it only acted as a go-between, passing messages to the customer care team  as if NS&I's internal organisation should be of any significance to you, when all you wanted was to make a withdrawal from your account, and an explanation of why it was blocked in the first place.

I have that explanation. When you applied for a withdrawal online, you were caught by a random security check. The check should have been completed quickly and your account restored, but this was not done and officials then got bogged down in the complaints process without anyone sorting it out until you waited patiently for three months before contacting me.

As you know, your account has been unfrozen and your withdrawal has gone ahead. NS&I has offered its apologies and 100 as an 'inconvenience payment', but you have decided to press on with a complaint through the Financial Ombudsman Service.

If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TS or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned.
Savers are going wild for green and ethical investments  there's no doubt about it. Two in every three pounds invested in September went into funds considered 'green' or 'responsible'  a total of 1.6 billion in one month alone.

Some are choosing to invest in funds that stay well away from fossil fuels. Others are putting their savings and pension money in funds that won't touch armaments, tobacco or alcohol companies.

Funds that aim to have a positive impact on the world are also surging in popularity. But while these funds may be saving the planet, they are often costing the investor.

Ethical: Savers are going wild for green and ethical investments  there's no doubt about it

Green and ethical funds tend to be more expensive overall than traditional alternatives. The difference in cost may only be a basis point here or there, but over time it can add up. Unless these funds outperform traditional options, they will leave savers worse off financially. So is it possible to invest in a way that benefits the planet and society  without paying over the odds?

WHY IS IT MORE EXPENSIVE TO MAKE GREEN INVESTMENTS?

Finding the companies that do good  or at least don't do harm  and that will also grow savers' wealth requires expertise. It's not as straightforward as building an unconstrained portfolio that doesn't take these factors into consideration.

Until recently, green and ethical investing have been largely the domain of active fund managers, who hand-pick companies with these mandates.

Fund managers take time to check the ethical credentials of companies in which they invest, measure their impact and sort between companies that dubiously claim they are environmentally friendly and those that really are.

All of this research is invaluable  but inevitably investors pay for it. Ongoing charges for this type of fund can easily reach close to one per cent in some cases.

There are no standard definitions of terms used by companies and the investment industry such as ethical, SRI (socially-responsible investment), green or ESG (environmental, social, governance). As a result, funds with a manager to pick through the confusion and nuance still dominate.

Dzmitry Lipski is head of funds research at wealth platform Interactive Investor. He says: 'As ESG standards are still evolving and investors are puzzled by different ESG definitions, active fund managers take the lead in this game, doing their own detailed in-house analysis and using it as a key selling point.'

WHAT ARE THE CHEAPER OPTIONS, IF ANY?

Rising numbers of asset managers are also offering passive ethical and green funds. Passive funds tend to be much cheaper than active, because they do not rely on fund managers to construct them.

Instead, they invest in an index of companies put together by a ratings agency. The index may, for example, invest in the biggest global companies, but exclude those not considered socially responsible or those that make most of their profits from fossil fuels.

Passive funds tend to screen out companies that are considered to do harm, rather than seek out those that actively do good. Some investors see this option as a light touch version of green and ethical investing.

HOW DO LOW-COST 'ESG' FUNDS WORK?

Vanguard offers a number of low-cost ethical and green funds. The Vanguard SRI European Stock Fund is one example.

Costing just 0.14 per cent, this fund invests in large and mid-sized companies in developed markets in Europe, and promotes environmental and social characteristics by excluding companies based on the impact of their conduct or products on society and the environment.

BlackRock also offers a number of low-cost choices. One example is its Select ESG fund, which is part of its low-cost MyMap range. This costs just 0.17 per cent and keeps charges down by tracking several indices.

It considers a range of themes when selecting its investments, including climate change, pollution and wealth, corporate governance and environmental opportunities.

Interactive Investor has recently added the awkwardly-named UBS MSCI UK IMI SRI ETF into its ACE 40 list of its favourite ESG funds. This fund invests in UK companies of all sizes that have a lower carbon exposure than average and that have high ESG performance. It has an ongoing charge of 0.28 per cent.

WILL MY FUND REALLY MEET MY GREEN VALUES?

Passive funds are more likely than active to include companies that may not fit your ethical or environmental criteria. That's because indices are put together using data supplied by companies, which is often far from perfect.

Index construction also varies considerably  each index provider will have a different methodology for rating and ranking the ethical and green credentials of firms.

Finally, a single passive fund will often invest in hundreds or even thousands of companies, which inevitably come under less scrutiny than the handful of companies held in an active manager's portfolio.

Take the funds listed above, for example. The Vanguard fund, while promoting environmental and social characteristics, has holdings in Shell, BP, Rio Tinto and Diageo.

The BlackRock fund, for all its ESG considerations, invests in Gazprom, China Steel, Chevron and British American Tobacco.

DOES IT PAY TO HOLD SOME 'UNETHICAL' STOCKS?

Some investors may be surprised to find these sorts of companies in their SRI or ESG fund. But it's not uncommon.

Clare Reilly is chief engagement officer at online pension provider PensionBee. She says: 'It's essential that you look under the bonnet to check what you are actually investing in  many indexing approaches will still include tobacco and oil companies.'

However, many asset managers say that holding these companies  which may not align with your values  may be more powerful than simply ditching them.

Fong Yee Chan, Vanguard's head of ESG strategy for Europe, says: 'Holding and engaging with companies is more effective than excluding or reducing the allocation in your portfolio. Through engagement, you can try to influence their strategies. We try to work with companies, but if that does not work we can vote against board or director appointments.'

Nick Hutton, head of UK iShares and Wealth at BlackRock, says that passive index funds have a duty to track the whole index  they cannot just drop individual companies from them. However, he believes that as the world's largest investor, BlackRock is in a ideal position to engage with firms to change their practices.

'If you look at some of the biggest companies that might be a bit surprising, they may actually be putting significant resources into improving their operations and cleaning them up,' he adds.

James McManus is chief investment officer at investing platform Nutmeg, which offers a socially responsible portfolio made of low-cost funds.

He believes that rather than acting as a restraint, the inability of a passive fund to pick and choose companies may even work to its advantage.

'At Nutmeg, we believe the stewardship wielded through passive investing is more powerful, precisely because one cannot sell and walk away,' he says.

CAN I INVEST IN A THEME... LIKE CLEAN ENERGY?

Some investors use exchange traded funds (ETFs) as a low-cost way to gain exposure to particular themes in ethical and green investing. ETFs also follow an index and tend to be cheap, but they are listed as shares and therefore can be easier to trade.

There are a growing number of ETFs that invest in niche areas of ethical and green investing. For example, there are ETFs that invest just in clean energy, battery production or solar energy.

CAN YOU GET CHEAP ACTIVE FUNDS YET?

There are a few funds that combine both active management and low fees. The BMO Sustainable Universe MAP range, for example, has five funds with an ongoing charge of 0.39 per cent. Portfolio manager Simon Holmes explains that they are able to keep costs down due to economies of scale; BMO has offered a number of sustainable products for many years. 'As well as reporting on returns, every quarter we show investors the impact their money has had,' he adds.

As the number of green and responsible funds blooms, increased competition is pushing down costs. Lipski points out that fees for ESG funds are falling faster than for conventional funds.

The industry is also undergoing dramatic transformation. Companies are getting better at reporting their credentials; fund managers are getting better at asking the right questions; and indices are being honed. In time, the landscape should be much easier for investors to navigate.

In the meantime, investors of all  but especially low-cost green and responsible funds  need to check the holdings of funds they invest in. Independent wealth expert Adrian Lowcock says: 'Fund managers are making improvements so it makes sense for investors to be patient, diversify and ask questions.'
On Bonfire Night just gone, investment trust Fidelity European celebrated its 30th anniversary. Despite some occasional difficulties along the way, the 1.4billion stock market-listed fund has done shareholders proud. Anyone who invested 10,000 at launch in November 1991 would now be sitting on a holding not far short of 500,000.

Originally run by former star manager Anthony Bolton, the trust is now overseen by Sam Morse who has been at the helm since early 2011. Last year, its name was changed from Fidelity European Values to Fidelity European so as not to be mistaken for a trust investing in value stocks  companies undervalued by the market.

Although the new name doesn't truly reflect Morse's investment approach, it's an improvement on what went before. Yet it should be called Fidelity European Income or Fidelity European Dividend Growth because Morse's focus is very much on income-friendly stocks.

'I look for companies that can deliver dividend growth over a three to five-year time period,' he says. 'But I will not pay too much for these stocks. They have got to be reasonably priced.'

It's a strategy that is working. Under Morse's wing, the trust has enjoyed ten years of dividend growth and is on course to make it 11.

The interim dividend it has just paid shareholders is slightly up on the equivalent made last year  2.65pence a share, compared to 2.5pence  while 80 per cent of the portfolio's holdings are now paying dividends higher than in 2019 before the pandemic struck. 'I am hopeful we can grow the dividend from here,' he says confidently.

In terms of overall shareholder profits, the trust has generated ten-year returns of 324 per cent. 'We've delivered some impressive returns,' admits Morse.

'Europe is sometimes seen as a backwater, but there are some extraordinary companies out there generating earnings from all four corners of the globe and delivering the dividend growth we seek.'

The trust's strong record, says Morse, is testimony to three key ingredients  successful stock picking; the compounding effect of reinvesting dividends as they are received; and astute gearing.

The trust has 50 holdings  ideas all from Fidelity's pan-European research team. Among the newest holdings is Spanish bank Bankinter. 'Spain's banking sector is in consolidation mode,' says Morse. 'But Bankinter hasn't participated in this.

As a result, it's picked up new business from people who have been unhappy that their bank has been taken over or their local branch has been shut. It's also now paying dividends again and has successfully listed its insurance subsidiary Line Directa. We hold shares in both companies.'

In terms of gearing, the Fidelity trust uses contracts for difference (complex derivative instruments) to gain additional market exposure  in the hope of generating extra investment returns.

Over the past ten years, its sister fund Fidelity European  which cannot borrow, is not stock market-listed, but is also run by Morse  has generated a 223 per cent return from a similar portfolio (against 324 per cent for the trust).

The difference in returns is in part a result of the trust's successful use of CFDs.

The trust's ongoing charges are 0.87 per cent and the dividend is equivalent to a modest annual yield of 1.93 per cent.

The stock market identification code is BK1PKQ9 and ticker is FEV. Other European funds with an income bent include BlackRock Continental European Income and Montanaro European Income.
Vietnam is one of the world's economic success stories. In the space of 30 years, the country has embraced the private sector, launched a stock market, benefited from massive inward investment by big multi-national companies, and enjoyed annual economic growth of between seven and eight per cent.

Such success has increasingly caused fund managers  and some brave UK investors  to look at Vietnam as an exciting investment opportunity.

As a result, a raft of Asian investment funds now hold Vietnamese companies in their portfolios while three specialist  and risky  trusts invest exclusively in listed and unlisted Vietnamese businesses. Shares in these trusts trade on the London Stock Exchange.

Opportunity: Vietnam is bouncing back strongly after the pandemic

Although the economy  like all worldwide  has been stymied by Covid and lockdown, it's getting back on track as restrictions have been lifted. While subdued growth of 1.5 per cent is predicted for this year, a return to pre-pandemic high growth is forecast for next year.

Its stock market is also among the best performing across Asia, up more than 30 per cent this year despite the challenging economic backdrop. Only Indian stocks have performed better. More of the same, say experts, is likely next year as corporate earnings in Vietnam recover strongly.

The country's growing stock market is also expected to benefit from it being reclassified next year  from an embryonic 'frontiers' market to a fully-fledged emerging market. If this happens, it will attract the interest of big international investors, driving prices higher.

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Investment house Waverton is a big fan. Brook Tellwright, a fund manager with Waverton based in Thailand, says Vietnam is currently one of its favourite stock markets across South East Asia  alongside Indonesia and the Philippines.

He says: 'Yes, the country is only just coming out of lockdown and the government was slow in terms of getting its vaccination programme moving. But my hope is that we will see a strong economic recovery next year. This in turn will result in improved corporate earnings, which should help drive the stock market forward.'

Emily Fletcher, co-manager of investment trust BlackRock Frontiers, agrees. She says Vietnam's 'explosive' economic growth in the run up to the pandemic created huge opportunities for businesses in Vietnam.

She believes this will continue as the country enjoys 'substantial economic acceleration' after the lifting of Covid restrictions.

Some 10 per cent of the trust's assets are invested in Vietnam with key holdings being mobile phone retailer Mobile World and IT company FPT. She adds: 'We continue to find opportunities to invest in companies where their stock market valuations are not reflective of their prospective earnings growth.'

Although labelled a frontiers trust, the BlackRock fund will be able to continue to hold stakes in Vietnamese companies if the country's stock market gets emerging markets status. This is because only the eight largest emerging markets are off limits.

Vietnam's emergence as a key Asian stock market prompted the investment team running VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity to visit London last week on a flag waving mission. The 862million trust, a constituent of the FTSE250 Index, has generated a total return over the past year of 50 per cent.

Ismael Pili, head of research at VinaCapital, says domestic investors are the biggest participants in the Vietnamese stock market. But he believes this will change next year as foreign investors start to invest again after the country's emergence from lockdown. 'The market is cheap,' he says. 'There is value to be had.'

Other Vietnam funds, listed in London, are Vietnam Holding (managed by Dynam Capital) and Vietnam Enterprise, run by Dragon Capital. Brian Dennehy, managing director of investment scrutineer FundExpert, says Vietnam represents an 'interesting' investment opportunity. But he cautions: 'Singling it out as a sole destination for an investor is not something we would encourage.' Dennehy believes a better approach for investors is to consider a fund broadly invested across Asia such as Barings ASEAN Frontiers. This 470million fund has 2.5 per cent of its assets in Vietnam.

Jason Hollands, a director of wealth manager Tilney, agrees. Although he admits the big picture economic story for Vietnam is enticing, he says the range of companies available to invest in is pretty narrow. This means Vietnam-only trusts have heavily concentrated portfolios. For example, VinaCapital Vietnam and Vietnam Enterprise have 18 per cent and 15 per cent of their assets invested in just one stock  steel maker Hoa Phat.

Dzimtry Lipski, head of funds research at Interactive Investor, says investors should only allocate a 'very tiny amount of their portfolio to Vietnam'. But he also points out that despite VinaCapital Vietnam's strong investment performance over the past year, its shares still stand at an 18 per cent discount to the value of the trust's underlying assets.

An opportunity to buy 'cheap' shares in a market experts believe is undervalued. For bravehearts only.
Pensions giant Royal London has proposed a secret deal that could lead to the break-up of insurer LV with the spoils shared with private equity firm Bain Capital.

Royal London chief executive Barry O'Dwyer has made the highly controversial proposal to LV chief executive Mark Hartigan in recent days via an explosive email seen by The Mail on Sunday.

The message canvasses support for an 'enhanced' deal that would 'be more attractive' to the mutual's membership. The existing 530million deal to sell LV in full to the private equity giant Bain has come under fire over fears that it would spell an end to the insurer's mutual status and leave members short-changed.

Secret deal: Royal London chief executive Barry O'Dwyer has made the highly controversial proposal to LV chief executive Mark Hartigan in recent days

The Royal London email suggests an 'early three way discussion between Liverpool Victoria, Bain Capital and Royal London' if members vote against the Bain takeover on December 10. It claims this would be worthwhile because Royal London and Bain are 'principally interested in different parts of the Liverpool Victoria business'.

However, Royal London insiders admitted last night that LV members would likely lose their mutual rights under its secret alternative proposal  even though their policies would ultimately still be owned by a mutual.

It is understood that Royal London is interested in buying only LV's old with-profits policies and other existing business such as annuities.

Bain Capital would take on the LV brand as a separate business aimed at attracting new customers.

LV bosses have insisted both sides are contractually committed to completing the Bain transaction if members approve the crunch vote next month.

The email has emerged after bosses at Royal London, a rival mutual, were last week said to be considering plans to resurrect a previous offer for the business if members rebelled over the private equity deal.

That in turn led to a groundswell of support from critics of the Bain deal, who argued that a sale of LV to another mutual should be put back on the table. But the email proposal seen by The Mail on Sunday puts a new twist on Royal London's intentions for LV, formerly known as the Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society  a 'penny policy' insurance company founded in 1843 to cover the funeral expenses of members.

Royal London boss O'Dwyer raises with Hartigan the 'risk your members will reject the proposal'.

The message continues: 'If it becomes clear to you that this is a likely outcome, I would propose an early three way discussion between Liverpool Victoria, Bain Capital and Royal London to consider if the current proposal could be enhanced in order to be more attractive to your members. It strikes me that there may be room for discussion if Bain Capital and Royal London are principally interested in different parts of the Liverpool Victoria business.'

The communication also alludes to a previous approach made by Royal London, discussed with the LV board, in which the pension giant 'explained our belief that the combination of our two mutuals would represent an excellent choice for your members'.

It asks Hartigan to inform Bain Capital of its approach and to share the contents of the email with chairman Alan Cook and the rest of the company's board. It is understood LV has not yet responded to the proposal. Lord Heseltine, the former Conservative Deputy Prime Minister, and Ed Miliband, the former Labour leader, have emerged as critics of the agreement with Bain.

There have also been complaints about a 100 payout offered to its 1.2million members and modest enhancements worth 340 for the 297,000 with-profits policyholders, who are the legal owners of the business.

But LV insists Bain's offer was the most attractive of the 12 proposals it received. Sources said Royal London's original offer would have led to LV office closures and job losses in Hitchin and Exeter to cut costs.

Royal London has been agitating against the deal, and said in a public statement following publication of the terms with Bain: 'We think the case for demutualising is very weak if there is an alternative, equivalent option to allow a mutual to retain its status.' But a source close to the deal said of Royal London's secret offer last night: 'This reveals Royal London's real intentions. This proposal would be like taking a chainsaw to the company and is clear evidence of a proposed carve-up that would be in no one's interests but their own.'

Another source described Royal London as 'a wolf in sheep's clothing'. The source said the deal could be similar to one struck by Royal London in 2011 when it transferred Royal Liver into Royal London, skewing benefits to its own members.

In a rare intervention last night, Bain told the MoS it planned to almost double the number of policyholders and pledged not to increase LV's 350 million debt pile.

Matt Popoli, head of insurance at Bain Capital, said: 'This is a growth investment for us. LV is a fantastic brand with a rich heritage which is not reflected by its market position. 'We see potential to grow LV's current 1.2 million policyholders to around two million in the long term.

'We have an ambition to restore LV to its position as a top three life insurance provider across a wide range of products. Our proposal is strengthening LV's financial position.

'Not only are we providing access to investment capital for growth, we will not be increasing LV's debt.'
The boss of Britain's markets watchdog has threatened to break up the US tech giants if a new crackdown on their monopoly power fails to protect consumers and fails to stop the big firms from bullying smaller rivals.

Andrea Coscelli, chief executive of the Competition and Markets Authority, has warned that breakups are 'in play' if regulators can't rein in the likes of Facebook, Apple, Google and Amazon.

He said that break-ups would become an attractive option for the CMA if other countries were also struggling to constrain the big tech firms. The US and the EU have joined efforts to draw up new rules to promote competition online.

Finger on the pulse: Andrea Coscelli, chief executive of the Competition and Markets Authority, has warned that breakups are 'in play'

Coscelli made the comments in a speech on regulation as part of a lecture series run by the influential Westminster think-tank the Institute of Economic Affairs. His remarks come after the CMA set up a digital regulator to stop tech companies snapping up smaller rivals that could one day grow into major competitors.

Coscelli said: 'It is also important to bear in mind that structural remedies  break-ups  are in play if [new] regulation does not deliver.

'In particular, structural remedies become increasingly attractive to us if other jurisdictions are also interested in structural solutions.'

The digital regulator  called the Digital Markets Unit  is already operational but will not receive the power to take on the tech giants until new laws pass through Parliament. It is thought that the DMU will be officially launched in 2022.

US President Joe Biden has stepped up global efforts to tackle the monopoly power of the tech companies. He signed a sweeping order aimed at promoting competition and curbing corporate monopolies in July, and pushed for the creation of new rules on how internet providers and tech companies use data. Speaking at the launch of the initiative, Biden said: 'Capitalism without competition isn't capitalism. It's exploitation.'

The US has spearheaded some of the most ambitious company break-ups in corporate history. The US government dismantled the AT&T telecoms monopoly in 1984. President Theodore Roosevelt launched the campaign that led to the break-up of JD Rockefeller's Standard Oil in 1911.

The CMA has already launched a number of investigations into tech companies. It is investigating whether Amazon and Google have done enough to combat fake reviews online, and it blocked Facebook's 300million takeover of image firm Giphy
Matt Moulding has a code under which he operates  always give investors a big return. His 'golden rule' is one that The Hut Group founder and chief executive stuck to like glue in the years he ran his business as a privately owned company.

'You should have huge sympathy for people giving you finance because ultimately they're giving you money on the understanding you're going to give them more back,' he said in an interview to a handful of entrepreneurs in May this year, unearthed by The Mail on Sunday.

'That's the golden rule. So that's a principle on which I've always taken someone's money and we always intend to  touch wood. I've always done it spectacularly well. I've given them way more back.'

Impulsive: Matt Moulding reveals to one of The Hut Group's investors, Sir Tom Hunter, how he decided to float the firm in the space of just a couple of days

Now, following last year's stock market flotation, it seems that rule is no longer sacrosanct. Many investors who bought into the flotation  which some warned at the time was overhyped  are now, quite rightly, seething.

THG stock listed in September last year at 5 and peaked at 7.99 in early January. But on Friday the shares closed at a new all-time low of 1.91. That means they are down 62 per cent on the flotation price and an astonishing 76 per cent down since the start of the year.

Perhaps the worst part? The public bought into the newly-listed company just as other investors, such as the US private equity giant KKR, sold out and netted large sums.

In other words, Moulding delivered for his early backers as promised, but has not  so far at least  provided the same rich returns to smaller investors lured in after the float.

In a separate interview in the summer, conducted by Sir Tom Hunter, an investor in THG, Moulding described how he made the decision to float in 'a couple of days, not much longer if I'm honest'.

He said: 'We were in the pandemic and sat there thinking the world is going to change. Things should accelerate from this. If I can access capital now I can bridge the gap between a UK business and the US guys.

'So I wrestled with it for a couple of days, not much longer if I'm honest, and just thought 'I'm doing it'. I remember making the phone call to my merger and acquisitions guy, saying: 'By the way, we're doing it and we're doing it now'.'

What a contrast a few months makes. Just over a week ago, the boss of THG emerged to complain that his time since listing on the London stock exchange in September last year had been 'miserable'.

He said in candid comments at a GQ Magazine event that he wished he had floated in the US instead, where he suggested investors would better understand tech firms like his. He also appeared to indicate he might buy the company back if shareholders do not wise up, while doubling down on his previous complaint that voracious short-sellers were mainly to blame for the drop.

He said at the moment he 'just gets through the day' and his wife has found him at 4am in the morning 'literally doing phone calls, starfish lying on the floor, just because it's a cold surface'.

The comments did little to settle investor nerves. When asked back in the summer how he deals with criticism and people who doubt his vision, Moulding  known for his single-minded focus on building his beauty, health food and tech business  responded: 'It happens all day, every day now. More so today than at any point in my career.'

He said of listing on the London Stock Exchange: 'The moment you go public, everyone has a view on everything you're doing. Like it or not. For me, I love it.

'It hurts when anyone is criticising you. But then you can use that as fuel. Collect it all up. There are quotes that people send me now and again about people throwing stones. Then you put them together and build an empire  so you can lob all your stones if you want.'

He added: 'But prove it silently. Don't prove it with noise and all the rest of it. Just go and do it.'

One wealthy entrepreneur, who asked not to be named, told The Mail on Sunday: 'That advice couldn't be more to the point. I wonder what people he's taking advice from?

'He needs to go away for a bit and come back with a plan to answer some of the questions about what has been going on here  not blame other people that aren't under his control.'

Moulding also admitted: 'I've probably had my toughest five months since I was running THG and last year would have probably been up there as well.'

He revealed he also once took some sound advice from an old friend during a 'dark hour' several years ago, who told him: 'No one can walk in your shoes.'

He said he interpreted that as: 'Ultimately you've got to man up and it's all down to you. That's what he was saying in a polite way. 'Sort yourself out.'

The founder and chief executive of the group that owns the FeelUnique and MyProtein brands may want to go back for another of those pep talks.

He said that the decade that followed that conversation had been filled with 'a lot of dark hours, believe me'.
Starling Bank has bought a mortgage book worth around 1billion to turbocharge growth ahead of a flotation as early as next year.

The start-up, founded by Anne Boden in 2014, is understood to have bought the home loans portfolio from Kensington Mortgages, a specialist lender.

Kensington focuses on mortgages for customers who might not get the best deals elsewhere and those who are overlooked by high street banks, such as the self-employed.

Finger on the pulse: Starling is understood to have bought the home loans portfolio from Kensington Mortgages

Kensington  owned by private equity firms Blackstone and Sixth Street  recently appointed Morgan Stanley to lead a sale process.

The deal is part of a big push by the fledgling bank to grow ahead of a stock market listing which could come next year or in 2023.

It follows Starling's first acquisition in July, when it bought Fleet Mortgages for 50million in shares and cash.

Fleet Mortgages, based in Hampshire, focuses on lending to professional landlords through advisers.

Boden said at the time 'the acquisition... is the start of our move into mortgages'.

Starling is one of a clutch of new digital banks without branches that offer services through mobile phone apps. Analysts said these banks have helped shake up the shoddy services offered by the high street banks.

But few have grown to a size where they can pose a meaningful challenge to the big four  Barclays, HSBC, NatWest and Lloyds Banking Group.

These new banks are also under pressure to turn a profit after the Financial Conduct Authority warned last year that it wants to see start-ups reach profitability within five years of launching to be sustainable.

Starling said recently that it was on track to post its first annual profit for the year ending March 2022. The bank has been posting a monthly profit since last October.

Boden founded the bank with Tom Blomfield, who later left to set up a competitor, Monzo.

It was backed at launch by the mysterious billionaire investor Harald McPike, who invested 150million.

Boden told The Mail on Sunday earlier this year it was an opportune time to launch a bank because regulations had been relaxed to make way for new lenders, and the high street banks were not investing in digital customer services.

Starling has since attracted a string of top investors, including Jupiter, Fidelity and Goldman Sachs.

It raised 272million in March in a funding round, led by Fidelity, which included backing from the Qatar Investment Authority, the investment arm of the Railways Pension Scheme and the fund group Millennium Management.

Starling is valued at around 1.1billion.

The bank has amassed more than 2.3million accounts. In its last financial update, Starling said losses after tax halved to 23.3million in the 16 months to the end of March. Revenue increased by 600 per cent to 97.6million.

Starling's deposits have grown to 5.8billion, although its total lending lags at 2.2billion.

Kensington and Starling declined to comment.
Superdry founder Julian Dunkerton has never lacked confidence. But even by his standards, the scale of the ambition represented by the clothing firm's giant new megastore on Oxford Street is surprising.

Just days ago the store opened to the sounds of pumping music, Superdry-label gin, new brand ambassador Brooklyn Beckham and hundreds of social media influencers  all to lift Superdry back into the hearts and wardrobes of Britain's youngest fashionistas, and keep it there.

'I don't think anyone has done something like this since the original Abercrombie & Fitch store in New York,' enthuses Dunkerton, referring to a place that gained worldwide notoriety for looking and sounding more like a nightclub than a shop. 'I think this is of that scale,' he says.

Challenge: Julian Dunkerton in the Oxford Street Superdry megastore, David Beckham and, left, Brooklyn

A stone's throw from Selfridges, the new Superdry shop is now the first thing you see when exiting London's Bond Street station.

Adorned inside with dark wooden timbers, antique furniture, funky music and stocked to the rafters with an intriguingly broad range of products, the store is an ode to where Dunkerton wants the brand to be right now and in the future. 'You'll see by the time you've finished in here, that man likes some product!' he says, referring to the vast ranges of organic cotton T-shirts, sweat shirts and coats as we whizz through the store's mini-departments.

'This is a company that stopped looking forwards, stopped realising that trends change,' he says. He pauses to look me in the eye. We both know he's harking back to a time when he himself was absent from Superdry  forced out only to exact a coup and muscle his way back into the boardroom in 2019.

He continues: 'But we're brilliant at capitalising on those trends.

'Miniskirts  finally we are communicating to 15, 16, 17-year-olds, which we haven't done for a long time. Flared denim  eight out of ten of our best-selling jeans are flares. Superlong jackets  we are the masters of jackets and outerwear, no one has conquered that market like we have.'

Dunkerton, known to his friends as Jules, stepped down from the board in March 2018 citing 'other demands on his time'. But as the brand's appeal waned, the share price dropped to a quarter of its one-time 20 value.

Dunkerton, 56, lost his patience, re-emerging later that year to take aim at what he described as the board's 'misguided strategy' in reducing product ranges. It wasn't the only time he hit the headlines during the period. In August 2018, he got hitched to Jade Holland Cooper, a designer two decades his junior  with whom he now has a baby daughter. It later emerged that his former wife (also the mother of his two older children) was dating Holland Cooper's ex-boyfriend.

One of the criticisms levelled at Dunkerton before his departure in 2018 was having too many different types and styles of clothes. But, Covid disruption now hopefully behind us, he seems to be turning his obsession with big Superdry ranges into a strategic virtue.

He says: 'What you'll see in here is that there is so much product, so many different ways of wearing Superdry, it becomes your own personal journey. It's about your interpretation of Superdry which could be completely different to someone else's.' He says the brand  which some say lost some of its appeal because 'too many dads' had begun wearing it  is now surfing across demographics again.

The company is working with more than 1,500 influencers compared with 'zero' just 18 months ago, Dunkerton says.

The whole basement floor is a large showroom  and bar  closed to the public and instead dedicated to hosting the Instagram stars.

On the ground floor, the vast array of brightly coloured sweaters and T-shirts gives way to a smarter, more sophisticated department at the back called 'The Studio', where the Superdry logo on one coat is shrunk to the size of a brass button.

'Superdry's skill is changing the branding to suit the product, when most brands put the same logo on everything,' Dunkerton says. 'There's a part of society that always wants to show they've bought into a particular brand. A statement of who they are. [There's another part who] prefer branded clothes, but in a sensible way that really sits with the product,' he says pointing to the myriad styles of new logos.

Upstairs, customers can select from vintage Superdry tops like those worn by David Beckham nearly 20 years ago  a marketing wheeze that undoubtedly contributed to the brand's early success.

It's an obvious connection with the arrival of Beckham's son, Brooklyn, as a brand ambassador. In a sign of how seriously Dunkerton is taking the Superdry revitalisation, Beckham junior is being paid 1million while his dad reputedly earned nothing.

Elsewhere, a 'Vintage Nike' shop with hundreds of items will help reconnect with fast fashion-averse teenagers, Dunkerton says. As will a drive to green clothing that began in 2014. Half of Superdry's clothes are now 'sustainable' fabrics from recycled bottles to organic cotton  a figure to put most fast fashion and high street chains to shame.

Any turnaround will not come quickly enough for long-term shareholders. They watched the 20 share price drop to a quarter in just 12 months by early 2019. It is still only 2.95 today.

Dunkerton reels off names of executives he's brought in to help from rival clothing retailers, adding: 'This isn't just the Jules show. But the clothing business is a business of confidence and you need to know what data to look for to make the right decisions. There are certain people who love this industry and are really good at it  and I'm lucky because I'm one of them.'

So what's the goal?

'The first stage is to catch up. The next is to take it way beyond where we ever were before. Now we're talking to multiple more demographics, the prize is much bigger. There is no limit. Are we big in the US? No, we're not. Are we big in China? No, we're not.'

'We as a group believe our ability to take over where we were [valued at 872million at its peak in 2019] is clearly in view.

'So one would expect us to way exceed that number.'
The parent company of British Airways could tap shareholders for more cash early next year, an aviation industry expert has predicted.

The reopening of the US to fully vaccinated foreign visitors last week gave a major boost to IAG, which has said it now expects to return to profit by next summer.

As the outlook for long-haul travel improves, HSBC aviation analyst Andrew Lobbenberg said a rights issue would be the fastest way for the aviation giant to tackle its 12.3billion debt and allow it to restart paying a dividend.

Brighter outlook: The reopening of the US to fully vaccinated foreign visitors last week gave a major boost to IAG

He said the only alternative to tapping shareholders as the company tries to boost its credit rating is gradually paying down debt 'using cash flows'.

Lobbenberg said any decision on a rights issue is likely to be taken by IAG's new finance chief Nicholas Cadbury, who starts early next year after joining from Whitbread.

The Premier Inn owner completed a discounted 1billion rights issue last June to cover Covid losses while its hotels and pubs were closed.

Lobbenberg previously told The Mail on Sunday in September that any plans to raise cash for IAG could be tied to positive news such as the reopening of the US.

Earlier this month, IAG secured a 1 billion five-year credit line for BA, backed by UK Export Finance.

IAG made a 452million (387million) loss for the three months to September and it forecasts a 3billion (2.57billion) loss for the full year. Rivals Air France-KLM and Lufthansa have returned to operating profit.
Cresaptown, MD (21502)

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Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High 42F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 26F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.


remaining of

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Sitting, left to right, Sullivan County school board member Matthew Spivey, Chairman Randall Jones, Director of Schools Evelyln Rafalowski; standing, member Paul Robinson, former member Randall Gilmore (resigned because he moved out of his school board district), member Mark Ireson, Vice Chairman Michael Hughes and member Mary Rouse.
ALBANY Ports in New York City and New Jersey are experiencing congestion, but the smaller Port of Albany has a solution that could help alleviate some of that pressure.

The Port of Albany is looking to revive an old barge service that leaders there believe will offer an alternate channel for shipments and get some of the overwhelming truck brigades off of metro roads.

The port previously ran the service from 2005 to 2007 but shut it down when there wasnt enough traction in exports to make it sustainable.

Now the citys congestion is an opportunity for the upstate port to take on new exporting customers, Richard Hendrick, chief executive officer of the Albany port, explained.

We have a lot of the same customers that could benefit from the barge coming to Albany out of New York City, he said, But in order to make it affordable and feasible, we needed the southbound traffic.

The service will permit containers arriving at the New Jersey and city ports to be transferred onto a barge and brought up to Albany to be disembarked and shipped out.

Tony Vasil, the Port of Albanys maritime business development manager overseeing the revamp, is unsure when the service will be relaunched but is looking to get it off the ground as soon as possible.

Vasil said his team met Monday with Port Authority officials who indicated they supported the plan and would help advance it. The New York Port Authority was unable to respond to the Times Unions request for comment before publication.

The citys ports arent nearly as backed up as those in California, where about 79 ships await entry offshore. Currently, there are about three vessels in New York's waterway waiting to dock, Vasil said.

While it will reduce some of the congestion in the city, Hendrick described the service as a Catch-22.

You're removing congestion from the New York metro area by taking trucks off the road, but you're putting them on a road, at some point, to get the container to the customer, he said. It's the lesser of evils.

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Before the service can begin, the port needs to iron out associated costs on their end and prices for clients. In the past, the Port of Albany accessed congestion mitigation grants to cover some of its expenses. This time, port leaders arent going that route. Instead, they think the cargo should be able to sustain the venture.

And having an established marine highway makes the port eligible for federal funding from the Department of Transportation if it is available at the time of its launch.

The port still has a variety of logistics to work out, but if successful, Vasil anticipates the barge service will generate a decent amount of revenue alongside other economic and eco-friendly benefits.

The move could introduce containerization to the region and stimulate parts of the economy as well lessen fuel consumption, slash emissions and improve air quality, Vasil noted.

Anything we could do to help relieve it would be good, he said.
PRAGUE (AP)  The Czech government is requiring children to get tested for COVID-19 as part of efforts to curtail a recent steep rise in cases.

All elementary and high schools are required to test the country's 1.4 million students in two waves on Nov. 22 and Nov. 29, Education Minister Robert Plaga said.

Medical experts recommended the mass testing. Firefighters will distribute rapid test kits across the country, officials said.

Health Minister Adam Vojtech said the outgoing Czech government and members of the opposition that won an October parliamentary election and is forming a new government discussed additional coronavirus measures on Friday.

Its essential for all of us to be united, Vojtech said.

He declined to detail the new measures, which the government is set to approve early next week. Vojtech said both teams agreed on the importance of vaccination as the rate in the Czech Republic is below the European Union average.

Im glad that the government is listening to us, Petr Smejkal, chief epidemiologist at Pragues Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, told Czech public television.

New confirmed cases jumped sharply this week, arousing concern they would continued rising to the daily record of 17,776 cases registeerd on Jan. 7.

The Czech Republic reported 10,395 new cases on Thursday, about 2,000 more than a week earlier. The daily tally of new cases reached 14,539 on Tuesday, the highest number since March 12.

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The countrys infection rate rose to 614 new cases per 100,000 residents over the past seven days on Thursday, up from 558 two days earlier.

The Czech military said Friday that 40 service members will be deployed in hospitals in the eastern Czech Republic to relieve stretched workers.

The Czech Republic has been among the European Union hardest hit by the pandemic, with a total of 1.87 million cases in the nation of 10.7 million and 31,355 COVID-19 deaths.

___

Follow all AP pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
TEHRAN, Iran (AP)  At least one person died after two strong earthquakes struck the southern Iranian province of Hormozgan, state TV reported Sunday.

State TV quoted Azizollah Konari, the Bandar Abbas governor, as saying a 22-year-old man died when an electric pole fell on his head as a result of the earthquake.

Irans Seismological Center said that the quakes struck Qeshm island in the Strait of Hormuz in midafternoon, about 1000 kilometers (640 miles) south of the Iranian capital of Tehran. It said the magnitudes were 6.4 and 6.3 and the heaviest temblor struck at a depth of 18 kilometers (about 11 miles).

The epicenter is located some 60 kilometers (some 36 miles) southwest of Bandar Abbas port in Hormozgan province.

The USGS report set the earthquakes at magnitudes of 6 and 6.3.

The area was jolted by several aftershocks, one at a magnitude of 4.5.

Fear of the quake sent fearful residents running into the streets.

State TV said the quake was felt in Kerman and Fars provinces, both located in the north of Hormozgan province.

Mehdi Dousti, governor of Hormozgan province said that we do not ask people to stay at their home because of the number of aftershocks.

Dousti added that police are providing security for people who are staying away from their homes.

State TV said that the number of injured people rose to 47. Thirty-nine of them were released but 7 hospitalized.

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The spokesman for the countrys emergency department, Mojtaba Khaledi, asked people to be cautious for at least two days.

The report said President Ebrahim Raisi ordered his senior vice-president, Mohammad Mokhber, to visit Hormozgan province as soon as possible.

Raisi also urged all responsible bodies to take care people who suffered injuries and damages.

The report said assessment teams had deployed to analyze the situation.

Iranian social media carried photos of damage from the quakes, including one of a wall that had collapsed on a car.

Iran lies on major seismic faults and experiences one earthquake a day on average. In 2003, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake flattened the historic city of Bam, killing 26,000 people. A magnitude 7 earthquake that struck western Iran in 2017 killed more than 600 people and injured more than 9,000.
Were you Seen at the "Here for It Summit," an annual membership meeting for The Palette Community, at The Palette Cafe's Schenectady location on Friday, November 12, 2021? Business strategist Janna Meyrowitz Turner was the keynote speaker.

Leigh Hornbeck/Times Union Leigh Hornbeck/Times Union Leigh Hornbeck/Times Union Leigh Hornbeck/Times Union Leigh Hornbeck/Times Union
ALBANY  State motor vehicle workers say potentially thousands of individuals may have illicitly obtained New York driver's permits since the Department of Motor Vehicles launched a program last year allowing written tests to be taken online, leading to widespread cheating.

The program was announced by former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in September 2020, about six months after the coronavirus pandemic struck New York and as in-office motor vehicle testing became backlogged or unavailable for many applicants.

DMV workers say the alleged cheating also has been exacerbated by the state's Green Light Law, which went into effect in December 2019 and has allowed thousands of undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses  something that more than a dozen other states also allow. The law prohibited DMV offices from storing applicants' personal information for more than six months and lowered the security thresholds for verifying someone's identity, according to motor vehicle workers.

At the time the Green Light Law was passed, Cuomo and former President Donald J. Trump had been sparring over the federal government's access to state motor vehicle records. Cuomo's administration had barred the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency from accessing New York's motor vehicle records out of concern the federal agency would use the information to track down immigrants in the country illegally.

But Cuomo had said the law's primary intention was to improve public safety by ensuring undocumented motorists are legally authorized to drive.

"In New York, like in 13 other states, we give driver's licenses to undocumented people. From a state point of view, I want to make sure the people who are driving on our roads pass a driving test. It is a public safety issue," he said in a February 2020 interview. "So, even if you are not in full compliance with the immigration laws, you can get a driver's license if you take the test and if you pass the test because we want to make sure that if you are driving you know what you are doing."

But with the at-home, online testing authorized last year, DMV workers say there have been a high number of individuals who apparently cheat or have others take the tests for them.

The 50-question online driver's test normally takes about 45 minutes to an hour to complete, Cuomo and state officials said last year. But DMV workers said in many instances individuals who take the online tests are completing them  often with perfect scores  in less than seven minutes.

In an effort to tighten the security of the process, the Department of Motor Vehicles recently added a feature so that the image of the person taking the online test is captured four times during the exam, including at the beginning and the end. If the applicant passes the online test, they must bring a print-out of their results and also documents affirming their address and identification to a motor vehicle office to be issued a permit.

During that verification process, the DMV clerks now compare the images of the person who took the online test to the person standing before them.

Interviews with DMV workers confirmed they have flagged thousands of applicants whose photos during the online test either were someone else's image, were simply screen shots of their image or were blank because the person may have pointed the computer's camera at a ceiling, for instance. When there are problems verifying the images, clerks offer the person the option of taking a 20-question test at the DMV office. Many simply walk out the door.

Last week, the state quietly instructed officials at its seven state-run motor vehicle offices, including one in Albany, to keep track of how many people who passed the online tests were later flagged because of issues with the images captured during the online test.

The data, collected over a four-day period, showed that more than 1,500 people passed the online test and came to a motor vehicle office to get their permit. Of those, 464 had verification issues that prompted clerks to offer them the ability to take the shorter written test at the DMV office. More than 50 people left rather than retaking the test, and of the 410 people who retook the test, roughly half of them failed, according to data provided to the Times Union.

"DMV continuously monitors data about our transactions in order to ensure the integrity and security of the online permit test," said Tim O'Brien, a state DMV spokesman, who pointed to the new photo requirement and on-site retesting as examples.

In addition to the state-run DMV offices, there are 51 county-run motor vehicle offices across the state. County clerks who run those offices said they are encountering not just widespread cheating but also repeated issues with fraudulent identification documents.

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Rensselaer County Clerk Frank Merola, a staunch opponent of the Green Light Law who brought an unsuccessful federal lawsuit against the measure, said his office has encountered many individuals who received perfect scores on the online test  and completed it in only a few minutes  but then struggled to pass the in-person test or failed it.

"They sit down for 20 questions and theyre sitting there for 45 minutes and they cant finish the test," he said. "We had a guy the other day, he was there in the first photo and then he was not there in next three. He passed (the online test) in like 6 or 7 minutes. Of course, we didnt issue the permit."

Saratoga County Clerk Craig Hayner, who like Merola has been vocal in his opposition to the Green Light Law, said his office has encountered similar issues, including groups of individuals who all successfully completed the 50-question online test in minutes, but then come to the county office with suspect identification documents. He noted one instance where a listed address turned out to be a strip mall.

"It's beyond rampant," Hayner said, recounting an applicant who submitted a monthly bank statement as a form of identification that had a future date on it. In another case, he said, a group of individuals all used the same bank statement as a form of identification.

"Theyre basically copying and scanning similar bank statements; theyre just changing the name on the top," Hayner said. "I have a hunch that these people dont actually live in Saratoga County, that they are coming in, but are using a Saratoga County address. ... Its easier to do from where you are and then drive to another place where they wouldnt necessarily know you or know the addresses that are being put on there."

DMV workers said the agency's Division of Field Investigation, which is tasked with responding to incidents in which suspect documentation is being used by someone seeking to obtain a permit or driver's license, is stretched thin and unable to respond to every case.

"There's times that they can't come over," Merola said. "Sometimes they'll ask us to make copies of everything but they don't even come in."

In 2013, the state inspector general's office exposed a massive cheating scheme in Manhattan, Queens and Long Island in which DMV security guards were funneling tests to individuals seeking commercial driver's licenses, including allowing test takers to leave offices and come back with their completed exams.

Another cheating scheme involved the use of a coded pencil with a series of dots and dashes inscribed on the sides that reflected the answers to the audio version of the license exam, according to the U.S. attorney's office, which conducted a related investigation of the same scandal.

The fallout of those investigations included requiring proctors to sit in exam rooms.

"Here we are eight years later and that seems to be forgotten about and now we can take a test from home," Hayner said. "Its quite a leap as far as integrity in the system goes. I think the way (state officials) put it is basically they think that theres so much helpfulness in this the little bit of harm is maybe worth it."
Farmington, WV (26555)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Morning high of 44F with temps falling to near 35. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low near 25F. Winds light and variable.
[November 14, 2021] Artmarket.com: Global Press Release on PRNewswire Global General News and ActusNews on 11.18.2021

PARIS, Nov. 14, 2021 /CNW/ -- Following its recent press release of November 9, 2021 with CEO/Founder Thierry Ehrmann, Artprice by Artmarket will publish a global press release on PRNewswire Global General News (54 countries + multilingual) + ActusNews.com on Thursday November 18, 2021 (after market) Reminder of the November 9, 2021 press release: Artmarket.com: perfectly positioned to generate enormous revenue from its NFT Marketplace on Artprice-nft.com #ArtMarket by #ARTPRICE $PRC #NFT #CryptoArt #metaverse #DigitalArt #NFTs #MarketPlace #BTC #ETH #CBI $ALCBI #OpenSeaNFT #raribleNFT #Ethereum Artprice-nft.com [https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2021/11/NFT-bill.jpg] In accordance with the regulations, the multilingual press release PRNewswire Global General News / Cision will be preceded by a press release by the ActusNews.com platform approved by France's Financial Markets Authority, the AMF. Copyright 1987-2021 thierry Ehrmann www.artprice.com - www.artmarket.com Don't hesitate to c ontact our E conometrics D epartment 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 Ehrman. 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 by Artmarket, the world leader in information on the art market, has set itself the ambition through its Global Standardized Marketplace to be the world's leading Fine Art NFT platform. 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 5,4 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: Thierry Ehrmann, [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1687669/Artprice_nft.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1009603/Art_Market_logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/artmarketcom-global-press-release-on-prnewswire-global-general-news-and-actusnews-on-11-18-2021--301423553.html SOURCE Artmarket.com

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[November 14, 2021] Nyriad Raises US$28 Million to Fund Go-To-Market Efforts and Continued Development for Storage Solutions Based on a New Architecture

SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nyriad Inc. (Nyriad) announced today it has raised an additional US$28 million of funding, primarily from existing investors. The funds will be used to accelerate the company's global go-to-market and engineering efforts for its reimagined storage solution based on a new architecture that redefines how data is stored and managed. "Nyriad will deliver a breakthrough data storage solution," said Guy Haddleton, Nyriad Chairman of the Board and lead investor. "Equally important, the company's vision is backed up by a seasoned executive leadership team, exceptional engineering talent, and a strategy that focuses on delivering business value for customers. That this round of funding is coming almost entirely from existing investors is a strong statement in our confidence in Nyriad's ability to execute and succeed in the marketplace." Nyriad's new architecture combines the power of GPUs and CPUs to deliver an unprecedented combination of performance, resilience, and efficiency, enabling massive amunts of data and multiple data types to be managed in a single storage system that is simple to deploy, operate, and scale in a cost-effective way.



"Storage solutions must empower businesses to grow, adapt, and stay competitive in a data-driven world. Nyriad is on a fast track to provide businesses with these breakthrough capabilities," said Herb Hunt, Nyriad Chief Executive Officer. "We're reimagining storage with an architecture that delivers an entirely new way to control and manage storage devices at scale. This new round of funding ensures that solutions based on our new architecture will be available to customers early in 2022." In October 2020, the company completed a financing of $8.3 million to fund development and prepare its entry into the U.S. market. In September 2021, Nyriad announced it had relocated its global headquarters to the U.S. from New Zealand. The recently closed funding of $28.0 million will also be used to expand the company's capabilities and resources in the U.S. and worldwide.

About Nyriad

Nyriad is developing the industry's first storage solutions based on a new architecture that redefines how data is stored. The architecture combines the power of GPUs and CPUs to deliver an unprecedented combination of performance, resilience, and efficiency, enabling massive amounts of data and multiple data types to be managed in a single storage system that is simple to deploy, operate, scale, and maintain. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Nyriad is building a new storage architecture from the ground up that empowers businesses to grow, adapt, and stay competitive in a data-driven world. For more information, visit us on the web at www.nyriad.io. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nyriad-raises-us28-million-to-fund-go-to-market-efforts-and-continued-development-for-storage-solutions-based-on-a-new-architecture-301423445.html SOURCE Nyriad Inc.

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The politics of Mayor Q's recent move have been overlooked by mainstream media and even our freinds from the 3rd District.

Remember that our KICK-ASS blog community BROKE THE STORY OF MAYOR Q MOVING TO MIDTOWN THIS SUMMER.



Like it or not and given the spike in home prices . . . Also, the "flight to safety" is understandable given high profile MASS SHOOTINGS the district suffered in 2021.



The residence of the mayor means a lot to local voters.

Right now the Northland is desperately searching for a candidate with appeal on both sides of the bridge.

Real talk . . .

If it's a choice betwixt Mayor Q and some gringo . . . The 3rd district will still support the incumbent who served as their at-Large rep not so long ago. Only a primary challenge or an EPIC & timely appointment from D.C. will prevent another 4 years from the current 12th & Oak administration.

Accordingly . . .

This south side shout out is worth a peek . . .



South Kansas City taught me how neighborhoods could work at their best, said Lucas, who lived in the inner city but attended Barstow School as a child. I want to make sure that exists for future generations.



Lucas and his wife had a baby last spring and recently moved from the 18th and Vine District to a house in Midtown. My wife and I got into an argument. I wanted to move to south Kansas City, but Im a new father and I lost, he said. Our new house is nice, but I really would have liked to be near Barstow.



Lucas wants to see more single-family housing units rehabilitated in parts of south KC, and suggested the various-priced homes in Lees Summit around Longview Lake might be a good model.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . .
Right now a brazen bit of social media pr0n branding inspires our peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check-it . . .

Cowtown Divided By The Numbers

Kansas City is redrawing its City Council districts. Here's what that means for you. Delivered every Tuesday and Thursday morning A donation to The Beacon goes beyond the newsroom. We amplify community voices, share resources and investigate systems, not just symptoms. The Beacon in your inbox. In-depth reporting delivered every Tuesday and Thursday morning.

Restoring Northeast

210: Kansas City Museum's Anna Marie Tutera On this week's episode of the Northeast Newscast, Publisher Michael Bushnell sits down with Kansas City Museum Executive Director Anna Marie Tutera for the first of two podcasts focusing on a variety of subjects including making the museum a regional cultural destination, what visitors can expect in terms of rotating exhibits and some exciting announcements coming during the first quarter of 2022.

Rolling With New Tech

Electric car drivers are growing in the Midwest, now chargers need to keep up Keeping an electric vehicle charged can be a challenge. Even for the editor-in-chief of a website focused on electric vehicles. Just consider the range anxiety of Bill Moore. He was scheduled to talk about the cars at the Nebraska Wind & Solar conference. The 12-volt auxiliary battery on his Nissan Leaf had gone dead.

Pr0n Offers Teachable Moment

We Asked the Math Tutor Who Posts His Lessons on Pornhub: Why? A math tutor has raked in over a million views on Pornhub by teaching calculus in a hoodie.

Drug Showdown Ahead

Dems' plan to limit drug price inflation faces test in Senate The outcome, which is expectedin the coming weeks as the upper chamber combs through the $1.75 trillion package, could determine to what extent Democrats can make good on their pledge to rein in drug costs for all Americans - a promise some lawmakers view as central to keeping their slim congressional majorities in the midterm elections.

Vaxx Mandate Block Renewed

Federal appeals court calls Biden vaccine mandate 'fatally flawed' and 'staggeringly overbroad' A federal appeals court has called President Joe Biden's vaccine and testing requirements for private businesses "fatally flawed" and "staggeringly overbroad," arguing that the requirements likely exceed the authority of the federal government and raise "serious constitutional concerns." The U.S.

World Against Gas?!?!

COP26 climate agreement reached in Glasgow with unprecedented reference to fossil fuels A deal has been reached at the COP26 conference after nearly two weeks of talks marked by stark differences between wealthy and developing nations.

Teen Trial Amid Cultural Shift

The Memo: Rittenhouse trial exposes deep US divide The trial of Kyle Rittenhouse is once again exposing the deep fissures in American life - divides so deep that the people on each side seem to see two entirely different realities. Rittenhouse is on trial for murder after fatally shooting two people, and wounding a third, last year.

Borders Crumble Around The World

Biden says Belarus-Poland border crisis is of 'great concern' as migrant situation worsens President Biden on Friday said the situation on the border between Belarus and Poland is of "great concern" -- as a growing number of migrants is leading to increased tensions in the region, and accusations that Belarus and Moscow are manufacturing a crisis.

Hotel Biz Shifts Inside The Loop

Kansas City Marriott Downtown finds new owner, as signs of life show for nearby historic conversion - Kansas City Business Journal The Kansas City area's largest hotel by unit count this month has come under a new hospitality investor's ownership. Highline Hospitality Partners, an investment platform launched in 2020 by Highline Real Estate Partners, acquired the Kansas City Marriott Downtown on Nov. 5. The transaction includes the hotel's Marriott and Muehlebach towers, linked by sky bridge at 200 W.

Hopeful Hometown Scenario

What the playoff picture looks like if Chiefs beat Raiders in Week 10 by: PJ Green Posted: / Updated: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - As it currently stands, the 5-4 Kansas City Chiefs are third in the AFC West and not in the playoffs. The Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders sit at the top of the AFC West with 5-3 records with the Chargers currently holding the No.

Katie Shares Forecast

Cold and dry to begin the weekend Cold and dry to kickoff the weekend across the Kansas City metro. A hard freeze managed to make it's way just north of the Kansas City area in St. Joseph. Expect things to be a little bit warmer than that this morning, but not by much.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
For the midday we take a peek at Kansas City dead-tree news and soundtrack decisions which have raised the eyebrows of journalism purists.



Credit and hat tip to Missouri news dude John Combest who posted this note . . .



KC Star: Video: We expose Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitts changing comments over the years: video with grainy filter added, Half Mystery music arrangement by Kevin MacLeod



Now . . .



Whilst we support artistic license for storytellers in all media . . . The filter and haunting tunes are a bit much and betray any semblance of objectivity.

Real talk: Their content is starting to look like a cheap campaign advert.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link to Flipboard in order to skip the paywall . . .
Johnstown, PA (15901)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Morning high of 43F with temps falling to near freezing. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low 27F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
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BRIDGEPORT  The state is now reviewing evidence from a weekend birthday bash in Trumbull whose politically connected host bragged that he had hundreds of guests  including some present and former city officials.

States Attorney Joseph Corradino said the party, which broke coronavirus rules and is costing host Danny Pizarro a $500 fine, was being thoroughly investigated.

We are in a crisis the likes of which we have not seen in over a century, Corradino said in a statement to The Connecticut Post Wednesday, referring to the global pandemic. My duty as a state constitutional officer obligates me to protect the public safety of the people in my district. The spread of COVID-19 threatens that safety.

Last Saturday night, Trumbull police officers, responding to an anonymous tip about multiple parked cars causing a traffic hazard, shut down a crowded 48th birthday party hosted by Pizarro at his Huntington Turnpike home.

Pizarro, who works for Bridgeport and owns $5.78 million worth of multi-family and downtown business properties in the city, was issued a $500 fine by police Monday evening for violating Gov. Ned Lamonts executive order capping private indoor social gatherings at 25 people.

Although authorities have not stated how many guests were present, Pizarro in an interview Sunday boasted to The Post that he had around 300 with a tent to provide extra room.

Corradino did not specify what further punitive action could be taken, although Lamonts executive order allows attendees at pandemic rule-breaking events to be penalized $250 each. According to the state, there has only been one other $500 fine and two $250 fines issued since Lamonts September order.

We are reviewing all of the available evidence to determine whether any additional enforcement actions can be taken and proven to the exacting standards of the criminal law, Corradino said. Our rules of ethics prevent us from commenting directly on a pending investigation.

Earlier Wednesday, the Trumbull police department denied The Posts request for uniform and cruiser camera recordings of the response to Pizarros residence, stating that the information had been turned over to Corrandinos office.

Theyre taking this seriously, Sgt. George Floridia said.

Pizarros attorney, Dennis Bradley, a state senator from Bridgeport, said Wednesday he was unaware of the States Attorneys interest and that Pizarro had faced the maximum legal penalty as far as he knew.

I think the $500 fine is a hefty fine. Hes received that, Bradley said, adding that anything more, such as criminal prosecution, would seem a little Draconian and heavy-handed.

He reiterated Pizarros defense that he had had a lack of information in terms of what private residents can do in their own residences and that his client had fully cooperated with Trumbull police.

Online videos of the bash, which Pizarro publicly posted on Instagram last weekend  an account he has since made private  captured a crowd dancing and drinking indoors. The majority of those guests were not wearing masks or apparently standing six feet apart, which are measures health experts and the governors office have insisted be followed in public and in private during the health crisis.

Pizarro on Sunday said he thought Lamonts COVID-19 orders only applied to restaurants and other businesses, which face much steeper, $10,000 fines, not to private homes.

Regardless, Pizarro at the time also said he was not concerned about being exposed or exposing others to the illness at his party: Im not worrying about it. ... Those that came, everybody knows COVID exists. (That) theres a pandemic. ... But they choose to come and not worry about that. Me, myself, frankly, Im not worried.

On Tuesday, Bradley called the event an error and whats now, in retrospect, a lapse in judgment but said his client had asked guests to be tested for coronavirus ahead of time. Bradley said Pizarro would pay the $500 penalty.

The state Department of Public Health has said that it initially relies on local law enforcement and municipal health officials to enforce the governors COVID-19 restrictions.

Asked why his office was interested in the party, Corradino said Wednesday: I take the threat of the COVID-19 virus seriously. Gov. Lamont has promulgated emergency orders with the intention of slowing the spread of this disease, safeguarding the lives of every resident, especially the most vulnerable. As the chief law enforcement officer of this district, it is my duty to carry out the law and assist the other state officials in combating this pandemic.

Corradino was appointed the States Attorney for the Judicial District of Fairfield last spring after a 30-year career as a prosecutor.

Pizarro, meanwhile, is a familiar face as part of Bridgeport Democratic Mayor Joe Ganims political entourage and administration. He campaigned for Ganim in 2015, and the mayor appointed Pizarro to a municipal job in 2016. Pizarros responsibilities for the city have differed over the years, and he currently earns $81,000 with a position with the housing code office.

Kelvin Ayala is a downtown business owner who has worked with Pizarro on some of the latters recent property purchases in that neighborhood. The two have known each other for about 20 years. Ayala was invited to the party but did not attend, he said.

He has his own style of unapologetic charisma (and) a big heart, Ayala said Wednesday. People gravitate to him.

Ayala said Pizarro is a guy who grew up in the neighborhood, has ties to the city and, despite successes, still has ties to the people in the neighborhood. ... I think his invite list was people hes broken bread with, entertained, done business with, or just known for years. Its the melting pot that is Bridgeport and he invited them to his Trumbull home.

State Rep. Christopher Rosario, D-Bridgeport, and New Haven Health Director Maritza Bond, who held that same position in Bridgeport until January 2020, said they both were invited to the party.

Bond, in a statement Wednesday, confirmed she briefly swung by Pizarros house last Saturday: I dropped off a gift to my former colleagues home before dinner began and left well before many started gathering.

Bond has been one of the key public figures in New Havens response to the coronavirus pandemic. Of Pizarros birthday bash she added, I am deeply disappointed that people attended a large-scale gathering that potentially put their health at risk. I feel strongly about us advocating against these types of gatherings as we are still in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rosario in an interview Tuesday night said he took a ride-share to Pizarros around 11 p.m. and stayed about 45 minutes, catching another ride elsewhere with friends.

I was there ever so briefly (and) I wore a mask, Rosario recalled. I extended my greetings and birthday wishes to the host and went on my way.

He said he doubted Pizarro hosted 300 people even with a tent  thats a small house  but admitted it got busy and he grew uncomfortable. Rosario said that Pizarro since the pandemic struck last March has hosted gatherings that have been reasonable in size but following all the social distance guidelines.

It ballooned into something that was out of Dannys control, Rosario said. Its unfortunate what happened. We all make mistakes. I understand Mr. Pizarro apologized and lesson learned to everyone involved.

On Sunday, Bridgeport City Hall said that any municipal employees who were at Pizarros home had to quarantine and receive COVID tests before returning to work. The Post previously interviewed one of those, Anthony Paoletto of the health department, who is also a former City Councilman.

Ganims office did not respond Wednesday to a request for the total number of workers quarantining after Pizarros party.
If people who lived in Tennessee 100 years ago could speak to us today, theyd tell us we are spoiled. We have stores where we can buy just about every type of food, medicine or clothing we need. We have electricity and access to a clean, safe water supply. We all have some degree of access 
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said, it was only while the Government was making hard decisions on expenditure at WASA, that it discovered certain payments had been made to PSA President Watson Duke.
Mama Diamond Platnumz and her young husband Uncle Shamte are now facing some serious relationship issues. According to their social media, Mama Dangote has unfollowed her bae.

It is however unclear as to what sparked the fight between the two love birds; but rumor has it that Uncle Shamte took a loan with her houses.

Tanzanian blogger Mange Kimambi using her Instagram said that she couldn't give more details as she is afraid that her account will be deactivated.

"Uncle Shamte took a loan with Mama Dangote's property. It got to a point he could not pay the loan and so the company wanted to auction the house. It is rumoured that the case is in court."

Earlier on, a fan identified as Bill Fiasco had said that Shamte will never leave Mama Dangote because the latter has been pampering him with money and the good life.

Because you are the one who always bribes that man. Therefore, it will be quite hard for him to leave you. Maybe when you go broke, he will leave.

In a quick rejoinder, Sandrah said;

My dear, I do not bribe men. I am not one of those old rich women in town, I am an old naive one from rural areas who love being bribed instead. Women who bribe their men have a problem. Some have even tried to bribe my husband with TSh 600k in vain. I split the money with Shamte, Sandrah wrote.
Putin has said SWIFT sanctions would be a declaration of war, well make it clear that in crossing Ukraines border with Russian tanks Putin is making that choice himself

Vladimir Putin sees an opportunity to deploy military power against Ukraine to force them to sign a new peace deal/strategic deal with Moscow. And this may happen as early as this winter, believes an acclaimed UK-based analyst, an economist with BlueBay Assets Management Timothy Ash, who has long been monitoring the developments in the region.

In his opinion, f the situation on the border between Belarus and Poland/Lithuania deteriorates, Putin might use this as the cover to put troops into Belarus, then its just a four-hour tank drive to Kyiv.

Timothy Ash has shared his insights into what stands behind the current invasion threat to Ukraine and what is driving Putin, as well as reflects on the possible options for response on the part of the Ukrainian authorities and Western powers.

What does Putin actually want from the current crisis in Ukraine?

Putin wants Ukraine. Its the centerpiece of his whole foreign policy agenda. Interventions in Syria and dallying with Turkey are tactical plays but for Putin the strategic play is bringing Ukraine back as part of mother Russia. Read his 10,000 word essay from earlier this year. For Putin there is no Great Power Russia unless Ukraine is brought home. To Putin Ukraine is like Taiwan for Xi, or Kent for England, or the Kurdish issue for the Turkish military. Thats the way he sees it  and 1000-odd years of common history means that for Putin, a history buff, its impossible to see Ukraine outside the Russian fold.

Now he accepts that Ukraine is currently independent but for him that was the result of a catastrophe, the collapse of the USSR, engineered by the West. And Western action since has all been about further weakening Russia from within but also pulling the near abroad, including Ukraine, further from its natural position by the side of Russia. And Ukrainian independence from Putins perspective is a short term blip and not sustainable.

And if Ukraine is the centerpiece of Putins foreign policy, everything we are seeing at present is about getting Ukraine back.

Its simple as that. There is no compromise.

Its important also to realize that this is about Putins place in Russian history. Sure he would love to go down in history as the great Russian leader who brought Ukraine back into the fold  but also in terms of why now, I think he would hate to be viewed as the Russian leader who had the opportunity to bring Ukraine back into the fold but dithered and lacked the balls to do that.

Sure Putin is cautious, conservative but he probes looks for weaknesses and opportunities and that is what we are seeing now and it feels that Putin is probing the West with his bayonet and not feeling anything much more than the straw of one of those exercise dummies.

Whats actually happening on the ground?

Well it seems as per U.S. intelligence reports that Russia is preparing a major military force on Ukraines borders.

According to U.S. military sources this build-up is different to those seen in April and September. Those latter two were part of regular exercises, while the current build-up seems not related to any particular scheduled exercise. It also seems different in size and scope and troop and equipment build-up look more offensive in nature given logistical movements.

It could be argued that the April and September build-ups were boy that cried wolf exercises making people think the current build-up is similarly nothing unusual and that troops will stand down quickly. Its all about Putin keeping everyone guessing.

Where is the threat?

Those defending Putins right to deploy troops on his borders surely have to ask themselves what realistic threat justifies putting 100-200k troops on Russias Western border. Ukraine may have undertaken a drone strike against Russian forces/proxies in Ukraine, but it is not aiming to attack Russia. Similarly NATO is in no fit state to attack Russia  it would do well defending Europe from a preemptive Russian strike.

So why deploy 100-200k troops unless you actually mean to use them on offensive actions?

What is Putin up to?

I think Putin sees an opportunity to deploy military power against Ukraine to force them to sign a new peace deal/strategic deal with Moscow.

Putin thinks that a very focused but decisive military strike by Russia into Ukraine would see the Zelensky administration quickly suing for peace terms. Ukrainian troops will fight but deployment of overwhelming Russian air power and artillery across its borders would see massively disproportionate Ukrainian casualties. Faced by the prospect of thousands of Ukrainian casualties Zelensky would quickly seek peace terms. Note here that the Russian strategy is not even to take large swathes of Ukrainian territory but to concentrate attacks to maximise Ukrainian military casualties. Putin is not thinking of a scenario where like Budapest 56 or Prague 68 Russian troops are engaged in bitter street fights in Ukrainian cities.

Why now?

Because the opportunity is there, and Putin wants Ukraine.

First, the assumption is the West would do nothing.

This seems a fair assumption as the West did little in response to the annexation of Crimea and Russian intervention in Donbas. It has balked at extending Ukraine with a NATO Membership Action Plan for fear of annoying Russia. And lets face it Western sanctions against Russia have been limited.

Putin has, meanwhile, engineered an energy crisis in Europe over NS2, and a migrant crisis on the border between Belarus and the EU. A crisis is meanwhile looming in the Balkans, and fanned by Moscow, over the secession of RS from BIH. Europe will be focused on gas, migrants and the Balkans and will have zero appetite to stick its neck out and annoy Moscow in defense of Ukraine when it thinks it needs Russias help to solve the migrant crisis, energy and Balkans crises.

The tactics herein have been to weaken the West to prevent it from being in a position to intervene to help Ukraine fend off attacks.

The Biden administration is meanwhile weak and focused elsewhere three Cs, Climate, China, and Covid.

The likes of Blinken and Sullivan have shown they have no appetite for a confrontation with Russia. They want to park Russia and would push Ukraine to sue for peace quickly if Russia attacked. Biden and team have shown their foreign policy focus is China  to the cost of everything else, Afghanistan, France and AUKUS and I am afraid Ukraine.

Sad but true.

Putin knows all this because he had engineered most of it  energy, migrants and the Balkans.

Biden has given Putin a green light to go into Ukraine by his inaction and focus on China.

Timing: How will this all pan out?

Seems like a winter 21/22 event. Expect the situation in Belarus to deteriorate and watch BIH. If we see the situation on the border between Belarus and Poland/Lithuania deteriorates Putin might use this as the cover to put troops into Belarus, then its just a four-hour tank drive to Kyiv. Its not difficult to see Putin creating some further crisis around Ukraine to justify an actual military assault on Ukraine.

Remember also the 30 year anniversary of the collapse of the USSR on Dec 8, 1991. And Putin loves history.

What deal will Putin accept?

Look his ideal scenario would be a return to something akin to the USSR. A Union or Federation with Moscow at the center but the likes of Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Belarus bowing to leadership from the center, Moscow, in key areas like foreign affairs, defense and the economy, energy policy. Look at the plans for the Eurasian Union that Ukrainians rejected with the Euromaidan in 2013-14.

But I think he would accept a current Kazakhstan style scenario where Astana has some considerable freedom in domestic affairs and the economy but accepts its comes under the Russian strategic umbrella. It will not cross Moscow on areas that Russia deems to be red lines.

What are Zelenskys options?

Ukraine will fight  Ukrainians have proven they are willing to fight and die in defense of their sovereignty.

But its right for Ukraine to ask what will the West do if Putin goes in full force? If the West does nothing why should Zelensky risk thousands of young Ukrainians lives when the end game is unlikely to be any different unless the West is really serious about supporting a country that actually seems willing to stand up and fight for Western interests.

The end game here would be a new peace or strategic deal between Ukraine and Russia which massively erodes Ukrainian sovereignty  similar to what is on-going with Belarus. The problem here is I think it will be very difficult for Zelensky to sell at home. Zelensky will likely face an uprising from nationalists and patriots. But thats fine for Putin, who will then likely use that to eventually move against Zelensky. Putin likely sees someone like Medvedchuk or Boiko eventually replacing Zelensky as Ukraine moves to a Russia-style managed democracy.

The outlook for Ukraine is not great.

Can the West do anything?

I guess its pretty clear that the West is unwilling to go to war with Russia over Ukraine.

It should now be massively arming Ukraine to give it the best tools to fend off a Russian attack  to increase the military cost and calculation for Putin.

It should also openly declare what sanctions will be rolled out should Russia attack  being public makes it harder for the West to wiggle out and let Putin know the sanctions risk is serious.

Think here of extensive oligarch designations, SOE designations, Sovereign debt primary and secondary designations, and SWIFT. Putin has said SWIFT sanctions would be a declaration of war, well make it clear that in crossing Ukraines border with Russian tanks Putin is making that choice himself.

Timothy Ash

This text represents Timothys personal views and doesnt necessarily represent the views of Bluebay Asset Management.

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Ukrinform.
Aissata, who arrived from Djibo, holding her baby boy. She joins other Malian refugees returning to a reopened Goudoubo camp.  UNHCR/Moussa Bougma

Ouagadougou, BURKINA FASO  When Aissata, a 29-year-old mother of three, fled violence in her home country of Mali two years ago, she sought safety in neighbouring Burkina Faso, moving into the Mentao refugee camp with her extended family. But in the Sahel region  a swathe of land that encompasses several countries south of the Sahara  violence easily crosses borders.

We were forced to flee once again, said Aissata, who took her family to the nearby town of Djibo after a series of violent attacks by armed groups and reprisals by the security forces made the Mentao refugee camp unlivable.

Aissata thinks she finally may have found refuge.

Malian refugees are given a chance to start a new home (Moussa Bougma, Camera; producer, Edith Champagne, editor, Insa Diatta, Marion Viguier)

Last month, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency relocated 1,200 Malian refugees, including Aissata and her family, from Djibo to another camp, Goudoubo, roughly 200 kilometres away. There, they will have access again to schools, health centres and shops. Government authorities have increased security around the camp and promised to keep it safe.

I am happy to be here. I think that here we will be in peace, said Aissata, upon arriving to her new home.

Burkina Faso hosts roughly 20,000 Malian refugees who have fled their homes since 2012, when an uprising there sparked violence that flowed out of Mali across borders. Jihadists and terror groups, organized crime organizations and ordinary thugs terrorized people across the region, exploiting ethnic tension and weak governance.

"I think that here we will be in peace."

The violence in the greater Sahel  which includes Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Niger  has continued unabated, causing one of the largest displacement crises in the world. Nearly 3 million people are displaced in the region, including 2.1 million who have fled home but remain inside their country. Burkina Faso, once a model for peace in the region, now has 1.1 million internally displaced people, but continues to host refugees even as its own population of 19 million struggles to protect itself.

See also: Sahel internal displacement tops 2 million as violence surges

The Malian refugees in Burkina Faso had lived mostly in the Mentao and Goudoubo camps until violence forced both to empty. Around 4,460 Malian refugees made the difficult choice to return home to a country still in turmoil, where UNHCR assisted them on arrival. The remaining Malians fled, some to Djibo and many others to Dori town in the northeast, where a host community already grappling with inadequate shelter, a lack of clean water and a shortage of health centres welcomed them.

See also: Climate change and conflict pursue displaced Burkinabes

The refugees returning to the camp say they feel safe again, said Paul Ali-Pauni Shelubale, UNHCR acting Representative in the country. We commend the generosity of the communities hosting them, and the commitment from the national government to ensure their safety. We urge all governments in the region and the international community to continue working toward peace, so people can rebuild their lives.

UNHCR and partners has helped 6,571 refugees return to Goudoubo since December. Among those who returned from nearby Dori, some have already reopened small businesses, including grocery shops and butchers. Together with partners, UNHCR has rehabilitated shelters, water and sanitations systems.

We are very excited to be in Goudoubo camp, said Fatimata, 70, a Malian refugee, as she sat surrounded by her family, including children and grandchildren, We are happy to be together.
How does a father who has spent years apart from his two daughters prepare for a reunion? Girmay put on his best suit and held a big balloon that said I Love You as he waited for them to land at Amsterdam airport.

Girmay had not seen Kyara, 14, and Sara, 12, since he fled Eritrea in 2014 and came to the Netherlands. Since then, they had lived first with their stepmother and then with their paternal grandmother, before fleeing from Eritrea to Ethiopia in 2018.

Back in 2014, Girmay never imagined he would have to wait seven years before he would see his daughters again.

I missed them every day, he said, pacing up and down the arrivals hall concourse at the airport. He was accompanied by his two other children, Sinit 8, and Yodit, 6, who would be meeting their half-sisters for the first time.

Kyara and Sara were finally given the green light to join their father in the Netherlands earlier this month after years of family reunification procedures during which they were supported by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the Dutch Council for Refugees (Vluchtelingenwerk Nederland).

Family reunification is key to fulfilling refugees fundamental human right to family unity. It provides a legal route for refugees to be with their families, avoiding the need for dangerous land and sea crossings. But the process can be lengthy, taking a toll on families, especially children, and hindering their integration in host countries. In the Netherlands, it takes a year on average, but can take longer, especially when documentation is lacking.

Many Eritreans, including Girmay, struggle to obtain the required documents for their families. Girmays case was also delayed because he lacked written consent from the girls mother or a certificate to prove her death from natural causes in 2011. The recent conflict in Ethiopia and the COVID-19 pandemic further delayed the process.

For families who have been through a years-long bureaucratic process, the final hurdle can be raising the necessary funds to cover their loved ones travel costs.

"The first global airmiles fund that provides practical help."

Fortunately for Kyara and Sara, the cost of their commercial flight from the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to Amsterdam was covered by Miles4Migrants. The US-based charity uses donated airline frequent flyer miles to help people impacted by war, persecution, and disaster bring their loved ones to the countries where they have found refuge.

The girls case was the first to be referred to the charity by UNHCR since the two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in January.

It constitutes an innovative solution to realizing the right of family unity for refugees who have the legal approval to travel for a reunion but cant afford the airfare, said Anna Gekht of UNHCRs Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Service.

Its the first global airmiles fund that provides practical help with refugee family reunification. I would call upon everyone to consider donating their miles through the Miles4Migrants website, she added.

"I look forward to a beautiful future."

Finally, Kyara and Sara walked through the arrivals gate and the family hugged each other tightly. There were no words, only astonishment that this long-awaited moment had finally arrived. Girmays wife had prepared a special meal for the family at their home as a way of starting their new life together.

I am happy Kyara and Sara can continue their education here. I look forward to a beautiful future for them in safety, free from worries, said Girmay.

This story is one of many that can be supported through donations to the Miles4Migrants airmiles bank. For more information on how to donate miles please visit: https://miles4migrants.org/campaign-unhcr/.
Mainstem Malt, a Walla Walla-based supplier of grains for craft beer and spirits, is tapping into crowdsourcing as a way to grow. Its developers hope that the already-established company will garner enough support to expand its footprint, add a production facility and hire more staff.
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Milledgeville, GA (31061)

Today

Rain early. A mix of sun and clouds by afternoon. High 67F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

A clear sky. Low near 35F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.
University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Public Safety Office and University of Nebraska Information Technology Services (ITS) have been recently notified of an email scam that has impacted college students in the Omaha area.

Like similar phishing scams, this recent incident involves scammers sending fraudulent employment offers and checks from what apears to be a Michigan-based company called AIM Computer Solutions Inc. In these cases, fraudulent offers are followed by the distribution of checks, contacting by text message, and vague instructions on next steps.

These scams are especially common during the holidays. In these cases, the checks are fraudulent and could negatively impact a person's bank acount, credit, or personal information security. Members of the UNO community are encouraged to contact UNO Public Safety Office if they suspect they are the target of a potential email scam.

Always be skeptical if you receive offers like this. Watch for grammatical errors, and ask yourself if this type of email is something you would normally receive by the person who sent it.

Safety Tips:
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 14th Nov, 2021) Chaired by Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, the newly appointed Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) held its first meeting, coinciding with ADGMs sixth anniversary since its establishment. The meeting reflects ADGMs strategic vision and reinforces its position as one of the world's leading international financial centres.

The ADGM board members reiterated their commitment to progressing ADGMs growth journey, strengthening the financial sector, attracting global companies and investments, and developing a vibrant business environment underpinned by innovation and a robust regulatory framework.

Commenting on the meeting, Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, said: "Abu Dhabi Global Markets forward-looking vision is in line with the Principles of the Fifty that define the nations journey for the next fifty years.

"

He stressed the importance of establishing a comprehensive and advanced environment that enables the growth and development of local and international entities both regionally and globally.

The meeting was attended by ADGMs Vice Chairman, Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, as well as Hisham Khalid Malak, Khaled Abdulla Al Qubaisi, Dhaen Mohamed Al Hameli, Mansour Mohamed Al Mulla, and Kaj-Erik-Relander.

Since its inception in 2015, ADGM has established itself globally as one of the world's leading international financial centres.
(@FahadShabbir)

DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 14th Nov, 2021) The UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK's Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) to reinforce cooperation in cultural fields related to tangible and intangible cultural heritage, literature, visual and performing arts, audio-visual media, design, cultural and creative industries.

The two countries will also work together to support youth and talented individuals in the cultural fields.

The MoU underlines the importance of cultural dialogue and exchanges in strengthening the ties between the UAE and the UK, while also expanding on knowledge of each others civilisation, culture and arts.

The MoU was signed by Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State; and Nigel Huddleston, Minister for Sport, Tourism, Heritage and Civil Society of United Kingdom. The two ministers highlighted the importance of culture and its role in establishing social cohesion, promoting dialogue between communities and peoples, and building stronger human to human relations.

They explored means of fostering partnerships to advance the cultural and creative sector and keep pace with the current developments and tackle challenges. They also agreed on exchanging experiences in the field to make the cultural and creative industries a significant contributor to the national GDP. This would also lead to new opportunities for creative talents to work in the sector, which is currently one of the fastest growing sectors globally.

The ministers said that the UAE and Britain have very deep ties that stem from shared social and cultural values. The new agreement is built on a commitment to promoting the values of tolerance and coexistence, reflected in the creative cultural movements in the two countries.

The MoU aims to foster cooperation in the field of cultural heritage protection and the study of culture, languages, literature, arts and heritage in the two countries. It will also promote translation of published materials in both English and Arabic to give a boost to the publishing sector.

The two countries also seek to ensure the protection of intellectual property rights in accordance with national legislation and international conventions; to host mutual cultural events and facilitate opportunities for public participation in cultural events; and prop up the cultural and creative industries affected by the pandemic.

The MoU enables the exchange of experiences to facilitate the implementation of international agreements, such as those signed with UNESCO and other agreements related to the cultural sector. It also calls on professionals, scholars, experts and researchers in the field of culture to draw on each others experiences in implementing international agreements, and benefit from international conventions.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Damascus, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Nov, 2021 ) :China donated 500,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine on Sunday to war-torn Syria, which has one of the world's lowest inoculation rates and what the UN called an alarming rise in cases.

The latest shipment raises to almost two million the number of such deliveries to Syria in a week.

Less than two percent of Syria's population have been vaccinated and cases of infection are spiking, United Nations under secretary-general Martin Griffiths warned last month.

Damascus last week received more than 1.3 million doses of Chinese-made vaccine Sinovac under the global Covax programme set up to try to ensure an equitable delivery of jabs.

Health Minister Hassan Ghabash, speaking to journalists, praised the latest donation of another Chinese vaccine, Sinopharm.

Beijing's ambassador Feng Biao, whose country is a Syria regime ally, said Sunday's consignment raised to 800,000 the number of Sinopharm doses provided by Beijing.

Ghabash said his health services have vaccinated more than 600,000 people and urged more Syrians to come forward for their jabs.

More than 46,000 cases, including 2,661 deaths, have been officially registered in government-controlled regions, but medics and activist groups believe the actual figure is much higher.

The rebel-held Idlib region of northwest Syria, which has recorded more than 90,000 cases, including 2,000 deaths, says it has received almost 690,000 vaccine doses under Covax and inoculated 77,000 people.

The Kurdish administration of northeast Syria that receives vaccines via Damascus has registered 1,500 Covid deaths from 37,000 cases, and about 40,000 residents have been vaccinated.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Guayaquil, Ecuador, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Nov, 2021 ) :Inmates who staged a riot that left at least 68 dead at a prison in Ecuador are attacking each other again, a spokesman for the president said Saturday evening.

"The government must report that new incidents are now occurring" in the prison in Guayaquil, spokesman Carlos Jijon said. He said prisoners from different sections of the penitentiary are attacking each other.
Washington, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Nov, 2021 ) :The United States urged Cuban authorities on Sunday to lift a ban on protests ahead of a planned anti-government demonstration.

"We call on the Cuban government to respect Cubans' rights, by allowing them to peacefully assemble and use their voices without fear of government reprisal or violence, and by keeping internet and telecommunication lines open for the free exchange of information," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement ahead of the planned rallies on Monday.
Paris, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Nov, 2021 ) :Zambia-born novelist Wilbur Smith chronicled dramatic adventures on the African continent, creating internationally-acclaimed fiction that drew on own his action-packed life.

He gained recognition in 1964 with his debut novel "When the Lion Feeds", the tale of a young man growing up on a South African cattle ranch which led to 15 sequels, tracing the ambitious family's fortunes for more than 200 years.

"I wove into the story chunks of early African history. I wrote about black people and white. I wrote about hunting and gold mining and carousing and women," he said in a biography on his official website.

He also leant on meticulous historical research and his own extensive travels, establishing a method he would use over a career spanning five decades in which he wrote nearly 50 novels and sold about 130 million books.

Another golden rule came from his publisher, Charles Pick. "He said: 'Write only about those things you know well.' Since then I have written only about Africa," Smith said.

- Born hunter - Born on January 9, 1933 to a British family in what was then Northern Rhodesia, Smith encountered from an early age the forest, hills and savannah of Africa on his parents' large ranch.

He credits his mother with teaching him to love nature and reading, while his father gave him a rifle at the age of eight, the start of what he acknowledged was a lifelong love affair with firearms and hunting.

"There are more big-game hunters in Smith's oeuvre than spies in the works of John le Carre, and yet it is possible that he has slaughtered even more animals in real life than on the page," Britain's Daily Telegraph wrote in 2014.

Also a scuba diver and mountain climber in his time, Smith was not afraid to throw himself into his research, saying that for his 1970 novel "Gold Mine" he took a job in a South African gold mine for a few weeks.

"I was a sort of privileged member of the team, I could ask questions and not be told to shut up," he told the Daily Telegraph of his experience.

- 'Action-man author' - Smith studied at South Africa's Rhodes University, intending to become a journalist until his father said, as he recounts on his website, "Don't be a bloody fool ... Go and find yourself a real job." There followed a "soul-destroying" stint as a chartered accountant, during which he turned to fiction.

The success with "When the Lion Feeds" encouraged him to become a full-time writer and lead to the Courtney series, which runs up to "The Tiger's Prey" published in 2017, more than 50 years after the first book.

The four-part Ballantyne series is themed on colonial wealth and the racial struggle in the former Rhodesia, today's Zimbabwe. There is also a series on Egypt, while standalone novels include "The Sunbird" (1972) and "Those in Peril" (2011).

His books have been translated into around 30 languages and some made into films, including "Shout at the Devil" with Lee Marvin and Roger Moore in 1976.

Describing Smith as the "ultimate action-man author", Britain's Daily Mail in 2017 remarked that it was perhaps surprising his books still appeal considering their "politically incorrect whirl of sex, violence, casual misogyny, big-game hunters, mining, full-breasted women and slaughtered beasts".

- A life of adventures - Answering a question on his site about the secret of his success, he says it is about "embroidering" a bit on real life.

"I write about men who are more manly and beautiful women who are really more beautiful than any women you'd meet," he says, confirming he sometimes worked with co-writers.

Published in 2018, his autobiography "On Leopard Rock" chronicles his own adventures -- the raw material for his fiction -- including being attacked by lions, getting lost in the African bush and crawling through the precarious tunnels of gold mines.

He was been married four times, with his last wife, Mokhiniso Rakhimova from Tajikistan, his junior by 39 years.

Smith spent most of his time in South Africa and had homes in Cape Town, London, Switzerland and Malta.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has said that Peshawar is an important and unique city in the context of history, tourism and lauded KP government's measures for promotion of tourism in the province

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Nov, 2021 ) :Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has said that Peshawar is an important and unique city in the context of history, tourism and lauded KP government's measures for promotion of tourism in the province.

He said this during his visit to Peshawar City on Saturday. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA), Directorate of Archaeology had arranged the visit of the minister to see the historic places in the city and apprise him of the ongoing renovation and development work in tourism, archaeology, museum and other sectors.

The minister praised the initiatives being taken by the Archaeology and Museum Department for the tourism's promotion, conservation and preservation of antiques, archaeological sites and renovation of historic Peshawar Museum.

Asad Umar said that he would request Prime Minister Imran Khan to inaugurate the Peshawar Museum once its renovation was fully completed.

He said that religious tourism can be promoted by attracting the religious scholars and followers of Buddhism to the Peshawar Museum, Takhtbhai Archaeological Complex and other sites in Swat and elsewhere in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

"Peshawar Museum contains an important and precious part of our history. Peshawar City has a rich history and remained the centre of various religions in the past," he said, adding that he would urge the domestic as well as the foreign tourists to visit Peshawar and explore its archaeological heritage.

Later, the minister visited Peshawar Museum, Gor Khattree, Gorakhnath Temple, Heritage Trail, Sethi House and other historic places in the city and took keen interest in it.

Director Archaeology and Museums, Dr Abdul Samad accompanied the minister.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

At least 26 Maoist rebels were killed on Saturday in a gunfight with special commandos in a remote Indian forest, police said, the latest deadly clash in the vast country's longest armed conflict

New Delhi, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Nov, 2021 ) :At least 26 Maoist rebels were killed on Saturday in a gunfight with special commandos in a remote Indian forest, police said, the latest deadly clash in the vast country's longest armed conflict.

Police said three commandos were badly wounded in the hours-long clash in the dense forests of Gadchiroli district, some 1,000 k ilometres (620 miles) east of Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra state.

Gadchiroli is one of dozens of Maoist hotbeds dotting the mineral-rich districts of central and eastern India where tens of thousands of guerrillas are fighting the government for better rights for marginalised and indigenous peoples.

Police said the firefight erupted after special police commandos intercepted a group of rebels in the Mardintola forest.

"At least 26 Naxals are dead," an officer from Maharashtra police told AFP on condition of anonymity, using a local term for the left-wing rebels.

The officer said special forces were still conducting a search operation in the remote area amid sporadic gunfire.

Gadchiroli police chief Ankit Goyal told AFP that they were trying to retrieve the bodies of the slain Maoists.

"The exact number of casualties and their identities will be known after the bodies are recovered," Goyal said.

He said three police commandos were airlifted to the city of Nagpur for treatment after suffering serious injuries.

The deadly clash in Gadchiroli is the latest in India's long-running Maoist insurgency that began in the 1960s, and has cost thousands of lives.

The government has deployed tens of thousands of forces to battle the rebels across the insurgent-dominated region known as the "Red Corridor", which stretches across several central, southern and eastern states.

Delhi has also pumped millions of Dollars into infrastructure development in the remote areas dominated by tribal communities, and claims to have confined the armed insurgency to 53 districts in 2020, down from 96 in 2010.

Police in eastern Jharkhand - one of the worst affected states -- said Friday they had arrested a top leader of the outlawed rebel group.

Prashant Bose, who is in his late 70s, had a bounty of 10 million rupees ($134,000) on his head and was arrested in the state's Seraikela district.

Bose is accused of orchestrating more than 100 violent attacks over the last four decades.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th November, 2021) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed support for Poland over the migrant crisis at its border with Belarus during a conversation with his Polish counterpart, Zbigniew Rau, the US State Department said on Sunday.

"Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke yesterday with Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau. Secretary Blinken reaffirmed U.S. support for Poland in the face of the Lukashenka regime's cynical exploitation of vulnerable migrants.

The actions by the Lukashenka regime threaten security, sow division, and aim to distract from Russia's activities on the border with Ukraine," department spokesman Ned price said in a statement.

"Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Rau strongly condemned the instrumentalization of vulnerable migrants and called on Lukashenka to address the root causes of sanctions imposed by the West - the denial of human rights and fundamental freedoms for the Belarusian people," the statement read.
UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th November, 2021) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the participants of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow failed to reach an agreement on a number of important climate targets.

"The #COP26 outcome is a compromise, it reflects the interests, the contradictions and the state of political will in the world today. It's an important step, but it's not enough," Guterres said on Saturday.

He called for an acceleration of climate action, in order to maintain the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.

"It's time to go into emergency mode. We must end fossil fuel subsidies, phase out coal, put a price on carbon, protect vulnerable communities from the impacts of climate change," Guterres emphasized.

The Secretary General also called on COP26 participants to make good on the $100 billion climate finance commitment to support developing countries.

"We did not achieve these goals at this conference, but we have some building blocks for progress," he said.

According to Guterres, the absolute priority must be to limit greenhouse gas emissions, bringing them down by 45 percent in the next ten years (as compared to the level of 2010).

The COP26 climate summit was held in the Scottish city of Glasgow on October 31 - November 12. It was organized to help reach meaningful commitments to fulfill the goals set out by the 2015 Paris Agreement on greenhouse emission reduction, carbon neutrality, global warming and climate finance.

The next UN climate conference, COP27, will be held in Egypt in 2022.
LONDON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th November, 2021) One person has died and another one was injured in a car explosion near a hospital in northern England's Liverpool, the police of the Merseyside county said on Sunday.

According to the police, a taxi pulled up at the Women's Hospital in Liverpool's city center shortly before an explosion went off.

"Unfortunately, we can confirm that one person has died and another has been taken to hospital where he is being treated for his injuries, which thankfully are not life threatening," the police said in a statement.

"Our response is ongoing at the hospital and will be for some time. Cordons are in place, and there are some road closures," the police said, adding that counter-terrorism detectives are involved in the investigation.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th November, 2021) US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to hold a virtual summit on Monday as tensions between the two countries have been on the rise over Taiwan, arms control, and human rights, among other issues.

No major deliverables are expected out of the meeting, but the two leaders are likely to discuss tensions involving Taiwan, Hong Kong, trade tariffs, arms control, visa restrictions and Xinjiang, Politico reported last week citing a US official. There is also a possibility that the two leaders may establish a framework that could ease tensions between the two countries, according to the report.

"The two leaders will discuss ways to responsibly manage the competition between the United States and the PRC (China), as well as ways to work together where our interests align," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement on Friday. "Throughout, President Biden will make clear US intentions and priorities and be clear and candid about our concerns with the PRC."

The Biden administration has many times said China is the United States' greatest challenge in the 21st Century due to its growing military and economy, a notion reinforced by US military chief Mark Milley in a speech last week who referred to Beijing as America's top geostrategic threat.

What is likely to be near the top of the agenda is preventing a military confrontation over Taiwan and the South China Sea.

China recently flew numerous military aircraft near Taiwan in a show of force and the United States has conducted several military drills with partners in the region.

The Biden administration has also expressed concern over China's test of a hypersonic missile earlier this month that circled the world before heading towards its target, which it missed. China denied reports that it tested a hypersonic missile and said it was a test of a suborbital space vehicle.

China, for its part, may express its concerns about the United States' military activity in the South China Sea and its cooperation with Taiwan, including the recently announced AUKUS defense pact meant to oversee the Indo-Pacific region.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday said he expects Biden to discuss the origins of the novel coronavirus disease pandemic with Xi.

In August and October, the US intelligence community in two reports admitted it was unable to conclude whether the virus was transmitted from an animal to a human during a natural process, or originated in a Chinese laboratory due to Beijing's lack of transparency.

In addition, Biden may raise issues related to unfair trade practices, intellectual property, implementation of the Trump-era Phase One trade deal, and tariffs, according to media reports.
While acknowledging the reduction of attacks on the general population by insurgents as a positive aspect, the countrys Catholic Bishops say that the cost of living in Mozambique is way above what most people can afford.

Herminio Jose - Maputo, Mozambique.

Bishop of Chimoio Diocese and Spokesperson of the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique (CEM), Joao Carlos Hatoa Nunes, spoke at a press conference that he convened over the weekend. Sharing views of the countrys Bishops with the local media, Bishop Joao Carlos complimented the Government of Mozambique for generally containing armed attacks on civilians. He commended all those involved in protecting citizens, including Rwandan and SADCC armies.

Displaced persons and the high cost of living

The Bishop of Chimoio Diocese, however, drew attention to challenges that still need resolution. These include the humanitarian problem of displaced persons in Cabo Delgado Province, the country-wide increase in criminality, and the rise in the cost of living. He said many Mozambican families are struggling to make ends meet.

Show solidarity with those most in need

Bishop Joao Carlos has urged Mozambicans to demonstrate solidarity, especially with those hit the hardest by the countrys economy. He said the Bishops appeal goes to the Catholic faithful and all people of goodwill.

The press conference was held on the sidelines of the plenary session of the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique meeting in Maputo from 8 to 14 November.
The Holy See Press Office releases the programme of the Pope's journey to Cyprus and Greece scheduled from 2 to 6 December.

Vatican News staff writer

Pope Francis will be travelling to Cyprus and Greece from 2 to 6 December, embarking on his next international apostolic journey to the two nations. The Holy See Press Office released his planned schedule over the five days which includes a busy schedule of meetings with local authorities, Church leaders, liturgical celebrations and ecumenical encounters. The Pope will also return to Greece's Lesbos island to visit with migrants.

On Thursday, 2 December he will leave Rome for Cyprus, landing at Larnaca International Airport at 3 pm where there will be the official welcome. At 4 pm he will meet with priests, consecrated persons, deacons, catechists, and members of Church associations present in Cyprus at the Maronite Cathedral of Our Lady of Grace. Later from 5:15 pm onwards the welcome ceremony will take place at the Presidential Palace of Nicosia, followed by a courtesy visit to the President of the Republic and a meeting with local authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps.



The following day on Friday morning, the Pope will make a courtesy visit to His Beatitude Chrysostomos II, Orthodox Archbishop of Cyprus at the Orthodox Archbishopric of Cyprus in Nicosia, followed by a meeting with the Holy Synod at the Orthodox Cathedral in Nicosia. Later in the morning he will preside over a Mass at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia. In the afternoon he will hold an Ecumenical Prayer with Migrants at the Parish Church of the Holy Cross in Nicosia.

On Saturday the Pope leaves Cyprus and heads to Athens, Greece, where he is scheduled to arrive at 11:10 local time. The official welcome at Athens International Airport will be followed by a welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Athens. He will make a courtesy visit to the President of the Republic, meet with the Prime Minister, and then with local authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps. The busy afternoon meetings include a courtesy visit to His Beatitude Hieronymos II, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, at the Orthodox Archbishopric of Greece in Athens, followed by a meeting of both leaders with their respective entourages in the Throne Room of the Orthodox Archbishopric. Later that day he will meet with the local Church community's bishops, priests, religious, consecrated persons, seminarians, and catechists at the Cathedral of Saint Dionysius in Athens. Ending the evening, he will meet privately with members of the Society of Jesus at the Apostolic Nunciature in Athens.

On Sunday morning the Pope will travel to the Greek Island of Lesbos to visit with refugees at the "Reception and Identification Centre" in Mytilene town. He returns to Athens in the afternoon when at 16:45 he will preside over a Mass at Megaron Concert Hall. In the evening he will welcome the courtesy visit of His Beatitude Hieronymous II at the Apostolic Nunciature in Athens.

Finally, on Monday morning, 6 December, Pope Francis will welcome the President of the Parliament at the Apostolic Nunciature in Athens. He will later meet with young people at Saint Dionysius School run by the Ursuline Sisters in Maroussi, Athens. After that, he heads to Athens International Airport for the farewell ceremony and his return flight to Rome leaving at 11:30.
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The Chinese military is performing target practice exercises with structures that are identical in profile to American warships and aircraft carriers. These military exercises are taking place in Chinas Taklamakan desert.

Images received by USNI from satellite imaging firm Maxar revealed that there are full-scale outlines of at least two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers together with a U.S. aircraft carrier. They are set up as targets in the Ruoqiang region in Central China. The new target range could be proof that Beijing is continuing to focus on reinforcing and refining its anti-carrier capabilities with a special focus on U.S. Navy warships.

The large aircraft carrier-shaped target appears relatively simple with no major detailing. However, other warship targets shown in the images revealed substantial detailing with upright poles strategically placed on them. The poles could potentially be designed for installing instrumentation. They can also be used for radar reflectors so as to simulate the vessels superstructure.

The mockups of several probable U.S. warships (mounted on rails and mobile), could simulate targets related to seeking/target acquisition testing. This, and the extensive detail of the mockups, including the placement of multiple sensors on and around the vessel targets, it is probable that this area is intended for multiple uses over time, according to a summary provided by AllSource Analysis, the company that provided the Maxar satellite images to USNI News.

In the past, communist China has built similar aircraft carrier targets in deserts. In 2003, Beijing constructed a large concrete pad the size of an aircraft carrier as part of the Shuangchengzi missile test range. The pad has undergone frequent firing exercises and is regularly repaired for further testing.

The new site in the Taklamakan desert is located 600 miles away from Shuangchengzi and is far more advanced. It has been designed with target structures that have much more technical detailing so as to provide improved representations of the vessels being targeted. Although the Iranian Navy also has a target structure based on the profile of an aircraft carrier, Chinas new facility in the desert is more sophisticated.

Communist China has been intently focused on the development and testing of anti-ship ballistic missiles for years. The Pentagon has raised concerns about communist Chinas rapidly expanding nuclear capabilities. This military unease between two global superpowers is developing just as China amps up tensions in the South China Sea and aggressively threatens Taiwan.

John Kirby, a spokesperson for the Pentagon, recently stated that communist China is building up maritime and aviation capabilities with the specific aim of blocking the United States from accessing parts of the Indo-Pacific region.

A Pentagon report warned of Beijings increasing missile capabilities. DF-21D and DF-26, called carrier-killers, are two China-made ballistic missiles that can target ships. DF-21D gives the PLA the capability to conduct long range precision strikes against ships, including aircraft carriers, out to the Western Pacific from mainland China, the report stated.
Music Time in Africa is VOAs longest running English language program. Since 1965, this award-winning program has featured pan African music that spans all genres and generations. Ethnomusicologist and Host Heather Maxwell keeps you up to date on whats happening in African music with exclusive interviews, cultural information, and of course, great music -- including rare recordings from the Leo Sarkisian Library of African Music.
Nearly 200 countries signed the Glasgow Climate Pact at the end of the COP26 summit Saturday, pledging to speed up action on tackling climate change. However, last minute pressure from China and India saw key pledges on phasing out fossil fuels watered down. Henry Ridgwell reports from the summit. Camera: Henry Ridgwell
Saturday, August 21, is the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, a day that is unfortunately relevant in Burkina Faso which is engaged in fighting Islamist militants. One Burkinabe nonprofit, Go Paga, is helping widows and orphans grappling with the loss of husbands and fathers to rebuild their lives.

Some 1.3 million people have been displaced in Burkina Fasos conflict since it began in 2015, and more than 6,000 killed, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. Burkinabe military personnel are among the dead, killed fighting terror groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaida.

Loretta Ilboudou is the widow of a soldier killed in that fight. She says it was on December 24, 2019. She and her family were preparing for Christmas. Her husbands uncles arrived in the morning, but she wasnt informed of his death until that evening. She said she suspected something but wasn't told anything to begin with.

Her husband died during a terrorist attack on the town of Arbinda. The couple had a daughter who was just a few months old at the time.

Her husband was a nice person, she says, a bit shy, and very serious about his work. He spent a lot of time with his family. They used to go on outings on his days off.

A nonprofit called Go Paga is helping widows like Ilboudou. Its pilot project, launched in February, provides them with support so they can make a living.

Fadima Kambou, the founder of Go Paga, says the program is about teaching the women to fish, not giving them the fish. It's about empowering themselves and their children afterward. The aim is for Burkina Faso to have a system of care that supports what the state already provides for these widows, Kambou adds.

Terrorism victims like Ilboudou face complex issues, says Fionnuala Ni Aolain, United Nations special rapporteur for protecting the human rights of terrorism victims.

So, we get a lot of good wishes for victims of terrorism, and we get a lot of expressions of great sorrow for their sorrow. But in many ways  and I think both speak directly about widows  the reality is that victims of terrorism, particularly women who have been victims, need concrete and practical support, she said.

Today, IIboudou is an intern at an insurance company. She hopes to be fully employed so she can support her daughter.

Now, she says she feels ready to move forward and she says she wishes other women had this chance.

Beginning in September, Go Paga plans to roll out its program to support all military widows in the country.
Cameroon rights groups, opposition parties and local media are asking the government to publish its findings after most of a $335 million loan from the IMF could not be accounted for. At least 15 officials have appeared before commissions of investigation.



A government statement read on Cameroon state media Monday calls on civilians to remain calm as investigations on missing funds continue. The statement from government spokesperson Rene Emmanuel Sadi states that justice will take its course.



The statement comes after Cameroon rights groups and opposition asked the government to explain what happened to about $335 million loaned by the International Monetary Fund to fight COVID-19.

Cameroon says within the past week, 15 ministers have appeared at the audit bench of the Supreme Court and a special criminal tribunal to account for the funds.

Joseph Lavoisier Tsapy is legal adviser to the opposition Social Democratic Front Party and a member of the Cameroon Human Rights League.

Tsapy says the Cameroon Special Criminal Tribunal should have ordered their arrest after the audit bench of the Supreme Court found out that some ministers stole COVID-19 funds. He says the money should have been invested to save lives and assist suffering people. He says he wants to make it clear that government ministers in Cameroon do not have immunity like lawmakers.

In June 2020, SDF lawmakers complained that the awarding of COVID-19 contracts did not respect procurement procedures and gave room for massive corruption.

Local media like Equinox Radio and TV, Roya FM reported gross cases of embezzlement.



In one case, the Ministry of Scientific Research received $9 million to produce the drug chloroquine. The ministry instead bought chloroquine amounting to 30 percent of the funds from China.

Other cases involve overbilling and failure to render services or provide supplies after payment.

Andre Luther Meka speaks for the ruling CPDM party, to which all of the ministers called up for questioning belong.



Meka says Cameroonians should stop asking for ministers to either be punished or to refund COVID-19 funds. He says Cameroon considers all suspects innocent until found guilty by the law courts. He says Cameroon President Paul Biya has a strong political will to punish everyone who has either mismanaged, embezzled or siphoned state money.

Angelbert Lebong is a member of the Cameroon Civil Society. He says President Biya should explain to the Cameroonian people how his government has managed the COVID-19 funds.

He says Biya should for once speak out against embezzlement and publicly condemn his collaborators who have stolen COVID-19 funds. He says Cameroon has more serious life-threatening issues to handle than the heavily publicized receptions Biya gives diplomats in his office.

Last month, Human Rights Watch urged the IMF to ask Cameroon to ensure independent and credible enquiry on the management of COVID-19 funds before approving a third loan.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Cameroon in March 2020, the IMF has approved two emergency loans to the central African state totaling $382 million.
Cameroon says its military has killed seven self-proclaimed separatist generals who blocked traffic for a month on roads in the central African states English-speaking western regions. The military says during a two-week operation, it recovered 70 vehicles the fighters had seized from civilians and rescued several women and children held hostage in separatist camps.

Cameroon said Friday its military had eliminated separatists from roads the fighters had illegally occupied in the English-speaking North-West region since July. Lieutenant Conrad Onana says he commanded government troops in one of several operations to neutralize fighters blocking roads.

Onana says a heavy exchange of fire lasted for over two hours starting at 1 a.m. Friday, when government troops attacked the fighters in Bafut. He says many of the separatists and their five self-proclaimed generals killed by government troops had been wanted by the military.

Onana did not give the total number of separatists killed in the raid.

He said the military rescued several women, including a pregnant woman, and a nursing baby held hostage by the fighters. He said at least six men were arrested for collaborating with separatists.

General Nka Valere is commander of government troops fighting separatists in the North-West region.

Nka says several hundred government troops took part in operations in which two self-proclaimed generals were killed in Bali in addition to the five in Bafut, towns in the North-West regions Mezam Division. He says the generals killed by the military are called Small Pepper, Stone, Small Bible, Ibobe, Prince, Kobet and Babilla. He says his troops recovered many weapons and seized material the fighters were using for homemade bombs.

Nka said he is asking civilians to collaborate more than ever before with the military by reporting suspected separatist fighters hiding in their communities.

Separatists have said on social media that some of their fighters and generals were killed but have given no further details. The fighters say many government troops were also killed.

Nka said a few government troops sustained light injuries, but none were killed.

In July, Cameroonian officials prohibited use of motorcycles in Mezam. The officials accused separatists of using motorcycles for crimes, including the ambush and killing of five police officers in Bali July 18.

Cameroon said the separatist fighters also used motorcycles to attack and raze military positions, police stations and government offices.

On social media, separatists claimed responsibility for killing the police officers and burning buildings occupied by the military. The fighters also imposed a ban on motor vehicle traffic and promised to lift the ban when government officials allow motorcycle traffic.

The military said the separatists seized over a hundred vehicles that defied the ban and used the vehicles to erect road barricades.

The government said it ordered the military to clear the roads of separatist fighters because thousands of people who use the roads daily were stranded.

Deben Tchoffo, governor of the North-West region, said 70 vehicles were removed from the road. He said all the roads blocked by separatist fighters are now safe and useable. Tchoffo said Cameroonian President Paul Biya has reiterated that fighters who surrender and drop their weapons will not be prosecuted.

Twenty-four-year-old truck driver Innocent Njikong says it is the sixth time since 2015 that the government is assuring travelers that roads in the North-West region are safe. He says he is very certain that the fighters will not drop their weapons.



"How do you meet and convince them [fighters] when they are still staying outside? They [the military] have burned their [fighters] houses, Njikongsaid. We are pleading to the government, let them [the military] drop their guns. We need to sacrifice in order to bring peace."

Njikong said by sacrifice, he means that the government should declare a cease-fire.

Cameroon has always said its military is not involved in any wrongdoing and that it will crush separatists who refuse to surrender.

Violence erupted in 2017 in Cameroon's English-speaking regions when teachers and lawyers protested alleged discrimination by the French-speaking majority. The military reacted with a crackdown and separatist groups took up weapons, claiming that they were protecting civilians.

The United Nations says over 3,000 people have been killed and 550,000 displaced in Cameroon and neighboring Nigeria since the conflict began.
Officials in Cameroon say Boko Haram militants appear to be changing their tactics and attacking only military and government targets in an effort to try to attract more recruits.

This week, Cameroonian Defense Minister Joseph Beti Assomo a military hospital in Maroua about 80 kilometers from Nigeria's Borno state, where 14 government troops and four civilians are recovering after Boko Haram attacks over five days on the northern border with Nigeria.

Assomo said Cameroonians and President Paul Biya share the grief of family members of 14 soldiers killed by the jihadists.

Among the wounded soldiers is 37-year-old Lieutenant Innocent Beti who was shot in his abdomen when Boko Haram attacked the village of Sagme. He said if he recovers and is given another chance, he will not hesitate to fight the terrorists.

Cameroons military said it has recorded at least seven Boko Haram incursions on its territory during July. The Boko Haram forces targeted military positions and public buildings in the border towns of Mozogo, Fotokol, Amchide and Achigachia.

Assomo said the deadliest attacks were in the villages of Sagme and Zigi.

The defense minister says unlike previous years, the terrorist group has avoided attacks on civilians, markets, religious institutions and schools.

He said the military should immediately examine and adequately respond to the new wave of threats posed by Boko Haram.

Assomo said more troops have been deployed to the border area, but did not say how many. He asked civilians to help the military by reporting strangers in their towns and villages, and by creating their own militias.

Saibou Issa, a conflict resolution specialist at the University of Maroua, believes Boko Haram is trying to gain the trust of civilians.

He said the new wave of attacks indicates Boko Haram fighters now share the ideology of the jihadist splinter Islamic State West Africa Province, which appears to be gaining control over Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad border localities. Issa said that group attacks military positions and government officials to gain sympathy and recruit civilians.

Issa also said poverty in the Lake Chad Basin is pushing many young men to join the terror group, where they expect to be paid for killing government troops. He said it's possible that former fighters who were unhappy that Boko Haram attacked civilians may now rejoin the group.

Cameroon is pleading with its citizens not to join the jihadist group, which the government says only brings pain and sufferings.

Boko Haram violence that started 12 years ago has cost the lives of 30,000 people and displaced about 2 million in Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad, according to the United Nations.
Since her birth on Senegal's coast, the ocean has always given Ndeye Yacine Dieng life. Her grandfather was a fisherman, and her grandmother and mother processed fish. Like generations of women, she now helps support her family in the small community of Bargny by drying, smoking, salting and fermenting the catch brought home by male villagers. They were baptized by fish, these women say.

But when the pandemic struck, boats that once took as many as 50 men out to sea carried only a few. Many residents were too terrified to leave their houses, let alone fish, for fear of catching the virus. When the local women did manage to get their hands on fish to process, they lacked the usual buyers, as markets shut down and neighboring landlocked countries closed their borders. Without savings, many families went from three meals a day to one or two.

Dieng is among more than a thousand women in Bargny, and many more in the other villages dotting Senegal's sandy coast, who process fish  the crucial link in a chain that constitutes one of the country's largest exports and employs hundreds of thousands of its residents.

"It was catastrophic  all of our lives changed," Dieng said. But, she noted, "Our community is a community of solidarity."

That spirit sounds throughout Senegal with the motto "Teranga," a word in the Wolof language for hospitality, community and solidarity. Across the country, people tell each other: "on est ensemble," a French phrase meaning "we are in this together."

This story is part of a yearlong series on how the pandemic is impacting women in Africa, most acutely in the least developed countries. AP's series is funded by the European Journalism Centre's European Development Journalism Grants program, which is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. AP is responsible for all content.

Last month, the first true fishing season since the pandemic devastated the industry kicked off, bringing renewed hope to the processors, their families and the village. The brightly painted vast wooden fishing boats called pirogues once again are each carrying dozens of men to sea, and people swarm the beach to help the fishermen carry in their loads for purchase.

But the challenges from the coronavirus  and so much more  remain. Rising seas and climate change threaten the livelihoods and homes of those along the coast, and many can't afford to build new homes or move inland. A steel processing plant rising near Bargny's beach raises fears about pollution and will join a cement factory that also is nearby, though advocates argue they are needed to replace resources depleted by overfishing.

"Since there is COVID, we live in fear," said Dieng, 64, who has seven adult children. "Most of the people here and women processors have lived a difficult life. ... We are exhausted. But now, little by little, it's getting better."

Dieng and her fellow processors weathered the pandemic by relying on each other. They're accustomed to being breadwinners  one expert estimated that each working woman in Senegal feeds seven or eight family members. Before the pandemic, a good season could bring Dieng 500,000 FCFA ($1,000). Last year, she said, she made little to nothing.

Dieng's husband teaches the Quran at the mosque next door to their home, and the couple pooled their money with their children, with one son finding work repairing TVs. Other women got help from family abroad or rented out parts of their refrigerators for storage.

They survived, but they missed their work, which isn't just a job  it is their heritage. "Processing is a pride," Dieng said.

Most fishing in Senegal is small-scale, and carried out in traditional, generations-old methods, as old as the ways Dieng and other villagers process the fish. They refer to it as artisanal fishing. Once processed, the fish is sold to local and international buyers, and preserving it means it lasts longer than fresh and is cheaper for all who purchase it. In Senegal alone, the fish accounts for more than half of protein eaten by its 16 million residents  key for food security in this West African country.

Industrial fishing is carried out in Senegal's waters as well, via motorized vessels and trawlers instead of the traditional pirogues, and more than two dozen companies also specialize in industrial processing in the country alongside fishmeal factories and canning plants. The fishmeal factories price women like Dieng out by paying more for the fish and depleting resources  5 kilos of fish are needed for 1 kilo of fishmeal, a lower-grade powder-like product used for farm animals and pets.

Senegal's government also has agreements with other countries allowing them to fish off the country's coast and imposing limits on what they can haul in, but monitoring what these large boats from Europe, China and Russia harvest has proven difficult. The villages say the outsiders are devastating the local supply.

Dieng has become a local leader and mentor whose neighbors increasingly come to her for advice on everything from money woes to their marriages, and she and others are now part of a rising collective voice of women in Senegal working for change along the coast and beyond.

Senegal has designated land near Bargny as an economic zone in its efforts to invest in redevelopment. Dieng's neighbor Fatou Samba is a town councilor and president of the Association of Women Processors of Fish Products, and she's testified about the challenges in artisanal fishing. She hopes to stop much of the expansion of big industry as fishmeal companies scoop up fish and send the product to Europe and Asia.

"If we let ourselves be outdone, within two or three years, women will not have work anymore," Samba said. "We are not against the creation of a project that will develop Senegal. But we are against projects that must make women lose the right to work."

Samba also warns of the effects of climate change, with rising tides eroding Senegal's coast and forcing fisherman to seek their catch further out to sea. Samba and Dieng have each lost at least half of their seaside homes as water gutted rooms during the rainy seasons of the past decade.

In addition to their laborious work processing fish, Samba and other women handle the bulk of the work at home.

"Especially in Africa, women are fighters. Women are workers. Women are family leaders," Samba said. "Therefore, women must be empowered."

Dieng, Samba and other women want to be heard  by the government, and by the companies building projects near them. They want better financing, protection of their fish and processing sites, and improved health regulations.

These women open their doors to family, friends, neighbors and even strangers who are eager to hear about the work they take such pride in, and which they want preserved  to help put food on the table for their families and to pay school fees for their children so they can have a future that might not involve fish. But while they're happy to talk about the work, they hesitate to focus on themselves. Community is what they are most comfortable with.

Late last month, when word spread that fishermen were finally coming back to Bargny with catches, Dieng and others hurried to meet the pirogues, tethered by ropes to the beach. It was the longest Dieng had been away from the catch. She bought enough to have her haul carried by horse-drawn cart to the plot of land she and friends claimed along acres of black sand. Then she started the work she's known for decades.

Once the fish were piled onto the ground, the women smoothed them out with a small, flat piece of wood. They covered them in light brown peanut shells, bought by the sack, and then lit embers in a bowl and placed those on the shells, which started to burn. Smoke billowed everywhere, a sign of progress. But it also made trying to breathe as brutal as toiling under the hot sun  even tougher during Ramadan, when the women are fasting.

The women stoked the fire, and after feeling confident it would smoke for hours, stepped away. After a day or so, they returned to turn the fish and let it dry in the sun. Another day passed, and the women returned to clean it. Finally, the fish was packaged in vast nets, sold and taken away in trucks.

The pandemic has taught villagers a crucial lesson: Money from fish may not always be there, so it's important to try to save some of their earnings.

The pandemic also is not over, so Dieng and other women go door to door to raise awareness and urge people to get vaccinated. Like many other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Senegal imposed strict measures at the start of the pandemic. The government was widely commended for its overall handling of the pandemic, and curfews have been lifted and restrictions largely eased. But the country has had more than 40,000 cases, and both volunteer and government campaigns aim to keep another wave at bay.

At the end of a long day of work, and before she goes home to break fast of Ramadan with her family, Dieng stands in front of her smoking fish and records a video she hopes will to motivate the women working in the industry.

"It's our gold. This site is all, this site is everything for us," Dieng said of the coast and its vital importance to Bargny. "All the women must rise up. ... We must work, to always work and work again for our tomorrows, for our future."
Mozambiques government said it is reclaiming territory from Islamic State-affiliated insurgents that besieged the key northern coastal town of Palma, with some of the thousands of civilians who fled now going back to take stock of their losses.

The population is returning, but they have nothing to eat because the terrorists have looted almost everything, Agostinho Muthisse, a Mozambican military commander, said to a small group of journalists that the government flew in to visit Palma on Sunday.

Militants armed with rocket launchers, rifles and machetes began an assault on Palma  a town of 75,000 in Mozambiques impoverished but resource-rich province of Cabo Delgado  on March 24. That day, the French oil gas company Total had planned to resume work on a nearby liquified natural gas (LNG) project after insecurity forced it to suspend operations in December. By last Friday, the company had withdrawn all its personnel.

The fresh attacks have uprooted more than 9,100 people in the province, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Even before the recent attacks there had been roughly 670,000 internally displaced people since 2017 as a result of the insurgency in northern Mozambique OCHA said.

Dozens of civilians died in the siege, according to the government. Also, a significant number of terrorists  were shot down, Commander Chongo Vidigal told state television TVM on Sunday, Agence France-Presse (AFP), the French news agency reported Monday. The dead included at least several foreigners, including British and South African nationals.

Vidigal, who led the military operation in Palma, said authorities would provide a more specific tally later.

Palma is under 100% control by Mozambican authorities, Cabo Delgado Governor Valygi Tualibo told visiting journalists, AFP reported.

But some experts are skeptical of the governments claims about the militants deaths and about Palmas security  details hard to verify independently because of limited access.

Call for outside help

A growing chorus is calling for Mozambiques government to bring in more reinforcements against the armed militants, who call themselves al-Shabab. Unafiliated with the Somalia-based terrorist group that shares the name, they pledge fealty to the Islamic State.

The government urgently needs help from the Southern African Development Community and the African Union, Dewa Mavhinga, southern Africa director for Human Rights Watch, wrote last week in an op-ed for News 24.

He encouraged Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, current SADC chairperson, to tap into regional support to ensure civilian protection against attacks and to restore security in Cabo Delgado.

Mavhinga, who also accused the African Union of being slow to act in the Cabo Delgado crisis, recommended that SADC and the AU consider appointing special envoys to lead stepped-up efforts to protect civilians, end the abuses by armed groups and government security forces, and ensure accountability.

Amnesty International, in a report in early March, called upon the African Union to get more involved in resolving Cabo Delgados massive humanitarian crisis.

SADC already has met several times on the issue.

Separately, several sources in South African President Cyril Ramaphosas administration told VOA they've been trying to get Maputo's cooperation for a long time, to no avail.

South Africa is pivotal to at least decreasing the violence, Liesl Louw-Vaudran, a senior researcher with the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria, told VOA.

The Maputo government has accepted limited support from outsiders, Louw-Vaudran noted.

"The stumbling block seems to be that Mozambique doesn't want help from the neighbors, Louw-Vaudran said.  Is it because Mozambique doesn't want to admit that its army is too weak to actually safeguard citizens?

Military training

The Pentagon announced March 15 that a team of U.S. Special Operations Forces had just launched a two-month program to train and support Mozambican marines in fighting violent extremism. Portugal also is training troops to take on the insurgents.

Mozambique also has been paying the Dyck Advisory Group, a South Africa-based private military company, to supply security agents and helicopter gunships to bolster Mozambican forces. These agents been accused of atrocities in Cabo Delgado. Dycks contract with Mozambique expires Tuesday, DAG founder Lionel Dyck confirmed to AFP.

Willem Els, a former senior South African police and intelligence officer, pointed out the insurgencys broadening threat.

It has drawn in foreign fighters from especially Tanzania as far as Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, DRC and even South Africa, he told VOA. So, what started off as a very localized challenge is now a regional challenge.

Trouble ahead?

Eva Renon, a senior analyst with the London-based risk and research firm HIS Markit, anticipates more danger.

Unless the security situation changes significantly, she wrote in an assessment posted Monday on the company website,in the next six months insurgents are likely to attempt to capture Pemba, the Cabo Delgado provincial capital.

Renon also wrote that insurgents will likely target beachfront hotels, government facilities, and the personnel and assets of non-governmental organizations, the Catholic Church, and the United Nations.

The analyst sees other potential hazards. If insurgents capture Pemba, she wrote, they are likely to turn their attention west to areas around the Cabo communities of Montepuez and Balama. These areas are rich in ruby and graphite deposits, respectively, with the insurgents likely to seek to extort then ultimately control mining operations, with associated risks of kidnap, injury, and death to mining staff and subcontractors.

Most observers agree the long-term solution lies in SADC states, the African Union and the United Nations drawing up a road map to peace, with special emphasis on the development of Cabo Delgado. This would mean less opportunity for the extremists to exploit local grievances.

This report originated in VOAs Africa Division, with Darren Taylor reporting for the English to Africa Service from Johannesburg and Simiao Pongoane for the Portuguese Service from Maputo.
The U.N. refugee agency on Friday called for concerted action to help record-breaking numbers of people forced to flee increasingly violent armed attacks in Burkina Faso.

The attacks on civilians and security forces by jihadist groups are increasing in frequency and in the level of violence. Over the past two years, more than 1.3 million people, or 6 percent of the population, have become displaced inside the country.

UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch said the speed of internal displacement was showing no sign of slowing as armed attacks continue unabated.

"In the first half of this year," Baloch said, "some 240,000 people fled their homes to other parts of Burkina Faso, a sharp increase compared to nearly 100,000 registered during the last six months of the year 2020.

The UNHCR said there had been an equally alarming increase in the number of people fleeing across Burkina Fasos borders in search of asylum. It said more than 17,500 people had fled to neighboring countries in the first half of this year.

Most have fled to Mali and Niger. However, the agency noted some refugees had fled to Mauritania and Chad, and that more risked spilling over to Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Togo, widening the impact of the regional displacement crisis.

Peace in Central Sahel

Baloch said a mechanism must be found to bring peace and security to Burkina Faso and to the neighboring Central Sahel countries.

These countries, which are struggling, they may need support from other countries in the region or beyond," Baloch said. "But what is also important is trying to take care of this displaced population.  So the call is for security in the region but also for resources, which help us to take care of this desperate population.

The UNHCR said more money was required to meet the growing humanitarian needs in the region. It appealed for greater support from the international community. It noted that only half of the $259.3 million it requested had been received.
The United Nations Human Rights Council passed a resolution Tuesday calling for the swift pullout of Eritrean troops from Ethiopias embattled northern Tigray region.

The eight-month war between Ethiopian federal forces and Tigrays former ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front, has killed thousands of people, forced some 2 million others to flee their homes and driven about 400,000 into famine.

The council said Eritrean troops were "exacerbating the conflict" that continued Tuesday with the TPLFs capture of Alamata, the main town in southern Tigray, according to AFP. The towns reported capture came two weeks after the federal government declared a unilateral cease-fire, following rebel advances.

"What is happening in the Tigray region in Ethiopia is appalling," said Ambassador Lotte Knudsen, head of the EU delegation to the U.N., which presented the resolution. It is imperative for the Human Rights Council to be able to address this situation."

UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi said in a statement that The violence and intimidation of Eritrean refugees must stop. Refugees are civilians in need of and with the right to international protection.

Eritrea voted against the U.N. resolution to immediately withdraw its troops from the region, which is also a key TPLF demand in cease-fire negotiations.

Fighting between the Ethiopian government and the TPLF broke out in November. Troops from Eritrea, Ethiopias neighbor to the north, and Amhara, a neighboring region to the south of Tigray, also entered the conflict in support of the Ethiopian government.
Zambia-born novelist Wilbur Smith chronicled dramatic adventures on the African continent, creating internationally acclaimed fiction that drew on his own action-packed life.

Smith died in South Africa at age 88, his publisher announced Saturday.

He gained recognition in 1964 with his debut novel "When the Lion Feeds," the tale of a young man growing up on a South African cattle ranch that led to 15 sequels, tracing the ambitious family's fortunes for more than 200 years.

"I wove into the story chunks of early African history. I wrote about Black people and white. I wrote about hunting and gold mining and carousing and women," he said in a biography on his official website.

He also leaned on meticulous historical research and his own extensive travels, establishing a method he would use over a career spanning five decades in which he wrote nearly 50 novels and sold about 130 million books.

Another golden rule came from his publisher, Charles Pick.

"He said: 'Write only about those things you know well.' Since then I have written only about Africa," Smith said.

Born hunter

Born on January 9, 1933, to a British family in what was then Northern Rhodesia, Smith encountered from an early age the forest, hills and savannah of Africa on his parents' large ranch.

He credits his mother with teaching him to love nature and reading, while his father gave him a rifle at the age of 8, the start of what he acknowledged was a lifelong love affair with firearms and hunting.

"There are more big-game hunters in Smith's oeuvre than spies in the works of John le Carre, and yet it is possible that he has slaughtered even more animals in real life than on the page," Britain's Daily Telegraph wrote in 2014.

Also a scuba diver and mountain climber in his time, Smith was not afraid to throw himself into his research, saying that for his 1970 novel "Gold Mine" he took a job in a South African gold mine for a few weeks.

"I was a sort of privileged member of the team, I could ask questions and not be told to shut up," he told the Daily Telegraph of his experience.

'Action-man author'

Smith studied at South Africa's Rhodes University, intending to become a journalist until his father said, as he recounts on his website, "Don't be a bloody fool.  Go and find yourself a real job."

There followed a "soul-destroying" stint as a chartered accountant, during which he turned to fiction.

The success of "When the Lion Feeds" encouraged him to become a full-time writer and led to the Courtney series, which runs up to "The Tiger's Prey" published in 2017, more than 50 years after the first book.

The four-part Ballantyne series is themed on colonial wealth and the racial struggle in the former Rhodesia, today's Zimbabwe. There is also a series on Egypt, while standalone novels include "The Sunbird" (1972) and "Those in Peril" (2011).

His books have been translated into around 30 languages and some made into films, including "Shout at the Devil" with Lee Marvin and Roger Moore in 1976.

Describing Smith as the "ultimate action-man author," Britain's Daily Mail in 2017 remarked that it was perhaps surprising his books still appeal considering their "politically incorrect whirl of sex, violence, casual misogyny, big-game hunters, mining, full-breasted women and slaughtered beasts."

A life of adventure

Answering a question on his site about the secret of his success, he says it is about "embroidering" a bit on real life.

"I write about men who are more manly and beautiful women who are really more beautiful than any women you'd meet," he said, confirming he sometimes worked with co-writers.

Published in 2018, his autobiography "On Leopard Rock" chronicles his own adventures, including being attacked by lions, getting lost in the African bush and crawling through the precarious tunnels of gold mines.

He was married four times, with his last wife, Mokhiniso Rakhimova from Tajikistan, his junior by 39 years.

Smith spent most of his time in South Africa and had homes in Cape Town, London, Switzerland and Malta.




British police arrested three men under terrorism laws Sunday after a car exploded outside a hospital in Liverpool, killing one man and injuring another.

Counter-terrorism police said the three men, whose ages ranged from 21 to 29, were detained in the Kensington area of the northwest England city under the Terrorism Act.

Police also cordoned off another residential street in the city. They did not disclose details of the operation.

Police were called to reports of a blast involving a taxi at Liverpool Women's Hospital on Sunday morning. Photos showed a vehicle in flames near the hospital's main entrance.

Merseyside Police said in a statement that the vehicle, a taxi, "pulled up at the hospital shortly before the explosion occurred. Work is still going on to establish what has happened and could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything."

The male passenger of the car died and the driver was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

The explosion occurred just before 11 a.m. on Remembrance Sunday, the time people across Britain pause in memory of those killed in wars.

Police said the explosion had not been declared a terrorist attack and they were keeping an open mind about the cause, but counterterrorism police were leading the investigation.

Britain's interior minister, Home Secretary Priti Patel, said she was "being kept regularly updated on the awful incident."

The Liverpool Women's Hospital said it immediately restricted visiting access until further notice and diverted patients to other hospitals "where possible."

Fire services said they extinguished the car fire rapidly, and a person had left the car before the fire "developed to the extent that it did."
Fake emails purportedly from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warning of cyberattacks were sent out Saturday from a secure FBI computer server, computer security experts said.

The FBI confirmed independent security group Spamhaus's report that a large number of fake emails were sent in two waves early Saturday from an address on the government's Law Enforcement Enterprise Portal, which is used by multiple government agencies.

Some of the emails, sent in the name of the Homeland Security cyber threat detection group, were headlined: "Urgent: threat actor in systems."

They warned recipients that they were the target of a "sophisticated" hacking attack from a known extortion gang, according to Spamhaus.

Independent cyber security expert Brian Krebs said he, too, had received a fake email from the FBI address, though with a different message.

In a statement, the FBI and the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency confirmed the incident, without offering details.

"The FBI and CISA are aware of the incident this morning involving fake emails from an @ic.fbi.gov email account," they said in a statement.

"This is an ongoing situation and we are not able to provide any additional information at this time. The impacted hardware was taken offline quickly upon discovery of the issue. We continue to encourage the public to be cautious of unknown senders and urge you to report suspicious activity," it added.

There was no indication of how the emails were sentwhether by someone using legitimate access to the server or a hacker from outside.
Human Rights Watch has urged the African Union to pledge its support for the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, which opens a session Monday, the last meeting of the year.

Human Rights Watch, in a statement Sunday, also called for the AU to urgently tackle the deepening human rights and democratic crises affecting the continent, including in Ethiopia, at the Commissions 69th ordinary session.

In Ethiopia, in the face of intensifying and a widening field of fighting, with attendant abuses and impact beyond the Tigray region, HRW said, it is especially important for the AU to demonstrate a commitment to enforcing member states obligations under its strong human rights standards and norms.

Carine Kaneza Nantulya, HRWs African advocacy director, said, The growing gap between the AU political organs and African human rights institutions is threatening to undo decades of developments in African human rights law.

HRW also noted that the AU failed to consistently apply two of its legal instruments  the AU Constitutive Act and the Charter of Democracy, Elections and Governance when dealing with Sudan and Chad.

This year, the AU promptly suspended Sudan after the October 25 military coup but did not take similar action after the Chadian military takeover in late April, the statement said. The ACHPR condemned Chadian security forces for using excessive force against peaceful protesters demanding a return to civilian rule and called for prompt, credible investigations, and accountability.

Nantulya said in the statement, In a context of intensifying crises, with wide-ranging regional human rights and humanitarian repercussions, AU member states should stop choosing politics over human rights and instead rally behind African-led conflict prevention and investigation mechanisms.
The husband of a British-Iranian woman who has been detained for more than five years in Iran said Saturday that he is ending his hunger strike outside Britain's Foreign Office after 21 days.

Richard Ratcliffe has been sleeping in a tent outside the Foreign Office's main entrance to pressure the British government to secure the release of his wife and other detained British-Iranian nationals. He began his demonstration last month after his wife, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, lost her latest appeal in Iran.

Ratcliffe, who was joined by the couple's 7-year-old daughter, Gabriella, and several supporters as he announced the end of his hunger strike, thanked the many well-wishers who stopped to talk to him but said the failure of Prime Minister Boris Johnson to drop by was "telling." He added that his wife has requested a phone call from Johnson.

While no breakthrough happened in the last three weeks, Ratcliffe said his hunger strike had shone a "greater spotlight" on his wife's case and added pressure on the governments in London and Tehran.

"I think we've stopped the backward movement," he said.

'Head held high'

Ratcliffe said he had started to get pains in his feet overnight, and a discussion with a doctor persuaded him to end the hunger strike. He said he planned to go to a hospital to get checked and hopes to be able to eat something after that.

"I didn't want to go out in an ambulance," he said. "I want to walk out with my head held high."

Zaghari-Ratcliffe served five years in prison after being taken into custody at Tehran's airport in April 2016 and convicted of plotting the overthrow of Iran's government, a charge that she, her supporters and rights groups deny.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe was employed by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of the news agency, and was arrested as she was returning home to Britain after visiting family. Rights groups accuse Iran of holding dual-nationals as bargaining chips for money or influence in negotiations with the West, something Tehran denies.

In May, she was sentenced to an additional year in prison on charges of spreading "propaganda against the system" for having participated in a protest outside the Iranian Embassy in London in 2009. An appeals court last month upheld the verdict, which includes a one-year travel ban, meaning she wouldn't be able to leave Iran until 2023.

Foreign Ministry meeting

Her husband appeared glum after he met Thursday with British foreign minister James Cleverly in the wake of discussions he had with Iranian officials in London.

Ratcliffe has said his wife is being used as "leverage" by Tehran, specifically with regard to the U.K.'s failure to pay an outstanding 400 million-pound ($540 million) debt to Iran.

Ratcliffe's local lawmaker, Tulip Siddiq, said she had secured a parliamentary debate on Zaghari-Ratcliffe's case set for Tuesday with cross-party support.

"Nazanin knows that so many people are doing what they can to bring her home," Siddiq said in a tweet.
Indian police, claiming fake news was being spread about anti-Muslim violence, have charged dozens of social media users in the northeastern state of Tripura  including members of private fact-finding groups looking into the violence.

Apparently reacting to attacks on Hindu temples and idols by Muslim mobs in Bangladesh in the second week of October, Hindu activists in Tripura ransacked and set fire to mosques and Muslim-owned homes and shops for about a week, starting October 21.

The fact-finding teams reported that dozens of homes and shops and 16 mosques were vandalized in the week of communal violence; four of the mosques and many of the shops and houses were also set on fire, according to some fact-finding teams, many of whose members took to social media.

The Tripura police have charged over 100 social media users under different Indian Penal Code sections, including the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, for promoting enmity between different religious groups, forgery, criminal conspiracy and other charges, alleging that the posts were intended to spur further violence.

Those accused include students, social activists, lawyers on the fact-finding team, the student wing of an Islamic organization, regular citizens and others.

The accounts which have been booked were spreading fake news, using fake videos and photos having no connection with Tripura. In fact, many social media users have deleted their related posts in the past week, after the news broke that we had booked many social media users. Some posts carrying fake info are still active. In our ongoing process we are trying to gather their details. We will act against them, too, a Tripura police officer who did not want to be identified because the cases are in court now said to the VOA.

While some of the posts did, in fact, carry images unrelated to the Tripura violence, such as a photo of a fire in a Rohingya refugee camp in Delhi, other social media users were charged even though their posts did not carry any misinformation.

Hindu activists retaliate

Indias largest Hindu organization, Vishva Hindu Parishad; its youth wing - the Hindu nationalist militant organization Bajrang Dal; and other Hindu groups had organized more than a dozen marches and rallies to protest the anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh. Some of the events, called Hoonkar, or roar, rallies, turned violent, vandalizing mosques and Muslim properties.

A shopkeeper from Panisagar town in Tripura state told VOA, Hindu activists in a Hoonkar rally shouted abusive slogans against Muslims and the Prophet Muhammad.

They set ablaze two shops in the presence of police, I witnessed, he said.

Soubhik Dey, the police chief of Tripuras Panisagar subdivision told The Indian Express that activists from a VHP-led rally ransacked a mosque, houses and shops, before setting ablaze two shops in his subdivision.

However, Vinod Bansal, national spokesperson of VHP denied the charge of Hindu attacks.

In the entire state of Tripura, no Hindu has attacked any mosque, Muslim-owned shop or house. No Hindu resorted to any violence. In social media the jihadists are spreading fake news that the Hindus vandalized or set ablaze Muslim properties, Bansal told VOA. VHPs social media wing has begun a campaign to identify the [Tripura violence related] fake news in social media and expose them, he added.

Although the Inspector General of Police of Tripura, Saurabh Tripathi, told Asian News International, an Indian news agency, that No fire incident took place at any mosque in Tripura during the recent violence, Delhi-based lawyer Ansar Indori, who visited Tripura after the violence, said he saw three burned mosques there.

We reported about these burnt mosques in our fact-finding report. Our report carries what exactly we saw with our eyes. In the cases of the burnt mosques, we conducted our inquiry and cross-verification very well, Indori, secretary of the Delhi-based National Confederation of Human Rights Organizations, told VOA.

Its difficult to believe that police have charged me under UAPA- a law generally used against terrorists, he said.

On Thursday, Jyotishman Das Choudhary, the public relations officer of Tripura Police, told VOA that since all cases related to the violence are being directly supervised by the states High Court, no one from his organization could comment on them.

'Police actions to scare victims'

Supreme Court lawyer Ehtesham Hashmi, the leader of Indoris fact-finding team said that his fact-finding team members have shared nothing that can be regarded as anti-national or unconstitutional.

By filing the FIR, he said, referring to a first information report, or registered police complaint, the police want to send a message that if they can take action even against Supreme Court lawyers and journalists they can easily act against ordinary people, Hashmi told VOA.

The actions against us are meant to scare away the victims so that they do not come forward to lodge FIRs despite being affected by the violence.

The Supreme Court has agreed to take up for urgent hearing a petition challenging the constitutional validity of the anti-terrorism law UAPA having been used against lawyers and journalists for their social media posts on the Tripura Violence. Lawyer Hashmi told VOA Sunday that his colleagues have already presented their fact-finding report to the Supreme Court for its perusal.

Delhi University teacher and writer Apoorvanand, who uses one name, said the Tripura police did not apply force when Muslims were being attacked because it was busy lying to the world and hiding the fact of the violence.

Now Tripura police is upset that the lawyers' team and some independent journalists and citizens have brought out in the open the truth of the anti-Muslim violence in Tripura, Apoorvanand told VOA.

This is what the BJP governments have been doing in other states as well: first allow violence against Muslim and other marginalized communities and then persecute and penalize those who try to report it or help the victims, he said.

The violence in Tripura and the behavior of the police prove that India has turned into one of the most dangerous countries for Muslims, journalists and human rights workers.
For the next six months Slovenia will preside over the European Union, a body dedicated to the highest democratic values. But critics say that when it comes to upholding press freedom ideals, Slovenia is not up to scratch.

Two separate organizations, including the Council of Europe, released findings on what they say is a deteriorating situation for journalism.

In a memorandum on freedom of expression and media freedom in Slovenia, the COEs commissioner for human rights, Dunja Mijatovic, said she was concerned about steps by authorities that risk undermining the ability of critical voices to speak freely.

The COE platform that documents threats and harassment of media registered 13 violations in the past year, compared with one the year before, the report said. The memo also cited physical attacks on journalists; a rise in hate speech, both online and from political representatives; polarization of public debate; and stigmatization of independent voices.

The Media Freedom Rapid Response group, a Europe-wide coalition that monitors violations, reported similar issues based on findings from conversations with journalists, academics and government officials.

Over the last 14 months, independent journalism has come under sustained pressure on multiple fronts from the coalition government led by the Slovenian Democratic Party, the MFRR said.

Slovenias center-right government dismissed the criticisms as fake news.

Prime Minister Janez Jansa responded to the COE report on Twitter, saying Mijatovic is part of fake news network and spreading lies.

Many journalists and academics who spoke with VOA believe that a hostile environment and uneven access to government officials and information is hurting audiences and presenting a threat to journalists.

Although most agree that conditions are better in Slovenia than in fellow EU member states Poland and Hungary  where media are under a significant clampdown  they say the country is declining along a similar path.

Renate Schroeder, director at the European Federation of Journalists, which contributed to the MFRR report, told VOA: Is Slovenia becoming another Poland or Hungary?  No, not yet.

There appears to be a drive to follow the same pattern as Hungary, "slowly but surely, and that I find very, very frightening, added Schroeder, whose organization was involved in the MFRR research.

Findings that Schroeder said surprised her included the government's decision to stop financing the national news agency STA, which receives about half its income from the state budget; polarization among journalists; and smear campaigns against critical journalists, which she says in some cases are led by the prime minister.

This attack on the press agency is unprecedented, we do not have that in other countries, said Schroeder. She added that Jansa is the first prime minister in Europe who is doing smear campaigns ... in such a way by using Twitter.

Some journalists have said Slovenias media are laboring under the harshest conditions since independence in 1991.

The media situation has worsened very much under this government. I have been a journalist for 27 years, and we have never seen something like that, Evgenija Carl, a prominent journalist with the state broadcaster RTV Slovenia, told VOA.

We can see that many journalists are scared. They do reporting but are afraid to voice their own opinions. They have stopped participating in the social media for fear that as soon as they write something critical about the government they will be attacked, Carl added.

Online attacks can be prompted by coverage of politics and alleged corruption, or even the amount of space given to specific articles. Jansa in October described STA as a "national shame" on Twitter after it gave more space to an article on a rapper's album than Jansa's meeting with his Hungarian counterpart, Viktor Orban.

Carl is one of two female journalists whom Jansa called prostitutes on Twitter in 2016, while leader of the opposition. The journalists filed a defamation suit against him.

Since 2018, Carl said, she has received three envelopes containing white powder and threatening letters mentioning the lawsuit.

Commissioner Mijatovic said in her memorandum that anonymous threats online and via phone, email and in letters, as well as in graffiti sprayed on media buildings, leave some journalists fearful for their safety.

Mijatovic's office told VOA the commissioner could not comment on relations between the EU and the Slovenian presidency, but that she stood fully by her assessments and was hopeful the government will use it in order to improve the situation related to media freedom and freedom of expression.

In a response to the Council of Europe's memorandum, the Ministries of Justice, Interior and Culture said that the current climate cannot in any way be considered as an attack on the freedom and independence of journalistic work but represents a normal democratic process.

Their response stressed that journalists should not be exempt from criticism, particularly when they [sic] reports are untrue and they deliberately spread lies.

The statement cited a potential erosion of journalistic freedoms exclusively in private media, and said owners of large media companies have an influence on journalists' reporting.

Government officials have stated previously they believe large media companies are overly critical of the government.

The Ministry of Culture told VOA in a written statement that it explained to MFRR why the groups findings were a result of incorrect information, but did not elaborate.

Some experts in Slovenia also believe that the COE and MFRR reports are not credible.

Matevz Tomsic, a professor of sociology and the president of the Association of Journalists and Publicists  one of three large journalist groups in the country  told VOA he was interviewed for both reports but that his views were not represented.

MFRR lists Tomsics name among those interviewed. The Council of Europe did not immediately confirm whether it had interviewed the academic.

The media freedom has not worsened under the current government. The situation is similar to what it was under previous governments, Tomsic said.

It is possible that media which are favorable to the government get more advertising of state firms, but that has also been happening under the previous governments and is not unique to this one, he added.

Schroeder, of the European Federation of Journalists, believes the EU should do more to prevent attacks on media freedom in its member states. But, she added, legally speaking that is very difficult as they do not have the means, the tools.
ith the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP 26, now over, countries are looking to begin funding a global counterattack on rising temperatures on Earth. Meanwhile, scientists in Denmark are searching for clues to our warming planets future by studying ice from the past. VOAs Arash Arabasadi has more
The son of late Libyan strongman Col. Moammar Gadhafi has registered his candidacy for president of Libya. Seif al-Islam Gadhafi submitted his paperwork Sunday in the southern oasis town of Sabha. The move comes ahead of elections set for December 24th.

Arab media showed video of Seif al-Islam Gadhafi formally registering to run for president of Libya in next months elections. Gadhafi wore traditional Libyan garb, covering most of his head, and was sporting an untrimmed beard. Gadhafi is thought to be living in the western town of Zintan.Gadhafi appeared to be fairly upbeat as he spoke to those around him after announcing his candidacy. Gadhafi has not been seen regularly in the nearly 10 years since his father was overthrown and killed during the 2011 revolution.

A spokesman for the International Court of Justice in The Hague told the news media that Sunday's announcement does not change the court's demand that Gadhafi be extradited and tried for crimes against humanity in connection with the uprising.

A Libyan court threw out a death sentence against Gadhafi last year.

Khattar Abou Diab teaches political science at the University of Paris. Abou Diab tells VOA that what remains unclear is whether Libyas judicial system will ultimately accept Gadhafi's candidacy.

He says that Seif al-Islam Gadhafi presented his candidacy in Sabha, a region controlled by (eastern military commander Gen. Khalifa) Hafter, adding that supporters of Gadhafi's father have a strong presence in various parts of southern Libya as well ... A major sticking point in the upcoming election, he goes on to say, is who is going to decide which candidates can run, and if the candidate who ultimately wins will be acceptable to all parties, including the militias across the country.

Libya has had two rival governments  one backed by the U.N. in Tripoli and one in the eastern part of the country. Currently, there is only one government, the U.N.-supported one.

Egyptian media have warned that the Islamist militias which control Tripoli are likely to support a candidate from the Muslim Brotherhood group, which is now outlawed in Egypt. Candidates from eastern Libya, including parliament speaker Aquilah Saleh and Gen. Khalifa Hafter, are not likely to be acceptable to the Islamists, either.

Paul Sullivan is a Washington-based Middle East analyst. He tells VOA that Libya needs to be free of what he calls the dreadful Gadhafi rule.

Sullivan says that if the choice comes down to Gadhafi and the Muslim Brotherhood, then this is an example of the idea in life that one has to choose between the lesser of a bad decision. He says it should up to Libyans to make that choice.

An international conference on Libya took place in Paris this past Friday with the topic of the coming elections on the agenda.
The top diplomats from China and the United States have exchanged stern warnings over the flashpoint issue of Taiwan, ahead of Monday's hotly awaited meeting between their leaders.

The virtual meeting of presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping comes against a backdrop of rising tensions -- in part over Taiwan, a self-ruling democracy claimed by Beijing, but also over trade, human rights and other issues.

In a phone call Friday with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss preparations for the meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised concerns over Beijing's "military, diplomatic, and economic pressure" on Taiwan.

Wang warned of the dangers of US actions that might seem supportive of "Taiwan independence."

Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, but an act of Congress passed that year requires the United States to provide weapons to Taiwan for self-defense.

The U.S. government is careful not to show it recognizes Taiwan but it enjoys broad, bipartisan support in Congress, with a group of lawmakers visiting the island this month -- angering Beijing.

"Any connivance of and support for the 'Taiwan independence' forces undermines peace across the Taiwan Strait and would only boomerang in the end," Wang told Blinken, according to a readout of the call released by China on Saturday.

China has ramped up military activities near Taiwan in recent years, with a record number of planes intruding into the island's air defense identification zone in early October.

Washington has repeatedly signaled its support for Taiwan in the face of what it has described as Chinese aggression.

'Responsibly manage competition'

Biden has largely kept the tougher approach on Beijing of his predecessor Donald Trump, with both administrations seeing a rising China as the top challenge of the 21st century.

And while the world's top two emitters of greenhouse gases unveiled a surprise agreement last week to work together on climate change, Washington and Beijing have indicated they will not give ground on flashpoint issues.

U.S. officials have framed Monday's meeting as an opportunity to "responsibly manage competition" while trying to cooperate in areas where the two align.

Xi last week warned against the return of Cold War-era tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.

Biden and the Chinese leader have talked by phone twice since the veteran Democrat moved into the White House.

The pair also met extensively when Biden was Barack Obama's vice president and Xi was vice president to Hu Jintao.

The U.S. president had hoped to meet Xi at a recent G-20 summit in Rome, but the Chinese leader has not traveled since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and instead agreed to virtual talks by the end of the year.
Taiwan resident Freddy Lim has noticed his homeland has gotten an unusual amount of high-profile attention from other countries. Over the past four months, officials from two European countries, the European Parliament and the United States have made overtures to Taiwan. Lim, a member of the Taiwan parliament's foreign relations committee, suspects a record was set.

"The reason is that international communication with Taiwan can start being put on the table now," Lim said. "Before, of course, all countries were having communication with Taiwan, but in the past, it was all under the table."

Lim is referring to most of the democratic world's relationship with Taiwan over the years, with a history that goes back decades. China sees self-ruled, democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened force, if necessary, to bring the island under its flag  a leftover from the Chinese civil war of the 1940s when the Nationalists rebased in Taiwan after losing to the Communists on the mainland. Taiwan has formal diplomatic recognition from just 15 small countries worldwide, although informal relations with other countries do continue.

Western countries' recent dealings with Taiwan serve as a warning to China, Taiwan's longtime political rival, analysts said.

"By pulling together, they have more diplomatic clout and capability to negotiate with China together as opposed (to) on a one-to-one basis, and it's a tactic that's been used throughout history," said Sean Su, an independent political analyst in Taiwan.

Other countries are teaming up in case China pushes too hard against Taiwan, dissenters in Hong Kong, or its own Muslim minority in the Xinjiang region  causes where democratic Western leaders often favor the pushed over the pusher, analysts said.

Surge of diplomatic support

Lithuania agreed in July to allow Taiwan to set up a representative office, leading China to recall its ambassador in Vilnius and warn of "potential consequences." The Czech Republic's senate president took a delegation of 89 leaders to Taiwan in August.

Last month, the European Parliament decided to deepen economic and diplomatic relations with Taiwan. A report that addressed the importance of economic ties between the European Union and Taiwan also raised concerns over China's use of its military to pressure Taiwan.

State media China Daily reported that China's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, said the European Parliament's report "violates basic norms governing international relations and the one-China principle, (and) goes against the commitment made by the EU on the Taiwan question."

Taiwan's foreign minister visited Brussels at the end of October.

This week, four U.S. senators traveled to Taiwan.

Western leaders have tired of China's "authoritarian" tendencies, said Derek Grossman, senior defense analyst with the U.S.-based Rand Corporation research organization.

"I think what we're seeing with the Lithuanias of the world is sort of a banding together for a common cause, which is, we need to reject the authoritarian model in international affairs," Grossman said. "If it comes to our shores, then it impacts us, or it has the potential to impact us, and that is manifested of course in support for Taiwan."

Eastern European countries such as Lithuania and the Czech Republic have stepped out of the former Soviet Union-leaning East bloc of communist states.

Lithuania's government now wants to "reduce dependence on autocratic regimes and to strengthen our political and economic relations with like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific region," the Baltic state's Foreign Ministry said in a statement to VOA.

A critical mass of countries acting in Taiwan's favor could help head off any conflict, said Stephen Nagy, senior associate professor of politics and international studies at International Christian University in Tokyo. China's almost daily dispatch of military planes into Taiwan's air defense identification zone since mid-2020 has raised fears offshore of a pending firefight.

Washington, for example, backs Taiwan through arms sales, naval ship passages near its coasts and senior-level visits.

On the peacemaking side, countries voicing support for Taiwan have said they plan to uphold their own "One China" polices, which means recognizing Beijing diplomatically over Taipei.

The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said it "continues to adhere to a 'One China' policy" while developing relations with the "democratic and like-minded" Taiwan.

"I think we're already seeing the movements towards trying to prevent a conflict between Taiwan and China, and that's sending the strong signals through backdoor diplomacy that the 'One China' policy hasn't shifted and they support peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and that they don't support either Taiwan independence or a forced reunification," Nagy said.

Threat of Chinese retaliation

In the past, China has struck back at foreign opponents of its territorial interests by stopping military exchanges, halting talks and withdrawing support from its economy, the world's second largest. China seldom opposes informal Taiwan-foreign trade and consular relations, including through de facto government offices, but it usually bristles when political or military exchanges take off.

A spokesperson for Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office said Monday the Taipei government's "cooperation with external forces and continued 'independence' provocations" were the "root cause" for tension between the two sides, including the sending of a combined 700 Chinese aircraft into the Taiwanese air defense identification zone.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has said during her five years in office so far that countries that share her "democratic values" should support her.

Foreign countries have priced in China's normal anger as they engage Taiwan, some analysts say. Retaliatory impacts depend on the size and influence of the country, Nagy said. Although China protested to Lithuania, he said, the small nation's economic ties with China are minimal, giving it "more leeway" to act without fear of reprisal.

Countries such as India and Vietnam are eager to back one another economically "to make up the difference" in case of economic reprisals from China, Grossman said. Vietnam and India have spoken out against China over Asian sovereignty disputes.


Maria fled the violent drug gangs of Michoacan with just three changes of clothes, and traveled 2,500 kilometers (1,500 miles) to the edge of Mexico where she now waits to claim political asylum in the United States.

The 38-year-old is part of a record wave of Central and Southern Americans trying to escape violence and poverty at home and make a new life in the world's richest country over the last year, even as its borders have been shut because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now they have opened again, Maria sees a chink of light.

"Now I have hope," she told AFP in a makeshift camp in Tijuana, where hundreds have gathered waiting to travel a few miles north across the frontier.

"We came to get away from organized crime. Not because we are criminals," says Maria, whose real name is being withheld at her request.

Her eldest son was recruited by a brutal gang last year. That was when the threats began.

This year she, her husband, two young children and other family members gathered their meager possessions and headed north, in the hope of getting over the border somehow.

Migration advocates say if they can just make it onto U.S. soil, they can tell a border guard they want asylum and will be dealt with in-country.

But with the border closed to all but U.S. nationals, legal residents and certain exempt individuals, getting across was not possible and she had to stake her asylum claim from Mexico. That was six months ago.

While she waits, she lives in the grubby and crowded El Chaparral camp, where dozens of families eek out an existence in flimsy tents.

'I would cross by river'

When the border swung open again this week, fellow resident Perez was also flooded with hope.

"I was very happy," she said. Life in a camp with no electricity is not easy, she adds, though she is hopeful her request for asylum will be granted.

"But if they deny me political asylum, my thought is to cross illegally. I would even cross by river if needs be."

In the 12 months to September, the United States recorded 1.7 million people entering illegally at the southwest border, the highest figure since records began in 1960.

Those illegal crossings are high, says University of San Diego School of Political Science Director David Shirk, because there is no legitimate route.

"By restricting... crossing for asylum purposes, what U.S. border policies have done is to create a very, very large and desperate population of people waiting on the Mexican side," he said.

Many are "trying to wait their turn, but finding that the length of time is too long."

'If we wait... we get killed'

For Margarita, waiting was never an option.

She and her husband Luis and their two children fled their native Bogota after being threatened by members of the FARC, Colombia's main armed rebel group.

Like other people AFP spoke to for this piece, the couple declined to give their real names.

Margarita says she ruled out legal routes for migration because they would just take too long.

"I said 'if I wait to do it in 2022 or 2023, they kill us'."

They packed four suitcases and left for Mexico. In Tijuana, they followed directions until they reached a river that marks the border, which they waded into.

As the water rose to their chests, they lost almost everything.

"All we had left were our papers, our bible and two changes of clothes," says Margarita, showing their belongings in two nylon sacks.

U.S. authorities took them to a detention center and separated them for three days.

The couple and their five-year-old son were transferred to a migrant shelter operated by Catholic charities in San Diego to await a court hearing, while their 19-year-old daughter remained in the detention center.

As Margarita was speaking to an AFP team, her daughter phoned and the two spoke for the first time in ten days.

"Forgive me, forgive me," she sobbed as she gazed at the video of her daughter on the screen.

For David Shirk, the post-COVID economic boom in the United States is likely to attract more immigrants in search of work, making fixing the migration system a priority.

He sees little material difference between policies pursued under President Joe Biden and those of his predecessor Donald Trump.

While Biden has not talked about Trump's border "wall", he is nevertheless at pains not to appear soft.

"It's a kind of nuclear arms race, of... trying to show who's tougher on border controls," he says.

"That's not good for U.S. immigration policy. It actually is not good for the United States and the U.S. economy, it's something that we absolutely need to fix, but for which there is no obvious immediate solution in sight."
Polish police said Saturday that the body of a young Syrian man was found in the woods near the border with Belarus, the latest victim in a political standoff at the European Union's eastern border.

The regime in Minsk has for months been encouraging illegal migration across its border into the EU nations of Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. All three countries are reinforcing their frontiers, seeking to block the newly opened migration route, and the situation is growing more dangerous as winter approaches.

Polish police said the body of a Syrian man about 20 years old was found a day earlier near the village of Wolka Terechowska. They said the exact cause of death could not be determined and that an autopsy would be performed.

It brings the death toll to at least nine reported victims in the migration encouraged by Belarus' longtime President Alexander Lukashenko.

Many of the migrants are from Syria, Iraq, or elsewhere in the Middle East, people seeking to flee conflict and hopelessness for the prospect of better lives in Europe.

The crisis is creating another point of tension between the West and Belarus, and by extension with its closest ally: Russia.

Though Russia this week sent nuclear-capable strategic bombers and paratroopers to patrol over Belarus in a show of support, Russian President Vladimir Putin denied allegations of being involved in creating the flow of migrants to Europe.

"I want everyone to know that we have nothing to do with it. Everyone is trying to impose any responsibility on us for any reason and for no reason at all," Putin said in excerpts released Saturday of an interview with state television that is to be broadcast in full Sunday.

He said that no Russian aviation companies carry the migrants to Belarus, and also lashed out at the West as a root cause for the crisis, with military operations in Iraq and elsewhere that have led to continued conflict in the region.

A large number of migrants are in a makeshift camp on the Belarusian side of the border in frigid conditions. Polish authorities report daily attempts by the migrants to breach the border.

The situation shows no signs of ending soon. Belarusian state news agency Belta reported that Lukashenko on Saturday ordered the military to set up tents at the border where food and other humanitarian aid can be gathered and distributed to the migrants.

Poland's Border Guards agency on Saturday morning said, Belarusian soldiers began destroying a temporary border barrier near the Polish village of Czeremcha and used laser beams to blind Polish security services.

Many of the reported incidents at the border are very hard to verify. Independent journalists face limits to their reporting in Belarus, and a state of emergency in Poland's border zone prevents media from entering the area.

The state of emergency ends Nov. 30, and the Polish government said Saturday that it is working on a plan to let journalists again report from the border area with the permission of the Border Guards.

The Polish military reported that a soldier on duty at the border died Saturday in an accident. The soldier was not in direct contact with migrants, and a military statement said the accident involved the "firing of a service weapon."

After the large migration into Europe in 2015, Europe has been reinforcing its borders to discourage the arrival of more migrants and refugees. Still, every year, tens of thousands try to get in, embarking on dangerous and sometimes deadly journeys by sea and land.

Since the summer, thousands have been lured by what appeared to be a new and easier way to slip into Europe, through Belarus.

The EU accuses Lukashenko of creating the artificial route in order to retaliate for sanctions against his regime imposed after an election in 2020 widely viewed as flawed and a harsh crackdown on internal dissent that followed.

The restrictions were toughened in May after a passenger jet flying from Greece to Lithuania was diverted by Belarus to Minsk, where authorities arrested dissident journalist Raman Pratasevich. The EU called it air piracy, barred Belarusian carriers from its skies and cut imports of the country's top commodities, including petroleum products and potash, an ingredient in fertilizer.

A furious Lukashenko shot back by saying he would no longer abide by an agreement to stem illegal migration, arguing that the EU sanctions deprived his government of funds needed to contain flows of migrants. Planes carrying migrants from Iraq, Syria and other countries began arriving in Belarus.
Several young African climate activists traveled thousands of miles to Glasgow, Scotland, to be part of the COP26 climate summit  and to convey their sense of urgency to world leaders. Henry Ridgwell spoke with some of them about their climate change experiences and what COP26 must deliver
World leaders hailed a new climate deal signed by nearly 200 countries late Saturday to speed up action on tackling climate change as the two-week COP26 summit came to an end in Glasgow, Scotland.

The signatories to the Glasgow Climate Pact pledged to continue working to limit global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the target first set at the Paris climate summit in 2015.

Progress

The gavel came down on two weeks of intense negotiations around 9 p.m. local time (9:38 p.m. UTC) Saturday evening, more than 24 hours after the originally scheduled ending of 6 p.m. Friday.

This is real progress in keeping 1.5 degrees within reach. Progress that we have made together. But the need for continual action and implementation to match ambition must continue throughout this decade, the COP26 President Alok Sharma told delegates after the agreement was signed.

Coal pushback

As negotiations wrapped up Saturday, however, India and China insisted on a watering down of a commitment to phase out coal and fossil fuels. It was a subtle but significant change that left the summit president visibly upset.

I apologize for the way this process has unfolded and I am deeply sorry, Sharma said. I also understand the deep disappointment. But I think, as you have noted, it's also vital that we protect this package.

India, along with China and South Africa, argued that phasing out fossil fuels was unfair. Close to 70% of Indias power generation is reliant on coal.

How can anyone expect that developing countries can make promises about phasing out coal and fossil fuel subsidies? Developing countries have still to deal with their development agendas and poverty eradication, the Indian Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said.

What was agreed?

So what was agreed to at Glasgow? The text acknowledges that existing commitments to cut emissions of greenhouse gases are nowhere near enough to limit global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures. In the deal, countries committed to come back next year with improved targets on cutting emissions, much sooner than the previous five-year cycle.

Signatories agreed to phase down rather than phase out the use of coal and fossil fuels and to cut subsidies for the industry.

Rich countries agreed to increase their commitments on climate finance, doubling the money they will pay to poorer countries to adapt to climate change and decarbonize their economies by 2025.

For the first time theres recognition of the need for richer nations to compensate developing countries for loss and damage from climate change, because rich nations are responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions.

There was also further detail on international carbon markets, whereby carbon emission credits can be traded between countries, potentially unlocking trillions of dollars for protecting forests, building renewable energy facilities and other projects to combat climate change. However, critics fear the complexity will enable countries to hide their true emissions.

Earlier in the summit, there were significant deals on reducing deforestation, while around 100 countries pledged to reduce methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030.

Reaction

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised delegates for reaching an agreement.

Of course, theres still a long, long way to go before we can say weve dealt with climate change. But the great news is, together, the world has made some important breakthroughs. Weve kept alive the hope of restricting the growth in temperatures to 1.5 degrees [Celsius], and weve made huge progress on coal, cars, cash and trees, Johnson said in a video posted online Saturday.

The deal was a clear compromise  a text that all 197 parties signed, some with evident reluctance. Is it enough to keep global warming to within 1.5 degrees Celsius and prevent catastrophic climate change?

On the whole I think it's a meek, weak outcome that doesn't meet the moment of the climate emergency, Jennifer Morgan, executive director of Greenpeace International, told Reuters. It keeps the 1.5 degree alive  barely alive  and I don't think that the youth activists and the Indigenous peoples are going to tolerate another COP like this.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg dismissed the deal.

The COP26 is over she wrote on Twitter. Heres a brief summary: Blah, blah, blah.

US upbeat

The U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change John Kerry was upbeat on what has been achieved.

We emerge from Glasgow having dramatically raised the world's ambition to solve this challenge in this decade and beyond. I really do believe that as a result of this decision and as a result of the announcements that have been made over the course of the last few weeks, we are in fact closer than we have ever been before to avoiding climate chaos and securing cleaner air, safer water and a healthier planet.

Kerry said the inclusion of a commitment on coal was significant.

As a result of what took place here with nations that have never considered even having the word coal in a plan, where it remains even today after what took place [at the summit], coal and the phase down of coal is on the books, it's part of the decision, Kerry said at a press conference Saturday.

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was circumspect in his assessment.

The approved texts are a compromise, Guterres said. They reflect the interests, the conditions, the contradictions and the state of political will in the world today. They take important steps, but unfortunately, the collective political will was not enough to overcome some deep contradictions. As I said at the opening, we must accelerate action to keep the 1.5 degrees [Celsius] goal alive. Our fragile planet is hanging by a thread. We are still knocking on the door of climate catastrophe.

Whats next?

After two weeks of intense negotiations, delegates are now heading home. For some it is a journey of several days and thousands of miles, back to remote, low-lying Pacific islands, or to rainforest settlements threatened by deforestation. They depart Glasgow with a climate deal, but with many of their hopes and demands unfulfilled.

The next big milestone is the COP27 climate summit scheduled for 2022 in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
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History meets technology in the City of Madison, as a local high school student helped release a new smartphone app to guide people through the historic city.

"You can walk around to each spot, and it comes up with a summary that somebody has read and recorded," said Finley Koswoski.

Walk Historic Madison app Walk Historic Madison app

Koswoski is a 15-year-old sophomore at James Clemens High School, a proud Girl Scout and  as of this weekend  an app developer.

"I worked over 100 hours on this project," Koswoski said.

However, she didn't do it alone.

Josh Rankin is a historian at the Madison Station Historic Preservation Society. He's been collecting local stories and historical facts for the past 40 years.

"I just got a treasure trove of information from the people that lived it. And I knew to write it down, because I don't want it to go with me when I expire," he said.

Now, he's passing on his knowledge to the younger generations as they follow the guided walking tour to hear the stories behind more than 40 historical locations throughout downtown Madison.

"I don't want history to die with me; I want it to be carried forward," Rankin said. "That's why working with Finley was such a wonder. I've got a high school kid that wants to know."

Koswoski isn't alone in her search for knowledge. It seems like the whole city now wants in, as friends and families embark on a walk through time, learning about the history of Madison.

"It just still amazes me to think that this all came together the way it did," said Koswoski.

The walking tour is a 2-mile loop with 42 stops along the way. It's on an app called "PocketSights," available in the App Store and Google Play store.

Other organizations that helped contribute to the app include the Rotary Club of Madison, Madison Visionary Partners and Girl Scouts of North Alabama.
A deadly house fire early Saturday morning took the life of one man in Lawrence County.

Thomas Trousdale died in the house fire. His daughter, Chasity Noe, walked WAAY 31 said she was devastated by the news.

House fire in Lawrence County takes the life of one man House fire in Lawrence County takes the life of one man

Losing a loved one is never easy, but losing a loved one in such a tragic way like the house fire, Noe said, it's just unimaginable.

I mean, I dont know what else to say," she said. "I mean, I cant even comprehend it right now.

Noe lives down the road from the home, which she was raised in by her dad. She said she was startled awake early Saturday morning.

My stepmother came down and asked us to call 911. Said the house was on fire and Daddy was still in there," Noe explained.

Confused and in shock, Noe said it was difficult at first to fully understand what her stepmom was telling her.

She said he tried to get out. Woke up and got her out, told her to get out of the house," Noe said. "It was burning, and she said he was trying to get out but he just got turned around and the smoke was so bad he couldnt see."

Noe wanted to see it for her own eyes.

In the short amount of time it took to get there, her childhood home was destroyed by the fire. She couldn't see her dad anywhere.

"It just went so fast. Couldnt get in there to get him," Noe cried.

Walking through what's left of the house that built her, Noe's in shock.

I dont even have a word. I dont know  I dont know how I feel. Im still trying to process it," she said.

Noe said she just wishes she had a little more time with her dad. He was 74, and while she knew he wouldn't last forever, she didn't think he'd go like this, she said.

Noe told WAAY 31 that all they can do at the moment is try to process everything that happened.

Eventually, they'll have to go about putting something on the land for her stepmom to live in. His wife of more than 30 years, she made it out of the fire with only minor burns.

The state fire marshal told WAAY 31 that the fire is still under investigation, but they don't believe there to be any foul play involved.
Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton says a man has been arrested after leading police on a chase.

According to Singleton, police tried to stop Harley Coyer for speeding and reckless driving in the Underwood-Petersville community of Lauderdale County.

Coyer didn't stop, leading police on a chase that spanned about 40 miles.

Multiple agencies were involved, Singleton said, including the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, who apprehended Coyer on Lauderdale County Road 51.

Singleton said Coyer had nine outstanding warrants out of Florence. He was also driving on a revoked license.

Coyer now faces multiple charges and was booked into the Lauderdale County Jail.
Two arrests in Milan during first No Green Pass rally under Italy's new protest rules.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the prominent anti-vaxxer and nephew of former US president JFK, on Saturday addressed a No Green Pass protest in Milan where he slammed Italy's covid cert as an "instrument of surveillance".

Kennedy was welcomed as a hero by the several thousand people assembled in Piazza dell'Arco della Pace to demonstrate against the the Green Pass which shows that the holder has been vaccinated, tested negative or recovered from covid-19 and has been mandatory in the workplace since 15 October.

Encouraging "everybody in this crowd to go out and fight back to resist, resist, resist", Kennedy called on protesters to "reclaim our government, to reclaim our lives, to reclaim our liberty for our children, for our country and for all future generations."

To cheers and applause Kennedy, leader of the Children's Health Defence organisation, said: "I will stand side by side with you and if I have to die for this I'm going to die with my boots on."

Speaking to reporters earlier in the day Kennedy said: "The Green Pass is not a public health innovation, it is an instrument of obedience and financial control, the same as the passbooks that were issued by the Third Reich."

The Milan rally was held under Italy's new restrictions aimed at curbing Green Pass protests and keeping them away from city centres and shopping streets in a bid to protect public health and business interests.

Later in the evening a group of No Green Pass protesters circumvented a barricade around Milan's central Piazza Duomo, leading to two arrests and 30 people identified by police.

There were protests in other Italian cities too, including in Turin, Naples and Rome where about 400 people gathered in the Circus Maximus. The Rome rally, described as a "flop" by Italian media, resulted in street closures and traffic chaos on Saturday evening.

Photo Il Giornale
Its not unusual for a governors race to turn on the issue of education, after all  or on property taxes, which was the issue in New Jersey, where Governor Phil Murphy nearly lost re-election because of it. When he doubled down on a prior statement that New Jersey is probably not your state if all you care about is taxes, it nearly proved fatal. But, again, this was a perfectly normal partisan fight, even if the potency of the issue caught Democrats by surprise.
It doesnt matter which of the three oil market forecasts presented last week to the OPEC+ group you look at, they all show the same thing in different degrees: The current tight oil market will soon evaporate, to be replaced by one in which supply is running ahead of demand and global stockpiles are rising again. That switch, however, is based on highly inflated estimates of the groups own future production.
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Many of the women extolled the benefits of their chosen career. A program manager in manufacturing said that hands down engineering is the best degree. A mechanical engineer who owned her own consulting company said: It will give you the flexibility to do almost anything. It is almost impossible to point out anything tangible an engineer didnt touch or influence in some way. It is also satisfying to see the effects of what you have done.
I sense in your desire for a break that perhaps your faith life might be bit dry, too. You might want to convey this to your father by saying something like: Dad, you have been one of the most influential figures in my spiritual journey. Your sermons have fed me time and again. I still want to hear these sermons, but Im also feeling led to explore ways to nurture my soul. I think that means stepping away from my leadership positions.
Woodhouses mother, Calvarys co-pastor Susie C. Owens, was in one of the dozens of cars briefly in a traffic jam that extended more than six blocks as six D.C. police officers tried to keep the traffic flowing. The 400 block of Rhode Island Avenue in Northeast  where the station is located  is normally two lanes heading west. But the lane closest to the sidewalk gradually came to a halt as drivers waited to turn into the BP station.
We made this change after decades of trying many different approaches in our efforts to find more equitable ways to identify and serve gifted students, Beth Cheuk, a spokeswoman for the 4,300-student Charlottesville City Schools, told me. We have tried universal screening, talent-development programs, multiyear screening, changing the screening processes, eliminating applications, etc. . . . Despite these many changes, our old program was still failing to identify and nurture the gifts of many of our students, including Black and Brown students and English learners.
He is starting to get a little tired of the masks and his school always eating outside. I mean, hes kind of over it, Khaerisman said. But he also did get his first Pfizer shot today, so hopefully these things will be a thing of the past in his life soon.
Bread for the City feeds the hungry, operating two food pantries that provide groceries to more than 8,400 District residents living near the poverty line. But thats not all it does. The charitys medical clinic provides care for more than 3,000 patients, who turn to Bread for the City for checkups, lab tests, medication and referrals. Its clothing room allows clients to stock up on clothes, household items and toiletries.
The reporters  whose lives were threatened after the articles were published  found that two sets of financial records were kept and that, over a four-year period, Treadwell, Booth and Lee stole directly from P.I. Properties funds or used fake loans, false invoices and as many as 250 bank accounts to conceal their theft. All three were convicted, and Booth and Treadwell went to prison.
Last year, an effort by Democratic council member Kristerfer Burnett to ban the use of facial recognition technology in Baltimore was hampered by concerns that it would affect the police department. As that was beyond the councils control, it settled this year for the moratorium on the use of the technology by others in the city. Democratic council president Nick Mosby is a member of the board and has appointed staffer Nikki Thompson as his designee. He pointed to a delay in Baltimore officers wearing body cameras as illustrating the need for local control of the police.
In 2020, pro-government forces pushed Hifters forces out of his last western stronghold in Tarhuna, southeast of Tripoli. This year, he temporarily stepped down from his official role in the east, raising speculation that he intends to qualify for the presidential election, which requires that candidates leave other official duties three months before the vote.
Sometimes bureaucrats, too, were confused. In one run-in with government censors, Wassef was summoned to the now-defunct Mogamma, a labyrinthine building of government offices that was infamous for embodying all the worst traits of Egyptian bureaucracy. It was 2004, and a book title Diwan was importing had caught the attention of government censors: The Naked Chef, by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. Wassef, through a male lawyer, had to carefully convey to the man behind the desk that the title didnt mean what it sounded like.
MARY RUTH WAGLER  The funeral for Mary Ruth Wagler was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, at First Mennonite Church, with Chris Raber, Gaylon Sommers and David Lee Stoll officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
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In August the Pacific Island Forum, which includes Australia, agreed on a declaration that the regions maritime borders should be permanent, even if countries shrink due to sea level rise. But what if a Pacific island nation like Tuvalu eventually disappears under water? A sovereign nation without land is uncharted territory in international law, says Jane McAdam, director of the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law at UNSW. The world has never faced a situation where a recognised state is destroyed by an environmental phenomenon. The International Law Commission, the United Nations principal legal agency that investigates fundamental issues confronting the international legal system, has established a study group on sea level rise. Many international lawyers would say that for a country to be a state it has to have a defined territory, a population and a government. But in some Pacific islands its already the case that there are more citizens living away from their territories, for economic reasons, than within them. And nobody is suggesting Tonga isnt a country anymore, says McAdam. A lot of international law scholarship on this subject has been very theoretical or abstract, without recognising there are real people whose lives are being affected, she says.

Rising sea levels arent a future threat in the Pacific, but already a reality. Sea levels in the western Pacific have been increasing at a rate two to three times the global average, resulting in almost 30 centimetres of net rise since 1990. A decade ago the Fijian government approached Fijian resident Frances Namoumou and her employer, the Pacific Conference of Churches, to assist with relocating people from the small coastal village of Vunidogoloa, on the island of Vanua Levu. A young woman standing in the rain in the village of Naviavia, which has been bought from Fiji by Kiribati to ensure that Kiribati islanders have a place to go when the sea level overcomes their islands. Credit:Getty Namoumou was taken aback: We were looking at small atoll states like Tuvalu and Kiribati and thought it would happen to them quicker. Fiji has a bigger land mass - we did not expect some of our communities would have to relocate so quickly. But floods and erosion at Vunidogoloa caused by sea level rise and increased rains had become stronger, reaching homes on the shoreline and destroying crops.

Namoumou, who is co-ordinator for the ecology stewardship and climate justice program, oversaw the seven-year relocation of the village to a nearby location further inland. Because of this project, Fiji became the first nation to develop planned relocation guidelines and a climate displacement policy. Internal relocation continues in Fiji and the Solomon Islands, Namoumou says. It is vital we talk about this issue. If we continue to avoid discussion of relocation and displacement, then in the worst-case scenario, when our islands are under water, we will have to go where other countries tell us, she says. We want to design and plan this ourselves. Namoumou says climate justice - a response to climate change that considers human rights and the historical responsibilities for climate change - is often missing from the discussion.

These communities produce almost no emissions, yet they are having to lose their identity, that is rooted in their land, and their sacred totems, she says. Where are the rights of Indigenous people, their right to their land and way of life? The Pacific island nations have teamed up to pressure developed nations on emissions reductions and to demand that they meet commitments to provide financial aid for developing nations affected by climate change. A house inundated by water due to the rising sea level in Sidogemah, Central Java, on November 8. Credit:AP But COVID-era travel restrictions have meant fewer Pacific leaders are in Glasgow and their frustration was on display when Tuvalu Finance Minister Seve Paeniu made an emotional plea to delegates. Our land is fast disappearing. Tuvalu is literally sinking. We must take action now, he said. In the first two days of the world leaders summit, we heard passion, commitment and pledges. That was encouraging. However, since that time and through the corridors of this marvellous facility, we are not seeing that level of optimism being translated.

Since the 1970s, there have been more than 300 planned relocations globally within countries where the state has moved populations to protect them from disasters and environmental change, according to research from the Kaldor Centre. But crossborder relocations are still rare. In 2014 the government of Kiribati bought 2000 hectares of land on the Fijian island of Vanua Levu to become home to residents who may be forced to leave if their islands are submerged. Suega Apelu bathes a child in a lagoon in Tuvalu, one of the Pacific Island nations most threatened by climate change. Credit:Getty Images Some countries, like Tuvalu, are currently opposed to relocation, saying its population has the right to live and prosper on their own lands. Relocating populations affected by climate change provides a quick fix while failing to address the root causes of the crisis, says Kofe. But Tuvalu respects the decisions of Pacific nations that choose relocation as an option. There are some precedents of population relocation between countries following environmental catastrophe. After 1945, British authorities relocated most of the population of Banaba Island, part of Kiribati, to Fijis Rabi Island, after phosphate mining made much of Banaba uninhabitable.

And in 1963 the Australian government planned to relocate the entire population of Nauru to an island off the Queensland coast, also because of phosphate mining damage. Loading But the Nauruans refused to go, saying they did not want to lose their identity. Many criticised resettlement as a quick-fix solution by the governments that had devastated their homeland. In Australia, two Torres Strait community leaders are taking the federal government to court, alleging it has failed to protect First Nations traditional owners living on the front line of catastrophic climate change. Paul Kabai and Pabai Pabai, Gudamalulgal traditional owners from the remote, low-lying islands of Boigu and Saibai, say their precious cultural sites are being washed away and their islands soil ruined by salt.

Professor Tim Stephens, from the University of Sydney law school, says people are turning to the courts because the legislature and executive arent reacting quickly enough to climate change. We dont have a national plan to deal with the displacement of people, or the impacts on particular problems, he says. Its a great example of failure at a national level. Loading Frances Namoumou says many Fijian communities are still recovering from the three or four cyclones that have hit her country over the past two years. She wants Australians to hold their state and federal governments to account over climate action. Its not a far-off thing we are forecasting, but our daily experience, she says. I wonder how our Australian brothers and sisters feel when Pacific communities are suffering or struggling to respond to climate losses and damage.
Australian children aged from five to 11 will have to wait until January to get their COVID-19 jabs, according to the head of Australias vaccine rollout, with the smaller doses of the Pfizer vaccine secured in a purchase agreement but not yet in the country.

In an interview with The Sun-Herald and The Sunday Age, Lieutenant-General John Frewen said the rollout could begin at the start of January, which is the clearest signal yet from the federal government about the long-awaited start date.

COVID-19 Taskforce Commander, Lieutenant General John Frewen. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

However, its expected the program will not ramp up until late January  subject to a green light from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisations and the Therapeutic Goods Administration  as people return from summer holidays and the new school year begins.

Australia has secured more than 5 million doses for the rollout to younger kids. About 4.6 million of these will be for the 2.3 million children aged five to 11, who are likely to have two jabs, and about 800,000 doses for children aged zero to four, who are likely to get one dose.
Berlin: The Austrian government has ordered a nationwide lockdown for people who are not fully vaccinated in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

The move prohibits unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people aged 12 and older from leaving their homes from midnight Sunday (local time), except for basic activities such as working, grocery shopping, exercise  or getting vaccinated.

Kurt Switil was vaccinated against COVID-19 in Vienna back in April. The Austrian government is now urging people who were vaccinated earlier in the year to come forward for a booster dose Credit:AP

The move follows a series of regional lockdowns last week.

Authorities are concerned about rising deaths and that hospital staff will no longer be able to handle the growing numbers of COVID-19 patients.
Retired U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Dana Bowman parachuted from a helicopter, bringing with him a large American flag as he landed on the Weatherford Christian School field Tuesday, Nov. 9 for a special ceremony in honor of Veterans Day.
Nicholas Farrell

The Fatal Error of Eric Zemmour

The likely French presidential contenders claim that the collaborationist Vichy government of France saved Jews from the Nazis was the defence used by Vichy collaborators at their trials after the war  and it will surely cost him dear. Vichy France was far more anti-Semitic than Fascist Italy.

09.11.2021 Nicholas Farrell

Eric Zemmour is the only contender for the French presidency at the elections next April who is not a complete bore.

The 63-year-old journalist, tv pundit and best-selling author has yet to declare his candidacy but is second in the polls behind Emmanuel Macron and ahead of right-wing rival Marine Le Pen. His national-populist rhetoric strikes a chord with patriotic French deplorables.

But his claim that the wartime collaborationist government of Marshall Philippe Petain saved the Jews of France from the Nazi death camps which he repeats regularly has caused uproar. Already, in December 2020, it led to a 10,000 euro fine for denial of a crime against humanity.

The claim is not just wrong  though it does contain a grain of truth. It is, I think, also fatal to his cause. That he is a Jew whose family is from Algeria makes no difference.

In fact, Petain's government, based in the spa town of Vichy in the Auvergne, played a highly active role in the arrest and deportation of Jews to the Nazi death camps between 1940 and 1944 - both in the south of France which it controlled and in the north which the Nazis had occupied but where Vichy controlled the police.

Three quarters of the Jews deported from France to their deaths were arrested by French police. The Nazis lacked the manpower or information to do it themselves.

Ironically, the only place where Jews in France were safe was in the small zone in the south east on the right bank of the Rhone and the French Riviera between Nice and the Italian border which was occupied by Italy's Fascists.

Vichy France  in a word  was far more anti-Semitic than Fascist Italy.

Zemmour's claim  first made in his 2014 best-seller Le Suicide Francais  which makes a distinction between French Jews and foreign Jews is that Vichy handed over des juifs etrangers pour sauver des juifs francais.

In total, 50,000 foreign Jews were deported from France to the Nazi death camps and 25,000 French Jews  about one quarter of all Jews in France  of whom only about 2,500 survived.

The regime sacrificed the foreign Jews and thus  or so Zemmour claims but few historians agree  saved the lives of 75% of French Jews.

This was the defence used by Vichy collaborators at their trials after the war.

Yes, the Vichy government did round-up foreign Jews rather than French Jews wherever possible, but does that make its behaviour any better? No, of course not.

And that behaviour was appalling, and certainly until the Nazi occupation of the south of France as well from November 1942, not the result of compulsion but of freely taken decisions.

In October 1940, the Vichy government issued the Statut des Juifs which made all Jews second class citizens. This and subsequent anti-Semitic decrees led to Jewish property being confiscated, Jews banned from many jobs and the word "Jew" stamped on their identity cards. At the same time, Vichy formally stripped 110,000 French Jews in Algeria of French citizenship  including Zemmour's parents.

Vichy also interned thousands of foreign Jews and political opponents in concentration camps in the south-west of France. The writer Arthur Koestler, who was held at one of these - Le Vernet near Toulouse - said conditions were worse than in Dachau where he was deported to afterwards.

The best bet for Jews in France, whether French or Foreign, was to get to the Italian zone in the south-east.

There, tens of thousands of Jews sought and received protection until its occupation by the Nazis after the fall of Italy's Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini in July 1943.

And from there, many escaped to Switzerland.

Mussolini, unlike Hitler, had no wish to exterminate Jews  his principal mistress until 1935 was Margherita Sarfatti who was Jewish. Jews could be Fascists and many were until 1938 when after his fatal alliance with Hitler he introduced anti-Semitic laws which like those of Vichy made Jews second-class citizens.

Yet the German Jewish journalist, Emil Ludwig, who interviewed Mussolini many times in 1932 wrote in a preface to a new 1946 edition to his book Talks with Mussolini - and so, after the Holocaust - that "no Englishman or Russian had so much sympathetic understanding of the Jews as Mussolini did with me in 1932".

Fascist Italy was the only Axis-controlled country, apart from Denmark, that did not deport Jews. Jews were only deported from Italy after the fall of Mussolini and his return as head of a Nazi puppet regime in the north of Italy  but deported by the Nazis, albeit often assisted by die-hard Fascists.

In the Italian-controlled south east of France, Italy's generals and officials had actively stopped the French police and para-military police  the Milice - trying to round up Jews. In May 1943 alone, 4,500 Jews sought refuge in the departement of Isere in the Italian zone where the Italian commanding officer ordered the French Prefect not to arrest any Jews  whether French or foreign. Indeed, in each country under Italian occupation, including Greece and Yugoslavia, Italian generals and officials tried to save Jews from the Nazis and their local collaborators.

By July 1943, Fascist Italy had not deported a single Jew from the parts of these countries it occupied  or from Italy. In total, relatively few Jews  8,564 - were subsequently deported from Italy and these countries to the Nazi death camps  of whom only 1,009 survived.

Zemmour would do well to step back from the canvas to see the bigger picture. For the truth is that Vichy France treated the Jews  whether French or foreign  worse even than Fascist Italy did.

Nicholas Farrell is the author of Mussolini  A New Life (Weidenfield & Nicolson / Orion)
MANCHESTER  A man was pronounced dead after a Manchester crash Friday afternoon, police said.

Police and fire personnel were sent to Buckland Street around 4:20 p.m. at the I-84 eastbound HOV off-ramp for a report of a motor vehicle crash. Once on the scene, they found a heavily damaged pickup truck crashed into a wall, according to the Manchester Police Department.

The sole occupant of the pickup truck, a man, had suffered significant life-threatening injuries. Emergency medical personnel attempted to treat the driver on scene. An ambulance then took the man to Hartford Hospital where he was later pronounced dead, police said.

Police are withholding the identity of the driver until they notify his family.

Police determined that the pickup truck was traveling eastbound on I-84, exiting the HOV lanes off-ramp, when he was involved in a minor collision with another car. There were no injuries reported for the occupants of the other car, police said.

The pickup truck continued driving eastbound down the ramp, straight through the intersection with Buckland Street and into a concrete retaining wall on the east side, according to police.

Police are investigating the crash. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has additional information should contact Officer Jonathan Sargolini by calling 860-643-3342.

liz.hardaway@hearst.com
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.
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Samantha Sam Harnack, 45, is executive director of the Hancock County Economic Development Corp. in Carthage. She was born and raised in Urbana, Ill., where her parents still live. Harnack and her husband moved to Carthage from Pinedale, Wyo., in the spring with their daughter, now 18. The couples son, age 20, stayed back in Wyoming for his job and to finish his duties as a National Guardsman.
Willmar, MN (56201)

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WASHINGTON - The Duke Ellington School of the Arts in D.C. will postpone renaming its theater after comedian Dave Chappelle, one of the school's most famous graduates, amid concerns from students about his recent Netflix special, the school said in a statement Friday.

A dedication was originally planned for Nov. 23. But the school said in a statement that "moving forward with the event ... without first addressing questions and concerns from members of the Ellington Community would be a missed opportunity for a teachable moment."

While LGBTQ organizations, Netflix employees and some Duke Ellington students have criticized Chappelle's latest special, "The Closer," for his comments about transgender people and the LGBTQ community, the renaming of the theater will go forward April 22, the school said.

"Dave is an artist and activist and applauds the school taking time to develop creative and critical thinkers," Carla Sims, a representative for Chappelle, wrote in an email. "He supports the school and any effort to contribute to open conversations vs. cancellations."

In an interview, Duke Ellington Principal Sandi Logan said she has had both formal and informal meetings with students to discuss Chappelle's comments, including a month of weekly meetings with an "advisory committee" of student leaders that includes representatives from the school's Gender and Sexuality Alliance.

The school plans to continue those discussions in the coming months. It said Friday that it has expanded its social studies curriculum "to include content related to political activism, civic engagement, arts activism, and the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality."

"On our end, we just needed a little time to get our community to at least have the conversation - not to maybe change minds. That is never our objective," Logan said. "We needed that time to be able to get conversation and meaningful progress within the community, not a Band-Aid."

Some students at Duke Ellington, which has a large population of LGBTQ students, previously told The Washington Post that the decision to rename the theater - what some referred to as the heart of the school - for Chappelle made them feel uncomfortable.

Friday's announcement "is a loss because we didn't want the theater to be renamed after him, but it looks like the school is going to go forward with it anyway," sophomore Andrew Wilson, 16, said. "It makes me feel disappointed."

Logan said the delay could allow Ellington "a chance to produce an even more impactful and exciting event" in April.

Duke Ellington is one of the few art schools in the D.C. region with a student body composed primarily of people of color. Logan said she sees that diversity as key to the conversations that will follow.

Duke Ellington announced its plans to rename the school's theater after Chappelle last month, hours before "The Closer" dropped on Netflix. The school said Chappelle's "current and future work and influence would raise the profile of the school, increase opportunities for the entire Ellington community, and provide critical fundraising support for the sustainability of our arts-based curriculum."

During a fundraiser held Oct. 5, Chappelle said having the theater named after him was "the most significant honor of my life."

- - -

The Washington Post's Ryan Bacic contributed to this report.
BERLIN (AP)  The Austrian government has ordered a nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated people starting at midnight Sunday to combat rising coronavirus infections and deaths.

The move prohibits unvaccinated people 12 and older from leaving their homes except for basic activities such as working, grocery shopping, going for a walk  or getting vaccinated.

Authorities are concerned about rising infections and deaths and that soon hospital staff will no longer be able to handle the growing influx of COVID-19 patients.

It's our job as the government of Austria to protect the people, Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg told reporters in Vienna on Sunday. Therefore we decided that starting Monday ... there will be a lockdown for the unvaccinated.

The lockdown affects about 2 million people in the Alpine country of 8.9 million, the APA news agency reported. It doesn't apply to children under 12 because they cannot yet officially get vaccinated.

The lockdown will initially last for 10 days and police will go on patrol to check people outside to make sure they are vaccinated, Schallenberg said, adding that additional forces will be assigned to the patrols.

Unvaccinated people can be fined up to 1,450 euros ($1,660) if they violate the lockdown.

Austria has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe: only around 65% of the total population is fully vaccinated. In recent weeks, Austria has faced a worrying rise in infections. Authorities reported 11,552 new cases on Sunday; a week ago there were 8,554 new daily infections.

Deaths have also been increasing in recent weeks. On Sunday, 17 new deaths were reported. Overall, Austria's pandemic death toll stands at 11,706, APA reported.

The seven-day infection rate stands at 775.5 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants. In comparison, the rate is at 289 in neighboring Germany, which has already also sounded the alarm over the rising numbers.

Schallenberg pointed out that while the seven-day infection rate for vaccinated people has been falling in recent days, the rate is rising quickly for the unvaccinated.

The rate for the unvaccinated is at over 1,700, while for the vaccinated it is at 383, the chancellor said.

Schallenberg also called on people who have been vaccinated to get their booster shot, saying that otherwise we will never get out of this vicious circle.

__

This story corrects that the lockdown applies to 12 and older, not just over 12.

___

Follow APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
Winchester, VA (22601)

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A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 46F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph..

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MONTREAL - Roughly 100 demonstrators are demanding the departure of Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau, enduring the November rain to stage a protest in front of the company's head office in Montreal this afternoon.

MONTREAL - Roughly 100 demonstrators are demanding the departure of Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau, enduring the November rain to stage a protest in front of the company's head office in Montreal this afternoon.

The protesters are urging the board of directors at the country's biggest airline to live up to its linguistic plan and turf the unilingual chief executive over his lack of French.

French language advocates protest Air Canada's chief executive Michael Rousseau's inability to speak French in front of the airline's head office during a demonstration in Montreal, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. Roughly 100 demonstrators are demanding the departure of Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau, enduring the November rain to stage a protest in front of the company's head office in Montreal this afternoon. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Marie-Anne Alepin, president of the Societe Saint-Jean-Baptiste which organized the protest, says the fact a unilingual anglophone can reach the highest echelons of a large, Quebec-based company "defies comprehension."

Rousseau set off an uproar a week-and-a-half ago over his inability to speak Quebec's common tongue and official language.

Following a speech almost entirely in English to the Montreal chamber of commerce on Nov. 3, the CEO told reporters he did not need to learn French to get by in Montreal.

His words sparked widespread backlash and prompted Rousseau to apologize the next day, later adding that he has hired a private tutor.

The linguistic plan for Air Canada  a former Crown corporation that falls under the Official Languages Act  states that the carrier is "proud to offer services in both official languages and demonstrate true leadership among major Canadian companies in promoting bilingualism."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2021.
PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. (AP)  Bob Bondurant, a former champion race car driver who opened a high-performance driving school in 1968 and taught numerous A-list actors for their movie roles, has died. He was 88.

PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. (AP)  Bob Bondurant, a former champion race car driver who opened a high-performance driving school in 1968 and taught numerous A-list actors for their movie roles, has died. He was 88.

According to his family and the Bondurant Racing School website, Bondurant died Friday in the Phoenix suburb of Paradise Valley. No cause of death was released.

Bondurant taught stunt driving, competition driving, police pursuit driving, evasive driving for chauffeurs and bodyguards, plus other skills, according to the website. His school has had over 500,000 graduates, it said.

Among the celebrities Bondurant instructed in road course driving for their movie roles were Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, Clint Eastwood, James Garner, Nicolas Cage, Robert Wagner, Tim Allen and Christian Bale, according to the website.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Bondurant and his family moved to California when he was 2.

He raced motorcycles on dirt tracks as a teenager before switching to cars in 1958 and racing for the Shelby American, Ferrari and Eagle teams.

Bondurant won 30 of 32 races in Corvettes from 1961-63, and he won the GT class at Le Mans in 1964, co-driving with fellow American Dan Gurney.

Badly injured in a 1967 crash at the racetrack in Watkins Glen, New York, Bondurant drafted an idea for a high-performance driving school while recuperating.

He opened the school in early 1968 at Californias Orange County International Raceway, then moved it to Ontario, California, and later Sonoma, north of San Francisco.

Bondurant relocated the driving school to Phoenix following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in California.

He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2003.

Bondurant is survived by his wife, Pat, who is president and CEO of the Bondurant Racing School. She vows to continue the legacy of the school.

Bob Bondurant has had a worldwide impact on the motorsports industry, and his legacy will live on eternally as the Bondurant Racing School moves forward into the future, Phoenix Raceway President Julie Giese said in a statement.

Funeral plans were not immediately available Sunday.

___

This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Nicolas Cage's first name.
CALGARY - You can scramble them, make French toast with them, or fold them into an omelette.

Nabati Foods CEO Ahmad Yehya sits with his plant based products in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. Nabati Plant Eggz are a plant-based liquid egg product that was designed to mimic the same consistency, taste, and texture as you get with traditional chicken eggs,THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson.

CALGARY - You can scramble them, make French toast with them, or fold them into an omelette.

You can even bake with Nabati Plant Eggz, as the vegan liquid "egg" product behaves similarly to conventional eggs in muffin, cookie and cake batter.

And when it comes to taste, Nabati Foods CEO Ahmad Yehya says the product  made with pea protein and lupin, which is part of the legume family  is about as close as you can get to the real thing.

"It's simulating an egg. That's what you can do. I'm not God, it's not at that level," Yehya said. "But we can get as close as possible, and as we continue developing our product, it will only get better."

Almost 10 years after California-based Beyond Meat launched its line of vegan meat substitutes and upended the food industry, there is no shortage of veggie burger patties, plant-based ground "meat," and simulatedchicken fingers on grocery store shelves.

Recently, there have even been suggestions the market is oversaturated. Maple Leaf Foods CEO Michael McCain said earlier this month his company has seen a marked decline in sales of plant-based meat substitutions, such as Maple Leaf's Lightlife brand.

Still, with issues such as climate change and animal welfare increasingly top of mind for consumers, many companies believe the plant-based eating movement has plenty of room for growth. And for some, the perfect plant-based "egg"  a tricky product to develop but one which, if done right, could revolutionize not just breakfast, but a vast category of baked goods, snack foods and more  is the Holy Grail.

"Weve been working on this for two years," said Yehya, whose family-owned company is based in Edmonton and launched Plant Eggz in late August, joining its existing line of vegan cheesecakes, cheese and meat substitutes.

"It's a large piece of the puzzle, and it's very innovative. We're the first Canadian company to do it."

According to market research company Expert Market Research, the global vegan egg substitute market could grow at a rate of 5.6 per cent per year between 2021 and 2026, reaching a value of US$1.48 billion.

And as of yet, there aren't a lot of players. So far, San Francisco-based food tech startup Eat Just dominates the global liquid vegan egg market with Just Egg, which launched in 2018 and is made with mung beans. Just Egg arrived in Canada earlier this year and is available at a number of grocery chains, including Walmart and Loblaws.

U.K.-based food technology company Crackd has also developed a pea protein-based liquid egg product, which is available at M&S stores in that country.

In an email, Elissa Zaks, spokeswoman for the Egg Farmers of Canada, acknowledged there is market demand for plant-based alternatives. However, she said plant-based products "are not eggs" and don't provide the same amount of protein, iron and vitamins as chicken eggs.

"Consumers should know that nutritionally, these plant-based alternative products fall rather short of providing the same value," Zaks said.

Nabati Foods' Plant Eggz product are already available at Whole Foods in B.C. and Ontario, and at Sobeys in Quebec. The company went public on the Canadian Securities Exchange earlier this year, and built a new food manufacturing plant in Edmonton that opened in the spring.

Yehya says the next goal is to expand into global markets. Nabati has already reached a deal with a European distributor, and some of its products can be found on store shelves in Hong Kong.

As a major producer of plant protein commodities like peas, soy, hemp, and chickpeas, Canada has the potential to be a world leader in the plant-based food space, said Tyler McCann, managing director of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute.

That will open up opportunities not just for food tech companies like Nabati, but for farmers and processors too, McCann said.

"We need to be thinking in the context of supplying not just Canadian consumers, but consumers around the world," McCann said. "We need to find ways to grow companies that can be globally competitive.

But to do that, Canada needs to significantly build out its processing capacity, said Bill Gruell, president and CEO of Protein Industries Canada, a not-for-profit organization whose goal is to position this country as a global source of high-quality plant protein and plant-based products.

"We produce about 5 million metric tonnes of peas in Canada on an annual basis, and we process about 500,000 metric tonnes of peas," Gruell said. What we want to do in Western Canada is build out the processing capacity here at home, so that we can support organizations like Nabati to buy the ingredients, the protein that they need for the products theyre making here."

Up until now, Nabati Foods has sent the raw peas it uses in its products to China for processing, Yehya said. But as new processors come online, Yehya said Nabati is looking to switch to local, domestic suppliers.

"I see the Prairies as being a hub for plant-based foods," Yehya said. If youre a plant-based manufacturer, being based on the Prairies and close to your supply chain is going to be the next thing."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2021.
HALIFAX - Its been 26 years since dwindling stocks prompted the federal government to close the once lucrative redfish fishery in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, but now a rebound in the population has industry players positioning themselves to get in on what they hope will be a windfall.

In this Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016 photo redfish are displayed at the Portland Fish Exchange in Portland, Maine. Its been 26 years since a moratorium was placed on the once lucrative redfish fishery by the government due to low stock, and a rebound in the fishs population have players in the industry positioning themselves to get in on the quickly growing economic opportunity in Atlantic Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Robert F. Bukaty

HALIFAX - Its been 26 years since dwindling stocks prompted the federal government to close the once lucrative redfish fishery in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, but now a rebound in the population has industry players positioning themselves to get in on what they hope will be a windfall.

The centre of attention is a large section of the gulf known as Unit 1, stretching from the western coast of Newfoundland across to Quebec's Gaspe Peninsula and down toward the northern tip of Cape Breton.

A federal Fisheries Department moratorium on commercial fishing of redfish was imposed in the area in 1995 and has remained in place ever since. But from 2011 to 2013, research showed that three robust redfish cohorts had propelled growth in the overall stock.

One theory is that the fish are doing well in the warming waters of the gulf. Caroline Senay, a Fisheries Department biologist, says scientists arent sure what factor  or combination of factors  helped the redfish population spike the way it has.

We dont have a lot of information to try to really do some strong correlation or to really understand what was special in 2011, she said in a recent interview. "We know that the gulf is warming quite quickly. It seems that redfish, contrary to other species, theyre doing pretty well in these new environmental conditions."

So well, in fact, theyve reached historic highs, said Kris Vascotto, executive director of the Atlantic Groundfish Council, which represents year-round offshore harvesters in Atlantic Canada.

There's probably  more redfish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence now than we've ever seen in our recorded history, he said during a recent interview.

The reopening of the redfish fishery is still thought to be a few years away, but the provinces surrounding the section of the Gulf, including Newfoundland, Quebec and Nova Scotia, are looking to get a bigger piece of the potentially lucrative fishery.

Nova Scotia has made clear it is not interested in surrendering any of its historic share.

Others are seeking to increase their share of the fishery by reducing Nova Scotias long-held share. That is not fair, nor is it good fisheries management, Bruce Nunn, the provincial Fisheries Department spokesperson, said in an email.

In a small index fishery that has been authorized to assess redfish stocks, about three-quarters of the allowable catch is assigned to offshore operators. Five Nova Scotian companies have nearly 40 per cent of the offshore catch while the Quebec operator Madelipeche has just over 30 per cent and Newfoundland and Labradors Ocean Choice International has about 12 per cent. New Brunswick-based companies currently hold 7.5 per cent of the offshore allocation.

We expect the federal government to treat Nova Scotians fairly and not make decisions that would reduce our share, Nunn said.

The Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union, a trade union in Newfoundland and Labrador, released a statement last month saying the Unit 1 redfish fishery is expected to be an important generator for the economy, but only if inshore harvesters get a fair shake from the Fisheries Department.

Keith Sullivan, president of FFAW-Unifor, said in a statement that Ocean Choice Internationalcurrently has exclusive access to redfish and other fish species in another fishing area, so the company doesn't need redfish from Unit 1 for economic viability. "But dozens of communities and a thousand workers in the inshore will depend on it, he said.

Leaving aside concerns about market share, Vascotto said this is a chance for the fishery to become a sustainable part of Atlantic Canadas economic structure while avoiding the same overfishing that led to the current moratorium.

You are looking at a high-volume fishery, he said. It's in very, very good shape. You can plan for decades, not just a flash in the pan type of fishery. So really, there's an incentive to go slow, do it right and create the conditions where you can maximize value and minimize impact to the fishery.

DFO spokesperson Kariane Charron said in an email the agency hasnt set a date for the reopening of the commercial redfish fishery, but it has been working with an advisory committee, Indigenous people, scientists, stakeholders and provinces to prepare for a post-moratorium commercial harvest. She said the deadline for submissions for input from stakeholders is Monday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2021.

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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
OTTAWA - A former case manager with Veterans Affairs Canada is speaking out about the overwhelming caseloads, lack of support and toxic work environment that she says are putting severely disabled veterans at risk.

Shanna and Lionel Desmond hold their daughter Aaliyah in a photo from the Facebook page of Shanna Desmond. A former Veteran Affairs Canada case manager is speaking out about the overwhelming caseloads, lack of support and toxic work environment that she says are putting severely disabled veterans at risk. "It's hard to put your head down at night and feel like you did your job properly," Lucy Hirayama told The Canadian Press in an exclusive interview. "You're there to help the veteran, and you can't help them because youre overloaded with work." Hirayama's decision to come forward follows a series of articles by The Canadian Press that looked at some of the most pressing challenges facing veterans today, including the large number of veterans with complex needs assigned to individual case managers. The series included testimony from the Lionel Desmond inquiry in June from Desmonds case manager about the challenges she faced as she juggled dozens of files before the Afghan war veteran shot and killed his wife, daughter, mother and himself in January 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Facebook MANDATORY CREDIT

OTTAWA - A former case manager with Veterans Affairs Canada is speaking out about the overwhelming caseloads, lack of support and toxic work environment that she says are putting severely disabled veterans at risk.

"Its hard to put your head down at night and feel like you did your job properly," Lucy Hirayama told The Canadian Press in an interview. "Youre there to help the veteran, and you cant help them because youre overloaded with work."

Hirayamas decision to come forward follows a series of articles by The Canadian Press that looked at some of the most pressing challenges facing veterans today, including the large number of former Armed Forces members with complex needs assigned to individual case managers.

The series referenced testimony from the Lionel Desmond inquiry in June from Desmonds case manager about the challenges she faced as she juggled dozens of files before the Afghan war veteran shot and killed his wife, daughter, mother and himself in January 2017.

It also included firsthand accounts from some of the 16,000 ill and injured veterans with case managers about the added difficulties they have faced, in large part because the people tasked with helping them are too busy to respond to requests for assistance.

Yet while the problems are well known within Veterans Affairs, Hirayama says not enough is being done to address the issue and support overworked case managers before they themselves burn out and leave.

"You go into a workplace because you want to help people," she said from her home north of Calgary. "And we end up becoming so damaged working in that toxic work environment that we walk out of that place with mental-health problems ourselves."

Hirayama joined Veterans Affairs as a case manager in Edmonton in May 2019 after seven years as a federal parole officer. She says she was told at the time that she should have no more than 30 veterans assigned to her, but that did not prove to be the case.

"The average caseload is not 30 by any means," she said. "Its about 50 in the Edmonton office. Its about 50 to 60, and thats normal."

The Liberal government promised in the 2015 federal election to reduce the number of veterans assigned to individual case managers to an average of 25 to 1, after the number topped 40 to 1 under the Conservatives. Six years later, the promise remains unfulfilled.

Veterans Affairs says the average case manager across Canada has 33 veterans assigned to them, while those in the Prairies have about 37 clients on average. The Union of Veterans Affairs Employees, which represents case managers, says the real numbers are much higher.

One of the consequences of those excessive caseloads is that the departments 425 permanent and 50 temporary case managers often dont have time to properly monitor and talk with at-risk veterans, said Hirayama.

"When a veteran is saying I need emergency funds, at that time its the case managers responsibility to kind of take a step back and say, Okay, well whats happening here in your file right now that youre falling behind," she said.

"If a case manager has the time to go and be an advocate for that veteran, a lot of times maybe the whole situation could have been avoided."

While case managers are expected to check in with veterans in person as much as possible, another consequence of the crushing workload often sees workers assigned to veterans who are not in their area. Hirayama recalled handling the file of one particular veteran who lived several hours away.

"This veteran was suicidal, and if I was in the same city, I would have made sure that I would have gone and met him and had a little bit of face-to-face time," she said. "A lot of times that can really defuse a situation like that as well. But you cant do that."

Hirayama said case managers face other problems, including a lack of training, poor computer systems and excessive paperwork. But she says many ultimately burn out because of their caseloads, which puts even more of a burden on those who remain.

"The staff turnover rate is horrendous because of the fact people get there and cant do their job," she said. "Then they leave and you get dumped with these really challenging clients. And thats why they need case management, because their cases are so challenging."

The UVAE surveyed case managers earlier this year, with the vast majority saying they couldnt properly support veterans and that their workloads or work situations had negatively affected their own mental health.

Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay has said the government will hire more case managers, as the Liberals promised during the most recent election, but has so far refused to provide any other specifics, including when and how many.

The department says it is implementing several initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce the administrative burden, all of which will help reduce the case management ratio. It adds that a recent survey found three in four veterans are satisfied with the service they have received.

Opposition parties, veterans' advocates and others have nonetheless called on the government to immediately address the shortage of case managers at Veterans Affairs.

Hirayama says she went on sick leave in January 2020 after an incident with a veteran triggered post-traumatic stress disorder from her previous job. She officially tendered her resignation earlier this month.

She said she feels free to speak out now that she left , but many others are afraid to come forward because of the potential professional repercussions. Shes hoping that by speaking out publicly, Canadians will demand action.

"What are we risking? Are we risking the lives of more veterans again?" she said. "To me, this is very much life and death for a lot of them."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2021.
CAIRO (AP)  The son and one-time heir apparent of late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi announced Sunday his candidacy for the country's presidential election next month, Libya's election agency said.

FILE - Seif al-Islam is seen after his capture in the custody of revolutionary fighters in Zintan, Libya, Nov. 19, 2011. On Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, Libya's election agency said the son and one-time heir apparent of late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi has announced his candidacy for the countrys presidential elections next month. The election agency said al-Islam submitted his candidacy papers Sunday in the southern town of Sabah. (AP Photo/Ammar El-Darwish, File)

CAIRO (AP)  The son and one-time heir apparent of late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi announced Sunday his candidacy for the country's presidential election next month, Libya's election agency said.

Seif al-Islam, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity related to the 2011 uprising, submitted his candidacy papers in the southern town of Sabha, 650 kilometers (400 miles) south of the capital of Tripoli, the High National Elections Commission said in a statement.

Gadhafis son was captured by fighters in the town of Zintan late in 2011, the year when a popular uprising, backed by the NATO, toppled his father after more than 40 years in power. Moammar Gadhafi was killed in October 2011 amid the ensuing fighting that would turn into a civil war.

Seif al-Islam, right, the son and one-time heir apparent of late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi registers his candidacy for the countrys presidential elections next month, in Sabha, Libya, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. Al-Islam, who was seen as the reformist face of Gadhafi's regime before the 2011 uprising, was released in June 2017 after more than five years of detention. (Libyan High National Elections Commission via AP)

In a video shared by an election official, Seif al-Islam addressed the camera, saying that God will decide the right path for the country's future. The 49-year old, who earned a PhD at the London School of Economics, wore a traditional Libyan robe, turban and spectacles. It was the first time in years that he appeared in public.

The second-born son to the longtime dictator, he was seen as the reformist face of the Gadhaf regime before the 2011 uprising. He was released in June 2017 after more than five years of detention. This July, he told The New York Times in an exclusive interview that he was considering a run for the country's top office. His candidacy is likely to stir controversy across the divided country.

Seif al-Islam is wanted by the ICC on charges of crimes against humanity allegedly committed in the first weeks of the 2011 uprising. ICC spokesman Fadi El Abdallah declined to comment on Seif al-Islam's candidacy.

The Court doesnt comment on political issues, as for the legal side there is a pending warrant of arrest and that hasnt changed," he said.

Seif al-Islam, center, the son and one-time heir apparent of late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi registers his candidacy for the countrys presidential elections next month, in Sabha, Libya, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. Al-Islam, who was seen as the reformist face of Gadhafi's regime before the 2011 uprising, was released in June 2017 after more than five years of detention. (Libyan High National Elections Commission via AP)

Gadhafis son, who has deeply rooted links to tribes across Libya, is the first major presidential hopeful to submit his candidacy to run for the countrys highest post. Also widely expected to announce their bids are powerful military commander Khalifa Hifter, Parliament Speaker Agila Saleh and former Interior Minister Fathi Bashaga.

Seif al-Islam's campaign may focus on the failure of political parties and armed groups to establish a government capable of stabilizing and uniting the fractured country since the 2011 overthrow and killing of his father. However, he is highly likely to face stiff resistance from armed groups and militias particularly in the capital, Tripoli, and the western town of Misrata.

Abdel-Rahman el-Swahili, a lawmaker from Misrata, voiced his rejection to Seif al-Islam's candidacy, saying that Gadhafis son should be prosecuted, not running for president.

Those who believe in the possibility of Libyas returning to the era of dictatorship after all these sacrifices, are delusional, he wrote on Facebook.

A group of elders and militia leaders in the western town of Zawiya also announced their rejection of the candidacies of Seif al-Islam and Hifter, warning about the return of civil war. They threatened in a statement to shut polling stations if the elections proceeded with the current laws.

The election agency began the registration process for presidential and parliamentary hopefuls last week. Potential candidates have until Nov. 22 to register to run for the countrys highest post, while parliamentary hopefuls have until Dec. 7 to register their candidacies.

Libya is set to hold presidential elections on Dec. 24, after years of U.N.-led attempts to usher in a more democratic future and bring the country's war to an end. Following the overthrow and killing of Gadhafi, oil-rich Libya spent most of the last decade split between rival governments  one based in the capital, Tripoli, and the other in the eastern part of the country.

The announcement of Seif al-Islam's candidacy came after an international conference in Paris on Friday expressed support for holding free, fair, inclusive and credible presidential and parliamentary elections on Dec. 24.

The long-awaited vote still faces challenges, including unresolved issues over laws governing the elections, and occasional infighting among armed groups. Other obstacles include the deep rift that remains between the countrys east and west, split for years by the war, and the presence of thousands of foreign fighters and troops.

Gadhafi the dictator had eight children, most of whom played significant roles in his regime. His son Muatassim was killed at the same time Gadhafi was captured and slain. Two other sons, Seif al-Arab and Khamis, were killed earlier in the uprising. Another son, al-Saadi Gadhafi, was released in September after more than seven years of detention in the capital of Tripoli following his extradition from neighboring Niger.

__________

Associated Press writher Mike Corder contributed from The Hague, Netherlands.
Forty-five new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Winonas largest schools in recent days.

Winona Area Public Schools

Five new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Winona Area Public Schools from Nov. 4 to Nov. 10.

There were 10 more quarantines in this time period in the district.

WAPS does not release whether the cases and quarantines are students or employees.

In total, since the start of the semester on Sept. 7, there have been 62 cases and 112 quarantines at WAPS.

For information about WAPS response to COVID-19, visit winonaschools.org.

Cotter Schools

Cotter Schools experienced two new COVID-19 cases and 19 new quarantines from Nov. 1 to Nov. 7.

The two new cases were both at St. Stans campus, which raises the campus total to nine.

As for the other campuses, there totals remain at 18 at St. Teresas, three at St. Marys and one at Main Square Montessori.

The 19 new quarantines included two at the St. Teresas campus, 11 at the St. Stans campus and six at the St. Marys campus.

For information about Cotters response to COVID-19, visit cotterschools.org.

Winona State University

Winona State University experienced a new weekly record high this school year for cases in the week leading up to Nov. 10 with 30 new student cases and one new employee case.

WSU has now had, since the start of the current semester, 127 student cases and nine employee cases.

In an email sent out to the WSU community on Thursday, which was forwarded to the Winona Daily News, the university shared that about a third of the new cases were discovered through weekly required testing for some unvaccinated individuals.

WSU shared in the email that about 73% of students at the Winona campus is vaccinated, while 78% of students at WSUs Rochester campus are vaccinated.

The email read: While WSU student vaccination rates are encouraging, this increase in case reporting presents a cause for concern. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to be cautious, and recommit to masking and maintaining 6-foot physical distance whenever possible. Your efforts to stop the spread are even more important now, with events and activities moving indoors and holiday travel approaching.

The university continued to recommend people become vaccinated if they are not currently.

Additionally, to help prevent possible COVID-19 spread, the university is recommending that members of its community that travel during the holidays should get tested one to three days before traveling and approximately five days after they return to campus.

For information about WSUs response to COVID-19, visit winona.edu.

Saint Marys University

Saint Marys University saw a week high for its Winona campus with three new cases during the week of Nov. 8, but the university was still able to move its current transmission level down to low.

All three cases were students, bringing the semester total since July 26 up to 10  only two of which have been employees.

For information about SMUs response to COVID-19, visit smumn.edu.

Minnesota State College Southeast

Four new COVID-19 cases were confirmed at Minnesota State College Southeast from Nov. 4 to Nov. 10  all of which were on the Winona campus.

In total, the college reports having experienced 24 cases since Aug. 19.

For information about MSCSEs response to COVID-19, visit southeastmn.edu.

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Growing up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Jacob Montoyas family felt that his local school wasnt providing him with enough challenges. Just before he started middle school, they moved to Winona so he could have the advantages of the public school system in Minnesota.

There was a big gap in the curriculum when I began school here. A lot of the students were about a year ahead of where I was, Jacob said. I had to make up a lot of understanding. It made the first couple of years hard.

Since then, he has more than closed the gap. Next spring, Jacob will graduate from Minnesota State College Southeast with a 2-year associate of science degree in mechatronics technology. He is well positioned to find employment in a field that he expects to expand.

But what exactly is mechatronics? Its practical, hands-on training in mechanics, electronics and computer programming to support automation systems and computer-controlled equipment.

Or, as MSC Southeast Director of Trade and Technology Calvin Clemons explained it, Mechatronics technicians play a vital role building, installing, and maintaining complex automated systems across multiple industry sectors.

The way things are going, it will keep growing as we integrate more technology into the way things are produced, Jacob said.

In middle school Jacob was involved in the Miller Mentoring program and worked with a college age mentor. There he learned soft skills that continue to benefit him today.

My mentor helped me with getting on top of my assignments, staying organized, said Jacob. I learned excellent time management skills. And it was a good way to connect with other students.

Like most kids, Jacob liked to play with Legos, which evolved into an interest in engineering. When a high school friend recommended joining the Winona Robotics team, it was a natural fit.

Our team participated in First Robotics Challenge, which sounds like battle bots, but it really isnt. Every year they reveal a new game that has certain objectives your team has to complete, like putting a ball in a bin or tipping a scale a certain way. Then you get a few weeks to build your robot and bring it to competitions, Jacob explained.

Coming to MSC Southeast, Jacob was awarded a two-semester workforce development scholarship. I was fortunate to find an opportunity to continue pursuing my interest in robotics after high school, he said.

The mechatronics program at MSC Southeast has been growing with the purchase and installation of new training equipment, supported by state grants and private donations from local industry.

Instructor Andy George anticipates the college soon will be among the leading mechatronics programs in the state. We started last year with hydraulics-pneumatics trainers, mechanical drive trainers, basic industrial controls trainers, and basic PLC (programmable logic controller) trainers, he said.

New equipment coming into the program includes advanced PLC stations and a robotic arm that can be programmed to perform a variety of complex, multi-axes tasks.

With the equipment and capabilities we are adding, we will be in a position to teach the most current, modern, cutting-edge technology, Andy said. And we will be changing in the future to add more technologies to keep up with what people in the field need to know.

In his final semester next spring, Jacob will have the opportunity to unleash his creative and technical skills in a capstone project.

Andy George explains, The project must have at least two axes of motion; it has to have a touch screen to control it; and it must be built so that anyone can walk up to it and make it run without a manual. The students will have to build it from the ground up and wire it to run. It must have mechanical, electrical, programming, and motion components.

Jacob is just starting to think about his capstone, but it might involve cookie cutters. A machine that can cut out cookies doesnt sound very complicated. But thats not what he means.

No, he says. More like a robot that can make cookie cutters!

When he graduates next spring  just shy of his 20th birthday  Jacob Montoya will be ready to begin employment in a high demand, high paying field that he finds fascinating.

By finding the mechatronics program at MSC Southeast, I hope I will be able to turn my hobby into a career, he says.

If you are interested in enrolling in this new high technology program, contact admissions representative Chris Cook at 507-453-2410 or Christopher.Cook@southeastmn.edu.

Every week, Campus Connection shares updates on programs, activities, faculty and alumni, and campus life from Winonas three colleges.

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Andrew Branca, a Colorado lawyer who wrote the book The Law of Self Defense: Principles, said on his blog about the trial that the decision was a high-stakes bet by the defense, and one that always has risk of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Defendants claiming self-defense dont have to testify. But theres pressure on them to do so since what they were thinking when they used lethal force is so central to determining guilt.

The risk was Rittenhouse would get tripped up, rattled or provoked by aggressive questioning from prosecutors and that he would blurt out something that hurt his case. But for most of his some six hours testifying, he was calm, answering questions politely and succinctly. He didnt wilt or lash back.

Lead prosecutor Thomas Binger pressed Rittenhouse, asking him if it was true that he intended to kill all three men. I didnt intend to kill them," Rittenhouse responded. I intended to stop the people who were attacking me.

His display of apparent emotion just minutes into his testimony, leading the judge to call a brief recess, may have helped his cause with jurors, some legal experts said.
My mind is not fully ready, she said. Still we are all traumatized.

Zahra Hakimi, 18, another AUW student, occasionally gets excited about the opportunities she has in the U.S. She can continue her work as an activist for peace and womens rights. She can snowboard, paint and keep up with her studies at UW-Milwaukee.

But most of the time, Hakimi said, she is preoccupied with thoughts of her family and fellow students who did not make it out of Afghanistan. Her friends cannot get visas. Her family cannot get food.

When I see the situation in Afghanistan, when I see my friends raising their voices and nobody hears them, how can I help myself to be hopeful? Im not. Sometimes Im hopeless, Hakimi said. Sometimes my parents, they are saying, Oh you need to be stronger. How can I be?

Khatera said it was also hard for her to leave her family, but part of the reason why she left Afghanistan is so she can support them by sending money once she becomes a doctor. She also wants to start a foundation to help the poor.
Speaking to White, Guy said with his marriage over, he never thought about contacting her and has never wanted to.

Guy, an Army and Marine Corps combat veteran, said in his travels after fleeing the U.S. he worked in several countries in Africa and Europe, where he sought to deprogram himself from 20 years of a military mindset and said he lived mostly in what he described as "hippie" communes. He said he sought only to help people. He said there is a village in Slovenia he hopes to return to, where he was affectionately known by friends as "Captain Convict."

Guy was working at a bicycle shop in Vienna when police tracked him down using leads sent out by the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service, which had been trying to find Guy.

Guy said Friday he fled the country because he feared he could not get fair treatment in court for crimes he said he didn't commit. He said he was grateful the District Attorney's Office later took another look at the charges and dismissed the bulk of them.
UTICA, N.Y. -- Close to sixty vendors filled the Parkway Center in Utica on Saturday to give shoppers a chance to get their holiday shopping done a little early.

Last year's hot item was Hot Cocoa Bombs, and they made their return this year.

You were able to find traditional holiday items sold by local vendors, and even some gifts that could be personalized.

Not only were shoppers buying local gifts at this event, but they were also raising money for an organization that fights crime.

What you can do is you can call our hotline or go onto our website, report the tip, and if it helps us find someone who is wanted, you would get a reward for that, says Rose Crowley from the Mohawk Valley Crime Stoppers.

The Mohawk Valley Crime Stoppers craft fair didnt happen last year due to COVID-19.

The craft fair also served as a drop off point for Stuff the Bus.

The link to the Mohawk Valley Crime Stoppers can be found here.

To report a tip, call 1-866-730-8477 (TIPS).
The Houston Methodist name is seen on one of the buildings in the Methodist Hospital system on Sunday, July 5, 2020 in Houston. (Matt Patterson via AP)
Latest detailed council covid update: highest infection rates in under 20s as they are the least vaccinated and are having the most social contact

11 of Wrexhams sub-areas have a rate more than 400 cases per 100k population, compared to 4, two weeks ago and 9, four weeks ago, showing a much worse position.

The cases per 100,000 of population is a way to standardise data, to allow areas of different sizes to be accurately compared to each other.

The latest local covid update also focuses on a reminder on face coverings, with Wrexham Council saying, Unless youre exempt, you still need to wear a mask in most indoor spaces in Wales  including shops and stores, and on public transport. But not everyone is sticking to the rules. And if enough people ignore them, we have a lot to lose

We could lose our health. Maybe we could lose some of our freedoms. Worst of all, someone we love could lose their life (people still die from Covid every day). Wearing a mask is a small price to pay if it helps ensure we have a happy and healthy Christmas.

From Tomorrow (November 15), if youre over 18, you must show the NHS Covid Pass to enter theatres, cinemas and concert halls  in addition to nightclubs and similar venues.

You can get your pass from the NHS UK website (you cant use the NHS app to get the pass if you live in Wales). The pass can be downloaded and printed.

A reminder graphic has also been issued  Does someone you live with have Covid, or symptoms? Then this is the current rules:

We have also pulled out the latest information on cases (below) and also created the usual graph (top) on admission data for the local health board as usual. The latest update reads 39 people were known positive on admission, and 18 tested positive on admission for the week period recorded up to the 10th. The faint lines show other health boards in Wales for context, with the main bold line being our local data.

Wrexham Council operate the Test Trace Protect locally and have insight to the local trends and data, and say the highest rates of infection remains amongst the under 20s. This is because they are the least vaccinated and are having the most social contact. This is followed, effectively, by their parents, but also growing numbers in older age groups.

The full council formal / data update is copied in full below from Friday, as usual any bolding or italics is from Wrexham Council:
Wrexham schoolchildren benefiting from more music lessons this term

More children across Wrexham have had the chance to learn musical instruments in school this term.

The lessons are being provided by Wrexham Music Co-operative, a not-for-profit organisation, with funding from Wrexham Council.

Councillor Phil Wynn popped into Gwenfro Community Primary School recently to witness first-hand how pupils receiving free school meals are being given the chance to learn instruments ranging from the cornet to the violin.

Cllr Wynn, the councils Lead Member for Education, says: Its wonderful to see the children getting so much out of music

Following all the challenges lockdown has presented for schools over the last eighteen months, its pleasing to know the majority of pupils have now returned.

Those challenges include pupil well-being and what better way of letting off steam than to learn to play a musical instrument?

The interest from all of our schools has blown me away, with over 550 pupils registering to take advantage of the music bursary which the council has made available.

This represents double the number of pupils pre-pandemic, so weve happily topped up the bursary to ensure no one is left disappointed.

Heather Powell of Wrexham Music Co-operative says: Were delighted to continue to work with Wrexham Council to provide music lessons for our free school meal learners.

The power of music upon wellbeing, numeracy, literacy and confidence in pupils is always evident and were looking forward to watching these pupils progress.

Mrs K Owen Jones, Head Teacher at Gwenfro Community Primary School, says: We have 23 free school meal pupils accessing lessons this academic year, which is significantly more than last year due to increased funding from the council.

The opportunity to participate in music activities and learn a musical instrument is so important in a childs creative development.

It also supports our approach to pupil well-being and developing confident and creative learners.
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NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) - A Nashville mother held a peaceful protest on Saturday night outside of the downtown bar after her son's death.

Last week, an autopsy report revealed 22-year-old Dallas Barrett died from asphyxia and ruled his death a homicide. Police said Barrett died after being inside of Whiskey Row on Aug. 16.

Metro Police said Barrett was involved in an altercation with security staff on the roof that night before his death.

Mother of DJ Barrett reacts to autopsy results, trying to keep sons death in public eye Following an autopsy that showed 22-year-old Dallas Jordan Barrett was murdered at Whiskey Row on Broadway, his mother is doubting the accuracy of video provided by the bar.

I want them to know that he was not treated properly in that bar, Tammy Barrett said.

Thats why Dallas mother Tammy Barrett and a group of family and friends stood silently holding signs warning the public of what she said happened to her son inside of Whiskey Row.

Tuesday the 16th will be the three-month anniversary, Tammy Barrett said.

Whiskey Row recently released two more videos to show what they said led up to the altercation. The bar said the video showed Dallas Barrett turn, lunge and assault a security guard after he was asked to leave.

They said Dallas Barrett was told to exit after Barrett, in the other video, shoved his friend in the white shirt, pushes a young woman dancing and bounces into the security guard.

Saturday was not the first time Tammy Barrett and others have protested outside of the bar. She said if she could say anything to this establishment, it would be this.

Mother questions downtown bars report on sons death A mother is raising doubts after a downtown bar recounted the moments that led to her sons death.

While this family waits to see if there are any charges in future, Tammy Barrett said she wants to enact change on a state level.

"I do want to see charges brought against those who did what they did to him," Tammy Barrett said. "But, I do want to push further myself for better legislation for security guards on their training they're licensing because their just too lax about it."

Metro police say they are still investigating.

Pull Quote The death of Dallas Jordan Barrett remains an open investigation that has involved numerous interviews, review of video material, and other continuous work by the MNPD's Homicide Unit. The case file has not been shared with the bar; in fact the file in its totality is to be staffed with the District Attorney's Office in the near future. The officer on Broadway who was first approached about an unspecified fight on the roof of the business himself radioed for an MNPD security team to respond while that officer maintained a traffic post required for public safety. The actions of the officers who responded to the bar, as well as the officer initially told of a fight, are well documented in detail in the case file. The Office of Professional Accountability has no complaint from the bar.

Whiskey Row said they want more clarification on the autopsy report and referred to a previously statement released.
We call upon the relevant authorities in England not to extradite our honorary member Julian Assange to the United States of America, where he faces up to 175 years in prison, but instead release him from prison immediately and unconditionally.

These words are part of a statement issued by the international writers group PEN Centre Germany on November 2, in which the organisation announced it had appointed the founder and spokesperson of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, as an honorary member.

Header of the "Writers-in-Prison / Writers-at-Risk" section of the PEN Zentrum Deutchland website (pen-deutschland.de)

His appointment, the PEN Centre continues, is linked to concerns for the health of Julian Assange, whose conditions of detention have been described by Amnesty International as torture. The judicial arbitrariness and deprivation of Assanges liberty are an egregious violation of human rightstaking place in the heart of a Western European democracy, not a despotic regime.

The PEN Centre Germany is one of 150 associations united in the writers association, PEN International. Its name PEN stands for Poets, Essayists, Novelists, and it considers itself to be the voice of persecuted and oppressed writers.

Shortly before Assange's appointment, the journalist and author Deniz Yucel was elected on October 26 as the new president of the German PEN Centre. Yucel is the Turkey correspondent of the daily paper Die Welt, co-editor of Jungle World (a German weekly newspaper published in Berlin) and a former editor of the taz newspaper. He was himself imprisoned in Turkey for a year for alleged terrorist propaganda.

At its membership meeting in Frankfurts Paulskirche at the start of November, Yucel said he was convinced that we as authors, we as PEN, must on principle and for our credibility, always stand up for the freedom of word and art ... even when it hurts. Against the powerful, against the badand if need be, against the good.

On twitter, Yucel stressed that the decision to appoint Assange as an honorary member of PEN had been made after careful consideration and deliberation. The PEN statement says, qualifyingly: The German PEN Centre takes the accusations of sexual assault seriously, but we are also aware of the doubts repeatedly expressed by Nils Melzer, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, about these accusations and the danger of their inadmissible instrumentalisation.

The mention of alleged accusations of sexual assault in the nomination is completely misplaced. It has long been established that these allegations, which never led to criminal charges, were the result of a state-fabricated plot to extradite Assange from Sweden directly to the US.

Nevertheless, the appointment of Assange as an honorary member of the PEN Centre of Germany is an important and welcome step.

As the PEN Centres statement quite rightly says, the attack on Assange is an egregious violation of human rights and arbitrary justice. For 2.5 years Assange has been in solitary confinement in Belmarsh maximum security prison for exposing imperialist war crimes. He remains in prison even though no verdict has been passed against him, and his extradition to the US was rejected in the first instance. Previous to his time in prison he had already spent 8 years as a political fugitive, in effective isolation in the Ecuadorian embassy.

Assange made accessible to the world public the US military war logs of Iraq and Afghanistan, the diplomatic dispatches of the US and the Guantanamo prison files. Their publication by WikiLeaks exposed war crimes, torture, attempted coups and corruption by leading US and international politicians. They contributed to the social uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt in 2011.

That is why Assange is the prime target of a vicious vendetta involving the governments of Britain, the US, Ecuador, Australia and Sweden but also the German government. The US secret service CIA even considered assassinating him.

In February 2020, the PEN Centre of Germany had already signed the appeal Release Julian Assange from Detention, supported by several former ministers of the Social Democratic Party, Free Democratic Party and the Greens, including then SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel. However, it would be utterly naive to hope that PENs appeal could persuade any government politician to take a genuine stand on behalf of Assange.

Germanys new traffic light government (a coalition of the SPD, FDP and Greens) will, like the outgoing grand coalition of the SPD and conservative parties, do nothing to further the freedom of Assange. The former government politicians only spoke out in favour of Assange when their words had no practical consequences. The traffic light coalition is determined to continue the militaristic, great power policy of the grand coalition.

Assange is behind bars for exposing the crimes of imperialism. The attack on his person and his democratic rights is central to the increasing attacks on the freedom of the press and freedom of expression in every country. His own fate and freedom are inseparable from the struggle of the working class against the return of war and fascism, soaring social inequality and the criminal coronavirus policies of the ruling elites.

Only the international working class can lead this struggle to success. This is the reason why the Socialist Equality Party (SGP, Germany) is mobilising the working class and fighting for independent action committees.

It is explains why the government has denounced the SGP as left-wing extremist and put the SGP under surveillance by Germanys domestic intelligence agencythe Verfassungsschutz (Office for the Protection of the Constitution).

As the new PEN President Deniz Yucel correctly stated two years ago, the Verfassungsschutz is the most dangerous authority in Germany and incapable of reform. Yucel received death threats in response to his comment, as did a number of other prominent celebrities, cabaret artists and journalists, addressed with the signature NSU 2.0a reference to the neo-Nazi terror network, which murdered nine immigrant workers and a policewoman.

Julian Assange's defence, his release and the prevention of his extradition to the US is closely linked to the defence of the SGP from state harassment. To this end it is necessary that the international working class clearly understands that democracy and social equality are incompatible with the capitalist profit system and creates the conditions for a socialist transformation of society.
Striking John Deere workers (UAW Local 838)

The United Auto Workers announced Friday night that it is scheduling a re-vote on the last, best and final offer from Deere and Company, which 10,000 striking workers had already voted to reject. The announcement of the contract and the vote next week is the first statement by the UAW since workers rejected its second deal with the company a week and a half ago. The union has maintained a total information blackout on its talks with the company since then.

The statement below has been issued in response by the John Deere Workers Rank-and-File Committee. To learn more about joining the committee, email deerewrfc@gmail.com or text (484) 514-9797.

Download a printable version of this statement here

**

To Our Deere Brothers and Sisters,

After keeping silent for a week and a half, the UAW International suddenly announced Friday that it was submitting Deeres so-called last, final and best offer to the membership to vote on even though we have already rejected their garbage contract.

While acknowledging that the offer only includes modest modifications from the one we voted down on November 2, they tell us the UAW will present the Companys offer for ratification and, as has been the case throughout the bargaining process, will support the outcome as determined by our members.

These people must think were stupid and have had our eyes closed over the last few months. Far from supporting the outcome as determined by our members, Curry, Browning and the rest of the corrupt gangsters at the UAW headquarters in Detroit have ignored our will again and again. This only underscores the point the Deere Workers Rank-and-File Committee has made repeatedly: the UAW does not represent Deere workers, they represent the Deere bosses.

A few points must be made:

The UAW is not under any legal obligation to bring this contract back to us to vote on again. It is only doing it because UAW are the errand boys for John C. May and the rest of Deeres top executives who dont want to pay us what we deserve even though they are shelling out billions of dollars to their top shareholders.



We are the ones who get to determine what the last, best and final offer is, not Deere and the UAW. If it was left up to them, all we would have gotten was the rotten deal they tried to shove down our throats on October 10. But we voted that one down by 90 percent and despite all the lies, threats and efforts to buy us off with bogus signing bonuses, we defeated their proposal again on November 2.



What few changes have been made since the original proposaland they are still wholly inadequatewere only because we, the workers, decided this was not the last, final and best deal. If we stick together and fight for what we and our families need we can win our just demands for a $10 an hour raise, fully paid pensions and retiree health benefits for the next generation. This is more important than ever as prices are rising at the fastest rate in 30 years.

Every report shows that our strike is having a major impact on Deere, which does not have enough replacement parts to deliver before the harvest season ends or new equipment before planting season begins. In other words, the UAW is doing everything it can not to win the victory we deserve but to help Deere shut down our strike and shore up its profits.

If this contract gets passed, before the ink is dry, they will be forcing us to work around the clock to make up for lost production, and Deere executives will be boasting to their investors that they achieved their aims of reducing costs and boosting profits.

Our brothers and sisters at Volvo Trucks are telling us that the UAW pulled the same shenanigans against them. After voting down three UAW-backed contracts, the union made the 2,900 workers in Dublin, Virginia revote on what the company called its last, best and final offer. The union claimed the fourth vote passed by 17 votes! When workers returned to the job, they had to fight the companys demands for mandatory overtime and speedup. Since then, Volvowhich saw its profits rise by 20.4 percent in the third quarteris outsourcing jobs and threatening the livelihoods of workers.

According to the UAWs summary of the changes, the modestly modified TA will only include changes to CIPP, not the slightest improvements to post-retirement healthcare and base wages. The union has negotiated behind the backs of workers nothing but another sellout.

It is our duty to stand up to this blackmail and vote this down again, not only for ourselves but for all workers who are watching and supporting our struggle. Every day we are receiving statements of solidarity from autoworkers in Detroit and other cities, and from our brothers and sisters at Deere in Germany, France and other countries. Our struggle is part of the largest strike wave in generations, which is still developing and which involves thousands on strike at Kelloggs, at hospitals, in the coal mines, and in other manufacturing industries.

The last thing the UAWwhich is wallowing in the mud of corruption scandalswants is for us to win. That is because we would inspire all autoworkersat CAT, Volvo and Mack, at GM, Ford, Stellantis, at Dana and other parts suppliersto overturn their rotten agreements, which were pushed through by the same bribe-taking officials using the same dirty tricks. If we cannot win back decades of givebacks now, when the companies are flush with cash and workers are joining picket lines across the country, when will we be able to?

The Deere Workers Rank-and-File Committee calls for the largest no vote next Wednesday. At the same time, we urge workers to set up voting observation teams, made up of the most trusted workers, to insist on the right to oversee voting and the counting of ballots to ensure the integrity of the ratification vote.

We urge all Deere workers to join and build the rank-and-file committee. We are doing what the UAW will not: establishing lines of communication and coordinated action between workers across Deeres plants in Iowa, Illinois and Kansas, facilities in Georgia and Colorado, and non-UAW plants in other states, as well as with workers at Caterpillar, Volvo, Mack Trucks, Amazon, the auto plants, in the US and internationally, like Germany and France.

Everything will be determined by what we do in this struggle. This is our lives, the lives of our brothers and sisters, and the rest of the working class. What we do today will have an impact for the rest of the working class for generations to come. Workers are watching us closely; lets show them we will not be intimidated and we will stand as one to win our demands.

To learn more about joining the John Deere Workers Rank-and-File Committee, email deerewrfc@gmail.com or text (484) 514-9797.
There are lots of stories about the existence of an underground river that flows through Indiana near Lafayette and heads southwest to near Marshall, Illinois.

In fact, there is a flow of underground water in this region, but not in the way you might think.

Rather than the Jules Verne image of a huge cavern with a flowing river, this underground river is the result of a huge gash in the earth that has been filled with gravel, sand and loose dirt.

After the last glacier, the huge gash, or valley, was filled in, but there is a slow flow of water that remains.

So, while technically, there is an underground river, its not like in the movies.

Its more like water moving through sand, gravel and dirt in an ancient underground valley.
JACKSON, Miss. (WTVA) - Mississippi is scheduled to lift its COVID-19 State of Emergency on Aug. 15.

It officially takes effect that night at 11:59.

"I want to thank all Mississippians for their sacrifices over the past 15 months," Gov. Tate Reeves said. "Your actions resulted in a significant decline of COVID-19 cases and allowed our state to effectively manage the impacts of the virus. Im also extremely proud of the way our Mississippi National Guard, MS Department of Health, MEMA, and other state agencies have capably handled this pandemic. With their help, weve administered nearly 2 million COVID-19 vaccinations. While a State of Emergency should no longer be necessary after August 15, all Mississippians should remain vigilant, get vaccinated, and follow public health guidance."

The Mississippi National Guard will stop its COVID-19 operations on July 15.

Mississippi is winning the battle against COVID-19! Mississippi National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have served with honor and dedication supporting the Governors COVID-19 Task Force since March 2020, Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard, Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles said. "The Governors timeline to lift Mississippis State of Emergency declaration on August 15, 2021, ensures our over 1,500 service members complete all necessary out-processing requirements and receive the benefits and entitlements they have earned during their dedicated service to our state.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is moved into place by a crane on November 13, 2021 in New York City. This year, for the first time the Norway Spruce tree was from Maryland. The tree is 79-feet tall, 46-feet in diameter, and weighs 12-tons.

Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty

Christmastime has officially kicked off in New York City.

The 2021 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree arrived Saturday in New York City, after the 79-foot Norway spruce was scouted from Elkton, Maryland, earlier this week.

Marking the first time the tree has been chosen in Maryland in the tradition's nearly 90-year history, it was donated from the yard of the Price family, who was present in N.Y.C. for the 80-year-old tree's arrival.

"We never thought a tree on our property would be selected for Rockefeller Center. Nope, not in a million years," Devon Price said on the Today show. "As a family, we've gone from, 'No, we can't let this tree go,' to now, we worry about it. We worry about how it survived a storm or a heavy rain or heavy wind. So, we're very excited to have it go to New York City."

RELATED: 2021 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Chosen  See How it Compares to 2020's Controversial Fir

Following the 140-mile trek, the fir was escorted by the NYPD to its final destination at Rockefeller Plaza, where it was lifted into place by a crane. The two-day journey also came with a considerable amount of red tape.

Workers watch as The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is moved into a place by a crane on November 13, 2021 in New York City. This year, for the first time the Norway Spruce tree was from Maryland. The tree is 79-feet tall, 46-feet in diameter, and weighs 12-tons.

Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty

"We need New Jersey permits to bring it up on the turnpike, it stays overnight by the Meadowlands. We need Maryland and Delaware permits for it to travel because it's an oversized load. It has to have special permits, special escorts, police escort, obviously, for security reasons and just to get it here safe," New York Truck Escorts and Permits President Maureen Mandich told ABC 7.

One college student who goes by @sweet.caroline.829 on TikTok shared a video of the crowd watching the tree pass through their town, surrounded by a caravan of police escorts, with helicopters hovering above.

Its starting to look a lot like Christmas!



The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree arrived earlier this morning with a little help from our @NYPDHighway Unit escorting it through NYC to its final destination at @rockcenternyc pic.twitter.com/U671Pk7nTd  NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) November 13, 2021

This year's Rockefeller Center shouldn't disappoint after last year's choice stirred up some controversy when it arrived looking a little sparse. The fir's less-than-full appearance sparked plenty of social media memes, with some remarking it was a reflection of the year 2020, which was marked by the pandemic, social unrest, wildfires, and more.

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"Wow, you all must look great right after a two-day drive, huh?" the Rockefeller Center Instagram jokingly wrote in response. "Just wait until I get my lights on!"

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

A few days after it arrived in New York, spectators noticed that it appeared to be getting some extra filler branches added to it. An onlooker at the scene told PEOPLE that a crew member working on adding the extensions to the tree said that it was "normal" to do so.

The tree looked full and festive by the time it was lit. "See? Girlfriend just needed better lighting and a few extensions," TODAY anchor Savannah Guthrie, 48, joked, sharing a photo of the previously scruffy-looking 2020 tree alongside a photo of it looking full and vibrant after the ceremony.

She told PEOPLE of the makeover, "I think our tree is beautiful. Hoda [Kotb] and I both know what it's like to have a bad hair day and have everyone see it."

RELATED VIDEO: Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas Sing-along Drive-in Experience Event

Once decorated, this year's tree will be wrapped in 50,000 multi-colored LED lights on about five miles of wire and topped with a 900-lbs. Swarovski star, complete with 70 spikes. The three-dimensional star was designed by architect Daniel Libeskind in 2018, adorned with 3 million crystals.

The annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place Wednesday, Dec. 1 and air on NBC.
Ben Higgins, Jess Clarke

Ben Higgins/Instagram

Ben Higgins is a married man!

The former Bachelor tied the knot with fiancee Jessica Clarke in a romantic ceremony on Saturday at The Estate in Cherokee Dock near Nashville, Tennessee, PEOPLE exclusively confirms.

Guests, who were all either vaccinated or had received negative COVID tests, included fellow Bachelor franchise alums such as Nick Viall, Becca Kufrin and Thomas Jacobs, Jared Haibon and Ashley Iaconnetti, and Wells Adams, who also served as a groomsman.

"I am so excited," Higgins, 32, tells PEOPLE. "We have so much to look forward to. And I know we will have a beautiful marriage."

RELATED: Ben Higgins' Fiancee Jessica Clarke Says She's 'Never Felt More Beautiful' at Wedding Dress Fitting

During the "simple and beautiful" ceremony, planned by Sara Fried of Fete Nashville and photographed by Jordan Voth, Clarke, 25, who got engaged to Higgins in March 2020, walked down the aisle in a gown by Anne Barge, while the groom wore a tuxedo. Clarke and Higgins exchanged personalized vows and the ceremony also featured a scripture reading and quotes from Winnie-the-Pooh that were specially selected by the couple.

Following the ceremony, guests headed to a lakeside reception for cocktails and individually packed dinners featuring the couple's favorite foods  including pizza and sliders  while The Taylor Pace Orchestra played.

Higgins and Clarke, who met via social media in 2018, gushed to PEOPLE about each other days before the wedding.

RELATED: Ben Higgins Reveals He and Fiance Jessica Clarke Are Sleeping in Different Beds Until They Wed

"Ben doesn't just make me want to be a better person, but he actually makes me a better person," said Clarke. "He assures me in all of my dreams and all of my goals. I never thought I'd have a partner that accepted every part of me."

Said Higgins: "Jessica is so incredibly empathetic and caring. She encourages me and she supports me and I know she cares about who I am and where I'm going. I'm so excited that I get to love her  and be loved by her  every single day. And I am so thankful that I found her."
Ghislaine Maxwell has claimed she is given food with maggots inside and has stopped showering because of creepy guards in what she described as her living hell inside a New York City prison.

Ms Maxwell, whose sex trafficking trial is set to begin later this month, told the Mail on Sunday that she has been assaulted and abused by prison guards, is forced to sleep under fluorescent lights and would frequently be joined by a rat.

In an interview from her 10ftx12ft prison cell inside the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, she described her condition as weak and frail and spoke of her fears she will be denied a fair trial.

The former girlfriend and alleged madam of late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein has been held in solitary confinement at the prison since July 2020 when she was arrested in New Hampshire.

She has repeatedly complained about the conditions inside the jail with her attorneys claiming she is under such invasive surveillance from guards that it rivals scenes of Dr Hannibal Lecters incarceration in the film The Silence of the Lambs.

Ms Maxwell was denied bail for a fourth time just last week.

The 59-year-old British socialite and daughter of disgraced newspaper magnate Robert Maxwell is accused of recruiting underage girls for multi-millionaire Epstein to abuse for around a decade from 1994 to 2004.

She is charged with conspiracy and enticing minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts and the transportation of minors to engage in criminal sexual activity for allegedly grooming and recruiting underage girls from 1994 through 1997.

She is also charged with sex trafficking of a minor from 2001 to 2004, in addition to one count of sex trafficking conspiracy. Ms Maxwell denies all of the allegations and has pleaded not guilty, but she faces up to 80 years in prison if convicted.

She complained in her interview with the Mail on Sunday that she has not had a nutritious meal in her 16 months behind bars and has been forced to eat rotten food.

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I have been assaulted and abused for almost a year and a half, she said. I have not had a nutritious meal in all that time. I havent slept without lights on  fluorescent lights that have damaged my eyes  or been allowed to sleep without constant interruptions.

Ghislaine Maxwell is seen with a black eye in a photo submitted to the court by her legal team in April (VIA REUTERS)

She added: I am weak, I am frail. I have no stamina. I am tired. I dont even have shoes which fit properly.

They feed me rotten food. One apple had maggots in it. I have not been allowed to exercise.

She compared some of the food to Chernobyl  the worst nuclear disaster in history  and complained of black soggy bananas and wet bread. Ive been given food so over-nuked it looked like Chernobyl after the nuclear fallout.

And she added that she used to take a shower every day but Ive stopped because of the creepy guards who stand close and stare at me the whole time.

aaI used to go to the loo with an open sewer drain and a friendly rat would regularly visit, she said. I told the guards, but nothing was done until the rat popped out and charged a guard, who screamed in terror. Finally, the sewer drain was covered.

Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein pictured together. She is accused of procuring underage girls for the convicted paedophile to abuse (AFP via Getty Images)

Ms Maxwell also described attempts by the prison guards to intimidate her, including one time when she said she was threatened with punishment when I used a hair-tie to secure my legal documents.

But despite her claims, she said she gives cooking lessons to some of the guards and that they joke around playing peek-a-boo.

Ms Maxwell went on to say how she fears it will be impossible for her to get a fair trial because of the overwhelmingly negative media coverage of the case.

Im terrified the overwhelmingly negative coverage will poison my jury pool and affect the outcome of my trial, despite the evidence which I feel confident will prove my innocence, she said. I look forward to having my day in court to prove I played no part in Epsteins crimes. I am innocent.

Jury selection for Ms Maxwells trial is due to begin on Monday with a trial start date of 29 November.

Ms Maxwell was arrested 11 months after Epstein took his own life in a Manhattan prison cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

The Independent has reached out to the Federal Bureau of Prisons for comment on Ms Maxwells claims about her treatment in the Metropolitan Detention Center.

Read More

Ghislaine Maxwell: How did she meet Jeffrey Epstein?

Ghislaine Maxwell trial 2021: When does it start and what is she accused of?

Ghislaine Maxwell is denied bail weeks before her trial with judge citing significant risk of flight

Ghislaine Maxwells lawyers complain her jail is like Hannibal Lecters
An 11-year-old sole survivor of a commuter plane crash on a Lake Michigan island that killed her father and three others remembers her dad protecting her as the aircraft crash-landed, her mother said on Sunday.

"It's her last memory before the crash," Christina Perdue said in a statement of her daughter, Laney, who was in stable condition Sunday afternoon at a children's hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The crash on Saturday at the Welke Airport on Beaver Island in the far northern part of Lake Michigan killed everyone else aboard the twin-engine Britton-Norman BN-2 aircraft, including Perdue's husband, Mike, a realtor from Gaylord, Michigan.

"We are heartbroken with the loss of my husband, a father, brother, son and friend. He gave the best bear hugs, and I believe he grabbed our daughter and protected her," Christina Perdue said of what her daughter recalls of the crash. "Our prayers are also with our island community and the other souls lost in the accident."

PHOTO: Ducks on the water at Beaver Island in Lake Michigan. (Terri Colby/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images, FILE)

The crash occurred around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at Welke Airport on Beaver Island just below Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Lt. William Church of the Charlevoix County, Michigan, Sheriff's Office told ABC News on Sunday.

The Island Airways aircraft was landing at the airport when the crash occurred after departing from Charlevoix, Michigan, about 32 miles away, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration.

A helicopter crew from the Coast Guard Great Lakes was training in the area at the time and responded to an emergency call from the island. It then flew the critically injured child and a male adult, who initially survived the crash, to McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey, Coast Guard officials said.

The sheriff's office said the male victim was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The Coast Guard Great Lakes said in a tweet that the helicopter crew performed "chest compressions" on the girl en route to the hospital.

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MORE: Pilot who flew with William Shatner to space killed in plane crash

Laney Perdue was later transferred to a children's hospital in Grand Rapids.

MORE: At least 2 dead in small plane crash in California neighborhood

Church also identified a couple killed in the incident as Kate Leese and Adam Kendall.

Leese, 35, and Kendall, 37, were featured in a Detroit News article just seven days ago talking about a vineyard of red and white grapes they were growing since recently moving to Beaver Island and their dreams to open a winery and tasting room someday.

The couple, who was also restoring a turn-of-the-century farmhouse on the island, told the newspaper they had found the island an idyllic place to settle after living a nomadic lifestyle for the past three years, living out of a renovated Airstream while traveling around the country.

"Almost immediately after we pulled into the marina here, we knew this was the level of quiet we were looking for," Kendall, an attorney, told the newspaper. "At night, there's almost complete silence here. There's no light pollution. You can hear every car (if one goes by). It's the kind of place we had been looking for as our next spot."

The name of the pilot who died was being withheld by the sheriff's office, pending notification of relatives, Church said.

MORE: Pilot who flew with William Shatner to space killed in plane crash

The cause of the crash is under investigation by the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board.

11-year-old girl survives Michigan plane crash that killed her father, 3 others originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
So, congressional districts and state districts are being redrawn. Who cares?

You should! Changes to district maps can alter the balance of power in Congress and in the states. The new maps last for a decade. They can give one party an unfair advantage  in each state and nationwide. And redistricting contributes to political polarization by making elections less competitive.

This year, with an extremely slim Democratic margin in the House of Representatives, simply redrawing maps in a few key states could determine control of Congress in 2022.

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OK, you have my attention. So what is redistricting?

Its the redrawing of the boundaries of congressional and state legislative districts. It happens every 10 years, after the census, to reflect the changes in population. And data from the 2020 census, delayed by the pandemic, was just released in August.

Over time, districts gain or lose population. That gives a voter in a district with a bigger population less of a say than a voter in a sparsely populated district. New maps are drawn to keep the population in each congressional district roughly even.

That doesnt sound so bad.

Not in theory. But it is an intensely political process and can alter the fairness of elections before any votes are cast. District lines can be redrawn to favor one party or the other, to protect incumbent elected officials, or to help  or harm  a specific demographic group.

Abuse of the system is responsible for a host of political ills, especially polarization. Understanding redistricting is essential to understanding just how much a vote actually counts.

Got it. So how does this work?

Redistricting starts with the census, the federal governments comprehensive count of the countrys population and its changing demographics.

The census dictates how many seats in Congress each state will get, which is why some states gain or lose seats in the House of Representatives every 10 years. That reshuffling is known as reapportionment.

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Mapmakers then work to ensure that a states congressional districts all have roughly the same number of residents, to ensure equal representation in the House of Representatives. They also do the same for the districts of state legislators. That requires moving the borders of districts  or adding new districts and subtracting old ones  to achieve population parity.

Is that it?

Not quite. While the basic mission is simple  ensuring equitable representation  there are some rules of the road. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 forbids dilution of the votes of people of color: Maps may not be drawn to limit such voters ability to elect their own representatives.

Many states have other criteria: keeping districts geographically contiguous and compact, ensuring that elections will be competitive or safeguarding partisan fairness  so districts reflect statewide voting trends rather than giving one political party an unearned advantage.

Who draws the new maps?

Each state has its own process. Eleven states leave the mapmaking to an outside panel. But most  39 states  have state lawmakers draw the new maps for Congress. (Six states will have only one House seat, so they have no congressional districts to draw.)

Wait, state legislators can draw their own districts? Wont they be biased?

Yes, and this is one way that redistricting becomes so politicized. Partisan mapmakers often move district lines  subtly or egregiously  to cluster voters in a way that advances a political goal, like helping their party or bolstering an incumbents chances of reelection.

That allows a political party to choose its voters, rather than the voters choosing their representatives. And it often leaves a legislature with a partisan slant that doesnt represent the statewide political balance.

Take Wisconsin: In 2018, former Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, lost by less than 30,000 votes statewide, a margin of just 1 percentage point. But Republicans still won 63 of the 99 state Assembly districts. Thats a sign of a highly gerrymandered map.

Gerry-what?

Gerrymandered. Its a word with a funny backstory. Well get to that later. But in simple terms, it refers to the intentional distortion of a map of political districts to give one party an advantage.

How can one side get such an edge from a map?

While all districts must have roughly the same population, mapmakers can make subjective decisions on how to draw the boundaries, and how to group voters in a district, to create a partisan tilt.

There are many ways to slice and dice districts, but two methods of gerrymandering are used most often: cracking and packing.

That sounds catchy. Whats cracking?

Cracking is when mapmakers break up a cluster of a certain type of voters  people from a specific demographic group or simply affiliated with the opposing party  and spread them among several districts, diluting their vote rather than allowing them to exert a larger influence in fewer districts or even a single district.

This is a common tactic in densely populated areas and is often described as pizza slicing, as if the city were the center of a pizza cut up narrowly at the urban core along lines radiating outward.

And whats packing?

Packing is when maps are drawn to cram the members of a demographic group, like Black voters or voters in the opposing political party, into one district or as few districts as possible. That leaves their numbers in the other districts too scant to win elections. This is how many states, primarily in the South, sought to limit the influence of Black voters over the decades before the introduction of the Voting Rights Act.

Can you give some real-life examples of how this works?

Absolutely. Perhaps no city was more cracked than Austin, Texas, the only U.S. city of less than 1 million residents that was divided among six congressional districts. In the 2020 election, President Joe Biden won Travis County, which includes Austin, by 45 percentage points. But five of Austins six congressional seats are occupied by Republicans.

In the 2020 election, Democratic votes in Austin were cracked in multiple districts reaching into conservative areas. There are about 435,000 Democratic voters in Travis County and only about 160,000 Republicans  but just one Democratic representative.

Got it. But wheres a good example of packing?

Well, we can actually turn right back to Austin. After decades of cracking Austin apart, the citys Democratic vote was growing too large to be diluted by surrounding rural areas. Those Republican seats threatened to tip Democratic. So Republican legislators changed their strategy.

Republicans drew a new district that was 75% Democratic, segregating Democratic votes and preserving the Republican tilt of the surrounding districts. Simply put, they conceded one seat to save the others.

Democratic voters are now packed into two districts  a reshaped island of blue among districts that are once again solidly Republican.

All right. Cracking and packing  is that it?

No, there are other tricks. Take Oregons new congressional maps. The state gained a seat in reapportionment, and the Democrats who control the state Legislature decided to grab it. They broke up heavily Democratic Portland  carved up into three districts since 2011  into four districts, forking outward into rural areas in the state. That should give the party a 5-to-1 advantage in the congressional delegation.

In redistricting after the 2010 census, the Oregon Legislature divided metropolitan Portland into three of the states five congressional districts. Everything east of the Cascade Mountains went into a solidly Republican district, while southwestern Oregon was a Democratic-leaning competitive district.

This year, Oregon Democrats pressed their advantage. They split Portland into four districts, including one reaching across the Cascades to Bend, a Democratic city. The southwestern district added more Democratic areas, putting it out of reach for Republicans.

Well, this sounds bad. What does it do to the political process?

Simply put, it makes elections less fair. The mapmakers party can seize such an advantage that November elections become foregone conclusions. Take North Carolina in 2012, after the state enacted an aggressively gerrymandered map. Democrats won 50.6% of the statewide congressional vote but only four out of 13 House seats. (Federal courts eventually forced the state to redraw the map  twice.)

This played out across the country a decade ago, after Republicans took over control of dozens of statehouses in the 2010 midterm elections and, in that years redistricting cycle, were able to draw many more maps than Democrats. The result? In 2012, as President Barack Obama sailed to reelection, Democrats received 1.4 million more votes than Republicans for the House of Representatives. But Republicans retained control of the House by a wide margin, 234 seats to 201.

Isnt this illegal?

Yes and no. In 2019, the Supreme Court ruled in Rucho v. Common Cause that the federal courts have no role to play in blocking partisan gerrymanders. However, the court left intact parts of the Voting Rights Act that prohibit racial or ethnic gerrymandering. Districts where people of color are in the majority are often referred to as VRA districts, and breaking them up is almost certain to draw a lawsuit.

States have often been forced to redraw maps found to have violated the Voting Rights Act or the equal protection clause of the Constitution. Pennsylvania had to redraw its congressional maps in 2018; Texas has had to redraw at least some of its maps every decade since the passage of the Voting Rights Act.

OK, so there is some protection.

Again, yes and no. Since Rucho, mapmakers could insist that a racial gerrymander was merely a partisan gerrymander if the racial group in question voted predominantly for one party.

Take Georgia, where Black voters make up nearly a third of the voting population, and 88% of them supported Biden. If Republicans in Georgia try to crack or pack predominantly Black districts, they could argue that their intent is merely partisan, not racist. (Some lower courts have held that gerrymandering that dilutes the vote of a minority group is unconstitutional regardless of intent, but the argument remains in a legal gray area.)

Do you have an example?

Sure. Look at the district of Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala. More than 60% of her constituents are Black, almost a third of the states Black population. The bulk of the states remaining Black population is split  or cracked  among the 1st, 2nd and 3rd congressional districts, all of which have been safely Republican for years.

Black voters in Alabama make up roughly 25% of the states population, and many civil rights leaders say the state should have two majority-Black congressional districts. In 2018, a group of Black voters filed a federal lawsuit arguing that the Alabama map violated the Voting Rights Act. They lost.

Why do we do things this way? Who benefits?

Many incumbents do, for starters. Holding on to your job and political power is easier when you dont have to worry about a tough challenge from the other party.

But in districts that are safest in November, lawmakers are finding great challenges in primary campaigns. In those contests, the most devoted partisans are often the most important constituency. And appealing to them is pushing incumbents and primary challengers alike to the political fringes.

All of which means that gerrymandering is fueling much of the polarization and extremism in American politics.

Theres that word again  gerrymandering. Where did it come from?

Gamesmanship in the creation of legislative districts is nearly as old as representative democracy itself. Britain had rotten boroughs for House of Commons constituencies until they were outlawed in 1832. In 1788, Gov. Patrick Henry of Virginia tried to deny his rival founding father James Madison a seat in Congress by drawing a district he wouldnt be able to win. (Madison won anyway.)

The word gerrymander arose only in 1812, when Gov. Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts presided over a new state Senate map that kept the opposition Federalist Party in the minority.

Gerry had the special misfortune of angering an editor at The Boston Gazette, who captioned a cartoon depicting a salamanderlike state legislative district The Gerry-mander. A new species of Monster. The name stuck, and, two centuries later, is synonymous with crooked maps drawn for political advantage.

Whats different this year?

The timetable, for one. Delays in the census caused a scramble in drawing new districts, making it hard for incumbents and political newcomers to make timely decisions on whether to run. This is also the first redistricting cycle without a protection under the Voting Rights Act known as preclearance. For decades, that required states with a history of voting discrimination to get federal approval before changing their voting laws or drawing new districts.

In 2013, the Supreme Court hollowed out the preclearance provision, leaving lawmakers in those states free to draw maps as they choose. New maps could, of course, face legal challenges, but those challenges take time and often fail.

Where is gerrymandering the worst?

Conditions are ripe when one party controls both of a states legislative chambers and the governors office. Republicans have complete control over the redistricting process in 20 states, Democrats in 10 states. That gives Republicans unimpeded power to draw 187 House districts and Democrats 84.

Democrats are most concerned about potential Republican gerrymanders in Ohio, Texas, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. Republicans are on guard for Democratic gerrymanders in New York, Illinois, Oregon and Maryland.

Is there a fairer way to do this?

The short answer: independent panels everywhere.

But there is wide disagreement over how different factors should be weighted, like geographic continuity, competitiveness, minority representation and partisan fairness.

Not all independent panels are equal. Some are made up of equal numbers of Republicans, Democrats and independents. Others feature a nonpartisan chair as a tiebreaker. But all truly independent panels operate outside the legislatures influence, at least mitigating bias in favor of incumbents.

Is anyone pushing for that?

Democrats in Congress initially sought to require independent redistricting panels in every state as part of the For the People Act, an omnibus voting bill that failed this year. Current proposals include banning partisan gerrymandering altogether and giving the courts greater power to intervene, but any such changes would most likely require Democrats to overcome a Republican filibuster.

What can I do?

Start thinking about 2030. Control over redistricting hinges on control over state legislatures, which is determined in little-watched elections that are eclipsed by presidential races and statewide contests for Senate and governor. The redistricting process itself can often be changed only by a ballot initiative, which can take years  and a lot of peoples time and money  to organize and pass.

By the time the next redistricting cycle comes around, the die will be cast. Though nothing can stop you from going to a public hearing on your states new maps and giving the mapmakers a piece of your mind.

 2021 The New York Times Company
Anthony Serra has been hired for the newly created position of land protection associate with the Sudbury Valley Trustees.

He will provide support to trustees staff on land protection projects while also playing an important role in community outreach and in collaborative initiatives with the organization's conservation partners.

Serra

SVT is a nonprofit land trust that protects natural areas and farmland in the region around the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers. It has 2,900 members, and has helped to protect more than 8,500 acres of land since its founding in 1953.

Serra holds a bachelors degree in biology from McGill University in Montreal and masters degrees in public affairs and environmental science from Indiana University.

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A pair of attorneys from Upton who work at Mirick O'Connell were recently selected to the 2021 Massachusetts Super Lawyers list. Each year, no more than 5% of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor:

Paul W. Carey , a partner in the Creditors' Rights, Bankruptcy and Reorganization Group at Mirick O'Connell. He concentrates his practice on creditors' rights, bankruptcy and business reorganization matters. He has extensive experience with bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings and litigation, representing creditors, debtors, creditors' committees, trustees and receivers.

Robert L. Kilroy, a partner at Mirick O'Connell. He is a member of the firm's Management Committee and former chair of the firm's Labor, Employment and Employee Benefits group. Kilroy specializes in employment litigation in defense of corporations and their executives. He has extensive experience representing hospitals and physicians groups.

Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

Mirick O'Connell has offices in Westborough, Worcrester and Boston.

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Sara Jane Shanahan, of Wellesley, was recently elected as Boston law firm Sherin and Lodgen LLPs first female managing partner.

Her responsibilities include overseeing day-to-day firm operations, including nearly 50 lawyers specializing in real estate, litigation, business law and employment.

Shanahan will also direct client, recruiting and community initiatives while continuing to represent clients in a broad range of complex commercial litigation matters.

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Ghazwan Tapponi has been promoted to manager of the West Newton branch of The Village Bank.

He joined the banks retail team in January 2018, and was promoted several times over the next two years. In August 2020, he transferred to assistant branch manager at the Newtonville location, where he worked until his most recent promotion.

Tapponi will oversee the daily operation in West Newton. He completed the banks Supervisor Training Program in October 2019. In December 2020, he completed the manager training program with the Massachusetts Bankers Association.

Tapponi holds a degree in information technology from Al-Mustansiriya University in Baghdad, Iraq.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Anthony Serra hired at Sudbury Valley Trustees
While some face the possibility of moving out, others will be moving into Fall River. A new 55-unit apartment complex is nearing completion, bringing new life to the city's long-vacant Durfee Tech building.

Not far away, however, city businesses could face displacement if a Plymouth Avenue mill building is sold.

Well-wishers breathed a sigh of relief this week when Judi St. Hilaire, the wife of Mayor Paul Coogan, was released from the hospital just eight days after a serious bicycling accident.

And just a few weeks after a terrible shooting that left a Fall River shop owner and family man dead, a suspect was arraigned on charges of murder, attempted armed robbery while masked and illegal possession of a firearm.

In other news, there has been movement in the Jasiel Correia case, as prosecutors appeal the judge's decision to acquit the ex-mayor of several counts of wire and tax fraud, and a suspect is arraigned in last month's fatal shooting in Fall River.

In case you missed it, here are the top stories on heraldnews.com from last week according to our readers:

The kitchen area in one of the apartments at the old Durfee Tech.

Bringing the history back

As developer Alan Macomber said, "theres a renaissance coming" to Fall River with the completion of new apartments at a three-building complex at 64 Durfee St. The project brings new purpose to the well-known Durfee Tech building thats been involved with more than 100 years of the citys history. Built in 1895, the building first opened as the Bradford Durfee Textile School  name sound familiar?  and has transformed many times since into various educational settings over the years. The property sat unoccupied for 23 years before Macomber, who also developed the city's Commonwealth Landing, bought it in 2017. In a nod to the buildings educational past the apartments have been dubbed The Creative Class, highlighting the fact that some of the 55 apartments are intended to house local artists. The first renters are expected to move in by February. Take a peek inside the new apartments, learn more about the property's history and plans for the building here.

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Sneak peek: The new apartments at Durfee Tech are nearing completion  take a look inside

Bob Albin says if he has to he'll move his Straight Shooters billiards hall business to another building in the city.

City businesses face displacement

The fate of as many as a dozen Fall River businesses is currently uncertain following news that the building is being sold. Tenants of the four-story mill building at 288 Plymouth Ave., which include Lazer Gate, Straight Shooters and Amp Academy, could face eviction if a deal goes through to sell the property and convert it into a self-storage facility. Although the building has not yet been sold, and tenants have not received an official notice of eviction, an Illinois limited liability company called Bravo Development LLC went before the Fall River Zoning Board of Appeals last month and a variance was approved to convert the entire 190,000-sqaure-foot building into an indoor storage facility. The interior of the 130-year-old structure is expected to undergo a complete rehab and two loading ramps will be added to the exterior. It's a wait-and-see situation for business owners, many of whom are long-time occupants of the building. Read more on this story here.

'I just hope we survive it': This Fall River mill may become a storage facility. But what about the businesses inside?

Kate Bell, V.P. of Talent Aquisition for Cresco, shows some information about the company at White's of Westport Friday.

SouthCoast pot industry growing

Looking for a job? One local cannabis cultivator is on a hiring spree as it expands its cultivating capacity and as the industry as a whole continues to grow. Cresco Labs, a national cannabis cultivator with a facility in Fall River, recently held a job fair at Whites of Westport, where there were no shortage of applicants. The company recently expanded to occupy the third and fourth floor of the historic mill building that it shares with cannabis retailer Sunnyside, a move that tripled their cultivation capacity. So they are looking for more people who are enthusiastic about the plant and want to help grow the industry. Missed this past fair? No worries. A Cresco official expects another round of hiring soon. Read more on their expansion and find out what you need to get your foot in the door here.

Now hiring: Fall River cannabis cultivator expanding its workforce

Former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia II leaves the John Joseph Moakley Federal Courthouse in Boston on Tuesday with his wife, Jen Fernandes.

Correia acquittals appealed

While former mayor Jasiel F. Correia II appeals his conviction on fraud and extortion charges, his prosecutors have filed an appeal of their own: they want the jury's 21 convictions to stand. Last week, the U.S. government filed notice with the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit that it is appealing a decision by Judge Douglas Woodlock to acquit Correia of 10 other counts of wire fraud and tax fraud. On May 14, after a monthlong trial, a jury found the former mayor guilty of 21 counts of wire fraud, tax fraud, extortion and extortion conspiracy. The jury convicted him of misusing hundreds of thousands of dollars in investors money for a smartphone app he developed called SnoOwl, filing false tax returns, and orchestrating a pay-to-play scheme that extorted marijuana business owners for the paperwork necessary to open in Fall River. Read here to find out why the judge acquitted Correia of 10 counts in the first place and why the government's appeal may be unusual.

Jasiel Correia: Prosecutors file an appeal in ex-mayor's case, seeking 10 more fraud convictions

Murder suspect Nelson Coelho is obscured by his defense attorney Dana Sargent during arraignment in Fall River District Court.

Fall River fatal shooting

He shot him in the chest and ran away empty handed. Thats what police say happened the night of Oct. 18, when murder suspect Nelson Coelho allegedly shot and killed Lal Kishor Mahaseth as he was about to close his Rock Street convenience store. Mahaseth later that night was declared dead at Charlton Memorial Hospital after police say a single .38-caliber bullet tore through his chest and exited his back. Coelho was arraigned last week in Fall River District Court for murder, attempted armed robbery while masked and illegal possession of a firearm. At the court appearance, more details emerged about the night of the deadly attack. Read more about it here.

City homicide: Fall River man arraigned on murder charge in shooting death of convenience store owner

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Top stories: New Fall River apartments, mill sale, cannabis job fair
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday called on the Cuban government to "respect" the rights of its citizens to "use their voices without fear of government reprisal or violence."

Why it matters: The remarks come ahead of a protest by Cubans planned for Monday to demand greater political freedoms and the release of activists arrested in previous demonstrations.

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What he's saying: "We urge the Cuban government to reject violence, and instead, embrace this historic opportunity to listen to the voices of their people," Blinken said in a statement.

"The United States stands with the people of Cuba," he added. "We commend their bravery and unwavering pursuit of democracy, prosperity and fundamental rights and freedoms."

Blinken also condemned the "intimidation tactics" employed by the Cuban government, adding that "the regime has denied permission for the protests ... and threatened dissenters with imprisonment."

The backdrop: In July, thousands of people took to the streets of Cuba to demand change in one of the largest demonstrations against the communist government in decades.

The Biden administration later imposed new sanctions against Cuban officials and entities for the Cuban government's harsh crackdown on the island-wide protests.

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The Georgia Bulldogs dominated the Tennessee Volunteers in a 41-17 victory at Rocky Top. Tennessee got off to a fast 7-0 start, but ultimately, Georgia overcame Tennessees strong first quarter and secured a comfortable 24-10 lead at halftime.

Quarterback Stetson Bennett was successful throwing the football more than usual (Bennett finished with a season-high 29 passing attempts) for UGA. Running back James Cook had his best game of the season. Cook scored three total touchdowns and accumulated 147 total yards. Cook may be Georgias top running back.

Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell looked impressive. He finished with five receptions for 65 yards.

Georgias offensive line played well. Warren Ericson started at right guard, but Xavier Truss replaced early in the game. Ericson continued to play on special teams. Broderick Jones held up well on the edge. Veteran Jamaree Salyer is working his way back from an injury.

(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Defensively, Dan Lanning adjusted following a slow start. Georgias corners looked shaky in coverage at times. Kelee Ringo was beat deep a few times. Derion Kendrick and company allowed 200 receiving yards to Tennessee receiver Cedric Tillman.

Kendrick did record an interception. Linebacker Channing Tindall finished with three sacks. Georgia held the Vols to just 55 rushing yards.

Georgias red zone defense looked solid. The Dawgs held up well in the second half before allowing another garbage time touchdown.

Kirby Smart and Georgia are 10-0. UGA finishes 8-0 in SEC play. Georgia faces Charleston Southern and Georgia Tech in their two remaining regular season games.

The defensive line battled a stomach bug entering the game. Robert Beal, Jordan Davis, Devonte Wyatt, and Nolan Smith all went down with injuries throughout the game. Georgias depth at edge rusher is a concern, so Nolan Smiths status is something to watch moving forward.

More Football!
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend aims to use the lessons of Saturdays defeat by South Africa to deliver their best autumn performance against Japan.

Townsends team threatened to follow up impressive victories over Tonga and Australia by downing the world champions as they led 10-8 at half-time.

Scotland matched the Springboks for tries thanks to Stuart Hoggs double, which took the captain to joint top of the all-time try-scorers list for his country with 24.

      It's time to take a look behind-the-scenes at another busy day at @BTMurrayfield yesterday.  @thelaurettes  Home Bird pic.twitter.com/4ccnwM3sJG  Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) November 14, 2021

But a 15-9 penalty count told for the visitors, who kicked themselves out of sight in the final quarter to win 30-15.

Scotland round off the Autumn Nations Series next Saturday against Japan, who suffered a 60-5 defeat against Ireland earlier this month.

Japan will be a tough opponent, Townsend said. We wont look too much at their result against Ireland.

Scotland lost to Japan in the 2019 World Cup (David Davies/PA)

They came close to beating Australia and they obviously beat us two years ago so we know what a difficult team Japan are and if you give them ball they will cause you problems.

So that will be a very tough game for us and it will show the resilience of the group if we can bounce back after a painful defeat and put what we learned on Saturday and what we have learned over the last few weeks into our best performance of this Autumn Nations Series.

Thats all we are working towards. We thought we would get it out on Saturday and we would have needed our very best performance to beat the world champions.

Unfortunately that wasnt the case. We will work again to do that next weekend.
Queen Elizabeth II has sprained her back, Buckingham Palace says, keeping her from attending what would have been her return to duty Sunday after several weeks of heightened concern over the state of the 95-year-old monarch's health.

The queen's decision, which was announced Sunday morning just a few hours before she was scheduled to appear, was made with "great regret" and "disappointment" over missing the service, the palace told USA TODAY in a statement.

British media reported that the back sprain was not believed to be related to the recent medical advice to rest that prompted other cancellations.

The palace said just days ago the queen was determined not to miss Remembrance Sunday, a sacred ceremony in the royal diary that usually brings out most of the senior royals.

More: Queen Elizabeth advised to rest for next two weeks, cancels upcoming schedule

"It remains The Queens firm intention to be present for the National Service of Remembrance on Remembrance Sunday, on 14th November," the palace previously said.

The palace's original statement obtained by USA TODAY on Thursday said the queen had taken her doctors' advice and would not be attending the service or opening session of the General Synod of the Church of England, which she heads, on Tuesday. Her youngest son, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, will attend as planned.

(L-R) Britain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Britain's Sophie, Countess of Wessex attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in central London, on November 14, 2021.

On Sunday, other royals and politicians led the ceremony in Londons Whitehall, with hundreds of military personnel and veterans lined up around the Cenotaph memorial. It was the first time the event had returned to normal since the pandemic began.

After Royal Marine buglers sounded the The Last Post, Prince Charles, who turns 73 on Sunday, laid the first wreath on the queens behalf, as he has done since 2017. He was followed by other royals and Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The queen also missed the annual Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance on Saturday night at the Royal Albert Hall, which she usually attends. Other senior members of the royal family attended, including Prince Charles and his wife, Duchess Camilla of Cornwall, and Prince William and Duchess Kate of Cambridge.

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Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, attends the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in central London, on November 14, 2021.

When her medical advisers told the queen last month that it was best if the she took a break after a busy few weeks of in-person engagements, she agreed with regret, according to Buckingham Palace.

She had spent one night in the hospital for unspecified "preliminary investigations," which the palace did not disclose until she was already back home at Windsor Castle the next day.

She agreed to engage only in light desk duties, and canceled in-person engagements, including a visit to Northern Ireland and a reception at the COP26 climate-change conference in Glasgow.

More: Prince Harry & Duchess Meghan arrange their own Remembrance Day ritual at LA cemetery

The commemoration has taken place every November since 1919 at the Cenotaph (Greek for "empty tomb") in Whitehall, the London street where government buildings stand, and features some of the military pomp and ceremony for which Britain is known.

More: New photos show Queen Elizabeth in a mask for the first time, but she skips mask for Remembrance Day

In most of the previous Remembrance ceremonies of her 69-year-long reign, the queen would lay the wreath of poppies at the Cenotaph. The only times she has missed the event is when she was pregnant or abroad.

In 2017, for the first time due to her advancing age, Charles carried out the ritual on her behalf as she watched from the balcony.

By custom, the royal men who hold honorary military commissions dress in uniforms; the royal women dress in black, including their hats.

Rows of crosses with poppies are laid out on Nov. 8, 2021, to make a field of Remembrance beside Westminster Abbey in preparation for Remembrance Sunday in London.

It's a change for the queen, known for the bright colors she usually wears in public. The last time she was seen in mourning colors was in April at the COVID-reduced funeral in Windsor of her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who was 99.

The only bits of color are the small red artificial poppy pins British men and women (and many Europeans) wear on lapels and shoulders throughout November. (Remembrance Sunday is also known as Poppy Day.)

In the United Kingdom, Remembrance Sunday, which takes place on the Sunday closest to Armistice Day on Nov. 11, is comparable to America's Memorial Day. It's especially important to the queen because she is one of the few Britons left who lived through and survived World War II, when her father, George VI, was on the throne.

She represents the closest connection among the living royals to Britains military history, says Nicoletta Gullace, a professor of British history at the University of New Hampshire.

The queen regards the Remembrance Sunday devotions as perhaps the most hallowed of her duties, Gullace says. "Her presence, even if only for a short appearance, is vitally important to the monarchy since her absence would lead to grave doubts about her health."

Most Brits have grown up associating the sacrifices and the victories of the war with the royal family, who take very seriously their commitment to pay tribute to those died helping to save Britain.

Contributing: The Associated Press

'An incredible honor': Elton John receives highest award bestowed by Queen Elizabeth II

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Queen Elizabeth sprains back, skips Remembrance Sunday
- Official cultural visit by Saudi Arabia to France features a series of successful strategic engagements, including meetings with the French Minister of Culture and the Director-General of UNESCO

- His Highness Prince Badr addressed the UNESCO General Conference

- A new agreement signed with UNESCO further recognizes the cultural significance of ancient AlUla, building on existing cooperation between France and Saudi Arabia to enhance the destination.

PARIS, Nov. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- During a week-long visit to France, His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al-Saud, Saudi Minister of Culture, met with his counterpart Roselyne Bachelot, French Minister of Culture, Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, and several other French cultural leaders and institutions.

Saudi Arabia official visit to France Strengthens Cultural Ties

Prince Badr addressed the UNESCO General Conference: "We congratulate UNESCO on its seventy-fifth anniversary, which the Kingdom has been a part of since the beginning as a founder member. Saudi Arabia is committed to working with UNESCO, and its members, in the efforts to unleash the power of culture."

The day prior UNESCO and the Royal Commission for AlUla signed an agreement that will help preserve the globally significant area, enabling it to become a destination for heritage, nature, arts, and culture. It builds on an existing partnership, through which over 100 French archaeologists and experts are currently working onsite.

France and Saudi have a long history of ongoing cultural exchange. For example, fifty years ago King Khalid helped establish the Arab World Institute in Paris. In 2018, HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud made an official visit to France, meeting with President Emmanuel Macron, where a significant cultural agreement between the two countries was signed.

The Kingdom is hosting a vibrant cultural program of over 100 cultural events, initiatives, and engagements during the coming months, including Saudi Arabia's first art biennale, Ad-Diriyah Biennale, and first major international film festival, the Red Sea International Film Festival, which will feature French classics.

SOURCE Saudi Arabia Ministry of Culture
Prop Tomas Francis has been ruled out of Wales Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji at the Principality Stadium.

The Welsh Rugby Union said that the Ospreys forward suffered concussion during training on Friday.

He has been replaced in the starting line-up by Scarlets WillGriff John, who makes a first Test start after going on as a substitute against South Africa last weekend for his Wales debut.

 WALES SQUAD UPDATE A concussion suffered by Tomas Francis in training has forced him out of today's game  WillGriff John will now start the game with Dillon Lewis moving on to the subs bench  vs #WALvFJI #AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/QJnLf35Tmj  Welsh Rugby Union  (@WelshRugbyUnion) November 14, 2021

Cardiff prop Dillon Lewis, meanwhile, joins the Wales replacements for Sundays clash in Cardiff.

Wales are seeking their first win of the autumn campaign following a 54-16 loss to New Zealand and 23-18 reversal against the Springboks.
AVON  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and Thanksgiving is still weeks away.

But at the "Enchanted Village" inside Jordan's Furniture, "snow" fluttered overhead as families went ice-skating, took photos with Santa Claus and celebrated the coming holidays.

The Enchanted Village drew people to the Avon furniture store Saturday during the village's opening weekend. The experience, which includes a walk through snowy Christmas scenes and moving figurines, will be open until Sunday, Jan. 2.

For many visitors, it wasn't their first time in the village.

Bradley Bowes, 5, of Rockland, goes tubing at the "Enchanted Village" at Jordan's Furniture in Avon on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.

"I just think it's absolutely beautiful," Susan Puggioni said, sitting on a bench while her children and grandchildren enjoyed the 4D "Polar Express."

The Watertown grandmother said she most loved the "snow" made of light bubbles churned out of lampposts scattered around the village.

Merry and bright: Christmas Story, 'Nutcracker' and more: South Shore festive season is merry and bright

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And although Puggioni said the right time to start preparing for Christmas is around Thanksgiving, she wasn't too strict about it.

"Christmas can go all year-round," she said, joking.

Glen Arsenault, of Randolph, skates with his son, Stephan, 7, at the "Enchanted Village" at Jordan's Furniture in Avon on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.

Weymouth mother Linda Moscardelli said, preparations for Christmas should start the day after Thanksgiving. Still, her family was filling its time with holiday activities, she said.

"There's not enough weekends," Moscardelli said, adding that her family plans to ride the Polar Express train on the Cape in a few weeks.

Marielle Tassinari, of Plymouth, was eating ice cream with her 7-year-old daughter, Ruby. Christmas celebrations should start "any time after Halloween," Tassinari said. "Nothing wrong with being in the Christmas spirit."

"I wish it was already Christmas," Ruby said.

Tassinari said her daughter enjoyed the ice-skating at the village, along with the Polar Express. It wasn't their first time at the Enchanted Village, and the new addition of a tube slide this year was also fun, Tassinari said.

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"The whole experience was fantastic," she said.

Tim Brain, Lan Baker, and Alita Mae, 2, of Hanson, at the "Enchanted Village" at Jordan's Furniture in Avon on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.

Jordan's Furniture bought pieces of the display, formerly a regular feature at Jordan Marsh and Macy's in downtown Boston, at an auction in 2009.

With all the new bells and whistles of the village, some visitors recalled a time when it was just the Enchanted Village: model houses with animatronic dolls enacting holiday scenes in downtown Boston, not Avon.

Melrose resident Chris Rolinson said she used to go the Enchanted Village as a child, and Saturday she was watching her grandchildren as they experienced old and new exhibits on opening weekend.

"All it was was the village," she said. "It was Christmas tradition."

Stephan Arsenault, of Randolph, and his grandmother Margo Newcomb enjoy the "Enchanted Village" at Jordan's Furniture in Avon on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.

Rolinson said visiting the village is nostalgic for her now, and she remembers going to Downtown Crossing in Boston when the experience was hosted by Macy's. After, her family would walk through Boston Common and enjoy the lights, she said.

She's followed the Enchanted Village for most of her life, Rolinson said, and now she gets to experience the older quaint village scenes along with new tube slides and ice-skating with her grandchildren.

Still, Rolinson said she prefers to hang up Christmas decorations and lights after Thanksgiving.

"That's how I was brought up," she said. "It can be the day after Thanksgiving. The tree goes up, the lights go outside."

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer.

Reach Alex Weliever at aweliever@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Jordan's Furniture opens 'Enchanted Village' to families
Internationally acclaimed author Wilbur Smith has died in South Africa aged 88 (AFP via Getty Images)

The international bestselling author Wilbur Smith died unexpectedly on Saturday afternoon at the age of 88, his publicist said.

We are sorry to announce that the beloved, global bestselling author Wilbur Smith passed away unexpectedly this afternoon at his Cape Town home, with his wife Niso by his side, wrote Smiths office on Twitter.

We are so grateful to his millions of fans across the world who cherished his incredible writing and joined us all on his amazing adventures, the office said.

We are sorry to announce that the beloved, global bestselling author Wilbur Smith passed away unexpectedly this afternoon at his Cape Town home, with his wife Niso by his side. https://t.co/vHT7uIiwu1 pic.twitter.com/fh91Z11G86  Wilbur Smith (@thewilbursmith) November 13, 2021

A statement shared on his official website said that Wilbur Smith was an icon, larger than life, beloved by his fans who collected his books in hardbacks and passed his work down through generations, fathers to sons and mothers to daughters.

The 88-year-old South African novelist published 49 books in his long career and sold more than 140 million copies worldwide.

Known for his adventure writing, Smiths stories spanned historical landmarks in Africa like the dawn of colonial Africa and the apartheid era in South Africa.

His debut novel When the Lion Feeds in 1964 was inspired by his own experience of running wild on his fathers ranch where he grew up in the tough life of cattle farming, his website obituary reads. Smiths other bestsellers include The River God and The Triumph of the Sun.

Zambian-born Smiths life was as eventful as his work, as he travelled the world seeking inspiration and entered four marriages through the course of his life.

Another marriage producing a son failed, and then he met young divorcee Danielle Thomas whom he married in 1971 until she died from brain cancer in 1999, following a six-year illness, the obituary reads.

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It wasnt until he met his fourth wife, Mokhiniso Rakhimova from Tajikistan, in a bookshop near Sloane Square in London, that Wilbur found true happiness and peace of mind. They married in May 2000.

In his 2018 memoir On Leopard Rock, Smith had written about the course of his life and that he wants to be remembered as somebody who gave pleasure to millions.

Ive had tough times, bad marriages, people I loved dearly dying in my arms, burnt the midnight oil getting nowhere, but it has, all in the end, added up to a phenomenally fulfilled and wonderful life, the memoir by Smith reads.

His literary agent Kevin Conroy Scott described him as an icon, larger than life, beloved by his fans who collected his books in hardbacks and passed his work down through generations, fathers to sons and mothers to daughters.

Smith is survived by his wife Mokhiniso Rakhimova and his four children.

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New Delhi: After Delhi, the Haryana government on Sunday (November 14) ordered the closure of all schools till November 17 in view of alarming air pollution.

Private and government schools in all districts including Gurugram and Faridabad will remain closed till November 17.

The state government has also suggested government and private offices adopt work from home. The construction activities in the state have also been banned in order to tackle the issue.

In view of air pollution, Harayana govt orders closure of all govt & private schools bans construction activities till 17th Nov; advises govt & private offices to adopt work from home.  ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2021

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will hold a hearing on Delhi-NCR air pollution on Monday where the Central and the Delhi government will submit their plans to check pollution.

On Saturday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced the closure of schools for a week from Monday and banned the construction activities for four days. Further, he said government offices will begin work from home (WFH) while private ones will be urged to adopt the WFH model.

Delhi governments decision had come after the Supreme Court on Saturday suggested a lockdown in the national capital, terming the air pollution in Delhi-NCR as an "emergency" situation.

The apex court had directed the Centre and the Delhi government to take immediate measures to improve the air quality.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana, and also comprising justices D Y Chandrachud and Surya Kant, said, "Your projection is as if farmers are responsible for this pollution. Seventy per cent. First let the Delhi people be controlled. Where is the effective mechanism to control firecrackers, vehicle pollution etc.?

"We understand some per cent is stubble burning. Rest is crackers, vehicular pollution, industries, dust pollution etc. You tell us how to bring AQI levels from 500 to 200 points in Delhi. Take some immediate urgent measures like a two-day lockdown," the bench was quoted as saying by PTI.

As per data on Saturday, Noida continued to remain the ''most polluted city'' in the country with AQI recorded at 464, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Faridabad, Greater Noida recorded AQI at 441, 441, 423 and 408, respectively. Delhi's overall air quality was also recorded in the severe category for the third consecutive day on Saturday with 437 AQI.

(With agency inputs)

Live TV
Jaipur: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday accused the NDA government at the Centre of working against the spirit of the federal structure by weakening the states financially.

He also demanded that Rajasthan be accorded special status as the cost of service delivery is high as compared to other states.

Gehlot said that in the federal structure system, states need to be empowered because development in villages takes place through the states.

It should be the policy of the Centre that the state governments should be strong. The NDA government is going reverse. The earlier centrally sponsored schemes had 80:20 ratio, 20 percent for the states and 80 for the Centre, in all the schemes, but now the ratio is 50-50 percent, the chief minister told reporters here.

He said that states have limited resources and the coronavirus pandemic has hit their earnings hard. He said that in the Jal Jeevan Mission also, the Centre and the state's share are equal.

Referring to the conference of governors in Delhi, Gehlot said that he felt good when Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra highlighted that cost of delivery is high in Rajasthan which is geographically the largest state of the country.

Gehlot said that be it water, electricity, education, health or road infrastructure sector, the investment required in Rajasthan is high.

For a long time, there is a demand for special status to Rajasthan but the Center is not paying any heed. I hope that what the governor has said in the conference will have an impact on the Centre, he said.

Live TV
New Delhi: In a sharp attack at the BJP, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday (November 14) said the saffron party is trampling on democracy and human rights in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mufti said the BJP-led government is at war with its own people. "The BJP government lectures Afghanistan on inclusive government and human rights, and in Kashmir, people are jailed and booked for treason for demanding constitutional rights. Inclusiveness for the BJP in Kashmir changes to mean only people who toe its lines and propagate its agenda," PTI quoted the PDP chief as saying.

She said the BJP is lecturing the world on democracy while trampling on it in Jammu and Kashmir. "The country and the world should take note of how the BJP is implementing majoritarianism in the once largest democracy of the world, how the party is lecturing the world on democracy, human rights, and human values, and how it is trampling on democracy and human values in Jammu and Kashmir," she added.

Further accusing the saffron party of creating division between Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims, Mufti told PTI, They (Kashmiri migrant Pandits) are out of their homes for such a long time and want to be back but the question is how to go about it. The way the BJP has adopted the issue is to further create a division between the two communities (Pandits and Muslims) rather than bring them together.

She added that Kashmiri Muslims have to work harder on seeing the return of their Hindu brethren in a dignified manner. Kashmiri Pandits need to speak in unison and reject the vested interests who are speaking venom to further the divide? May be we (the Muslims of Kashmir) have to work harder on seeing their return in a dignified manner, the PDP chief said.

Mufti is on a five-day visit to Jammu. A party spokesperson said Mufti visited the Peer Baba shrine in Satwari on Saturday evening.

On Sunday, the former J&K chief minister welcomed several prominent social activists into the party. In the past two days, Mufti held a series of meetings with party workers and various delegations at the PDP headquarters.

(With PTI inputs)

Live TV
New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday (November 14, 2021), in his opening remarks at the 29th meeting of the Southern Zonal Council in Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, said that Indias development cannot be imagined without the very important contribution of the states of Southern states.

At the meeting, the Home Minister also noted that the ancient culture, traditions and languages of the states of Southern India enrich India`s culture and ancient legacy.

The ancient culture, traditions and languages of the states of southern India enrich Indias culture and ancient legacy. Indias development cannot be imagined without the very important contribution of the states of southern India, Shah said.

The Union Minister also said that the Modi government respects all of India`s regional languages, which is the reason why at today`s Southern Zonal Council meeting, facilities for translation into all languages of the states that are in the Southern Zonal Council have been made.

Additionally, Shah said he would be happy to see delegates feeling free to speak in the language of their state in the future.

"We have been able to achieve 111 crore vaccine doses as of today during the COVID -19 pandemic. This is a big achievement and an example of cooperative federalism. It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s vision to leverage cooperative and competitive federalism to achieve all-round growth in the country," Shah said.

The meeting of the council comprised the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Telangana, and the Union Territories of Puducherry, Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The 29th meeting of the Southern Zonal Council was hosted by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy and was attended by his counterparts and top officials.

Zonal Councils resolving issues between states

The Home Minister said that Zonal Councils were able to successfully resolve many contentious issues among states despite being only advisory in nature. Shah stated that in the last seven years the government has held 18 meetings of Zonal Councils.

"Now meetings of different Zonal Councils are convened regularly and this could happen only with the cooperation of all state governments as well as Central ministries," Shah said.

According to ANI report, Zonal Councils took up issues involving Centre and States and one or many States falling in the Zone. The Zonal Councils discuss a broad range of issues which include boundary-related disputes, security, infrastructure-related matters like road, transport, industries, water, and power, matters pertaining to forests and environment, housing, education, food security, tourism and transport.

40 out of 51 pending issues resolved in meeting

Shah also stated that 40 out 51 pending issues were resolved in the context of today`s meeting of the Southern Zonal Council in Tirupati.

40 out 51 pending issues were resolved in the context of today's meeting of the Southern Zonal Council in Tirupati chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah, he tweets pic.twitter.com/5hRTMk1tjg  ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2021

Taking to Twitter, the Minister wrote, "Zonal Councils are advisory bodies in nature and yet we have been able to successfully solve many issues. This platform provides an opportunity for interaction at the highest level amongst members. 40 out of 51 pending issues were resolved in the context of today`s meeting."

Nov 15 to be day to honour tribals

Home Minister Amit Shah at the Southern Zonal Council meeting also said that every year from now, November 15 will be observed as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas' in honour of the tribal communities.

The Government of India has decided to observe November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas. The day will be observed in various formats over a week to highlight the contribution of tribal communities to India's freedom struggle and national development, Amit Shah announced on Sunday.

Live TV
New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will be conducting the board examinations in a new pattern in which over 20 lakh students are set to appear.

Examination for the first term of Class 12 will begin from November 16, while for Class 10 it will start on November 17. For assessing the students across the country, the examination will be held in two terms.

The second term of the examination is expected to be held in March-April next year. According to the CBSE, this time, the students will be given 20 minute-reading time instead of 15 minutes.

The first term will have Multiple Choice Questions and the duration for solving them is 90 minutes. Every question will have four options, of which the student has to encircle the correct one.

As every answer sheet will be scanned, no question can be left unanswered. Even if the students do not want to answer, then too, they will have to encircle an option provided for it. Renowned educationist P.S. Kandpal said many examinations have been conducted on a similar pattern.

Class 10 student Dipti Sharma said, "It is nice that the examination is being held in two terms due to which the syllabus has also been divided, thus reducing stress. There is also curiosity about the new examination pattern, she said. Twelfth standard student Umang Agarwal said, "There are many dilemmas as it is a new pattern of examination.

Another student Sanchita Dikshit said, "All have been told about the examination pattern, including the right way to answer a question. "Am just waiting to appear in the examination with the new pattern," he said.

According to the CBSE, for Class 10 students, internal assessment marks have been divided into two parts -- ten-ten each. Similarly, for Class 12, it has been divided into 15-15 marks. This time, the students have been given an option to appear in the examination centre of their choice as due to Covid-19, many of them were displaced.

Many students are still at their native places while their schools are at other locations. Covid-appropriate behaviour will be followed at all examination centres. Only 350 students will be allowed at an examination centre and a distance of six feet will be maintained among them.

Every child and invigilator will have to wear mask as per Covid-19 guidelines. As per date sheet released by the Board, examination for minor subjects will be held from November 16-17 while for major subjects from December 1.

For Class 12 students, the first examination will be of Sociology while last would be Home Science. The examination, which will start at 11.30 a.m., will end at 1.00 p.m. Major examinations for Class 10 will begin from November 30 and end on December 11.

Date sheet for Class 12

December 3 -- English

December 6 -- Maths

December 7 -- Physical Education

December 8 -- Business Study

December 9 -- Geography

December 10 -- Physics

December 11 -- Psychology

December 13 -- Accountancy

December 14 -- Chemistry

December 15 -- Economics

December 16 -- Hindi

December 17 -- Political Science

December 18 -- Biology

December 20 -- History

December 21 -- Computer Science

December 22 -- Home Science

Date sheet for major subjects for Class 10

November 20 -- Social Science

December 2 -- Science

December 3 -- Home Science

December 4 -- Maths

December 8 -- Computer Application

December 9 -- Hindi

December 11 --English

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Patna: Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on Saturday (November 13) said that he believes that there will be mid-term elections in Bihar and his party would be part of an alliance in the upcoming elections.

"I believe there will be mid-term elections in Bihar. We will fight the upcoming elections in an alliance. However, alliance partners will be announced before the elections only," said Paswan in a press conference here.

He also slammed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over deaths in Bihar due to consumption of illicit liquor and accused higher officials in the state of being a part of the racket.

"The Chief Minister should answer why alcohol is still available to the public in Bihar. He won`t answer this question because higher officials of the state are part of the racket and Nitish Kumar is known to run the government through his officials," he said.

In the 2020 Bihar Assembly polls, the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), before breaking into two factions, fought the election without being in alliance with anyone. The LJP won only one seat in that election.

The NDA has secured a 125-seat majority in the 243-seat strong 2020 Bihar Legislative Assembly of which BJP won 74 seats, JD(U) bagged 43 while two other NDA constituents registered victories on eight seats.

The RJD, on the other hand, emerged as the single-largest party with 75 seats while the Congress only won 19 of the 70 seats it had contested on.

After the fallout between Chirag Paswan and his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras over control of LJP, the Election Commission (EC) last month allotted the name `Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) with election symbol `helicopter` to the Chirag Paswan faction of the Lok Janshakti Party.

The Pashupati Kumar Paras faction of the party has been allotted the name `Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party with `sewing machine` as the election symbol by the EC.

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New Delhi: The Delhi University on Saturday declared cut-offs for a special drive to fill some vacant seats even as most of the courses at the prominent colleges have been closed for admissions.

Candidates can apply for admission under the special drive on November 14 and 15.

The university has advised candidates to check course-wise and category-wise availability of seats in the college they are applying for. The colleges will release a merit list and approve candidates based on vacant seats available on November 16 and November 17.

At Hansraj College and Hindu College, all the Arts and Commerce courses are closed for admissions in the general category. Kirori Mal College only has seats left under BA(Honours) Hindi, for which the cut-off has been pegged at 90 per cent.

Kamala Nehru College has closed admissions for almost all its arts and commerce courses except for BA (Honours) History and BA (Honours) Sanskrit for which the minimum requirement of marks is 94.50 per cent and 62 per cent respectively.

Lady Shri Ram College has pegged the cut-off for BA (Honours) English at 96.50 per cent, a decline of two per cent from the fifth cut-off. The college requires 97.50 per cent for BA (Honours) Journalism, down by one per cent from the last cut-off.

Miranda House has pegged the cut-off for BA (Honours) History at 98.50 per cent, a decline of 0.25 per cent from the fifth list.

Ramjas College has pegged the cut-off for BA(Honours) Economics at 98.15 per cent, down from 98.25 per cent from the fifth list, BA(Honours) English at 96.75 per cent, down from 97 per cent from the last list. The other courses that are available at the college are BA (Honours) Hindi and BA (Honours) Sanskrit.

At Aryabhatta College, the cut-offs for BA (honours) English, BCom, BSc (Honours) Mathematics, BA programme (Economics and History) and BA programme (History and Political Science) are 91 per cent, 94 per cent, 93, 93.5 per cent and 94 per cent respectively.

The downrange is between one per cent to three per cent, an official said, adding they are not afraid to reduce the cut-offs since the intake of students is limited to the number of seats available.

"In case 20 students apply for four available seats, we will release a merit list of students and the top four students will be eligible to get admission. Also, students who have secured their admissions to any of the colleges in the previous lists cannot cancel their admissions and apply to these colleges," he added.

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New Delhi: To prevent further poaching of MLAs and erosion of their leadership, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab seems to look in a defensive mode to thwart any more political defection of their MLAs to the opposition camp ahead of the 2022 battle of the ballot.

Quitting of AAPs Bathinda (rural) MLA Rupinder Kaur Ruby on November 10 had set the alarm bells ringing in the partys Centre command which chose to take immediate measures of checking luring away of their MLAs by opponent political parties.

We welcome Bathinda Rural MLA Ms. Rupinder Kaur Ruby in Congress family. She aspires to work for the development of Punjab which has been a daunting task while being in AAP. We hail her courage to choose the right party for Punjab. Best wishes to her from every Congress worker! pic.twitter.com/nDujmHoM9M  Charanjit S Channi (@CHARANJITCHANNI) November 10, 2021

The release of the first list of its candidates for the upcoming assembly elections just a day after Rubys resignation is seen as one visible measure taken by the party among other various invisible measures including keeping an eye on its flock.

AAP, notably, had emerged as the second-largest party in Punjab by winning 20 seats out of 117 during the 2017 assembly elections but the quitting of its MLAs in succession has left a major dent in the partys image.

In June 2021, the party's three MLAs namely Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Jagdev Singh Kamalu and Pirmal Singh Khalsa who were elected from Bholath, Maur and Bhadur assembly constituencies had resigned and joined Congress.

ALSO READ | Political jostling in Punjab while eying on forthcoming assembly elections

Earlier, AAPs MLA from Mansa Nazar Singh Manshahi had also resigned from the party and had joined Congress.

In the past, the party's Ropar MLA Amarjit Singh Sandoa had also resigned on May 4, 2019, but again returned to the party in November 2019 after a brief stint in Congress.

Dakha MLA H S Phoolka had also resigned in January 2019 and the partys MLA from Kharar Kanwar Sandhu is also inactive.

Other big names who had left the AAP for one or another reason include Harinder Singh Khalsa, Dr Dharamvir Gandhi, Sucha Singh Chotepur and Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi.

There is no doubt that political poaching is a common practice but it also causes a major dent to the partys winning prospect as every MLA that quits has a local influence. It is seen that defection is on the rise in AAP since all the political parties are leaving nothing on the chance to get their hand on levers of power in the poll-bound state.

Strangely, AAPs probable candidates are reluctant to meet media - maybe they have been advised by their senior since even the smallest of slip of tongue could come dear to the party.

Meanwhile, reacting to the defection of MLAs, AAP spokesperson Gurbhej Singh has said that those who had left the party knew that they wouldnt be given party tickets since they had not moved in public during their tenure.

To secure their political future they are finding other platforms but they wouldnt get support or the votes from the public since in the past, they had won the election riding on the reputation of AAP and its supremo Arvind Kejriwal, said Singh.



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Sambhal: After a row erupted on comparison between Hindutva and ISIS in his new book, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid has clarified that he has said they are similar, not the same. The former union minister said that the enemies of Hinduism are those who are trying to defame the religion.

Speaking to media persons during his visit to Kalki Dham, Khurshid said, "I am visiting Kalki Dham. I would not be here if I would have any issue with any religion. I believe that Hinduism spread peace in the world."

"It seems that some people are trying to defame Hinduism. They are enemies of Hinduism and are afraid that their truth will come out. They will ban any book which reveals their truth," he said.

I didn't say that they are same (ISIS & Hindutva). I've said they are similar. I've also said that ISIS and Boko Haram misuse the religion of Islam but no Islamic followers opposed it. Nobody said that I am maligning the image of their religion: Salman Khurshid in Sambhal (13.11) pic.twitter.com/gjpndF894S  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 13, 2021

"ISIS and Boko Haram defame Islam but no Islamic followers opposed it. I had not said ISIS and Hindutva same, I had said that they are similar," he added.

On Wednesday, former union minister Salman Khurshid got embroiled in controversy for allegedly "defaming and comparing Hinduism with terrorism" in his recent book "Sunrise Over Ayodhya: Nationhood in Our Times".

Khurshid`s book on the Ayodhya verdict was released last week. It explored the Apex Court`s landmark judgement on the Ayodhya dispute. Senior Congress leader Khurshid has compared Hindutva to radical terrorist groups like "ISIS and Boko Haram".

Reacting sharply over the excepts of the book, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Sambit Patra on Friday said that the Congress party`s attack on Hinduism is not a coincidence but an experiment.

He alleged that the nature of Congress is to attack Hinduism whenever they get a chance. Meanwhile, two Delhi lawyers have filed complaints on Thursday with Delhi Police against Khurshid, for allegedly defaming and comparing Hinduism with terrorism in his book.

The development comes at a time when seven states in the country namely Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat are slated to go for assembly elections in the year 2022.

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New Delhi: Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) on Saturday (November 13, 2021) informed that the registration for the Jharkhand combined civil services main exam, which is scheduled to be held in January, 2022, will begin on November 16.

The candidates who have qualified in the prelims and wish to sit in the examinations need to note that the main exam registration will take place on the official website of the Commission till December 15.

Candidates will have to register for the exam by logging in to the portal on the official website and upload scanned copies of the required documents.

Important points to note as per the notification released by the JPSC:

Candidates have been selected for the main exam on the basis of their performance in the prelims.

The prelims result for the examination was declared on November 2.

The JPSC had conducted the prelims exam on September 19.

The main examination will consist of written exam and interview.

The written exam will consist of 6 papers.

The selection list for the interview test willl be prepared on the basis of the total marks obtained in Papers II to VI subject to scoring minimum qualifying marks.

Candidates need to note that the total marks for interview test would be 100 and there will be no minimum qualifying marks in the exam.

The commission is looking to fill up to 252 vacancies in various departments and organisations through this exam.

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Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday (November 14) rejected the allegations of Bitcoin scam made by the Congress party and asked why the latter did not act against it when it was in power in the state.

Bommai said that it was his government that exposed the case and will crack down on those involved in the Bitcoin scandal.

Our government is open on this issue. We are the ones who exposed this case. It is our government which recommended the ED and CBI to probe the case. The ED is conducting the probe and the CBI has taken it to Interpol as well. All the necessary information has been provided for these agencies, the CM said talking to mediapersons after paying tributes to late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary.

If those involved are found to have perpetrated any fraud on the interests of the country, state or any individuals "we will act mercilessly against them, he added.

He was reacting to Congress allegations that 'influential politicians' are involved in the scam after officials seized bitcoins worth Rs nine crore from a city-based hacker, Srikrishna alias Sriki, who is also accused of hacking into government portals, sourcing drugs through the dark net and paying for it through cryptocurrency.

Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged in a press conference in Delhi on Saturday that the size of the scam could be much bigger because just on two days on December 1, 2020 and April 14, 2021 illegal transactions worth Rs 5240 crore took place.

In response, CM Bommai further said, We have replied to his six questions. If the case had a Karnataka connect since 2016 why their government did not probe the case then. Why the then Congress Chief Minister and Ministers did not pay attention to it? They released the accused Srikrishna who was arrested.

"They could have acted seriously even when the accused sought anticipatory bail. Why are you raising all the questions with us after deliberately allowing the case to attain mega proportion? We need not learn lessons from those who allowed the accused to go scotfree, he added.

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Karachi: Twenty Indian fishermen were released from the Landhi district jail here on Sunday (November 14) after completing their four-year prison terms for allegedly fishing illegally in Pakistani waters and will be handed over to the Indian authorities at the Wagah border on Monday (November 15), a senior prison official said.

Landhi jail Superintendent Irshad Shah said the fishermen, mostly belonging to Gujarat, were released as a goodwill gesture after the Indian authorities confirmed their nationalities. "They had served four years in jail and have been released today as a goodwill gesture by our government," Shah said.

The Edhi Trust Foundation, a non-profit social welfare organisation, made arrangements to transport the fishermen to the Wagah border in Lahore from where they will be handed over to the Indian authorities on Monday (November 15).

"We have handed them over to the Edhi Foundation which is taking care of all their travel and other expenses. They will travel to Lahore by Allama Iqbal Express train," Shah said. The officer said there were 588 more Indian nationals, the majority of them fishermen, who are still languishing in Landhi jail.

We release them once we get approval from the Sindh Home Department as we got yesterday to release these 20 Indian fishermen, he added.

The fishermen were arrested by the Pakistan Maritime Security Force (PMSF) and handed over to the dock police for allegedly fishing illegally in Pakistani waters.

The Pakistan government had also released 20 Indian fishermen early last year and another batch of 100 Indian fishermen in April 2019 as a goodwill gesture.

Fishermen from Pakistan and India usually end up in jails after they are arrested for fishing illegally in each other's territorial waters.

A senior official of the NGO Pakistan Fishermen Forum said that due to the absence of a clear demarcation line in the coastal area of the Arabian Sea between the two countries, these fishermen who do not possess the modern-day navigation equipment mistakenly cross the red lines and ended up in jails.

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New Delhi: Expressing condolences over the death of those killed in the attack on an Assam Rifles unit, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Sunday (November 14) said perpetrators will be brought to justice.

Singh said he met the doctors at JNIMS mortuary to inquire about the post-mortem of the martyrs. "Devastated beyond words as I met the doctors at JNIMS mortuary to inquire about the post-mortem report of our brave jawans who had martyred in a ghastly attack yesterday. My sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Rest assured, the perpetrators will be brought to justice, he said in a tweet.

Devastated beyond words as I met the doctors at JNIMS mortuary to inquire about the post-mortem report of our brave jawans who had martyred in a ghastly attack yesterday. My sincere condolences to the bereaved families. Rest assured, the perpetrators will be brought to justice. pic.twitter.com/urLP4qRKaV  N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) November 14, 2021

On Saturday, the Commanding Officer (CO) of 46 Assam Rifles Colonel Viplav Tripathi, his wife and 8-year-old son as well as four other soldiers were killed in an attack by militants near the India-Myanmar border in Manipur. Tripathi's convoy was ambushed at Sehkan village in Churachandpur district in a fresh eruption of militant violence in the state.

There were blasts from Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) before the Assam Rifles personnel engaged the militants in a gunfight, PTI reported. Besides 7 people who were killed including CO Tripathi, four other soldiers were injured in the attack that took place around 10 am on Saturday near S Sehken village under Behiang police station, the Indian Army informed.

"Five soldiers including Col Viplav Tripathi Commanding Officer of 46 Assam Rifles have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty," the official statement of Director General, Assam Rifles said, as per ANI.

Meanwhile, in a joint statement on Saturday, Peoples Liberation Army Manipur and the Manipur Naga Peoples Front (MNPF) took responsibility for the attack on the paramilitary force.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (November 15, 2021) will inaugurate the Rani Kamlapati Railway Station in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Earlier, Bhopals Rani Kamlapati Railway Station was known as Habibganj Railway Station.

The revamped station is the first world-class model station in the country and has all the facilities that are available at international airports. The station has been developed under a public-private partnership and built by a private company.

PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the redeveloped Rani Kamlapati Railway Station in Bhopal during his visit to Madhya Pradesh tomorrow: PMO pic.twitter.com/aNuCMVhsWQ  ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2021

According to a release by the Prime Ministers Office (PMO), during the event, Prime Minister will also dedicate to the nation multiple initiatives of the Railways in Madhya Pradesh including Gauge Converted and Electrified Ujjain-Fatehabad Chandrawatiganj Broad Gauge section, the Third line in Bhopal-Barkhera section, Gauge Converted and Electrified Mathela-Nimar Kheri Broad Gauge section and Electrified Guna-Gwalior section.

Prime Minister will also flag off two new MEMU trains between Ujjain-Indore and Indore-Ujjain.

Here is the list of amenities that will be available at the station:

1. The total cost of the station project is around Rs 450 crore.

2. To control the crowd, separate entry and exit gates are there.

3. Escalators and lifts have been installed at the station to reach the platform.

4. A seating arrangement of 700 to 1,100 passengers has been made in the open concourse.

5. For information about the movement of trains, display boards with different languages have been installed throughout the station.

6. The station will also boast of food courts, restaurants, air-conditioned waiting rooms, dormitory, VIP lounge.

7. Around 160 CCTV cameras have also been installed at the station to keep round-the-clock surveillance.

Earlier, on Saturday, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan thanked PM Modi for renaming Bhopal`s Habibganj railway station after the tribal queen Rani Kamlapati.

The Chief Minister expressed gratitude and said, "I thank PM Modi for renaming Bhopal`s Habibganj railway station after the tribal queen, Rani Kamlapati. She was the pride of Gond society. She was the last Hindu queen."

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New Delhi: A delegation of BJP leaders from Punjab met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Sunday and requested him to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor before Gurpurab.

The Kartarpur Corridor provides a visa-free border crossing for pilgrims from India visiting the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan. It links the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, to the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district in India. Pilgrimage to the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara was suspended in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The delegation comprising 11 leaders from Punjab met Modi at his official residence and conveyed the sentiments of Guru Nanak Dev's devotees, BJP Punjab unit president Ashwani Sharma told PTI.

"We have requested Prime Minister Modi to reopen the Kartarpur corridor before Gurupurab which will be celebrated before November 19. And after meeting with him, we are hopeful that it will be opened soon," Sharma said, adding that the prime minister has assured them that he will look into their demand.

Gurpurab, which marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, will be celebrated on November 19 this year.

BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh, who was also part of the delegation, said the party leaders from Punjab also thanked Modi for taking landmark initiatives for the well-being of both Punjab and the Sikh community.

BJP vice-president Soudan Singh, general secretary and Punjab in-charge Dushyant Gautam, national secretary Nariender Singh, spokesperson R P Singh Khalsa, and youth wing leader Tejinder Bagga were present in the meeting.

Besides them, BJP leaders Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, Daya Sodhi, Bikramjit Singh Cheema, Harjeet Singh Grewal and Santokh Singh Gumtala were present.

The BJP leaders also met party president J P Nadda later in the day and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday.

Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib is one of the holiest of shrines for followers of Sikhism. Its reopening is an emotive issue for poll-bound Punjab. Therefore all parties, including the Congress and the Akali Dal, have been demanding that it be reopened.

Also Read: Pakistan reiterates proposal to reopen Kartarpur Corridor for Indian pilgrims

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New Delhi: The QUAD members namely India, US, Australia and Japan have largely agreed on the annual summit schedule which will happen rotationally between the four countries. Zee Media has learnt that Japan will host the summit in 2022, India in 2023 and Australia in 2024.

The QUAD grouping was elevated to leaders level this year with the first in-person summit happening in Washington on September 24.

A joint statement after the summit had said, "Our leaders and foreign ministers will meet annually and our senior officials will meet regularly."

The September QUAD summit saw US President Joe Biden hosting Indian PM Narendra Modi, Australian PM Scott Morrison and Japanese PM Yoshihide.

Here are glimpses from the Quad leaders meeting. The discussions with @POTUS @JoeBiden, PM @ScottMorrisonMP and PM @sugawitter were extensive and productive. pic.twitter.com/cNedF0XRz6  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 24, 2021

One of the biggest outcomes of that summit was the launch of the QUAD Fellowship that will sponsor 100 students per year  25 from each Quad country  to pursue masters and doctoral degrees at leading STEM (science technology engineering and mathematics) graduate universities in the United States.

The QUAD grouping is also working on High-Standards Infrastructure, forming a Green-Shipping Network, establishing a Clean-Hydrogen Partnership and launching a Semiconductor Supply Chain Initiative.

This is to be noted that the first QUAD summit had taken place virtually in March this year. One of the key outcomes of the summit was the QUAD vaccine initiative under which COVID-19 vaccines will be developed in the US, manufactured in India, financed by Japan and the US, and supported by Australia.

Speaking at the First Quad Leaders Virtual Summit. https://t.co/Ypom6buHxS  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 12, 2021

The QUAD first came into existence after the 2004 Tsunami and saw some formalization in 2007.

Since 2019, QUAD has had regular conversations at the foreign ministers' level and is currently seen as the core element of the Indo-Pacific strategy supported by Washington and New Delhi.

The Indo-Pacific vision, which sees the Indian and Pacific oceans as a common entity is now being backed by various countries. QUAD, however, is seen very suspiciously by China which has termed it "Asian Nato", something that has been dismissed by the grouping.

India, UAE, US and Israel's 'QUAD' meet in next few weeks

External affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar has said that India, UAE, US and Israel or also termed as 'West Asian QUAD' will be meeting in the new few weeks.

In response to a question at the India Pavilion at the Dubai Expo, EAM said, "You know, we had the initial meeting a month ago...that was hybrid meeting...we had to have a follow up session on that. We agree on exactly how we go...that follow up meet will take place in coming weeks, probably in Dubai."

The West Asian QUAD had met on October 18 during EAM's Israel visit with United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken joining virtually.

A fruitful first meeting with Israeli APM and FM @YairLapid, UAE FM @ABZayed and US Secretary of State @SecBlinken this evening. Discussed working together more closely on economic growth and global issues. Agreed on expeditious follow-up. pic.twitter.com/kVgFM0r6hs  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 18, 2021

One of the key focuses of the QUAD meet was issues like trade, climate and maritime security.

The QUAD meet is seen as one of the key dividends of the Abraham accords that saw normalization of ties between Israel and THE United Arab emirates.



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Pune: In view of violence-related incidents reported in parts of Maharashtra over protests related to violence in Tripura, the Pune rural police on Sunday issued prohibitory orders under CRPC Section 144 in rural parts of Pune.

The above restrictions under section 144 of CRPC are effective from November 14 till November 20 for rural parts of Pune district.

According to an order issued from the District Collector Rajesh Deshmukh`s office, a gathering of five or more people is prohibited.

No person shall share or post any objectionable content on social media, said the order. No person shall share any content on social media that may create problems between communities, as per the order.

No flex or posters shall be displayed which may create problems between communities. Incidents of stone-pelting were reported on Friday from Nanded, Malegaon and Amaravati in the backdrop of protests staged against the violence that took place in Panisagar in Tripura on October 27.

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New Delhi: Amid heavy rainfall warning in several districts, the Kerala government on Sunday (November 14) declared to close spot booking at Sabarimala for three days.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting of officials, including district collectors chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The meeting was also attended by state ministers MV Govindan, K Radhakrishnan, AK Saseendran, K Krishnankutty and Roshi Augustine.

"When the Sabarimala temple reopens, it will be difficult to allow more pilgrims to enter. The Pamba river is turbulent due to heavy rains. The availability of drinking water and bathing water is also a cause of concern. So the meeting decided to limit the number of people to Sabarimala in the next three to four days. Pampa bathing is not allowed as the water level is dangerous. Spot booking will be temporarily stopped. The government is considering to change the date for those booked via a virtual queue to control the number of people," ANI quoted the Kerala CM as saying.

The doors of the Sabarimala shrine in Kerala are scheduled to open on November 16 marking the beginning of the two-month-long annual pilgrimage season.

Vijayan directed officials to ensure sanitation and food availability in the relief camps. "Special attention should be taken of those living in relief camps. People's representatives, local government representatives and officials should pay special attention to the cleanliness of the camps. Food availability and screening system should be ensured," he added.

A red alert has been declared in Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur districts. Kaki and Idukki dams have been opened, and monitoring has been intensified in various dams managed by the electricity and water departments. For rescue and relief operations, currently, three teams of the National Disaster Response Force have been deployed in the state, while one more team will arrive on Monday morning. Two teams of Defence Security Corps are on standby and will visit Kannur and Wayanad districts if required. "There have been seven landslides since November 10. People should be relocated to camps from landslide-prone areas. Fishing has been banned and a warning has been issued. Police and fire department officials are ready to deal with any sort of emergency," the Kerala CM assured.

On Saturday, torrential rains caused minor landslides and disruption of train services in some parts of Kerala, leading to authorities sounding extreme caution in hilly areas, river sides and tourist centres.

Meanwhile, schools and colleges have been closed by the district collectors of Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, and Kasargod on Monday due to heavy rains. Nedumangad and Kattakada taluks in Thiruvananthapuram have also declared a holiday for schools and colleges on Monday. University examinations in all the southern districts have also been cancelled due to heavy rainfall.

(With agency inputs)

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Lucknow: Those who are raising the issue of partition are in a way supporting the Taliban, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Sunday.

His remark is seen as a veiled dig at the Samajwadi Party (SP). Om Prakash Rajbhar, the chief of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), an ally of the SP, had on Thursday blamed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for the country's partition, a day after saying India would have remained unified had Muhammad Ali Jinnah been made its first prime minister.

Earlier, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had equated Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, with Mahatma Gandhi, Vallabhbhai Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru.

With months to go for the Assembly polls in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, Jinnah appears to be dominating the political discourse.

Addressing the Samajik Pratinidhi Sammelan here, Adityanath said, "Those who are speaking about the partition are in a way extending support to the Taliban. As soon as the Taliban resurfaced in Afghanistan, a number of voices started to come up in its support. When strong action was taken, these voices went soft."

"Supporting the Taliban means supporting a power that works against humanity, against Lord Buddha's message of 'maitri' (friendship). Certain people are moving in that direction and we need to be aware of them," he added.

The BJP leader said those supporting the Taliban need to learn from the past.

"We should not forget how Buddha's statues were destroyed in Bamiyan (in Afghanistan) by the Taliban. Breaking the statues of Buddha means trying to put an end to peace. Twenty years ago, when this incident took place, we thought that one day, they (Taliban) will face 'durgati' (misfortune). A few days later, the US dropped bombs on them. Back then, I had said they reaped what they sowed," he said.

Without naming any political party, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister said, "The opposition does not have any issue to raise.... Rashtranayak (national hero) Sardar Patel is on one side and Jinnah, who divided the country, is on the other. They support Jinnah and insult Patel. But we support Patel. He is a rashtranayak while Jinnah will remain a villain for centuries. Will you support those supporting Jinnah?"

Referring to history books, he said, "History never termed emperor Ashoka or Chandragupta Maurya great, but it termed Alexander, who was defeated by Chandragupta Maurya, great. Historians are silent on such issues. However, once the countrymen learn the truth, India will change."

Because, if the truth comes out before Indians, the society will stand up once again. When society stands up, the nation stands up too. PM Modi is making this nation stand up today. When we talk of 'ek Bharat, shreshth Bharat', these issues are spoken on: UP CM Yogi Adityanath pic.twitter.com/5pC3Uja4DN  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 14, 2021

Showering praises on Narendra Modi, Adityanath said the prime minister is making the country resurgent and the philosophy of "Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat" entails this.

Addressing a public meeting in Hardoi, the SP chief had said, "Sardar Patel, Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Jinnah studied in the same institute and became barristers. They helped the country achieve independence and never backed away from any struggle."

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West Bengal: The government of India has decided to establish seven new Integrated Check Post (ICP) in West Bengal said a statement on Sunday (November 14, 2021) to ensure better connectivity and security.

This decision comes after a high-level meeting that was held in Kolkata between the union home secretary Ajay Bhalla and other senior officials of the West Bengal government. The meeting was convened to discuss pending land acquisition cases for construction of border fence and road projects, Border Out Posts and Integrated Check Posts.

Of these seven ICPs, five will be established on the Indo-Bangladesh border and one each on the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan border by the Land Port Authority of India (LPAI).

The five ICPs on the Indo-Bangladesh border will be established at - Changrabandha in Cooch Behar district, Phulbari in Jalpaiguri district, Hilli in South Dinajpur district, Mahadipur in Malda district and Gojadanga in North 24-Parganas district.

One ICP will be set up on the Indo-Nepal border at Panitanki in Darjeeling district. Another ICP at Jaigaon in Alipurduar bordering Bhutan will also be set up.

I am happy to note that the Government of India will be setting up seven ICPs including the one at Panitanki. ICPs not only ease the physical discomfort felt by the people crossing the border region, but they will also help ensure faster processing of commericial vehicle movements, thus aiding in improved trade and commerce with the neighbouring countries. It will also help strengthen the national security along the porous border, said Darjeeling MP Raju Bista in a statement.

The construction of all these ICPs is likely to commence soon.

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Raipur: Colonel Viplav Tripathi, who was martyred in an ambush set by militants in Manipur on Saturday, was inspired by his freedom fighter grandfather who was also a member of the Constituent Assembly.

Kishori Mohan Tripathi died in 1994 when Viplav was 14. It was his grandfather who inspired Viplav to don the army uniform, his maternal uncle (`mama') Rajesh Patnaik told PTI news agency.

Colonel Tripathi, the Commanding Officer of Khuga Battalion of Assam Rifles, his wife Anuja (36) and son Abir (5) besides four personnel of the paramilitary force were killed in an ambush by militants in the north-eastern state.

Lt Gen PC Nair, AVSM, YSM, DG Assam Rifles conveys heartfelt condolences to the families of our Brave Soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in Manipur. pic.twitter.com/fDa4c9BgsC  The Assam Rifles (@official_dgar) November 13, 2021

The Tripathi family hails from Raigarh in Chhattisgarh.

"Viplav joined the Indian Army with the goal of serving the nation, taking inspiration from his grandfather, a great freedom fighter. His father, a senior journalist, and his mother, a social activist, also encouraged him. He has sacrificed his life while serving the country. We are proud of him," Patnaik said.

Viplav was attached to Kishori Mohan, and had even visited the Rashtrapati Bhavan with him when Giani Zail Singh was President, he said.

Born on May 30, 1980, Viplav went to the Sainik School Rewa (Madhya Pradesh) after passing class V at a school in Raigarh town. His father, Subhash Tripathi (76) is a senior journalist and editor of a local Hindi daily and his mother Asha Tripathi is a retired librarian.

After schooling, Viplav got admission to the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla and then joined the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, Patnaik said.

In 2001, he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Kumaon Regiment in Ranikhet. He later passed a command course from the Defence Service Staff College (DSSC) Wellington.

Viplav's younger brother Anay Tripathi, who also studied at the Sainik School Rewa, is also an army officer, now posted as lieutenant colonel in Shillong, Patnaik said.

"Anay, who had arrived in Raigarh on Friday night, got the shocking news about his brother through his army colleagues around 12:30 pm today," an inconsolable Patnaik said.

"The entire family had celebrated Diwali this year in Manipur, where Viplav was posted. His parents returned to Raigarh on November 6," he said.

Anay has left for the Eastern Command headquarters of the army in Kolkata, and mortal remains of Viplav, his wife and son would be brought to Raigarh on Sunday, Patnaik said.

A pall of gloom descended on Raigarh town when the news reached, with locals rushing to his house to express their condolences.

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New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday (November 14) hailed first prime minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru for his contributions in the Independence movement and nation-building.

The CM paid rich tributes to the late Prime Minister on the occasion of his 132nd birth anniversary.

He called Nehru a great leader and credited him for a strong foundation for the country`s development through the Five Year Plans post-Independence.

Nehru had a major role in the Independence movement and nation-building after the country attained Independence, Bommai was quoted as saying by IANS.

Nehru played a significant role in raising India`s stature at international level. His affection for children is well known as he was lovingly called the ChaCha Nehru for this aspect, he added.

He further said that there are many institutions in his name that have been working for the development of the country.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu also remembered Nehru for his contribution to building a modern India.

"My tributes to the former Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary today. He will be always remembered for his contribution to building a modern India," Naidu said.

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New Delhi: Paytms parent company One97s initial public offer (IPO) allotment are expected to be announced on Tuesday, November 16. Investors who had subscribed to Paytm IPO can check the allotment status from either the official registrar website or through Bombay Stock Exchanges (BSE) portal.

Paytm IPO was finally subscribed 1.89 times, despite the fact that there wasnt much interest in the offer in the first two days of subscription. Overall, the IPO was 2.79 times oversubscribed by QIBs and 1.66x by retail investors.

In total, the fintech giant received 9,14,09,844 bids against the 4,83,89,422 shares available with the offer. As the demand for the offer increased on the last day of the subscription, its expected that investors receiving the shares could enjoy decent listing gains. Youll have to wait for the Paytm IPO allotment date to check the status of your bid.

How to Check Paytm IPO Allotment Status?

If you had subscriber to Paytm IPO, then you must be eager to know if you have received the shares against your bid or not. You can use the following steps to check Paytm IPO allotment status:

Step 1. Visit the official BSE website at https://www.bseindia.com/investors/appli_check.aspx.

Step 2. Select the Equity option in the issue type column.

Step 3. Click on ONE97 Communications Limited from the Issue Name drop-down menu.

Step 4. Enter your application number and PAN card details.

Step 5. Verify the Captcha challenge and click on the Search option.

After following the steps mentioned above, youll be able to check the Paytm IPO allotment status of your bid. Investors not receiving the shares will get their money back to their bank accounts within a few working days. Also Read: PM Modi transfers first instalment of PMAY-G to more than 1.47 lakh beneficiaries in Tripura

On the other side, investors who got the Paytm IPO allotment will receive the shares in their Demat account on the listing day of the stock. Investors can then decide to sell or hold the shares on the stock exchange. Also Read: Garena Free Fire emerges as most downloaded mobile game for October

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#mute
Mumbai: Actor Sara Ali Khan decided to celebrate this Children's day with underprivileged kids at Bal Asha Trust in Mumbai.

Taking to her Instagram Story on Sunday, Sara shared a picture in which she can be seen standing outside Bal Asha Dham Children`s Home, wearing a blue-and-white suit.

Further, she penned a note to share her delightful experience.

She wrote, "@balashatrust Thank you for the most heart-warming Children's Day. It was so touching to spend my day with these Loving children. Keep doing the amazing work that you guys do! #happychildrensday."

Meanwhile, on the work front, Sara will next be seen in Anand L Rai`s `Atrangi Re` alongside Akshay Kumar and Dhanush.

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New Delhi: The most-talked about couple of Bollywood Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are celebrating their third marriage anniversary on Sunday. The duo tied the knot in the picturesque location of Lake Como in Italy on November 14, 2018 and since then the couple has been inseparable.

During Nykaa Femina Beauty Awards in 2019, Deepika and Ranveer shared the stage and the former revealed certain facts about her husband which she witnesses a lot at home.

Talking about how he takes a lot of time to do regular chores, Deepika said, "He takes longer in the shower, longer in the loo, longer to get ready, longer to get into bed."

When she realized that her last words have not gone right and the audience is taking it in other way then she clarified her statement. Putting all doubts to rest, Deepika said, "I said longer to get into bed," leaving everyone in splits.

The duo is often seen getting into fun banter on social media and their fans love their cute chemistry and always crave for more.

Even Deepika accepted that she has a quality which is not liked by her husband and her family and due to which Ranveer has named her as phat phat.

While talking about her quality, she told Film Companion, "My mother always says this; Ranveer keeps saying it, Can you sit in one place. Can you not have to do something all the time. And I don't know I am always up to something."

On the work front, Ranveer is currently seen as a host on the visual quiz show The Big Picture.

He was recently seen in Akshay Kumar starrer Sooryavanshi in a cameo role and will be next seen in Rohit Shettys Cirkus.

Apart from that Ranveer will be also seen with Deepika in 83. He also has Karan Johar's directorial venture, Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, with Alia Bhatt.

On Deepikas part, she will be next seen in The Intern remake, Shakun Batras yet-untitled drama, Pathan and Fighter in her kitty.
New Delhi: After his appearance on the reality show 'Bigg Boss 15', actor Kartik Aaryan stopped by a Chinese fast food van and gorged on some of the fare on offer on his Lamborghini's bonnet.

Viral Bhayani, the popular paparazzo, shared a clip on Instagram showing the actor enjoying roadside Chinese food in the most unconventional setting.

Kartik's luxury car is seen parked beside the food van and he's seen eating the food he had ordered from his car's bonnet. He's accompanied by a friend, who was the one who shot the video.

The actor even takes some food from his friend's plate and is heard saying: "Khaane ka documentary hota hai (Documentaries have been made on food)."

The actor was on the sets of 'Bigg Boss 15', hosted by superstar Salman Khan, to promote his upcoming film 'Dhamaka'.

On the work front, Kartik will be seen playing a television journalist in 'Dhamaka', directed by Ram Madhavani. The intense action thriller follows the story of TV anchor Arjun Pathak, who finds himself sinking in the quicksand of deceit, loss and trepidation after he is contacted by a terrorist who issues a threat to an entire city.

The film also stars Mrunal Thakur and Amruta Subhash. It is set to premiere on Netflix on November 19.

Apart from 'Dhamaka', Kartik has a number of projects across different genres in the pipeline. These include 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2', 'Shehzada', 'Captain India' and 'Freddy'.
Mumbai: Actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra on Sunday said she was "shocked" that an attempt was being made to defame her after a Mumbai-based businessman lodged a cheating case against the star, her entrepreneur-husband Raj Kundra and some other persons for allegedly duping him of Rs 1.51 crore.

The FIR was registered on Saturday at Bandra police station based on a complaint by businessman Nitin Barai.

The complainant alleged that in July 2014, Kaashif Khan, the director of SFL Fitness company, along with Shilpa, Kundra and others asked him to invest Rs 1.51 crore into the enterprise to earn a profit.

The complainant claimed he was assured that the SFL Fitness company will provide him a franchise and open a gym and spa at Hadapsar and Koregaon in neighbouring Pune, but it did not materialise, as per the FIR.

Later, when the complainant sought his money back, he was allegedly threatened, a police official said quoting the complaint.

In a statement shared on Twitter, Shilpa denied her involvement in the matter.

"Woke up to an FIR registered in Raj and my name! Shocked! To set the record straight, SFL Fitness, a venture run by Kashiff Khan. He had taken naming rights of brand SFL to open SFL Fitness Gyms around the country. All deals were struck by him and he was signatory in banking and day-to-day affairs."

"We are not aware of any of his transactions nor have we received a single rupee from him for the same. All franchisee's dealt directly with Kashiff. The company closed in 2014 and was entirely handled by Kashiff Khan," the Bollywood actor said in her statement.

Shilpa further said it was "painful" to see her goodwill in the Hindi film industry built over 28 years getting damaged.

"I have worked very hard over the last 28 years and it pains me to see that my name and reputation is getting damaged and dragged so loosely to get eyeballs. My rights as a law-abiding proud citizen in India should be protected," she said.

Based on the complaint, the Bandra police registered the FIR under various Indian Penal Code Sections, including 420 (cheating), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention), he said, adding that an investigation into the case was underway.

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New Delhi: Twilight star Taylor Lautner is ready to tie the knot and has popped the question to his girlfriend of three years Tay Dome.

The People Magazine has confirmed that Taylor, 29, proposed to his girlfriend Tay Dome on Thursday.

Taking to his Instagram handle on Saturday, the actor posted two photos of himself and his fiancee, writing in the caption, "11.11.2021. And just like that, all of my wishes came true."

In the first photo included in Lautner's post, he and Dome are surrounded by rose petals and candles as he kneels on one knee in front of a fireplace while holding a small box in his hands. Dome stands opposite him with her hands covering her mouth.

Lautner proposed to Dome with a custom-designed oval cut diamond from Ring Concierge.

In the second image, Dome kneels down beside him and holds Lautner's face in her hands. Behind them, a neon sign spells out Lautner's last name.

Dome posted the second photo to her own Instagram, where she captioned her post, "my absolute best friend. I CANNOT WAIT TO SPEND FOREVER WITH YOU."

Lautner replied to her post in the comments, writing, "Got news for you, the feeling is mutual."

Makena Moore, Lautner's sister, couldn't contain her excitement for the couple, writing on Dome's post, "I'M FINALLY GETTING A SISTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and adding in a second comment, "My best friends are getting MARRIED!!!!!"

Lautner and Dome, who works as a registered nurse, went public with their relationship in 2018 when he posted a photo in matching Halloween costumes. Since then, they've kept fans posted on their relationship on social media, where the pair frequently shares photos together.
New Delhi: Xiaomis sub-brand Redmi had recently unveiled the Redmi Note 11, Redmi Note 11 Pro, and Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus in an event in China in October 2021. The smartphones were previously rumoured to roll out in the international markets in Q1 2022. However, a new report has suggested that the smartphones could launch early than expected.

Xiaomi could launch Redmi Note 11T 5G with Snapdragon chips globally starting this month, according to a report by GSM Arena. In India, the smartphone could launch on November 30, 2021.

The Redmi Note 11T 5G smartphone could pack a Dimensity 810 SoC, 6.6" FullHD+ 90Hz display. The device will be backed by a 5,000 mAh battery that can support 33W charging.

Redmi Note 11T 5G is expected to run on Android 11 out of the box. Customers could get three options: 6GB/64GB, 6GB/128GB, and 8GB/128GB. Coming to camera features, the smartphone is likely to have two cameras in the back - the 50MP primary camera on the rear joined by an 8MP ultrawide unit.

In the front, Redmi Note 11T 5G will sport a 16MP selfie shooter. The smartphone will be launched in Stardust White, Matte Black, and Aquamarine Blue colours. However, the company hasnt revealed anything about the smartphones pricing and availability.

Redmi Note 11T 5G smartphone will succeed the Redmi Note 10T 5G smartphone that was launched in India in July 2021 as a rebranded Poco M3 Pro 5G with a different design. Also Read: Indians flock to buy air purifiers as pollution level worsens in North India

According to the leaked specs, the Note 11T 5G will be a rebranded Poco M4 Pro 5G, which itself is a rebadged Redmi Note 11 with a bigger camera island that spans across the smartphones width, ANI reported. Also Read: Got torn or mutilated currency notes? Heres how to exchange with new ones

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New Delhi: For quite some time, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (Fan Edition) has been making headlines. When the phone's release date was postponed earlier this year, rumours circulated that the device had been abandoned. Samsung quickly debunked all of the rumours but did not directly confirm anything regarding the Galaxy S21 FE.



More recently, rumours have suggested that Samsung will unveil the Galaxy S21 FE smartphone at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2021, which will take place in Las Vegas from January 5 to January 8. New sources have disclosed not just the device's essential characteristics but also its marketing materials, leaving little space for speculation.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE will be available in four colour variants: Black, Cream, Lavender, and White, according to pictures published by CoinBRS. It will have a triple rear camera arrangement, similar to the Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphone, with a camera module. On the front, the selfie camera is housed within the cutout in the phone's top centre section. The volume and power keys are also on the right side of the phone.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE expected specs

In terms of features, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is likely to include a 6.4-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display with a resolution of 1,080 x 2,340 pixels and a screen refresh rate of 120Hz with Corning Gorilla Glass protection, according to reports.

It is expected to be released in both Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 and Exynos 2100 SoC variants, depending on the location, and it will most likely operate on Android 11. The Exynos 2100 SoC is expected to have a Mali G78 GPU, whereas the Snapdragon 888 SoC is expected to have an Adreno 660 GPU. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is expected to come with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage space.

A 64MP primary sensor, a depth sensor, and an ultra-wide-angle sensor are anticipated to be included in the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE triple rear camera arrangement. It is expected to have a 32MP sensor on the front.

When it comes to the battery, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is rumoured to come with a 4,500mAh battery that supports 15W fast charging. The Galaxy S21 FE is expected to have 5G, 4G LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v5.1, GPS, and a USB Type-C port for connection.

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New Delhi: Shamita Shetty is out of the 'Bigg Boss 15' house because of medical reasons, according to news circulating on social media. But she will be "back" by Tuesday or Wednesday.

Colors, the channel airing the show, has not confirmed the news, but Shamita's fans are in a tizzy. They were watching with interest her chemistry with housemate Raqesh Bapat, but he, too, has moved out of the house citing medical reasons. Later, Afsana Khan was asked to leave the house by Bigg Boss.

Both Shamita and Afsana were recently in the news for the spat they had. Afsana was said to have "harmed herself" after the heated argument.

The latest news from the house (officially unconfirmed, of course) is that Raqesh won't return to the show, unlike what was previously speculated -- that he would be back after recovering from his medical problem. Social media stories, however, indicate that his doctors have advised him against going back to the house.

The news definitely comes as a double blow to Shamita-Raqesh fans, who were so looking forward to seeing where they were headed.
Kolkata: West Bengal BJP MLA Swapan Majumder, has courted controversy by allegedly telling his party workers to break the hands and legs of Trinamool Congress leaders if they terrorise them and slap false charges against them.

In a purported video that surfaced on social media, Swapan Majumder, BJP legislator of Bongaon South, also promised to fully support the distressed party workers in any situation.

"If a (TMC) leader seeks to frame our workers in false cases, if our workers are terrorised, that leader may not return safely. Enough is enough. Break his hands and legs in self-defence and come to me. I promise to be on your side," Majumder was heard telling his supporters at a party meeting in the video.

The authenticity of the video could not be verified, news agency PTI said. Reacting to Majumder's alleged comments, Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh claimed that this shows the mindset and culture of BJP leaders.

"We strongly condemn such language, words and threat. Being frustrated in the wake of the popularity of the Trinamool Congress in the area, he is issuing such threats," he said.

BJP state president Sukanta Majumder said his party does not believe in the politics of violence. "If the (Bangaon South) MLA has made such a comment, it was in response to recent threats by local TMC leader Alorani Sarkar to skin her political opponents ahead of Bongaon Municipality polls," he said.

Sarkar denied having threatened any BJP worker in the area and described the MLA as one who had used abusive words against her and other TMC leaders in the past.

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Vienna: Austria is placing millions of people not fully vaccinated against the coronavirus in lockdown as of Monday to deal with a surge in infections to record levels and the growing strain on intensive-care units, the government said on Sunday.

Europe is the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic again, prompting some governments to consider re-imposing unpopular lockdowns. Austria has one of the continent`s highest infection rates, with a seven-day incidence of 815 per 100,000 people.

"We are not taking this step lightly but it is necessary," Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg told a news conference announcing the new measure, under which the unvaccinated can only leave their homes for a limited number of reasons like going to work or shopping for essentials.

Roughly 65% of Austria`s population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, one of the lowest rates in western Europe. Many Austrians are sceptical about vaccines, a view encouraged by the far-right Freedom Party, the third biggest in parliament.

The measures on Monday will extend those brought in a week ago which banned the unvaccinated from places including restaurants, hotels, theatres and ski lifts.

While the Netherlands is dealing with its surge in cases by imposing a partial lockdown that applies to all, Austria`s conservative-led government wants to avoid imposing further restrictions on those who are fully vaccinated.

"In reality we have told one third of the population: you will not leave your apartment anymore apart from for certain reasons. That is a massive reduction in contacts between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated," Schallenberg said.

In Germany, the federal government and leaders of Germany`s 16 states are due to meet next week to discuss tightening measures. Germany has already classified Austria as a high-risk area, meaning people arriving from there have to go into quarantine, a blow to Austria`s winter tourism industry.

Targeted measures have recently been introduced in Australia, where 83% of people aged 16 and above have been fully inoculated. Some states have mandated vaccinations for some occupations and barred the unvaccinated from activities such as dining out, leading to demonstrations.

Singapore, where 85% of the population has been fully vaccinated, has said those who remained unvaccinated by choice would have to foot their medical bills from next month.

Austria`s lockdown, which does not apply to the under-12s or people who have recently recovered from COVID-19, will initially last 10 days, Health Minister Wolfgang Mueckstein said.

Many officials, including within Schallenberg`s conservative party and the police, have expressed doubts this lockdown can be properly enforced as it applies to only part of the population. Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said there will be thorough police checks.

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New Delhi: Sri Lanka has called for an in-person BIMSTEC summit, the date of which is yet to be decided. This will be the 5th such summit of the grouping.

BIMSTEC or Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation has 7 members - India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. The grouping is more than 20 years old and was formed in 1997. The last summit took place in Kathmandu in 2018 with PM Modi and other member-leaders attending the meet.

Sri Lanka is the chair of the grouping and had earlier proposed holding a virtual summit on 9th December which has now been postponed. Before that it had proposed August for the summit.

This is the 2nd time Colombo had to post the summit, the reason for which has not been given. First April saw BIMSTEC foreign minister meet taking place virtually during which agenda for the leaders' summit was taken up.

On the agenda at the summit will be the approval of the BIMSTEC Charter, BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity & BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters. Grouping is also working on the finalization of the BIMSTEC Coastal Shipping Agreement and the Motor Vehicles Agreement.

India has been keen on the grouping with SAARC unable to function well due to Pakistan's politicisation of many proposals of New Delhi. In 2019, India had invited BIMSTEC heads of government and states for PM Modi's oath-taking ceremony for 2nd term.

After Sri Lanka, Thailand will be the host of the grouping.

Meanwhile, BIMSTEC also faces a dilemma over Myanmar's presence. Remember, Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) during October annual summit did not invite Gen Min Aung Hlaing who seized power in Myanmar earlier this year. The country's coup leadership has seen global backlash over continued violence in the country.

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